Sunlight had begun to stream through the large window in Kaewyn’s bedchamber. It had slowly crept along the floor just below the window all the way to the other side of the spacious room, illuminating it in its entirety. Ponderous tomes were spread about and stacked upon just about every surface, some had been left open and others shut closed. A slew of reading candles had been stacked on the edge of a large ornate desk. Some of them had been used, evidenced by the pools of hardened liquid wax along and underneath them, but others were as new and completely untouched.

Kaewyn stirred. The brightness of the room had gotten into his eyes and forced him to awaken. Annoyedly, he scrambled to his feet and stumbled over to the window and quickly pulled the heavy drapes to cover the window. The room fell into a relative darkness, but he was already awake now, and his mind had begun to work. He sighed, then pulled the drapes open again and let the light stream back into the room temporarily blinding himself.

He had gotten an earful yesterday for his antics and was subjected to many lectures and lessons regarding his conduct. As much as he wanted to pretend the world did not exist and sleep for a couple more hours, this time, he knew he would not get away with it. Kaewyn tiredly walked across the room and searched for some clothing to wear. He was not planning on holding court today, so he could afford to wear something slightly less formal. Lord Sudrow’s presence in Xu Castle however, meant that he had to wear something that identified him as a lord and as an Edderfield, so instead he opted for something a little more appropriate to his position. He selected a short trimmed black leather doublet with white fur lining the neck, shoulders and cuffs. The cotton trousers he chose were a shade of dark blue and hung loosely around his legs.

As Kaewyn dressed himself, his mind wandered back to the previous afternoon and night. He had met with Lord Sudrow and his sons and offered apologies on behalf of his family, then he had been lectured once again. He was instructed to invite Sudrow for a small feast, which he did, but when he mentioned to his father’s advisors about inviting his new friend Yohren, they scoffed and lectured him once more. Annoyed, Kaewyn sent a servant with a message for Yohren, but when the servant reported back, he learned that the stablemaster had taken in the young man and provided a place for him to sleep within the walls. By the time the feast was over, Kaewyn was completely exhausted. He made his way through the long hallways and entered his bedchamber. He wanted to sleep, but instead he pulled a few tomes from his personal bookshelves and did some nightly reading, none of which he could recall.

Those same tomes were still on his desk, open and only partially read. Kaewyn wandered over and browsed them, curious about what his tired mind had found so captivating last night that he had put off sleep. In order from left to right, there was ‘A Study of Famous Battles’ by Brother Martin of the Imperial Church, ‘The Founding Emperor’s Great Conquest’ again by Brother Martin, and finally ‘Military Strategy and Tactics. Formations and Generalship’ by an unknown writer. Kaewyn narrowed his eyes quizzically. He had read these tomes before, except the last one written by an unknown author. He had always found matters of the military fascinating. How armies marched, supplied, formed up and actually fought, it all spoke to him on a subconscious level. His voracious appetite for tomes of this kind was well known, and many a bookseller had travelled to Greystone Province to secure his patronage. With his father’s coin, Kaewyn had amassed a small collection of military tomes.

His hunger for knowledge of military matters however, did not transfer to the physicality of actual martial skill. He had never shown much interest in swordplay or spearplay, he definitely appreciated the skill and dedication, but it had never taken hold of him the same way that tomes had done. His brother Rahim though, would spend every moment he could training and sparring with a variety of weapons, both on foot and horseback. In the mornings Kaewyn would often be woken by the clash of steel on steel from down in the courtyard. His brother always tried to get him involved with training, often banging on his chamber door in the early mornings, but Kaewyn rarely, if ever, joined him.

Kaewyn’s father, Lord Corrhen, was always eager to speak of Rahim’s martial prowess to anyone who would listen. During gathering and feasts, he would even ask Rahim to demonstrate his ability by having him perform a sword dance for the guests, who would all heap praise upon him. It made Kaewyn feel terribly envious. He wished that his father would speak about him the same way, but he had never heard it.

