With much pushing and shoving on his part, and moaning and groaning from his two prisoners, Caj made his way to the magistrate’s office. Any time that he was stopped or questioned by guards he would pull the “I’m Lord Noblis’ student” card. It had worked pretty well so far, even landing him an escort from the Golden Cloaks. It had worked pretty well up to this point. He felt like squirming under the gaze of the tall stately woman. She seemed to doubt him and everything about his claims, and had proceeded to contact Bietre. Caj had the absurd fear that Bietre would deny that Caj was his student and leave him in the deep end. But he had sent a missive with Caj’s description and name, which should be more than satisfying. But still, the judge stared at him with… well, judgement in her eyes. He had not forgotten Narms lessons though, and stood perfectly straight before her. She had summarily sentenced the two men to the gallows, as was the standard punishment for child molestation in Goldstern. But she hadn’t dismissed him. Instead calling him before her privately.

Upon arriving at Magistrate Gladys’ office, Caj preformed a bow as fit his presumed station as Bietre’s student, pushing his sword away from his body with his left hand and extending his right-hand palm out to his side, to demonstrate that he truly meant no harm. Gladys chuckled and spoke in a raspy voice.

“To be honest boy, half the reason I didn’t believe you were Bietre’s student was because of that bow of yours. The man hasn’t bowed properly to me once in nearly thirty years.” She smiled warmly, turning her cold demeanor into a grandmotherly one. Caj relaxed visibly. Her next words caused him to tense up again.

“Make no mistake young man, if you ever bring two naked men into my court again, it will be you on the gallows. If I wanted to see ugly men naked, I would’ve married. Do I make myself clear?” Caj gulped

“Yes Magistrate.”

***

Narm was waiting outside the main building of the Boneyard when Caj arrived back home that evening. He grinned passed his pipe even as he heaved himself to his feet with a groan.

“Ughhh. So Caj,” he said wryly, “I heard there was some excitement in the city today. Something about a student of one of the foremost sword-masters on the continent dragging two members of the Gold Cloaks before the head magistrate without any clothes.” He cocked an eyebrow, “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that would you?” he asked innocently. Caj shot him a dirty look and Narm cackled. After a moment Caj chuckled.

“Not my finest moment.” He admitted. Narm chuckled softly and clapped him on the back. Then he gestured at the small gash on Caj’s neck that had barely missed his jugular. Caj thought that he was going to get quite the scar from that one. He was very lucky to have survived.

“What happened there?” Narm asked. Caj winced in shame.

“I got angry, and it made me stupid. I let one of them get behind me, and he had a knife.” Narm gave him a sidelong look and Caj just shrugged. “Also not my finest moment.” He said with a slight smile. Narm clapped him on the back again.

“That’s alright Caj, happens to us all at some point. Just so you know, The Murphy’s and I are expecting a full accounting of events. Marcella is very excited to hear your tale of derring-do. I’m sure she will love to hear about how you fought two men to standstill single-handedly.”

“Actually,” Caj replied with a rueful smile, “The second one was knocked out by a ten-year-old boy.” Narm looked at him once again with a raised eyebrow.

“Now I’m interested.” He said with anticipation. Caj groaned, he was sure that he could look forward to an evening full of ribbing and teasing on Narms part.

***

It had been a late night explaining telling his story to the Murphy’s and Narm the night before and Caj was tired. Add into the mix that it was supposed to be his rest day and he certainly hadn’t been resting, and he was basically exhausted. Bietre, it seemed, was not exhausted, and grinned broadly at Caj upon his arrival.

“Tell me Uchinek,” the sword master said brightly, “What’s this I hear from Gladys about you parading two members of the City Guard before her half naked?” Caj sighed.

I really wish people would just drop it. He groaned inwardly.

“It seems like a good idea not to parade two guardsmen through the streets in full uniform, especially in front of their peers.” Caj finally said. Bietre snorted out laughter.

