Arcaea/Dining Hall Late 08-09/Hamish Hits the Highway
As the camp was being packed away, Aerywyn opened the letter he had recieved but moments before from a messenger. The lad who had brought it was resting as one of the nurses who travelled with their healers was filling a tankard of ale for him. He broke the regal seal, the Pheonix giving way to the contents within. A few seconds passed as he read it, before he called out to one of his riders.
"Wulfhere! Ride down the lines and tell the men to give King Hamish O'Ways of Cathay safe passage."
Aerywyn Haerthorne Marshal of the Tribute Collecting Army
Even in the middle of war, there was room for hospitality and decorum, as was demonstrated by the border guards at the Arempos/Larmebsi line. Even though officially Arempos was safe under Ethialan rule again, there were still Arcaean troops in the area and the situation could escalate at any given moment. Still, they formed a fifteen-man guard of honour as Hamish and his Dragoneers passed into the territories of Greater Aenilia, the religiously-based Empire about which he was curious to know more when he returned from the task ahead. He presented the Aenilian senior officer with the present and letter he wanted delivered to Emperor Orphen personally. Only a few miles further up the road he was greeted by a small detachment of men bearing Arcaean crests and uniforms. Looking closer, they noticed a small camp beyond the treeline. As his men had been carrying the banners low, a commonly known sign of non-aggression, they made no intent of engaging him. The ranking man introduced himself as Marshal Aerywyn of the ‘Tribute Collecting Army’ and then spoke with a voice and tone that belonged at a Royal Court rather than a battlefield;
“King Hamish! What brings you alone through the border lands where battle rages?”
Captain Edwin grunted slightly and moved his hand slowly towards the clasp securing his short-sword, only to be recalled by an angry look from his Commander. For only a moment there was a hint of tension in his company of Dragoneers, but even though ready for any eventuality, they had confidence in the steadfastness of their King. Hamish smiled at the slender man who had spoken, closed his eyes for a second and then spoke in his loud yet un-threatening voice;
“Marshal Haerthorne, I am passing through on my way to Irneas on the eastern seaboard. My sister, Countess Siobhan O'ways of Itomazh fell there earlier this week in a battle against my friends of Sartania. As tradition and honour demands, I must make my way over there and conduct the sacred burial ritual of the Dragoneer Legion. I wish my visiting these lands was not with such grim motives. Many Cathayans died in Larmebsi and Lasop years ago, among them several of my Dragoneers, and I shall pay my respects to those burial fields too as I pass by. May the Ancient ones keep and bless your troops, Marshal. And may we one day slay the unholy beast that is war, the greatest tormentor of the human spirit.”
At that moment, Marshal Aerywyn was handed a scroll bearing the Arcaean Royal seal which Hamish recognised from afar, having opened so many of them himself… He grinned slightly. The Marshal relayed the message to one of his men; "Wulfhere! Ride down the lines and tell the men to give King Hamish O'Ways of Cathay safe passage." Aerywyn nodded his head slightly as did Hamish in a gesture of mutual understanding and cordiality as the latter motioned for his men to go forward. ’As long as we can deal with each other as civilised, honourable people… there is hope that humanity will prevail.’, he thought to himself.
Sir Hamish O'Ways High King of Cathay
