The River's Rebellion

The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished. The waters, once a steady flow that wound its way through the vale of Aderas, surged up the banks in a torrent of confusion.

Fish flopped against the current, bewildered and gasping for air. The villagers of Wrynford, accustomed to the river’s familiar murmurs, watched in awe and dread as it twisted and turned, dragging the memories of the past along with it. Locals told fanciful tales of witnessing the River God stirring up the havoc himself.

Surveying at the edge of the village stood Lord Cedric of the queensguard, his hawkish gaze fixed on where the swirling waters should’ve been. His silver hair glinted in the weak sunlight, and the lines etched on his face deepened as he contemplated the significance of the unnatural phenomenon. “This bodes ill,” he muttered to himself. For in Aderas, the river was more than mere water; it was the lifeblood of the realm, a sacred thread connecting the people to the land and its queen.

Though the people were ignorant of what was required to keep the river flowing.

The common folk had their yarns about the river…

Superstitions that Cedric snorted at. The idea of working calluses on his hands just to toss the token he earned into the river as offering, never sat well with him.

Still he couldn't ignore the river's power; its rapids and unpredictable waves were more like the sea in his opinion. Now what remained was a vein through the earth that was empty of its blood. But like veins, it had to lead somewhere. Cedric wagered it would lead to the queen.

________________________________________________________

On the morning of her absence the couriers gathered in the great hall. Their faces drawn, eyes darting to the tapestry depicting Queen Elara’s reign—a vibrant scene of peace, laughter, and celebration now overshadowed by the pall of uncertainty.

They were all in agreement. It was possible the queen followed the river to treat with the proposed River God. The Master of Trade, Lord Haccan nodded at times, listening carefully while playing with his forked beard.

Despite the circumstances his customary smirk was present, but it always was. He was a slender man with large ambitions. Cedric always questioned those ambitions.

Finally Haccan added. “Well, ladies and gentleman, although the river is likely where our dearest queen has vanished too, it is not to some mysterious god that she pays the good peoples taxes.” Lord Haccan held a hand to his chest as if begging his pardon, the court was all ears and Cedric could tell he was relishing it. “It is the forest folk she pays.”

“Nonsense Haccan, everyone knows the forest folk pay no heed to the currency of nations. They are savages.” The Master of Propaganda, Lord Raziel croaked, his triple chin quivered as he shook his head.

Cedric watched the exchange in silence as the tension rose like a tea kettle. Haccan held up a hand, “You stand mistaken in the motives of the forest folk. Long have they known that they alone, have the power to dam the river to the realm.”

“Lord Cedric.” He was shaken from the conversations of the high court. Lady Marivel approached. Her gown was emerald green with streaks of white, her dark hair in a shawl. Her makeup was smeared ever so slightly. As the queen's most trusted advisor, Cedric could assume she was taking this hard.

“My lady.”

“So you think she went and chased after that fairytale do you?”

Cedric raised his dark eyebrows, he averted his gaze from hers. “Aye, well… With how devoted she has been in the past, one can only assume. We must act decisively, our enemies circle.”

Her eyes widened. “You think Galmor would act?”

“Not think, my lady. Know.” Cedric’s resolve masked the flicker of doubt in his heart. “Galmor has long coveted Eldenmoor. We must prepare for war.”

“Cedric is wise as his blade is sharp.” General Tulyion’s friendly voice interrupted.

Cedric bowed.

“At ease Cedric, it's been too long.” Tulyion’s hand grasped Cedric's forearm. Then he kissed the hand of Marivel, his trimmed gray beard just brushing it, making both Cedric and Marivel blush.

She returned a curtsy, “As if we weren't already sure we were in a catastrophe, here we have the Master of War present.”

“Aye, the night is dark. Alas we must attempt to find our beloved queen, and also prepare for if she doesn't return. As difficult as it is.”

Aside from their conversation the room had grown silent. Cedric wished it weren't so, yet he fought himself to speak what was on his heart. “My lord in this circumstance it is you who I must ask, allow me to track the river and see if I may find our queen.”

“You know my thoughts Cedric, I was to make this dire request.” His eyes narrowed in thought. “Though I feel this mission requires more than one blade. I deem that you take Lord Ruvion with you and a squire.”

Cedric felt bile in his throat. Rumor was that Ruvion was much more than a guard to the queen. Cedric detested this, if true it dishonored the guard. Not only that but Lord Ruvion, though a capable soldier, was more in love with his own legend than anything else.

