"Open the gates, it's a friend! Send for the Lady!" A guard from atop the gatehouse called out, and the mounted nobleman waiting below before the castle offered a grateful nod as he steered his charger towards parting gates. The visitor in question? Lord Araian Sunshield. A man of middling years, his face a mask of cordiality as he lifted the massive war hammer held in hand to gesture the small party of mounted men with him forwards. A black tabard worn over his breastplate, and a golden sun paired with crossed blades emblazoned upon his chest.
Horseshoes struck upon now cobbled ground as they passed beneath the archway into Southwatch, the sound reverberating loudly off the castle walls and they soon filled the courtyard. Though it was dwarfed in size by castles such as those along the Gold Coast and elsewhere throughout the realm, Westfall's Southernmost holding was still impressive. It had weathered through the enemies of Stormwind since the Gnoll Wars, often times rebuilt and improved upon to prepare for the next enemy of the people of Stormwind's breadbasket. Stablehands rushed to greet them as they gathered around the fountain centered in the courtyard, barren of any water in its basin. An eager boy held his hands out for the war hammer Araian held as the lord moved to dismount. unfortunately the boy crumpled under its weight the moment Araian let go and the head struck the stones at their feet with a metallic 'thud!'.
"Oof! Pardons, milord! How you swing it, it's too heavy!" The boy exclaimed, struggling to lift the weapon from the ground with little success. Fortunately, Araian was there to lend a hand and retrieve the weapon after his boots struck the ground.
"It is as heavy as it needs be. The weight is a reminder to never swing it without due cause, for there is no stopping it once done so." His free hand ruffled the boy's hair before handing over the reigns of his charger along with a silver coin.
"Thank you for looking after him for me." The young boys eyes lit up at the glinting bit of metal in his palm as bobbed his head a half-dozen times in gratitude.
"Yes, milord! Thank ya! Never been this close to a paladin's horse before! My friends in Brushwind will never believe it!" Before long the boy and the rest of the stablehands had gathered their mounts to be watered and looked after. In the interim while awaiting the Lady of the castle, the paladin's stare swept over the interior of the castle. Many a metal note taken as each building surveyed. The fortress was in a better state than he'd thought it was, thank the Light.
"Araian Sunshield!" A woman's shrill voice pierced his thoughts and he'd wheel about to face the Keep as those double-doors threw open. A short, elderly noblewoman at least thirty-years his senior, stormed down the steps and towards them. Araian was already moving towards her, fearful she'd fall.
"Four weeks! Four weeks since I've written you and out of the blue you show up just like that! Just like that!"
Araian's head was already bowed in deference to the elder noble, fighting the smile that threatened show and mark his doom.
"Forgive me, my Lady. My delay was King's business."
"I know. But I also knew you would come when you could." Tension if there ever was any vanished in an instant and Lady Dorenshire of Southwatch was all smiles as she threw herself at Araian's frame seeking a hug.
"Thank the Light you've come. Everything is prepared of course as we discussed.." Her stare peeling itself away from his features and to look around the castle that had been her home for the better part of her adult life.
"It is good to see you again, my Lady. I keep your husband and your son in my prayers always." Araian replied, his towering frame enveloping the smaller woman in as delicate a hug as his armor would allow, worried he might break the frail woman should he squeeze too tight.
"Thank you, my friend. Were they still here we wouldn't be meeting under these circumstances, but I am glad to see you regardless. Come, come! You must all be thirsty riding under the sun all morning." Her hand stealing his free one before he could object and drag their party towards the keep.
The Borderland Coalition
