Galen
Stormholm was a remarkable System, although Galen had expected more. It was the first, and most prestiges royal star system of the Ash Dawn Clan, and kings of Highpass. From Stormholm it could be said that the very first sparks of the kingdom of Highpass was born. It was indeed the core system of the old kingdom which formed Hakon Fairhair’s kingdom, and that of his ancestors. Even today it was seen as a holy sight for the clan, although it had remained in the hands of a cadet branch since Frea’s own father had been driven into exile more than seventy years ago.
Old System-lord Edric Ashstorm was a Grandson of Hakon Fairhair. There were so many grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren that it was said they could field their own legion. He was close kin to Frea, although Galen was sure that she would seek to replace the man in a instant. She had always spoken of how the Stormholm System was her by right, as was the throne of Highpass.
“Come on,” Vanir snapped as he appeared in Galen’s small quarters on the estate of Stormholm where he had been packing to leave the surface, and resume the journey to their next stop in the sector.
“I’m packing as fast as I can,” Galen replied to the Techno-Mage who had become almost like a keeper for him.
“Not that, come now,” Vanir snapped. “There is a messenger.”
“Messenger?” Galen asked with a twist of his head.
“From Fist, he is in the throne room with your father, and the System-lord.” Vanir responded.
Galen nodded, and followed the Techno-Mage through the estate to the throne room of the System-lord where he sat with members of his own court, and Galen’s own father, aunt, and their own courts.
“Galen,” Lord Erik Worth said as he noticed his son.
“Father,” Galen said, and could almost taste the room as other minor lords entered behind him.
“Tell us again,” Lord Erik said as he looked to a man Galen did not know, but who stood in the middle of the room, and must have been the messenger.
The messenger nodded. “We have received word in Highmark from the Commmonwealth of Drala,” he said, and looked about the room. “On the Fabian Feasting day for the hero known as Lycus, there was an attack.”
The room filled with low murmurs, but the messenger continued. “On that day, almost two month ago now, every person of Furse blood was massacred. Killed, and murdered. Women, children, and men alike were hunted down.”
The room filled with an uproar as everyone because to speak. Galen looked to his father, who sat with the System-lord with a twisted look on his face, and yet he had already heard the news.
“Every Furse?” someone asked.
“Fuck, there must have been millions if not billions of Furse in the Commonwealth,” another said.
The messenger nodded. “That is what we have been told,” he said with a loud voice to be heard. “We have not confirmed all details yet, but we have confirmed that there has been an attack though, and that many worlds have been subject to this crime.”
Lord Erik stood, and held his hand up. “No doubt more news will come in the days to come, but for now this is what we know.” He said. “If this news is indeed true, then there must be a response.”
“A response?” Someone asked.
“I have kin in Drala,” another said.
Lord Worth nodded, and held his hand up again. “Many of us have kin in the Dragon’s Head Nebula,” he said, and looked around the room. “Let us not forget that our king, King Harwyn’s own sister has made her home in the Commonwealth with her family.”
There were light murmurs as people continued to speak, but Galen’s father continued. “That is why King Harwyn had asked that I send a force to Highmark,” he told the room, and the noise died down. “I shall lead the forces of Highpass to the Kingdom of Fist, and if these rumors prove to be true, our fleet, along with that of the Kingdom of Fist will unite once again, and we will avenge these deaths.”
The room filled into an uproar again. Some shouted agreement, while others did not agree.
“You would leave us undefended?” someone asked.
“No,” Lord Worth shouted in reply. “I have take for forces can be spared, and my sister, and son will continue the tour of Highpass, and ensure to the strength of our borders,” he told them.
Galen felt his stomach drop as he learned that his father was leaving for war, and yet he was being left behind.
“I will remain here in Stormholm as long as I can, before I depart to Fist.” He fell silent for a moment, as he looked around the room. “Pray to our ancestors lords. Pray that this is some bad joke, or pray for vengeance, or whatever you like, but pray my lords, pray for our souls.”
