With a clatter the magically enhanced chain mail slammed into the ground at Nick’s feet. The gauntlets, boots, greaves, buckler, and helmet clattered down next to it. All of it one grade higher than it normally would be through magical means.

“Holy shit!” he said, practically jumping out of the chair.

Several seconds later and a large outer-world Ash haft slammed into the ground not far away. It tipped to one side and slapped into the chain mail with a clunk.

“Ah, it would seem that the mage assigned to our order is-”

Ten feet away a bay colored horse sprang into existence from nowhere. A second afterward and all the tackle, horse gambeson, and it’s gear to care for and ride it landed in a pile as well as the included “skills and trained in manual”.

“Is fulfilling all our orders,” Lucian finished a beat later. “That was rather quick. Looks like everything arrived as well. Nothing appears to be missing. Now we just have to get the cabin squared away and we can head back out.

“And no, we don’t need to worry about the horse. We can use the binding spell it came with a little later.

“Because until we touch it, or two hours passes, it won’t be able to leave the area. Having pets, animals, and familiars run off before you’re ready would likely be an issue otherwise I imagine.”

Lifting a hand to his head Nick pressed it to his temple and sighed.

He inherently knew he wasn’t swift to action. That he wasn’t exactly the one first to something nor was he particularly motivated to be so.

Right now though, he felt a deep sense of foreboding. That going to this war really wasn’t the right move for him. He would be better served going back to the dungeon and pretending as if he’d never signed a contract with Distis at all.

Except that he knew from previous experience this could very well just be his reluctance to act. That he really would rather sit and observe before he did anything.

“Alright,” he said finally and looked to the cabin. “Cabin. Then we leave for Dayton. Not sure if I can really finish this up sooner than two weeks though. Seems like a lot of work yet to be done.”

“I… yes, that’s possible. We shall see. We won’t know till we try,” Lucian offered up.

“Won’t know till we try. Exactly,” agreed Nick. “I should ask Sara out again when I see her next. She didn’t answer, after all. It wasn’t a no. Until I get a no, that’s an invitation to ask again.”

“Up to a point, Sire, but… it’s true. She didn’t say no,” said Lucian.

“Okay then. First, we build the cabin. Cause without a place to call home, I could never have a kid anyways,” Nick said and then picked up his work axe and whet-stone.

He had an edge to sharpen and ready for cabin making.

Not far off, Ker rolled over and went still again. He was still sleeping off the fight with the bear and the subsequent recovery.

***

Riding into Dayton atop Table, named for it’s seemingly idiotic disposition to stand around doing nothing like a table, Nick felt odd. His poleaxe was resting in a fitted position attached to his saddle so that it went upward right next to him. It reminded him of how knights often carried lances or pennants with flags.

Maybe that’s why I feel a bit off.

Peasant villager turned Prince-In-Hiding to man-at-arms.

“Whatever will you do when you become king, then?” asked Lucian with clear amusement. “Because that’s our ultimate goal you’ll remember.”

“Can’t forget it. I owe a great many people for the death of my father,” murmured Nick in a low voice. “Though if I’m being truly honest, I feel no hatred nor love for the Fash family. As far as I’m concerned they’ve never done me any wrong other than hold to the covenant.

“I mean… were they even the ones who broke it? I’ve been thinking about that. As far as I can tell, it was just… greed. Greed from the Elder and his people that broke the covenant. Not the Fash.”

Lucian said nothing to that. He remained absolutely silent.

After Nick entered Dayton proper and was now passing buildings, it became obvious that Lucian wasn’t going to respond. Which meant that Nick was likely right.

The Fash hadn’t actually broken the covenant. Someone had done it for them. With or without orders was yet to be seen

Given that a war was now being waged, he imagined without orders was the answer to that question. That the Fash were completely innocent in the breaking of the covenant and had only failed in giving the duty of caring for the Randolph’s to someone who couldn’t be trusted in the end.

But that’s all just… based on my own thoughts. It’s entirely possible that they were there and ordered everything that happened.

I’ll find out, one way or the other, and go from there.

For now, my only goal is to figure out who killed my family. Once that’s done, then I can look to other things. Other goals.

Like the throne of my bloodline. Maybe the Fash family can be reasonable about this.

“Unlikely, Sire,” murmured Lucian, finally deciding to speak. “While I… while I can’t deny there’s no guarantee that they were involved in your family’s deaths, I can most certainly guarantee that they knew of the covenant. They all do as they all suffer or benefit from it.

“Only your family head and those designated would know of the covenant on your side. Far too much to lose to let slip a secret.”

Nick rode up to the count’s home while considering what Lucian had said. Considered what that meant that all Fash family members would have known of the accord.

Coming to a full stop in front of the manor, Nick got down off of Table. Pulling a hand across the magnificent creature and patting him gently on the head.

