Fragments Gallery
In the Fog
The first line of horses fidgeted slightly in the cool morning air, behind them the other lines began to shift as well. Fog swirled around the riders sitting rigidly at attention in their saddles. Sunlight glinted blue off of highly polished armour and streamers tied to the end of lances drifted in the faint breeze. A horse whinnied in the middle of the group and then fell silent once more.
Around the back of the column rode a young man wearing a deep red cloak. His eyes remained fastened on his men as he rode, searching for anything out of place. They had a long and dangerous journey ahead of them and nothing could go wrong. He always felt as though it was his job to ensure that nothing did. So he surveyed his troops.
A small party rode out of the mists at the front corner of the first line. The main part of the group wore elaborately inlaid armour and brightly coloured cloaks, surrounding them were mounted guardsmen armed with broadswords and crossbows. One of the men in the center spurred his horse forwards once he saw the silent line of horsemen.
"You there," he called out in a stately voice to one of the men in the front, "Where is your commander?"
"He's at the back looking over the men milord," responded the soldier.
"Thank you," he responded as he gestured for his companions and escort to move to the back of the column.
The young man in the red cloak saw them coming as he rode up the column. He at first made to turn his horse around but then he sighed and rode forwards to face them.
"William," said the young man in greeting as he approached the party.
"Julian," responded the other man, the one who had spoken before, "You don't have to do this."
"Yes I do brother."
"The outpost can be overseen by someone else, you're a good commander and we could use you here. We need you here."
"I disagree, I think the barbarians are more of a threat then the senate gives them credit for. I will not underestimate them. Most of the other commanders feel as the senate does, they believe there is no threat. Therefore I must go. Father agreed with me. Grudgingly but he agreed none the less."
"That the journey can be perilous this time of year," said William switching tactics, "If you must do this could you not just wait a few weeks?"
"You heard the reports. The barbarians are coming. They aren't coming soon, they are coming now. That outpost needs to be reinforced as soon as we can. We need to go now or we might lose the pass."
"We need you here Julian," William said starting to see that Julian was not to be swayed, "Father is starting to grow old. Should something happen to him… we will need you here. The rebels in the east were not totally defeated, there are still remnants of them in hiding. Should something happen to Father they might take that as a sign to rise again. We need you here in the capital to lead our armies."
"I need time away from the capital Will."
"We need you here."
"Need me brother? I've been lost for years," Julian laughed, "Sometimes I think that the part of me that you, Father, Tysha and so many others look for has been long dead and all that remains is a shadow."
"But I know you survived. You’re as strong as ever."
"Am I really?" Julian laughed again but this time it sounded more forced, "I have carried on yes, but how much of me has really survived. I am no longer the person I used to be brother. I need time away from our politics and our people. I can do some good out on the outskirts."
William pursed his lips and stared at Julian for a moment.
"I can see I'm not going to talk you out of this. So be safe Julian. I must return to my duties but I can at least see you off."
Julian nodded and wheeled around his horse.
"We ride now!" he called into the mist, "Form two columns, the mountain roads can be narrow. Move out!"
Julian began to ride forwards and the first pair of soldiers fell in behind him. A few paces away Julian turned back, pulled his sword from its sheathe and saluted his brother. Then he turned back and spurred his horse to a trot quickly disappearing into the mist.
William frowned as a feeling came over him. It felt as though he would never see his brother again. That couldn't happen… could it?