Sir Thomas Blackthorne's Story

Duke Henry Devalin

Sea gulls screamed and dove as they turned and dove into the surf where it crashed against the rocks far below the battlements of the citadel. Henry Devalin, Duke of the Western Reach, arguably the most powerful man in the Kingdom, second only to the King, stared down at the foam as it crashed against the black rocks. He knew that at this moment the fools and bum lickers would be with the new King, falling over themselves to prove that they, and they alone, were his most fervent supporter.

His eyes rose upwards, into the blue and he spotted a black shape riding the thermal winds high above. He watched its progress, the spirals becoming smaller and smaller until at last the massive bird stooped and plummeted from the heavens. The seagull it had picked out as a target never saw it coming, dying instantly in a cloud of feathers as the Eagles talons locked into its plump body.

The rest of the gulls fled, screeching in horror, vanishing into the distance as the Eagle pumped its powerful wings, lifting its prey away from the reaching sea and to a crest of stone only a few feet below the lip of the battlement. Here it began to tear into the seagull, ripping open the soft belly and feeding in contentment.

"On omen perhaps?" The speaker was a thickly built bull of a man who, even in his formal wear still wore a breastplate and his ever present eyepatch. Baron Thomas Clarkson, staunch supporter of the Devalin line and Lord of the Emerald Isles. Older than the Duke by nearly twenty years he was an old sailor and soldier who had helped keep the Oceans free of pirates and invaders.

"I hope a favourable one." Replied Henry as he grinned at his friend. He glanced at the assembled men who waited for them on the parapet not far away. These men, like the Baron, were the Dukes sworn men. Their families had served the Devalin's for hundreds of years and when their liege lord did not leave to bend knee to the new King, they joined him in their refusal to go. Many, like the Baron, easily avoided it by claiming pirates had been sighted in the Western Seas.

"I should say so. The old man is dead and his fool of a son sits on the throne." Thomas had never wasted time mincing his words and was well known for his blunt, honest and often unwelcome but rational thought process. A career soldier he had spent his entire service on the high seas and was well respected by those within Avalon and beyond.

Henry nodded again and finally dropped down from the parapet, steadying himself on the barrel of a massive cannon. He strode over to the waiting lords, the wind whipping as his cloak, and smiled broadly. "Good to have you Gentlemen."

They all bowed and the thinest amongst them asked the question they all desired to know. "It is war my liege?"

Henry shook his head. "Not yet, and you are all under the pain of death to ensure that no such rumour begins. James must think we are his loyal servants until it is to late."

"Yes my liege." They responded as one. Above them the gulls began to fill the sky again, like the lords at the King's court, and when the King was to busy to notice the Duke would strike, a lightening blow to claim the Kingdom.


Sir Thomas Blackthorne

Thomas smiled and nodded to yet another noble, most of whom ignored him coldly. Outwardly he displayed no sign of distress but within he was angry. True he was no great lord but he was destined to marry into the Royal family and would perhaps even one day be a Prince. The display of hatred by the Nobles only furthered his belief that there were traitors amongst the crowd who wished ill on the Royal family.

He had taken great pains to memorize the coat-of-arms of every noble house within the Kingdom and had, to his surprise, noticed that nearly a third of the noble families were not represented, not by their direct lord anyway. Many of those missing from the room were from the Western lands, men sworn to the Duke of Devalin who was also not present. He had heard rumours of a massive pirate raid somewhere in the Reach and was not at all surprised that many of the lords from that region had chosen to remain home and defend their people.

Twice he had made eye contact with Gwen and tried to tell her loved her with his gaze but he could not speak to her. Worried his feelings would show he had even taken to avoiding his betrothed, instead talking to those lords who would speak with him. He had learned much, detecting an under current he wasn't sure he liked. He was well aware, like everyone else present, that King James was not his father and probably never would be but he still hoped many would give him a chance.

"Sir Blackthorne!" He turned to find himself face to face with the ambassador from Luxor. He bowed and smiled.

"Your lordship, how are you?"

"I am well thank you sir. I have not been to such a gathering in a long time." The Ambassador was a dour man, no, not dour, serious. He had always maintained a friendship with the Knight though both of them knew it was so that he might try and trick some vital information of out of Thomas about the Royal family. "You are well?" The ambassador asked with a thin smile.

"I am indeed your lordship. It's been a long while since I've had reason to wear this." He tugged at his fancy dress tunic, thickly embroidered and completely silly.

"I know the feeling indeed. How are your wedding plans coming along?" The questions was shrewdly asked and Thomas could see the cunning in the ambassadors dark eyes.

"Quite well I assume, I thought it would be best to leave most of the arrangements to the Princess."

The other man chuckled. "Probably wise, women are very specific in these matters."

Thomas nodded in agreement, wondering just how much the foreign ambassador knew.

"Aah, my fair sister, what are you doing all the way over here? Is the party not to your likin-" The sound of Hal's voice roused Gwen from thought with a small smile yet the sadness in her eyes betrayed her emotions to her ever observant brother, wrapping an arm around her shoulder she felt warmth swell within her heart, Hal could always seem to ease her worries with one of his embraces. Gwen's memory cast back upon when they were mere children, Hal only ten and herself only nine, it was the day of their beloved mothers funeral yet eventhough she was distraught yet in public she could not display those emotional, she had to act poised and dignified or that was at least her vile grandmother had told her, yet Hal had noticed her sitting alone, he didn't have to speak and he didn't he just wrapped an arm around her and she knew within that second everything was going to be alright, that was the effect he had on her. "Is everything alright? You seem a little forlorn for the coronation you've been looking forwards to."

