A week, he decided that he’d rest his shoulder for a week. It was a short period of time, yet it felt much longer. He started patrolling with Thomas, Atlas would grow frustrated if he had no way of burning energy, and it wouldn’t do for his new lodgings were to get attacked. He also met with Evelin everyday to read together. Books weren't exactly his favourite pastime, but the company more than made up for it. The girl could explain to him how grass grows and he’d probably find himself listening attentively.

  Other than that, there was one disastrous attempt at cooking that nobody thankfully found out about, and his daily training drills. The children seemed to enjoy watching his mounted manoeuvres. Thankfully, he had finally learned to deal with them, to a certain extent. Memorising their individual names and who their parents are helped a lot, he could threaten parental discipline if they started touching his equipment without permission.

  A method of dealing with a volley of questions still eluded him, but he was sure he’d find a counter to that particular tactic soon enough.

  His life had finally settled down into a daily rhythm, and he was glad for that.

  But soon enough the ever crushing feeling of boredom began to set in. Despite it only having been a few days, he began to count the sunrises left before his full recovery. He almost stormed out to Alanfer on the sixth day, but managed to hold himself back since there was only one remaining, and a Lyon never goes back on their word, even if it was merely a promise to themselves.

  It was strange, he was desperate for a fight, yet he never had such issues during his four years at the academy. It felt as though something awoke within him after his first kill during his contract with Vannol. He felt like an addict that needed his fix, his daily drills only seeming to accentuate the problem.

  As he swung his sword he could imagine a foe being felled and their blood flowing down his blade before seeping into the ground, drip by drip. Their body would grow cold and pale as a puddle of red formed underneath. In its reflection he could see his own red eyes, yet it was no longer the brilliant ruby on his ring, but rather a lake of swirling red, not so different from the pond that reflected it.

  On the seventh day he nearly broke down the door of the Alanfer guild as he rushed in before recomposing himself after receiving startled glances from the people within. The contracts offered were different from the week prior, even if similar in nature. The only expectations being the higher-end council work such as expeditions and extermination orders. Supposedly those have been around for years.

  After a short period of consideration, he decides on a contract.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Divara found herself struggling far more than she expected. She had plenty of gold, she had hypotheses and the equipment needed to test them, she had contingencies and routes of travel planned in case of emergency. All she needed now was security, and even after a week of waiting and steadily increasing the reward offered, she had yet to find someone suitable for the task.

  Sure, over thirty people tried to take up the contract, but none of them were suitable. She needed someone who could travel quickly yet was still capable of defending her by themselves from entire ant work parties. They also had to be educated, god knows how much faster research goes if you have someone to bounce off ideas from, even if they couldn’t contribute anything truly useful.

  Someone good looking would also be preferable, she’ll get that paper on the positive link between sexy partne—ahem environmental beauty and intellectual productiveness approved by the executives one day, the institute couldn’t hide from the truth forever!

  But after a week of waiting, she’s at the point where she’ll take anyone who could fulfil just the first two requirements. Loved as she may be, she didn’t want to test the patience of the old coots back west, she had to bring results within a month if she wished to keep funding up.

  Her thoughts are disturbed by someone setting down a parchment of paper in front of her. She instantly recognizes it as the notice she posted.

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  “I’m interested in your contract, an expedition near central Altena is it?”

  She tried not to squeal in happiness the moment she took in the person in question. He had very high quality equipment, which also likely meant he’s a noble—someone with a formal education. He was also quite handsome, sharp features complemented by an untouched, clean skin; his eyes were like a pair of gems encrusted on a silver piece of jewelry, drawing her in with their unique intensity.

  Divara takes in a deep breath to calm herself, looks could be deceiving, she needed to further investigate before entrusting her safety to him.

  “Yes, that's correct. I’m Divara from the house of Valcairn, you are?”

  “Excuse my rudeness for not introducing myself earlier, I’m Harold of house Lyon”

  “Lyon? I’m surprised to be in the presence of someone from such a famed house, though some would use infamous instead” Harold slightly flinched at the last part, his family was nothing if controversial.

