"So, you'll be traveling to Lorn tomorrow?" Olivia asked as she laid in bed with Lucina.

"Yeah," Lucina replied while snuggling closer into Olivia's arms and burying her head in Olivia's neck. As soon as she returned to her mansion in the capital, Lucina locked herself in her bedroom and teleported back to Olivia's room in Solfin to spend the night with her. "I'll try to be as quick as possible, but I have no idea how long it will take with Elder Solomon coming along… And because he'll probably be annoying, along with some shadows, I won't be able to come see you while traveling," she bemoaned.

"Well, consider it an excuse to mess with him," Olivia chuckled. She stroked Lucina's hair and twirled it through her fingers, comforting, "As the leader of your 'expedition', you set the pace, and I'm fairly certain Solomon's never been on a proper march before."

"…I also won't be able to deliver letters between you and your family."

"I know, which is why I made sure to tell my father to not expect letters for the foreseeable future. Once he hears you'll be heading north, he'll fully know why." Olivia adjusted the blanket to cover more of Lucina without burying her under it. "I'll be fine. Besides, the roads to Lorn are surprisingly well kept so I'm pretty sure it won't take you too long to get there and back once you finish your duties."

"Why wouldn't they be?" Lucina asked. "Lorn is always fighting back demons and constantly needs supplies so keeping their roads clear and maintained is a priority for the Duke."

"I suppose," Olivia agreed. She thought back to all the stories and games where the 'Duke of the North' would be the only line of defense against an invading force but still be mistreated by the nobility and crown. A sour thought crossed her mind and made her hug Lucina closer, and Olivia muttered, "You'll be okay, right?"

"I'll be fine." Lucina enjoyed the warmth she felt from Olivia's worried hug.

"…I hate when you say that." Olivia moved her head back and looked down at Lucina. "Don't say you'll be 'fine' because you never are when you say that."

"Then, I'll be careful," Lucina corrected and leaned up to softly kiss Olivia. Lucina felt Olivia's tension fade as the kiss dragged on and, when they separated, Lucina playfully asked, "Better~?"

"…More." Olivia brought one of her arms up and cupped the back of Lucina's head to pull her close. "I don't know when I'll be able to see you again," she muttered.

Lucina dodged the kiss, and giggled, "Didn't you say you would be 'fine' while I'm gone, earlier?"

"…I picked up your bad habit," Olivia justified, and pouted that Lucina evaded her.

"Don't worry," Lucina whispered as her lips hovered against Olivia's. "I'll be back as soon as I can. I promise."

***

I said that, but at times like this, my patience is truly tested. A man outside yelled, "Th-There's more of them coming! Stay in the carriage, Elder!" Zulm, grant me strength.

"Why are there so many bandits in these lands?" Elder Solomon complained from his seat across from me in our carriage. Originally, I wanted to take just horses up to Lorn to speed things along so I could get back to Olivia, but I forgot that Elder Solomon doesn't do things lightly. When I woke up and returned to the capital, I found a carriage escorted by knights waiting outside my mansion. There was also a wagon filled with supplies for a journey that has taken us two weeks despite only needing one. Thanks to that, we've been constantly beset by 'bandits' who keep attacking us during our prolonged travel; like right now. We were currently stopped in the middle of a forest of pine trees when two groups of 'bandits' attacked us. "Despite their lands being filled with demons, the people here continue to squabble and resort to brigand behavior. Truly, the gods disfavor the north."

"That's why we're here to lend our aid, Elder." The fact that you can't figure out these men were sent by James and Terence is rather telling. Even if they look the part with their scrappy leathers, their swordsmanship is too refined for bandits. Even if they were former knights or men-at-arms, there are too many of them in a land that's always looking for swords to fight demons. The princes aren't even being subtle about it.

