December 23rd, year 948

  Starspawn Barracks, South Viemen

  Morning

  A curtain of blue haze hung melancholic over the grounds. Across the fields and paths were scattered frosty crystals which clung to each blade of grass and cobbled stone. As the nighttime shadows waned, an untarnished sky slowly beamed to life. And in this lull before daybreak, an unusual commotion was rising from within the gates of the Starspawn barracks.

  The day had finally come.

  Very soon, Sir Perry and the others would set off for Gate City.

  A sturdy caravan had been loaded over these last few days with supplies for the journey north. As of last night, the final trunks and supplies had been placed inside and secured tightly. Telhari would be riding atop his own mount, upon whose saddle would be secured his own supplies and weapons. Together, they would take the road north, first to Riverden, and then onward along the main roads until reaching Gate City.

  Now alive with commotion, the front yard of the barracks was teeming with servants and Starspawn members; all of whom sought to wish safe travels to their Lord and leader. Standing beside Sir Perry, as he shook hands and waved fondly to his men, were Albert and Lyusya.

  “Everything has been explained to you, Albert?” Perry asked him as he lowered his arm.

  “Yes,” Albert pouted.

  “Good,” Perry said with a nod. “If anything should arise about which you were not briefed, please seek Avenell for assistance.”

  Albert folded his arms and snorted.

  Excluding Ingrid, Albert was technically Perry’s most senior member. But —and all were in agreement on this— Albert could not on his own be trusted with such delicate matters. And so, to balance out his tendency for negligence, Lyusya had been invited to oversee affairs alongside him.

  “I do not expect anything out of the ordinary to occur,” Perry said to them both. “The building schedule has already been drafted. Avenell will tend to matters pertaining to the farmland. You two need only to ensure the continuation of training.”

  “I understand, Sir Perry,” Lyusya answered.

  Albert stuck out his lip and avoided eye contact.

  “Yeah…”

  “You’ll be fine,” Perry said as he clapped Albert suddenly on the back. “Prove yourself here, and perhaps next time you won’t need oversight.”

  Lyusya turned away as a smile crept across her face.

  Albert, dejected, let his shoulders sink as he walked away.

  “Safe travels,” he called halfheartedly.

  And with that, Albert and Lyusysa left down the path and back toward the barracks.

  Behind Sir Perry, Ellis and Mary were discussing their journey with one another as they hoisted themselves into the back of the caravan. Despite all of the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of this summons, Perry was happy for them to be honored alongside him. Even if they did not fully appreciate or understand it, their actions were worthy of praise. They had shown bravery, strength, and courage that far exceeded expectation for children their age. It would no doubt be a shock for them to experience the elliptic luxuriance of Gate City, and he would be glad to share it with them.

  Nearly lost in his own thoughts, Perry suddenly caught sight of someone heading toward him.

  “Gertrude!” Perry called out as he waved her over.

  She was walking slowly down one of the side paths which wound around the perimeter of the grounds. Beside her was a manservant who held her luggage bags.

  “My Lord,” she said politely, “It is quite a beautiful morning.”

  Perry held out his arm and helped her up into the caravan.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “I am sorry to leave you with the task of overseeing them,” Perry said under his breath.

  Behind them both, Ellis and Mary’s conversation had devolved into a childish bickering which Sir Perry recognized all too well.

  “Do not worry, Lord Mannigold,” Gertrude said as she adjusted her shawl, “I will make due.”

  As Gertrude drew back the curtain and sat herself inside the caravan, Perry began to wonder who exactly he should be worried for. Then, at last, Perry saw Ingrid heading down the same path from which Gertrude had just arrived. He rounded the caravan and stood beside the step to the driver’s seat.

  “I was wondering if you’d decided to stay behind,” Perry joked.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” Ingrid answered with a tiny grin.

  He held out his hand to her and she took it. Ingrid stepped up into the carriage, using Perry’s hand for support, and placed herself down onto the seat. Feeling the carriage move, the horses began to stir for only a moment, before settling once again.

  Perry looked over his shoulder and then out over the front yard.

