I sat at the curved stone table on my first floor, looking at my four guards as we ate a meal of pork stew with biscuits. I had allowed Chelsea to open some of the pantry to support the refugees at Kine’s request, but I regretted the loss of chicken. This stew would have been twice as good if it were made with chicken instead of pork. In hindsight, I should have made that specification, but it was only a temporary setback.

My guards were quietly slurping at their dinner, and had yet to open the conversation with me. Chelsea was hovering about on the stairs, no doubt her relationship with Tond one that caused her to fret about what I would be discussing.

I was still pondering Lilly’s letter, though. Her letter had espoused how happy she was as a student of the Arcanum and all that she was learning. She claimed she was thrilled to be leagues ahead of her peers in her studies and expressed how my tutelage was the reason why. Yet, she didn’t mention any friends or acquaintances or how well she was received by her peers.

Of course, my reply, still upstairs to be delivered, was one of encouragement and confidence. I wouldn’t question her on her social standings, but that didn’t mean I didn’t worry. She had been sheltered for most of her life, and I imagined that equated to several harsh lessons she was receiving at the moment.

“Hey, boss,” Mena said, causing all three other guards to stop eating and put their spoons down.

“Hmmm?”

“You wanted to see us?” Mena asked, apprehensively.

“Yes, I did,” I answered, and sat my own spoon down beside my bowl. I clasped my hands and sat them on the table before giving each guard an inspecting look.

Tond and Eni, both were slender men with a sneaky look about them. Eni had a crooked nose and a way with animals that led to his [Beastmaster] class. The owl on his shoulder ruffled its feathers and looked about. Meathead seemed to glow with quiet confidence, no doubt a side effect of his new [Champion of Bi] class. Mena, whom I’d met as the sole female bandit in a group of them, held the same confident and cunning manner as she always did.

“We need to speak about your future,” I began and ignored the widening, fearful eyes of all but Meathead, “You four have performed admirably over the past year. With only a few exceptions,” I directed a pointed glance towards Mena, “I have decided to release you from your indenture to me provided you seek only honest work. Should you wish to stay, I will offer you pay in accordance with my expectations.”

I looked among the four, noticing that three were deep in thought. Meathead had gone back to eating.

“Sir, I’d like to stay on, if that’s okay,” Tond said, while he glanced back at the stairwell in Chelsea’s direction.

“I as well,” Eni spoke up immediately afterward.

Mena was still thinking, but I got an affirmative noise from Meathead through the food in his mouth.

“Boss, I have a question,” Mena began, her words softer and more serious than usual.

I tilted my head and looked at her.

“There are other bandits out there. Bandits like us that might deserve redemption. What do ya think?” She asked with a tense body.

I could tell this was important to her. It might also be a good source of new guards for Kine’s village. If word went out that I was recruiting bandits, it wouldn’t be long until Kingdom soldiers were at my doorstep. Mena, though, had been a boon while she was here. Extremely competent when needed, and I couldn’t think of anything she asked for besides something similar.

It was oddly contradictory to think that the woman would want to help other bandits. I suspected a hidden motive, but the superficial reasons more than made up for it. In addition, I wasn’t eager to pry into the lives of my subordinates.

Though, a tasking like that would be an excellent grinding stone to dull Leslie’s ambitions for authority. It would also remove a contentious personal matter from my attendants’ minds to give them time to heal.

More than that, I had personally proven that some of the bandits, most even, had the capability to change for the better if the circumstances were right. I doubted Meathead would have been selected as Champion by a god if he were still a bandit.

I had doubts about the success of such an undertaking though. How many criminals would accept such a deal if their lives weren’t on the line? And even if she were successful, and I was able to provide a place for them to better themselves, that would once again put me at risk of a moniker like Nemon the Merciful.

I glanced at Meathead who was thoroughly enjoying the biscuits, “Meathead?”

“Huh?” he asked with crumbs falling from his mouth.

“Does Bi allow you to see the truth?” It was a hunch I had. The former adventurers’ guild guildmaster in Lark, Adam, had been a [Paladin] of Bi and had that ability.

Meathead tilted his face up towards the ceiling, “Second boss, can I do that?”

We all waited and watched as Meathead nodded a few times towards the ceiling, and then went right back to eating without a care in the world.

“Well?” I asked, with a raised eyebrow.

“Huh?” Meathead stopped with a biscuit halfway to his mouth. “Oh! Yup. I can do that now.”

I withheld my sigh and closed my eyes to gather some more patience before I looked at Mena.

“If you take Meathead and Leslie with you, I’ll permit it.”

“Yes!” Mena exclaimed and jumped from her seat. She ran all the way around the table to give me an unwelcome hug. I patted her arm in return. It was a mildly endearing moment that I didn’t especially care for. Surprisingly, I was saved from it continuing for too long by Meathead.

