• Memory • [Gawyne] The North Remembers

[Hunter Gawyne]

27th of Ymiden, arc 714, Fort Gawyne

Dear Hunter,
We have received word that you have arrived in Andaris, I hope the trip from Nashaki was comfortable. We have also received word from Baron Krome that his son, Xander will be visiting Fort Gawyne this week, and your presence, as the heir to the noble house of Gawyne, has been requested. I understand you will not answer this letter, but please make sure you are here before our guest.

Sincerely, F. Gawyne

Said the letter that now stood crumpled on the desk of Hunter’s new apartment. Many a thought had flown through the noble’s mind as he read it, and then as he re-read, and as he read it for the third time. He constantly kept looking down at the signature. F. Gawyne. The man he once called his idol, his role model, now signed a letter as F. Gawyne. There was nothing of his father left.

And the beginning, Dear Hunter, it was just etiquette, obviously. Now, the intelligent man was beaten as he could not decipher whether this was some clever trick to return him to his home duchy for some arranged marriage or something similar, or Xander Krome was actually visiting his homeland. Just in case, he couldn’t risk it, he had to go back. No matter what kind of awkwardness that meant for him and his brothers and sisters, Hunter had decided, he would leave for Gawyne immediately.

And so he was on his horse, after a couple of trials, just outside the Fortress he grew up in. Even in the Hot Cycle, the surrounding area to Fort Gawyne was cold, it was just how it was with the north of Rynmere. Xander Krome sure would know a lot about that, seeing how he came from an even colder, relatively speaking, region.

Thinking about Xander, Hunter brought himself back into reality and realised there was already a larger amount of horses in the stable than before. Their guests were already there. For how long, he wondered, as the gate opened before him and the servants helped him off the horse and carried his items to his room.

”Father” He said, as Fredrick Gawyne approached him just outside the main hall. ”I saw our guests arrived, am I that late?” There was no greeting between them besides a nod and hands being shaken. Nothing informal, no talk of how they felt, or how the three-year-long adventure in Nashaki went.

”They just got here, they’re currently dining in the hall. You should get yourself ready and join them. I’ll be there.”

Hunter, following his father’s commands, got dressed in a more formal attire and prepared himself to enter the main hall where surely his parents dined with Xander and his own companions. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how someone would look at it, none of his siblings were present at the dining table, so he avoided any strange or awkward dialogue they might bring.

"Good evening mother, father, apologies for I have overlooked the time in my endless work. Ah, Lord Krome, welcome to our humble home. I hope the trip went well." He said, sitting down on the farthest place possible from his parents, and yet not too close to the Krome people, and politely accepting the meal he was given by the endless flow of servants that went in and out of the room, as well as taking a sip of the wine that awaited him by his plates.

[Xander Andaris]

The journey had been okay, as usual Xander had spent most of the time gazing through the window of the carriage and pondering his future. He was a man of great aspirations after all, Badon had suggested that he use his travel time usefully as in the past he has squandered it on pointless acts. Now though, as he was not a child anymore he would do no such thing. As an adult with major change in his mind he needed to plan, to explore hypothetical ideas and come up with the best method for freeing his Duchy. Xander was lucky he was travelling alone to Gawyne, in the past when he had been travelling with his parents he had hated it. It was bad enough when they had neglected him at home but when travelling for trials on end within a few feet of one another and still paying little to no attention was awful.

He was both thankful and pained that he had been forced to visit in Ymiden. Due to the warm season it was it meant he would not get caught in a snow drift and freeze to death, which of course was good news. However, at the same time Xander was not a fan of heat, in fact he hated the high temperatures of Saun and sometimes Ymiden. Luckily Gawyne was not a southern Duchy and so it was still relatively bearable. It meant he was not sat cooking in the carriage as he travelled and it meant he would be much more presentable upon arrival.

His parents had told him he was to meet with the Baron and possibly his children, Xander could see the potential political gains there but he still wan't most happy about being forced by his parents. Of course he was mostly complaining out of spite, the trip was actually most useful for him. In his mind if any houses were to agree with his view it would be those in the North, those far from Andaris and its false foolish kings. He did know that most people probably didn't agree with him though of course, he was probably part of a small minority in his views.

There had been a slight Southerly breeze when he had gotten out of the carriage, bringing a nippy Northern cold with it. It was refreshing as he was been greeted by the Baron and his wife and the servants, no sign of the rest of the family though. Xander made note of the lack of family members there appeared to be present, odd that they had either not been home or refused to greet him maybe. "Thank you for allowing me to stay with you mighty Baron and you Duchess." He bowed his head in respect and then after they returned their greetings and invited him to dine entered with them.