With a tug on the reins Nick moved Table off to the side and then dropped them to the ground.

Placing a hand on the horses head, he laid it there for several seconds.

“Whoa. Stay,” said Nick. He’d gone over the manual more times than he wanted to but he knew what Table could do. Knew that he was trained to ground tie right here with that command.

“Ker, stay with Table,” Nick said, glancing over at the fisher. The weasel was perfectly fine since his encounter with the bear and seemed more of a menace than he’d ever been.

Because now the little rotten bastard knew what he could and couldn’t get away with through their familiar bond. Knew what would annoy Nick and what would actually piss him off.

Ker gave him a blank stare, as if he didn’t understand at all. Or at least he was pretending he didn’t understand at all.

Nick knew full well that Ker had greater than average intelligence even before becoming a familiar. Afterward he’d been gifted with more and the ability to comprehend what his master, Nick, said or wished.

“Ker, knock that shit off,” Nick said then pointed at Table. “Watch over Table. I’ll give you some fish guts later if you do. Fish head, too.”

Ker snorted once, then lept up in one smooth motion. Landing atop the saddle.

Table didn’t seem to mind one way or the other and just stood there. Imitating a table.

Tilting his head one way then the other, and back again, Ker looked at Nick while opening and closing his mouth.

“Are… are you mocking me?” Nick asked in surprise.

Ker closed his eyes, set his head down on his paws, and ignored him.

Grinning, Nick nodded his head and then moved toward the door. As much as Ker frustrated him, he did like his attitude. He wouldn’t put up with anything from anyone.

Not even his “Master”.

Going up to the front door, Nick was surprised to see the door was open. There were also no guards visible this time. Which felt somewhat odd to Nick but given he knew little of the count, this might be normal.

Before he managed to enter the manor he heard something. Something that sounded far more of interest then going into the major.

The sound of wooden clacking against wood, as well as the grunt and thump of men.

As if they were fighting or training not far off. If he had to guess they were quite likely behind the manor. Perhaps in some type of training yard.

Turning on his heel Nick made to go that way instead.

“Ah! Nickolas Dal,” called a voice from inside the home. It was a voice Nick recognized and didn’t actually want to hear. “Such a pleasure to see you again. Here to lick my fathers boots?”

With a click of his tongue Nick looked to the speaker.

It was the son of the count of course, Charles.

“No. Reporting for duty,” Nick said simply. “You really have a nasty mouth, don’t you? Maybe I should return all the coin your father gave me. Let him know that I can’t serve him as I’d likely have to eventually serve you.

“Or… is that the problem you’re having with your siblings right now. You being the scum and trash of the family is making them look like far more viable candidates. I believe it was a sister?”

The words hung in the air and Charles stared wide eyed at him.

“Maybe I could meet her and pledge myself to her now,” continued Nick after Charles offered no repartee. “You start finding poison in you food yet? Knives in the corners? Assassins under your bed?

“You can’t survive much longer if the knights and men-at-arms start leaving your father in numbers. The question becomes who is trying to kill you, your sister, your father, or the other vassals.”

Nick hadn’t actually meant to lash out as he just had. He hadn’t even considered his words as they came pouring out.

He just intensely disliked this little weasel of a man and wanted no part of him. Should the count die in the war, Nick would have to swear his oath to this petulant upstart.

And that just won’t do. I’d rather start over elsewhere.

Anywhere.

“Test me,” finished Nick with a snarl. “Test me, Charles. See how far it gets you.”

“A most wonderful impression of Ker, Sire. He’d be thrilled to know you share his sentiments,” murmured Lucian.

Ha. Right?

Dragons, fishers, and angry peasants. We’re a trio of crotchety fuckers.

“Ahem,” said a soft voice from the left.

Looking to the speaker, Nick found a young-woman. She was on the border of moving from girl to woman and was at the tail end of the transformation. Nick would put her age at likely his own or just older. Though younger than Charles.

She had pale brown eyes that were quite bright. Short brown hair that had a wave to it. It was set in a particular fashion that he’d seen a few times in Ashcroft.

Nick thought she was attractive, though not more so than Sara. Additionally, she still had enough “immaturity” in her looks that gave Nick a sense of pause.

“And you would be?” asked the woman, holding Nick’s gaze.

“Nickolas, Nick, Dal. Man-at-arms in service to your father,” replied Nick courteously, assuming this was Charles younger sister. “I was just telling Charles that his attitude and bearing make it hard for me to wish to continue my service to the family.

“He’s quite… detestable. I wouldn’t wish to put my life and rights behind someone I had to threaten to keep the peace. One must have respect for their lord to enforce their laws.

“Or their lady, rather than a lord.”