  “Well, I suppose one could say there was some trouble back home. Nothing serious enough for a western noble to worry about”

  It seems like she’s already been identified, definitely had a decent head on his shoulders.

  “I suppose so. It has little to do with the matters that are to be discussed here. I was sent by the western institute of technology to study a small nest of leafcutter ants that have taken root in western central Altena”

  “A leafcutter nest?! So close to the frontier? Shouldn’t the council be notified of this?”

  “Of course the council knows, the army ant swarm is heading in its direction so the fledgling colony won’t survive the month anyway. Militarily speaking this nest means very little. Research wise? It’s a great opportunity to study a species of ants that mostly lives on the other side of the Altena Forest, beyond the silver dragon. Studies on leaf cutters normally require a massive expedition and extensive planning, this is a golden opportunity for me to break into academia while spending relatively little resources”

  He gained a thoughtful expression “So you’re telling me that this is an extremely important expedition for you? I’m guessing you’re not just taking anyone as your aide then”

  Divara cheered inside, it felt good when a conversation partner was able to keep up. “Correct. Firstly, what are your achievements and how experienced are you?”

  “I’ve been training in swordsmanship and riding since I was five, my most recent contract involved eliminating a 5 ton troll”

  She hummed, impressive. “Do you have a formal education?”

  “I studied at the eastern independent academy from fifteen to nineteen, I didn’t complete my education but I only had a single year left before leaving. Aside from core classes my education was mostly geared towards a military career”

  A dropout? And his field of study wasn’t exactly ideal for what she had in mind, but it was much better than nothing.

  “Do you have a mount?”

  “I can assure you that my steed is second to none”

  Divara took a moment to think, excusing the action by taking a sip of wine. He wasn’t exactly perfect, but she really doubted she’d find anyone more suitable within a reasonable timeframe.

  “We’ll leave from Arlon gate tomorrow, arrive there at first light. We have a lot of ground to cover, also prepare enough supplies to get you through at least three weeks” She held out her hand, he didn’t shake it. Instead sitting down across the table.

  “Now, about pay” He flashed a very charming smile as he said those three words, her heart might’ve raced had it not been for the wolfish tone. A shiver went down her back instead, she wasn’t going to like this was she?

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Divara woke up the next day still feeling violated. In hindsight, speaking about the importance of the expedition so freely was an idiotic move on her part; Lyon ended up squeezing out an exorbitant daily rate. She could pay it no problem, institutional funding was no joke, but it still felt shameful to be completely out negotiated.

  Waiting at Arlon gate, she greeted her new companion with the harshest glare she could muster. “You’re late” she said, her words dripping with venom.

  He seemed completely unphased. “No I’m not, there’s still 10 minutes left until our agreed time.”

  He was technically right, but Divara was anything if not stubborn. “For one gold per day? I expect you to show up an hour early with tea and biscuits prepared”

  Harold rolled his eyes in exasperation “I’ll make sure to keep that in mind next time princess Divara. Should we set out? I’m fully prepared to leave”

  “Same here, we should leave as soon as possible. Help me up on my horse.” She said, assuming a stance that exuded haughtiness, chin raised, hand on hip, weight shifted onto one leg with eyes half closed. All carefully calculated with the goal of annoying Harold, and it was working wonderfully.

  The knight arched his eyebrows in response “Can’t do it yourself? Are you sure you’ll be able to survive the trip ahead if you can’t even do something as simple as mounting a horse?”

  “I can, this is more for your sake than anything. Not everyday a brute like you gets to touch the hands of a supposed princess.” She said, throwing his earlier barb back at him.

  Harold’s body stiffened at the word ‘brute’, Vannol and Divara must never meet. It presents the risk of the title becoming permanent.

  He sighs loudly while dismounting Atlas, making sure that his annoyance is clearly known to his employer. Reaching out with his hands he gently helps Divara up, he couldn’t afford to give her anymore ammunition. His mental well being may very well depend on it.

  “Let us go then, we need to make enough distance to leave the reaches of army ant scouting parties. I look forward to working with you, Sir brute.

  …He was already starting to have regrets.