“And what Uchinek, you thought it would be a better idea to walk them through naked?” Caj flushed embarrassedly, somewhat ashamed at Bietre’s teasing. “Ah well solnyshko, you might just have potential after all.” Caj chuckled at the obvious sarcasm, and Bietre smiled. Caj took a deep breath.

It’s now or never. He thought to himself. He pushed forward.

“Uchitel,” Caj said, the word no longer feeling foreign in his mouth. “I have a question.” Bietre looked up at Caj from the chest he was retrieving practice swords from.

“Oh?” The Edralian replied, “Only one?” Caj grinned at the man.

“For now, at least.” He replied evenly.

“Good answer, Uchinek. Well, ask away.” Caj kneeled, causing Bietre’s eyebrows to rise.

“Lord Bietre Noblis, would you do me the honor-”

“No.” Bietre interrupted flatly. “I won’t marry you.” Caj was aghast, and was about to hurriedly explain himself when you noticed the twinkle in Bietre’s eyes.

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“Bastard.”

“Idiot.”

They both laughed, and Caj restarted.

“Lord Noblis, would you take be to be your squire, to serve you and perhaps someday your household?” He kept his head lowered, and flinched as he heard Bietre’s response.

“What? No!” Bietre said with a raised voice, “Why would I take you as a squire, boy?” Caj drooped.

Bietre wasn’t joking this time, Caj could hear the seriousness in his voice. Bietre seemed to notice Caj’s state, and hurriedly spoke up.

“Caj,” he said gently, “You misunderstand me. Squires are a Whoid Strian custom, not an Edralian one. In Edral, we do not have squires. We have Uchinek, students. We guide our students on their paths and teach them lessons. This is the way.” Caj looked up confused.

“So…” He said hesitantly, “There’s no way for me to become part of your house?”

“Well,” Bietre said mischievously, “I suppose you could marry one of my daughters…” He cut off in a fit of laughter. “Look Caj,” he said, after wiping tears from his eyes. If you want to become a part of my household, its not an issue. It happens all the time in Edral. Go speak to Natalia about formally becoming my Uchinek.” Caj smiled hopefully.

“Thank you Uchitel.” He reached out to grab his practice sword, but Bietre moved it out of his reach.

“No Caj,” He said, “Go take care of it now. You are too distracted to learn. You will be useless for the rest of the day.” Bietre re-stowed the wooden blades and gestured towards the main house. “She should be having tea.” Caj nodded, bowed respectfully and started towards the house. Things were looking up, and this had the potential to go very well. As he was walking towards the house, and Bietre was cleaning up, Bietre called over his shoulder to Caj,

“If you want to submit a marriage proposal, you always have the option of talking to her about that also!” Caj tripped in shock. He had never known any father to talk about such things so casually. But then Bietre wasn’t most fathers. Now Caj was flustered and flushed with embarrassment, so he decided to get his revenge. He waited until he was sure Bietre was looking away, and picked up one of the balanced wooden rods that were used to practice throwing knives. Caj wasn’t great at throwing knives, but from ten paces away, it would be hard to miss. He chucked one of the rods at Bietre’s back. Caj’s aim was slightly off, and the rod hit Bietre in the back of the neck. As soon as the rod hit, Caj was running away. He called one last parting shot over his shoulder.

“Lesson Five: Never give the enemy your back.” He grinned while Bietre hurled obscenities at him as he slipped into the house.

***

Natalia had just finished preparing for the day. About three months ago, she had finally relented to cultural norms and started wearing her hair in curls. She hated the extra time it took her, but she needed to be taken seriously by the world at large. She sighed as she looked in the mirror of polished brass. It didn’t look bad if she was being honest, it just made her look a little older that she used to. Which was a good thing when it came to business deals. Ostensibly, her father had been handling dealings via mail and courier for the past ten years, but in reality, Natalia had been doing most of the work for the last five. Now, she was old enough that her father could officially hand her the responsibility to make dealings for the house, meaning she no longer had to lurk in the shadows. She pursed her lips at her reflection. It would have to do. Her maid knocked three times then two then three. Their signal for a visitor. She moved out of her bedchamber and into her sitting room, shutting the door behind her. She sat down in a highbacked chair that she hated, but always used to seem more in control when she had visitors. Her favorite chair was actually the worn and old-looking brown one off to her left. It was easily the most comfortable one. She checked to make sure everything was arranged properly before saying loudly.

