The re-introduction of Solland: Chapter 1: Arriving

"My Lord Lecaion." the captain of the Dragon Princes, Lord Lecaion's personal body-guard asked nerviously, water dripping down his dragon-shaped helm and prominant nose.1

"Yes?" snapped Lecaion with all the brusqueness he was famed for in foul weather, shaking the water from his long hair.2

"Well Sir, it's just that the rain is getting everybody's spirits down, we were wondering if we are going to stop soon. And the steeds don't much like it either." Lecaion thought. He would have said that they wouldn't stop until noon, to water the steeds, but the mention of the steeds discomfort stopped him. The most important thing he had learnt in his life was that any riding animal, particularly the famed elvish steeds had to be kept in tip-top condition to work well. He looked down at his mount, a sivery-grey steed by the name of Whisper.3

The high elf, noble and proud as only high elves can be, and usually are, sighed. "We will stop soon." he promised.4

Lecaion, as good as his word, halted them all half an hour later by a small steam. As all the steeds were being watered, Lecaion looked around, hoping for a landmark that could give them all some idea as to how far they had traveled so far today. The rain and poor light made it impossible to see anything clearly, so Lecaion gave up, and walked into the area of land that was being protected by the elements by the mage who had insisted on accompying the group, saying that he had an important message for the Supreme Patriarch of the College of Magic, in Altdorf. Right now, Lecaion had trouble remembering why he didn't want the mage along with him.5

When the steeds were watered, Lecaion gave the order to mount up, and they all set off, heading for the castle of Lady Annastianna Heugenloewtz, the newly reinstated Countess of Solland. They rode slowly in the rain that was quickly becomng a downpour, their steeds heads sagging from from the effort of trudging through the mud that had, earlier in the day, been a path.6

There had been another pause at midday, to water their steeds and eat some food, but Lord Lecaion had kept them going since then. Now, late in the day that had never really started as the rain and clouds kept the light at twilight, Lecaion started to worry that they would not reach the castle that day,and would have to camp another night outside. Although he would give plenty to be with his cousin's daughter, the Lady Annastianna Heugenloewtz, when she reported to the rest of the Epire Counts about her handling of the State of Solland, he was more used to the high halls and soft beds of the Elvish Cities than camping under trees or in fields.7

Just as he was about to give the order to stop for the day, he saw lights glimmering from the castle arrow slits ahead. Forgetting his tiredness, he called his bodyguards of Dragon Princes around him, drew his rune-inscribed sword from his sheath, and, whirling it around his head, he yelled the high elf battle cry and urged Whisper forward at a gallop.