Chapter 29

Agentle breeze swept through the mansion’s private yard adjacent to the garden. The sun was still cool, and the cold breeze was abundant—a perfect time for training.

Inhaling deeply, Lansius filled his lungs with the earthy scent of the changing seasons. He drew his blunt training blade and lunged at the lady dressed in a black gambeson. She parried his thrust, but it lacked finesse, leaving her open for a follow-up attack.

However, she had already anticipated Lansius’s next move. Taking a step forward, she sidestepped his thrust, guiding his blade aside with her protected underarm. With a swift motion, she tapped the pommel of her sword against the left side of Lansius’s head.

“You’re dead,” Audrey said, her tone full of disappointment.

“It’s still too early,” Lansius said, offering an excuse.

Audrey sighed. “You went into battle with just this?”

“I used a spear,” he countered.

“That’s no excuse. Again!”

Lansius retreated a step and raised his sword. He knew Audrey’s teaching style was brutal.

As he had feared, Audrey lunged forward with a thrust. Lansius moved his sword to parry, but as their swords connected, the lack of force behind her blade signaled that it was a feint.

Oh, crap!

He instinctively raised his left arm to shield his head and took a step back. His guess was correct: his wrist took the brunt of a blow from her left fist.

“Ha! Guessed it right!” he proclaimed, only to feel something poke his gambeson-protected stomach.

“You blocked a fist but missed the sword. Lans, you’re getting worse. You’re unfit to be a squire!” Audrey chastised.

The words were a blow to his ego. He offered a faint smile but gripped his training sword’s hilt more tightly.

“That’s more like it. I see anger in your eyes. You said you wanted to protect me? Back up your words with steel,” Audrey challenged.

Lansius grinned and sidestepped to the right. Audrey adjusted her position accordingly. They moved almost as if they were dancing in a circle.

There!

Lansius noticed exactly where the sunlight was hitting the stone floor most intensely, and he lured Audrey into that spot. The moment she blinked against the sun’s glare, Lansius quickly stepped forward.

Audrey heard his rapid footsteps and took several steps back. Once her eyes adjusted, she saw that Lansius had closed the distance and launched a horizontal cut, which she blocked.

A metallic clang filled the air as their swords met. A faint smile graced her lips. “That’s more like it.”

Suddenly, she turned the clash into a grapple, both of them half-swording as they tried to overpower each other. Lansius sensed that Audrey was not putting her full strength into it. “Are you injured?” he asked.

“I’ve been injured for weeks, maybe months. And they won’t let me train.”

“So this is your first training in months?”

She flashed a grin. “Yep, and I intend to enjoy it to the fullest.”

Lansius swallowed nervously. In a deft move, Audrey shifted her weight backward, disrupting his footing and balance. As he struggled to regain his poise, her piercing gaze forced him to momentarily close his eyes.

SMACK!

Audrey laughed, withdrew her sword, and ran. She had just slapped Lansius.

Lansius froze, feeling a stinging sensation on his right cheek. “Why did you do that?” he shouted.

Audrey, however, was laughing as if she were thoroughly enjoying herself. “I couldn’t help it. You were too close and too unguarded!”

“Come here,” he retorted, chasing her into the wooded area outside the garden where servants usually collected firewood.

Two figures observed the events in the garden through a window inside Toruna Mansion.

“Stan, are you sure it’s okay to let them roam free?” asked a female servant with long brown hair. Her tone lacked the usual deference.

“It may sound crazy, but I trust that man. He seems level-headed and reasonable,” replied the baronet, still clad in his flamboyant red silk robe.

“I hope so. I’ve put in a lot of effort to heal that woman. It would be a waste if she escaped.”

Sir Stan chuckled. “You’ll be compensated either way.”

“Certainly,” she said without doubt. “I’m just curious about why Lord Bengrieve wanted to save her.”

“It’s best not to question our master’s motives,” Sir Stan said, smiling.

The servant nodded quickly. “Right. I trust that you have guardsmen on standby?”

“Of course, they’re keeping watch and have horses ready,” Sir Stan reassured her.

Moments passed before she ventured, “Stan.”

“Yes?”

“Can I stop doing this? I’m tired. I wish to return to my own life and live carefree.”

The man chuckled, completely disregarding her pout. “Hannei, you’re too valuable to our master. Just be grateful he stopped pressuring us to marry.”

“Eugh,” she groaned and shuddered. “You should abandon your life of debauchery and marry someone more suitable. Just stay away from me.”

Stan grinned, flexing his toned arms and abs, which were fully visible as he wore his robe loosely. This annoyed the servant, who muttered something under her breath. Suddenly, a cold breeze blew toward the baronet.

“All right, all right, cut it out. You’re making me want to pee!” Stan barked, comically shielding his crotch with his hands.

The servant sighed at her friend’s antics, waved her hand dismissively, and left.

Lansius chased Audrey into the wooded area and found her out of breath. The long confinement had ruined her stamina. Still, she turned around with her sword drawn. However, Lansius dropped his blade and approached with open arms.

With a ragged breath, she looked at him and questioned his gesture. “What are you doing? We’re still training!”

“Hugs?” Lansius quipped.

“We don’t have that kind of relationship,” she retorted, her cheeks reddening slightly.

Lansius chuckled and dropped down onto the dew-wet grass, leaning against a tree. He unbuttoned the top part of his gambeson to cool off. “Ah, it feels nice to sit down like this.”

Audrey rolled her eyes but followed suit, sitting down in front of him. They sat in silence, catching their breath and listening to the rustling leaves and the gentle breeze. The ground was still cool from last night, while the sun was still far in the east.

Lansius noticed that Audrey’s mood had vastly improved since the day before; the suspicion and coldness were gone.