Eventhough he could comfort her then, this situation was one she could discuss with her beloved brother, he was by all accounts friends with Thomas and too know that his sister had been acting like a common whore with this man surely would not end well. Gwen's eye momentarily darted to Sir Thomas whom was talking to the Luxor ambassador she believed to be named Thomas also and then back at her brother forcing a smile "why Hadrian everything is perfectly fine, I assure you nothing is wrong other than a mere tiredness, it has after all been a extremely long day" she partially lied. Sipping on her goblet of wine, looking around she quickly looked for an opportunity to change the subject "so I see our cousin failed to show this evening" she smirked hardly surprised that Henry Devalin didn't come to the coronation.

Thomas excused himself and walked away from the ambassador, more convinced then ever before that the man was fishing for sensitive information about the state of the Royal family. He let his eyes roam over the crowd, briefly catching Gwen's look and feeling the familiar warm glow spread through him. He let his gaze follower her, wondering if he would get a moment alone with, hoping for it and dreading it all at the same time.

Suddenly Hal was on a table and Thomas envied his casual manner and ability to break the ice in most any situation. It was almost as if the entire room let our collective sigh of relief and he could see the masks people wore falling away to reveal true warmth in their smiles. He once against looked around for Henry Devalin and was unable to find him though he did see Katherine speaking with King James. At least she had showed up. He would have been more concerned if not a single member of the family had turned up.

The mood in the room was certainly improved now and he felt less self conscious as he made his way through the crowd, catching sight of Arabella tucked away in a corner talking with Riveria. He knew that appearances must be maintained and though he did not love the woman he would take his promise to his friend seriously and try to be a good man to his wife to be. He straightened his back and approached the two.

He bowed low and smiled at Arabella, allowing the feelings he felt for Gwen to warm his smile and give the impression of passion he did not secretly feel. "My dear Princess. Would you honour me with this dance?"

Elim found the coronation to be a most charming occasion; he could not remember enjoying himself on such a level ever since leaving the fatherland.

The party was all you could expect from Avalon's finest and brightest, wine, women, song, and beer; too much beer most likely due to the insistence of the newly crowned King.

Since his arrival nearly a month ago Elim was far from secure in his position; plenty of warmongers back in the fatherland would love to make a diplomatic incident out of the coronation, they where wrong for both reasons for war and ways to wage it but they where right about one matter; this could be the best and only time to wage one.

Elim had not made any advances yet preferring to quietly sit on the side lines, it was too early for any action and Elim was enjoying himself; it would never do to combine business with pleasure. Elim was more then deserving of a day of enjoyment after working so hard to adjust in his new role after the "unfortunate" and "sudden" demise of his predecessor.

His earlier conversation with sir Tomas seemed to have made the wrong impression, the knight seemed suspicious of Elim and with good reason but even Elim who was so obsessive with his work had the occasional unprofessional day.

The sudden outburst of Prince Lelinus had surprised Elim and such was its raw power Elim did not bother to hide his amusement, he liked the prince, at least for what he represented and could spare him this small triumph.

The time was fast approaching for Elim to speak, first to all and then the king personally. Elim had no time to befriend the wine on this day; his senses had to be clear as his throat.

Elim knew he would have to wait for a clear moment, the untimely fallout between Lord Calabar and the mysterious Rivera Talimir had caused quite the reaction among many of the guests.

To Elim the matter was not particularly relevant and paid it no more then the passing interests. Lord Calabar was attached to the beer barrels on this particular day and Rivera Talimir clearly did not like him or most men as a rule. The young woman had much to learn if she wanted to get any were in this court, if she learned the lesson was entirely up to her.

It seemed only Elim noticed the curious exchange between sir Tomas and Lady Gwendolyn Degray. This was not particularly shocking to Elim, he had speculated about a relationship between the two for a few weeks now; the subtle longing and craving both had for each other was well hidden but after a while Elim had grown suspicious.

Elim was no longer speculating of their relationship, he did not know how far they had indulged themselves but he could make a very good guess. it didn't matter for the time being even if the knowledge had the potential of being a most potent poison in the hands of the absent duke Devalin, but for now the matter best left a closed and guarded secret; even outside Elim's annual report to the fatherland witch was no doubt being read by every Degray, Devalin, nobility and curious house maid in Avalon, Elim had even went as far as to make arrangements for an easily forged crest just to avoid a diplomatic incident over such a trivial and dull affair.

The party retuned to its roots and the passing interests most had to the passing occurrences had been all but forgotten in the wake of additional beverages served to the thirsty masses.

This was finally the right time to speak, filling his long empty glass with his favorite of eastern wines Elim walked towards the king and bowed.

"My lord king James Nicholas Degray I bid you blessings and salutations from the king and people of your proud neighbor Luxor and my own personal admiration and congratulations.

Turning to speak to the crowed but remaining in face view of the king Elim spoke with growing excitement; excitement designed to spread into the hearts of the masses.

"Yes a proud neighbor, you ask why all of Luxor is proud on this day? We are proud to see the prosperity and joy of our neighbor Avalon so apparent on this day after the tragic loss of your deeply loved king Edward.

We are Proud to see an equally strong man take his rightful place on the throne to insure this continued prosperity."

Pausing and looking around the crowed giving the impression of personal eye contact Elim spoke with a soft yet sharp voice.

"Above all Luxor is proud today to witness this glorious coronation in peace and friendship.

This was not always so my friends; was it not only a few generations ago that the word Avalon was despised in Luxor as much as the name of Luxor was hated in Avalon? A hundred years ago this day would have been a dream, yes a dream amounting on the scale of heaven itself.

