Visions

Visions

                Her grace Helene, Baroness of Ovidden, decreed that a small welcome dinner would be held for the arriving instructors. This meant that Sable had to wait until they arrived before taking her evening meal or resting - which made her (as Seth happily discovered) quite cranky.

                But after several hours of annoyance from Seth (primarily asking obscure and pointless questions about her axe) word finally came that the instructors had arrived.

                "After the dinner I will head to my quarters; do not interrupt the dinner or my rest for pointless stupidity or you will not wake until morning," warned Sable as she left.

                Seth was silent until she left the room, but then burst out laughing. He had, in fact, arranged to join the dinner in time for dessert (how he wished to eat sweets again). But the opportunity to annoy Sable would not be missed! He was having far too much fun irritating her.

                Sable took her seat at the small dining table next to Greg's, and began waiting. It would be a while before food was served, as the instructors would get settled in to the quarters that would act as their homes for the next few years. Like Sable, they would head out to the villages surrounding Ovidden for training sessions, and then return in the evening.

                The small dining table sat at the head of the hall, and had been arranged to seat six. It was capable of seating up to eight, which were usually the guests of honour, though the room was also used for the day to day meals of the Baroness and her children. Only one of her children was currently in residence - her son, James. He and the liaison had spent a lot of time together during the liaison's stay, Sable had noticed. She had also complained about it: the liaison was supposed to be handling business, not pleasure.

                It was not long before Greg and James arrived, with James taking the seat opposite his mother's and Greg sitting between him and Sable. Sable had been notified of the seating arrangement earlier - Helene seemed to be encouraging the liason with the liaison. Sable suspected it was to score more points with those behind the war effort, such as it was, so that Helene could ensure an even better prize for her aid.

                Or perhaps it was true love. Either way, they two were making lovey dovey eyes at each other, raising Sable's ire.

                "Perhaps you two should retire early?" she said.

                James looked abashed, but Greg chuckled and said, "Perhaps! But not until we have been joined by out very late guests, at least."

                "I suppose they will arrive with her grace?" said Sable.

                "Of course. She is taking them on a tour of the castle herself. Or, rather, she has mostly finished said tour and decided to summon us for dinner," said Greg. "Efficient woman, your mum," he added, turning back to James.

                "Oh, ah, yes, yes she is," said James, still flustered.

                Sable sighed. Compared to his mother - and, luckily, compared to his sister who was heir to the barony - James was easily confused, which left him unable to handle any complex task. On the other hand, his lack of shrewdness made him far more pleasant company.

                "I agree. In fact, I suspect she will arrive in about three, two, one," said Sable. She paused for a short moment, and added, "Now."

                Right on cue, Helene entered the room. She had not changed from her earlier clothing - a pale blue shirt and dark blue skirt - but she had let her hair down. Behind her followed two women; a short but tough looking blonde wearing a mix of plate and chain armour, and a lithe woman with bright red hair wearing leather armour. Their clothing made Sable thankful, as she would - finally - no longer stick out.

                Helene led the two women to the table. As they walked, Sable caught the eye of the red-head - she had been staring at Sable, as if recognising her from somewhere.

                "This is Dame Bianca," said Helene, indicating the blonde, "and this is Dame Tenna. They are both members  Bianca and Tenna, the two here you have not met are my son James and your fellow trainer, Baronetess-in-Exile Sable." Helene continued indicating with her hand as she made the introductions. Tenna seemed a little surprised at Sable's name, but she hid it quickly.

                "Please be seated," requested Helene, pointing Bianca and Tenna to their seats.

                Helene took her seat after the last of her guests had, and rang a small bell to summon the first course. "James," she said, "would you join me at the head of the table for a moment? The rest of you, please, discuss something amongst yourselves."

                James walked to the head of the table as if on death row, and Greg was unable to keep his eyes off the young man. Sable, who did not care, turned to her new compatriots. "Welcome to Ovidden," she said with a rare smile.

                "Thank you, milday," replied Tenna.

                "Same, ma'am," said Bianca respectfully.

                "At present I technically hold no rank at all, not even a knighthood, so there is no need for formality," said Sable, "Unless you would each like to be referred to as Dames."

                "Suits me," said Bianca. "We'll be working too close at times for formality anyway."