Traditionally, when the Lords of the Empire mustered their forces, it was customary to name the important positions within the army for the campaign prior to departure. When the Coalition to defeat the Great Traitor was formed, Kaewyn’s father was one of the very first to declare in support of the cause and quickly began mustering the forces of Greystone Province. Rahim was quickly chosen as the second in command of the troops and also named the Vanguard General, a position of high prestige. The Vanguard General led the advanced force ahead of the main force and was usually the first to engage in combat. It was a highly sought-after position, signifying heavy trust and normally only given to the most experienced and battle-hardened commanders. Kaewyn was happy for Rahim to be given such honour, but his demeanour had quickly soured when his father failed to name him in any position at all. When he questioned his father, he was told he was to remain behind as acting lord of the province. He had wanted to protest, for he had wanted nothing more than to be by his father and brother’s side, but to argue in public would have brought dishonour to them both. Shortly after, Lord Corrhen and Rahim had set off with the troops, eager to join up with the other lords of the Coalition who were meeting in the Heartlands to the north-east. Kaewyn was left behind.

Thoughts of his father filled his mind and suddenly, he was feeling excited again. Yohren had only given him a small taste of the many stories he knew about their father’s combined adventures and he was eager to hear all of them. His father had rarely spoken of his youth, and when he did, it was less about adventure and more like a lecture. Kaewyn wanted to find his new friend immediately. He quickly double checked his clothing in his wall mounted mirror. Not bad, he thought to himself with a smile, not good... but not bad. He then walked over to his chamber door and fiddled with the mechanism which locked it from the inside, and passed through the doorway, locking it again with a satisfying click.

Kaewyn walked quickly through the halls of the upper section of the castle. This section of Xu Castle was strictly off limits to any but the Edderfield family and the servants who needed access to keep the place well maintained. In matters of urgency however, the advisors were also permitted to enter but they refrained from doing so unless it was a matter of necessity. He had retreated here many times to escape the ire of General Alaric and Advisor Talbury on several occasions, but once they had begun to wise up to his tactic, they soon began to ignore the sanctity of the upper castle area.

Kaewyn made his way down the hallway but found himself pausing outside one of the chamber doors that lined the length of the hall. This door though, was particularly special. On the other side was his parent’s bedchamber. He could still feel a presence emanating through the large door. It was almost like his father was inside right now, but his logical mind knew it simply was not possible.

When his father had left on campaign with his brother Rahim, Kaewyn quickly fell into a depression. His only comfort was in knowing that his mother would still be with him. It was not as though she would be riding off to war alongside her husband. However, he had heard rumours of his mother in her youth as well, some of which suggested that if she had, it would not have been entirely out of her character. That was another reason that Kaewyn was very interested in what Yohren had to say. He had already mentioned that their fathers had come to blows over a certain woman, and if this mystery woman turned out to be his mother, then maybe Yohren knew more about her past than he did.

Kaewyn was initially relieved to have his mother to rely on, but the very next day after the troops left Xu Castle, she came to him in his chambers. He knew immediately that something was wrong, and when she explained to him that she was leaving to visit her family in the far eastern provinces of the Empire, away from the war, his heart sank. He begged her to remain at the castle but his mother was adamant. She had not seen her old family for nearly a decade and would not take no for an answer. He had explained desperately that he needed her wisdom and experience to govern Greystone Province with his father gone, but she only smiled softly to him in response. His mother hugged him tightly and then told him that, on the contrary, he needed her to leave so that everybody, including the advisors, would look to him for leadership and not her. He had cried then, for the first time since he was a young child, and continued to beg his mother to stay, but by the next morning she was gone.

Since his mother had left, he had retreated into a shell. He had been avoiding his responsibilities at every turn, only doing the bare minimum, disappearing or hiding in his bedchamber with any opportunity he got. General Alaric and Seneschal Talbury had been doing their best to manage without him, but even Kaewyn could see that they were struggling without his help. I suppose I should step up and do more, he thought to himself, but it can wait until tomorrow. What’s one more day going to matter anyway? He was happy with his new resolution. From tomorrow he would take a more active role in the governance of Greystone Province, but today, today he wanted to spend talking with Yohren about his father’s adventuring days and getting to know the man himself, for he was an interesting fellow to boot.