“Hey, Mena! You gonna eat your biscuits?”

After dinner, I went back to my study to read the missive from the Baroness. Responding to it would be a great opportunity to request Kine’s appointment to higher authority. Yet, I was apprehensive about the contents. I hoped that between the few short interactions I’ve had with the Baroness that she had come to an understanding of what her authority meant to me. Her most recent interactions, however, caused me to doubt that hope.

The scroll itself was the standard fare for nobility. Well-made parchment rolled inside a polished dark wood scroll case, then end stoppers engraved with trees for some reason or other. The letter inside was anything but normal. Instead of the polished handwriting, I expected from the Baroness, it was written in a barely legible scrawl that took moments to interpret.

To the Great Wizard Nemon Fargus,

Thank you for your attendance at our wedding. Thank you for sparing my life. Thank you for sparing the lives of my soldiers. I will never forget my debt owed to you for allowing me to meet my love Olivine.

The wine gifted was interesting and I will never forget its taste. My bride thought you meant to offend her with it, but I spoke on your behalf. I pleaded with her that tastes in wine differ across Sena, and you had no intention to cause offense.

I have had much time to consider my actions. I write to you to inform you that while my station is now above yours, I recognize your power and authority to be greater than my own.

I swear that I will never seek vengeance against you for your actions. An oath I took this morning before a priest. Even now, my stomach turns at the thought.

While our meeting was not on the best of terms, I hope that we can work amicably together if need be.

Thank you for attending our wedding.

Cordially,

Baron Mirm Lark

I sighed, and rolled up the letter, shoving it back into the case. His letter was useless to my purposes. I couldn’t be bothered to respond to the thing. Not with anger or agreement or even the request on Kine’s behalf. It did remind me of the copper bracelet I had made for them.

I glanced around the study, looking for a servant or guard to fetch Meathead and Mena for me, but I only saw the new child peeking around the corner.

“Fin,” I called out and motioned for him to come to me.

“Yes, your wizardliness,” the child answered and walked slowly forward as if he had just been caught doing something wrong. The brown-eyed boy with a hawkish nose had made himself right at home with Rolf and Meathead when he came to the tower. He took to lessons quickly and eagerly, even so far as to pretend to stand watch on the roof with one of the guards until he fell asleep and they carried him back to his bed.

“Go fetch Meathead and Mena for me,” I ordered.

“Yes sir!” he saluted and ran off. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

I played with the bracelet while I waited, altering the forms of the earth elementals from boars to bulls. Small bulls that only stood thigh-high, but bulls nonetheless. It seemed an appropriate thing to do for a servant of the god Bi, and if I didn’t do something with the bracelet it would likely sit in my bag of holding unused for years.

When the two guards appeared, I handed the bracelet to Meathead.

“What’s this, boss?” he asked.

“It is a gift. Now, find Leslie and tell her to attend me. Afterward, go out beyond the wall, put on the bracelet, and say the word ‘bull’, [Champion],” I instructed only to watch as he almost immediately went to place the bracelet on his wrist.

“Meathead,” I said, attracting his attention.

“Yeah boss?” he asked in confusion.

“Give it here. I’ll let you play with it after you bring Leslie to me,” I said, keeping my exasperation from my voice.

When he departed, I turned to Mena, “I’ve given your request more thought. In a week’s time, you will begin your journey. I’ll provide you with a missive for the adventurers’ guild in Lark to ease your way. I expect your return in no less than a year’s time. You will send correspondence monthly, yes?”

Mena gave me a formal bow, something that I had only seen her do on more formal occasions. Normally, she offered a military salute. I waved her away and poured myself a glass of strawberry wine as I waited on Leslie and Meathead. When they returned, I handed the bracelet to Meathead with two words, “Only outside.”

Leslie stood before me as I sat in the chair, her eyes trying to hide a worry and concern in her summons. I took a sip of my wine and watched for a moment, but she never moved. That she kept to a rigid discipline that was nice to see.

“Assistant Leslie,” I began with a frown. She took in a large breath but otherwise didn’t move. “I fear that your time as an assistant is close to an end.”

Her eyes widened in panic, and she opened her mouth to protest, but I held up a single finger. “It is not your behavior or skills in magic. Nor is it related to your poor choices. Rather, I have need of a mage in a position rather different than that of an assistant. One that you will find yourself more suited to, I believe.”

Her panic didn’t entirely dissipate, but her face clouded with confusion, “What position, master?”

I considered how best to phrase it. No doubt she was preparing herself to protest if I called it by any title less than that of an Assistant. Errand runner wouldn’t likely be taken well.

