Harald
It had been weeks since his father and mother had left Isca to patrol the northern border of the Dumgarth sector along the expanse of space known as the Starholm Gap within the Void of Eriu. Many of the staff of Stonehill Hold had gone with them, as they often did. The familiar faces like Shield-maiden Nena Woodsmith, and his kin Elwyn, and Hyrum Frost were gone, but Sophie Frost remained behind in her position as Master of Stonehill Hold with enough staff to maintain the estate, and continue the education of Harald, and the other children.
Harald, his siblings, friends, and other wards and children of those who called Stonehill Hold home didn’t have much change other than the noticed absence of their parents. Their days were spent with their teachers under the charge of the head master Oma Everett. Quincey would continue to sneak them treats throughout their meals, more so in fact than when his parents were home. The large chef always had some new dessert for them to try.
Life remained largely the same for all the children in Stonehill Hold. There were less familiar faces, but the estate was always filled. More than thirty five thousand called it or the surrounding area home, and all of them those who had served under Lord Frost, and either followed him from Furse Space to the Void of Eriu or afterwards in battle against the Commonwealth.
There was the silent worry which hung throughout the estate though when Lord Frost was gone to patrol the sector, and protect it from raiders. Mostly from the Void of Eriu, but also from the Drala Trade Route, and largely from the Eriu Tutha, but also from other Furse who had come to claim fresh worlds for themselves like his father had, or gain wealth, and plunder. The worry that the System-lord, or any of one of the members of the Home Guard of Isca would fall, and not return, or even all of them.
Harald always put on his best face when his father left, but especially when both his father, and mother would go. He did what he must to remain brave, and strong for his younger siblings, and the others. He wished he could grow used to the feelings filled inside, but he never did. It was a feeling that came each time they were gone, but as he got older he found it easier to pretend to put on a brave face as he knew his father would expect of him.
Most nights Harald dreamed about joining his father, and mother on the command deck of the Star Carrier ‘Frost’. He dreamed of battles fought long ago, battles that had never happened, and battles where he saved the day.
Now they had finally returned, and Stonehill Hold was full of laughter, and joy. The great hall was filled with guests from all over Isca, and the Sector feasting with the lord, and cheering another successful patrol, and defeat of pirates, and raiders. The feasting would go well into the night, and early morning. There were so many guests which Harald had never met before. Lords, nobles, and other influential members from the sector.
Harald managed to steal several cups of mead for himself, and his friends. Half the guests in the hall were already drunk, and the other half were well on their way to getting drunk. Even his mother, and father were deep into their cups at the main table as they entertained some of their guests, and no one noticed a few cups go missing here and there.
Gwen giggled, and Harald let out a small laugh in return as they each took sips of their second cups. Jae was already asleep at the table after half her first cup, and Winnifred looked more drunk than any of them. Only Joslyn Vault seemed unaffected by the mead as she enjoyed her third cup.
The table went quest as Nena sat down between Harald and Gwen. Harald knew they were caught. Nena knew everything about anything, and only a fool thought they could get something past her. He had learned time, and time again that he couldn’t get anything past his mother’s shield maiden, and her watchful gaze.
Nena didn’t say anything, but just reached out and grabbed Harald’s cup, and gave it a sniff before she took a large sip, and then placed it back down on the table. She looked at Harald with her green eyes, her black hair dangling freely past her shoulder.
“Last one right?” she asked with a quiet voice which was almost a whisper, and a small smirk followed by a wink.
Harald nodded, and saw both Gwen and Joslyn follow suit while Winnifred looked as though she were going to puke from the fright of getting caught breaking the rules instead of the alcohol in their system, although he was sure that didn’t help.
“Yes,” Harald forced out finally. “Last one,” he said, and nodded his head.
“I remember the first time I drank,” Nena continued. Harald could remember his as well. He was little more than thirteen and was sick for two days after. “I never did enjoy it, dulls the senses,” she said. “The worst thing a warrior can have is dull senses,” she said, and stood.
Harald nodded.
Nena walked around the table pulled Jae up, and into her arms from her seat at the table as she muttered to herself, but began to drift asleep again. “Do not make a fool of me, and break your word,” Nena said, and turned with Jae, and left into the crowd of guests in the great hall before any of them could respond.
Harald looked at Winnifred, who still looked as though she wanted to puke before he looked at Gwen, and Joslyn. The three of them let out a deep breath as though they were one, and then laughed out loud. He felt his head begin to spin a little as he looked towards the high table where his father sat with other members, and drank his own cup as he celebrated the spoils of their victory over the pirates.
Harald couldn’t remember much more after that before it all went black.