As Kaewyn made his way down the steps that led to the Great Hall, the central hub of Xu Castle, and where all meetings of importance were held, he slowed his pace and began to creep. To get to the Great Hall from where he was, he would have to pass the guest rooms that lined the long hallway. Lord Sudrow and his sons occupied a few of the rooms but every single other guest room was also occupied by Sudrow’s many hangers on that had accompanied him. Kaewyn did not want to alert any of them to his presence, in fact, he wanted to avoid Sudrow as much as possible if he could get away with it. Kaewyn crept cautiously along the hallway, pausing several times when he heard noises emanating from within the rooms, but eventually he made it all the way to the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was a massive single room that was as impressive as it was huge. The ceiling was easily twelve metres high and the Hall itself was nearly thirty-five metres long. The room was rectangular in shape and three large windows let in light and were evenly spaced between Edderfield banners of white, grey and black. The ceiling was richly decorated and depicted a fictional battle scene that was painted with an exceptional level of skill. Paintings covered the hall in the likeness of Kaewyn’s ancestors, at least every one of them who lived to become the lord of Xu Castle. A long black carpet ran the length of the hall from the entrance, which was open to the elements, all the way to the raised platform that was two or three steps higher than the rest of the floor at the other end. Customarily, whenever court was in session, the military advisors would line up along the right side of the black carpet, while the civil officials would line up on the left, with their respective heads standing closest to the lord in positions of power and respect. Upon the raised platform, Lord Corrhen’s seat stood tall and ornate. From this seat he had made countless decisions about law, tax, disputes, building projects and matters of courtly intrigue.

Kaewyn walked through the Great Hall and made his way out by heading to the far end, opposite the raised platform and his father’s seat. The main entrance to the Great Hall was unique as far as castles in the Empire were concerned. It was as if the builders had forgotten to build a wall, leaving the hall completely open, but in truth it was far more elegant than that. The open entrance was not an oversight but intentional design. From the lord’s seat up on the raised platform, one could see the entire length of the room. From out in the courtyard of Xu Castle, you could only partially see into the Great Hall, but as you climbed the fifteen grey marble steps the lord’s seat at the far end of the Great Hall would slowly come into view. It made for an impressive sight. When all the standing torches were lit, with all the military and civil officials standing in line on either side of the black carpet, it was both intimidating and awe inspiring.

The main entrance to the Great Hall was closed off to the elements by several massive drapes that hung loosely from the rafters above. The drapes were decorated in black-gold, which were the ceremonial colours of the Revaryn Empire, with many large and small intricate patterns. Kaewyn pushed his way through the drapes and was immediately bombarded by sunlight. Temporarily blinded by the bright light in his eyes, he stumbled forwards and stepped cautiously as he felt for the first of the fifteen marble steps. Once his foot found the steps, he began down them slowly as his eyes adjusted to the brightness.

The courtyard of Xu Castle appeared before him. He could see a dozen people all of which he knew had differing responsibility within the castle. Some were servants, who were responsible for maintaining the castle and courtyard, others were guardsmen who had patrol and guard duties, and a few had more specialised jobs. He saw the kennel master talking with a scullery maid from the kitchens and figured that he probably checking to see whether there was any left-over food for his dogs after the small feast the night before.

Kaewyn had spent the majority of his life within the walls of this castle and he knew every stone. He wondered where he should search for his missing friend and began to look about. On his left, the dog kennels were built into the wall and the dogs had their own fenced in area to sleep in. Just by that was the gatehouse, which was the only entrance into Xu Castle. The open areas within the courtyard were mostly just packed dirt or stone, but in the centre of the courtyard there was a large square of smoothed and tiled stone that was kept mostly clear, besides standing Edderfield banners at each corner. The open space was regularly used by the troops to train, drill, to hold ceremonies of importance and also for celebrations and gatherings. On the right the stables were also built up against the wall, but the stables took up much more room than the dog kennels did. The stables held a capacity of about twelve to fifteen horses, but many more horses were kept in the Oakerton stables as well. Tucked into the castle’s main structure itself, the barracks and military officials’ quarters mirrored the fortifications of an actual castle on its own. Kaewyn had always wondered what the point of having the barracks be so well fortified could be, especially when it was able to be entered from within Xu Castle’s main structure.

