Ghost of Whisper Creek
Chapter 10: Stop in Old North

Finding the New Krita

By: Bryen Nargon & Camille David

The road from Kronnborg to Old North seemed a lot longer than it actually was. Krita missed Trakas despite his betrayal. Her other lieutenants and Megwan were fine company, but there was still a bit of loss in Krita as she road south. When the walls of Old North showed Krita was surprised how much had been created in a short time out of what she was led to believe was merely ruins. She was also surprised to make out what she was sure was her brother leading a small party out of the gates to meet her, Kisa sat in the saddle in front of him with a black stallion to his right side. The Lady Ri’ana joining him in welcoming her to their home.

Krita nodded to Megwan and her other lieutenants and then put heel to her horse and road ahead. Megwan was the only one of her host to anticipate and was quickly behind her Lady and commander. Krita brought her horse to a slow and then halt as did Nils when they were close enough to converse without yelling. “Hello brother,” she said with a smile, “Lady Ri’ana. Your home is looking a lot better than Kronnborg.”

Nils smiled, “Welcome sister, it pays not to be as stubborn as Lord Ammon when trying to get a city rebuilt. If he had approached the La Seines years ago Kronnborg might be a prosperous place. But I don’t suspect you are here to check the quality of work done to Old North,” he smirked.

Krita shook her head, “On my way south. Thought I would stop in for a visit. I haven’t seen my niece yet afterall.” She looked down from her brother and gave a smile and wave.

Kisa giggled and quickly hid behind her father’s arm while Ri’ana smiled “Well you are most welcome. Krita. We have a room ready in waiting, how long do you plan on staying?”

“To tell the truth I am not sure. There have been trying times with father recently, and other things that have made me aware that I will not become what I wish staying in Kronnborg and learning from our Father and Uncles,” Krita started keeping her smile though it started to weigh down as she spoke. “I was hoping to speak with your cousin actually, Idril. She gave me the idea to wear this armor to make me a flashy woman commander. I was hoping she might have some more advice, but to be honest.” Krita gave a sigh, “I am tired, a few days here with family might do me well, if my men don’t put you out too much.”

Nils was silent as he tickled Kisa gently in the side. “You don’t need to hide from Aunt Krita,” he said with a smile. “I wouldn’t put you out sister. No matter what has happened between me and father you are family and as Ri’ana says welcome.” He turned to his wife, “Bedin has been successful in his hunts recently, we should have enough meat for the soldiers, how are the rest of our stocks?”

“We will make do just fine” Ri’ana smiled reassuringly while Kisa squeaked and giggled at her fathers tickling, batting hands at him

Nils smiled down at his daughter, “Want to ride back home with Aunt Krita, sweetheart?” he asked Kisa, “She can ride almost as good as Mama.” he winked at Krita who found it hard to be mad at Nils while she was looking at the adorable little girl. Truth be told Krita knew that Ri’ana was a very good rider and didn’t feel insulted at all, but she did have a hard time accepting being less than the best without an argument.

Kisa blushed shyly and hid again though she also nodded that she would like to even if she was hiding behind her fathers arm and peeking out with bright green eyes.

Krita brought Oblekt alongside Dyster and smiled at Kisa, “That means I ride better than your Papa, and I’m nearly as strong even though he’s way bigger so you don’t have to be afraid.” The playful voice that came out of Krita towards the young girl was surprising even to her. She had been in her late teens when Aldrick was born, but she never really had time for the little boy. Krita never thought she’d be one for any children, by the look on Nils’ face he thought about the same.

“I no afra!” Kisa giggled before reaching arms out.

Krita smiled and reached out to take Kisa from Nils’ saddle and placed her securely in front of her own saddle. She looked down with a smile, “Hilde has two little ones running around with him? Are they as cute?” She looked around and gave a laugh, “Let’s hurry ahead, I don’t want my men to see me gushing like this. They still have only seen hardline Krita. Megwan will make sure my soldiers replace their places without issue.”

“Yes, Hilde and his children are here.” Ri’ana chuckled “Right Kisa? Want to show Krita your cousins?”

Kisa grinned and pointed “Jae! Jae!” she giggled.

Krita smiled and held Kisa affectionately close, “You like your little cousins huh? Perhaps you’ll come with me when I go see them.” She turned to Nils with a smile he had not seen for a while, the two were quite the rivals growing up, but shared a genuine sibling love for each other as well. “I appreciate the hospitality Nils, and I must warn you that Papa is mad about something that happened during or just after you visit. Did you do something to anger him?”

Nils’ face whitened and his happiness paused for a moment before he forced a smile, “I may have been party to the ‘wrong’ Papa feels has been done to him, but it was in order to undo his own wrong, and help Freda that I played my little part. My visit was merely to meet with Father and test waters, they were frigid enough, I suspect they will have become even more icy now.”

“For Freda?” Krita questioned.

Nils gave a nod, “There is little you can do about it now, so I don’t suppose it would hurt to tell you.” He paused and gave Ri’ana a solemn look, “Father was holding the heir of Arandil beneath the castle in secret. My understanding is that the boy attacked father and his men during the sacking and was quickly subdued and left alive, as he was not a true warrior. Knowing who he held however the boy became part of father’s plans. He planned to link House Arandil to Rodsvard through marriage. You’re too old and he probably still respects the deal he made with you. So that leaves Freda.”

