The Bloody Kos : Chapter 1 : The Arrival

Death sat as a thick fog before Castle Black where the land lay stained; darkened by the blood of the dead. Neither side had the men, or the resources to remove rotting corpses. Maggots, ravens, and all manner of opportunistic beast has long since taken to the task.

The music of iron on anvil struck out deep within the Eastern Army’s camp. Ka tink!

Enlil woke unto a cold sweat. Ka tink! The soft rap of metal sung in the air as he stumbled to his feet. Ka tink! His tent was disheveled. With his fumbling hands, he reached out for his clothing. Thrink, a glancing blow rattled off the anvil.

“The Fravashi have arrived.” The voice struck through the folds of Enlil’s tent.

“Finally.” answered Enlil as he emerged from his tent, half-dressed, carrying a lizard-skin jerkin. Govad stood before him, six women in his wake. Enlil, startled by the number of women, threw the jerkin over his bare chest.

It is said that the Fravashi are the risen spirits of the Dead Queens, sent to the living world to tame the wilds of men. To Enlil, they were still women, and only one was needed.

If I drew a blade across your throat, would you bleed? The thought danced across Enlil’s mind as he eyed the six women behind Govad.

Ka tink!

Tink!

The iron blows were suddenly roaring, and Enlil found himself on his knees. His hands came crashing to the ground. Ka tink! The sound became deafening as Enlil’s eyes forcibly rolled back in his head. He reached out for Govad, but Govad felt no impulse to aide his lord. He had seen far worse in his month-long escort duty of the Fravashi.

“You would be well served to mind your thoughts Wind Lord,” all six women stated, as one.

Ka tink!

It was morning when Enlil woke again. Darkened patches encircled his eyes, and an uneasy air set about him. Govad sat beside his bed. “They burned a man alive,” Govad said groggily, “and he merely begged the Fravashi for a few coins to fill his belly. Consider yourself lucky Lord”

“I fear no woman, Govad.”

“Then you are in luck, there is not any for miles around. A few whores back in Gray Court." Govad smiled. "Do not let the dresses deceive you. They are spirits of the damned, not women.”