Els' words weighed heavily on Arthurs' mind as he stalked back to his small room. Upon returning from the library Sir Luca had given him the task of cleaning out all of the flintlock pistols the men had been practicing with. He was grateful it was a task he could do sat down, he had spent enough time scrubbing or polishing or washing the past few days. He hadn't had to do such humiliating work for over a decade. He opened the door to his small room and fell into his bed. Arthur groaned when he felt a hard lump in his bed.

What in Dove's name is that he thought when he dug through his covers to find a leather-bound book nestled under his pillow. Els' book he thought.

He held the heavy book in his hands contemplating what to do with it. He could read it and see what there was to know about the witch who weighed so heavily on his mind.

Or I could ignore it and prepare myself for another day of shit work and pointless training.

He peeled open the cover making up his mind immediately. It was a dry read with some words he didn't understand, but he saw the drawings of the mountain and the thorns and saw why Els had been so interested. Arthur skimmed through the book quickly only bothering to read passages concerning his symbol. After he was done he had more questions than answers: what did the symbol mean, where did it come from, why is it branded on his chest. The book didn't go into any of the details that Arthur wanted it too, Seger Lighton was wholly focused on the massive architecture. Arthur looked over at the single candle he had in the room, it was burnt down to the base.

I should sleep he thought setting the book on a small side table.

He rolled over and squeezed his eyes shut willing sleep to take him. After what felt like hours he rolled to his feet, the contents of the book were racing through his mind and he couldn't dislodge it. Arthur knew he needed to read more.

He got little sleep that night and he awoke with a thick head. He stretched his stiff arms and shrugged on his light clothing, he was sure that Sir Luca had some dull task for him to do. Arthur stepped into the hallway and followed the other waking guardsmen to the meal hall. Rows of long tables were filled with men quietly chatting and eating a large breakfast. Arthur sat down at the nearest space and picked at the food in front of him.

The one up-side to working for the Weimaers, they are rich thought Arthur as he looked at the wide variety of food in front of him. As he was eating the head of the guard walked in, an older man named Thane Ranald, who stood on an upturned crate as he did everyday to address the men. The old knight was only in command in title, his right hand Sir Luca did all of the real work.

"After you have eaten Sir Luca will be announcing todays guard details," said Ranald before shuffling out of the meal hall.

As soon as the door closed behind him Luca got up on the crate and began barking orders.

"For today it will be riding practice until noon for most of you, the unlucky ones will draw estate guard duties," said Luca with a slight smile.

Unlucky, is that what he calls anyone better than him. Predictably, the same two dozen men were picked for guard duties. The men started to go back to eating when Luca called out his name. Arthur swallowed his mouth of food and dragged himself to Sir Lucas' side.

"Yes Sir," he said meeting the knights large eyes.

"I've got a special task for you, the lady Jennifer seems to have lost her cat, and I volunteered your services in helping her find it. I hope you won't disappoint me soldier, this is a campaign of the utmost importance," he said with a grin.

"Yes Sir," said Arthur not wanting to give him the satisfaction of his annoyance.

"Well get to it, no time to finish your food, the Lords and Ladies wait for no one."

Arthur had been forced to wear his full armour when going out in search of the missing cat.

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"We can't have guardsmen wandering around in plain clothes, it is unbecoming," said Sir Luca when Arthur tried to leave the barracks.

That left Arthur trudging around the estate gardens wearing half plate and carrying a large halberd. He went to see the lady Jennifer to ask for a description of the cat but the lanky women was in tears during the entire exchange.

Did she say black or brown, I've never seen anyone weep so much for a cat.

Resting his halberd on one shoulder he bent down to look under bushes and short trees. When he straightened up he saw Els strolling along a cobbled path. He checked she was alone before he walked over to her.

"Oh Arthur strange seeing you out here, I thought you'd be practicing horse riding with the rest of the guard," said Els.

"I'm out here looking for the lady Jennifer's cat," said Arthur.

"A task for a real warrior," laughed Els, "Funnily enough I am out doing the same, shall we look together," said Els.

