Senator August led us down the long winding and well-groomed path that ran through his estate. Calliston's enthusiasm over our acceptance of his invitation showed no sign of diminishing as he pointed out the sights we passed with gusto, clearly proud of the home he had built for himself and his family.

I had to admit, it was more than impressive. A series of small buildings surrounding a much larger villa, each made of the same beige stone as others I had seen thus far, but painted an almost glowing white. The roofs were titled with clay, the colour making the small dwellings appear all the grander as we passed them by. The vines and brush that crawled up the sides of these structures was clearly cultivated with great precision. I caught sight of two young men on ladders, carefully pruning off unruly leaves and twigs. I couldn't understand why they did it, exactly, but I nodded along with the Senator as he pointed them out and waved, which the two gardeners returned happily.

I had always thought that you could tell a lot about someone from the people who worked underneath them. Boldrin was a prime example, with everyone in the Brigade not having a single bad word to say about the man. Sure they griped at his orders every now and again, as was the way with such things, but they would be the first to jump to his defence if someone outside of their community dared to disparage him.

I was getting much the same impression of Senator August. All those we passed seemed happy to see him, going out of their way to greet him with a great smile or reaching up to shake his hand from where he sat astride his horse. Lencel received much the same, though from the young ladies who worked on the estate. They waved at him exclusively as he passed, their eyes all but gleaming as they giggled and muttered amongst themselves. The young man seemed rather oblivious to the attentions of the fairer sex, his focus nearly entirely on Lady Vera as she trotted next to him. I had to admire his dedication.

I did notice that I was getting looks as well, though of a far different sort. The workers seemed to be trying to figure out what I was doing there and it wasn't hard to understand why. I looked like I'd just taken a roll in a pig pen before throwing myself in a bog for good measure. The run this morning had done nothing to endear me to the folks on the estate, each of them wearing clean clothes and looking like minor Nobles themselves. The difference in social status between those that I would have deemed commoners here and those back in Venos was astounding.

Elora smiled at those we passed, drawing her fair share of admirers from among the young men, who blushed at her attention and enthusiastically waved in response. They tried to greet Tess as well, but that went about as well as could be expected. Her returning glare to their cheery welcome was enough to make them pale in terror.

“And this is the stables,” Calliston said as he indicated with one hand towards a building that would have been beyond the means of anyone I had known growing up to live in, let alone store blasted horses, “I have a runner in the Three Cities this year, believe it or not. A thoroughbred Andapan Felt.”

“The Three Cities?” Elora replied excitedly, her eyes lighting up, “My father only recently hired Hacob Riven of the Duchies. He was hoping to have one of his stallions compete this year. I'm unsure if it went ahead after everything that happened in the city and Dunwellen.”

I blinked in confusion at my Princess, “You breed horses?”

My Princess gifted me with a fond smile, “No, love, Hacob did the breeding. He's an incredibly talented equestrian. Fourteen of his horses have raced in the Three Cities. Fourteen, Orin, and five of those he rode himself. He truly is an amazing man.”

“Your father hired the Hacob Riven?” Calliston choked on the name as though this fucking horse rider was the Great Spirit himself, “I'd heard rumours, of course, but I didn't believe he'd actually managed to do it.”

“And what exactly is the the Three Cities?” I asked, trying to keep up with the conversation but realising rather quickly that I was as good at talking about horses as I was at riding them.

“Only the greatest derby in Ouros, Lord Orin,” Lencel all but shouted, his excitement the match of his father, “The best steeds from across the continent are matched with the best riders to ever climb into a saddle. Father and I went last year, it was incredible!”

Calliston smiled along with his son before a frustrated sigh left his lips, “My greatest regret in life is not passing along my love of horses to my girls. They take after their mother in so many ways with their fencing practice and love of the joust. They were never interested in going to the races. What of you, Lord Orin? Are you fond of riding?”

Elora laughed at my plummeting expression, her eyes dancing with mirth, “My husband is one of the most talented warriors in Venos, Senator, but Orin's dislike of horses has been something of a staple on our trip thus far.”

“Not horses generally,” I blatantly lied while pointing at the smug piece of shit between my legs, prancing without a care as though he was on parade with all these people around us, “It's this big bastard here that's the problem.”

