Scene VI

As the experienced knight had warned, their days and weeks of travels were relentless.

The time to rest was only granted by the tired mounts moving them and along that time, their short and lacking meals were celebrated by the exhausted troupe.

Ale and wine helped the woman warm her body. If any stream was found on their path, sips would be taken from its nature, along with the opportunity to cleanse their rundown appearances.

She who only possessed three sets of gowns would only change after various days of continuous riding and so did the men whose only garment were their heavy armours.

Days and weeks on end she endured. Ultimately getting accustomed to the turmoil her carriage instilled in her insides.

Now, the warned Hœttr Hills had been crossed.

Intimidatingly calm as they paced through, the path of sudden elevations between draught and sometimes spiny jungles hiding its habitats along the high cliffs made of unstable stone and sand, was a restless journey even though no trouble aroused before them.

Eighteen days took them to arrive at such an ominous entrance to the Hills... And thirteen days to cross them.

At this time, only three days of travel remained, hence good rest could be granted.

Her lower half ached as she had to exchange the carriage for a single mount, in which the Mainglousse child was made to ride with Ewelina as this last one ignored how to instruct the animal.

Nu was a capable child among beasts, whose skin's shade made them curious. The colt they rode was kind as the child lead it, following the others in place of the grown woman.

Naturally, her bottom still suffered after extended riding.

After crossing the warned hills, a few miles continued to be travelled until a humble tower with a lonesome farm was reached.

There, the sentinel offered stuffy accommodations to the numerous men and a repairing night and morning were enjoyed by the troupe.

"Her Ladyship, only three days should suffice for us to arrive. This is the last track..."

"Three days?... Is the Archduke's fief so close to these hills?"

"These Forlorn, Hœttr Hills, are a territory that ought to be watched over for its dangerous inhabitants. His Illustrious Grace is in charge of surveying its steep borders and inland from time to time to not endanger the other population residing in his territory... Hence, Myrkzver's Castles are all localized in strategic spots so the Spiked Axes can deal with any emergency. Our Lord's Main residence is the nearest, for the principal path is the most dangerous and most important to keep watch in."

"... I understand..." — Ewelina answered, finding details she ignored of the Archduke's Lands.

However, after hearing the explanation, one ponder stayed fixed in her mind.

'Only three days... I will meet my Husband by then...'

Anxiety was a certain sensation she was to experience every time the realisation that with each passing day their meeting closed in.

Ewelina still ignored her Spouse's name, physic, and character.

No man and neither the mainglousse child would speak about him. Never directly mentioning his name as a show of respect.

She had learned that discretion was an honourable practice for the South East born. Even the eager child, Nu, would not speak in further detail in any matter concerning the Master she served. Although her wishes to do so were vast.

The men would glare at the child at any sign of spilling information was raised.

Hence, Ewelina was forced to cope with doubts and anxiety at the uncertain. At least until the recently married couple met.

"... The Archduchess has endured gracefully these exhausting journeys. Please keep at it for a few more days."

The proper Knight that had not shown menacing behaviour from the time he retrieved Ewelina, observed her ponder on the obvious matter clouding her attention.

Kir's instinct was sharp, yet he would not inquire about his fresh Master's concerns.

A respectful bow was given with his mannered speech, and then, the Sire quickly retreated to leave the unsure woman alone with her thoughts.

Much could not be done. Yet the woman continued to dwell on it for long minutes until Nu's call arrived, informing their imminent departure.

Every mile in the mount felt endless the more distance was closed.

Her eyes took in the surrounding nature as they paced, slightly frightened by what awaited her, yet also impressed by the eerie scene.

Eventually, a tall fortress met her sights. And following its height, her gaze went upwards to its sharp top.

The distance between the first fortress permitted them to find a second and a third one while going upwards in the stoned mountain that was crowned by a sturdy castle.

The golden emblem could be seen, hanging over the walls, slightly coloured in brown dirt, giving its painting a more worn, yet wild essence.

Cloudy skies instilled the expected thrill her spirit was going through as the ominous wind grazed the group's figures.

Warm, unlike the weather. Dry, similar to the earth the beasts stepped in, gradually changing into a dark stony ground like the boulder the Castle stood on. Their surroundings were felt intensely on her skin.

The steep passages became more narrow as they advanced through each fortress's gate where men applauded the returning men with strong hits of their weapons on their wooden shields.

Silently, Ewelina observed the cheerful men, ultimately arriving at the austere square welcoming them at the high entrance of the large building.

Ewelina swallowed nervously.

Her new home, where she was to become old if absolved from her Spouse's barbaric fame, raised authoritatively in front of her as the escorting knights got off their mounts, ready to celebrate alongside their comrades amidst their exhaustion.

The busy sound of their chatter could not disturb her blank daze as she was unsure of what to think now that she was in her Husband's homeland.

"..."

"Master's Wife! Nu wants to get off too!"

It was the acute voice of the child riding along her that awoke her from the trance.

Meeting her chubby countenance's gleam with the unique shade of her race, Ewelina's demeanour feigned calmness with her shy character and granted the child's urge.

"... Right. It's time we get off."

Climbing down the gentle mane, Ewelina's hand traced its soft fur, giving a last glance to the castle receiving them.

"Hand." — She requested sweetly of the child, turning her back on the prominence of the Archduke's fief.