Several weeks after Ghaow's unforunate defeat, Pythe reached the outskirts of Southern Lyca'naus Mountains. According to the reports from southern regions, the Umbrysian army was indeed faster than they expected them to be - shortly after they vanquished everything in Akaramedia, they razed Alaìs and invaded Rykssander. Onthox armies, on the other hand, were about to make it to Orbh - and just as vandal as they used to be, destroying anything on their way.
Urnyras Jael recovered in two weeks. Using fyllian techniques of healing and a special care taken from eilan physicians, it wasn't much of a surprise for her. What made it somehow painful was that since the army was mobilized at all times, she didn't have much time to rest.
One day, Quarlyn popped up near her, after a repelled ambush attempt by a local sybillian tribe.
"I see you have recovered," he said pleasantly.
"More or less," she shrugged. "I was expecting it to be sooner. No complaints, though."
"Right, well..." he nodded. "Good to know. The King will be happy to know. He kept asking about you. You must've left a good impression on him."
"Being the only survivor of an entire division," she said dramatically. "Would make the most useless thug a hero. It's the direness of the situation, not what or who I am."
"Don't be so harsh on yourself" said Quarlyn. "Anyway, I am here to deliver you this." He held an envelope towards Urnyras Jael.
"Unless you feel like going on a long land journey," he said as she took it, "Do not open it. It is sort of urgent though, so if you think it will take longer than two days, I will-"
"No problem," she said. "I will go wherever you want me to go."
"Very well," Quarlyn smiled in approval. "We will settle the army for a rest in about four to five hours. Meet me at the headquarters tent."
"Consider it done," said Urnyras Jael.
...
Shortly after Quarlyn left, Urnyras Jael broke the seal of the envelope (with her name written on it) and stared at the folded parchment for a brief moment. 'Travel,' she thought. 'Maybe to the south. To north. In any case I want to go away.'
She slowly unfolded the letter, and started to read it slowly:
"To whom it may concern,
Regarding the latest reports from Kith'lath:
Due to a possible civil war to arise at the realms of Kith'lath, N'yaian Forces under command of me, Krischnokh Ilinarth, the Bannerlord of N'ya, have been relocated. However, the opposition was, in comparison to what the intelligence services expected, much more overwhelming. As these reports have reached the mobilized Royal Army, His Majesty decided to call upon the aid of Wundhian allies. His Majesty's requests of military aid from the Queendom of Wundh has been answered, and Her Majesty Gallanae-mylen Myllande the Second of Wundh has landed on Kith'lath, immediately engaging a maritime battle with the Opposition.
In search of the mastermind of such rebellion, Wundhian intelligence have spotted several possibilities. In their latest regular report, keeping the names strictly confidential, they have requested a skilled assassin to act according to the orders given at the expedition base in Kith'lath for further administrative matters, code number 34J.
Therefore,
N'yaian Expedition in Kith'lath humbly requests the relocation of a N'yaian Intelligence Corps member to Kith'lath as soon as possible, if possible at all. Being at your disposal, more than one assassin would be appreciated.
Your prompt response will be of the best, with current situations at hand.
Best of regards, may the Twin Serpents prevail,
Krischnokh Brauch Ilinarth
Bannerlord of N'ya City."
She folded the parchment rather mechanically. 'Kith'lath? Rebellion? Why would everyone be so discreet about it, that I have never head of it? Wundhian allies? Those enourmous, female warriors? Oh joy,' she thought, with a dramatic, slight smile on her face. 'Going to be a nice journey, I feel.'
...
After the army settled for a couple of hours of rest, Urnyras Jael made her appearance at the Headquarters Tent, being addressed by the King and Quarlyn.
"It's rather chaotic, up there," Quarlyn rubbed his chin. "Wundhian Queen puts her utmost efforts, and somehow managed to land her armies in Calua several weeks before. I suppose they have invaded the city. The Opposition fights a guerilla-war - I am sure they are not more than one fifth of the Wundhian army, in fact. That turns out to be a battle of wits, we have to use our cards properly. Brute methods, relying on the advantage in numbers should not blind us."
"N'yaian forces are quite few, I have to admit," said the King, shortly after approving Quarlyn with his head. "But they know Northern Echiott more than anyone, including remote parts of it such as Kith'lath. They act as navigators for the Wundhian allies. Gallanae-mylen is reputed to be a tactical genius, and we have to rely on her judgement in that matter. This was desperate, you see. I thought Kith'lath would immediately manage to gather an army, set up an alliance with Umbrys and Dytheria and make a third battlefront in Kith'lath. That would be catastrophic. We are already overwhelmed. That civil war, or this aggression in Kith'lath has to end. It can be considered premature yet, so if we smash the head of it, the rest will just shake and die. That is what you are asked to do. Change the fate of this rebellion and give the rest of Solia a relief - including Wundhian allies and N'yaian Expedition."
"What you ask of me, my King," said Urnyras Jael, apparently seeking a confirmation. "Is to kill the leader of the rebellion?"
"Exactly," Pythe nodded. "Maybe you can capture him alive, and he can be judged and punished according to Solian Law."
"That will be my priority," said Urnyras Jael. "I desire not to kill anyone else, in fact. But if I have to, I will do what has to be done, no doubt."
"When can you leave?" asked Quarlyn.
"Immediately, I suppose," shrugged Urnyras Jael. "I will recover before I reach Calua anyway. I can afford a horseback ride if I am supplied well enough for the journey."
"Very well, that is perfect," nodded Quarlyn. "You leave tonight. Try not to mention this to anyone. I want you to disappear."
Urnyras Jael nodded.
...
She gathered her belongings together in no time, she slowly walked towards the stable. One of the squires, an eilan kid at his eight at most, was bringing a brown mustang with him, also was slowly dragging the supplies for the journey behind him, nervously saluting Urnyras Jael. She carrassed the squier's hair before she grabbed the supplies and loaded it on the horse gently, patting the horse's neck afterwards.
"What's her name?" she asked to the squier.
"Bavien," the squire replied. "Belonged to a fallen knight of Lyrant. One of the best, m'lady."
"Seems like it," smiled Urnyras Jael. "Strong. Noble. Cold-blooded as well. These are good traits for a horse like this."
"We are good friends with Bavien," he said nervously. "Please take good care of her m'lady, so I can see her again."
"Worry not, my young friend," Urnyras Jael looked at the squire. "No horse will die on my watch."
...
After getting the ultimate briefing from Quarlyn, Urnyras Jael left like the wind herself, riding north.
"Wundhian women," she said to Bavien. "They say they are more brute than Wultan kheron. Stronger than enaer. More aggressive than the siblion. What do you think awaits me, Bavien? I wonder if it is even possible to work with them. Psh, I'm glad Krischnokh is there. Eoria might be there too, maybe, who knows? My sweet Eoria, how I missed her!"
Bavien was silent and smooth, just like her rider. She was dashing through the night, fixated on her destination and riding towards it with an invincible resolve. Under a red sky, her eyes were glowing with pride.
As she rode further north, Urnyras Jael realized this mustang was much much more noble than she actually looked.
She felt lucky to have such a companion by her side, a companion who knows what it means to lose someone you dearly care about. To lose a comrade.
"Fanrach," she said towards the night. "Fanrach, you are missed dearly."
Bavien made a sound, and it pretty much sounded like an approval in the most ironic way possible.
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