“Orin believes his horse is out to get him, Calliston,” Vera said with a chuckle, “I have noticed he tends to get thrown from his saddle more than most.”

“That is merely because of poor skill,” Lencel said automatically before wincing and looking at me apologetically, “I'm sorry, Lord Orin. I did not mean any offence.”

“No, it's fine,” I said, waving away his concerns, “I'm with you on that one. I was never the best rider and I doubt that's going to change anytime soon.”

“He's been like that since he was a boy,” Boldrin said, smoke leaving his lips, “Kid just doesn't have what it takes to tame the beasts. We had to give him the most gentle mares we could find and even then they didn't like him half the time.”

Elora and Calliston slipped back into a detailed conversation about horses as I watched my wife with a frown. Maybe I should make more of an effort with the subject. Elora really seemed enamoured with the animals and maybe if I became more competent we could do it together. I would hate for her to have to avoid something she clearly loved just because I found myself uncomfortable. Something to think about at least. I'd pretty much do anything for the sake of my Princess, including finding some way to bridge the gap between me and the creatures of darkness that people seemed to think were companionable animals.

A touch of the Bond pulled me from my thoughts of bonding with my first Smith to the second who was currently riding behind me. I turned in my saddle to look at Tess, but she was clearly going out of her way to avoid meeting my eye. Since making her promise she had fallen into a sullen silence and it didn't take a genius to figure out it was because of the letter I had received from the mysterious blind woman.

I saw the unease in my soul reflected in every member of our company. Alden and Deirdric looked pale, their eyes glazed as though pondering the words that had been written on the piece of paper currently stuffed into my tunic. Boldrin was muttering to himself, his gaze distant and grip on his wineskin firm as he blew great plumes of sweet smelling smoke into the air. Elora herself was enthusiastically engaging the Senator in conversation, but I knew her too well. I could see the hesitation in her eyes and the subtle ebb of distress that floated over the Bond. She was just as shaken as the rest of our band but her training was allowing her to at least suppress it for the moment. Plus, she would never allow herself to be a discourteous guest, no matter the circumstance.

I decided that Tessa needed an ear and so spun my horse around, heading back down the slow moving line towards her. Vera and Annabelle were nearby, though they had pulled slightly off to the side of our formation. I caught sight of the expression on Annabelle's face. She looked angry, the ice in her eyes giving way to fire as she whispered incessantly into Vera's ear. I couldn't hear much of what they were saying as I passed them by, only catching snippets that were carried to me on the warm winds of the Republic.

“...We need to say...Floodgates... He needs to...”

“Doesn't matter... Reading too much... It's not what...”

The Knight and Smith of Venos quieted their arguing as I rode by. It wasn't until I was closer to Boldrin and Tessa that they began anew. Strange, but nothing I needed to worry about. I was more than a little used to the two sisters arguments now after so long on the road with them.

I nodded to Boldrin, but the large man didn't even acknowledge my presence, too busy enjoying Brin's brew at a guess. I smiled at my savage Smith as I pulled up alongside her, but Tessa said nothing. She continued to stare at the horn of her saddle in abject fury, her eyes blazing and the grip on her reigns growing tighter by the second.

“You know, if you want to burn a hole in that, you're gonna have to try something else. That ain't working.” I leaned over to whisper into her ear which suddenly pulled her back from the tumultuous thoughts of her own mind.

Tessa very nearly threw a punch at me. I'd caught her off guard and the sudden movement pushed her dangerously close to falling from her horse. I grabbed onto her arm to stop that from happening and tightened my grip as she blinked at me in recognition, the panic fading, “What?”

I chuckled, “I'm asking if you're alright, Tess?”

My mercenary's mouth firmed into a sour line as she ripped her arm free of my grasp, “I'm fine.”

I sighed with frustration, “Clearly not.”

“I'm not made of porcelain, Orin! You don't have to try and help all the fucking time!” My Smith snarled at me, her fists bunching up by her side as though she was preparing to attack.

“Stop the bullshit! I'm not some fucking stranger, Tessa,” I growled quietly, not wanting to draw the attention of those around us, “We're past all this. I'm Bonded to your soul, idiot, I know when you're upset. Tell me what's wrong before we have a scrap.”

