Two days later, Alarick found himself riding his horse in a forgotten part of Kalise- the poor, unkind part of the land.It was said that Kalise was a holy ground, where supposed gods have been killed and born, but despite being pleasantly warm most of the year, it’s soil wasn’t good for growing.Thorne was making suggestions though, about some places that could be salvaged.Alarick circled the camp one more time. He had groups of men protecting the abandoned villages after making themselves the plague against trolls and killing anything they found in their way, and they were making camp after the archers took care of a large batch by the forest most of the trolls were coming from.It would take some time, letting the trolls regroup and then following the trails, but Alarick felt calm.Fighting in Kalise feels like protecting Erriene, and wherever Erriene was at, that was Alarick’s territory.Those were the th

 One year ago…Alarick paced back and forth in his garden, raving mad.Randal watched his son with sorrow in his eyes. Alarick had never been denied of things before. Being the son of a warlord, and being a warlord himself, everything and anything that he wants was given to him with open palms.Rejection was something his son knew nothing about.Watching this for the first time without Aefstine by his side was frustrating.“Do you really want to declare a war? For a man?” Randal said, already knowing the answer.“Yes. Yes, I do,” Alarick said, but in his eyes, they both could see him accepting defeat. “But I don’t think I can handle to see him hating me more than he does now.”He let his sword fall to the floor and took off both his gloves, crumpling it in his hand.“What’s yours is yours, Alarick,” his father said, eyes distant. &l

 Erriene looked at his surroundings.The path now was clear, a vast valley full of healthy grass, the high mountains in the distance and occasional lake that they had to make their way around.While the party of the soldiers strolled behind, he decided to keep his own pace for a while. The cold wind made him shiver again and he shrank, burying his chin in the fur coat one of the maids gave him before the travel. It smelled like Alarick.Alarick would be already in Maud right now. Mixed with Gythaean soldiers, Maudians kept a close watch on Erriene and the royal family that was coming along to attend the wedding.When his father accepted Alarick's large offer to keep his sword down and give him permission to take Erriene's hand, the man must have suddenly grew an eye on Alarick's power.He remembered a story back when he was still in Gytha. During King Randal’s reign, he had been said to also give a huge offering- double to what w

 Erriene looked at the massive room he was currently in.The room Alarick gave him was probably his own. It was entirely made of wood and rock. Everything was simple but very elegant, and Erriene felt a little comforted by it. It was clean and wide and cozy, and surprisingly, he felt at home.The bed was massive and stood against one of the walls, taking over the room. Beside it, some stands full of books, probably for his sake too since Maudians didn't read much, and two giant chests made of metal, wood and leather, which he assumed belonged to Alarick too.There were two big windows which gave him a very beautiful view of the mountains, and the dark winter forest that was just on the horizon.Erriene bit his lips and clutched at his clothes. He was so very tired but laying down in Alarick's bed was just everything he has ever been against.His eyes fell on the little table tucked in a corner full of trinkets and metal and gold- 

 Erriene nodded slightly to the bed, face tucked against the pillow while Alarick undid his underpants, and slid them all the way down his legs, opening them again to settle down between them."I have to make our bond permanent, Erriene," he said rather desperately, wanting Erriene to understand his actions.Why he had to do what he’s about to do… what they’re about to do. Erriene whimpered and made soft complying sounds, still too scared, as if trying to sooth a beast."Yes, just… be careful. Please, please don't hurt me," Erriene begged, voice small and wavering.Alarick felt his heart squeeze. So unlike the strong, brave Erriene he knew.And he had done this all.He brought his hands to Erriene's face, kissed him once on the lips."No, never," he whispered between kisses, "You know I would never do that to you, Erriene."Erriene nodded again, turning his head