The Homecoming.

Cradling the commander’s head in his arms, he watched the great warrior fight the pain with the same stoic manner he had always done in battle. He looked up at Bjorn, his eyes already glassing over. He shook his head and choked. “I never thought it would be like this. I had expected to be fighting a worthy enemy. I wanted to go out fighting man to man, my sword against his. But, I never thought it would be like"...he gasped... "in such a poor fashion as this.” He gagged and wretched, blood pouring from his mouth. A second later pink lung blood followed and he had expired, his eyes rolling up his head falling back. Bjorn slumped over him. Not the commander too. Mika, his friend, now the commander how could the fates have wanted to punish him like this. He carried his commander’s body back to the wagons and put him in the lead wagon, covering him with a blanket of ermine white loper fur. It wasn’t a snow lion, but it was the same color and Bjorn thought the commander deserved as much as he could give. He swore he would find a lion and kill it and make him a coffin of the hardest wood, lined with the fur of the lion to lay him to rest in. 1

The rest of the men came about, all broken completely by the loss of their beloved leader. Bjorn led them in a simple prayer to his god, Solar of the Sun, begging the god of the Sudren Empire to come and take his commander off to the stars for eternity. The Sudren always believed they would reside in the sky, a star, if they died bravely. And, none, he thought could have led a nobler, more heroic life. The captain of the guard came to Bjorn and the two men shared a silent moment. Though he had only just met commander Maltac, the captain was deeply crushed, knowing a good man and a fellow warrior had died such a pointless, cruel death. He looked to Bjorn, and called up the leader of the merchants. “I want this man buried in the finest casket. It is to be made of only the best wood and lined with the finest fur. I want him dressed in full regalia and his weapons are to be gold dipped.” He turned to Bjorn. “It’s the custom of the Sudren and we of the clan of Nartac will honor him. Then he gave another order. “Bjorn has served us all, saving the lady Lashir from doom. We owe him a great dept. I am authorized to reward as I see fit.” He motioned a man ahead. The man carried a heavy looking chest the size of a hogshead keg. He put it down at Bjorn’s feet, pulling it open. Bjorn gasped at the sight. The chest was filled to brimming with gold coins. When he looked up at the captain, the man was watching him with stern expression. “You have earned it sir.” He put his hand on Bjorn’s shoulder. You have saved our empire. There isn’t enough treasure to pay you properly. 2

The rest of the day the men carried on silently with a very sad Bjorn leading them, The treasure would buy more land and supplies than he and the rangers could ever want and he had already decided he would allow any of the remaining men, since only twenty did remain, to stay with him on whatever land he purchased. The rangers kept a tight watch on the caravan, but could find no fire to celebrate their victory or their new wealth with the commander dead. By evening, they came up to the edge of the plantation of Bjorn’s master. Here, he decided, the guard must plan to rest before pushing on to the Rugis plantation. But, the captain of the guard turned suddenly and called a halt. 3

“Sir, you have done us all a great service. I wish there was something I could do about your commander, but this reward will surely make your future better. I have heard from the Lord and he has already given permission for your men and yourself to take up residence in the hills ahead here. The sovereign of Nartac has arranged it. He apparently planned to allow the remaining Sea Rangers of Sudren to stay in the mountains of Spinea, here in the north, so you have a place for as long as you and your men want to stay.” He extended his arm, grasping Bjorn’s with his own.4

But, Bjorn was looking off at the advancing party. At the head of it was the master, riding a tall mount beside a ruddy powerful young half elf with a ruddy, tawny, complexion. For a moment he was lost, then, he realized. The master’s lands were the ones the Lady had been coming too. And, this young half elf riding beside the master, must be the one the Lady was going to marry. The powerful northern land baron was his own master. A thought swirled round in Bjorn’s head. The master had once called him son. He watched as the party approached and the master’s eyes suddenly lit up. In a second he had raced to Bjorn’s side. He nearly knocked him off his horse, grabbing him in an embrace that toppled them both. As they came to their feet he was shouting, “Bjorn, you are alive!” He held him at arms length and shouted. “Everyone, Bjorn is back.” The stable hands applauded and among them, Bjorn could see many friends. He smiled. 5

“And, I’ve come back to stay master.” He grabbed the old man and held him again. “I hear we are to have lands and my men and I will be nearby.” They fell in step and he moved ahead. The master looked over to the carriage. 6

“But, now Bjorn, I must move along.” He pointed to the carriage. “When you were gone, I took a liege.” He pointed at the fine half elf. “This is my adopted son Melki. Who will marry the Lady Lashir of the clan of Nartac."