Tessa smiled cruelly, “Just because Boldrin's teaching you how to hold a sword properly doesn't mean you could beat me in a fight, asshole.”

“Maybe not,” I said with a grin, “If I was playing fair. But I use the Storm and you're fucked.”

Tess scoffed at me, “You'd use my own Gift? You'd sink that low?”

“Absolutely,” I replied immediately and without shame, “I may be an idiot but I'm not insane.”

She tried to fight it. My Smith endeavoured with everything in her to keep the smile from reaching her lips but the longer she looked at me, the harder the task became. It appeared on her face as if from nowhere and her laugh was quick to follow after. I laughed along, the need to do so almost mandatory upon hearing hers.

The other members of our company turned their heads to the sound, staring at us with confused eyes as we cackled madly to one another. Truthfully, their attentions just made us laugh all the harder. I felt a warm feeling of happiness flow over my Bond and I turned to catch sight of the Princess grinning at me. She rolled her eyes at the two of us before returning to her conversation with the Senator.

She needed that. The quirks of my savage Smith were well known to me and while I couldn't help with all of them I knew I could pull her free of foul thoughts clouding her mind. Shit, sometimes I felt like I was the only one who could. It was worth it every time. Seeing Tess smile was strangely euphoric for me. Not a spiteful sneer or some other false equivalent, but something real. Something that shone through the walls she continued to surround herself with. It was happening more often recently and I could feel those walls beginning to crack. Soon, I hoped, they would crumble entirely.

“Sorry,” Tessa mumbled softly after we had quieted down and everyone had returned to what they were doing before our raucous interruption, “I'm... I just don't fucking like the letter, Orin.”

“Which part?” I asked, “About me being alone? It doesn't specifically say that I don't have you and Elora there, Tess.”

“The implication is enough,” Tessa bit her cheek as she stared into space, her eyes filled with such pain that made me wish I could reach out and take it from her. Sadly, the world didn't work that way, despite how much I wished otherwise, “You'd never leave us, right? You'd never leave us behind? Not for anything?”

“Why would you think I would?”

“I don't,” Her eyes said differently, “I'm just running through the scenarios in my head. What happens if they take someone hostage? What happens if one of us in danger and you're forced to leave us behind to help? What if-”

“You can't keep asking those kind of questions,” I stated firmly, “They only end one way. Besides, I'd just kill anyone who tried. I'd never leave you behind, Tessa.”

“I can take care of myself, Orin,” Tessa said, though the gentleness of her tone showed she appreciated my words. That and the slow blush that crept up her cheeks, “You don't know what's going to happen a week from now, or a month, or a year. Shit goes wrong all the time.”

“You promised a second ago that you'd never leave me alone, Tess,” I said, “I believe you.”

“And I meant it,” Tessa said insistently, “But you can't know-”

“Maybe I can't,” I interrupted her before she could continue to spiral, “But if you think for one second I'm going to live my life listening to some fucking letter a blind woman wrote then you don't know me at all. Did you hear what I said to the Senator? When I drew my sword?”

“Aye,” Tessa replied, “You said you'd do anything to keep us safe.”

She didn't understand. Fear still held a place within her heart. Fear of losing me, of losing our Bond. I examined my Smith out of the corner of my eye before looking ahead to Elora. My Princess was framed by the sunset, her blonde hair spilling free of her loose bun and sporting a smile that was enough to make my soul stutter. Honestly, in that moment, I think I fell for her all over again, “That isn't what I said, Tess. Anyone can say they'd do anything for the people they love. It's empty most of time, because they don't know what 'anything' means, how far they would be willing to go. I said what I wouldn't do to keep the two of you safe scares me. It does, Tess. The thought of losing you, of losing Elora, it wakes me up at night and frightens the ever loving shit out of me. I've asked myself before what I would become in that moment. If I had the chance to see you both again, if I could save you.”

I looked at Tessa then and she stared at me, her lips slightly parted and something in her eyes I had ever seen before, “I'd become a monster, Tessa. A twisted, broken thing that would burn all in front of him. To lose you now, after everything we've been through to get to where we are, it would destroy me. So, I'm asking you. Do you think I would ever leave you behind?”

“No.” My mercenary muttered hoarsely, “No, I don't.”