  “Where is Telhari?”

  “He left some time ago,” Ingrid answered. “He said he wanted to be sure the road ahead was clear. He should be waiting for us just beyond the main gate.”

  “Then we can rest easy.”

  Perry then walked around to the other side of the carriage and stepped into the driver’s seat beside Ingrid.

  “Alright!” he called behind him as he knocked a few times onto the wooden paneling. “We’re heading off!”

  With a crack of the reins, the horses stirred into motion and trotted off down the path. In front of him, Perry saw his breath gather as a gray mist; it swirled and collapsed on itself, then brushed against his plate armor and dissipated into the air. Above him, streaking sunbeams spread undisturbed through a cloudless sky. Perry took in a short breath and smiled; he could hardly wait for the sun’s warmth. Around them, street goers had begun their daily toil, only to stop and wave with excitement when they realized who was passing them by.

  “It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come in so short a time,” Ingrid said fondly as she looked out onto the streets.

  Only a few months ago this path had been obscured by charred debris and ashen remains of the fallen. Rows of houses and shops had been reduced to smoldering rubble and were beset by anguish, loss, and mourning. But somehow they had managed to overcome. And even on this frigid morning, where shop-owner and shopper alike stood bundled in their cloaks and huddled for warmth, there was an unmistakable liveliness.

  “I am glad you are accompanying me,” Perry said. “I doubt I would be able to bear this insufferable trip otherwise.”

  Ingrid smiled to herself: a sweet moment which faded quickly.

  “Yet you are still worried,” he added in a soft voice as he watched her face change.

  Ingrid pulled the cloak around her and crossed her arms in her lap.

  “I know that I have been apprehensive towards you,” she began, “But you must understand. The way that you and the others treat me, and the grace that I am given— especially by you— is not what I will receive from them.”

  Perry took in her honest words and let them settle over him. And as he guided the horses down the streets of Viemen, he decided to meet her with honesty in return.

  “I know,” he said, finally. “And I wish that it were not so. But are you not still deserving of praise?”

  Ingrid relaxed her hands in her lap and looked out once again to the buildings passing by.

  “Do you fight as you do for the sake of recognition, Sir Perry?”

  Perry pulled the reins to the left as they came to a turn in the road.

  “No I do not.”

  “And neither do I,” she said as she turned to face him.

  “Then do you wish that your circumstances were different?” he asked her. “That you could change the state of things? Do you not wish that your good deeds could be recognized as such without the burden of imposition?”

  “Of course I do,” she answered a bit forcefully. “But the rules are not mine to bend or break.”

  “You must have authority to make change,” Perry said as he stared out into the sea of faces passing by. “You must have power. Make your position known. Show them your resolve. That is our first step. And that is what we can accomplish in Gate City.”

  Ingrid let the rocking of the carriage wheels sway her body in rhythm.

  “Perhaps you are right…” she said, after a moment. “But such pursuits are also dangerous.”

  The caravan began to rumble as they crossed over rocky ground. Perry held fast to the reins and continued to guide the horses onward.

  “All things worth pursuing are dangerous.”

  Ingrid watched Perry from the corner of her eyes. He remained staunchly focused on the road ahead. Above them, the effulgent morning sun had fully breached the horizon line, setting the sky ablaze. A quarter of a mile up the road, the wooden posts of the northern gate rose high above the street and beckoned them onward. So they continued, down the main road of Viemen and on toward the promise of Gate City.

  The streets continued to grow busier and louder following the emergence of the sun. In the wake of the dragon slaying, the faces and languages of Viemen had changed quite a bit. And while there were many new folks who had traveled from afar, one woman in particular seemed as normal as one could imagine. She had brown hair, fair skin, plain clothing, and facial features that were as unremarkable as the rest of her.

  Emerging from a nearby alley, the woman stepped onto the street and stole one final glance at the caravan which had only just passed her. Having previously cleared a path for the caravan, the street-goers once again began to fill the road. The woman merged with the others into the swelling crowd, taking care to conceal the one conspicuous thing about her— a curious red gemstone which hung around her neck.