                "Ah, but, oh," muttered Tenna, "Ah, I guess given the circumstances and complications treating each other as if of equal rank is the best option. I prefer Ten, if we are to be on a name-basis."

                "Ten and Bianca it is, then," said Sable. "Which sort of training are each of you responsible for?"

                "I'll be teaching the skirmishers and other light infantry, and the baroness has told me that she's secured enough horses for light cavalry training as well, so I'll be doing that," said Bianca.

                "Archers, field medics, engineers and cooks," said Ten. "Perhaps rune identification as well."

                "That's an impressive number of skills, Ten," said Sable. "Are you a master of all or?"

                "Except the cooking, yes," replied Ten. "But field cooking is about mass production, more than taste," she added with a giggle.

                "She says that, but she knows how to make anything taste good if you've got a few spices handy," said Bianca.

                "But I'm no chef," said Ten. She straightened herself in her seat, having noticed servants bringing in the dinner, and added "Unlike someone in this castle, it seems."

                Sable licked her lips. On each plate was piled a hefty pile of various meats and vegetables, roasted slowly over the day. Though the normal evening meals served were of far better than standard fare, the chef-in-residence's roasts were almost good enough to die for.

                "Fuck me that looks good," said Bianca, watching her meal approach. Helene's gaze settled upon Bianca, chastising her for the swearing without saying a word. It did not move from Bianca until all the food had been placed, and Sable had trouble fighting back a smile.

                After the food had been set, Ten asked, "So, Sable, what training are you responsible for?"

                "Heavy infantry, here, although I trained heavy cavalry in Neuton in my previous assignment," replied Sable. "The heavy cavalry were a unit of knights in the King's Guard, who I believe are the only heavy cavalry in Dafer. At least, apart from some of the mercenaries."

                "Oh, quite exceptional," said Tenna happily.

                "You come from Merisomet?" asked Bianca around mouthfuls, while Tenna sipped some water.

                "Yes, I do. My family were scapegoated to provide a reward to a greedy baron, and I used to serve with the Forest Wardens," replied Sable.

                "Huh, any of y-" started Bianca, only to get cut off by Ten.

                "The Forest Wardens? I heard they disbanded after the revolution," said Ten, just barely managing to stop Bianca from asking about Sable's dead family members.

                "They did. I fled Merisomet before that happened, but I've heard from a reliable source that because they could not decide whether to support or fight against the low-kings the order disbanded to allow all the knights to return home and fight for who they wished, or even not fight at all," explained Sable.

                "So you were a knight, and you would be a Baronetess, but you're neither because of the mess Merisomet's in. That does explain why someone like you is helping us out instead of wandering around being a hero," said Bianca. She was obliquely referring to Sable's great stature - around one hundred and ninety centimetres, and with a remarkably tough build (at least, in her heavy armour) - as well as the rumours that had made their way through the war effort of Sable's skill at arms.

                "Thank you for the compliment," said Sable. "I've heard good things about the Order of the Iron Rose."

                "Even though it's just a grab-bag of noble kids and anyone who distinguishes themself as a warrior?" asked Bianca. Ten looked somewhat shocked at Bianca's words.

                "About the core group who instruct the rest and pick the best recruits from the nation to become the next generation of instructors, yes," replied Sable.

                Bianca smiled. "Well, at least you've paid some attention to the country that's sheltering you," she said.

                Mostly outside the notice of the three women, Helene had finished chatting with James and allowed him to return to the other end of the table. She had then dug into her meal, catching up with the trio just as they finished theirs.

                "Sable is a fine example of nobility, unlike many both here and in Merisomet." Helene said. She rang the bell again, to begin preparation of dessert, although James had yet to finish his meal (mostly due to an intense, whispered conversation with Greg).

                "Thank you, your grace," said Sable, dipping her head politely to Helene.

                "Hopefully I will find you two to be much the same," continued Helene.

                "If we are worthy, your grace," said Ten. Bianca nodded in assent with what Ten said.

                Sable suddenly spotted Seth across the room, having sauntered in through a nearby doorway. "What -" she began, cutting herself off quickly. Bastard's here for dessert, of course, she though to herself.

                "Ah, excellent," said Helene, turning to Seth. "Bianca and Ten, this is S-"

                Helene was cut off by a scream from Ten. Sable looked on in shock as Ten leapt onto the table and started to make her way across it.