Let us not forget the sadness and the darkness of those days long passed yet… so near, even on such a happy day.

I join my heart with you on this day, today we are all bound together in more then passing acquaintance; we are witnessing history itself unfolding before our very eyes, in years passed our children and grandchildren shall ask what did we see on this day?

Let me take you to that distant future for a fleeting but worthwhile moment, we will say to those children that are yet to be born we saw a young prince become a great king, we saw an age end before our very eyes! And a new one as glorious as this coronation begin.

We will say to them above all: we saw the day when one and all raised their toasts to one man and one man alone from this day and for many years to come"

Elim raised his glass and allowed a tear to escape his eyes; one held back to this very moment one tear of the one truthful word Elim spoke in the entire speech, Pride.

Using the full glory of his voice and sending it echoing to all corners of the hall.

"Long Live Avalon, Long live king James!"

Henry resisted the urge to chuckle at the young woman's assertion that James pissed green, she was probably right. The rest of what she had to say made sense and when she asked him for a chance he knew he would grant it. He held his breath for a moment however, riding in silence, the thunder of the falls fading behind them to be replaced by the clatter of hooves.

They reached the lip of the valley where it drooped away into the lush lowlands. Here he halted the party, waving his guard out of ear shot. Below them the Reach stretched away, a solid green carpet broken by rivers, cities and fields. It ended in the distance at the ocean, a great blue expanse that was lost in the haze rising from the rainforest. At last he looked at Kahlan.

"I will grant you your chance Kahlan. From this moment on you will serve in my garrison at Caerwyn. Prove yourself skills at arms to my Swordmaster and your wisdom to my Advisors and I will find employment for you elsewhere. That is my offer. Will you accept it?"




Thomas was worried, and rightfully so. Things had taken a sharp turn for the worse when Gwendoyln left for the Reach. He, like most everyone else, knew the implications of putting herself into the hands of the Duke if events led to war. He was so worried that he was pacing restlessly along the battlements of the castle when he heard news of Riverias arrest and knew that it might only be a matter of time before he was arrested as well.

He made a snap decision. He would follow the woman he loved but he would do it in secret. He hurried to his rooms where he stripped off his Avalonian armour and replaced it with common chainmail. Over it he drew a heavy cloak that hid his face and his equipment. Leaving everything as it should be, taking few personal items, he left the castle in the confusion of all the guests leaving. He used money Gwen had given him to purchase a horse in the city rather then take his own and was soon on the road west. He did not know what he was going to do or how he would protect Gwen but he had to try for if she died, he would soon follow.




"Your daughter sends word, Luxor's fleet is out." The man said quietly. He was dressed in ragged clothing, grimy beard and filthy hair providing a striking contrast to the heavily armed men who escorted him.

The Baron stared at him for a long moment. This surprised him, and undoubtedly everyone else around them. His "daughter", the ninth of his ten children, had run away when she was only eleven years old. The entire family though she had been lost to sea or taken and sold as a slave but those fears paled in comparison to what really happened.

The story goes that she, Jade, had run away to see the world. She had indeed been kidnapped but the man who had taken her had no children of his own and so tried to raise Jade as his own. When she was 15 she had slipped a knife through his ribs and taken over his small Barque. One might have expected the crew to put up more of a fight but after the girl having been a fixture on their ship for four years they were all in awe of her "educations", charm and beguiled by a pair of eyes that hid seething cunning behind an almost childlike innocence.

Years had passed and now she commanded her own fleet, a fleet of pirates and corsairs. She had never made war on her father or his ships but he knew she was there, always lurking over the horizon. Now this.

"And how does she know the fleet is out, for blood that is?" Thomas asked the filthy figure before him.

The man held up a blood stained leather bound case in mute response. One of the guards took it carefully and handed it to the Baron who cracked it open and pulled out the sheets of paper within. They were all written in the fine hand writing of an educated man, clearly someone who ranked quite high in the scheme of things. The messages were short and not in code, however Jade and her band of cut-throats had got their hands on them, Thomas was sure he didn't want to know.

He turned the pages over. The certainly didn't reveal anything pressing but they were clear orders for the ships to put too sea and prepare for an "attack on an old enemy." Granted that could be anyone but he suspected, as he knew his daughter did, that they mean Avalon. He tossed the man a small bag of coins, thanked him and dismissed him. Once the Corsair was gone he summoned a clerk and quickly ordered a message be dispatched to Caerwyn with all haste to warn the Duke.

Sir Thomas Blackthorne

Thomas leapt from his sleep, hardly awake, sword drawn, only to find himself facing down an empty room. The sound of thunder rumbled away overhead and he stepped to the window. Glyndwr had vanished beneath a seething rain, the droplets pounding down so hard they sounded like a thousands horses hooves on the roof above him. He tried to make out the mountains that he knew rested to either side of the great river but he could nothing. There was only grey upon grey upon grey everywhere he looked.

Realizing he still had his blade drawn he slid it back into its scabbard and tossed it back onto the bed with a grunt. He was getting paranoid. No one knew he was here and he doubted anyone had realized his flight from the palace. The Devalins had no reason to hunt him, nor did anyone in this dull fortress on the spine of the world.

He splashed some water over his face and the back of his neck, cooling himself against the heat that radiated from his body like a furnace. He had been having nightmares, nightmares that always ended with him dead and Gwendolyn in chains, Devalin chains. He could not shake the feeling that she was putting her head into the lions den but there was nothing be could do about it now. The weather had prevented him from catching up and so now he must either brave the treacherous storms or try to wait them out.

