Make Haste to Frigid River (Also: The Manor of Vylle Fyrrialt)

[Vylle Fyrrialt]

Timestamp: Spring of Era XI Post-Fractum

When the copies of the Herald proclaiming that Empress Audrey de Lylles had declared Pirvan Kaldres to be the Acting Governor of Lauryl, Vylle had been in Taralon, overseeing the expansion of Sherian Post and managing the re-construction of Autumnus. His new valet had brought him the newspaper early that brightening, in the new town house he had purchased in Taralon's wealthy Lower District. The front page article contained the announcement by someone with the Empress's proxy of two Acting Governors, one of which had been Pirvan in Lauryl, the other some woman in Centripax, and one Governor, Nell du'Galle in Sherian. This was wonderful news on two counts: the first being that Nell finally had the irrefutable authority of the Imperium, and the second that Pirvan was now a legitimate authority in Lauryl.

That morning, Vylle wrote a letter to Governor du'Galle congratulating her on the official proclamation of her power in Sherian and had it sent to the Gubernatorial Palace. However much he was loath to admit it, he was of no real consequence in Sherian, at least until Sherian Post reached the heights he strove for and Autumnus had been completed. Nonetheless, it was a courteous gesture, and it could not hurt to celebrate the victory of an acquaintance.

The Empress's proclamation of Nell's authority not only ensured that the land grant Vylle had received was not in jeopardy, but would also take some of the steam out that annoying thane of Vers Eriu Sidh's attempts at sowing discord and dissonance in Sherian and against the Inquisition.

Of more significance to Vylle, though, was the authority now endowed to Pirvan. Legitimacy had been Vylle's primary concern as to the survival of Pirvan's regime in Lauryl, preceding the threat of Mystique. Mystique was of little consequence if the Imperium did not support Pirvan's coup. Many had seen the immediate threat of Mystique to be more pertinent than the Imperium’s stance.

The moment Vylle read that Pirvan had been declared the Acting Governor of Lauryl, all of his fears and apprehensions were assuaged, for now they had the authority of the Imperium. Pirvan was the lawful representative of the Empire in the province of Lauryl, no longer that fraud Chamelon hiding in Mystique. Also, Vylle mistakenly believed that now the issue with Mystique would no longer exist. How could they refuse to the will of the Imperium? To be unwilling to accept Pirvan’s rule now would be to defy the Empire, and all had seen what happened when a city defied the Empire that summer with the siege and the occupation of Jaedaxia. Surely they would not risk that. Regardless, they did, although Vylle did not know it until he was half-way across the Empire.

The very brightening that he learned of the legitimization of Pirvan’s claim as acting governor, Vylle made preparations to depart for Frigid River. His presence there had not been required during his absence, or so he evaluated. He believed his time would be more valuable to both himself and to Pirvan if he went to Sherian to begin his Autumnus project. There was nothing he could do in Lauryl as exchequer that he could not do in Sherian until they gained control over the province. Now that this had been accomplished, it was imperative that he appear in Frigid River promptly. Now he would be able to implement his taxation and his new budget.

Therefore, the merchant spent that day hastily arranging for his business to run in his absence. For now, the expansion of Sherian Post would have to wait. Until then, the handful of managers that he had hired to ensure it ran smoothly would suffice to maintain its operations at their present size. More difficult was Autumnus. That was a project that would require his incessant presence, but it was still in its beginning stages. For now, it could be entrusted to an overseer. He chose the most senior of the architects that Pirvan had sent for the construction of Autumnus. That would suffice until things stabilized in Lauryl and he would be able to return to Sherian to make real progress on Autumnus. Both Sherian Post and Autumnus could wait for his return to Sherian.

The next morning, he had his valet prepare Andraste. Vylle would be riding to Frigid River. Speed was essential. He could not tarry in his coach journeying from the east coast to the western frontier of Alleria. The Dracon instructed his coach driver to make for Frigid River at his own pace, he would be required there. For the first time in a considerable length of time, Vylle would take his mount on a pan-Empire journey. He often rode his horse in the pleasant countryside just outside of Taralon, but had not since he hired his coach ridden her on lengthy journeys.

For over a cycle the exchequer of Lauryl drove his mount as fast as he dared without killing the poor animal. He stopped in hamlets and in homesteads along the Via Alleriana from Taralon to Frigid River, staying overnight in Narim, and wasting half a brightening in Autumnus issuing orders to the still small crews there (they were still breaking the ground for the actual construction of the village). It was not until he was half-way through Enamoria that he learned of Mystique’s blockade of the Herald issue that declared the Imperium’s recognition of Pirvan’s authority in Lauryl. These ill-tidings spurred Vylle on even faster. Insufficient rest and being driven on recklessly was wrecking Andraste. It would be a wonder if any stable master in Frigid River would be able to recover her, but Vylle cared little for animals, and had only a rudimentary understanding of tending to them. He would generously compensate anyone who could heal Andraste, but he was not prepared to slow his pace to save the horse.