He remembered that Yohren had found help with lodgings last night from the stablemaster, so his eyes quickly found the stablemaster’s hut. The small building was neatly tucked into the corner of where the southern and western walls met. It was as good a place as any to begin his search. As he was crossing the courtyard toward the hut, he heard a shout from the gatehouse. His head instinctively turned to look to see who had been shouting, and saw the young Captain Alaric jogging over to him.

“Captain.” Kaewyn said flatly, remembering the issues the young captain had been causing both yesterday and most days before.. “What is it?”

“My lord… a messenger arrived at dawn.” Captain Alaric explained. “The letter bears the Edderfield mark.”

“It’s from father!” he said in surprise. “Give it to me.”

The captain nodded and handed him the letter. Kaewyn turned it over in his hands and saw the Edderfield wax seal. He quickly ripped open the letter and began to scan the words of which he was already certain were written by his father.

“Why did you not bring this to me as soon as it arrived?” He asked sternly.

“I was not sure if I should wake you, I asked my father and he decided it could probably wait until you were up and about.” Captain Alaric explained. “As soon as I saw you, I came to deliver it to you though.”

“The general should know better than that.” Kaewyn chided. “This is the first bit of news we have received since they left.”

“He did tell me that you should call council and inform the court regarding the details in that letter. I want to know what’s going on too, so make sure you don’t leave me out when you do.”

“Right… of course…” He muttered, not paying much attention to the Captain.

Kaewyn was far more interested in the contents of his father’s letter. From what he had read so far, his father’s forces had met up with the rest of the Coalition of Lords and marched on the capital. His father explained in detail several small battles that had been fought and won against the Great Traitor on route to the Imperial Capital. His father wrote that Kaewyn’s brother, Rahim, had won high honour by defeating an enemy commander in a duel that lasted twenty bouts, or exchanges of blows. Rahim had been personally congratulated by the appointed leader of the Coalition himself. Kaewyn felt a familiar pang of envy mixed with pride, but he quickly swallowed it back and continued reading his father’s letter. His father then wrote about the present, and how the Coalition was besieging the Imperial Capital and had been for several days. Their victory appeared nearly certain, Kaewyn thought. Lord Corrhen then finished off the letter by wishing Kaewyn and his mother well, and that he hoped that they would be back home within the month.

“Good news?” Captain Alaric asked.

Kaewyn nearly jumped in fright, he had completely forgotten about the Captain. He was so engrossed in the letter he had lost all awareness of his surroundings.

“…It is not bad news.” Kaewyn finally replied as he tucked the letter into an inner breast pocket of his leather doublet.

“That isn’t what I asked, but okay…” The Captain said as he rolled his eyes.

“You will learn at the council, like everyone else.” He said.

“Sounds fair… it’s not like I delivered it to you the second I saw you or anything.”

“Captain…” Kaewyn warned.

Captain Alaric smirked, but then bowed almost mockingly and went to leave, but Kaewyn stopped him with a touch on the shoulder.

“Have you seen Yohren?”

“I have. I put him to work on the walls.” The Captain replied casually.

“What! why? He is my guest, not a servant for you to order about.” Kaewyn said angrily. He wanted Yohren to feel welcome as an honoured guest, not feel as though he had just been forced into service.

“Well, I believe everyone has to earn the right to sleep within these walls. We all have our duties and responsibilities.” Captain Alaric went on. “Besides… he came to me at dawn shortly after that letter arrived, and offered to be of service.”

“He volunteered?” Kaewyn asked.

“He did, maybe I was wrong to judge him so quickly yesterday. Anyway, if you want to find him, I put him on watch on the gatehouse with a few of my other troublemakers.”

“Thank you, Captain, go and find your father and have him call council on my behalf as he suggested. Have everyone assemble in… half an hour. In the Great Hall.”

