It had gotten cold since the rider had left. As temperatures dropped the villagers of Maplemore tried to stay inside where the cold couldn’t reach them. There were of course exceptions who faced the cold for a myriad of reasons. Food, tools, to get away from annoying siblings and in two cases love. The fencepost had become their meeting spot where Thomas and Anna met almost every day. Almost, Thomas’ mother found things for him to do from time to time which tended to take the entire day. His father however increasingly found reasons for him to be outside, clearly approving of the developments in his son’s love life.

Today his father had proclaimed loudly that their aging dog, aptly named Cat, seemed particularly restless. Cat, who had been asleep in front of the fire, had raised his head at the sound of his master’s voice and shaken its tail half-heartedly. So, both Cat and Thomas had left the warmth of the house to brave the early winter cold. The wind cut into his face like a knife and he shivered. The snow beneath his boots crunched as he entered the fields, slowly making his way to the fencepost.

When he got there Anna was already waiting for him. His heart skipped a beat as he saw her, his throat turned dry and when he spoke it was barely more than a rasp. “Hey.” Just hey? That was it? He couldn’t come up with something better? She turned towards him, bright smile on her face, that spark in her green eyes that made him loose any sense of logical thought. “Hey yourself.” She said, the smile turning mischievous, amusement clear in her voice. “Again a remarkable display of eloquence.”

“I…. Uhm…. Yes?” He stammered, scratching the back of his head, feeling a bit like an idiot. She walked around the fencepost, stood on her toes and her cold lips touched his. This was the best part of the day. He thought as he leaned into the kiss. She smelled of lemongrass and maple syrup. She broke of the kiss, giving him that bright smile again. She flipped on the hood of her fur coat, which was a cut above any clothing he had ever seen her wear. “What do you think? Father gave it to me for my fourteenth naming day, but I had to grow into it.” Thomas swallowed. “It looks amazing on you.” He said, his voice sounding normal this time.

“That is sweet.” She kissed him again, making his head spin. “So, what do you want to do today?” He asked. “I was thinking a stroll, maybe eat something, sounds good?” Honestly, if she had suggested they go swimming he would have smiled and said it sounded good. “Yes, sounds wonderful.” She took his hand and together they started walking. They walked into the village followed by Cat.

Maplemore was its boring old self. Firmly made wooden houses, which didn’t look all that welcome with the shutters firmly closed. Inside it would be warm and cosy however. Families would have gathered around the fire, doing winter chores and playing games. They passed William’s house. Thomas didn’t have to guess what they would be doing right now. It was Wednesday so the Soles family would be praying. Strictly speaking Fridays were temple days, but William’s dad was a sunpriest and they were obligated to spent Wednesdays in prayer, contemplating the three mysteries. William had many complaints regarding his father’s occupation, but the way he spent his Wednesdays was at the very top of that list.

As Anna led him by the hand Thomas wondered where they were going. For a brief hopeful second he thought they were going to the tavern, the only building in the village which had windows made of glass, but they passed by the comfortable looking building as well. They left the village altogether and walked for what seemed like an eternity. His hands were numb and the rest of him cold, but he kept his small discomforts to himself.

They climbed up the hill and that is when he realised why Anna had wanted to come here. On top of the hill stood a single tree which was still blossoming. “Its pretty isn’t it?” Anna asked. “Come you can see the entire valley from here.” A blossom landed on Thomas and he took a moment to look at the tree. Its white blue blossoms were beautiful. Fairy trees only blossomed one month a year at the start of the winter. Many said that the blossoming of a fairy tree was an omen of change. The fact that one was blossoming right here, right now made him slightly uncomfortable.

“Thomas get over here. She’s back!” He whirled around, there was only one she Anna could be talking about. The rider had been part of every conversation in the past two months. They had taken to either calling her she or the rider since using her actual name was a bit strange. He joined Anna and looked towards the ridge. It was unmistakably the rider in the distance. She was dressed in black, just like before. “What is she waiting for?” He asked, curiosity clear in his voice. “I don’t know.” They stared at the rider for a couple of minutes.

“Oh.” They both said in unison as the reason for the rider’s delay became clear. The entire ridge filled with dark figures riding on similar animals. “She brought friends.” Anna said, suddenly wary. Old Bill’s horn sounded beneath them. The old warrior had taken to moving to the other side of the village every couple of hours to sit watch. Again Bill’s horn sounded. This time it caused a stir in the village. Once meant a single rider, possibly dangerous, but manageable. Twice however, meant that danger was upon them. Three times was only for visiting royalty, but that had never happened and it was unlikely to ever will.

The riders on the ridge started their descent downwards, like a flock of crows descending on a field. “How many are you counting?” Thomas asked as he watched. “At least eighty, it is hard to count when there are this many.” Anna responded. “I hope they’re not angry.” A shiver went down her spine. “Maybe we should join the others.” Thomas proposed, pointing at the crowd gathering in village square. His father’s tall stature easily discernible, even from this distance. The two of them quickly started their own descend towards the village, their eyes locked on the black stream of riders in the distance.

Ɏ

Captain Sada took the lead as she rode her company down the ridge. Amon rode closely behind her. Strangely lieutenant Lapidos too had been assigned to her company. His official role was that of observer, but she had a feeling that General Yifat had placed him there to keep a check on her behaviour. It placed Lapidos in an uncomfortable position as he was both under her command and outside of it. It was an odd situation, but one got used to odd situations in General Yifat’s army. The general had the reputation of being impulsive and unpredictable. However, she was considered to be the best field commander of the entire general staff. So, a good officer shut their mouth and followed every order, no matter how unusual.