They had only been in the room what seemed a short while before the son of the Baron entered the room. He seemed a little travel tired, much like Xander but he was dressed, it appeared, for the formal dinner they were taking part in now. "Good evening my Lord Gawyne, the journey was most pleasant and rather uneventful. I suppose that is a good thing, although, it did make it dreadfully boring." His words were of course to satisfy the situation, he could not really say how the journey had served as time for him to plan his take over of Krome. Instead he just smiled charmingly and took a sip of his own wine, not his favourite or first choice of drink but he could cope with it.

"I am most thankful for you all being so kind as to host me for these trials, I will try my best not to waste any of your time. Although, I do hope to see some of Fort Gawyne, it is the capital of your lovely Duchy after all." He looked to the one Xander had assumed to be Hunter Gawyne, the heir his parents had told him about. "Perhaps you and I could take the time to look around the place, I would not want to take time from your undoubtedly busy parents. Unless the Baron and Baroness have any objections to that?" Xander looked to them again and took another sip of his drink.

[Hunter Gawyne]

He was trying hard, so hard, extremely hard, exruciatingly hard, just not to yawn. He wanted to yawn so desperately he was willing to kill for it, literally, just not kill any of the people that were in the same room as him now. The trip from the capital had been a longer one than usual, even though it was a hot season, and he hadn't gotten any rest from the ride. Unlike Xander, Hunter had arrived by mount, and not carriage. That, of course, meant a more tiring trip, and that meant more need for sleep, which meant a wish to yawn, which wasn't allowed at a dining table as fancy as this one.

"I am glad to hear it. Boring means safe, and safety should be the top priority" Or so his parents would have him believe. Xander was at least honest with his reply, stating that the trip was uneventful, boring. Boring trips indeed meant safe trips, however, and if an heir to a barony of Krome got endangered while travelling to Gawyne, well, the relationship between the houses would've been strained even further.

It was when the lord of Krome started speaking again that the noble noticed something was off. There was just something there, like a sixth sense, telling him something, but he couldn't know what. The way Xander's lips moved one to another and back and the way his face smiled yet was not happy. It was in his voice, the tone warm yet the words so cold. Hunetr didn't know if his parents had noticed it either, but Xander Krome was a different kind of noble than what he was used to meeting. He didn't have a large amount of air between his ears, and he certainly wasn't visiting Gawyne on behalf of his parents, the Baron and Baroness.

"No, of course not, lord Krome. Hunter would be pleased to show you around, wouldn't he?" Said Jade Gawyne, baroness, while barely even looking towards her son in fear of emotions overtaking her. A noble lady, showing emotions, no, that was impossible. A noble lady showing she was glad to see her son after his three-arc-long journey, even more impossible.

"Of course I would. I always enjoy showing off," He stopped for just a second to take a sip of his wine, to receive an angry cough from his father "my home." He finished, taking yet another bite from his meal, expecting the others at the table to laugh, or have some sort of reaction to his joking-like attitude. "Whenever you are ready, lord Krome" Whatever was off, he would find it in the upcoming tour. Whether it was the reasoning behind Xander's visit, or something far deeper, Hunter had made an oath to himself to uncover the truth by the end of the night. Or at least week.

[Xander Andaris]

Xander laughed, as was expected of him as the host made the joke. Although the sound and the facial expression were there his eyes did give away the lack of real humour he felt. In fact he had found the comment rather juvenile of the Lord, somewhat unprofessional in his eyes. Of course this was due to his many layers of false emotion and facades he had placed over his true self following her death. "I see you have some wit, that is good." He smiled at Hunter before quickly eating the last two fork fulls on his plate and drinking the last bit of his drink. "Thank you, Baron and Baroness, this was quite a lovely meal." He bowed his head in respect as he sat back in his chair.

Xander looked towards the Lord who was to be his guide, examining him carefully as he stood. He was a handsome man, his appearance rivalled his own and if Xander were the type to pursue women he would have had a hard time with Hunter around. He was a touch shorter than Xander, not significantly but Xander could tell as he looked across the table at the heir of the Barony. "I am ready when you are Lord Gawyne." He smiled as he stood sliding his chair out and then moving behind it, tucking it back under with ease.