“I am a Captain, not a messenger boy. I’ll have one of the guards or servants do it.” Captain Alaric retorted snidely.

“…As long as it gets done, I care not.” He replied with a sigh. “I am going to find Yohren.”

“I’ll find someone to deliver your message to my father, but then I’m going back to my post. They’ll be slacking without me there to crack the whip.”

“I am sure our men respect you enough not to dishonour you by slacking off.”

“Then you don’t know the men.”

Kaewyn left the Captain in the courtyard and made his way over to the gatehouse. By the dog kennels, he saw the scullery maid returning to the kennel master with some scraps of meat. He took the scraps and then threw some over the fence in with the dogs who happily devoured the scraps of meat. The dogs had already finished eating by the time Kaewyn had begun to climb the stairs at the foot of the wall that led up onto the top of the wall where the guards regularly patrolled. It was absolutely freezing up here, Kaewyn thought as he hugged himself, I wonder why Yohren volunteered for this.

On the wall there was little shelter from the cold winds that had been blowing since dawn. It was a far colder day than usual for this time of year, and Kaewyn could see dark clouds on the northern horizon. The sun had been bright when he had emerged from the Great Hall only a little while ago, but now it was completely obscured by fast moving clouds. The weather indicated a storm was coming… and Kaewyn hated storms.

He spotted the olive skinned and large nosed man he knew as Yohren leaning against a parapet. He was rubbing his hands together quickly to generate warmth. Kaewyn noticed he was wearing a guard’s overcoat over his rusty chainmail. The overcoat was black, grey and white, the Edderfield colours, it covered his shoulders and hung loosely around the knees.

“You did not waste any time in putting yourself to work.” Kaewyn chuckled. “I think you might have even impressed Captain Alaric.”

Yohren’s head lifted immediately when he heard Kaewyn’s voice, and immediately he bowed an awkward bow of respect. “My lord! I did not hear you coming.”

“Come Yohren…I told you yesterday that you do not need to do that with me, especially when it is just the two of us here.” Kaewyn explained with a friendly smile. “A simple nod will do.”

“I’m sorry.” Yohren said nervously. “It’s just that my father taught me how to act around nobles. He wanted me to make a good impression when I met Lord Corrhen, err, your father.”

“He taught you? Not very well it would seem.” He replied with a cheeky smile.

“Huh? What do you mean, not very well?”

“That bow you just did, and yesterday as well. Let me just say that I have encountered begging street urchins with more class than you.” Kaewyn teased.

“But my father—”

“—is not my father,” Kaewyn cut him off. “and my father has always been particularly… zealous, when it comes to proper court etiquette.”

“He was adamant that he was showing me correctly.” Yohren insisted shyly.

“Then show me again, whatever it was you did.” Kaewyn said as he laughed.

Yohren attempted his awkward bow once again, this time Kaewyn knew the younger man was feeling extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed.

“Why is your arm moving like that?” He said pointing and smiling. “And your leg, I don’t even know where to begin with your leg.”

“You show me then.” Yohren said defensively as he stiffened up.

“Oh no, no… I have bowed enough for one lifetime. I’ll not do it unless I am forced to do so by custom.” He teased.

“Then don’t make fun of me if you aren’t willing to show me the right way to do it.” Yohren said.

“Ahh, Yohren.” He said, softer than before. “I did not mean to cause you any harm. I was merely making light of the situation. Please, do not take offense.”

“Fine.” Yohren Replied curtly.

“Listen. if you would like to learn, I will show you the correct movements and posture to perform a proper courtly bow, but not now, not out here.” He offered.

“Thank you Kaewyn, I’d like that, but… is my bowing really that bad?” Yohren asked nervously.

Kaewyn chuckled. “It… definitely needs some work, but do not worry. I will have you bowing like a noble before my father returns.”

“Do you know when he will return?” Yohren asked. “When I volunteered for duty, I noticed that a letter had just arrived.”

Kaewyn produced the letter and waved it about briefly before returning it to his pocket. “Soon, I hope. With luck the Great Traitor will give up power and surrender soon. The letter makes the war sound all but won...”

“You don’t seem so convinced.” Yohren mentioned.

