The Messenger: A Hailgalad Story

Fear gripped Frits' heart as he heard the drums boom. It was a dreadful sound that shook the trees and sucked all other noises out of the air. They rolled on with chilling consistency.

"What is that noise, Greta?" Frits asked as he tried to tell himself that it was a normal sound to hear at the watch.

"That is no sound I have heard here before," Greta said as she dropped her cup and ran in the direction of the fortress.

Their horses had not yet arrived at the inn, so the three took off as well. Marlon was busy calling frightened townsfolk to his inn.

"Come on everyone, we will be safer together," he called and gathered them inside. "Whatever it is will pass."

Anxious thoughts of what the drums could mean crept into Frits' mind as they ran. The stress pushed him to go faster to keep up with Greta. Before long, they arrived at the fortress courtyard where guards were busy arming themselves.

Jon heard shouting from above as he pointed and yelled, "There is the governor."

Everand was high on the fortress walls with her guard as she peered north. Without a word, Greta took off in a run to gain what news she could. Frits shivered from fear and a cold air starting to whip in the town. It was a cold Frits had never felt before and it seemed to suck his breath from his lungs. The snow began to fall heavier all around them.

"We need to leave to report what is happening here," Jon said, still slightly out of breath.

"No, we need to figure out what is going on first. Nothing to report if we have no real information," Eva said. “This could be anything from a strange Northfolk ritual to a full on invasion.”

Jon snorted, "An invasion? Something like that is highly unlikely."

In that moment, the governor and her captains ran past the three messengers. They were fully clad in their shining armor. The captains each had a heavy helm and gripped their swords tightly. Their eyes were fierce and determined. Everand turned and shouted to them.

"Come with me to the northern gate. We need to know what is happening so you may bring news to our king and queen."

"What is going on?" Frits shouted back, but the governor and her captains did not turn around.

They followed the Everand in a hurried jog to the northern gate. People were in the streets frightened, looking around for direction.

"What should we do, governor, what is going on?" a man shouted to the soldiers.

"We are not sure right now. Go to the fortress, just to be safe," she replied to him.

"Greta," Everand turned around and shouted. "Grab a few guards and go around the town to tell people to fall back to the fortress."

"What is going on?" Greta asked.

"Just do as I say," Everand retorted, obviously frustrated with being asked this question a few too many times. "Whatever this is, we need to be sure the people are safe."

"Right away," Greta affirmed and was off in a hurry.

Snow continued to fall in heavier waves as the shining knights and their governor continued on to the gates. A strong wind whipped the large, white flakes into the soldier's faces as they ran. Frits shivered as the icy cold breeze blew down onto them. He had never felt biting cold like this before. It was the kind that shook him to his core.

"This is no ordinary weather for this time of year," one of the captains shouted to the messengers.

They finally cleared the clusters of homes and made it to an open field. In front of them were the northern gates that stood tall and proud. The group was out of breath from a strange heaviness that seemed to shroud the town. Frits' limbs felt unusually weighted as if he had just ran many miles, but it had not been a long way to the gates at all.

I wonder if it is the cold and the snow weighing me down? Surely there is something more at work here, he thought.

The tired souls were quickly snapped back to the problem at hand as they looked onto the gates, and were in shock. Frostwatch guards were in hand to hand combat with what looked to be northfolk soldiers. The invaders were already scaling the wall by ladders and storming down the stairs of the walls. The northfolk moved lightning quick, lightly clad in cloth and leather armor. They bore crude swords and axes with no shields.

"No warning horn was sounded," one of Everand's captains said with concern. "The strike must have come swiftly."

As they stood there in awe, a group of northfolk saw the governor and they charged. Everand took her sword that was strapped to her back and held her ground.

"Ready!" she shouted over the din of battle. Her voice was powerful and gave a sense of calm to her companions.

The calm only lasted for a moment for Frits as his heart beat out of his chest. His hand quivered as he drew his standard issued sword from his belt. It was an accessory that he thought of as nothing more than just a piece to be worn, never to actually have the need to use on his journeys. He took a deep breath to steady himself.