At length he dressed and made his way down to the taproom, mostly empty given the weather. A few Devalin soldiers were present in their burnt orange livery but they paid him no heed as he ordered lunch. Several other travellers were huddled about the fire and he went to join them, curious to see what he might glean from rumours.

"War? Don't be ridiculous." Said one man, his left eye was missing. "The Devalins aint no fools. They cant win no war with the King, not without help."

Another man nodded in ascent, his hair was so black it looked like it might be made of raven feathers. "Aye, say what you want about the Duke, might be a hard man but he aint a daft beggar thats fore shore."

Thomas tried desperately to place the second mans accent but couldn't. Then one-eye spoke again, this time to Thomas. "You, soldier-boy, you looking fer work then? Theres knife work that'll need doin soon enough."

Thomas shrugged and sat with them. "Near enough I suppose." He tried to mimic their speech so as not to reveal his high birth, none seemed to notice. "Duke pays good money fer men does he?"

"That he does boy." This time one of the orange clad guards spoke. He pulled a comb morion helmet, so favoured by Devalin soldiers, over his dark hair. "You ought to see the local garrison commander or go further into the Reach if you prefer. I hear the fleet is looking for able men."

This was news to all the men who sat around the fire. "The fleet?" Enquired the raven haired man.

"Yes. New ships is being built and all, got to crew them." The soldier finished his drink and together with his companion he stepped out the door and vanished into the curtains of water.

"New ships..." One-eye said quietly. "The King has no Navy to speak of, been forced to rely on the Devalin's for that he has. Makes the whole balance of power a tad rickety..."

Thomas let the conversation flow around him as he absorbed this new information. He was familiar with the Clarkson's who commanded the Western Armada and their loyalty to the Duke. If new ships were launched then it was only a matter of time until they could blockade the entire coast of Avalon, if they so chose. He took a drink from his mug and silently prayed for Gwen's safety.


Duke Henry Devalin

Henry smiled grimly. "Don't thank me until you realize what you've agreed to." He nodded towards the distant sea. "A storm is coming, we had best ride."

The Dukes party began its descent into the basin, the massive tree's slowly rising to blot out much of the sunlight overhead. They rode swiftly, stopping several times to change horses, Kahlan being afforded spare mounts as well. Their ride took them through thick rainforest, the roadways barely wide enough to allow two wagons to pass abreast of each other. Every now and then the forest would give way to reveal great pastures and fields as they surrounded fortified cities and towns. Any enemy who marched here would be forced to stick to the roads if they wished to make any progress at all. The rainforest was an obstacle all to its own.

Thunder rolled across the countryside and the Duke turned to see the now distant mountaintops vanish beneath a deluge, the clouds slowly creeping down the mountains towards the treetops. He swung his gaze west again and saw another massive storm front rolling in from the ocean and chuckled to himself. The weather was never dull in his land.

The storm born on the winds of the ocean reached them first, the hammering force of warm rain almost a relief after hours of riding through the muggy hot air that liked to stay along the roads. Thankfully, for the first time in a year or two, the rain was falling straight up and down. The Duke tucked his cloak tighter about his body, ensured his men were still managing, and then rode on.

Caerwyn was just visible through the rain when the storm became a tempest, the winds picking up and plucking at the men and their horses as if trying to throw them into the waiting jaws of the forest. Lightening suddenly raced through the clouds, a bright flash in the gathering dark that caused one of two of the horses to shy for a moment. Their riders cursed them and wrenched their heads around as the ride turned into a full on gallop for the city.

Their orange tunics were spotted in the rain and the guard captain met them, his men armed with long pikes and crossbows, the only missile weapon of much use in this rain. He took in the Dukes party, finally identifying the Duke amongst the rain soddened riders and offering him a salute.

"Your pardon sir. Just making sure you are who you says you are."

The Duke grinned under the hair plastered to his face. "Well done Sergeant. I'll see you are given an extra rum ration this evening."

The man beamed and saluted again and stepped aside to allow them to pass. The ride through Caerwyn was quick and clean. The Duke was fastidious about the cleanliness of his lands, something no other ruler seemed to understand. The rainforest provided enough problems with disease that he insisted his cities be spotless. The rain certainly helped but daily work parties from dungeons and jails were sent out under guard to collect horse manure, and whatever else might have made it into the streets.

It took them fifteen minutes to negotiate the nearly empty streets, the locals driven indoors by the storm. They passed several equally soaked parties of soldiers who made sure to identify them were before saluting them on their way. At length the drawbridge to the citadel appeared. Here, the sea waters thundering through the narrow gap below, the party turned right before they could cross and approached a massive fortified house that commanded a dominating view of the harbour.

As they dismounted the Duke spotted Kahlan and approached her. He took a coin from his pocket, not an ordinary one, but one bearing the armoured fist rising from the water that marked his house. "I forgot to give you this and I am sorry but you must go back to the Citadel. There you will find my Sword Master, John Caar. Give him this coin and tell him I have ordered you fed, housed and tested. You understand?"

Once the girl had nodded, thanked him and left he turned to stride up the long steps. The house steward awaited him, offering a low bow.

"My lord. Welcome home. Your sister has arrived, as has the Princess Gwendolyn."

Henry greeted the man and nodded his thanks. "Have my sister join me in twenty minutes, and the Princess another twenty after that. Nothing fancy for food though, just a soup and some fresh bread will do for me. Maybe some ham and mustard if we have it. Oh, and order a small barrel of rum to be given to tonights watch, very thorough fellows."

The steward bowed and vanished into the house. He liked the Duke for his simple desires, nothing complicated. A good man. He sent servants scurrying to inform Lady Katherine and Princess Gwendolyn of the Dukes arrival and his desire to seem them, Katherine first, they had much to discuss.

