Cormag Harris

As Cormag woke to a cold morning in Hartsend, the rain could be heard falling outside. He looked next to him, expecting to see his beautiful wife but she was not next to him. He got up from his comfortably warm bed, groaning. As he dressed himself in his light blue tunic tied by the waist with a black belt and white trousers, he quickly tied his black boots one by one. He picked up his scabbard secured it to his belt. He then walked across the large square room past his bed to a sword on the wall. He grabbed it with both hands being very gentle not to knic his skin on the sharp edge. As he held it, he wondered for a second where all the time had gone. A sigh came from Lord Cormag.

"The heart of the South," he whispered to himself. It was the sword that he used to win the South from the late Lord Bright. It was a long four-year war that tired Cormag's soul.

He walked out, opening the large door of his room. The guards he posted looked at him and in an instant they stood up straight.

"Great Lord Cormag," the one on the right exclaimed.

"Hope it was a fine slumber my Lord," the one on the left said.

Cormag walked past. "Good day men," he waved slightly as he walked away throwing an open hand into the air.

He walked down a narrow spiral staircase, almost completely rotten as the wood creaked from his big steps, into a large dining hall through a big door that was carved from oak wood from the forest. His wife was standing just outside the door in the rose garden. Nissa had always been fond of Roses.

"My husband, you have awoken," she said seeming worried as she furrowed her brows.

"What bothers you my love?" Cormag asked his wife in a cold tone.

"Aiden rides North back to hartsend and the road holds many terrors," she said with sadness in her eyes.

"He will be fine, he has Ser Cregor," Cormag said while stroking his long braided beard which had turned white with age. Nissa had never really noticed the fine lines on his face or how they grew more when he smiled. She never noticed the white hair on his head either, she had simply forgotten that they had grown old. It had always been a dream of hers, to find someone to grow old with. And there he stood, right in front of her. She admired the sight, although still worried about their son.

"Cregor is one of the finest knights we have he gained honors at a young age," Cormag said while looking at his wife.

"Yet still I feel uneasy, my Lord. Perhaps we could send more men to receive them at the South Kingdom?" she asked her beloved husband as he stood in front of her.

"That old castle holds no threat, it has been broken and abounded for many years. They bare more risk closer to the guild," Cormag said, still stroking his beard. "Aiden will be safe I know this for sure." He started to walk away, kissing his wife on the forehead.

Nissa sighed as she stood in the garden, asking herself were that young man she married has gone. She could see the forces growing lazy and weak. The guards grew fat and sluggish. They could protect none, she thought.

"I will take matters into my own hands," Nissa whispered to herself. "For the sake of our homeland."

Later that day Cormag sat in his study just across from his bedroom. He sat on his chair, reading. He had been reading a lot lately.

He was reading the book written by his housecarl. "'The War Of The South: The Story Of The Great Lord Cormag'" he read with a smile. There was a sudden knock on the door.

"Who is it?" he asked in his cold voice. A guard popped his head in. "Ser Greely Harris my Lord," the knight said looking slightly excited.

"Ah! My brother graces me with his presence a fine day truly!" Lord Cormag exclaimed with the first real smile he had shown in months.

"Send him in and fetch us the spiced mead from my cellar," Lord Cormag said while struggling to get out of his chair. His belly had made it harder for him to get up easily.

"Brother!" Ser Greely shouted. His big frame walked through the door, his bald head looked amusing with his long dark beard. He lifted his arms into the air, his thick leather gloves catching Cormag's eyes, along with the short axe that hung from his belt.

"You loud mouth, it has been too long," Cormag said with a true smile.

Greely had gone to help rebuild the great library by order of Cormag, sending half of his guards and all of his masons and scholars to help raise the great library once more.

"Your library is a sight brother," Greely breathed. He wore a chest plate of steel with blue cloths wrapped all around it to show the color of his brothers army.

"It is not my library brother. It belongs to the scholars, they bring the real wealth to our lands," he said again, beginning to stroke his beard.

"You always think for the people, yet I always find a way to profit from your choice," Greely said smiling and shaking his head.

"You have gained a fortune brother but you spend none of it, hoarding it like some goblin," Greely said looking almost angry.

"It has been months brother, let's not go back to the same arguments that shadowed us before you left," Cormag said losing all traces of his smile.

"I have told you the South is done fighting. I will not spend my gold to make soldiers out of the sons of other men," Cormag continued.

" I will not send any more men to their death. I have wasted enough lives on fighting," he added.

His brother looked at him as he stood up.

"Brother, you grow old. As do I. I wish to leave this land for my children," Greely said, a small trace of sadness on his face.

"We fought hard for these lands brother, I wish to keep them." Greely started to walk away.

Cormag said nothing as his brother walked out. The door closed behind him and Cormag was left alone with only his brothers lingering words. He was left sitting on his old chair, staring of into the fire of his lamp with his thoughts.