>>5203181“So,” Alys says, humor evident in her voice. “-a castle.”
You nod. “I have no idea how to run a castle.”
“It's like your hold, just bigger.”
You massage your temple. “Mother runs my hold.”
“Thank the Lady for that. I've seen what your tent looks like on the road.” She teases as you both walk down towards the stables.
"Hey I know where everything is at least."
You find a number of knights saddling up when you arrive. One in the livery of Alkaign's household approaches you.
“Captain-General, Lady Alys. I am Sir Friedrich. The Emperor has bade my men and I to accompany you on the road to Castle Barython. A number of functionaries newly sworn to your Order are also preparing to travel via caravan alongside us.”
You accept the knight's greeting and return his salute as he places his fist over his chest.
“Will, I'll go get the child. We'll ride with the functionaries. Go ahead and get your horse saddled, I'll return shortly.” You nod, and the woman leaves, her dark cloak swishing in the stale stable air as she turns to leave.
“Child?” Sir Friedrich inquires.
“My bastard.” You say it for the first time, a scowl almost coming to your face at the word.
“... I see.” Friedrich looks disapproving, but knows his place. You doubt you'll hear about it from him again.
Your horses readied after some time, you and the knights ride out into the courtyard where the caravan is preparing. It consists of a few dozen of Chen's legion of civil servants. Now sworn to your service to fill out the nascent bureaucracy of the Order. You see Alys, cradling a small bundle, in one of the first carts Making conversation with a man in the gold-rimmed robes of the Revenue Service. Likely to be your Order's treasurer, by your reckoning. The knights and Friedrich join you at the head of the lead cart, forming into marching order.
“I defer to you, Captain-General. Barython is to the north, of course. How will we take the road?” Friedrich has one of his men bring the two of you a map.