"Charge!" Everand shouted, and they all ran forward into their attackers.

The Hailgalad troops were met with a ferocity few of them had ever felt before. The man Frits faced off with came in with a jab and his spear found its mark. Frits let out a shout and grabbed at the spear, but the northfolk pulled it back and wound up for another strike. Before it came, Everand's broadsword fell on the northfolk soldier and the enemy crumpled in a heap.

Frits felt a searing pain and was lightheaded as he fell to one knee. He put his right hand up to his left shoulder and felt the throbbing pain intensify. To his horror, Frits withdrew his hand to find it stained with blood.

"Hey, get up Frits," two strong hands hoisted him up to his feet. It was Jon. "This is no place to fall."

Frits saw Everand and her guard advance to the gate where there was a desperate struggle. No side seemed to have a clear advantage at the moment. Eva went to work examining Frits.

"You will be alright, it is not terrible." Eva went into her satchel and grabbed a small container of clear-white sap. "Here is some medicine to hold you over until we can get a healer to check that out. Now, come on, we have to get back."

"Back?" Jon protested as the Frostwatch guard fought a little more than a hundred feet away. "They need our help. We cannot abandon our people."

"They need us to get back to the capital and explain to them what is happening here," Eva shouted. "We know now the northfolk are invading. That is enough."

Frits looked over to Everand who was organizing the defense. After the initial surge, it appeared that they were slowly gaining control of the walls once more.

"They do not seem to have enough forces for an assault on the town," Frits questioned. "What is their plan? Just a raid for gold?"

Before anyone could respond, they spied a group of three northfolk that were running loose in the town. They jumped a lone soldier running to his post and viciously cut him down.

"Come on," Jon said angrily.

The three companions rushed the soldiers weighed by a feeling hate that was foreign to them. It was a heavy feeling that bubbled in his heart with a burning ferocity. Within moments, they fell upon the invaders. It seemed that before the engagement began, it was over. After it was done, the hate subsided and Frits was left shocked by his actions. The young man's mind swirled and he felt dizzy as he looked at his blade which was now lined with blood.

When Everand reached the very top of the towering, wooden gates, she blew the large horn that was fixed upon the wall. It let out a deep bellowing boom that brought a vigorous spirit to Frits and the people of Frostwatch. She then turned to the messengers and waved.

"Go, go now and bring news to our king and queen!" she shouted before turning again to face the next assault.

Arrows wizzed past her and flew into the settlement as the drums boomed louder like waves beating against a cliff side.

With this decree, they ran back to the fortress as quickly as they could. Whether it was some spell, the horn invigorated them to push forward with all haste, but the heaviness soon returned as dark skies drew in on Frostwatch. When they arrived, the townsfolk were already crowding the courtyard. They were in a fearful frenzy pushing and shoving one another.

"Move out of the way!" Eva shouted and shoved her way forward. Greta had also arrived with another group of people as the three pushed to the stables. Her presence and recognition of her rank parted the crowd to reveal the messengers gathering their belongings.

"Are you leaving?" Greta asked. She was panting and trying to catch her breath for a moment.

"Yes, we need to get word to the king and queen. Although it may not be for days, we will bring you aid," Eva said defiantly.

"Everand ordered us to leave," Jon hastily clarified. He still seemed a bit sour that they had to flee from the fight.

"Very well," Greta affirmed as she mounted a horse. "I will ride with you to the Forest Refuge. It is near the southern gate and I need to gather Marlon and whoever he has with him. I fear that no where outside the fortress is safe until the walls are under control." Her face carried a great deal of concern as she scanned the area.

Eva nodded in response and the riders mounted their horses. Frits made sure his scrolls from Everand were in his satchel and that it was securely fastened to Taunten's saddle.

Here we go, he thought to himself.

“Let us get moving," Frits said as he gave his horse a pat.

Greta led them through the crowd of frightened people.

"Will the fortress hold?" Frits asked as they rode.

They could still hear the clash of weapons to the North as the battle for the walls continued. His fear for all their lives wretched his stomach.

