Edmure had led Eathelred together with the medicus Asser and six of the lord's men at arms to Eathelstan. They had carried a sturdy ladder with them to serve as a provisionary bridge. They rode in silence except for the lord spurning them on to ride faster. Ed was at the front of the galloping column, saddled on his white steed followed by the baron, who also held the reins of Eathels horse, which was following next to him, then the rest according to their rank.

Alfred the captain of the old guard and the only knight residing at the barons court. bore the standard of house woodstone, a white elk on green ground, to warn any would-be bandits or other assailants that they were not an easy target.

The convoy followed the stream, it was a beautiful day. The sky was clear and the sun rays were reflected from the melting snow. Next to them the Farryn followed its path, the clear water surging forward more violently then on other days, being pushed forward by the melt upstream.

As soon as Edmure spotted the rope hanging on a tree he gave the sign to Eathelred who in turn put his hand up, all the riders stopped immediately and dismounted.

The men at arms, under command of captain Alfred, put the ladder over the creek and secured it.

The Baron was the first one to cross the river shortly followed by Asser, once on the other side the medicus rushed towards the boy, taking many measurements from the wetness of the tongue, to the body temperature. After comparing, he found the black bile to be the predominant humor, he confirmed it to not be a danger to Eathels life.

Eathelred swapped positions with feeble old man to wake his son. "Please, Eathel” Eathelred shook his son. He did so for a few moments, it still felt to him like an eternity.Finally it happened. It was one of the lord's happiest moments, Eathelstan opened his green eyes, blinked a few times.

“Father forgive me”

The baron looked into his son's eyes, while there were tears forming in his own.

“You did nothing wrong” said Eathel, quiet enough only for his father to hear. The baron hazel eyes widened.

“Your eyes, they are green” said the baron.

Now it was Eathels turn to be shocked, “I had a dream” he began to tell.

Eathelred interrupted by helping his son to stand up. He then pressed on his left shoulder until it plopped and was set. Eathel let out a harrowing scream.

“You could have warned me”

“So you would not only be in pain but also afraid before it arrived?”

Eathel remained silent and presented his right one to his father, who quickly repeated the procedure. This time the teenager only gritted his teeth in response from the pain shooting forth from the injury.

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Father and son followed the old Medicus who had already crossed the bridge towards the accompaniment. Just a moment after Eathel had crossed to the other side Ed came running and the two friends embraced each other.

Eathelred commanded for the entrance to be destroyed, out of fear that it could be used by enemies to infiltrate the Last.

“Are you good to ride?” Asser asked.

Eathel only nodded and mounted his giant black stallion, a horse bred for war it was only smaller than his fathers nightmare, a behemoth which was a gift from Eathels uncle.

On the way back they were led by Eathelred followed by his son, the baron even allowed Edmure to ride next to his son.

Eathel recounted his dream which he remembered in surprising detail, from his chase of his mother to the encounter with the horned demon. Edmure only asked for some details. They both came to the obvious conclusion that this was no normal dream.

After they crossed the stagbridge Eathelred called his son forth. “You and Edmure will meet me after you had something to eat, now send Alfred to me!” The teenager did as he was told.

“Will he punish us?” asked Edmure after his friend relayed the news to him.

“Most likely.”

After arriving at the keep they entrusted their horses to the stable and went to the kitchen to eat some of the leftovers from lunch. They sat in anxious silence afraid of what their judgment might be, until Ed broke it “If you want to meet the horned man, you know what you have to do.”

“Yes i do not like it but still i can not tell him about that part of the dream.”

Shortly after they were called to the baron's studies.

It was a large room but most of it was occupied, the walls were covered by maps, the shelfs by book or rolls serving as documents legal or otherwise. Ancient looking weapons made from any imaginable material existed in the room waiting to be examined. You could not find any Iron in this room except for one sword made from steel hanging above the door opposite from Eathelred.

“Sit” the lord commanded and the two teenagers followed sitting down opposite him.

“You two have not only left the keep without any allowance you also were lost for two days.” said Eathelred sternly.

Eathel tried to say something “It was my”

“Yes it was, and do not speak until I tell you to! You have not heeded my word and are still wasting time with Edmure. You also did not keep your promise and put yourself in danger” There were now hints of real anger in the lord's eye, his dark and heavy eyebrows furrowed giving him a fearsome face.

“Aethel normally I would exile you for your transgressions but you are my heir and more importantly you are my son. Your punishment will be a loss of your free time, you will learn under Asser, train under Alfred and sleep and eat nothing else will you be doing!” Eathelred decided, he went silent and started to write some things down in the book lying before him.

Eathel visibly deflated after hearing his fathers verdict, but he was still anxious on his friend's behalf. Edmure could barely contain himself, he brimmed with energy which could find no release, he had to put his mind to not spasm around.

“ Edmure you stand under no such protection but since my son admitted it was his fault and you saved his life I will be merciful, you suffer under the same problem my son did, only listening to the maids gossip. As your punishment you will become my son's personal servant. You will accompany him everywhere he goes and help him achieve his goals.

After the mild sentencing eathel told his father his dream omitting the part where he was invited into the nights forest.

“Maybe your uncle will know more about what happened to your eyes” was the only thing the lord said in response.

“Now leave me be”