Krita looked at Nils with a harsh, grim stare, “How did you know all this? Why did you stop Papa’s plans?”

Nils shook his head, “Was not me who stopped them. Not that I am opposed to them being stopped. I merely gave the distraction for the true heroes to do their work. As to how I knew, the Steward learned of the prisoner and the plan. He sent word to the other surviving Arandil, the Lord’s sister. She organized the rescue,” Nils bit the side of his cheek replaceing it hard to lie to Krita even to save Ri’ana and her family.

Krita’s glare turned softer as she remembered the child she held in front of her and forgot about the plots of her father that she could not control, and truthfully, was not terribly fond of anyways. “Don’t like that you keep crossing Papa Nils, I don’t want to have to meet you on a battlefield someday, but I’m glad you saved Freda from that, she deserves better.”

Nils smiled, “Truthfully, I think my leaving in the first place might have ruined the wedding plans. I mean you’re not a dependable source for an heir, that would mean possibly handing Kronnborg back to an Arandil. Not something Papa would do easily.”

Krita looked down at Kisa, “I don’t know children aren’t seeming so bad right now.”

Ri’ana had a hard frown as she guided her horse around to the front of Old North’s citadel. A waterfall in the background seemed to cascade down upon parts of the manner making the moss and vine covered citadel look almost magical. She wasn’t sure of the wisdom in telling Krita these things. The North Women may be his family and his sister but she had proven herself to be violent to Ri’ana before. It made her uncomfortable but she kept her silence and dismounted “Children are quite the blessing.” she agreed simply as she moved around to help Kisa down and bent to be at her daughters level “Why don’t you show your aunt Kirta where Jae and Lyn and Rohir are, hm?”

Kisa grinned and nodded “Ok mama!” she then turned and took Kritas hand moment she dismounted “Come. On! This way! This way! I show you!”

Krita chuckled happily as she followed the little girl, “Three cousins? I thought it was just the twins?” Krita mumbled the distance was enough that she wasn’t expecting a response from Nils or Ri’ana and she knew that Kisa would know little more than how many cousins she had to play with.

Nils watched them go and turned to Ri’ana. “Better she replaces out from me what father is missing. Lord Ammon will bend the truth to tell what purpose he had or what a threat Hallas Arandil was. He’d make Krita believe him. Now she has the truth. She can do with it what she wants, and she probably thinks I trust her more than father. Can’t be a bad thing. I told nothing of where the Arandils are now or the involvement of House La Seine. I know that Krita is rough, and can be more like my father than I would like. But she’s searching for something. To become her own person. I hope she replaces it. If she does she could become a good friend and ally.”

He gave a sheepish smile before he continued, “If Chance is in the city we might want to warn him of her presence.”

Ri’ana chuckled “That is part my concern. How will she react if she replaces out that Chance was part of that ‘Hero Rescue?’” She sighed and stood to press up close to her husband “I trust your judgment. I just worry the consequences if it ends up wrong. Old North would be in danger of your fathers anger, and South Port can’t afford a war right now.”

Nils nodded, “Chance has a good head on his shoulders, he was in Krita’s room while the rescue was taking place. He was one of Bedin’s hunters. Might look more suspicious if he isn’t here. I know Bedin is a good hunter, but I doubt your father needs to employ him to train hunters. Warning might prevent him being caught off guard by seeing her again. He can prepare his approach. If she liked him enough she’ll look for him.”

Ri’ana nodded “I’ll go tend to that then. Why don’t you see your sister settled in with Hilde and Aditi. I’ll join with you soon. I believe Chance was part of the shadow patrols from South Port.”

Nils gave her a solemn nod, but before he was on his way he stepped closer to her and locked her in a strong yet gentle embrace. “Thank you my love,” he said with a smile, “My family will be tricky to deal with, but even father has a good side. We will need to be cautious, but I do hope to mend fences before it is too late.”

“I know.” Ri’ana smiled as she rose up on toes and kissed him lightly “It is admirable that you wish to hold to your family. I will try and see the good as you do, Krita I trust to be a good women. But she has proven herself to be...unpredictable. I’ll follow your lead with her.”

Nils smiled and nodded, “Unpredictable is certainly where she has thrived. I don’t think she can lead Kisa away from her cousins however, and Hilde will make sure she doesn’t do anything rash until I can get there. She didn’t have to come here. Could have continued to South Port without issue. She came to see me or Hilde, either way it can’t hurt for her to know she has more family than those who dwell in Kronnborg.” He gave her a second kiss and a smile, “Good luck with Chance.”

Ri’ana chuckled “And you with your sister” she grinned and gave one final kiss before pulling away to collect her horse and seek out the young rouge.

Nils paused for a moment watching his wife rush off with a smile on his face. He did not think that they would be on their own so soon. Technically they had whatever support they needed from Lord Ashtar, so far, but the decisions of Old North fell on their shoulders. He hoped they were doing well enough. Giving a last smile at his wife’s disappearing form Nils ducked his head and made his way towards his cousin’s quarters.