Amon sped up to ride beside her. “An opposing force seems to be gathering at the centre of the objective. Should we engage?” Sada shook her head. “This isn’t unusual behaviour, I was greeted in a similar manner previously. They’re wary of outsiders and tend to arm themselves in preparation of meeting one.” Amon nodded approvingly. “The fact that they organize and arm themselves in preparation of meeting a possible hostile force is a good sign. Hopefully we can quickly come to the conclusion that they’re worth assimilating.” Sada nodded. “I’m quite sure of it. They have a language, built structures and they have an excellent way of preparing fish.”

They slowed as they neared the village. At about a stone’s throw away from the gathered villagers she halted. Behind her Amon shouted a couple of orders and the company came to a halt as well. Nervous hands fingered sword hilts, but all of the riders were disciplined and all the swords remained sheathed. “By the queen they’re ugly, aren’t they.” Amon said as he eyed the other species. “You weren’t kidding when you said they grow fur on their head. It looks ridiculous.” Her lips curled into a smile. “Hush, we’ve got a diplomatic mission here, don’t forget.” She dismounted, followed only a second later by Amon and Lapidos, and unwrapped the shawls around her head. As the three of them bared their heads the large man she had spoken to before approached.

“Gilroy mon Maplemore, it is a pleasure seeing you again.” She said, followed by a salute. “Sada mon Tarbarkash.” The tall creature responded, making a variation on the salute. “Tarabash.” She corrected him. She pointed at Amon and Lapidos in turn. “Amon mon Tarabash and Lapidos mon Tachow.” Both lieutenants saluted. Gilroy made the half salute again. “And now we’re stuck.” Sada said to the two lieutenants. “The language barrier is a problem.” Gilroy watched the exchange, eyes narrow in suspicion.

“Fish?” He suddenly said.

Ɏ

“Kavkar?” His father asked just as Thomas and Anna arrived. Anna gripped his hand tighter as they looked at the riders. “I had hoped they would all be as small as her.” Anna whispered in his ear. The two male creatures stood at least two heads taller than Sada mon Tarabash. Thomas looked at the other riders. All were dressed in a similar fashion; black leather, black cloaks, face concealing cloth and a sword hanging from the hip. “If they decide to fight us we’re going to get massacred.” He whispered, face turning pale. Anna’s hand gripped his tighter. “It won’t come to that.” She whispered back. “Your father got it all in hand.”

His father looked at the group of black riders, a nervous smile fixed in place. “Kavkar.” The creature in front of him said nodding. “Okay, we’re going to the tavern. Nobody make a sudden move. Somebody get Soles, Steve you’re with me.” Hesitantly the crowd parted to let Gilroy and Steve through. For a second it remained unclear whether the riders were going to follow, but then orders were barked in their harsh language and the group started moving. Most of the riders turned around and left the village. The three who seemed in charge remained, flanked by three riders who took care of their animals.

A minute later his father, Steve and the three creatures filed into the tavern. Another barked order saw their guards remain outside. Half the village suddenly felt the need to go drink a pint and soon the tavern was filled with people. Thomas sat at a table with Anna, trying hard to not call any attention to thems, while trying to hear and see as much as possible. For a second he locked eyes with the leader of the riders. She tilted her head as she studied him. It felt like she was searching for something. Ghostly silver lights danced through her eyes. Their contact was broken when Pete walked up to the table and set down five tankards of his best ale. His wife Hilda followed with three plates of raw fish.

Thomas watched in fascination as one of the male creatures’ nose slits flared as he smelled the ale. “Kepach.” He said and pushed the ale away from him. The other male, whose face was horribly scarred first looked at his leader than at Gilroy and Steve. “Where the fuck is Soles, he’s supposed to know what they’re saying, right?” Steve anxiously said. “I think they want us to drink first.” Gilroy said. Putting the deed to the words he took a big gulp of the tankard. “What do you think she’s going to do?” Anna asked, pulling Thomas’ attention away from the disfigured male. Her question was answered when Gilroy put his tankard down. Without hesitation the female set the tankard to her own lips and drank deeply. When she put it down she licked her lips and said something in her own language, sounding excited.

“I think she likes it.” Thomas said as she put the tankard to her lips again. Soon all the creatures were all drinking and talking rapidly in their language. Suddenly one of the stood up, causing the entire tavern to recoil. He however didn’t go for his sword, but walked in a straight line to the door. “Is he going to take a leak?” Steve nervously asked. The male creature returned soon however carrying a bottle with liquid. “I think they want to drink with us.” Thomas’ father said, visibly relaxing. “For a second there I was afraid he was going to get his friends.” His father turned to Pete who was cleaning dirty glasses with an even dirtier rag. “Pete, we’re going to need some cups.”

Pete hurried and brought five cups which the creatures filled with some kind of see through liquid that Thomas could smell from a table away. One of the males tried to refuse, but two softly spoken words were enough to make him accept his cup. “What even is this stuff?” Steve asked, clearly fascinated. As one the three creatures took a small sip from their cups. Before setting them down with expectant gazes. His father shrugged and took up the cup, mirrored by Steve. “Bottoms up then.” Steve said, a smile on his face. His father and Steve toasted each other than downed the cups in one go. As they sat the cups down they broke down in coughs, tears streaming from their eyes. The creatures all laughed, even the one who had pushed the tankard of ale away from him.

The cups were refilled and this time the creatures too toasted. “This is going well.” Steve remarked as his cup was once again filled. He was right, the tension from before had all but faded and the mood was almost festive. The creatures ate from the fish, golden flecks dancing through their eyes. Suddenly the doors to the tavern were thrown open. A man dressed in white and golden robes stood in the entrance. “What in the name of the sun is going on here?”