"It will hold. The northfolk have not attacked this place for many years, and they rarely have sophisticated siege weapons. They cannot breach the walls of the fortress at the very least," Greta replied with a confidence that did not settle Frits' nerve.

As they rode through the town with haste, there was a heavy feeling in the air. It was an unnatural dark that draped the town. All was deathly quiet around them. The calm allowed for anxiety to creep up Frits' spine like a hundred, small spiders.

In short order, they were able to push on through the eerie atmosphere and they reached the Forest Refuge. Greta pulled to the side as she wiped sweat from her brow. The others tried to force down the weariness that pursued them.

"Areandel guide you," Greta said as she bowed and placed her right fist over her heart.

"Stay safe," Eva said in return with a bow. "We will see you again soon."

"We will bring aide as soon as we can," Frits affirmed with a defiant nod.

The three then made their way to the southern gate as the wind continued to whip and snow fell. Uncertainly hung heavily on them as they rode hastily to their king and queen.

***

As they approached the southern gates, the three riders were dismayed. Guards on the walls were firing arrows as more drums rolled faintly in the forest beyond.

For the time being, there were no attackers on the walls, but they could hear the northfolk chanting, Bok, Bok, Bok, over and over. Short spears and arrows from the northfolk peppered the ground inside the walls. A few guards that were injured were being pulled from the lines as they writhed in agony. The riders stopped short of the gates as more of the Frostwatch guards rushed to the walls from behind them to support the defense.

"We are surrounded. What do we do?" Jon asked in a frustrated tone.

Frits felted and sinking weight all around him. He felt as if he was in a box that was slowly filling with water. It would only be a matter of time before it consumed them all.

We have to get out, we have to get out now. His breath quickened and his heart ached as his eyes darted around for an exit.

He quickly called upon himself to remember his family. To remember Sasha. You have to keep your head. Frits let out a large exhale as he shook off the worry.

Focus on the task, the task, he thought.

Before he could answer Jon, a loud creak came from the forest. The three could then see a truly massive ball of ice hurling towards the gates.

Moments seemed frozen into hours as the shape hung in the air. Fear gripped Frits' heart once more, a fear of understanding their true plight. This was no mere raid. It was an attack to seize the town. The boulder found its mark and smashed into the gate, simultaneously freezing, then shattering the sturdy doors of wood and iron.

Everyone was shocked at the raw power of the ball of ice that glowed with a strange blue. Splintered wood was thrown in every direction and the people that stood atop the gates were thrown to the ground. Within moments, northfolk invaders charged through the cloud of settling rubble. The remaining guards tried to form a line to hold, though it seemed a fruitless endeavor.

"Come on, surely we can find a gap in the attackers," Frits said impulsively as he stretched his shoulder. The medical sap of herbs was already doing wonders to his wound.

Without consulting the others, he urged his horse forward. Onward, he flew like a gale into the abyss of snow, dust, and carnage.

The two escorts looked at each other, unsure of Frits foolish attempt to leave. After only a moment, they reluctantly followed their leader and charged the lines. Frits pushed their pace forward, blinded by his desperation to escape to the Northwood. As his horse advanced, the young man's heart pounded with one hand on his reigns, the other grasped around the hilt of his sword. A few more strides and they would be at the lines. Their horses would crash through the lightly armored northfolk and they would be free.

Moments before they made contact, wolf-like creatures leapt through the broken gateway. They gnashed their teeth at the defenders and charged with unrelenting strength. In the tumult, Taunten reared in fear and threw Frits from the saddle.

The royal messenger had no time to gather himself as he was thrown down into the chaotic group of soldiers. The lines of attackers and defenders were all disheveled as Frits was kicked and stomped on the ground. Fear took him once more and he curled into a ball to protect himself. After a few more kicks, he knew he had to get up or he would surely be smothered. He struggled to his feet and staggered to a line with a few of the Frostwatch guards that were trying to keep their composure.

"Fall back," a captain shouted. "Fall back to the fortress! The walls are lost, fall back!" Another boulder was heaved and it blasted a hole through the wall a ways to their left.