"Do I have a choice," asked Arthur.

"No," said Els beckoning him over.

He fell in step beside her as they walked deeper into the gardens. Trees rose around them as they entered the small forest which covered a small corner of the large estate.

"I always loved this part of the gardens, it's the only place that you could get any peace," said Els.

"I read the book," said Arthur avoiding small talk.

"And what did you think?"

I think I want to strangle you for getting me involved.

"The symbol in the book is very similar to my own."

"It's identical," said Els quickly.

"Yes."

"What is it with you Arthur, why are you so reluctant to help me," said Els.

"Nothing good in my life has happened with the help of nobles."

She turned to face him, "I can understand that Arthur but surely you can see this is different. I'm not leading you into some war for personal gain, this is to protect the entire High Kingdom."

"I find it hard to see how one woman can be a threat to the largest Kingdom in the world," replied Arthur.

"The kingdom is leaderless and divided and that one woman brought the richest city in the south to ruin, she has the potential to destroy so much more."

Arthur said nothing.

"I've been watching you ever since my father strong armed you into the family guard, I find it hard to believe that you enjoy being Sir Lucas whipping boy."

"You went to the library, did you find any other books that say anything about the witch," said Arthur changing the subject.

Els shook her head. "I found plenty of books but they all say the same thing: ancient culture, theorised powers, no real proof," said Els.

"That's disappointing," said Arthur swivelling his head around at a quiet meow. He lay his halberd on the ground and crept forward. A shape darted across the ground and Arthur lunged forward and wrapped his arm around it. The cat scratched at his polished armour and thick tunic.

"Seems you've found Jenn's' cat" said Els laughing at the prostrate figure of Arthur.

He stood up with the cat tucked firmly under his arm, "You look very martial," said Els.

Arthur handed her the cat. "You can give it back to Lady Jennifer."

She held the cat in her arms tickling under it's chin, "Lets go back together and we can talk more about the witch."

Arthur was about to agree before another guard came rushing down their path.

"Lady Elsbeth your father needs to speak to you immediately."

"What about?" she replied as she stroked the cat.

"He didn't say lady all I know is it is urgent," said the guard beckoning her to follow.

Els handed the cat back to Arthur. "Seems I'm needed elsewhere," she said before the guard hurried her away.

Lady Jennifer squealed with delight when he dropped off her cat. Arthur left the blubbering lady and headed for the barracks, it was some time past noon and his stomach grumbled for lunch. The meal hall was nearly empty and the few servants that kept the barracks neat were busy clearing tables when Arthur entered. He sat next to the largest amount of food and began to eat. Once again he was interrupted by Sir Luca barking orders at him.

"Arthur with me now," he shouted.

He stifled a sigh and stood to follow. Luca rushed him to armoury and equipped him and a dozen other men with pistol and sabre and led them out to their waiting horses. Before they were allowed to mount he turned to face them.

"You will be escorting Lord Weimaers daughter to the capital, Sir Tomas will be in command," he turned to present a pale-faced boy dressed in ornate armour.

"There's no reason to assume you will be attacked but anything could happen, I don't need to tell you what will happen if you fail to protect the Lady Weimaer," said Luca.

He stepped to the side and allowed Sir Tomas to speak. "Mount up men we ride out immediately," the young mans voice wavered slightly as he spoke. The guards all eyed each other as they mounted.

None of them are sure of Sir Tomas thought Arthur and he couldn't disagree with them.

He hoisted himself onto his large chestnut palfrey and tugged on the reins. They followed Tomas is two line toward the large carriage that would hold Lady Weimaer. Arthur took up his position to the right of the carriage. He tried to peer through the window but a curtain obscured his view. A large round coach master stood up form the front of the carriage waved at Sir Tomas and the small group started to make for the front gate of the estate. He noticed movement from the carriage to his left.

Els, he thought looking at the puffy red face staring back at him. She looked terrible. There was a vacant look in her eye with makeup applied thickly to her sullen cheeks. When he caught her eye she lifted her dipped head and managed a slight nod before she was yanked away from the window.