Cedric leaned in, “My lord, I feel I will make more progress alone. Given the forces at work, word may spread quickly. Thus a smaller footprint will prevail."

“Aye, Cedric this is true. Though, what is another two men journeying? And alas…” Tulyion, placed a hand on Cedric’s shoulder, “You aren't a young man anymore. Long are the days we were knights on the road together.”

Cedric felt his face flush in front of Marivel, his tongue swept over his teeth. “What of your number two? Haldron? I would feel much better with him at my side.”

“Alas, you’ve read my thoughts again old friend, though Haldron is on another assignment of great importance.”

Something shifted in Tulyion’s eyes. Cedric couldn't place it, but thought nothing more of it.

“The next best is Ruvion, take him and the squire…Oh whats the lads name, fuckin’ Stephen. Leave as soon as you are ready.”

________________________________________________________

They would follow the river bed and go deep into Valgor forest, and even further, where few ventured. It had indeed been years since Cedric went into the woods. Part of him didn't regret the presence of the other two, though he cringed every morning when Ruvion would shave.

One morning Cedric grunted at him. “Shaving for the queen are you?”

Ruvion slowly scraped the blade down his cheek. “For whomever Lord Cedric, I wish to appear as a knight should.” He gave a brief side eye.

Cedric grunted again. "For this mission it maybe best to look like anything but a knight… Lord Ruvion.”

Stephen glanced away from the conversation, the twitchy boy wished no part of it.

The days blurred into night quickly. Each mile weighed on Cedric's knees. The fresh air was pleasant enough but for lowtide like smell of the now dried river bed. They walked mostly in silence but for the quiet humming of Stephen from time to time.

The three enjoyed their last warm bed and ale together in a river village, stupidly named Rivertown. Rather than enduring Ruvion's prodding for war stories, Cedric turned in, attempting to force himself to sleep.

As they continued their march an itch of worry wore on Cedric, they had traveled a fortnight and still the River ran dry as a bone.

In the waning daylight of the 17th day they came across a sight that made Cedric's heart run cold. Ruvion muttered in amazement, “Haccan was right.” They knelt on a hill with a view of the water. There amongst wavering torchlight and the barks of various men, the three could see a great dam, blocking the river.

Ruvion grumbled, “Bloody fucking forest folk, think they can give orders to us, take our queen.”

Cedric noted Ruvion was gripping his sword hilt. “We don't know that they have the queen… Now I think it best to send you and Stephen to the Master of War to report our findings. Surely we could make use of horses from Rivertown.”

Ruvion bristled, “Send… Us back? And save the glory for yourself?”

Cedric sighed, “There's no glory in striking down a few men to die in a riverbed alone.”

For the first time in a long time Stephen spoke, “M-my lords.”

Ruvion shook his head, “You think I don't know what you're doing. You are jealous that the queen has a new favorite.”

“My lords.”

“I care not where you stick your sword Ruvion.”

Ruvion prodded Cedric's chest with his finger, “You may not like where I stick my sword next.”

Cedric slapped his finger away, “Oh please you damned vainglorious fool–”

“My lords look!”

The two both looked angrily at Stephens pale face. “The torches are out.”

Cedric's breath stopped, they could only see the shadow of the dam now. He gritted his teeth, “You bloody imbecile, they likely heard our squabbling.”

As if in response, there was a wisp of an arrow in a near bush.

Stephen squealed, “Mother-son of a fucking…” He was interrupted by another whistle of an arrow.

“Flee.” Cedric pushed himself up from the ground. The three began to turn towards where they came.

Ruvion surged ahead, Stephen not far behind. Cedric's breathing became labored. He heard Tulyion’s words. Your not a young man anymore.

He stepped over a rock, only to collide into Stephens scrawny back. “What the blazes-”

It was then he saw why the boy had stopped. The last gasp of daylight illuminated the West, a mistake Cedric now cursed himself over. We should have run away from the sunlight.

Instead they ran into the waiting wall of spears of the forest folk. Cedric couldn't help but be impressed by their wooden armor. It was impressively molded to the wearer’s body and gilded. Word had it that their armor was lighter than a knights, and could still stop an arrow short of wounding them.

Several more appeared from the trees, Cedric nodded in approval, Doubles as camouflage.

Cedric stepped forth. “Aye lads, let's see if we may have words.”