"Look, they even attack each other!" That's because they aren't working together and this whole situation is a mess of people trying to kill us and each other. I watched a 'bandit' decapitate one of Elder Solomon's guards only for him to be stabbed in the back by another 'bandit'. In a way, it was like watching a bad play where no one knew the script and everyone was improvising. "Such heinous behavi-OH!?" An arrow plunked into the side of the carriage and, unfortunately, missed the Elder's head by inches. He quickly pulled the curtain of his window shut despite trying to look brave and attempted to reassure me, "Have no fear, Harbinger. As a devout of our Hearth Mother, those I brought are strong in both body and mind and won't be bested by thugs." Try saying that without chattering teeth, next time. "If you would like, Harbinger, I can lend you a shoulder to-"

"That won't be necessary." Despite being the Saintess' concubine, Elder Solomon kept trying to get closer to me this whole trip.

"Of course, Harbinger." He would always back off, but the fact he never stopped trying was getting annoying. The Saintess really lives up to her title by being able to deal with him.

"Mm…?" As I continued to watch the battle, movement in the distance caught my eye. "Looks like things are about to be wrapped up."

"As I told you, our safety is-!?!" A war horn bellowed in the wind to announce the arrival of a group of knights on horseback. From over a hill up the road, knights in full plate armor rode toward us with lances lowered in a charge. Celeste blue cloaks flapped in the wind like banners of war as they charged into the 'bandits', crushing bodies under the hooves of their horses or impaling them on lances. The arrival of the knights quickly ended the battle as the remaining attackers fled into the woods. "A-Ahaha! Lady Alm blesses us!" Stop talking.

One of the knights steered his horse over to the carriage, and greeted when I opened the window, "Darby, Captain of the Celeste Giants, greets the envoys of His Majesty." With a wave of his arm, Darby unceremoniously flung the lifeless body that was impaled on his lance aside. "I apologize for the mess upon your arrival. Lorn is not usually a home for brigands, and the demons don't often make it south so we became lax."

Darby seemed alright, so I replied, "No need, Captain. If anything, we're the ones who should apologize for bringing them into your home."

"…I thank you for your understanding, Countess." Judging by his measured tone, Darby quickly picked up what I meant.

"W-What?" Elder Solomon, on the other hand, remained ignorant.

"In either case…" I wanted to move on so I could start working. "Could we trouble you to lead and protect us the rest of the way, Captain?"

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"Of course, Countess. We were actually just dispatched because you were taking an unusually long time reaching Wyrm Rock and we were concerned something had happened." Darby's great helm swiveled as he surveyed the aftermath of the attack, and added, "I suppose Lady Muz boiled our blood today for this reason."

"Is it much further to Wyrm Rock?" I asked. Please don't let it be much further.

"You'll be able to see the keep once we crest the hill," Darby replied and pointed to the hill they had just ridden down. Thankfully, I wouldn't have to share a carriage with Elder Solomon for much longer. Darby turned to his men, and ordered, "Assist the wounded and bring them to the keep! You four with me, we'll personally escort the envoys!"

"At once!" The Celeste Giant knights replied in perfectly practiced unison before performing their designated tasks. And, just as Darby had said, once the carriage crested the hill we could see our destination; Wyrm Rock. Wyrm Rock was a keep similar to Wortrest but was far larger and with much thicker walls than normal that were said to be able to withstand even a cyclops' fury. As for how it got its name, it was rather obvious with how the skeletal remains of a massive dragon wrapped around the entire perimeter of the keep like a second wall. The beast's horned-skull was as large as a mansion.

I leaned out the window of the carriage, squinted my eyes, and asked, "Are those fires?" I could see light coming from the eye sockets of the skull.

Darby nodded, and answered, "You can't see it from here, but the skull is our outer barracks we use so we don't have to enter the keep while out on patrol. Inside the mouth is where we built stables to rest our horses and there are towers leading up into the skull where we've constructed lodgings."

Elder Solomon spoke up, "A rather…morbid use of a monster's skull."

"Monster?" Darby sounded insulted, and retorted, "While it's true we hunted the dragons to extinction, they were still children of Lady Muz, and the ones who taught our ancestors aura! To refer to them as just 'monsters' is rather belittling, Elder."

"I meant no offense, Captain! You'll have to forgive my wording as I am still shaken from the earlier attack." Elder Solomon quickly tried to placate Darby, though judging by Darby's annoyed grunt he didn't do a good job. Thankfully, Elder Solomon seemed to pick up on that and remained silent for the rest of the journey, but the air was tense.

