The Messenger: A Hailgalad Story

Eva rode as hard as she could along the Northwood Road to Hailgrad. Emotions and the growing toll of the arduous journey dragged her down as she tried to process the scene by the river. Tears streamed down her face as the crisp wind flowed through her hair.

She was cold, she was tired, she was beaten down, but she did not care. As she rode, she tried to push down the paralyzing sadness. The solider of Hailgalad wiped her face of the tears and gave a hardened look at the road. There was no time to feel, only to act.

As the horse surged forward into the darkness, fear and pain subsided to make way for a bubbling anger. Anger at the northfolk. Their treachery was the true cause of all this.

Meaningless violence for what? What did they stand to gain from these terrible acts of war waged unjustly and without warning?

Anger at Frits. When she needed him most, he just gave up. She kept replaying the scene in her head. Frits sitting there with Jon as the youngest of their group desperately clung to life. Even if one of them was a healer with all the herbs in Hailgalad, it would have been highly unlikely he would have lived. There was nothing to be done but watch him suffer.

The two of them, however, still had a job to do and Frits just gave up. He gave up on them and all those that helped them along the way. Most importantly, he gave up on Jon who sacrificed his life to kill that beast.

No matter, she thought to herself. I have been alone for most of my life, why should this be any different? This way, I can finish this without being weighed down.

Her horse continued on like a gale through the birchwood forest. In the distance, she saw three torches in the distance. A brief glimmer of hope leapt in her as she hoped for shining Hailgaladrian armor marching along the Northwood. As she approached them however, it was clear from their garb that they were northfolk. Frustration and anger fueled her rage. Eva yelled and pushed her horse forward into the small group. Her steed smashed into the three, killing one instantly.

In a swift move, she jumped from her horse and drew her sword. She stabbed one who was unable to draw their weapon in the chaos. Then, the other finally came to their senses and tackled Eva to the ground. The two fought and rolled, trading blows. She threw the solider off and went to grab her sword. The northfolk solider dove on her again, but pierced themself with the weapon in Eva's hands.

Eva threw her enemy to the side and stood up, breathing heavily. The horse was standoffish from her master as she panted. The torches that were now tossed on the ground flickered red as she surveyed the scene. The three bodies laid limp in the dark road. She let out a yell in anger and stamped the ground. She picked up one of the torches and beat it into the ground over and over in anger. After she was done, she tossed it aside on the road and fell to one knee in a huff.

After Eva caught her breath and came back to her senses, she went to grab her sword. She cleaned it with a rag and placed it back into its scabbard. Her hands were shaking as she took a deep inhale to try and calm down. All was silent except for the crickets chirping and the wind flowing through the trees.

As she looked around, she realized that she was not far from the fields of Aeros. She had, in fact, been riding in the birch forest near the capital for a while. Her mood was uplifted at the thought of her journey almost being over. Being out of the trees and in the fields would be a welcomed sight. Many more patrols which meant a safer road and a possible escort to her final goal.

Without warning, a number of deadly arrows wizzed by Eva's head. To her dismay, her horse was struck multiple times and fell. Before she could react, she heard footsteps coming up the road.

"There she is, get her!" a hoarse voice shouted.

She started to run away but, two bodies tackled her to the ground. They were clumsy and quickly rolled off as she scrambled to her feet. She drew her sword once more and thrusted it out to them. The shining blade danced back and forth, threatening each from stepping advancing on their prey. The two looked hesitant to advance and they slowly moved her backwards, off the road. Then, another volley of arrows crashed into them.

Eva fell to her knees and let out a yell in pain. An arrow struck her, but it was blocked by her light leather and chainmail. Upon quick inspection, it were not very deep and she pulled it out with a grunt. After it was out, she tried to catch her breath as she looked up to face her attackers once more. They were both dead and riddled with arrows that their allies had shot indiscriminately into the darkness.

A bit of luck, Eva thought as she scrambled to her feet.

More voices came from behind her as she ducked into the brush and ran as far as she could. Many torches blazed behind her, following with unceasing vigilance. She had no clue where she was going or where the Northwood was by the time she slowed up a bit. Only forest surrounded her as she thought of her mission.