The distance between Taralon and Frigid River became a source of frustration for Vylle on that journey. It was nothing, however, to the ire aroused in him by what happened when he finally reached the gates of Frigid River. With the walls of the town finally in sight, he followed the icy stream up to the gates at a dash. Even Vylle, so out of tune with animals, could tell how much it pained Andraste to run so, but the merchant seemed not to care. Ignoring his beast he galloped proudly up to the gates, where two of the town’s rangers, both humans when Vylle arrived, checked visitors to the town.

“State your name and your purpose,” demanded one of the rangers.

“I am Vylle ak-Fyrrialt, Exchequer of Lauryl!” announced Vylle, puffing out his chest as he stated his title.

At this, scowls transfigured the faces of the two rangers.

“Vylle Fyrrialt, eh?” remarked the second ranger, “Well, look who comes crawling back to Frigid River. Do your mage bosses require more of you now that they have fallen from the Imperium’s favour?”

“I’m sorry, I do not understand your meaning.”

“I’d have thought one so learned and superior as yourself could understand simple Charismean,” sneered the same ranger.

Vylle took offence at this. “Now see here, I will not tolerate such insolence. I am your superior, and I deserve to be shewn the respect I am owed. Here is my Visa, is that not all the proof you need to permit me?”

“Oh we don’t doubt who you are,” interjected the first ranger.

“Then let me through! I have urgent business to attend.”

“Like gathering more information for that bitch Chamelon?”

“You accuse me of treachery?” Vylle’s voice was rising. He had a deep intolerance of men-at-arms. They were boorish, uncultured, and moronic creatures. He had spent some months amidst their ranks in Alleria Prime, so many eras ago, a fact he often wished he could forget, desiring to leave that part of his life behind, much like how he had fled from his previous life in Zenith and Nadir. “I am no spy for Chamelon, I am a trusted friend of his Imperial Excellency Governor Kaldres, and a loyal member of his cabinet. Now I demand to either be allowed in, or to see the governor about this question of my integrity.”

“Can’t do that. Guv’nor Kaldres’s in Mystique.”

“In Mystique!” Vylle’s blood went chill. Had his visage not been disguised in the red-tinged fur of a Dorin, he would have went a ghastly shade of pale. “The governor is in Mystique? For how long now?”

“Oh, he went not long after the announcement that he was the official governor of Lauryl. Fancy you shewing up conveniently after that.”

“I am no traitor, as you insinuate. You have no evidence to support your wild theories other than a thin argument of coincidence. Let Governor Kaldres be the one to judge whether or not I am loyal to him. Neither of you have the authority or the right to bring my character to question. Now, once again, I demand that you admit me into Frigid River.”

“You are as belligerent as those bastards in Mystique. I ought to slit your gullet here and now, but I’m no murderer. I’ll let you through these gates, but don’t be surprised if you’re not welcomed any more graciously inside than out here.”

“Your impudence will not be forgotten!” Vylle called back at them, but only once he was safely through the gates. He was guiltless and above both of them, but who knew what kind of thick-headed brute commanded them, and they both carried swords. Vylle, of course, had brought his saber, removing it from its traditional place above his mantle and placing it on his belt. The highways and the wilderness of Alleria, especially in Sherian, were dangerous places, and though he rarely used his blade, he still commanded the ability to wield it.

The words of the rangers held true. On the streets of Frigid River he received insults and jeers. Such open despise of a provincial authority! The moral fabric of Alleria was crumbling every brightening. Something would have to be done about this, Vylle grumbled to himself as Andraste cantered toward his manor. The merchant was unsure of what to do now that he arrived in Mystique. Pirvan was in Mystique, and who knew what danger had or was about to fall upon him. Vylle did not know which other cabinet members had gone with the governor, but there must be someone still in Frigid River he could contact. Where to find them was another question. Perhaps Andavariel, Pirvan’s advisor, would still be here, but he must first find her. Frigid River had no city hall. Perhaps in the same place that they had held the meeting at the beginning of all this.

Rather than searching fruitlessly through a town riddled with people who harboured a great distaste for him, Vylle decided to go to his manor. There he would go through the expenditures and the budgets and the taxation policies he had developed for Lauryl while he was in Sherian, revising them and checking the numbers against Lauryl’s census numbers. If no one contacted him by that evening, he would go out and search for Andavariel, or perhaps that Andrea Marsilia – Pirvan’s chancellor. Anyone he had met that was within Pirvan’s cabinet would suffice.