Chapter 28.2

Dubheasa had arranged for a transport of supplies to serve as cover, travelling together with Eirwen's full group. The idea was that the transport would partially split off at some point, allowing Eirwen and part of her own to sneak along and disappear. That way, it would hopefully take significant time before people would find out the Duchess had ventured into the mountains.

Dubheasa wished them well, her slightly dazed expression showing she hadn't fully caught up yet to the fact she already had received her full title. The title would serve her well when dealing with supporters of her mother, who already had been calling her reign in question due to the initial lower rank. Conveniently ignoring the fact that Eirwen was making every council member earn their full rank, while she was also correcting a few rank disparities that the Flamehearts had kept in place.

In the afternoon, the convoy split up. Soon after, Eirwen's group split off once more, now in covert clothing. Once they were at a decent distance, they took a break.

"Alright, you all have studied each other's aliases. Those who have been here before will use their previous one. And on that note, hound, care to introduce yourself?" The teasing smile on her face made clear she already knew.

He sighed and reluctantly exposed the truth. "Red. That's the alias I used." Several laughed. He narrowed his eyes at Eirwen's snickering. "I will take no criticism from the person who named her new dukedom Iceheart." More laughs. Bethan, who was called Oath, even snorted.

Eirwen pushed that aside and addressed the group. "Alright, remember to stick to two groups. The Iceheart knights that have mountain experience will be divided over the groups. Make sure to fully memorise your own group's aliases first, and leadership as well. I'm Snow, we all know Red here, Sir Caerbychan is Rook, Siress Nantgate is Light. Rook and Light will be in charge of one group each, with two semi-guides and two healers per group. Red will be our main guide, though we'll look for an addition soon. He and I are primarily tasked with overseeing and supporting you."

Red stepped in to explain. "We are trying to hide not just her Grace's identity, but also yours. This means that we cannot freely show our techniques with witnesses around. Be subtle, and be ready to use them anyway if needed to protect your lives. But unless required, please refrain from using iconic methods. There are a few people with rough copies, and many won't be able to tell the difference. But if over a dozen people all can use the Verglas and Carraig techniques, people will at once realise we aren't just varied bodyguards. So hold back when you can. In turn, Snow and I will also step in when needed, so acting with care won't get anyone killed."

Taran, or rather, Forge right now, raised his hand. "I understand that as our guides, several of you are deliberately in grey. But what about your earned names? And is there nobody who will recognise you as the former Marquis?" It was a good question, one which Eirwen had already asked him recently.

Red smiled and answered. "There are a decent number of people who know what I did, but they do not know my exact position. In fact, opinions were still split on whether I came from noble blood or a knight family, or even whether I came from Flameheart or elsewhere. I do not think anyone seriously realised my true identity so far, though the risk will be there from now on."

He looked at the others in grey, apologetic. "As a nameless, I will not be using my earned name anymore, as it is one connected to the name I forfeited. For those that realise who I am, I will imply that Lady Snow wishes for me to prove myself worthy of her recognition and earn myself a new name, rather than depend on my old glory. And to make sure that doesn't stand out, all but one of the others will have to do the same. Hopefully that will help prevent people from weaving a proper conclusion together for a while."

Eirwen felt uncomfortable, as it was a big ask. A name earned in the mountains was a symbol of one's deeds. To put that aside even temporary, was as good as making one deny their own prestige. But they had all agreed to the tactic and even randomly decided who would still use their earned name.

It took them less than two days to make their way into the mountains, leaving behind reigned territory. No bandits plagued them, which wasn't that big a surprise. To obstruct one of the big lifelines of the Flameheart economy had always been an act of courting death.

The first town, a small one, welcomed them with shrugs. Their group was rather large but not that special. There were at least a dozen plausible theories and they made sure not to give too much away, keep the people guessing. Just someone rich throwing money around to make sure she had a good escort. It helped that their gear all looked different enough to hide being from one and the same territory.

The second town was larger and at a crossroads. Here, there were enough people in grey walking around that her hound's appearance didn't strike anyone as odd. She had expected it, but even then, the sight took getting used to. These weren't people who had forfeited their name, like he had, but people who had simply set their name aside. As he had when he had come here five years ago. Leaving behind your old self to prove your new self instead, without the burden or blessings of your name.