“Lans, I apologize for the slap,” Audrey began, interrupting the silence.

Lansius glanced at her. “Hey, it’s training. I bet you were aiming for another punch.”

Audrey pouted and crawled toward him. “You can slap me back if you want,” she offered.

She then closed her eyes, looking nervous, as if waiting to be slapped, and it sent Lansius into a stifled laugh.

Hearing Lansius’s reaction, she opened her eyes and furrowed her brow.

“Not fair,” he complained. “How could I hurt someone I like?”

The atmosphere grew awkward as both averted their gaze. Lansius had spent the night reflecting on their situation, but he knew her oath to her master prevented any thoughts of marriage.

She exhaled deeply. “I also apologize for yesterday.”

Lansius caught her gaze and saw guilt written all over her face. “You were just confused by my sudden appearance. I get it. Apology accepted.”

Audrey sighed a breath of relief.

“Considering how things went yesterday, I’m surprised Sir Stan allowed us to spar so readily,” Lansius mused.

Audrey glanced around, ensuring no one was within earshot. “I’m not sure why, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to train. My arms feel sluggish.”

Lansius nodded. “How’s your injury?”

Her hand reached the top of her head and rubbed it. “Sometimes it feels itchy, but the headaches are just painful.”

“Isn’t there any medication?” Lansius asked.

“Sir Stan offered me some, but it dulls my senses. I’d rather not.”

The chirping of birds interrupted their conversation. “A love song,” commented Lansius.

“I didn’t know you speak bird,” Audrey quipped.

“Oh, I know many things,” Lansius shot back, making her laugh.

“We should get back to training before anyone becomes suspicious,” Audrey suggested as she stood up.

“Wait, tell me more about your name change first,” Lansius urged.

Audrey stiffened. “I told you about it already. What more do you need to know?”

Lansius also stood and said, “Easy, you only have to tell me if you want to. I’m not forcing you to do anything.”

She nodded, so Lansius continued. “You did explain it yesterday, but I’m a foreigner. I don’t fully understand.”

Audrey looked away and said, “Don’t call me by my old name. Anyone who falls into slavery is considered dead, and their name becomes cursed. So, if you survive you pick another name.”

Lansius sighed. He had liked that name and felt sentimental about it.

Audrey’s reaction was also a contrast to that of the slaves he had liberated in Sabina Rustica.

I guess there’s a different culture even inside the Imperium.

“You would do well to like my new name. None other than Lord Bengrieve gave it to me.”

“He did what?” Lansius was stunned.

Audrey shrugged. “I was told that’s the case. And then I was adopted into this baronet family. Can you believe it?”

Lansius shook his head. “Unbelievable,” he muttered.

Audrey shook her head and said, “They won’t give me a straight answer, so I’ll have to rely on you for that.”

Lansius picked up the training sword and swung it twice to shake off the dew. “What do they want from Arvenians like us?”

“Lans, we’re not even Arvenians. I’m born in Centuria, and you’re not even from the continent.”

The fall season arrived in Midlandia, ushering in a bountiful harvest. While the inhabitants reaped the fruits of their labor, other regions of the Imperium found themselves in the throes of a threatening famine.

The grave situation worsened with the intractable nomadic incursion in the west, escalating beastmen attacks in the south and the northern provinces breaking away from the Imperium.

The Elven Calendar year of 4423 was shaping up to be the most challenging year the Imperium had faced since its inception. As for Lansius and Audrey, despite the joy of their reunion, they found themselves in a precarious situation.

“Lord Bengrieve wanted me because I’m a foreigner?” Lansius asked, having just been briefed.

“That much I can tell you,” Sir Stan replied. “But officially, it’s me who wanted you. Best not to mention our master’s name outside this study.”

Lansius pondered a little, while Sir Stan sat comfortably in his padded chair with a smug look on his face. The two of them were alone in the luxurious chamber.

“But why does my background matter so much?”

“This is only between you and me,” warned Sir Stan. “We’re going on a campaign.”

Lansius was intrigued. “To Arvena?”

“No, to the south.”

“South?” Lansius was surprised.

“We need to secure our rear before heading north.”

Lansius nodded. He didn’t know much about the political situation in the region.

“I’ll have someone brief you about the south, but in the meantime, you need to study and train.”

“Will I be involved in battles?”

The owner of the manor chuckled. “Lansius, technically you’re a squire under me. Act like one.”

Lansius straightened his back. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. Since your lord has temporarily transferred you to my house, I’ll start paying you. There will be a bonus for confidentiality.”

Lansius wasn’t surprised. Lord Arte really needed to curry favor with Midlandia, and lending him out wasn’t a big deal. Recalling Audrey, he decided to risk a question. “What about Lady Audrey? Why was she adopted?”

Sir Stan grinned. “For that, you’ll have to ask Master Bengrieve. I’m sure he’ll summon you next season or so. But . . . it’s better not to inquire about Lady Audrey.”

Lansius furrowed his brow.

“You can ask, but he’ll likely give you a false answer. So, a piece of advice, squire: learn to live with mysteries.”

Lansius nodded hesitantly.

Just as Sir Stan had told him, Lansius and Audrey spent the ensuing months training, preparing for their roles as pawns in Midlandia’s grand scheme.

Outside of Toruna and Midlandia, the world was changing rapidly. Throughout fall and winter, Lord Arte gathered support from the Midlandian nobility, solidifying his status as a shrewd politician. He talked and finagled his way into becoming a favorite at court.

When winds from the eastern sea blew inland, news arrived: Calub had successfully recruited a small band of followers at Sir Stan’s behest. Upon their arrival in Toruna, Calub, and his recruits caused quite a stir. The alchemist’s influence was strong enough to persuade Sir Stan to grant Lansius permission to meet with the mage.