Twenty minutes later the Duke was seated alone in a small dining room reserved for his family. He sipped a scalding hot cup of tea and took a moment to look down into the harbour where barely seen ships rose and fell in the turbulent waters of the sheltered harbour. He was exhausted and his body hurt but he had no time to rest. He needed his sister to tell him all she could and then he would meet the Princess and see what trouble he had wrought upon himself.

The Devalin Household

Sergeant Skrine was angry, and rightfully so. A man was on the loose somewhere in his liege lords home and no one had thought to place a guard on him, save for an old biddy of a nurse that he wouldn't want looking after his own wounds. When he received word, from the Duke's sister no less, that the man was missing he turned out the entire guard detail not already on shift to find the man, and quietly.

Thankfully it did not take long. The house was a large one with many hallways and floors and so the poor man had become quite lost. They found him in one of the long plushly carpeted hallways of the guest wing and the Sergeant, with two other soldiers, challenged him.

"Good evening sir. I am glad we found you!" He could see the fellow was in pain and he didn't blame him, anyone thrown from a moving carriage could expect considerable repercussions. "Will you please allow me to escort you back to your room. I would see you into some proper clothes before I take you to see the Duke."


Duke Henry Devalin

The rain was still battering the glass and the lightening strikes coming more frequently when the knock sounded and he turned, a broad smile splitting his craggy features as Katherine stepped through the doorway. The guard caught his eye for a moment.

"The Princess m'lord? If she comes?"

The Duke shook his head. "Ask her to wait if she does. I would have some time alone with my own family before I speak to her."

The guard saluted and the door closed.

"Sister! You look the picture of health, its disgusting." He said as he locked her in a massive bear hug. "I trust your journey wasn't to tedious?"

He sat now at the table, gesturing for her to join him. The table was made of a local redwood that gave off a fine scent. Candles and lanterns lit the entire room revealing dark panelled wood, solid but but comfortable furniture and big windows that shook as thunder rolled overhead. He sat at the head of the table, back to the windows, and poured a cup of tea for his sister, the aroma betraying it as an apple spice blend.


Sir Thomas Blackthorne

Thomas was lost. He had decided to brave the storm, reckoning it might lessen as he descended from the Mountain passes. What he couldn't see was the storm rolling in from the sea and so was beneath the two when they met in an awesome crescendo of noise and light. His horse had reared, tossing its rider into the rainforest and then bolted back towards the mountains. There was nothing he could do but watch it vanish into the curtains of water that rolled like waves down the roadway.

With curses and having no other choice he pulled his sodden cloak about his shoulders and began to walk west. One blessing was the method of road building in the Reach. The roadways were raised above the level of the surrounding forest and then paved with thick paving stones, this at least allowed him to walk free of any mud. It also meant that the rain, when it struck the stones, bounced back up and soon what little part of him had been dry, was as drenched as the rest. At least it wasn't windy.

He finally came upon a town, he would have walked right by it in the darkness if a breeze hadn't suddenly plucked at his cloak, causing him to pause and glance around. The rainforest had given way to fields and beyond them, a few lights barely visible between sheets of rain, he could see a tower. He moved further down the road, finding the spot where it branched and led towards the town. He hurried along it, colliding head first with the gateway, bouncing off it like rain from the paving stones and landing painfully on his tailbone.

He was still sitting there, cursing the weather when a small wicket gate opened and a helmeted face peered down at him, then a lantern shone into his eyes. A long moment then a voice spoke, the first human voice he had heard in almost twelve hours.

"Good god man what the hell are you doing out in this?" A strong hand reached out and pulled him to his feet and through the wicket gate. Here, under the protection of the gatehouse above he found himself facing three Devalin soldiers. All were armed but none seemed interested in threatening him.

"Horse threw me, been walking fer hours." Thomas managed to say, suddenly feeling very cold as his teeth began to chatter.

"I bloody well would think so." Responded his rescuer. "Get yourself on through to the Black Boar, second building on the right. Nothing fancy but she's got a fine soup and warm beds."

Thomas nodded his thanks and hurried on, finding the inn easy enough, the black boar head that stared down at him seemingly amused by his plight. He stumbled through the door and was met with a wave of warmth that set him to coughing at once. It took a few moments for it to subside and then he looked up. The taproom was virtually empty save for a girl who stared wide eyed at him from behind the bar counter. Even in his condition he could tell that she was pretty, blonde with a fine figure and wide blue eyes that reminded him of Gwen.

Then the world began to swim before his eyes, he managed one step and then collapsed onto the floor with a crash.

Vivian sighed in the cellar of the Black Boar pulling out a bottle of wine wiping a layer of dust off of it. She jump as something crashed hard to the floor above her. "Little early for the drunks to be falling." She mused to herself taking the bottle in her hand. She looked at the man sprawled out on the floor the other barmaid looked up with terrified eyes her lip starting to waver "He..just..is he.." Vivian rolled her eyes and sucked in a breath "Oh really Faye just take care of the others I will tend to him." She handed her the wine before walking over to the man moving him to his side. She gathered he was a solider by his grab "Sir?" She traced a finger across his cheek. "Can you hear me?"

She smiled lightly as his eyes fluttered a little open. "Oh good no way I could carry you to a bed, come on." She helped him to his feet carefully sliding his arm around her shoulder slowly taking the stairs. Once in the room she helped him flop onto the bed. She sniffed out a slight chuckle seeing that he seemed to have falling directly back to sleep once his head hit the pillow.