The other lord did appear intelligent, although he appeared a little travel worn with the stubble that was on his face. Yet, that could also have just been preference not just from the travel, Xander had met plenty of men who liked to keep some facial hair. Xander also noticed the man's blue eyes, they weren't the same as his own in colour, they were a deep blue, but in the way they seemed to contain more and different emotions from what the rest of him was expressing. "So Lord Hunter, what is it you do exactly? Sadly I was very ill informed before my visit and will be asking the most boring questions for such a reason." His inquiry was out of curiosity, in many ways he liked to learn who he was with and in other ways he was wondering how he might exploit the man in the future.

They were out of the room now and Xander stood in the doorway waiting for Hunter to lead him through the building. All he had seen since his arrival was the entrance and the dinning hall, in some ways he felt like he was being hidden from those who lived there or possibly them from him. "The place is quiet, for such a large town I had assumed more people. Where are all the people, is there some kind of job they do from dawn until dusk that might explain my not seeing them? Farming perhaps or some other labour that keeps them out of sight?" Xander rubbed his bald chin as he regretted shaving before arriving at the Fort.

[Hunter Gawyne]

Hunter simply nodded as his guest complimented his wit, although his father didn't seem too pleased with the fact his firstborn son was making jokes at such an important dinner. Which noble father would appreciate a good sense of humor during a political conversation, after all?

Barely managing to finish his meal in time, Hunter got up only trills after Xander, with little bits of meat still hanging on for dear life between his teeth. Unfortunately, these little pieces were swiftly destroyed on the inside of the noble's throat as he managed to swallow them with a sip of wine whose cup now stood empty on the table. It was one of the fastest dinners he had had in a while, but that was only his doing, due to being late.

"Shall we then?" He asked as he opened the door to the hallway that eventually lead to the stairs that in turn went down to the bottom and up to the top of the huge castle. Hunter slowly paced next to Xander, making sure not to be too quick or too slow with his movements, and to walk right beside the noble lord at all times. It was just one of those things his brain had to do right, no matter how little importance or impact it had on the real world.

"I am a mathematician, however I dabble in architecture and other sciences." He replied to the lord as he suggested they take a turn to the right, where seven long and high windows stood in the hallway, looking down onto a small town full of happy people of Gawyne. Not everyone could live in a giant fortress, but not everyone wanted to either. "I try to pursue knowledge wherever possible, to put it simply. How about you Lord Krome, do you have any hobbies or occupations?" He examined the man, shaved, cleaned, and formally dressed, Xander was definitely one of the finer nobles out there, who knew what he was doing when it came to the game. His words were slick and danced off his tongue like a fox's, and yet his face would melt into any expression necessary, to show any emotion appropriate, but never what was real. They were similar in that regard, the noble thought as he considered how he did nearly the same thing, completely hiding and building around his own emotions to show only facades and masks.

"I apologise for I have never been in Krome to see how things are there, but the people of Gawyne often work until perfection is reached, thus taking them longer in the day to get their desired goals achieved." He spoke shit upon shit, and even though most of Gawyne population were hard workers, he himself had no clue why Xander had seen so little of them. Usually, the town besides the Fortress would be busy with souls all-trial-long, from dawn till midnight. "It is also possible you came at a time of some local get-together at a tavern or something similar, as I've seen the commoners do such things quite often around here. They prefer company in the cold, even when it is the hottest season." A little bit of honesty mixed in with all the half-truths never hurt anyone, he supposed.

"How is it like in Krome? With the people, I mean."

[Xander Andaris]

Xander had been correct in his assumptions, the man was indeed intelligent and a mathematician in fact. As well as an architect, it seemed like an odd combination to him, although he did not exactly know much about either of those topics. Xander could relate to the pursuit of knowledge in some ways, he would search for knowledge and information on those around him wherever he went. He liked to think himself talented in intelligence gathering when in truth he was probably a little too heavy handed in his approach these days.

Unfortunately Xander had no such interesting hobbies to to speak of, unless one counted plotting the take over of your Duchy. However, even if it was counted it was not something Xander was going to admit of course. "I am the acting Steward of my family's household, not as interesting as a mathematician but it keeps me busy." He took the right turn as was suggested and observed how the Lord was keeping exact pace with him, each step synchronised with his own. Xander found himself wondering what kind of Duke this man would one day be, he seemed controlled and organised and he wasn't stupid, that was always a plus as not all nobles were actually smart. In fact many nobles had nothing but empty space from one side of their skull to the other or at least that was what it seemed like sometimes.

