Zandria Reclaim: Thoran's Price

Thoran smiled secretively, lifting the blade again walking to the quenching trough, and stabbing it in the water. "My price weighs more than gold and silver. Your father will know what that means. It is the same reason you brought me this blade as is." The boys nodded and did as he said. He on the other hand waited a week before sneaking out of the city to make his way up north. The mountains were a relief from the stifling airs of the tundra. He rode through the trails and valleys, waylaying through the Heart of Obendell to let his clan be informed about his plans. They were prepared to risk their lives for this. No one objected. In fact, they had news for him about the exiled Niele waiting for him, offering their fealty in this cause. He was grateful. By summer of the first moon, he was at the sunset ledge of Sarulan sitting on the edge smoking his pipe. A wagon was heard pulling into the circle and parked beside his horse. The animals greeted each other with snorts and huffs. Padrad came up to his side and sat down with two bottles of Pruzian Black. They both opened the bottles at the same time with corkscrews in a familiar race. Thoran got the cork to his bottle out first. The two men clinked their bottles, then drank straight off in long swigs. "My price is the rescue of my Lady." "Worthy." Padrad drank again. "I've lost mine, so I'm willing to risk my House for your cause." "Why is that, Goshawk?" "Because she died at the hand of the Empress." Thoran turned stoically toward him. "Why? How could Trinkera pose a threat to the Empress?" "Have you heard of the name Ikrah?" "Yes." Padrad straightened leaning slightly back. "Don't tell me she's the Lady in question for this rescue mission." "Lady Ikrah of Tare." "She goes by many house names, but that given name remains the same. Trink was her nurse before they were separated. Ikrah of Niele, Ikrah of Falshire in the Squirey of Falcon's Spire, Ikrah the Herald of the Eagle, and now Lady of Tare. I don't rightly know exactly how she survived the empire, but Trink has told me as much."