What new mission? Sybil’s jaw dropped at the idea. There was so much that she was supposed to do! Alton was going to be helping Enzo with duke work, and she was going to pretend to help! There was also the hidden siren temple, which was something she was actually looking forward to finding. Her father said he knew someone who could get them inside.

“... But why?” Sybil asked in a quivering voice.

“Mister Tuton voiced his concerns to me and I am forced to agree with his judgment,” continued Till.

“I don’t understand,” replied Sybil. “He never mentioned that he had a problem with our plans before.”

“The second year is when we begin to ask our squires to branch out in their studies. Although I know that you plan on returning to Carapace once you graduate, I do not wish to see you spend every possible moment there. It is quite likely that you will learn very little from the experience.”

Sybil pouted… All of her plans were evaporating before her eyes. “Has Alton been informed of our mission changes?”

“Mister Toval will still be venturing out to Carapace.”

That made even less sense. “But… But why?” She repeated.

Till adjusted her glasses. “He submitted a well thought out mission plan. Mister Toval will be under the direct guidance of Lord Cowl, a man with quite a prestigious education and background. You claimed that your plans were to have mercantile pursuits.”

“Yes. Alton had opened several shops last winter and I was going to learn more about financing and business.”

“That is precisely the problem, Miss Twist. Though I do not shun the idea of you learning more about business, I have come to regret my decision to approve of your mission plan. You will be working closely with individuals you already have past connections with and it seems to me that you are only wasting time because you have no actual pursuits that are worth following.”

But siren temple hunting was right up there with Sybil’s interests. She hung her head to the side. Saying something like that would be basically telling Till that she wanted to go treasure hunting and Till wouldn’t approve of that either.

“What I am asking you to do, Miss Twist, is to break out of your comfort zone,” said Till. “Over the course of this year, I want you to challenge yourself with new experiences.”

There was no going against the headmistress’ orders. Sybil let out a long sigh. “Where am I being sent off to?”

“Are you familiar with Baron Rockender?”

Sybil nodded. “Yes.” He was the baron of a small territory south of Braytons.

“He has been called away to Fogbloom to handle some formalities. You are to fill in for him until he returns.”

As in, handle all of a baron’s duties in his absence? Sybil’s jaw dropped again. She barely understood what a baron did. “... What exactly am I supposed to do?”

“Mister Tuton will have the details. You may speak to him if you wish to know more.” Till dipped her head. “If you’ll excuse me, I am late for a meeting with Prince Duxton.”

Ah… Veximarl. Sybil’s expression visibly darkened. Veximarl was well aware of the situation and hadn’t bothered to warn her at all. She pulled out her letter. He was going to get such a harsh scolding from her once she found out where he was.

Which was in the library, with Tish. They were looking over maps when a hand magically apparated in front of them. A puff of mist appeared next to them, forming into Sybil. She slammed her hand down on their work, sending papers flying.

“What were you thinking?!”

Veximarl’s eyes widened. “I couldn’t refute the idea that you need more experience and variety with your studies.”

Sybil tightened her hands in the air as though she were thinking about choking him. Because she was. “Because it’s not like I haven’t been kidnapped before or have weird strangers after me!”

Tish waved her hands about in a panic. “I assure you that it’s quite alright. My squad and Zaniyah will be at an abbey which is less than a day’s travel to the west! We’ll be there during Iath’s feast day! Blackmount holds a sword tournament there every here, and we might be able to visit you then, if you like.”

That did sound fun. “... But I don’t want to go play baroness all by myself,” whined Sybil.

“I doubt you’ll have anything difficult to do,” assured Veximarl. “They wouldn’t have requested this mission if they lacked a backup plan. No matter the size of the baronry, a baron is certain to have his own aides and secretaries. I assure you that they’ll handle any work you are incapable of doing.”

Sybil slowly began to nod to herself. “So you’re saying I should bring a project for me to work on?”

“Precisely,” assured Veximarl.

But she had finished up all of her recent projects. Chickadee would be handling any adjustments that Hayden’s legs needed, and Foggy was- Well, Foggy wasn’t exactly “fixed” in the traditional sense, but Foggy was at least operating… Dammit! If only she were leaving tomorrow. There wasn’t enough time to come up with a new project and gather all the materials together.

Tish’s letter buzzed. “Oh! I’m late for my squad meeting!”

“I’ll meet up with you after,” replied Veximarl. He leaned over and the two shared a quick kiss before Tish ran off.

Sybi pouted. “At least you’re happy,” she muttered.

“On the contrary, I am not looking forward to being separated from Tish for an extended period of time,” muttered Veximarl. His cheeks flushed red as Sybil continued to pout at him. “Upon my honor, I did not arrange to have you separated from Alton simply so that you would be miserable too.”

She began to paw at Veximarl’s uniform as she pleaded with him. “Please don’t make me go all by myself.” Sybil began to fake weep. “Please don’t take me away from my friends!”

“Such behavior doesn’t suit you,” he replied in a matter of fact manner. Veximarl then awkwardly patted the top of her head. “I do hope you pull yourself together when you’re around Goldheel.”