“Well, I have spent many nights over tomes describing war and battle. They are seldom as clear cut as my father paints in his letter, but we will see. I am not there after all, and my father and brother are no stranger to military matters. They’ve seen battle before, and I haven’t even been in a proper fight outside of the training yard.” Kaewyn explained. “Anyway, enough of that. I do believe that you promised to tell me more of those stories about our father’s shared adventures. Let us go to my father’s solar, I can ask the servants to make us something fresh and hot to eat and something nice to drink.”

Yohren shuffled his feet nervously and he seemed reluctant to speak up. Kaewyn was confused. He thought Yohren would have leapt to at the chance to be out of this horrid and cold weather, and for the chance of a hot fresh meal.

“Is something the matter Yohren? I must say that I am very much looking forward to hearing these stories of yours, and if not for Lord Sudrow’s surprise visit yesterday, I would have preferred to have spent the rest of the afternoon listening to them.” Kaewyn stopped and hesitated a moment, he could tell something was clearly bothering the young man. “You are not angry with me for not returning to you yesterday, are you?”

“No… It’s nothing like that.” Yohren replied softly. “It’s just that…I’ve promised Captain Alaric that I would keep watch until mid-day.”

“Mid-day?” Said Kaewyn as his eyes found the cloud covered sun. “A couple hours from now at the very least… Eh, I would not worry about it. Captain Alaric can just get someone else to do it, come on, let us go.”

“I want to keep my word…” Yohren said softly.

“Hmm?”

“I said I want to keep my word to the Captain.” Yohren said more strongly.

“But it’s so cold out here. Do not worry about the Captain. It’s not like he can complain if I am the one who asked you to accompany me anyway.”

“I’m sorry Kaewyn, but even so, I don’t want to break my word.”

“They will understand.” He insisted.

“That doesn’t matter to me. I have to keep my word, it’s all I have Kaewyn.” Yohren went on to explain. “I don’t have a noble name like you, or a castle, or wealth. The only thing of value I have is my word. And I want to keep it.”

“Oh,” Kaewyn said in surprise, he was not used to being refused, especially by someone who was not also of noble birth. “I suppose I understand where you are coming from.”

Yohren suddenly looked worried. “But you are my host and I your guest. It would be rude of me to disobey you.”

“It’s all right.” He said with a sad but honest smile. “I think I am starting to understand you a little better. I can see how much it means to you that you keep your promise to the Captain, so I will not force you to break your word. That would not be proper.”

Yohren smiled. “I’m glad you understand.”

“It isn’t a problem. We will have plenty of time to speak later.” Kaewyn said with a smile as he tried to hide his disappointment.

Kaewyn bid Yohren farewell and left the top of the gatehouse and found himself back in the courtyard of Xu Castle. He was starting to feel hungry, and he figured that he still had a while before the council was due to begin, but he surmised that there was not enough time for a proper meal to break his fast. He had been so excited to speak with Yohren that he had rushed out before eating anything. He was still a little upset about Yohren’s decision, but he wanted his new guest to feel welcome and perhaps in time, he would become a friend. The only way he believed he would be able to do that, is if he respected Yohren’s wishes.

Kaewyn decided to raid the kitchens on his way to the Great Hall. When he arrived there none of the servants were about. He smiled cheekily. Having a quick look around to see what he could find; he spotted a small woven basket filled to the brim full of bright red and ripe looking apples. He helped himself to one and took a big bite, but his face soured when he discovered that the apple was soft and not ripe, leaving a foul taste in his mouth. Kaewyn tossed the apple absentmindedly toward a bench used by the servants for meal preparation, but cringed when it missed and rolled right out of the doorway into the adjoining room. He paused for a moment and waited to hear if anyone had seen the wayward apple. Relaxing, he bent down and took another apple, checking to make certain it was ripe enough to eat. Just as he took a fresh bite, he heard a shout in his ear and nearly dropped the apple in fright. He spun around to see the kitchen matron, an older woman who Kaewyn had always been intimidated by. She began to berate him but with a glimmer of recognition in her eyes, the matron realised that it was him. The older woman paused only briefly and then berated him even more.