"Frits, Jon!" a voice shouted from behind him. It was Eva on her horse. She was dancing back and forth to get a view of them.

"Go, fall back!" Frits replied as he grabbed a shield from a slain soldier and locked in with his fellow Hailgaladrians. For a moment, the attackers and defenders on Frits' side were separated as they backed down the road. Each group stood staring at one another as they shouted and jeered. It seemed like neither side was willing to charge the other or flee, and they were caught in a stalemate of wills. Frits' blood boiled as he looked at each of them with their mismatched leather gear and their disheveled, shaggy hair. It took everything in him to hold back with his line of soldiers.

"Your time is up, your reign is over," a northfolk soldiers bellowed with their deep, harsh voice.

"Death to Hailgalad,” another jeered.

As they taunted the Hailgaladrians, one of the wolves pounced on the defender's line. Its size and strength sent many of them on their backs. Frits took a step back to stay on his feet and saw a man's leg in the jaws of the beast. With a violent shake of its head, the wolf threw the soldier to the side who laid defenseless, screaming in pain.

At that point, any hope of maintaining a defensive line for the retreat was lost. Many of the Frostwatch soldiers ran for their lives, back to the fortress that still stood tall and proud in the distance. A few tried to stand and fight, but they were quickly cut down.

Frits hesitated for only a moment. Uncertainly and emotion flooded his mind, paralyzing it and his body. The indecision was broken as he was charged by a bruiting northfolk man. The man raised his weapon and Frits raised his shield and went down to a knee. The blow came hard, shaking throughout his body.

In response, Frits plunged his sword forward and up at the man. It found its mark and the man was struck dead. After this, Frits ran as northfolk continued to pour into the town behind him. He left his shield and sword there for fear was on him like it had never been before.

As the Hailgaladrians ran, arrows were loosed all about them. They rained down and struck a few of the fleeing guards. Frits ran past one who was downed. She was writing in pain as the area around the arrow froze her flesh. He looked back to see the wolf creatures in pursuit. Never in all his years had Frits ran so quickly and for so long as his chest pounded and his legs ached.

In the fearful haze, a soldier alongside Frits was tackled down by one of the creatures. He fell into Frits' leg which made him fall as well. As he fell, another creature ran over his body to another man, ripping them apart. It was a horrific scene of people screaming while the wolves hunted them like sheep. Frits had no time to help his comrades as he got up again and ran for the fortress. He felt terrified and helpless.

Keep moving forward, just keep moving, he thought to himself franticly.

Before long, he was within bow shot of the fortress. Northfolk and the wolf creatures were closing in on him, and the other remaining survivors from the walls.

I did not think it would end this way, Frits thought in horror.

The royal messengers gave this last to make a run to the gate. Sweat dripped from his brow and his lungs burned with a terrible pain.

As if to answer his prayers, arrows rained down from the fortress by the hundreds. They laid waste to all enemies who dared to approach the massive, stone structure. Frits fell once more, but was lifted by two strong hands.

"Come on, Frits."

He looked up to see Jon who had a large scratch on the side of his face. Frits got to his feet, and the two made their way through the gates. Once they were finally through, the doors promptly closed behind them and the last of the retreating troops. The deep thud of their closing marked safety for Frits and the other soldiers. Frits gave out a loud sigh and slumped against the wall.

***

Inside the fortress, there was a panic unlike anything Frits or Jon had seen before. Townspeople were screaming and pacing around as soldiers tried to usher them into the armory and hall. Other troops grabbed bows and readied catapults. Their armor glinted in the firelight as they ran about. Eva spotted her companions and rushed to greet them.

"I am glad to see you both alive," Eva said and she put her hands on their shoulders.

"What were those monsters?" Jon shouted. Frits was so out of breath and shocked that he could not speak.

"Weerwolven," a voice came from the crowd. It was Greta. "Shapeshifting beasts out of the northern wastes."

"I have only heard of them in legend and folklore. I did not know they were actually real," Jon said as he shook his head in disbelief.