Ruvion pointed his blade forward. “The only words we would have are those spoken by our swords.”

Cedric rolled his eyes, The bravest warriors are the dead ones.

The one closest lowered his spear, he wore a mask in the fashion of a panther. “The only words we will have is of your surrender.”

The man's accent was odd, for one of the forest. Cedric stepped forward. “Let us treat… We only seek to find a peaceful resolution to the clogging of the river. Under the authority of the crown.”

“Your weapons.”

They complied. Panther gave a nod and point of his spear towards the dams edge. Cedric noticed strange stains on their armor, Sap?

They were not forced to go far, under freshly lit torches they were led to the other side of the dam, where the water circled violently. Its murky dark waters gave Cedric a shiver.

This is where we are destined to lay. One last try. “Gentleman, don't we wish it better to treat with the crown rather than to shed blood? I am a high member of the Queen's guard, and these are two…” Cedric noted the pathetic puppy dog look of Stephen. “Two knights of the court, our missing can result in either more blood and war… Or in riches, the choice is yours.”

The masked leader gave a nod to two others. Who approached Cedric and the others carefully. “We know who you are…Your tokens.” The masked one uttered.

The coins in Cedric's coin purse clanked together as they were cut from his hip. Cedric spoke, “Oh but might I have one token for the River God?”

The leader laughed, “Never took you to be one for bedtime tales.” He snatched the coin purse from the other soldier giving it a shake. It was then the leader took off his face guard.

Cedric’s mind scrambled, he recognized the summer blonde soldier. Haldron, second in command to Lord Tulyion Master of War.

Ruvion looked up, “Haldron? What? Is this some kind of sorry joke?”

Haldron seemed to bask in the moment. “No jokes, only orders friends.”

Ruvion closed the distance between the two, “Whose orders? The queensguard outrank you in this matter! Oh I can't wait til the que-”

Ruvion received a brutal blow to the stomach from the end of Hadron's spear, leaving him coughing on the ground.

“The only rank that matters is this spear, you pretty little cunt. If you ain't noticed your precious queen is gone. Now face the river and pray to whatever you please.”

Stephen whimpered, Cedric could hear the snot running inbetween sobs.

Cedric looked at Haldron a last time, “Atleast let me die like a soldier. I've earned that much."

Haldron considered it and nodded. A soldier approached, alining his sword tip on the tip of Cedric's neck.

Haldron flipped a token to him. “For your River God.”

Cedric gave a nod of thanks. He clutched the token, Whatever comes next, if you exist, make sure these bastards pay. He noticed the pathetic state of Stephen, he had soiled himself in a blubbering pile.

Ah to the hell with it, he needs it more than me here is my offering. “Stephen here. For the next life.”

He tossed it to him, and Stephen smiled and held it tightly. “Th-thanks Sir Cedric, twas an hono-” The spear head was swift and brutal, piercing through his chest. Stephen let out a gurgled gasp, and his body splashed into the river, his blood only visible in its dark waters but for a moment.

Cedric swallowed as he felt the cold steel on the tip of his spine. He sighed bracing for the pain and the end.

“Lord Tulyion sends his thanks for your service.”

Cedric wished to give a sarcastic retort but decided it best to reflect on his last moments. He felt the blade raise from his neck. He lowered his head, making it an easy blow for the soldier in case his hands were not firm.

Cedric waited, and waited, but it never came. What the shit is taking so long? He opened his eyes.

Haldron and all the soldiers behind him were frozen in place. Their arms wavering as if floating in water. Their faces bulged with agony.

Small bubbles protruded along their veins like marbles.

Ruvion yelped as the soldiers popped with a wet splash, they both made an effort to shield themselves but found they weren't covered in blood, nor in danger.

The two watched in horror as what remained of the organs and blood flowed through the air into the waters of the river. Though, it didn't stop there

Cedric and Ruvion sat in disbelief. They wouldn't have seen it but for the mist, and the bloody mess that the translucent humanoid shape absorbed.

After the remains of the soldiers were mixed with the water, the figure raised an arm in the direction where the river continued around a bend. Then as quickly as it came, it evaporated leaving no trace but the armor of the soldiers.

Cedric and Ruvion sat staring for what felt like ages, both of their world views changed forever. Its not gone. Wherever the river leads, the River God follows.

They faced a deeper question now, do they follow the direction of the river god? Or do they spread word of Tulyion’s coup?