“So… you want me to visit a few squires? For what reason mother?” Bryson asked through the Communicator. He along with Florence and Kristel were currently being driven over to some obscure building housing a few squires. This was a mission that Bryson was completely lost on what the point was.

“It’s less for you dear, and for Kristel. To help her.” Her mother said sweetly back to him.

“To get advice from them?”

“Not exactly. Though they will be giving her something.”

“Something? Like what?”

“Conviction.”

Bryson furrowed his brow in confusion. “What do you mean by that?”

“You’ll figure it out once you get there.” She said in a mischievous tone.

“Hmm.” Bryson grunted not exactly happy about being kept in the dark, “Well, either way, mother. Thank you for spending time helping Kristel.”

“Now dear. I am not officially helping her. I just need a task done. Her gaining something is just a lovely coincidence for the two of you.” Duchess Coldwater said.

“So, why is Marsh here as well?”

“For help. Also to watch over the two of you.”

“What like a babysitter?”

“She’s older than both of you… so yes. I suppose she can be called that.”

“I am honoured with that title your Grace.” Florence said.

“Don’t mention it Florence sweetie! Take good care of my baby boy! Make sure he doesn’t get into any trouble.” Duchess Coldwater called out.

“Of course Duchess Coldwater.” Florence said with an expressionless nod.

“Now I have to go dear. I love you, goodbye!” She said cheerfully.

“Goodbye.” Bryson said before hanging up and turning to Florence, “You don’t have a clue what we’re actually doing either do you?”

“If I knew I would tell you Lord Bryson.” Florence said with a bow.

“Hmm.” Bryson grunted, “How’s that root doing by the way?”

“Very good, it’s blooming already. We will have a small section of it in the garden next spring.” Florence spoke with the tiniest of proud smiles appearing on her face.

Bryson upon seeing it felt the muscles on his face involuntarily move, nearly forming into a smile before he quickly rubbed his face to get rid of the emotion, “Good to hear. Are we there yet?” He said quickly.

“Yes my Lord. We’re arriving now.” The driver said pulling the car to a stop next to the sidewalk.

Bryson looked out the car window, brow furrowed in confusion, “This is just a house.” Bryson said. An old house that had been built a couple of centuries ago and was properly maintained. In fact, this entire street was a rather older one judging by the design of the other buildings and even the signs.

“This is the location that Duchess Coldwater gave me Lord Bryson.” The driver reported allowing Bryson to look at the GPS.

“Hmm.” Bryson grunted, “Did she tell you how long this will take.”

“A few hours Lord Bryson.”

“Okay.” Bryson muttered, “Is there a trap in there?”

“Uh… I honestly could not tell you Lord Bryson. I will be back in a few hours.”

“Hmm. Fine.” Bryson said not fully trusting whatever his mother had planned for him.

Getting out of the car he lead the march to the house. He adjusted his collar a bit as he reached the door. Looking over to Florence and Kristel they simply waited for him to knock. Looking at the building Bryson noted that it was a rather rustic structure.

Grabbing the massive doorknocker, he gave it a good few wraps letting the metal hit the old wood letting the sound reverberate throughout the whole building. After a couple of seconds, some movement could be heard.

Glancing up at the partially drawn curtains they could make the figures of a few people running around the house. After a few more seconds of waiting the sound of someone coming down the stairs could be heard, or rather the sound of something tumbling down the stairs may be a more apt description.

“Ow.” The voice of a child could be heard complaining.

After another moment or so the door finally swung open. With more gusto than the three expected. Before them the door revealed a boy about the same age as them with messy hair.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Sorry! We weren’t asleep!” He said sounding panicked.

“Why would I assume that?” Bryson said looking confused.

“Oh. Uh. Right. Sorry.” The boy said sheepishly before shouting up the stairs, “Hey they’re here! Come down.”

Bryson looked over to Florence in hopes of any idea of what was going on. Only for her to give helpless shrug in response.

A few seconds later another five children about their ages ran down the stairs and made a messy lineup. There were three boys and three girls, all of them with Coldwater forces emblem marked on their clothes.

All right. We’re at the right place at least. Bryson thought internally as he watched these people. Not exactly what I was expecting.

“So you were expecting us?” Bryson asked.

“Yes Lord Bryson! Duchess Coldwater told us that you would be coming.” The first boy said with a deep bow.

“Right. I will admit. We did not get that much information about this place. What exactly is this house?” Bryson asked.

“This is the home for the six of us. We’re all squires for Coldwater knights. This house is where we live when we aren’t training.” One of the girls said.

“Home.” Bryson said looking around the place, it was well looked after, “How long have you been training?”

“Anywhere from half a year to a few for some of us.” She answered.

“Orphans right?” Bryson asked, “Picked up by half a dozen different knights for your skill and prowess?”

