Chapter 149: Words Between Rulers
Atop one of the highest towers in the Frost Walker fortress, Lord Ritchel stood with Nyrielle, Ashlynn, and Heila as they looked out across the High Pass. Clouds had rolled in obscuring much of the land beneath a white, fluffy blanket that glowed under the light of countless stars. Every now and then, the peaks of six nearby mountains could be seen above the clouds, covered in snow and shining in the night.
"You didn’t leave me with much pride in front of my people during this visit, Lady Nyrielle," Ritchel said, sipping from a cup of strong chilled wine as he stared out into the night. "My people feel like they have been trampled by the Vale of Mists."
"Good," Nyrielle said bluntly. Despite the awkwardness of doing so, she’d pulled Ashlynn’s cloak around her own shoulders and wrapped her arms around her lover while she spoke with Ritchel. The sky at night in the High Pass was one of the most beautiful sights in the region and she wasn’t going to give up her time to enjoy it with Ashlynn even if there were still important matters to discuss.
"Your people needed a reminder," the vampire continued. "In your grandfather’s days, none of his councilors would have dared to plot against one of my people, even if he was just aiming at one of yours. Your people would do well to remember who has been keeping the humans from turning them into pelts and enchanted blades all these years."
Ritchel sighed heavily as he stared out across the clouds. While he complained, he Nyrielle was also correct. He’d tried emphasizing the hard work and sacrifice of the Vale of Mists to keep humans out of their lands, but lately, all he’d heard from his council were questions about charging traders from the vale to use the pass as they had in the era before humans invaded.
Worse, some even suggested that they should conquer the lowlands themselves. While they cared nothing for the farmlands of the Vale, if they could treat it like a subordinate power it would significantly strengthen their position in dealings with Airgead Mountain and the High Fen. His people truly had forgotten how powerful the Vale of Mists was.
"If you claimed the title of ’High Lady’ this would be easier," Ritchel pointed out. "They’re more frightened of being swallowed up by High Lady Erna than they are of you. They think you’re weak because they don’t understand how strong the humans are."
"You know that won’t happen," Nyrielle said with a shake of her head. "I might have the strength, but I lack the territory. The only way to become a High Lady would be to conquer the High Pass and Airgead Mountain or to reclaim much of Lothian March from the humans."
"I will find a way to deliver the March to you," Ashlynn said softly. "Everything that is mine is also yours. As soon as I’ve taken the March from the Lothians, you may consider it your own front garden."