“Eh?” Sybil tilted her head. “Goldheel?”

“Yes?” Now Veximarl was confused. “This was originally a Goldheel mission. You were attached to at the very last minute. How were you not informed?”

“Lady Till told me that you had all my mission information,” whispered Sybil.

Veximarl put his hands on Sybil’s shoulders. “I would never send you on such an important mission by yourself.”

Sybil let out a whine. Deep down, she knew he wouldn’t. Veximarl would be running around the library yanking out any book he could on running a baronry. Then he would’ve put together a summarized list of everything she would need to know as well as have texts prepared for her to read. That’s just the sort of captain he was.

She looked off to the side, still a little angry at him. “If that’s the case, I suppose it won’t be so-”

“Vex!” Alton’s voice rang out throughout the library. “Where are you?!”

Now Veximarl was the one hanging his head off to the side. “Please do not shout in the library.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Alton appeared around the corner. “You,” he growled out.

“Did the orientation speech go well?” Veximarl asked.

Alton hastily walked over and roughly grasped onto Veximarl’s collar. “How dare you take Sybil away from me?!”

Veximarl’s only reaction was to reply in a dismayed tone. “Lady Till asked for my opinion and I didn’t have a legitimate reason to deny the mission change. There were several concerns that had been brought to her attention. It was only fair that they be addressed.”

“But we had plans,” snarled Alton.

“I assessed those as well,” replied Veximarl. “Unfortunately, those are all tasks that you are capable of completing on your own. I understand that you have limited time and that there is much to do, but you are capable of handling it.”

Sybil folded her arms. “Even if I were to explain that I wanted to go to Carapace to make sure Tria was okay, I don’t know if Lady Till would believe me. How would I even begin to explain the God Among Men and everything else? I feel like she’d never let me leave the barracks again if I told her.”

Alton also folded his arms and matched Sybil’s position. “Is that such a bad thing? Being safe?” He then gritted his teeth as Sybil punched his arm.

“I knew that we’d end up getting separated for missions someday, but I didn’t actually want it to happen,” whispered Sybil.

That was simply now Grimstone Squad worked. They were the group that didn’t fit well into other squad types. They weren’t bodyguards or nobles or hunters. Their individual skills made them unique, which allowed them to be assigned to others squads to help round out their missions, but… Now that it was happening, the thought made Sybil feel lonely.

Macestar was doing a trade mission with an abbey and was staying there for several weeks to help with their orphanage. Zaniyah was going with them as part of her acolyte studies. Veximarl and Chickadee would be staying at the barracks. Then there was Alton and Sybil. They looked at each other and then averted their eyes. Alton shook his head with dismay and wrapped Sybil up in a hug.

“It’s only for a few weeks,” he whispered in her ear. “I have to be in Tilrey this afternoon, so I won’t be able to see you off. How about I help you pack, we eat a nice lunch, and I promise that I’ll write to you as often as I can.”

Sybil nodded and they left the library together. She wasn’t exactly sure if there would be a wagon or not, but she couldn’t find anyone from Goldheel to confirm. A few of her dresses could be wrapped up tightly and a travel pack for Oyster could hold a few days worth of clothes. There would just be extra laundry to do. Goldheel was likely given mission funds, so she wouldn’t have to worry about money.

She began to fiddle with Erskine’s pendant, which, like it always did, hung about her neck. Would she need to bring any jewelry? As far as she knew, the rules for nobility were rather lax in the Gilded Region. This was a small baronry. Sybil would likely look like a fool if she showed up in anything too expensive.

The only fact Sybil knew to be a certainty was that it was going to be hot. She did have a collection of decorative hairpins. Those would be both functional and keep her hair off her neck. Then again, she would rather go back to having a shorter haircut. Maybe she could arrange for an “accident” to happen to her hairstyle while she was out.

Sybil secured everything she needed and began to write out a list. She wanted to make sure that Alton said hi to a few people on her behalf and there would be supplies he needed to bring back as well. Mostly core materials that both she and Chickadee wanted to work with… And he better bring back souvenirs while he was at it, otherwise, she won’t be the only one upset with him.

Alton looked over the list. “Is this everything?” Sybil shrugged. “Well, you did write down a lot… So it better be everything.”

“I’m probably missing a lot, but I don’t have enough time to think about it carefully.”

Alton laughed to himself. She looked so worried right now. It was honestly adorable. “I’ll figure it out. You can write a letter if you think of something else.” He took her hand into his. “Don’t worry. I’ll get everything done.”

“I’m frustrated because every time we think we’re getting somewhere, more questions start appearing. I thought we’d be able to at least learn something if we went to the siren temple.”

To be fair, they were acting on a hunch. Alton had thought that maybe his mother had visited Carapace years ago. The only proof he had was that Zaniyah was born, and he couldn’t think of any reason why Prince Wulfric’s personal paladin would have been at the other side of the country.

Sybil had asked her father what he was doing at the time and he replied that he was at a golem conference in Fogbloom. He and Lydia wouldn’t have crossed paths with Wulfric and his entourage. Her father had never met the prince, though Lydia had after the war. Even then, it wasn’t like Lydia had kept in contact with him. She only refused a spot in the king’s court.