To change the subject, I asked Darby, "Have my Hellhounds caused any trouble?"

"No, Countess, your warband has been most helpful. They await you inside Wyrm Rock. The Duke is also out with a subjugation force so he will not be available to greet you." Darby didn't sound as welcoming as before and seemed reluctant to speak further.

"…I see." The north had been under siege by constant demon attacks for years and was a place steeped in reverence for Lady Muz as it was often Aurister knights who led the defense of their homes. For Elder Solomon to insult them, even accidentally, made a terrible first impression. I'm starting to see why the Saintess disliked him the most.

After passing under the looming gates and weaving through the sprawling buildings, we finally made it to the main building where we were greeted by a group of gathered knights I was quite familiar with, "It's been a while, Commander!" My warband greeted me with sloppy salutes.

"I can hear Peter crying from here, you lot," I joked as I ignored Elder Solomon's hand to help me down and jumped out of the carriage myself. "Don't tell me you talk to the Duke like that?"

"Nah, Darby would have our heads if we did," the knight, a rough young man named Henry, joked. I heard Darby groan beneath his helmet before taking his knights and leaving. "…What's got the Captain in a mood?"

"I'll-"

"Please, show proper respect for Zulm's Harbinger!" Before I could explain, Elder Solomon revealed himself as the reason for Darby's bad mood by confronting my knights. "Your actions reflect themselves upon our Harbinger, and I find them rather lacking. I cannot allow her to be so haphazardly protected by a group of ruffians like yourselves."

"…?" My knights, rightfully, started getting annoyed and I saw a few of them not so subtly reach for their weapons.

"Yo-"

"Enough." While I was more than happy to let him kill himself, I didn't want it to so blatantly happen in front of the Duke's house in the middle of the day. As a guest, I should at least show some tact. "I'll handle my knights, Elder Solomon. I'm sure you and your retinue are tired from the journey, especially after what happened, so why don't you head inside first?" I needed to separate them.

"…As you say, Harbinger," Elder Solomon finally agreed with me and gave an exaggerated bow before walking inside.

"I realize we haven't seen you in years, Commander…but…" Henry scratched the back of his head and spat on the ground where Elder Solomon had been standing. "Please tell me you aren't keeping guys like him company?"

"I'm into women, Henry."

"…That just makes it worse."

"Enough joking." It felt reassuring to be with my old comrades I hadn't seen since the war. "I hope you're all ready for a death march since I don't plan on staying for long. I want to get back to Solfin as soon as possible."

"Got someone waiting for you, Commander?" Henry playfully asked.

"…" I didn't respond, and only smiled at him.

"…Wait, seriously?" Henry asked which got the whole group rowdy.

"The Commander's got a husband?"

"Wife, John, didn't you hear her earlier?"

"Why didn't you invite us to your wedding?!"

To control them, I brought up, "You're all the ones who wanted to keep fighting and not settle down in Solfin. Don't blame me for not sending you wedding invitations."

"That's too much, Commander!" Henry whined. "We all wanted to see you get married and be happy!"

"Yeah!" They were like a group of children who were just told they missed out on snacks.

"Well, when I finally do marry her, I'll consider sending you invitations." I watched realization dawn on them. "Gay marriage is illegal, so we aren't officially married, but I'm working on it." Not many of them received a proper education so it was understandable that they didn't know the law.

"Is that why you're here?" Henry asked after clearing his throat.

"Partially," I admitted. "I need to take care of a few things to get what I want, and helping the Duke will achieve one of my goals." Despite being summer, the north held a chill in its air as the wind blew through the keep. "I'll be heading inside. Be ready to ride into hell tomorrow so you don't make me look bad in front of the Duke."

"Got it!" Henry laughed and my Hellhounds saluted me before going off to get their gear. It was only a little past noon, and while I would love to start the subjugation now I knew Elder Solomon would throw a fit if he wasn't allowed to rest in a proper bed.

"Countess Sanguine?" A maid emerged from the main building once my knights left. "Your room is prepared."

"Lead the way." I hope today ends without anything else happening.