                "What - what is the meaning of this?" roared Helene, angered at Ten's interruption.

                Ten leapt off the table and started edging away from it, keeping it between herself and Seth. "He - he's -" stammered Ten, glancing around in search of an exit.

                "He's what?" demanded Helene.

                Seth, who had been looking puzzled, suddenly said "Aha! So you're the seer! Although, why are you running away from me? I'm not the one who, heheh."

                "What is he talking about? Sable? Anyone?" asked Helene, getting to her feet.

                It was Ten who spoke first. "I had a vision, a couple of months ago, just before we left to come here," she said. "That man - he was in it. So was Bianca and Sable. He - they - he made them kill me!"

                "If we're remembering the same vision it wasn't even my idea, I think. Might've been. Look, okay, that all can't happen now because you've already changed the world, calm down," said Seth.

                The entire room was silent except for Ten's heavy breathing. After what seemed like an age to Sable, Helene said, "I would like to know the details of this vision. Both of you sit. Now."

                "Very well, your grace," said Seth, smoothly.

                "O-okay. Okay. I- I will, your grace," said Ten.

                Seth reached the table just as a servant - who had been waiting silently as the drama unfolded - slide his seat in between Sable and the Baroness. He smiled at Sable as he sat down and whispered, "I told you I had a vision."

                "Begin," said Helene with a wave of her hand.

                Ten took a deep breath, and began her story. "Bianca and I had just met up in Fourth Hill, and were staying at the inn there, two months ago. No, I'll start earlier - though I should say that the vision is the reason we were delayed. I have, throughout my life, had several vision in my sleep. They are rare, and I do not know what causes them. Each has come true, though I have never tried to prevent one. Until that night two months ago, I had never seen anything I wished to prevent.

                "On that night I had a vision. I saw us - myself, Sable and Bianca - in the forest. I recognised Bianca and, in the vision, I recognised Sable as well though I had never met her. We were in the Forest of the Caged, I think performing a 'patrol' of it, and we ran into him. He... He told us he was a powerful mage, and he proved it. Then he asked us to join him in taking over Merisomet, Dafer - and more. Any lands nearby, I think he said.

                "I, of course, refused. But Sable - she was angry, I don't know about what. It seemed to her, I think, easier to work with this man than to wait. I - she doesn't seem as bitter as she was in my vision. She agreed to work with him. Bianca agreed as well - she - I -" Ten paused, looking at Bianca.

                "You've told me plenty of times," said Bianca, "and I promised I wouldn't if it happened, remember?"

                "I - okay," said Ten. "Bianca said she might have because - because of the rewards he could offer. I mean, um, she doesn't keep it secret okay she wants to be granted lands as a reward for the war, when it happens. And because of that his deal was better and surer so she accepted. And I said - I said I'd tell the lords of Dafer everything. He - he said something like 'well, we can't have that' and then - then they killed me. Sable and Bianca killed me at his order."

                "And this... dream is why you are two months late?" asked Helene, aggravated.

                "Yes, but - but it's come true! At least in part! He's here!" said Ten.

                Helene closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. "Perhaps you should have warned us, given that you are a seer? Sable would have been more prepared in her patrols, and - nevermind. What could have been is not. Dame Tenna, we have come to an arrangement with this man - Seth is his name. He has agreed to assist the war effort in exchange for some lands himself, and what he can provide may well be worth it - Greg is to discuss this with the others over the next month.

                "So be calm, Tenna, he is no threat. Though should he become one - I am certain that unless you stand in the way of his flight you will not be a target of any significance," said Helene.

                After a moment of thought, Tenna said, "Yes, I understand, thank you, your grace."

                Helene smiled, having restored order. "Although your outburst was disruptive I can understand your actions, and forgive them," Helene said. She gave her bell a single ring, and servants burst forth from the kitchen door bearing dessert.

                "Oh yeah," said Seth to Sable. "I've been waiting for this."

                "I think I know why I would've been angrier with the war effort," replied Sable. "Tenna and Bianca's training is definitely going to continue for more than ten years. Though, with your aid..."

                "Hm," said Seth. "Yeah, that would've driven you up the wall. Whatever. Right now I only want to do one thing: eat dessert!"

                Sable sighed. She did not dare to think what it would have been like had she sworn herself to his service. Certainly not good.