She could see my conviction but it wasn't enough. The old doubts would rise again, I knew they would, and I wanted to banish them from her entirely. I couldn't remove all of the pain Tess had suffered. I couldn't take back the life she'd had to live to become my Smith. But by the fucking Spirit, she would believe this with everything in her soul.

“Even if the worst came to pass,” I grabbed her hand, holding her tightly, as I met her eyes with mine.

I didn't know how I knew I would be able to do something that up until that point had alluded me. Call it intuition, or instinct. I just felt, in that single moment, I wasn't allowed to fail. Because to falter would mean more than harming myself, it would mean harming her and that I would never do. Could never do.

I touched our Bond, felt the golden thread that connected us on a level beyond the physical. I sought her soul and saw it in the distance, her brilliant water tethered to my blazing fire. I spoke into the thread, using it as a bridge to carry my words to her in the spiritual realm even as I said the same in the physical, “I will find you again.”

They soared across our Bond, the length growing in size with their passing, our recently forged thread becoming stronger, tighter. It was still far smaller than the one I had with Elora but it was a match in resilience. I watched as Tessa's eyes widened, her mouth dropped and a delicate 'ow' left her lips as she felt the power behind what I said, the unwavering certitude that flooded into her soul.

I sighed in exhaustion, my vision spinning as I released my hold on her hand and the Bond. Tess continued to stare at me, her face blank and cheeks red, “And I mean that. With everything in me.”

I turned from Tess and made my way back up the line, fighting to keep the grin off my face as I left my stunned Smith behind to think on my words. I was pretty proud of myself if I was being honest. I hadn't put much effort into speaking over the Bond. There was always something else to do, be it Compression or working to summon my Elements at will. Speaking to my Smiths with a touch was just never a priority. I was glad I'd finally figured out how to to do it, to help Tessa if nothing else. I didn't want my mercenary to lose to lose herself as she had in the past. She wasn't alone and that was something I needed to reinforce in her as much as possible. For a second there she had regressed to her old self, hiding everything troubling her from view. I refused to allow that to happen, not after she had come so far.

I pulled alongside Elora and grabbed my Princess' hand, focusing as I reached out to touch our own Bond. It was almost easy now that I had done it with Tess, like I had unlocked something inside of me that allowed me to speak with them at will. I focused on our connection and spoke, this time without saying the words in the real world, “I love you, Elora. With all my heart.”

She froze, a shiver running through the Princess' body as she turned to look at me with stunned, honey-coloured eyes. Then she threw herself at me.

A flash of panic ran through my body as I hurriedly reached out to grab my Princess, who pulled herself into my saddle and pressed her lips to mine with such feverish abandon that it took my breath away. I locked my arms around her even as she wrapped her own around my neck to pull me closer, settling in front of my saddle.

Elora's horse was more skittish than my own and nearly reared at the sudden lose of her rider. Thankfully, Senator August, who had been mid-conversation with my Smith, snatched the reigns with a practiced hand and settled the mare before she lost herself to panic.

Vera came up from behind us, Annabelle in tow, and the two of them looking with concern to the Princess who had buried her head against my chest, “What happened? Are you alright, Elora?”

My Princess didn't deign to reply, instead just giving a slight shake of her head as she shivered in my arms. I chuckled and looked to Vera a little helplessly, “We're fine, I just spoke to her over the Bond for the first time. I figured out how to do it a second ago.”

“Ah,” Senator August broke in with an amused laugh, which was joined by a relieved Vera and Annabelle, “That would explain the Princess' violent reaction then. Karin wouldn't let go of me for ten minutes after I spoke with her the first time.”

I frowned at the Senator, my arms still wrapped protectively about Elora to keep her from slipping from my horse's back, “What do you mean, Senator?”

“This is something of a milestone, Orin,” Annabelle answered in Calliston's place, staring fondly at the shivering Princess in my arms, “Every Smith remembers the first time their Knight speaks to them over the Bond. What did you say?”

“I said that I love her. Does that make a difference?”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Some, yes. The first time we hear from our Knights over the Bond is the most difficult for us, because you can't send the words without the intent behind them, the feeling. You are so used to hearing Elora speak to you over the Bond, but your souls are less sensitive than ours and so the emotion is lowered to a level that is almost negligible. We will have to teach you to be more careful in future, lest you overwhelm Elora again. Don't worry, its a right of passage for a young Smith to go through this. She'll be right as rain in a few minutes. Just don't let go of her.”

