William
Captain Monroe, and his son Dex personal flew the shuttle down from the ‘Windbreaker Express’ to Coldfell. It took them hours to reach the planet once they made their last jump into the star system. Long hours that ticked down slowly. After more than a month on board the starship, William had begun to get use to life again, and almost feel safe. Then the clock ticked down to the time he would depart it for an unknown world.
From the shuttle, the world of Coldfell looked like most habitable worlds. William could have almost fooled himself, and thought it were Karthmere they were landing on. Captain Monroe had piloted them down to a landing pad outside some of the large settlements on the world. Surrounded by trees, lakes, and mountains, it had reminded William of Lakehall, even though everything was different, and not just the view. The way the trees looked, or the way the grass seemed to blow in the breeze. As much as it looked like Karthmere, everything told him how much it wasn’t.
No one had been at the landing pad to meet them when they landed. Captain Monroe said asked Alyn if he were sure he didn’t want them to take them to one of the closer pads to Stout Rise, but the Techno-Mage had refused. In return the Techno-Mage had asked the captain if he wished to join them, to which he politely refused, and stated that he had family elsewhere on the planet to see, and that the ‘Windbreaker Express’ had to leave, and continue on it’s journey. Although the Kingdom of Fist had been their destination, they were bond for the Upp Sector, Coldfell was on the wrong side, which meant they had three weeks to make up for to reach their target system.
William said his goodbyes to the captain, and his young friend. Dex handed him a holo chip of a game based on some historic event in Furse Space called the Corporate Wars that had taken place thousands of years in the past. He thanked the young lad, and promised to play it in the holo rooms when he got a chance, and than watched the shuttle disappear.
William followed Alyn for what seemed like hours as they traveled along the long twisting trail build of small stone. It rose, and fell with the ground is gentle and great elevations. Some area’s the path turned to stairs. It went through trees, along rivers, creeks, and a large blue lake. Twisting back and forth to follow the lay of the land. On the odd time the Techno-Mage would stop, William found himself enjoying the view, but most times he just tried to catch his breath.
Alyn spoke, although William were too busy trying to keep up to pay much attention. They passed statues, and small shrines. Benches, and places of rest were common, but they passed by them all as they made their way forward.
It must have been mid day by the time William saw the roof of the great estate called Stout Rise. It was still to far to be seen clearly but there were less trees now, and the structure appeared to be nestled into the side of the mountain. The area also seemed to be more taken care of, less wild and more tame. Here, and there William saw fields, or gardens. Than there were people. Only a few at first. Walking along the same path, or one of the many connected ones which lead somewhere else. Than there were alot more, and a few small buildings here and there. A shed here, and out building there.
The people seemed to avoid Alyn as soon as they seen him. Eyes went wide, and they gave the Techno-Mage space, and William could hear hush whispers as they passed by, but never what they said. Then came the shouts.
“Herald!” A young man shouted as he waved his hands in the air, and awkwardly rushed towards Alyn. “Herald,” he kept shouting as he neared.
“Herald Alyn…” the young man said, who must have been around Wiliam’s own age.
“I fucking heard you,” Alyn snapped at the younger man. “What do you want?” he growled.
The young man stepped back, and looked down at his feet. “I am Cuthbert Malcolm Coldwater Stout,” he said is a soft yet clear voice. “I am aide to Lord Stout,” he said, but kept his eyes down for a moment before he finally look up at the Techno-Mage. “Lord Stout has commanded me to bring you to her at once.”
“Bring me to her?” Alyn snapped at the youngster. “Am I some pup meant to be dragged along as where you see you fit?”
“No,” Cuthbert blurted out, his eyes wide. “I just meant that Lord Stout wishes to speak with you at…”
“Lord Stout can fucking come see him if it’s that important, otherwise I will enjoy my walk, and return home, and see her when it pleases me. Understood?”
But… but,” Cuthbert fumbled, and than looked down and nodded.
“If you must, tell the Lord I will meet her shortly,” Alyn said.
“But I am to remain by your side until you do,” Cuthbert responded, and William could tell he wished he could have said anything else. “Duncan has already…”
“I know what that old fuck has done,” Alyn cut him off. “If you must, follow behind with the other boy, and keep quiet.”
Cuthbert fell in behind Alyn, and looked at William with a smile. “I am Cuthbert Malcolm Coldwater Stout, it is a pleasure to meet you,” he said.
“I am William Stout,” William said with a small smile.
“Yes, Lord Bear,” he said, and looked away. “We were sorry…”
“I said quiet,” Alyn snapped, and Cuthbert closed his mouth.