Nick didn’t put any emphasis on the “lady” part of his response, but he assumed she’d get the point.

“Well! That’s… well, I see,” said the young woman. Behind her were several other women who looked to be attending her. “You’re rather uncouth and quite rough of tone, but your words are true and concise.”

“I don’t really have time to play nice-nice if that’s what you mean, yes,” agreed Nick. He was feeling rather tense having to deal with Charles. He also still really wanted to go find where people were training. There was a throbbing in his temples that he felt like might be the beginnings of that blood lust. “Off to war, going to be killing people, probably get killed myself. That sort of thing. The niceties kind of go out the window.”

Charles and his sister were both staring at him. Clearly neither one of them really knew what to say to him now.

Warning: Theft attempt deterred

Table has identified an enemy.

Table is engaging the enemy.

There was a loud neigh followed by the alien howl of Ker and a shriek of a man.

Nick fled immediately, heading outside.

Table, the normally docile and lack of personality horse, was currently in the middle of whipping it’s head to one side to bite at a guardsman. It’s rear right hoof cocked back and thumped a second in the chest as it continued to turn.

In seconds, the trained war horse had downed two guardsmen and sent a third scurrying. The fourth and fifth had moved backward now.

Ker was puffed up on the ground nearby, growling and snarling at the closest guards. They were all moving away from the duo quickly and were considerably more wary.

“Table, Ker, stop,” commanded Nick, moving over to his companions. Reaching the horse Nick laid his hand to its neck. The flesh beneath jumped and quivered as the horse eyed the guards. It was obvious the horse wanted to stomp over there and crush them.

“Good boy. Good boy, good. Good,” said Nick, laying a hand to the horse’s head and stroking it’s neck with the other hand. “Such a good boy, Table. All done now. All done. Whoa, now.”

At his words, the horse began to settle, growing still once again. It’s eyes moved to him and held him squarely. Once more Table had become the reason he’d gotten his name.

“You! How dare you-”

“Well, that’ll teach them for trying to touch a war-horse,” came yet a third voice, interrupting Charles outright.

From around the side of the house came the count. Walking straight toward the ruckus along with a squad of guardsmen.

Nick only noticed now that their colors were slightly different than the ones who had attempted to apparently “steal” Table.

“The marking on the saddle and it’s gambeson is obvious. They should have known better. Your personal guards are lacking, Charles,” chided the count as he came to a stop a moderate distance from the horse. “And good afternoon, Claudia. I’m pleased to see you’re home from your classes. Did they go well?”

Even as he spoke, the count seemed to be inspecting the horse. He looked to be quite pleased with what he saw.

“Yes, father. They were quite well,” murmured the young woman who was apparently named Claudia. Coming out from the manor’s entry way she came over to stand beside her father.

“See here?” asked the count, pointing to the saddle and then the gambeson. “The markings are quite obvious. Sword, lance, armored coat. Trained to be a weapon, to wear armor, and to charge with a knight. However did you manage such a magnificent creature, Nick?”

“Know people,” said Nick. “Would… the count like me to purchase him one? I can’t sell you Table here, but I could get another one.”

Ker apparently was waiting for that moment to let out a snuffling grunt, then jump back up on top of the saddle. It glared at the count, Claudia, and Nick in equal measure. Then he plopped down and laid his head back down.

“That’s my familiar,” Nick said before anyone could ask. “Failed as a caster before my current profession. He’s the only positive thing out of that time.”

“Ah… as to the horse… yes. Though at a later time,” said the count, looking from the fisher to the horse and then to Nick. “I already have a war-horse and wouldn’t have the right time to bond with a new one. After this ugly business… yes.

“And don’t fret about failing. I failed as a Ranged adventurer and a Caster. Didn’t make any progress till I took up being a Fighter.”

“You were… an adventurer?” Claudia asked, looking at her father in a curious way.

To be sure, the count didn’t exactly give off the feeling of having been in a dungeon.

“Long ago. Once upon a time,” said the count with an odd smile. “A different life, you could say. Anyways. Good to have you early, Nick. Come along, I wanted to have some words with you anyways. I thought up a job I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Sure, no worries,” Nick said, laying a hand to Table’s head once more. With his other hand he laid the reins over the horse’s neck, then pulled them back over his head and set them back down to the ground. “Hey, stay. Good boy. Stay.

“And Ker? Good work. Extra fish-head. You stay, too.”

Ker opened his eyes, met Nick’s eyes, then closed them again. That was as much confirmation as Nick would get.

Let’s see what the count wants.

“Probably to guard his son. Or his daughter,” offered Lucian. “Take your pick. Your level isn’t high enough for anything else that would be noteworthy work, but acting as a bodyguard and attendant? Very possible and quite reasonable.”

Ugh, I hope not.