“Congratulations, Lord Orin,” Calliston said with a grin, “It is said that learning to communicate soul to soul is a great step forward as a Knight. Looks like we won't only be celebrating your arrival tonight.”

“Shit, I would've liked to have known that before I fried my wife's brain,” I looked at Elora with concern, brushing away strands of her silky hair to examine the expression on her face. She sported a joyous smile and her golden eyes saw nothing at all as she hummed quietly to herself, “Fuck, I've broken her.”

Then it hit me like a cavalry charge.

I whipped my head around to stare back at Tessa, only to find my Smith being led by a concerned Alden. The Ragoran Knight was looking to his lady with panic on his face. Tess' grin was so large it threatened to break free completely as she giggled into the empty air. Under any other circumstances, I'm sure it would have made me laugh. Now it just scared me half to death.

Many thoughts ran through my mind in that moment. Most to do with the reaction of both Calliston and Lencel should they realise that Tess was going through the exact same thing as Elora. Then I realised something important.

I couldn't give a shit.

I spun my horse about and made my way back to Tess, nodding at Alden as I pulled level with the two of them. The Ragoran Knight returned the gesture thankfully, though his eyes didn't leave Tess for long. He truly did care for her, this I knew even if I was also aware of the mistakes he had made in the past.

“I just spoke with her over the Bond, she's fine,” I said softly to the man, who let loose a relieved sigh as he laughed to himself.

“Thank you, Lord. I was getting worried there,” The Ragoran admitted sheepishly before looking at Elora in my arms, “The Princess as well?”

I chuckled as I glanced down at my Smith, “Aye. I really didn't think it would affect them this much.”

“Nor did I the first time I spoke with Deirdric in that manner,” Alden said with a gentle smile, “The man could barely stand for a time afterwards.”

I pulled my horse alongside Tessa's and lifted her from the saddle. It was difficult to maneuver her, but thankfully my mercenary hadn't completely taken leave of her senses. Tess did most of the work herself and sat behind me on my horse, coiling her arms around my waist and burying her head into my back in much the same way that Elora was doing to my front. I found myself thankful for the first time that I was riding an old war horse. The big bastard took the extra weight without a single sound of complaint. If anything, he moved more steadily.

Alden happily took control of Tessa's horse as I began to follow the Senator and his son once more. The looks they were throwing me were rather telling, with Calliston staring at the shaking mercenary behind me, “Is Lady Tessa alright, Lord Orin?”

“A touch of sickness, Lord Senator,” Deirdric talked now, cutting me off before I could speak up, “Lady Tessaraina is prone to it from time to time. Nothing contagious, I assure you, just a mild bug she picked up on the road. Being near Lord Orin in these times comforts her.”

It was a lame excuse, even from someone like me who was pretty shit at lying, but Calliston seemed to buy it as he nodded grimly, “A terrible thing, that, especially while travelling. I have something that may help. My chef makes an incredible chicken broth that is the bane of all aches and pains. I will have him prepare some when we reach the villa.”

I noticed Vera was glaring at me, her teeth clenched and eyes furious. I stared right on back. Fuck leaving Tess alone while I tended to Elora, that wasn't going to happen. They were both my Smiths and I was well past giving a shit as to who knew it.

The First Knight's anger was justified, I knew. We were trying to keep a low profile, after all, but at this point I couldn't help but think it didn't matter. Calliston and Lencel had greeted us at the gates of Yelmora, all but proclaiming our presence to a few hundred people. If Samuel tracked us here, it would be almost pitifully easy to find us at this point. Besides, even if the Senator was aware of my status as an Heir, he didn't strike me as the kind of man who was a peon of the Hall. I wasn't worried about him selling us down the river.

Annabelle pulled up beside us, a proud smile on her face. Surprisingly enough, it was aimed at me, “Ignore Vera, she doesn't understand. Believe me, waking in the arms of your Knight after something like this is always better. The first time you hear the voice of your Bonded is quite the event in the life of a Smith. It can leave you feeling vulnerable. Better to be somewhere safe when you come to your senses.”