Kaewyn quickly grabbed another apple and then scurried out of the rear entrance to the escape the large angry woman. He heard her shouting after him, saying that he should be having a proper meal and not scavenging from the kitchens like a lowly thief. When he stopped running, he found himself in the Great Hall, and to his utter dismay, several sets of eyes had locked with his. The Great Hall was full of officials, both military and civil. As he stood there, an apple in each hand, all of the officials turned to him and stared. Echoing from the kitchens, everyone in the Great Hall could hear the matron’s shouting as it eventually quietened down, leaving an awkward silence in its wake.

“You’re all very… early.” Kaewyn said quietly.

“We are all eager to learn what Lord Corrhen wrote in his letter young lord.” One of the civil officials said as he stepped forward.

General Alaric emerged from within a group of military officials and spoke loudly. “It looks like most are already here. Should we just begin?”

Kaewyn paused a moment and looked around the Great Hall. Everyone was nodding and looked acceptive of the general’s idea.

“Very well then, let us begin.” He announced loudly, as he tried his best to emulate his father’s commanding voice, but the apples in either hand were a reminder of his awkward entrance.

At his word, all of the officials quickly scurried about and began organising themselves into two lines that ran parallel with the black carpet that ran the length of the room. The military officials and general Alaric formed up nearly instantly. The civil officials bickered a little, as positions closer to the lord’s seat were regarded as positions of high prestige and rank. The military men had no such issues, their ranks and chain of command were clearly established. One pompous civil official eventually won out and took his place at the head of the civil official line. However, when Seneschal Talbury emerged through the entrance at the far end of the Great Hall, the pompous official’s expression of superiority quickly deflated. He then took his place behind the far more respected and esteemed advisor.

Kaewyn climbed the three steps up to the elevated position and sat in the lord’s seat, his father’s seat. He had only sat there a few times before today and he was beginning to feel the familiar lump in the back of his throat. As everyone in the Great Hall settled down, he could see and feel their eyes focusing on him. They were all looking to him. He wanted badly to finish off the apple he had begun to eat, but thought better of it and signalled for a servant, who rushed over and took the apples from him.

“No point in mincing words I suppose. I have already read the letter in its entirety.” He said as confidently as he could.

“Well let’s hear it young lord.” One official spoke out.

“We’ve been waiting a long time for an update.” Another said.

“Quiet!” General Alaric spat. “Let the boy speak.”

Kaewyn didn’t like being referred to as a boy at the best of times, let alone when he was sitting as lord, but in the interest of progressing council, he decided to let it go. Though he made sure the General saw his annoyance before he began to speak.

“My father explained in his letter that the war against the Great Traitor goes well.” Kaewyn began. “Several smaller battles have already been won, and my brother Rahim has won high honours by defeating an enemy commander in a duel.”

The military officials all cheered and praised Rahim’s martial skill. They all loved Rahim, and many of them had trained alongside him since he was a young boy. They looked upon his successes and victories as their own, and the news of him doing so well inspired their moods. Kaewyn envied the respect and admiration the military men had for his brother Rahim, he wished that they viewed him in the same way.

“At the time of writing the letter…” Kaewyn nearly shouted to overcome the loud voices of the military officials. “Our forces are currently besieging the Imperial Capital alongside the other lords of the Coalition.”

“Death to the Traitor!” Officials began to chant. “Death to the Traitor!”

Kaewyn attempted to calm them down, but none heeded his voice. He was getting more than a little frustrated and felt as though he had completely lost control of the council. When his father held councils, no one dared to interrupt or shout out of turn. Everyone waiting their turn to speak, and no one cut them off as they did. His father had a commanding aura that no one questioned. He wanted to emulate that behaviour but the scene in front of him was anything but orderly.

“BY THE GODS OWN BREATH, WHAT IS GOING ON IN HERE!?” A deep commanding voice similar to his father’s called out from the direction of the guest rooms.

The officials immediately quietened and fell back into their lines and order was restored. Seneschal Talbury stepped out from the line of civil officials and bowed respectfully toward the commanding, booming voice.