"Hard working people is good, having a Duchy where the people care about their craft will be useful especially when you come into a position as Baron." Xander watched to gauge the fellow nobles response to his mention of his future. This would be a good way to tell if Hunter was ready and wanting the position that lay in his future. Discovering this would aid Xander in deciding whether he should search for an ally in his new acquaintance in the future. There would be no point seeking the assistance of a man who wanted little more than to be free of the responsibility.

Xander had no clue if the people here were really hard working of course, but he took his hosts word for it. "Krome is quiet, or at least the part I live in. It is mostly farmers around my area, some hunters and a few bars, I believe the people are happy too. At least we haven't been having any huge complaints." This was true to a large extent but Xander knew there was always some contempt between the classes. Xander rubbed his hands together for a moment as he considered what to say next. "I suppose the people are a complex thing, their social construct means there is an ever changing pool of emotions and some seasons they are happy and hard working and others less so. I just hope to keep the people of Krome as happy as can be."

[Hunter Gawyne]

"Oh. My father offered me the position of steward. I told him I had enough of politics in seasonal meetings with other nobles such as yourself, I didn't need it as a hobby." Hunter said, not making direct eye contact with Xander, mostly because he knew what was going to happen. He had it figured out, at least somewhat. Xander would show interest, even though he wasn't interested, and then Hunter would show an emotion, even though he hadn't felt it. The game was spoiled when the rules were revealed, so why bother playing?

"Oh yes, unfortunately, I cannot say I'm awaiting the day I'm Baron, for it'll mean my grandfather is no longer duke. He's the best duke Gawyne's had in a while, you know, and as much as I value my father, he will never be the man his father is." Hunter said, revealing more truth than he usually would've liked, as it was obvious the truth was what Xander wanted. Hopefully, the wolf would now be more honest as well, instead of in the middle of the dance. Hunter wasn't some lamb, but he needed to accept the fact that Xander was a guest, and he could leave at any moment.

Making Xander spill whatever his reasoning for the visit was surely was the top priority for the heir of the duchy, but keeping the relationship between their houses somewhat good was also an important matter. If Xander went home talking about how rude or untruthful the Gawynes are, all of Krome would be talking about it, and then the Gawynes would start talking about how the Kromes started a fight, and would, therefore, start an actual fight, all of it leading into chaos. No, chaos was unacceptable, he would have order, no matter how much truth he had to tell.

"There is mathematics there, in the relationships between people and nobility. I spent seasons working on it in the past, trying to determine what choices our duke makes impact our people the most, but I would hate to bore you with the numbers. Now, Lord Krome, if I may ask, is there something special you were hoping to achieve with this visit?" After Xander once more attempted to play the game with him, Hunter decided to go blunt and ask. There was something that the lord wolf was avoiding, or trying to accomplish, depending on the perspective, with the conversation, and the noble of Gawyne had gotten tired of attempting to reveal it through half-truths.

[Xander Andaris]

Hunter's reasoning behind not looking forward to being Baron surprised him, it was not what he had expected. Xander had truly thought the other Lord would just say he did not want to give up his hobbies and leave his studies. So to the young Krome's surprise he found the man was actually quite patriotic, and family oriented. Apparently he had great admiration for his grandfather and for the first time he seemed genuine that night to Xander. It also revealed the seemingly weaker relationship between Hunter and his father, that was some important and useful information for Xander.

"I am sure your grandfather is a great man, I do not know my own grandfather that well and I can only hope he is a great a man as your own. However, with the view of most of the kingdom of my house I find myself doubtful, they think us savages and I have never fully understood why." Xander was honest too but he was just being honest about his lack of information and not necessarily claiming his parents less than anyone else. Then again his mother would never be Duchess, he would not allow that and she was also not in line for the position. Lucky that was as she would be useless but for him it made his future more difficult.

Then came the direct question. It appeared that the pleasantries were over and it had come time to get down to business. "I seek friends, and allies, we are both Northerners are we not? The men in the South do not always understand our ways, our customs and our ways. So my own reasons for being here are to see if I can count on the future of Gawyne to be friendly with me. We will one day both be Barons and you maybe even Duke," he did not mention his own aims in that regard, "I would like to make sure that us Northerners stick together and keep happy relations."