No horse, no path. What am I going to do? She thought frantically as she looked around. The voices that followed her grew louder again, so she pressed forward into the unknown darkness.

Eva did not know how long she ran for, but it seemed like countless hours. Diving into bushes, tripping into holes. She was helpless and aimless in the night. To make matters worse, the fear and anxiety of time slipping away weighed heavily on her mind.

After a while, the voices and torches disappeared, so she slowed again to try To get her bearings and think for a while. To her shock, it seemed that the dull morning light could just barely be seen peaking through to start a new day.

By Areandel, where is the time going? She thought.

Eva peered through the brush to determine the path she would follow. Was she headed south or had she been turned around? It was impossible to know where she scurried in the dark. Her breath quickened as indecisiveness took over. As her head swiveled around and her pulse quickened, she stopped and shook her head while she chuckled.

The sun, the sun will show you, she thought. How did I miss that?

She saw the faint light growing to get left.

Straight is south I suppose, she thought, and was off once again.

***

The cool, morning air and dew made her shiver as she continued on. It was well enough, the cold pushed her forward at a greater pace to stay warm and it kept her muscles from aching as much. After a short while, Eva saw more torches in front of her. She dove down into the bushes and tried to hide herself.

Heavy footsteps that crunched the leaves below their feet were coming closer. They were slow as the torches were waving back and forth to search the woods. Each step quaked her heart as she tried to get as low as she could into the bush. Then, a most terrible and unwelcome sound came again. The sound of drums behind her.

"Thank Areandel this night is at an end," a clear voice called out in a frustrated and tired tone.

"Those damn drums. Look, more torches in the distance," another voice called. "Northfolk, or ours?"

It took Eva a moment, but she recognized them. They were soldiers of Hailgalad.

"Help!" was all she could think to shout so she would not be harmed by a friendly blow.

Leaves rustled as the group came closer to her. Eva was enveloped in light as torches surrounded her. She looked up to see four soldiers standing over her with confused looks.

"Well, this is a new one. What are you doing out here? Are you a spy?" one of them asked harshly.

Another raised their hand to silence to his companion. He appeared to be their leader as he stepped forward and asked calmly, "What happened to you?"

Eva got up to her feet and looked around to each of the scouts. "I am a royal messenger of our king and queen. I was on assignment to Frostwatch when it was attacked by some northfolk raid. I urgently need to get this news to the king and queen at once."

The drums faded once more. Whether it was because they saw the knights and were drawn off, Eva did not know, but she was glad for it. Their ceasing gave her a quiet calm that she had not had for what seemed like a lifetime. The soldiers were silent for a while. It was clear some other anxiety was on their minds and this news was all too much for them to bear.

"What is it?”Eva asked them nervously. "We need to be moving at once."

"The king and queen have died. Their son, Edwin, is now the king of Hailgalad," one of the solider said. His face was worn with grief and anger as he tried to remain collected while he broke the news.

All life drained from Eva as she fell to her knees in despair. How could this happen? How could they have died and the capital still stands? Surely there was no attack.

"How did it happen?" she asked, her voice now completely devoid of life.

"You must have left just as it hit us," another soldier started. "There was a terrible sickness in the city. Most of the people in the palace and surrounding areas have passed on to Areandel. From what I hear, the royal court is now but a fraction of what it was. Based on our latest reports, in all, about one-third of the capital perished."

Eva stood there silent for a while, trying to process the news. She was dizzy and her gut ached as anxious thoughts swirled in her mind. The silence was broken by the sound of northfolk moving in the woods. Their number of torches seemed to multiply as another scouting party came closer. They had not moved on, but laid in wait to strike.

"Behind us," the man in charge barked. "About face, form a line!"

Eva barely heard the orders as her head was consumed with the horror of these past days. She was exhausted and beaten down, but the young woman drew her sword and bent her knees, ready for the assault.

Arrows wizzed into their group. They skipped off the trees and were stymied by the knight's thick armor and shields. The fresh soldiers formed up in front of Eva to cover her since she was without the heavy armor of Hailgaladrian infantry. Not long after the violent volleys, the northfolk came with a relentless charge, but many fell to a return volley from the Hailgaladrian archers. The two sides clashed in the dim morning light, but the lightly armed scouts were no match for the royal soldiers of Hailgalad. As quickly as it started, the battle was over.