She left him be going back to the bar below fixing him a bowl of hot soup and a chunk of bread. She walked back into his room lighting the candles. "I am aware you would most likely prefer to sleep but I think you will catch your death if you don't get something warm in your body." She sat the tray in her lap as she perched at the foot of the bed.

Duke Henry Devalin

Henry listened carefully to his sister. He was, as always, impressed by her take on a situation and how she could handle people. One of his weaknesses was dealing with people politically. He had ever been a soldier and the whole graces and airs thing had never really taken with him. Her opinion of the King and his court was vitally important to him and as she spoke of the ball and those she had met he stood, pacing slowly in front of the big window, watching the rain batter down on his city. The Luxorian bit was interesting, it could open some interesting possibilities if he played his cards right.

He noticed, as she began to conclude her story a pang of something flit through her features but he said nothing. If she was going to tell him she would and there was no sense in pushing her. When he was sure she had nothing to add he thanked her and then called for the guard.

"M'lord?" The helmeted face appeared.

"Please send for the Princess and ask her to join us."

The guard saluted and the door closed again. Henry looked at his sister and sighed. "Let us see what I have wrought sister. I only hope that you have given me the key we need to break this damned family open and put them where they belong."

They did not have long to wait, a few minutes of silence as the two siblings considered what was to come. When the door swung open Henry turned, framed by the blackness outside, a bolt of lightening cutting the sky. He bowed.

"Your majesty. Welcome to Caerwyn."


Sergeant Caar

The big Sergeant opened his mouth to reply to the strange man but he wasn't given a chance as the fool grabbed a weapon from a display rack and began to threaten them. Really he didn't blame the man but the Sergeant was not someone who had gotten his job by being patient with angry armed men. His job was to protect his lordship, his family and his home. The stranger was threatening all of that right now.

Stepping forward as if to speak to the man he swiftly lashed out with his spear, slamming the shaft of it into the side of the strangers head and sending him crashing to the ground. Behind him one of the guards chuckled.

"Foine shot sah."

The Sergeant grunted as he gestured at the prostrate form. "Get 'im oop'n back inta 'is bloody bed. Throw a shackle on em. Both'a you lads stay wit em till I comes fer em. Savvy?"

The soldiers nodded and between them they carried the comatose man back to his room. A strong shackle was fetched and he was tethered to the solid oaken bed. The two guards took up their posts inside the room, pulling a deck of cards out and starting a hand. The fat nurse continued to snore, oblivious of the goings on.


Sir Thomas Blackthorne

Thomas was running, he didn't know from what but he could feel the fear, the sweat dripping down his back as he ran. He risked glance over his shoulder, it was coming! He tried to lash out at it but something entangled his arm and he couldn't get free. He fell and tried to fight with but the more he struggled the more entangled he got. Sweat was soaking his body now as he lashed out, his foot catching something solid and sending it spinning away into the blackness.

In the grip of a fever he could never have known he would get from his tumble into the rainforest, Thomas's battle with whatever beast haunted his mind had entangled him in the bed sheets, his foot kicking the tray from Vivians hands. His struggles at length ceased and he collapsed back into the mattress, his eyes glazed over as he laboured for breath. His right hand clenched and then unclenched as if grasping for a sword hilt. Sweat soaked the bed now, his long hair plastered across his face. Slowly his eye lids closed again and mercifully he slept.

Vivian watched as Thomas thrashed in the bed dread started to flow down her spine. "You had to ride into the boar on your death bed.." She sighed as the tray flew from her hands snapping her out of her morbid thoughts. She quickly went and got a boiling kettle from the kitchen as well as a few rags. She lay the warm cloth over his forhead, as Thomas began to talk wildly in his sleep.

She stood up and walked to the dressers to rewarm the cloth as he started to speak fighting whatever demon he was facing in his fever. She strained to hear him speak catching his name as he shouted it out the rag slipped from her hand. The Duke would pay for having him brought to him in this state it would be easy to turn him over. She looked back at him and her heart faltered. "Once he has broken this fever." She mused to herself before going back to his side and wiping off the new beads of sweat on his brow. She ran her finger along his brow convincing her self turning him in would be right and hating herself for being torn between doing it "It could just be the fever speaking for him if I am wrong it will be my neck would it not?" She took a shakey breath before going back to tending to him.

Duke Henry Devalin

Henry smiled thinly as she kissed his cheeks. He had never been one for touchy feely moments and suspected she had done it to try and throw him off guard. Nonetheless he returned her greeting and then pulled out a chair, waiting for her to sit before he did so himself. He leaned back, comfortable in his home, one leg propped on the other as he regarded his cousin closely. There was no doubting that she was a beauty and could turn the heads of many men. He knew that this was not the purpose of her visit however, that would be a stretch even for the twisted DeGreys. There was something else, he had certainly missed it when they were children and now he reckoned he was about to find out why his cousin had chosen her as his envoy. He was glad Katherine was there to listen to offer her own opinions, he valued her skills more then anyone else's.

Outside the storm suddenly slackened off, and then with a heavy gust of wind it began to disperse, the moon peaking out from the clouds. It bathed the distant battlements of the Citadel in silver light, glinting off the barrels of cannons as they glistened with the rain. In the harbour below the seething waves slowed and the fog revealed a mighty fleet spread across the harbour.

"Well it is good to see you Gwen," Henry said with a friendly smile. "I am sorry I missed your brothers coronation, how is he?"


Thomas Blackthorne

It took several hours for Thomas's fever to slowly decline under the care of his new nurse. When his eyes finally fluttered open ad he locked his gaze upon the young woman who has tending to him he felt a flutter in his stomach. She was beautiful. Redhair fell past her shoulders to rest on her breast, striking eyes regarding him carefully from a face that looked as if it had been chiselled from marble.