***

Thankfully for Lucina, night fell over Wyrm Rock with no incidents caused by Solomon. Sailest loomed in the sky as it bathed the pine forest in its violet light and watched over the north with an expectant gaze. Lucina was going over a map of the region to pass the time in her room when she heard a knock at the door. "Who is it?"

"Duchess Isabelle would like to speak with you," a maid called from the other side of the door. "I am here to bring you to her."

"…Really?" Lucina was still in her uniform but had thrown her robe and gambeson on a chair. She opened the door, and answered the maid, "It's rather strange for a married woman to call a guest to her room so late at night."

"…" The maid didn't respond to Lucina's taunt and simply waited for her to follow.

"You're no fun. Take me to her."

"Right this way, Countess." The maid led Lucina through the keep's stone halls, their footsteps echoing against the emptiness that accompanied them. Two knights stood guard outside a door and gave a nod when Lucina and the maid approached. "I've brought the Countess," the maid relayed once she approached the door.

"Send her in," a voice both frail and firm answered from the other side.

The maid opened the door and allowed Lucina to enter the bedroom where she bowed, and greeted, "Countess Lucina Felswore greets the Duchess of Lorn, Isabelle Einbore."

"Countess…" Isabelle was sitting in her bed with a book resting on her lap, and her long brown hair was left down and free. Brown eyes that held a frightening fire stared at Lucina as Isabelle sized her up. "First, I would like to apologize for failing to properly greet you earlier, as the lady of this house," she said and rested a hand on her heavily pregnant stomach.

"The fact you're greeting me at all makes me grateful enough, Duchess," Lucina replied.

"Please," Isabelle said and raised her hand to stop Lucina, "I've heard enough long-winded words from that Elder you brought."

"…Are you not worried about insulting an Elder in front of Zulm's Harbinger?" Lucina relaxed her stance while keeping an edge to her tone of voice.

"Judging by what Captain Darby reported to me about your brief encounter, and that letter you sent my husband, I feel perfectly secure with my safety." Isabelle appeared calm but made sure to hold an air of authority. She controlled the room despite her never having left her bed.

"The Duke shared my letter?" Disguising it as an act of courtesy, Lucina sent a letter to Duke Einbore that went over what she wanted to 'do' in the north. She sent the letter with a merchant from Trent she 'happened' to run into in a town on their way north.

"It concerned the safety of this house, and his heir, so of course he did," Isabelle flatly replied. "And while I have my own thoughts on the matter, I will trust my husband's judgment." She opened the book in her lap and produced a piece of paper that she held out toward Lucina. On the paper was a simple message that held no pleasantries and only got to the point while holding the Duke's official seal.

***

So long as it does not bring harm to Lorn, you are free to do as you wish. Be sure to pay your dues.

***

"My dues," Lucina chuckled at the choice wording and pocketed the letter.

"I reluctantly agreed to my husband's decision out of respect for your title, Harbinger, though I still hold my doubts." It was clear what worried Isabelle, especially with both princes being seemingly so active in trying to get rid of Lucina. "Should your actions bring ire to Lorn, we will act accordingly for our survival."

"As you should, Duchess," Lucina agreed which made Isabelle narrow her eyes in suspicion. "I never asked for protection, just a quiet corner to take care of some business." She gave a bow and turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" Isabelle felt a dark air hovering over Lucina.

"To take care of some business," Lucina happily replied. "After all, it's a lovely night to go for a walk." Lucina gave Isabelle a confident smile and left the room.

After a few moments, the maid entered the room with some calming tea, and asked, "Are you alright, Madam?"

"…Yes." Isabelle leaned back into her pillows and gave a sigh. One of her hands idly traced her stomach. While she put on a brave front, she feared Lucina because of all the rumors and stories that followed in her wake. With a child finally on the way, the last thing Isabelle wanted was trouble with the crown or the Harbinger of Zulm. Her finger tapped against her book, and she ordered, "Make sure all the servants are inside, and avoid being near windows." She needed to minimize any potential damage. "Any sounds heard outside are to be regarded as noisy animals."

"At once, Madam!" The maid quickly left the room to make sure all the staff were accounted for and inside.

"…" Isabelle gave another sigh and turned her head to stare out the window of her room. Sailest stared back. "It's a terrible night for a walk."