Did that refusal have anything to do with Lydia’s death in Fogbloom? She may have been kept a prisoner within the siren temple at the palace. There still might be an answer waiting for them somewhere. Whether it was in the siren temple in Fogbloom or if they could find the right person to talk to in Carapace.

And yet she was going to be trapped in the Gilded Region. Imprisoned by the duties of a squire.

Alton finished putting hoof boots on Bibi. “I’ll see you soon,” he whispered to Sybil.

“It’ll be weeks,” replied Sybil.

“Keep telling yourself it will be soon,” he replied with a smile. “Ah! My dear beloved Alton will be by my side soon! Anytime you’re feeling lonely, tell yourself that. It’ll come true someday.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“That I am.” Alton kissed her forehead and mounted Bibi. He shook her reins and shouted to Sybil as he sped off. “See you soon!”

Sybil glared at him as he left. She then looked down at the ground. “... Right. See you soon.”

She went through her belongings once last time and strapped her pack onto Oyster. After struggling to get up on the saddle, she made her way to the western gate. Duxton and Shaw were loitering around the entrance. Shaw had a cart attached to his steed and Duxton was riding the plainest looking horse that Sybil had ever seen.

Duxton waved as she approached. “You appear to be prepared… That’s a shock.”

“I’m leaving for a mission.” She looked around. Gildenboot wasn’t here yet. Was she early? “Are you heading to Tilrey?”

“We’re also leaving for a mission,” replied Duxton with a grin.

“Ah, is that so?” Sybil muttered in a distant tone. “Has been Gildenboot been by?”

Duxton’s grin grew all the wider. “Rebecca and her squad left several hours ago.”

The color drained from Sybil’s face. They left her behind? Everything about her attachment to their squad seemed incredibly disorganized. Were they not informed that she was going with them? She turned Oyster away from the gate and started off to the library. There was still time to catch up, but she needed to figure out what route they took.

“Where are you going?” Duxton raised his voice. “We need to head out soon if we’re going to reach the first town by nightfall.”

“I’m sorry, but no?” Sybil turned Oyster around again. “My mission was with Gildenboot.”

Duxton shook a finger at her in a scolding manner. “I traded missions with them.”

“You can’t trade missions!” Sybil looked over to Shaw. The color had drained from his face, and the poor paladin appeared to be utterly exhausted.

“Not officially, no,” replied Duxton. “But I reminded Rebecca that I was supposed to go to the Gilded Coast in order to rub elbows with the Duke. I asked her if she would rather head south during the hottest weeks of summer or take a nice ocean vacation. She agreed that it would be beneficial for both of us if we were to switch.”

Sybil was flabbergasted. “But you’re the prince. I thought you were supposed to have a larger entourage than just Shaw.” Carapace was a relatively safe city, but they couldn’t travel aimlessly about the country with just herself and Shaw as his guards.

“Yes. I was given Baron Squad for that purpose.”

“And where are they?”

“They went up north with Gildenboot,” replied Duxton.

Shaw let out a long, weary sigh. His beach days with Gwyn were now a far off dream. Nights of roasting fish over fires and dancing. Mornings spent lazily drinking tea and making plans for their day… All gone.

“You can’t head there like this,” argued Sybil. “We’ll both have to stay until an entourage can be arranged.” Or long enough for Sybil to weasel her way out of this mission.

“Yes, because Shaw and the girl who saved Carapace are completely insufficient as defense,” replied Duxton sarcastically.

Sybil was about to argue, but Shaw said a single word to stop her. Her one vice. That object of desire that she secretly longed for but would never admit it out loud. Because it was simply just too horrid of a thing for her to have too much of.

“Bread.”

“B-bread?” Sybil whispered.

“Baron Rockender’s territory produces more wheat than any other barony in the Gilded Region. Greenmount bakeries are in constant competition to develop new recipes. It is the birthplace of seventeen different award-winning breads. Biscuits, flatbreads, bagels, a variety of hard crust and soft crusts. Breads that are poached in olive oil, deep-fried, pan-fried, or grilled. Bread is the number one food staple and the elite have fresh bread made for them each day.”

Wheat flour was an luxery outlander product in Carapace. Its main use was for desserts. Rice was the main staple in the Crimson Region. They had bread at Braytons, but the bulk of it was baked once a week. By the end of that week, it was broken up into wedges that were so hard they had to be soaked in broth.

Sometimes there were bread rolls, but the kitchens had to cook for well over a hundred people. It was often first come first serve, with only high protein items being reserved for the squires. They might sometimes serve sandwiches for lunch, but bread was an afterthought when it came to those meals.

Though it would seem like a joke, Sybil’s favorite food was bread. Everything else, such as clotted cream or jam, were merely enhancements for bread. Still slightly warm from the oven, crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside… That was what Sybil was after.

And somehow, Shaw had stumbled upon this weakness.

“I’ll go,” said Sybil with a nod. “I will go to the baronry.”