“Yes.” She said nodding.

“Ah. I get it.” Bryson gave a quick glance over to Kristel who looked back at him a bit confused, “We were told to give you advice. What were you told?” Bryson asked turning back to the group.

“Duchess Coldwater said that squire Kristel will regal us with her experience as not only the squire of a royal guard, but also as your underling.” Another boy said.

“What? Me?” Kristel exclaimed.

“You heard them, Kristel. They’re here for you.” Bryson said, taking a step back and letting the spotlight go on Kristel.

“But I- uh… hi.” She said nervously looking at the crowd in front of her.

“How do you get picked?” One of them asked.

“Me? Oh.” Kristel said her nervous expression changing into a more wistful one, “It’s a bit embarrassing. But I was living on the streets after being kicked out of the orphanage I lived in when Lord Bryson found me. He took pity on me and brought me into his home.”

“You live in the Coldwater manor?” One of the kids gasped in shock.

“Yes.” She said nodding her head, “It’s a truly wonderful place. Lord Bryson made sure that I had my own room to stay inside the manor.”

“Okay. Now I don’t want to hear anymore.” Bryson muttered cringing a bit as she began to talk about what he did with such rose-tinted glasses.

“They’re real compliments that come from her heart.” Florence said quietly to him. Her usual stoic eyes betrayed a hint of amusement watching his reaction to the praise.

“Shut up and watch over her Marsh. I’m going to wait outside. I don’t think I’ll be needed.” Bryson said as he quietly slipped out of the house.

“Of course Lord Bryson.” Florence said in reply as she began to listen to Kristel’s story. I never did get to hear how Kristel wound up in the Coldwaters either. She thought as she leaned on a wall.

***

About an hour had passed since Kristel began talking. With every description she received a half dozen different questions from the other squires. She did her utmost to answer them.

It was rather funny to Kristel. It had been less than ten months since she had lived under the care of Lord Bryson. Yet as she remembered what had transpired she felt strangely nostalgic about the matter.

Bryson on the other hand tried not to pay attention to the muffled murmurs he could hear through the door. Instead, he tried to focus on his Communicator surfing the Aether and waiting for it all to finish.

He received a text message from his mother asking how the progress was. He made a very accusatory reply, inferring that she was trying to boost Kristel’s confidence, to which she responded coyly pretending to not know what he meant. These squires simply needed a boost of confidence, and Kristel was the perfect person to do so.

As Bryson shook his head in disbelief of his mother as he put his Communicator back into his pocket. A moment later Florence joined him outside.

“What? Done listening to her?” Bryson asked.

“Yes, Kristel is about done.” Florence said with a nod, “You are a very kind person.”

“I should have left you in those mountains.” Bryson muttered shaking his head in contempt.

“Why do you seem more on edge recently?” Florence asked.

“You’ve noticed?” Bryson said looking surprised.

“Yes, I’ve seen you act differently.”

“How much attention do you pay to me?” Bryson teased.

Florence gave a quick pause and blinking once to settle herself down before returning with, “I value your health more than anyone else. Well above my own.”

“I… okay. You win that one.” Bryson said looking to the ground and giving a quick cough.

“Why are you so nervous?” Florence said getting back on topic.

“Well… it sort of hit me that Kristel will have her fight to decide whether she’s out on the streets or not in a little over two months.”

“I’ve seen her progress, as well as the man Lord Gilles picked. She should be fine.”

“Yeah. Should.”

“You’ve done everything you could to help. She’ll give it her everything at the time of the fight.” Florence said trying to ease his worries.

“I know. But, I keep second-guessing myself and once they fight, I can’t do anything but watch.” Bryson complained.

“You’ve done plenty. All you have to do is put your belief in her. Have confidence in her.”

“Oh, I believe in her. I just don’t believe that I did a good job in helping her.”

“I believe she would disagree.”

“Doesn’t mean I do.”

Florence gently put a hand on his shoulder, “You don’t need to do everything Bryson. People care and will help you.” She said.

The two of them looked at one another in the eyes in silence for a few seconds. As time passed both of them couldn’t help but feel awkward with the mood.

“Uh, Lord Bryson?” Kristel called from within the house.

“Yes?” Bryson quickly shouted, perhaps a little louder than needed.

“Could we have dinner here? Would it be alright if you provided the food?” She asked earnestly poking her head out the door.

“Uh, sure why not. We’re supposed to be here for a couple more hours anyways.” Bryson said quickly entering the house.

Florence stood outside the house for a moment longer. Placed her hand over her heart and took a deep breath. Shaking her head at herself, she couldn’t believe what she just said, did, and nearly did. She quickly looked around, pale cheeks turning ever so slightly pink for a split second before a shake of the head returned her to her usually expressionless face and walked into the house.