"They must have underestimated our forces," the man said after they had cleared the area.

In the wake of the battle, one of the soldiers was being tended to as he laid on the ground. A crude arrow had needled its way in the gaps of his armor. Another laid dead as one of the company laid her hand on their chest plate. She was mumbling some prayer as her eyes were closed.

As the company gathered around the fallen soldier, Eva scanned them to see there was twenty of them left unhurt. A ways south their horses stood calmly grazing on the fields.

The man turned to Eva and extended his hand. He was tall and broad with soft, grey eyes. He had a calming presence as he spoke.

"My name is Brenen."

Eva shook it and said, "Eva."

The messenger looked impatiently south and continued, "Well, I have urgent news for the crown. We must get moving if we are going to warn them of this impending doom."

The sound of faint drums boomed in the distance once more.

Brenen nodded in response. "Seeing as you do not have a horse, you may take Frans'. He was a good soldier and even better man. May he go in peace to Areandel."

Two of the Hailgaladrians wrapped Frans in a cloth and put him on a horse. Then, one of the soldiers in bright armor said to Brenen, "The morning is almost upon us. If we get moving, we will be able to make the capital by midday."

With this, the company mounted their horses and rode off in the foggy morning.

***

"What were you doing out in the bushes?" Brenen asked as the group rode south. "Strange place for a messenger to be."

The man gave a half smile at the line.

Eva rolled her eyes as she rode next to the man. His demeanor rolled off her back. She was too filled with grief and too exhausted for his attempts at humor.

"I have been hunted by the northfolk. They chased us all the way from Frostwatch," she said dryly.

"Us? Where are your companions?" the man pried further. "You messengers travel in threes, yes?"

Eva was quiet for a while. She did not wish to say their fate aloud. For some reason, she felt that if she kept from speaking of it, then it might have all been a dream. A horrific dream that would only dwell in her thoughts.

Nonsense, it is done, she thought to herself, trying to stay strong.

"They fell to the Northfolk not far north," Eva said as she tried to keep her emotions in. "They stood brave until the end."

"Where is your horse?" the man asked.

Eva shook her head. "What do you think happened? I did not strike out on my feet out of choice. He was cut down by the northfolk as well. I have been on my own since last night."

"Sorry," the man said in a somber tone. "I am just curious. To be truthful, I have never been further north than the birchwood forest. I have never heard of these woods being dangerous other than old, fantastical tales of before Hailgalad was the kingdom it is today. Strange times."

"Strange and terrible times indeed," Eva said. "I never thought our king and queen would be taken so soon from us. This news, along with the invasion in the North, is odd timing to say the least."

"Very troubling," the man agreed. "For minds greater than mine I suspect. I am sure our royal council will sort this out."

The company traveled west to ride along the Frostfall as the morning sun was now high in the air. The fog had burned off and they all felt refreshed. Eva felt safe for the first time since arriving at Frostwatch.

The mission is almost complete. It shall be done. For Jon and for Frits, she thought.

As she thought of Frits, she now only felt pity. The anger had disappeared and was replaced with a wish that he had been here with her. He had been so close to finishing the task. If only he had kept his wits a bit longer.

"Horse ahead," the lead soldier yelled.

Eva peered around the rider in front of her to see a lone horse. It was a brown steed that seemed to be more than any ordinary beast. He was regal and strong as it looked to graze by the river.

"Tauten?" Eva shouted.

The horse raised its head and whinnied at her. It was Frits' horse. He had gotten lost in the squabble and Eva feared he had been killed or ran off. A half smile came to her face as she thought of the horse at Frostwatch and how angry Frits had been at it running.

Ran away again, old boy?

"You know this steed? Surely by it's look, it is of royal stock," the man asked as they came closer to it.

"It was the horse of one of our riders," Eva replied.

Even though it was only an animal, she felt happy to see one of her companions that knew the struggles she had faced.

As they approached the horse, they realized it was not alone. On the riverbed, at the horses feet, a body sat up in a slumped heap. It was indistinguishable until they were almost right by the two creatures. The figure turned its head to reveal a familiar face, caked with mud and exhausted.

"Frits?" Eva shouted as she leapt from her horse.