19. Cornered

Sunstone

The guards threw him back to the cell where Yasmin still sit at the same position when he left her there so she probably was there a long time before him. It was not the best place for any being, the closest light source was the guards torch. The shine of the moon painted the walls even a prison cell can be beautiful. John walked up and down thinking about the words of the lady "You have to fight for your freedom". Ethan basicaly sold him for a miliatry alliance like he was an object, he realized the now that he is just a puppet in a bigger chess game.

He also knew that Tyris and the other will probably want to rescue him, but he could not imagine a successful escape from that palace.

-Did you like my sister?- she asked and raised her head.

-I cannot decide- John avoided to look at her.

-What happens now?- John asked and finally looked at her.

-A few days will pass in silence then you will face death out in the arena- she shrugged her shoulders.

near Winterkeep

Oliver was the only one who did not tremble because of the weather in the north. Everywhere you glance there is snow and forests. A huge difference between the north and south, in the south the warm sun caressing your skin and the birds twittering, the soft wind' melody filles the air and the forests where life is in every little corner. In the north the icy but refreshing wind wants to rip out trees from the ground, the freezing air penetrates your skin attacking your bones.

Two different worlds, and two different kind of folk will live on them.

Oliver spotted the Icywoods also known in the north as the Saint Wood. That means they are close to the castle of Winterkeep.

Tyris looked up to the two dragons flying through the sky. They shared their problems with that part of the continent. Her eyes traveled to the road again and she spotted the mighty

fortress, towering to the clouds.

The dark stone it was made of, ruled the snowy view.

As they aproached the gates intantly open and a littlr bit chubby man walked out. Oliver ran up to the man and greeted him, -Your Highness this is the Lord Thomas Whyte of Whiteport and the Keeper of Winter- (regent) he introduced the

northern lord to the Meagirs.

-Please come in my home is yours too-

He bowed while saying the those kind words which was a bit suprising because Tyris knew the behavior of John and Oliver, but Thomas was way more friendly than them. As they walked down the corridors John came to her mind but she knew she has to act strong before the lords of north.

They were not as kind and friendly as Thomas. They passed the doors of the great hall, a quite pleasant view opened up before them. The table filled with food and drinks, the lords of the north standing around the table

but in full silence, it was similiar to when John was the captive of the siblings.

All the dead cold eyes were on the the Meagirs and their companions interupted the feast. Clearly they know about the condition of their king and probably blaming the Meagirs already. Some of the lords were really old looking Tyris could not imagine them as John's friends but if the gossips are true he is in a positive connection with everyone of the lords. Before she could eye the northman a little more for information, one of John's vassals spoke.

Stormfort

Mason follewed the repeated movements of Edward who was holding a letter with a Meagir seal.

The writing informed the eastern group about the losses on the Harponlands. That basically meant that they are sorrunded with hostile lands.

-How will we act now?- Mason broke the tense silence, looking at his allies with concern. -We cannot march for battle to tze Harponlands without an army- the statement of Richard was followed by agreeing nod.

-We have to flee...- Mason started to think defensivly but he was interupted by Richard -We cannot go to the Harponlands the western are probably there not we can go to the west- he said facing the sad truth.

-We have to go south- Mason finished the thread of his thinking.

Sunstone

-Exellent- John said pulling a face. Realizing the impossible situation that he is in, but again he already has been in a more impossible situation so it is not a new experience for him.

-Is it true that your family name is Wyncester?- She asked while puting one of her hand behind her back, probably gripping something.

John immediately new that she knew the answer to her own question.

-I am- he said and in that moment a knife was raised to his throat. He prepaired for the worse but nothing happened.

-Your men killed my parents- sge said with a trembling voice because of her anger still pointing the knife to John's neck.

-Yes they did because we were in war and we believed what we fought for that you were against- he said leanig towards the dagger. Their eyes locked, scannig the other for a glimpse of fear, bit it is ended with a stalemate.

She started to lower her knife because of John's words.

Winterkeep

Tyris thought that if they lost John then they lost a kingdom is started to come true as the northern lords argued about the whereabouts of their king. A kingdom without a king is a mad hound without a leash.