Chapter 13: A Single Act of Care

Valerius was once again surprised. Was this Lady Elara's way of showing affection? He had taken her earlier use of "Uncle Valerius" as a sign of respect, but this was a gesture of deep care. As a child, the young Lady Elara had been a spirited girl, rarely concerned with the feelings of others, much less worried about their well-being.

He misunderstood her. He thought that with Lord Anson gone, the "spoiled little bird" had lost her protection and was now trying to ingratiate herself to a terrifying world. He felt a pang of sadness. He had hoped she would remain as she had always been—her father's wish, and his duty to uphold.

"Thank you, My Lady, I am well," he said, bowing his head.

"Are you truly willing to stay and follow me?" Elara asked.

The "spoiled little bird" had lost her confidence in the world. Valerius did not need to offer a dramatic oath of fealty. He simply replied, "Yes," his voice calm and steady.

"When you walk outside in the sun, do you feel any stinging or burning on your body?" Elara asked.

The heat of High Summer was fading, but the days were still hot. Valerius looked up, a puzzled expression on his face. "My Lady, I have been a man of the road my entire life. I fear neither heat nor cold. You need not worry."

Elara, sitting in the gloom of the room, simply hummed in response. "Then you may go."

Valerius bowed and left.

Elara called for Mistress Glynnis. "I want you to find a reliable person to look after Valerius's food and health."

Mistress Glynnis understood the unspoken command. If her mistress wanted a reliable person, she was the most reliable person. She left with a renewed sense of purpose. "You can rely on me, My Lady," she said.

Elara smiled as she watched her go. She knew both Mistress Glynnis and Valerius had misunderstood her. This was not a show of kindness. Valerius was a man whose destiny was to die, just as she had. And his death was fated to come soon.

Her own destiny could not be changed. But could his? If she kept him by her side, he would not die in the Swordfall Marches. If his fate was changed, then the affliction that befell him—a debilitating illness that festered his body and prevented him from going outside in the light—might not come to pass.

He had felt nothing unusual. Perhaps the time had not yet come.

"Sister!"

Lord Kael's voice came from the courtyard. The other servants’ voices were muffled at the gate.

"I am leaving now, Sister," Kael said, running into her arms. Unlike his dramatic performance for the family, his tone was sincere and heartfelt.

Elara stroked his hair. "Do not be afraid, Kael. The Swordfall Marches are our home."

Kael nodded and looked up at her. "You do not be afraid, either, Sister. You have a home, and I will be in it."

Tears streamed down Elara’s face, hidden by the silk wrappings. She had died and been reborn for this one moment. Was it enough? Of course not.

"The Crown has not yet appointed a new Lord-Warden. The gold and salt mines are still in your hands. You must meet with the stewards."

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"You do not need to oversee their operations yourself. But you must learn to read the ledgers. If you do not understand something, ask Lord Lyndon."

"You must also spend time in the military camps. You must practice your horsemanship and your swordsmanship. Ask General Lycan to train you. Do not be ashamed to learn in front of the soldiers."

Elara’s voice was soft, her instructions a quiet river of words. Her young brother would have to appear both vulnerable and powerful to unite their father's people.

Kael listened intently, nodding.

Elara went on, detailing every aspect of military affairs, politics, and trade, but she knew she could not say enough. "I will write to you," she said, stroking his face.

The two siblings held on to each other, their final farewell a long and silent one. The carriages and horses in the courtyard were ready. It was already midday, but that would not stop their departure. For military men, a single night's delay could mean the difference between life and death.

"Lord Corvin," Lord Yun said as he walked through the gate.

Lord Corvin, who had lingered behind, hurried to meet him. "I'm still here. I thought I would see if I could help."

Lord Yun kept walking. "I told you to wait outside the city gates."

Lord Yun's guards spread out, both accompanying him and keeping their distance. "Who convinced him to leave so early?" Lord Corvin asked. "The family and Valerius all want him back in the Marches. A home is nothing if you have the Marches. Any place can be a home."

"The family wants to, but they can't. Valerius would never." Lord Yun said. "It was Lady Elara."

Lord Corvin was not surprised. "Then Lady Elara is also leaving soon?"

Lord Yun paused. "I do not know."

"Valerius did not say?" Lord Corvin was taken aback. "Surely she gave him instructions."

Lady Elara had given him instructions, but Valerius had not relayed them. Lord Yun was silent. "Valerius," Lord Corvin called, waving his hand.

Valerius walked over and stopped, bowing to Lord Yun and Lord Corvin. "Lady Elara did not come to see him off," he said.

Lord Corvin's eyes lit up. "Then she is still inside? We must hurry, my lord."

The three men walked outside. Lord Yun looked at Valerius. "You are not going back with him? Have you arranged everything?"

"Everything outside is with General Lycan. Everything inside is with Lord Lyndon," Valerius replied. "And our family's affairs are with Mistress Laurel."

Lord Yun was familiar with all of Lord Anson's trusted confidants. He nodded. Lord Corvin looked at Valerius. "When do we leave?"

Valerius shook his head. "Lady Elara has not given me any orders."

Lord Corvin looked confused.

"Young Lord Kael's situation is different from Lady Elara's," Lord Yun said, turning to Lord Corvin. "She cannot leave in a hurry."

Lord Corvin slapped his forehead. "Of course, I forgot. Lady Elara has been through so much."

Valerius did not speak. The three men walked outside, where the Thorne family and their retainers had gathered to see off young Lord Kael. The Grand Matron and the other women were in tears, hugging him and giving him a final set of instructions.

"Thank you for your trouble, my lord," Valerius said, bowing to Lord Yun. He then stepped back into the crowd.

"Thank you for your trouble, my lord," Lord Cassian said, stepping forward with Lord Galen and the elders. It was a formal occasion, a meeting between the head of House Thorne and the Lord-Warden of the Western Reaches.

Lord Yun was surrounded by polite, tearful goodbyes. He looked for Valerius, who had retreated behind the crowd. Valerius was an unassuming man. He was never at the center of attention. No one noticed him, but he saw everything.

But something felt different this time.

"It is my pleasure," Lord Yun said, bowing to the family. "I will make sure young Lord Kael is returned safely."

Kael bowed, his eyes shining with tears.

"My precious Kael!" The Grand Matron reached out, stumbling forward.

Lady Seraphina and the other wives quickly pulled her back.

"He will be back for the New Year, Mother," Lady Laurel said, weeping.

The Grand Matron cried, her face hidden behind her hands as her daughters-in-law held her. "Go, my son."

The sky grew dark, and the torches were lit, turning the carriage train into a fiery serpent. Lord Yun rode his horse, looking back as Riverbend Hold disappeared in the distance. The last of the Thorne retainers had vanished. He was finally alone. The world was at peace. It was a saying of Lord Anson's.

Lord Yun smiled. He was beginning to think like him, to see the Thornes as "outsiders." One was always polite to outsiders, but one could be a nuisance to one's own family.

Outsiders.

Lord Yun reined in his horse, his thoughts swirling. He finally realized what was different about Valerius. He had said everything but one thing. Valerius had told him of the arrangements in the Swordfall Marches, but he had never said, "Thank you for your trouble, my lord."