Post

Region: Kirinna

Tyrrhusca

Cisrian Frontier - 604

She sat upon her chair, listening to the bombardment of rain pelt the tent. The only other sounds were the running of soldiers in the background, sloshing around in the mud, horses racing about with their crying neighs, and the occasional order being shouted. The Cisrian general had yet to arrive, and her advisors ran out of small talk to waste time. Now they sat in silence.
Velthuria had wrapped herself up in a thick layer of cloaks and blankets to keep warm, but the sight of her breath reminded her body to feel the cold weather causing her to shiver, which further gnawed at her patience. She and her council sat around a long table, with several seats for the Cisrians left empty. If it hadn’t been raining, she would have already ordered their departure in cite of the Cisrian absence.
“I-” she began to speak before a group of three men barged through the tent flap. They were drenched and brought the smell of mud and horse with them. Two of the men wore typical armor of an officer, an iron breastplate and greaves with yellow epaulets. Which matched their white and yellow dyed tunics. Their helmets sported tall fathers o distinguish them in battle. The first men, however, had a double-crested helmet of feathers. One white, one yellow. All three of the men were handsomely built in her eyes, their armor glistening from the rain.
The priest, announced their arrival.
“Caputis-Fetum Thefri, of the Ataris tribe, general of the great city of Cisria.” The priest paused. “Queen Velthuria of the Hurace tribe, Mistress of the great city Caletra, daughter of King Teuitu, wife of Quintis of the Papis of Tribvrsi.”
The three men bowed. That latter of the men removed his helmet. He had short greying hair but looked reasonably young. “Please,” she said, attempting to hide her shutters. “Come sit.” The men silently approached the table. Thefri sat directly across from her, his two companions on either side.
Wine was brought out for the three men. For a moment, the rain continued to dominate the conversation as they all sat in silence, the three Cisrians enjoying their drinks. Finally, Velthuria spoke up.“Thank you, Caputis, for meeting with us. You do us honor.”
“The pleasure is mine, Mistress.” He said bowing his head a bit.
“Why, thank you.” It was clear that she would need to pull the conversation forward. “My advisors, particularly Caputis-Fetum Versni...” She motioned. Versi gave Thefri a nod, who responded in kind.
“... of your exploits against the renowned Caputis Mamarce.”
Thefri was silent, him looking down for a moment. “Yes, Caputis Mamarce was a worthy adversary. I, even now, think highly of him. Though I would strike him down again, I only regret not burying the man. Now he is lost to the void…” Velthuria didn’t know how to react, she truthfully didn’t know much about either men, just retelling was she had been told. Fortunately, he continued. “I too have heard of Versni’s exploits, particularly of your campaign north in Tribvrsi. I hear it was costly, yet you achieved victory.” Versi subtly scoffed at his comment. “However, I assume this was arranged not for battle stories, I assume it is for Harbinger?”
“Yes, however it is you that attracts me.” She saw Thefri crack a faint smirk of surprise. “You are a man of talent and virtue. I believe you have the gods' favor, having been placed as controller of their bearer and your countless victories on the field.”
Thefri seemed to be immune to the flattery.
“I do not know what the gods see in me, but I do what they command…”
“As one should.” Velthuria reaffirmed. “It is the man you are, which has compelled me to meet you in person and offer this to you personally.”
Thefri leaned back in his chair, the cogs in his brain visibly turning.
“I wish to invite you under my service. I make no demands of you; only that should you accept, we unite the world only our great-great forefathers would have envisioned. Need nod worry about your allegiance to Cisria for with you by outside, so will they. Our armies united, alongside the Tribvrsi…”
“So you plan to be a puppet of the northern tribsmen?” Thefri retorted.
She was taken back. It had been a moment since someone spoke so brunt to her. “No, I do not.” She straightened her back, yet it did little to improve her image as she sat bundled up in her blanket. “The Tribvrsi are no threat to me. However, should our realm be fractured amongst one another, with our southern neighbors gloating in wealth, the northern men could pick us off.”
Velthuria almost felt as if she had impressed Thefri. She certainly impressed herself.
“What of the Harbinger?”
Velthuria looked to her priest, who simply looked back at her. “It shall be moved to Caletra where a proper shrine shall be made. A beacon of unity of our people to the gods.”
Both of Thefri’s companions both broke their silence and leaned into Thefri’s ear. She knew they wouldn’t like to hear they’d lose the Harbinger, yet she refused to lie to the man.
“Mistress,” Thefri spoke up, “Would you permit me to consult with my men outside the tent for but a moment?”
“Of course…” She felt as if they might just take off and run. Thefri smiled, bowing his head as the three Cisrians stood up and left the tent. Several minutes passed, and they had yet to return. From her seat, she could see their legs underneath the tent flaps. The rain suppressed any chance of eavesdropping, but soon they returned. Once again, soaked, they approached the table.
“Very well, Mistress, you will have my sword.” The three men bowed. Velthuria felt the relief wash over her as she sighed.
Once they finished their formalities, Velthuria walked through the tent’s flap to the outside world to be greeted with blinding sunlight.

Aoyan, Tiburr, and Asimiya

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