How different it was elsewhere. Plenty of nameless who would hide the fact, hide the colours, if they could. Because in most of the kingdom, being nameless wasn't by choice. As she had told the people of Leathad Den Ghrian, forfeiting a name was permanent, an act that couldn't be undone. The nameless grey marked them as people less than others, unworthy of a name. No surprise then, how archaic they found the tradition of setting a name aside. Yet how archaic to her it was to feel contempt for the nameless.

Eirwen sent Rook's group off to arrange a place to stay, while Light's group escorted her as she leisurely spent time at the market. This too let her inventorise how the economy of the dukedom was going. Her pondering ended up interrupted by a happy shout. "As I live and breathe, is that really you, Red?! Never thought I'd see you here again!"

Eirwen observed the enthusiastic woman approaching them. Sturdy leather armour, with fur covering the gaps to help keep her body warm. Long, silver-dyed hair in multiple braids, held at her back through a loose scarf. Likely to prevent anyone from using her hair against her in combat, while still being able to show it off. On her left side a curved blade, designed for slashing. It was an excellent sword, and at first glance it would hold a Verglas edge quite nicely.

After Red had a quick chat, which Eirwen pretended not to eavesdrop on, he brought the woman over to greet her. "Miss Snow, this is Fang. She was born in the mountains and often works as a guide in these parts, teaching newcomers how to best navigate the wilderness. Given how I haven't been around here for a while, perhaps you could hire her to help supplement my knowledge."

Eirwen nodded, then focused on Fang, who was giving her a knowing look. Ah, she had clearly connected some things. She offered Fang her hand. "Nice to meet you. I have heard some details about the mountains, but not too much, so if you'd like we could discuss pay."

"And nice to meet you, miss Snowflake. Or should I stick to Snow?" Red gave her a quick elbow jab, which lured out a laugh. "It's fine, it's fine. I'll behave towards your lady, Red. Default pay will do, miss, I'll trust Red to handle it. Starting tomorrow, I'll join you and escort you wherever you'd like to go."

Fang gave Eirwen a big toothy grin, which made her wonder if that was part of where her nickname had come from. "Miss Snow, would it be alright if I borrow Red for the night? There's some former comrades of ours in town and truth be told, his return is the perfect excuse for a party. Don't worry, he knows his limits, he won't be too drunk come morn."

Eirwen looked at Red, noticing he was torn. She gave a sly smile. "Well, I would feel comfortable if he's still nearby. Perhaps you should celebrate near our lodgings. That might push up the price a bit, but I'm sure he can handle that."

"Shouldn't you pay me first?"

Oh hush. Just get Rook to hand you some money. 

Though their mental communication was quick and subtle, Eirwen could tell that Fang had at least somewhat caught on. The woman grinned then offered a light bow. "Very well, then I will gather some people and meet you later today. I hope you enjoy the mountain air, miss Snow." And with that, off she went.

Eirwen shot Red a raised eyebrow while continuing to browse the market stalls. She knew better than to have the desired conversation out loud, though.

Snowflake, eh?

"Apologies, she caught on way too fast. I have used a rare word for a special kind of snowflake to talk about you a few times."

Well, your letters did say she was too clever for her own good, and eager to make sure everyone knows that. And given how you fought by her side for several months, it's no surprise she managed to figure that out.

A quick feeling of approval, most likely aimed at her memory. Truth be told, she had reread the letters occasionally the past years, just like the letters he had sent before they both went to the royal court. At this point, anything he had mentioned in any of his letters, she had fully memorised.

So if I overheard the two of you right, you asked her to spread the news that you as Red are here to escort me?

"Correct. She can keep a secret if needed, but she's a great gossip when given the chance. This will help ensure all know I'm not the Crimson Giant any more. I expect that to spread fast, because even years later, I suspect people still remember me."

Even though you only transformed a few times? What do you think about this fabric, by the way?

"Oh that dye is infamous for washing out far too fast. And yes, because when I earned my name, there were a few hundred witnesses. Given how it was a big fight and I ended up recovering for days, you can imagine just how much people talked about it back then. Add that I already had a reputation by then, and well, I knew that there was a good chance of being recognised here."

But you still think they won't realise you're, well, you?

"Of course not. Clothing makes the person, and there was a big difference between me at war and me here. Even your new knights didn't initially put things together, while two of them had actually met me back then. But yes, I suspect some will realise eventually."

Well, that will be acceptable. Just don't get too drunk tonight.

After talking and shopping more, they went off to their lodgings, with Eirwen freely letting a smile stay on her face. It really had been a good idea to come here.