“My Lord Sudrow, our apologies. We have just received good news from Lord Corrhen and the Coalition. The war goes well!” The advisor said with a large smile.

“Corrhen’s off winning glory in the Heartlands, is he? Maybe I should have sent troops after all, I could be there sharing in the spoils.”

“There are no spoils to be had, Lord Sudrow.” Kaewyn said angrily. “My father and brother marched off to support the Emperor and restore order, not to… share in spoils.”

The entire hall fell silent at his words. Kaewyn immediately knew that he had just directly insulted a lord of the empire, and in public no less. He regretted his words, but backing down straight after would only bring shame to the Edderfield name. Instead, he did his best to remain confident in what he had said.

“Maybe so young lord, but can you say the same for the other lords of the Coalition?” Lord Sudrow said slowly and with obvious annoyance. “It’s not my place to judge, but that is why I decided to stay home. Better to not get involved with that ambitious lot if you ask me.”

Seneschal Talbury nodded his head and followed up by saying. “Someone fetch Lord Sudrow a seat beside the young lord. As both a guest and a lord, he deserves a seat of respect.”

The servants in the room, hidden in the corners of the hall, looked to Kaewyn for permission. He nodded to them his agreement. It was nice that someone at least looked to him as the lord, though he was thankful for Talbury’s quick action to restore the honour of their guest by offering him a prestigious seat upon the dais beside him.

After Lord Sudrow was seated beside him, Kaewyn went into greater detail about the contents of the letter. Many of the gathered officials had questions, some of which were answered while others were not. When the letter’s contents had been thoroughly exhausted, the council naturally shifted to discuss other issues troubling the province. General Alaric brought up how Kaewyn hadn’t attended even a single one of his training drills of what little troops remained in Xu Castle. Seneschal Talbury, never one to miss an opportunity, also spoke of how Kaewyn had missed several meetings and appointments regarding the financial and administerial problems of Greystone Province. General Alaric even appeared to have taken over council in some parts, especially when he discussed what to do about the consistent stream of fresh volunteers from the outer reaches of the province, who had mostly arrived after Lord Corrhen had already marched off to war. Kaewyn remembered meeting Arlan yesterday just outside the walls near the makeshift camp that the volunteers had set up, and wondered how he was going.

The two main advisors then brought up further evidence of Kaewyn’s lack of responsibility, referring to his disappearance into Oakerton yesterday, which made Kaewyn feel both guilty and angry. Lord Sudrow looked uncomfortable and awkward. Kaewyn was livid. He was being publicly shamed in front of a guest of significant importance. He felt like he was on trial and he was getting closer to losing control of his emotions. Kaewyn forced himself to take a breath. In truth, he knew that he had brought this upon himself, it was his own fault for ignoring his duties. If his father were here, he would do far worse than what the General or Seneschal were doing. Still, he would do almost anything to get out of being publicly shamed any further. Everyone was staring, everyone was judging, it even felt as though the many paintings in the likenesses of his Edderfield ancestors were watching him too, and he wanted an out.

At the end of the Great Hall, opposite to Kaewyn’s position on the elevated area, a familiar figure dashed into the large room. The civil officials all stepped back in fear, but the military officials spun around and confronted the unknown with hands on their swords.

“My lord! Kaewyn!” The figure said.

Kaewyn saw the olive skin and large nose, even from his position. He knew this man.

“Stop!” Kaewyn shouted to the military men. “Yohren!? What are you doing here?”

“There’s a rider.” Yohren said in between heavy, panting breaths. “I don’t recognise him, but the guards on the wall said he’s a lord. He says there’s going to be an invasion!”

The Great Hall erupted into chaos. The military officials were pressing Yohren for details, crowding him and shaking fists. The civil officials look startled and some huddled in small groups and whispered. Kaewyn looked to his left and saw Lord Sudrow, he was sitting silently and his head was titled downwards. He was looking at the floor with narrowed eyes.

In the chaos of the moment, Kaewyn couldn’t help but feel the beginnings of a smile tugging at his lips. After all, he had just wished for an out.