[BigJMoney]

Month 2 – The Year Of THE HAG

It didn’t even take one month for Erkeborn to decide to become Yohlla’s prophet. After his first meeting with her in the Hall of the Fathers, she took residence inside the Great Keep. Immediately, people began to find passion and motivation around this woman. She healed the sick and tended to the children, even spending many days teaching them lessons of greatness, and the stories of their great fathers; many stories which even Ulm’s lords did not know. The livestock grew more fertile and the people had more weddings. It was a wedding, in fact, that proved to Erkeborn that Yohlla was truly miraculous. Through a vision, she told him that a lovely woman was waiting for him in a cave. It was true. A troll had captured her while she was traveling and had eaten her horse. It would have eaten her sooner or later had Erkeborn not rescued her. She was magically gifted and became his true love. Erkeborn rejoiced and became Yohlla’s prophet.

As weeks passed, the lords of Ulm grew nervous at the way the people regarded Erkeborn and especially Yohlla. It was, however, at this time that Erkeborn found the scout which Yohlla had predicted. He punished his Lieutenant publicly for not reporting him the news and sent the scout, Bune on a new assignment. When he asked the lords for permission to attack the people in the south, they were happy to have him leave the city, so they agreed. Not knowing of the situation, they thought he would lose, and felt that either outcome was desirable. Yohlla chose to go with him to be his counselor and the troops’ inspiration.

“Son, I don’t think you appreciate how short your time in this world is. You have asked the lords’ for permission to attack, but your plans call for a battle two to four months from now. By then, you might miss your opportunity.” The hag was walking with Erkeborn down a secluded path one evening after dinner. They often went on walks at this hour, but this was in a place he’d not been before.

“Mother,” for this was how he and many others respected her now, “I wait this time so I can be prepared. We have not fought any major battles in many years. If we invade now, we will lose. Is there something you can teach me?”

She chuckled. It was always odd the way such a beautiful young lady cackled like an old crone. “If you are asking me to what extent my powers flow, I say that you will find out soon enough. No, this is a matter of practicality. Your people have grown rich with extra money. Your beloved province has never been so prosperous; you must act.”

“Maybe, great woman, this is when I will teach you a small lesson, then. The gold of my people is great, yes; even greater than the lords remember. Still, my people can only work so hard. All the money in the world will not buy them more time. Even now, they are producing weapons for me as fast as they can. I cannot ask for more than that.”

“You cannot. Your people work for you and me, as well. But, there is one thing you must do with your wealth to make it win battles for you. Gold can win battles, son.”

“And what magic is this?” ask Erkeborn, skeptically.

The ageless woman did not answer him, but as they rounded a corner in the path, she bent down and moved some foliage to the side, revealing a smaller path a child might frequent while playing games of seeking and finding. On the other side, however, was a mercenary camp. The prophet commander cleared his throat and approached boldly.