Ghost of Whisper Creek
Chapter 9: Permission to go to South Port.

Once Maison’s soldiers were dealt with and sent on their way, Krita proudly led her troops back to Kronnborg. She was immediately beckoned to Lord Ammon’s map room where her father and uncle waited for her. She closed the door after entering and was shocked to see a smile on her father’s face.

“You eliminated the man who took your uncle’s soldiers and took some of my land for their own?” Ammon asked expectantly.

Krita gave a slow nod, “The threat has been neutralized there will be no further stories of ‘The Ghost of Whisper Creek’. Our losses were few enough, and almost zero once the outlaw was found.”

“Preyed on your scouts did he?” came the course voice of her uncle.

Krita nodded, “That he did. I also received help from the Lord Knight Thorne. Quite valuable help. As a result I left one of my lieutenants, the Lord Knight’s brother, in Thornvale. The help also made me realize that we are not ready for a war here. They don’t fight like fighting is done in the North. And perhaps more importantly they prepare. It is not always the mightiest that win. I would like to travel south to South Port to seek better ways to prepare my men.”

Ammon gave a grumble and leaned towards Krita in his chair. “I do not want you becoming Ra’vish like your brother. And you will take no Northman with you on this journey.”

Krita glared angrily at her father’s inability to grow. “My heart is in the North and will remain so father. We are here now and need to learn how things are done here. Perhaps there will be nothing to offer and I will return knowing our superiority. If I do learn things to implement will it be so bad?”

Ammon growled a bit, “Your men. None of mine. If you return and they can best me on the field then we can talk about what good was done.”

Krita nodded, “I understand father.”

Ammon looked up and waved her off, “Good then go see what can be learned from these soft people.”

Krita gave her own growl and then turned to leave. Obviously there was no further plotting being done as her uncle followed her from the room and when the door was closed behind them he started his questions. “You know that he is happy with your success, even though he hopes that this journey will be a failure.”

Krita gave a soft laugh, “He is happy he can now send soldiers across his land. He might even be happy that in Nils’ absence his daughter stepped in and completed the task. He is not happy that I returned with as many men as I did.”

Agard gave a slight chuckle and a nod of understanding. “I do replace it odd that you use words like neutralize and completed his task instead of saying that you killed the Ghost.”

Krita gave a laugh, “You’re always so suspicious uncle. Besides do ghosts really ever die?”

Agard laughed and shook his head, “They are already dead. They can be banished however. What did you do with our ghost dear niece?”

Krita looked about to make sure that none of her father’s ears were nearby. “The Ghost has been sent to serve the Kings needs in Abnaki. We will see him no longer.”

Agard gave a grunt and understanding nod, “Not everyone can give out justice like your father.”

“Not everyone deserves my father’s justice. What would you do if your lands were taken. Your King or Lord killed and replaced by some foreigner. Would you accept it or fight Uncle?” she asked curiously.

Agard gave another laugh, “Me...I’d replace a new home. This one is almost as foreign to me as the one to the North. Your father wishes me to stay put now and I will try to do so, but my heart is always on the move. If the land I called home was no longer kind to me, perhaps it is time for a new home.”

Krita shook her head, “The home didn’t turn against Maison Thorne, he was just too rigid like father is. He could not change his loyalties, adapt with changed, believe that perhaps his Lord had done wrong and that we were right to come in and take what was promised us. You are not like father. You would not flee that would you?”

Agard gave a chuckle, “Who knows Krita who knows. So where do you intend to replace these great ideas?”

“As I said I’m heading south. I will make a trip to see Nils and the little one. I didn’t want father to hear that however,” Krita admitted to her uncle secure that he was just as loyal to the rest of his family as he was to Ammon and would keep her secret. “From there we will see. I met people from South Port at the Festival last year. I may see if they can suggest something.”

They reached the door to Krita’s door and Agard stopped and smile, “I wish you luck. Make sure that you are the learner and not the teacher until you are sure that the student is worthy of what you teach. And despite what your father says remember that your men are men, Arandil or Rodsvard doesn’t matter for much. Be will niece.”

“Thank you Uncle,” she said softly giving him a hug before ducking into her room to ready herself for a trip of questionable length.