He was all to aware of his bodies response to her and so he rolled onto his side to hide the bulge that had begun to grow beneath the covers. He blinked at her a few times again, taking in the room, his clothes drying by the fire, the hot water and rags. His sheets were still soaked and he desperately wanted to sit up. He managed a pitiful smile.

"I suppose when one awakens to angel he should assume he has died and gone to heaven." He chuckled despite himself. "I apologize for the poor joke. I don't suppose there is any chance of a bath is there please?"

Vivian smirked slightly "Even hell has angel's how are you certain it's heaven you've awoken in?" She flashed Thomas a wide grin, "Good to see you making full sentences, I thought th fever might have taken you." She walked over to the bed and brushed the strands matted to his forehead away "You seem to be a lot cooler now, as for a bath you more then need one, I will send for the tub to be filled for you." She stepped out of his room heading to the kitchen grabbing a plate of fruit and bread getting his bath ordered.

She headed up giving a soft warning knock before walking in and sitting on the edge of the bed offering him the plate lifting a berry off the plate for herself "So what in the world brought you out to your near death? She popped the berry in her mouth as a few of the other inn workers came in to fill the tub she nodded her thanks as they left the room. "While you are washing the sick off you I will bring you clean bedding and find you something to wear until your own clothes are clean again." She arched a brow at him "Willl you need help with the bath..pardon I suppose I didn't even give you my name nor did I catch yours. I am Vivian but most everyone just calls me Vi. And you?"

Henry Devalin

For this conversation, the Duke had some actual news that he was sure would throw his cousin for a bit of a loop. Hell, it had made him wonder what was going on, or what he didn't know about. He nodded towards the harbour.

"As a matter of a fact, I received word from the Clarkson that the Luxorian fleet has put to sea. He received the information from a somewhat disreputable source so I have asked him to verify it with our own ships. I don't suppose you might have any idea why Luxor has the armada out?"

As he asked the question he suddenly had a horrible premonition that maybe the DeGreys had been more clever than he suspected and had managed to somehow convince Luxor to help rid themselves of the Devalins. That didn’t make sense though, Luxor, for all of its kind words, hated Avalon more then he hated the Degreys.


Thomas Blackthorne

He watched her go, eyes taking in her firm buttocks and shapely legs. He sighed and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. His body was betraying him and it bothered him that he even found himself in this situation. He knew he loved Gwen, or at least he thought he did…

A knock on the door interrupted his musings and he pulled the blanket over his lap just as the door swung open. He smiled his thanks as the redhead offered him a plate of food and tucked in eagerly. Being sick tended to take the strength out of him something fierce. He listened to her as he ate, nodding his thanks at her promise to find him clean bedding and clothes, his own would probably have to be burned he decided.

He laughed when she asked him if he would need help with the bath and shook his head.

“No, thank you, I think I can manage.” He ate another tomato as she continued to speak, swallowing the last of it before replying. “Nice to meet you Vivian, my friends call me Thomas. I don’t suppose you can tell me where I am…?”

Vivian smiled softly at him tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Well Thomas you've stumbled yourself into The Black Boar." She studied his reaction to the name, her hunch was it wouldn't be a relaxed one. "What bring you this way in such dreadful weather? You gave us quite a scare, I thought of seeking one of the Duke's healer to come look after you." She went to take the plate from him as he finished off the last of it letting her hand tenderly touch his. "I have to say I am glad you pulled through alright." She headed for the door turning on her heel and tossing him a smile. "If you need anything after your bath just whistle."

Vivian sighed as she shut her room's door behind her pressing her back against the door running a hand over her forehead. Her mind raced over the fact she knew the Duke would most likely give a reward for a knight. She took a breath thinking more about her own reaction towards Thomas. She rolled her eyes at herself "he was out in the storm for a girl." Her thoughts kept warring in her head as she tossed herself into her bed tossing a pillow over her head.

Thomas Blackthorne

This was getting to be to much for Thomas. he was certainly attracted to this girl and that was unacceptable, he loved Gwen! The name Black Boar meant nothing to him, he had only been in the Reach once, and that was years ago and with the King so such a small inn woulnd't have mattered to him. He watched her leave, his jaw tightening as her hips swayed and he cursed himself for a weak fool.

With her smile in mind he climbed from the bed, shedding his blankets to risk a quick glimpse in the mirror. He was no doubt somewhat ragged looking, a weeks worth of stuble on his chin. For a moment he wondered if such a disguise would be enough but then, he knew, it wouldn't. He stepped into the bath, trying not to flinch as he lowered himself into the steaming water.

He lay in the water until it began to cool, quickly washing himself and climbing from the tub. He dried himself off and then pulled on his partially damp clothes, sitting before the fire to preserve the heat of the bath, wondering his next move.

Vivian got out of her bed making her way into the kitchen to make small talk with the kitchen pulling one cook aside "Do you know when next you expect to make a trip to see the cooks for the Duke?" She asked biting her lip slightly, the cook shook his head mistaking it for her wanting something to do with the cook "By weeks end Lass." She blushed and smiled "Thank you." She grabbed up a plate of bread and cheese as well as a bottle of wine making her way back to Thomas's room.

She knocked tentatively on the door and after a moment of silence she walked in. "Oh good I see you found clothes." She made her way over to him "You don't look half bad all cleaned up." She poured a glass of wine for both of them taking a drink from her glass as she handed him his. She sat on the edge of the bed next to him her arm touching his as they sat. "So tell me what brings you out this way?" She tilted her head so her eyes caught his a soft smile brighting up her face. She studied the flex of his jaw as she spoke to him slowly draining her glass.