“You may enter.” Her maid opened the door and ushered her guest in. Natalia was pleasantly surprised to see that it was Caj. She didn’t know him very well, but he was preferable to any one of the myriad other guests she might get at this hour. She did a quick examination as he entered.

Caj wore the leather cuirass that she had suggested her father gift him, although his swords were absent, probably due to the fact that it was considered rude to wear weapons into someone’s home when not in a time of war. She took special note of the freshly stitched gash on the side of his throat that just barely missed his jugular. She also noted that his eyes flicked around the room, taking in its contents. She saw his yellow eyes rest on the faded brown chair, and then her high-backed one. A smirk tugged at his lips, and he visibly suppressed it. Natalia sighed, stood up from the chair she was in, walked over to her comfy one, and slumped into it.

“Marci did tell me that you were difficult to fool.” She observed wryly. A slight smirk did reach Caj’s face at that point, but she didn’t take it as mocking. She knew that Caj’s grin could be disturbing, and so he tried to only give tightlipped smiles.

“I ever endeavor to be observant milady.” He said diplomatically. She didn’t smile at his strange mix and mash of the local accent and that of Greatriver, although she wanted to. Instead, she settled her gaze upon him, attempting to make it as stern and imperious as possible. He showed little reaction.

“Tell me Undertaker Caj, why have come to see me this morning? I understand that this is normally the time which your train with my father.” Caj nodded at her words.

“He told me to come speak with you about formalizing my position as his Uchinek.” Caj said. Natalia was surprised at his lack of formality for a moment, before she realized that she herself had initiated the norms for the conversation by choosing to change her seat. She thought on his words for a moment. Her father had not taken an Uchinek before, although several of his men had.

In Edral, the requirements to be Uchinek typically changed along with the rank of the Uchitel. For someone to be Natalia’s Father’s Uchinek, they would need to become a part of the household, and basically like a ward unto her father. Caj was a little old to be viewed as a ward, which would make his situation complicated. She bit her lip as she looked at him, trying to sort out how to do what he was requesting. She never considered for an instant telling him no. If her father sent him up here then it was because he wanted Caj as his Uchinek. She eventually came to a conclusion, and looked to her maid who was standing silently by the door.

“Margery,” she said decisively, “Get me some paper and a quill.” Margery rushed to a cupboard at the side of the room to retrieve the requested items. When she handed them to Natalia, Natalia began writing and speaking to Caj at the same time.

“This country does not have the equivalent for an individual in your position.” She said with a slight smile, “So ostensibly, you will be my fathers guard. You should be honored; he hasn’t ever had a guard before.” Caj chuckled ruefully.

“Respectfully, Lady Noblis,” Caj said, “I doubt the man has ever needed one.” Natalia nodded in agreement.

“Well,” she said after a few moments of scribbling, “There are a few things you will require. For one, you need to start living here full time. My father had some spare quarters not far off of his own. He will determine your schedule. The second thing you will need is a manservant. You can either find one and train him yourself, or we can find one for you. We will also need to register you as an official member of the household with the city magistrate.” She looked over the list she had mentioned and nodded once. “That should do it. I need to go to the magistrate’s office for a meeting regarding the hanging of two of the city guard, so you can come with me.” She looked up at him with an amused smile. “Apparently someone dragged them before the magistrate half naked last night and demanded that they be sentenced to death. I pity the man who brought them forward, I was honestly surprised that Gladys didn’t sentence him to death too.” She chuckled, and Caj scratched the back of his head embarrassedly. She smiled; she had gotten her revenge.