Xander was mostly open and honest with the man, he had not lied at all, he had just not revealed his huge overarching plans for Krome. Instead he had expressed his interest in peaceful and happy relations for the future of their houses. He truly believed that if he could befriend the right people he could make his own future campaigns much simpler. If he was friends with other powerful men and could make them sympathetic to his cause he could possibly leave Rynmere without any serious bloodshed, although he still doubted it. Maybe he could make it with less bloodshed but still a lot, however, maybe around half the original amount. "Would you not agree that we should keep a good relationship between our houses? Should we not avoid pointless disputes and arguments and instead create a mutual friendship for the good of us and our peoples?"

[Hunter Gawyne]

Savages? Was that a tad overreacting to some nobles not liking the Krome ways? After all, they weren't like your typical house. They were true northerners. Enduring, cold, rough, utilizing brute force instead of finesse. At least those Hunter had met before Xander, since this young lord managed to topple over all of those opinions with his knowledge of the game. Xander wasn't like the typical Krome, that much was obvious from the start.

Keep happy relations? Their houses weren't in such happy relations, not in ones worth keeping, but who knew what Xander considered to be true and what false. Perhaps he thought the disputes of history weren't a matter worth discussing today? There were always those people, the ones that lived for the future, not for the past, and Hunter truly did admire them, for he could never ignore what had gone on before him.

"I understand. You wish me to be on your side, should I ever need to pick sides. As the future duke, I have a lot of power in my words, and if you could get those words to be supportive of you, who knows what you could accomplish?" Hunter said with a small smile on his face, a smile that said I've got you. He had finally figured out what kind of play Xander was making, or at least he thought so. The young wolf was planning on usurping the title of duke from whoever was the rightful heir to Krome.

"I agree. We are both men of the north, yet they, in the south, expect us to play their game. We shall be friends then, Xander Krome, but know that friendship between houses isn't something to be taken lightly." Hunter said, finally stopping with his walking, and expecting the wolf to do the same. They hadn't been around the entirety of the castle, no, not even close, but they had been around the entirety of their conversation. Were they supposed to start from the beginning now, or just think of something else to say, something not involving politics?

"You know, when I am Baron, I hope to build a castle on Warren's Peak. That mountain stands as one of the highest in the north, yet no buildings decorate it. Have you ever considered what you shall do when you are Baron, lord Krome?" It was a simple, distracting conversation Hunter started, just to get to know his new political ally and friend. Friends should know each other, shouldn't they? Thought the heir to Gawyne.

[Xander Andaris]

Xander knew the man was intelligent but he had not expected him to catch on this quick, he was observant and he had managed to linger on every word and very nearly understand his goals. he did want the mans support if war was to ever break out, of course the man had missed the reasons why a war would break out and more over why he a simple Lord would be a part of it. He was in line to be Baron, that was true, but not duke, he would never naturally take that position, that would have to be forced. Still, with his aims Dukedom was only a stepping stone, he had no wish to rule Krome in such a manner. "A lot, that is what I could accomplish with the support of a man such as yourself." He smiled himself now, not because he had figured anything out but because he had managed to choose an intelligent person to approach.

Xander stopped as the other Lord did and turned to stand before him, looking at him and wondering whether this had been a truly good idea. It seemed so as the Lord agreed to a friendship, two true Northerners that could keep a string partnership and fend off the south if ever need arose. "I do not take it lightly, Lord Gawyne. I take it most seriously, I am an honest and loyal man who keeps his work and stands up for those he trusts. I should hope if things go bad we can support one another in our endeavours." Xander was certainly putting a lot of hope in the man he had just met. The problem was he reminded him of himself, it had made his guard go down a little and left him more open. He was much easier to speak with someone he felt similar too.

He found it a strange aim and wish for what to do as Baron. To Xander it seemed so pointless and much like a waste of resources, then again he had plans that were unlike many others. He wanted things that had never been done before in the history of Rynmere. He wanted to achieve something that would be in all the history books for arcs to come, he wished to save his people like all leaders should. So building a castle on a mountain was not at the top of his list. Although, he could not fault Hunter in this, he two was seeking to achieve and do something he loved as was Xander with his own aims.

"I think about it often, nearly every bit of every trial. I cannot forget my aims and I never will as they are as much a part of me as say my eyes." He wondered what was safe to say and it felt like censorship was the best choice here. "I wish to make Krome a powerful and safe place. A place of equality and fairness and a place where everyone matters to the system, I want my people to be happy and free...to live their lives as they wish." His pause was to imply more than just a freedom of ability to choose their own path, he couldn't be sure it had been understood though.