Henry Devalin

Henry watched the two women carefully. He was now certain that his cousin had no idea that the Luxorian fleet had sailed and this gave him some solace. It would make his lie about not attending the coronation more believable. The knot in his stomach was still there however at the thought of the enemy fleet at sea. He could prevent the Luxorian fleet from landing in the Reach but then they would still be ashore somewhere in Avalon. The thought of having to fight alongside his cousin turned his gut.

He let Katherine continue to speak, she was much better at this then he, as beautiful as she was dangerous. Without her, he had no doubt he would not be able to survive the coming storm.


Thomas Blackthorne

When Vivian returned he was forced to drag himself from his reverie and offer her a smile. When she sat next to him and offered him a drink he took it gladly though he knew he would have to be careful how much he drank around this woman.

He nodded his thanks and tried hard not to lock eyes with her, it would be trouble if she did, this woman was trouble in every way, and she knew it.

“I make for Caerwyn, to see an old friend. I had hoped to beat the storm, but no luck.” He paused to drink again. “Is there somewhere nearby I can purchase a horse? I need to be on my way.”

Vivian refilled his glass placing her hand over his as she did. "Off in such a hurry you nearly died I think you should rest a bit more. I'd hate that I brought your from the brink you to send you on your way." She flashed him a blushing smile when he finally made eye contact with her. She slide closer to him keeping her hand on his. "It truly would be a shame to lose your fight you know." She said in almost a whisper if she leaned into him at all her lips would be on his neck. "I can go see about a horse if you are in a hurry, I can't very well tie you to the bed." She placed her hand on his knee as she started to get up , looking up at him through her eye lashes.

Sir Thomas Blackthorne

Thomas knew he had to get out of the Inn before he made the mistake of listing to his baser instinct and shook his head at her comment about tying him to the bed. He was all too aware of her sexuality and the feeling of the warm cosy room on his senses, he needed to get moving.

“Tying me down would be most cruel Vivian, I am in a bit of a hurry I will admit. If you would be so kind as to see to a horse I would be obliged.”

He had to look away as she glanced up at him under her eyelashes for fear he would give in a kiss her. As she left he found himself for the first time since he’d joined King James’s court wondering if maybe he was pursuing to far above hisstation. There was no doubt that he and Gwen loved each other but could it ever happen? She was a princess and he was a landless knight who happened to be good with a sword.

He drew on his heavy cloak and settled his sword as his side, sliding a length free to ensure it had not rusted from the rain. He glanced out the window to see that the rain had stopped falling, it was time to ride. He went in search of Vivian and the horse.


Duke Henry Devalin

Henry watched the byplay between the two women with growing alarm. He knew that Katherine was capable of keep control of her emotions but when she challenged Gwen on the issue of Thomas Blackthorne it took any amount of self control not to let his jaw drop.

Could it be? He was suddenly much more interested in Gwen’s reaction and noted a faraway look flick through her eyes for a moment. It was true! Not that it surprised him, Gwen’s younger sister was a frigid bitch at best and Sir Thomas was a good looking man. But still…

As the two women went toe to toe he sank back into his chair, the possibilities of what he had just learned racing through him. Perhaps he could control Gwen through Sir Thomas. But that would require inviting him The Reach and the two men were not friendly enough to make a casual invitation seem unsuspicious.

His gaze went towards the windows again where the black night pressed in close about them, the clouds shredding beneath a fierce wind allowing the moon to peak through. The distant battlements of the Citadel gleamed with the newly fallen rain and the muzzles of cannons glinted faintly.

If he played his hand poorly, and they did end up at war, those great cast iron mouths might just bleach fire and death upon men he had once served with. He decided it was time to break into the conversation.

“Gwen, my dear cousin, I have nothing to hide from you. If you would like I can certainly arrange a visit around the Reach for you. You’re welcome to visit any of my garrisons, any of my lords, any village or town that catches your fancy. In fact, I mentioned to the Baron Clarkson that you would be joining us and he hoped you would come to speak with him on the topic of the Luxorian fleet.”

The Baron had said no such thing but Gwen didn’t need to know that, not yet anyway.


Baron Thomas Clarkson

Clarkson shook the water from his long cloak and passed it off to a waiting sailor who whisked it below to be dried. He readjusted the black hat atop his head and took a moment to glance about the deck of his flagship, the Stormreaver.

“She took it well eh m’lord?” The Stormreavers Sailing Master grinned up at him from the deck below. He was right on that count, the storm had barely touched the ship, pride of the Avalonian Navy and the reason for many sleepless nights in Luxor.

The Stormreaver was near 2000 tonnes, 163 feet long and boasted over 120 cannons. The biggest ship at sea, and certainly the most dangerous. Clarkson had laid down her keel himself six years ago and through thick and thin the big ship had grown in his shipyards until at last she was launched only weeks before the death of the King.

“Bring her about, set a course two points west of north, signal the fleet to form column on us.”

Clarkson rapped out the orders with quick efficiency and the big ship sprang into action as men climbed aloft and the helmsmen spun the big wheel. Slowly the bow of the big ship turned until it was aimed north. Behind her thirteen other ships of the line, the smallest a mere 80 guns, began to take up station off her port quarter until they were strung out in a great line of billowing canvas and terrifying firepower.

“Does the heart fine to see that right enough.” Chuckled a nearby sailor as he looked south along the line. Clarkson grinned at man and then turned to the Sailing Master.

“Keep us north John, lets go find the Luxorian fleet and see if we can’t scare the piss out em.”