The Kingdom
Castalon is the name of both the city and the fiefdom from which the Visby family rules. It itself is a smaller part of the kingdom of Grenmor, which is named after the Lady Grenika, warrior-wife to Beomulo the Great. Together, Beomulo and Grenika conquered the realms that would become Grenmor three hundred years ago, and their line continued onto their son, Agrilimach, also called “The Great.” Alas, the line of Beomulo ended some one hundred years ago, when King Argalec the Magnificent died leaving no trueborn heirs. The king, on his deathbed, arranged marriages and crossed bloodlines to create a new, stronger dynasty. He appointed his butler of all people to serve as regent after his death until a new king could be ready. King Adalec, whom Lord Dolic is sworn to, is the current reigning monarch and comes from this dynasty. King Adalec rules from the capital city of Tibe. Adalec is an uncontroversial ruler, but he did make the unpopular decision to pardon any pirate who pledges loyalty to his navy. They prove to be unorthodox naval commanders, but they do keep the waters safer for Grenmori merchants and sea travelers. “We are now living in the age of gunpowder,” he is quoted to have said in regards to his decision, “the more guns pledged to Grenmor means less guns in the hands of our enemies.”
Castalon was a wealthy fiefdom long before Crelend’s time, but it began to truly prosper under the rule of Dolic’s father, Tomulo Visby, who is remembered fondly as “The Cultivator.” His love of cross-breeding plants resulted in the varieties of apples and grapes Castalon is known for today. There is some distance between Castalon and its beneficiary, Tibe. As a result, the Visbys have a degree of self-governance unusual for rulers of a typical fief. Regardless of distance, Lord Dolic is a loyal man to his king and sends proper tribute each and every year. When Dolic’s firstborn son Crelend was born, King Adalec himself traveled to Castalon to congratulate the father. There is gossip among the Castaloni that their lord’s daughter, Aedith, is being groomed for marriage to King Adalec’s son, the royal prince Talios.
Lastly, the exploits of the great Ser Macari should be mentioned. He began his career as a squire to Lord Tomulo Visby at the age of fourteen after Tomulo recognized his battle prowess in a joust. True fame came to Macari three years later when the seventeen-year-old slew Ser Gregory Malcome, a knight in name only, who had pillaged and burned the village of Lathengarde with a band of renegades. Macari ended them all, and later seen riding into Castalon with Gregory’s head hanging from his saddle. Macari would go on to fight in many wars; The Wine Rebellions, King Albert’s War of Folly, The War in the Fallands, etc. Once he reached retirement age, Lord Dolic gifted him the largest orchard in Castalon as a reward for his decades of undying service to House Visby. Macari married the young daughter of a fisherman whom he fancied and produced one daughter: Merida, whom he once called, “my greatest victory.”
Deleted Scene – Oren at the harbor in Castalon (exercise in intimidation dialogue).
Oren went above deck to check on the carpenters’ repairing The Promise. Painfully inadequate, he thought.The ship was still sore, half the rigging needed to be replaced and a the deck was splintered in places so that he could see crewmen scuttling underneath. He drew a flintlock, and shot through a crack were he spotted one sailor asleep, the sailer jumped awake as a new hole appeared between his feet.
”Next time, I’ll aim three inches higher” Oren barked.
Oren reminded himself to find new sailors in Castalon to make up for those he lost when ramming The Avery, and from that initial attack from the pirates that make him turn to the storm.
The sound of Ethen threatening someone on the dock drew Oren’s attention. “I don’t care where you lot come from, I won’t work without proper pay,” the voice came from the harbormaster, Oren recalled his name from earlier, Dalg.
The captain leapt off The Promise and landed heavily behind Dalg, who spun around in surprise. “You know who I am son?” Oren said, a dangerous look in his eye. He called Dalg “son” despite the fact Dalg was an old man.
”Nay,” said Dalg, “And I won’t care to learn the name of a man who benefits from my business dishonestly. Pay what I laid out, or you find yourselves another harbormaster to bother. Dalg shouted to recall his carpenters from The Promise, but Oren silenced him. He got right in the old man’s face.
“You have the face of someone I once killed, maybe he was one of your sons. You see, I was a pirate in my younger years—do not act surprised—but now I am a royal admiral to King Adalec, and I am in command of you.”
Deleted Scene – Oren at the tavern in Castalon after the feast (exploration of potential story threads)
Ethen slammed down his fifth tankard of ale as Oren patted him on the back. They were at one of Castalon’s less refined drinking establishments, where the drinks were cheap and the fights were plenty. After the events of that day, Oren and the entire crew of The Promise had good reason to celebrate.
Oren was immensely satisfied with himself. He had secured a complete repair and resupply for The Promise, all it took was a little forgery, King Adalec had never signed the document allowing Oren to bully Dolic, but the high-and-mighty lord of Castalon didn’t need to know that.
“Die for what’s yours…” said Oren
Ethen raised his tankard. “…and not for what’s others,” he finished. The two friends downed their ciders.
Oren smiled at his now empty cup; “this Castalon stuff isn’t bad, I’m tempted to add a keg of it to our clause with our hosts!”
Ethen laughed and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
Deleted Scene – The feast continued (cut for pacing, could be repurposed into a potential chapter four).
The feast continued after Dolitch left, but the energy in the room was different. Dolic was more reserved, frowning to himself now and again, Crelend noticed. He wanted father to be happy, it was feast in Crelend’s honor, everything needed to be perfect.
Dathan was violently devouring a pie, forgetting the manners expected of a young lord of House Visby. Next to him Aedith consumed a stew with ladylike delicateness. She stared straight ahead, as if embarrassed by her younger cousin. Crelend smiled to himself.
Father finally spoke, seemingly to no one. “A man like Dolitch—be more afraid of his wit than his wile.”
Crelend wasn’t sure what that meant, but mother turned to him, knowing what he was implying. “Dolitch could be a useful friend.”
“I’d rather harm a potential friend that flatter a likely enemy,” father responded. “His loyalty is officially to the King, but I doubt that.”
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