Ghost of Whisper Creek

Krita spend two full days and nights in the Commander’s tent. Even though Maison suggested that she had full reign of the camp she viewed herself as a prisoner and the tent as her cell. The guards asked if she wished to exit in order to eat, each time she answered their request with a harsh glare and silence. Less than an hour later food was pushed through the flap of the tent. The first several meals Krita would not touch, but when it came to the evening meal on the first day she gave in and ate.

She did not sleep at all either of the nights and was glad for it on the third morning. Her eye lids were beginning to droop when she heard the clash of metal against metal. At first she thought it was just Maison’s men training. Though she’d not heard it during the first two mornings. Then she heard war cries, then the crackle of fire. It was not a normal camp fire. Fire of this like Krita had not heard since the day her family took Kronnborg.

Chains rattling at her wrists Krita took advantage of the “freedom of the camp” that she was provided and charged out of the tent. The camp was in chaos. Many more men than Krita had seen upon entering were engaged in combat, and it was not mere sparring session. People were dying. The only guard who remained at the tent was quickly disposed of by a blow to the head with Krita’s chains. Soon though she found herself surrounded by not one, not two, but all three of the Thorne brothers as well as her three lieutenants who had not been in the camp the entirety of her stay. She blinked at the Lord Knight and her compatriots who it seemed were winning the day quite easily.

“All ghosts drop your weapons!” Masion bellowed out as he did as he commanded and fell to a knee before his brother. Krita’s bunnies and the few men that Lord Knight Thorne had at his disposal quickly rounded up the remainder of Maison’s men and held them in a hollowed outpost.

“Seems you found your ghost my Lady,” Horbin Thorne bellowed with a laugh. As he laughed Megwan and Horeak were released from where they were held. He saw Megwan limping and instantly stopped his laughter. “See to the wounded. Set up triage and bring these two with me.” Horbin dismounted as did Krita’s lieutenants the lieutenants pushed the other Thorne brothers into another hollowed out building nearby.

Krita followed slowly behind moving to Megwan’s side to be sure that her attendant for lack of a better title was ok. Megwan insisted that she was and accompanied Krita to the building. When they stepped inside Maison and Trakas were on their knees in front of their brother his long sword was drawn as were the swords of Morn, Walril and Fruorin.

The eyes of the Lord Knight rose to Krita. “Though I know them well these lands are out of my holdings my Lady. Your subjects and yourself were the ones harmed by these outlaws. What will you have done with them?”

Maison’s shoulders sagged with a sigh, but he took the news as if it were expected. Trakas nearly rose from his kneel and charged his brother, Walril’s waving of his sword in his former comrade’s face stopped the thought quite quickly. His body stopped, Trakas’ mouth started, “You’d leave our fate to the barbarian? Your own brothers?”

“You have broken the King’s Laws. You’ve assaulted and held captive a noble woman,” the eldest Thorne pointed a finger at his youngest brother. “You betrayed the trust of a commander. Do I ask her to pass judgement? You’re damn right I do. Be glad I don’t have you shackled and brought before her father.”

Krita gave a laugh, “You wouldn’t even see the inside of the city. He’d ride out to meet us and your bodies would be left for carrion. Yes you should indeed feel lucky.” Krita strode around to face her former lieutenant and his brother, the Ghost of Whisper Creek. “How mobile are your men Commander?”

Maison Thorne looked up at Krita with surprise, “We’re Arandil’s rangers, mostly scouts. By definition we’re quite mobile, though I’m unsure how many we have injured and how many horse we might have lost.”

Krita nodded and turned to the Lord Knight, “They cannot stay here within my father’s lands. Where will they do the King the most good that will keep them from these lands?”

“Abnaki my Lady,” Horbin Thorne answered quickly.

Maison gave a slight chuckle, “Where we were heading when this all started. You sentence us to complete our original orders that is very kind of you my Lady, perhaps we’ve had the wrong of your family.”

Krita laughed, “You’ve taught me a valuable lesson Commander, so I am lenient. My father, my uncle, probably even my brother would see you dead. You are not a bad man Commander, just chose a bad cause.”

Maison nodded, “What about my wife and child?”

Krita looked to Horbin in question, “They have been fine in Visby for more than two years now Maison. I doubt she’s changed her mind and is willing to head off with you.”

Maison nodded again, “I suppose you are right, and I deserve no less. You will send them my love, and let them know that I think of them always.” Horbin nodded and Maison turned his attention to Krita, “May I see to my men.”

Krita waved her hand, “My men will stay here until you are ready to move out. I will send word secretly to my brother who will pass work of your arrival to the La Seine. In South Port you will secure passage to Abnaki, if you don’t have the means and the crown will not pay have them come collect the gold from me personally.”

Maison marked his agreement silently and slowly rose. “Abnaki huh?” Trakas’ voice added as he started to rise.

“Oh no,” Krita said with a snicker. “You’re not going. I don’t trust you on the loose. I thank you for your aid Lord Knight and wonder if I might trouble you once more to keep your brother out of trouble?”

“Trakas will be watched closely,” Ser Horbin said with a nod. “There are cells in Sterling Keep.”

Krita chuckled again, “Oh. No. Trakas spent two years as a loyal soldier. He chose family over honor I don’t know that I entirely blame him for his choice. I’d like to see him remain as the soldier I know he has been, perhaps under family leadership he will do so.” Horbin nodded his agreement. Trakas gave a disappointed sound. Krita hefted her sword, which Morn had retrieved for her. “If you’d prefer Trakas I can take your head now? Take my gift. You can even actually go and visit the Corrella you pretended to see when you escaped to warn your brother.”

Trakas gave a wide grin, “You think I’m the type to settle down my Lady?” he asked with a chuckle.

“I suggest that you learn how.” Krita answered and then turned to exit the building.