“Hmm,” I began. “I don’t think there is a name for this yet. I intend to charge you with a quest. A very important quest. Two of them in fact,” I looked into my cup. “Mage quester? Quest mage? Journeymage? No.”

I glanced back up to see her look even more confused. “I’ll allow you to name the position yourself so long as it isn’t too ostentatious. In a week’s time, you will travel with Mena and Meathead as they journey to seek out bandits Mena believes are worthy of redemption.”

Leslie tilted her head as she considered it, but I continued on, “This will be only part of your charge, to journey with them and see their cause successful. The remainder of your charge will be dedicated to spreading copies of the tome I gave you this morning. To any and every mage you can.”

This likely went against everything she had learned. The mages in the capital tended to act as though their spells were to be guarded as secrets of the highest order. To actively spread spells would be met with disbelief as best, but more likely suspicion. It was no simple quest that I had given her, but a most challenging one.

“Why, master?” she asked.

I was being questioned by my own attendant?! “Child,” I began, speaking the word harshly, only to stop myself when I saw her shrink back. I set my glass down and folded my hands in my lap.

“Leslie,” I began again, in a softer voice. “This journey I send you on is of great import. It may very well be the most important thing you ever do in your life, even if you reach a fifth-tier class. You will know why in time, and when that time comes, the question you will ask yourself will only be ‘could I have done more’?”

“Yes, master,” she said with a bow, and I dismissed her with a clap on her shoulder. It was almost sunset, and I wanted to go to the roof to watch it on my lake.

On the roof, I found Kine sitting on one of the benches looking out into the lake. Eni was standing near the owl roost giving instruction to children Rolf and Fin on how to feed the newly-hatched owlets.

Seeing the owls' faces snapping up at the piece of bread he held in his hand sent a shiver down my spine and I shied away. It seemed that my journey over the Pestilence wasn’t without harm. In that moment, I felt the overwhelming urge to go brew a pot of the Asrid Flower tea, and I struggled to pull myself back together.

I nearly stumbled in my step but made my way to one of the nearby stone benches near where Kine sat.

“Good evening, master. I see why you enjoy this,” he said softly, as we watched the hues of the setting sun reflected across the waters.

“Indeed,” I answered him. We both sat quietly for a while, each in our own quiet contemplations before Kine spoke again.

“Master, what do you think of the war?” he asked.

I looked behind me, and saw that Eni and the children had gone quiet as we sat. I also noticed that they seemed interested in my answer as well. “Eni, take the children and go see Assistant Philipe. Ask about his personal research.”

“Yes, sir,” Eni answered with a salute that was poorly mimicked by the two boys to his sides. Children teaching children. I chuckled and shook my head, before turning back to Kine. The young man was studying me now, with a sad look in his eye that I recognized. A look that indicated he saw something horrible he struggled with.

“Kine,” I said and looked back out at my reflection pond. I recognized the emotion easily. It was one I had struggled with myself for a long time. I doubted he had the additional twisted sense of guilt that came along with causing whatever devastated him, but the freshness of his wound likely more than made up for that.

“Some things are not easy to see,” I said, trying my hardest not to think back to my own past. Those barrels in my mind were sealed in a corner for a reason. “I fear you have only begun to open your eyes to some harsh truths. The war… is a mistake.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw his head turn sharply towards me, but I kept looking out over the waters.

“A mistake?” He asked, a quiver in his voice.

“Indeed,” I answered softly.

“All those people dead, and it’s a mistake?!” His voice scratched raw with barely contained anger.

I turned to look at him, barely keeping the sadness from my eyes. That anger he felt, I knew it too well. I gave him a half-smile and shook my head, “Not a mistake in the way you have taken it, young man.”

“No? How should I take it then?”

“Kine, did you know that we are on the cusp of the end of our age?” I asked. Of course, I knew he didn’t. It wasn’t information I shared freely. I’ve heard nothing concerning my warning to the king, and I doubted the news had traveled far, if it traveled at all.

Kine closed his eyes as he took a shaky breath and stilled his trembling hands. When he opened them, he reflected a calmer demeanor, “What do you mean?”

I pointed out over the water, in the direction of the distant western mountains. From here, we could only see their vague outlines over the treetops, “Over those mountains lay a threat like this kingdom has never faced before. Every day it grows closer and closer. Instead of preparing, we instead fight useless battles that drain away our strength.”

“What threat? Why tell me now?” he asked, the disbelief clear in his voice.

“Because, mage, you are ready. You lead and protect those who cannot help themselves. If you are to be successful, you must be aware of what you will face. We can discuss more tomorrow, but do not share the news with anyone for now.”

The sun had finished setting while we talked. I patted his back a couple of times as I passed him to go towards the stairs, leaving the man with more worries than those he tried to escape.