“Casimir thinks he’s the weakest among his siblings, but he’s wrong. I can say that among all of my children, none of them are weaker than the others. While they are at different levels of in terms of ability and experience, they all still hold an immense amount of potential. Now if we were to speak about the strongest, then I would say that is, without a doubt, the twins, Erel and Elora.”

-Ira when speaking to one of his envoys about his children.

...

Among deserted roads and small mountains, a single carriage was pulled along. It was the perfect spot for an ambush, but it was definitely the quickest route to one of the most populous cities in the country. Any lord or noble of a small town that wanted to establish trade contracts with merchants would need to take such a journey.

That’s exactly what was occurring now, Lady Gwendolyn Francesca Ravenport decided to travel on one such road with her Uncle, Horace Ravenport acting as her guardian and carriage driver. The overall distressed state of carriage summarized the current financial situation of the Ravenport family. It was likely because they reached such dire straits that they chose to use such a road. The Ravenport territory was likely in dire need of financial assistance if the nobles who governed it couldn’t afford to repair their own carriages.

“Uncle Horace, are we close?” Gwendolyn asked from inside the carriage.

“Shouldn’t be much longer, milady.” Horace smiled warmly as he steered the horses. He wore a rather well-maintained suit of armor, finances withstanding. “This should be your first time in the city of Argos, Gwendolyn.”

“Yes, that’s right, Uncle. You have been before, haven’t you?”

“I have indeed. Though, that was a little over a decade ago when our territory wasn’t in complete shambles… I wonder how the city has changed over the years.”

“What was it like then?”

“Ah, it was a very lively place. Famous personages from all over the country could be found passing through every once in a while. Shops could be found on nearly every street, meaning you could find whatever it was you were searching for if you just gave it enough time. And the food, milady, the food was delicious!”

“Don’t worry, Uncle, once we form a trade contract with a merchant, I’m sure we will have wonderful food in our own territory.”

“Oh, I’m well aware...- Hold!” Horace suddenly shouted as he pulled the horses to a complete stop.

Barely twenty steps away, a single individual stood in the middle of the road, blocking the way ahead. He held a halberd with a monstrous jagged blade in his arm, letting it rest on his shoulder. His armor consisted of a heavily scratched leather chest plate, cloth hand wraps and a pair of leather sandals and greaves. A grey fur pelt that was tied around his waist hung over his black trousers. In contrast, his facial features were far too refined to be that of a simple bandit. Although his black hair was wild and untamed, he definitely had the handsome looks of a noble rather than a mountain-dwelling criminal. Even his eyes were a never before seen golden yellow color.

“Uncle?” Gwendolyn whispered from inside of the carriage.

“Stay quiet, Gwendolyn,” Horace quietly responded before speaking to the young man in front of him. He appeared to be at least sixteen or seventeen in age so Horace began to wonder if he was perhaps a young noble training himself. It wouldn’t exactly be unheard of if it was the case.

“Money.” Of course, once the boy spoke, any illusion of nobility became shattered that instant.

Before speaking, Horace scanned the treeline on each side of the road to see if perhaps there were others lurking but found that the boy in front of him was completely alone.

“We only have a few silvers,” Horace finally replied. “I am Horace Ravenport and if you’ve heard of me you’d know my family is in terrible condition right now. We don’t have much of anything left so robbing us wouldn't even be worth it.”

“I don’t care, old man,” The young man responded. “Hand it over.”

“Wait!” A voice cried out from inside the carriage.

“Gwendolyn! I said to stay quiet!” Horace attempted to quiet his niece down but it was too late as she began climbing out of the carriage. A young lady of a similar age to the body emerged. She had a very delicate appearance and a pale complexion and a head of long blonde hair.

The young man didn’t seem too surprised as she emerged, almost as if he knew she was there already. Though, he did slightly grin when he saw she held a stick in her hand.

“Now, what are you gonna do with that?” The young man asked sarcastically, but his expression changed almost instantly.

It became clear that Gwendolyn hadn’t brought out the stick to brandish as a weapon when she began tapping the ground with it.

“You…-” The would-be bandit narrowed his eyes and studied her face, seeing that her pale blue eyes were cloudy and unfocused.

“Gwendolyn!” Horace practically jumped down from the carriage and drew his sword, moving to step in front of his niece.

“Put your weapon away old man, I’ve changed my mind.” The boy shook his head though Horace was still poised to strike at any time. “Now, hurry up and go before I change it again.”

“Come on, Gwendolyn,” Horace grabbed his niece by the arm and attempted to pull her back but she shook him off.

“Wait,” She spoke firmly. “Please… If you alone can give my Uncle worry it stands to reason that you’re fairly capable. You also don’t sound very old so-”

“Get to the point.” The young man’s patience seemed to be fading fairly quickly.

“You should not waste away in the mountains, preying on the weak. If you’re willing, you can come work for my family instead.”

“Gwendolyn,” Horace spoke up to dissuade her, but she continued.

“Why would I work for you? Your uncle said it himself, your family is in shambles.”

“We’re on our way to the city of Argos, surely you’ve heard of it? Once we arrive, I plan to negotiate a trading contract with a merchant my family has had previous ties with. If all goes well, then money should not be a worry.”

“And if it doesn’t go well?” The young man asked.

“Well, then you’ll be in the city of Argos. If you're talented at fighting you’re sure to find someone willing to pay for your services.” Gwendolyn smiled confidently.

Neither the young bandit nor Horace could tell if she was bluffing or genuinely confident. Though, judging by the wry smile coming from the latter, it would appear she was not putting on an act.

“Alright… Gwendolyn, was it? I’ll follow you until we get to Argos. If your merchant friend doesn’t pull through then you’re on your own from there.”

“Good! Very good!” Gwendolyn let out a sigh of relief. “Ah, I haven’t formally introduced myself. I am Gwendolyn Francesca Ravenport, current lord of the Ravenport house and territory."

“Casimir.”

“Casimir,” Gwendolyn repeated as if committing it to memory.

“I don’t think this is a very good idea, Gwendolyn,” Horace whispered.

“Please, Uncle, we are short on dependable people as is and the ones we have are no more loyal to you and I then this young man would be.”

“I can hear you,” Casimir frowned. “We’ve already reached an agreement, old man. You don’t have to worry about me going back on my word.”

“Oh? And why would I trust a bandit?” Horace raised an eyebrow.

Casimir removed a pouch from his waist and shook it causing the coins inside to clink together. He even opened it to show Horace that he even possessed two gold pieces.

“What? If you had so much coin in your possession then why would you stop to rob us?”

“Dunno, it doesn't ever hurt to have more money, right?” Casimir shrugged nonchalantly as he lowered his halberd and approached the carriage.

Gwendolyn laughed after hearing him speak, thinking that he was oddly honest in some ways while Horace simply gave up on attempting to understand the young man in front of him. He didn't trust him at all, but the current state of the Ravenport Territory didn't allow them to place high importance on trusting an individual.

Casimir stowed his halberd atop the carriage before attempting to climb into it.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Horace asked. “You’ll sit with me, I don’t trust my niece with-”

“It’s fine, Uncle. There is more than enough space and I am sure that Casimir is not someone who’d harm me after giving his word.”

Horace grumbled while Casimir helped Gwendolyn into the carriage. They soon set off with an entirely new passenger in tow.