>>5228194None of the functionaries suit your purposes. All too old, too timid, or too dedicated to their books to be a mostly independent agent. But one of the knights surprises you by coming forward. Sir Therin was the son of a minor lord, but is the grandson of one of the last great spies of the last incarnation of the Beholder Order. He expresses to you an excellent knowledge of all lands of the kingdom, especially your own Northern Duchies, where he was a squire under Duke Bertrand himself, your immediate liege lord. You had never heard of the man, but he impresses you with his humble demeanor and voluminous knowledge. Deciding such things are more important than mere bureaucratic acumen, you offer him a place in the Order and he quickly accepts. At least Friedrich did not poison this one against you. He will remain when the others leave, the first tendril in a network you will surely have to spread across the Empire if you are to counter the threat of the Better World.
You soon retire, your dreams haunted by the young mother you condemned to death and the child you have taken on. Was there a better option? It's too late to question yourself now, you tell yourself, as you haul your still tired body out of bed for the remainder of the journey to Barathon. You wash up before leaving. You are unfortunately unsurprised to find Alys in the hallway, a half eaten apple in her right hand. “So, Will, village girls?”
You scowl. “I was fifteen, Alys. Don't try to tell me you behaved then.”
She smirks. “Behave? Never. But I wasn't allowed out of the castle until I was eighteen, you know that. No village boys for this maiden.” She bites into the apple again, and you make a manly effort not to stare as an errant line of juice traces the smooth contours of her mouth and down towards her chin before she wipes it away with one of those formless sleeves of the hooded robe she continues to insist on.
“What?” She says, genuine confusion in her voice. You've been staring.
“Nothing, we should see to the men. And say goodbye to Mother.” You turn and walk towards the stairs. She follows after but a moment of silence.
The farewells to your family are brief. Your Mother hugs you, though more briefly than in relative private. Eleyse does at well, but she sneaks a whisper for you to keep your word about considering her situation as if you need it. Meera and Ava give you a shy goodbye. You wish to the Lady you had time to know them better. As your convoy leaves you spy Sir Therin and Elpest at his side. They wave, and you return the gesture despite your breeding. To them you have entrusted your family, and so they warrant consideration. Alys rides at your side, any wroth from your youthful indiscretions carefully hidden. Your functionaries and knights proceed slowly out of Hold Campbell.