"Oh, they are real. Our scouts have rare reports of them and other manners of dark sorcery in the wilderness. Never in a military operation, but there are a lot of firsts today," Greta said as she shouldered a quiver of arrows. "Come on, let us see what our governor has to say."

On the top of the fortress wall, Everand stood with a face that was calm and unemotional. She surveyed her town as she pondered what her enemy would do next. Down below, the drums could still be heard, but the wind and snow seemed to lessen. The closing darkness remained ever vigilant as it was kept at bay by the large braziers of the fortress.

"My lord," Greta said with a slight bow. "The messengers did not make it out, but they are alive."

The governor turned and gave a half smile as she said, "Good to see you three are alive. Unfortunately, we need to get someone out of this town to warn the capital and request aide. I fear this assault is just the first of many horrors to come."

In the distance, there was a creak of a great catapult, and a rock of ice came hurling at the fortress. It missed the gate, but made contact with a piece of the far wall. All in the fortress felt that shake of the impact and those on the wall were nearly thrown off their feet.

"My lord," a soldier said as he ran up to Everand. "It appears that whatever contraption that is hurling those stones is too large to enter the city. It is possible that at their current range, they may not be accurate enough to topple our gates."

"We can hope that is the case," she said. "But these are no ordinary stones. They are enchanted with some magic that is crumbing our defenses. I do not know where this army came from, but I can assure you this day was long in the making."

Frits and the others walked to the end of the parapet. Swirling snow made it hard to see, but thousands of torches glowed all around the fortress. Some of the town buildings were set ablaze and the snarl of the weerwolven could be heard as they moved around the town, looking for stragglers. Every so often a scream marked a townsperson being found. The noises sent shivers down Frits' spine as he tried to steady himself.

"How are we getting out of here," Jon gasped as he looked helplessly at the sea of lights.

"We are going to find a way," Eva said defiantly. "We are royal messengers and by Areandel this is the most important journey we will ever have to take. We will find a way."

"Are there any secret exits out of the fortress?" Jon asked hopefully.

Greta shook her head, "Only one way in and one way out."

"Well, that narrows our options," Frits said as he peered down to the ground, a hundred feet below. As he stared, he noticed that the lights made a wide circle around the fortress, but they did not approach it. Hundreds of Hailgaladrian archers make sure that any torches that entered their range were quickly snuffed out.

"I wonder," he said as he ran to the other side of the fortress.

The others followed, confused on what he was thinking.

"What is it?" Everand asked.

"Our attackers also clearly know there is only one way in or out as well," Frits pointed to the backside of the fortress that was devoid of any lights. "If we can get out and around the fortress, we could have a shot to move east and then south to the capital."

"Too risky, what of the weerwolven?" Greta pointed out.

"It is a risk we have to take. Either that or scale the backside of the fortress and take the journey on foot," Frits countered.

"He is right," Everand said. "You three must go, and we must cover you. Our only way is to open the gates and rush our forces out to block your escape. Once you are clear, we can retreat back within our walls. With any luck, we can barricade ourselves in until the royal army returns."

"We cannot ask you to risk everyone in here by moving your forces out there," Eva protested.

"You are asking nothing. You are doing what is required of you as are we. I will appoint three of my best scouts to journey with you. They are Agnes, Kalos, and Sam. I wish all of you the luck to make it, but one of you must. We cannot tell how many there are down there and this may be a plot to attack more than just Frostwatch. Our capital must be prepared."

"I do not have my horse and I dropped the satchel of scrolls," Frits said in a defeated tone.

"The scrolls are nonsense in a time such as this. As for a horse, I saw it trot back into the fortress," Everand smiled. "An act of self preservation that I hope you forgive it. Not many could stand against a weerwolven and hold its ground, even a horse of royal stock such as yours."

"Mine was slain at the gates," Jon cut in. "Hey, how about we get those bears to help us out with punching a hole in these northfolk?"

Everand shook her head. "We can provide you with another, but as for the bears, they are slow and cannot run as long as the horses can, especially those of royal stock. We will use their aide to block your escape."

"Alright, let us get going. The enemy does not wait," Eva said as she clapped her hands together.