I nodded thankfully at the First Smith. Annabelle chuckled as she examined Elora before her eyes went to Tessa on my back, “Out of interest, what did you say to Tessa?”

I coughed self-consciously, “I said I'd find her again if we were ever separated.”

Annabelle laughed then. A full-belied bellow that rippled like cracks across a frozen lake, “So love, then. Powerful and, in your case, very true when applied to either of your Smiths. It nearly knocked them unconscious which speaks to your feelings all by itself.”

I was feeling a little uncomfortable with this conversation. Mainly the subject matter, but also Annabelle acting normally. I saw her behave this way with Vera, Elora and Tess, but almost never with me. Another thing which was making me feel a little uneasy was the increasing pressure of Tess' arms around my waist. I just prayed that she wouldn't accidentally break my ribs or something.

I reached behind me to make sure my Smith was secure before wrapping my arms around Elora once again. She was already beginning to stir, which was a good sign, “What did Vera say to you? The first time?”

Annabelle grumbled and her eyes darkened as she glared into the past, “My noble sister asked if I wanted something to eat.”

I laughed at that, my eye moving over to the First Knight, who was talking with Lencel, the young man stuttering over every syllable.

“Still, even with so innocuous a question I was knocked off my feet. It almost felt like getting punched. We were on our way to begin our training at the Hall when it happened and Vera didn't know what was going on. I came back to myself with her fussing about me like a mother hen,” Annabelle smiled fondly at her sister, “If I'd known you'd been thinking of attempting it, I would have warned you this could happen. I didn't think we'd have to worry for a time yet, but then I suppose I shouldn't be surprised with you at this point.”

“I wasn't really thinking,” I replied grimly, “Tess needed reassuring after I got that note. That was enough of a reason to try.”

“Such is the way of things,” Annabelle replied, “Mortals often think of the power that is granted to a Knight by their Smith. They think of being able to jump into the air, or the power to throw fireballs, but it is so much more than that. It is a connection beyond what most people will experience and, with the exception of Alice, you will have to share yourself with more Smiths than anyone else. It must take a toll.”

“I'd rather just stick with Elora and Tessa,” I said, looking at each of my Smiths in turn, a involuntary smile appearing on my lips, “I don't need anyone else.”

“But fate often doesn't give us a choice in what we want,” Annabelle said bitterly, her expression turning dark as she looked at Vera, “Orin, there is something I must tell you. It is about your letter.”

“Annabelle!” The sharp shout of the First Knight drew both of our attentions. Vera was glaring at her Sister impetuously, eyes narrowed in suspicion, “Lencel has some questions about Bonding, could you come up here a second?”

Annabelle rolled her eyes at me before gently stroking Elora's hair, “Forget what I said, Orin. Vera is right, it's most likely nothing. Take care of your Smiths.”

I watched as the First Smith rode up the line to join her sister. I felt like she was about to say something important, but I couldn't for the life of me guess as to what it was. Still, Annabelle was pragmatic by nature and I knew she would do anything to protect Elora. If I needed to know it then she would make sure I did.

Two minutes later, I felt Tessa stir against my back and smiled as I reached down to place my hands atop hers.

“What... what?” The words of my Smith were garbled and groggy, almost as though she had just woken from a deep sleep, “Where the fuck am I?”

“On my horse,” I replied, making sure she couldn't move her hands in case she suddenly decided to let go, “Apparently me speaking to you over the Bond has consequences. You alright?”

“I... I... fuck, my head hurts,” Tessa replied, reaching over to grab a hold of my water-skin before raising it shakily to her lips, “I remember you speaking. It was like getting hit by a sledgehammer.”

“I can imagine,” I chuckled, “Don't try to move yet. You're fine but Annabelle said you can feel a little weird when you snap out of it.”

I felt Tess peer over my shoulder, her nose brushing against me, “Is Elora alright?”

“I think so,” I replied, looking to the still humming Princess in my lap, “I spoke to her after you so it will probably take her a little longer.”

“There was nothing in my books about this,” Tessa groaned, leaning her head against my back again comfortably, her hands returning to my waist, “Why the fuck not?”

“That's almost exactly what I said,” I laughed, “I thought I'd broken you two for a minute there.”

“I felt it, Orin,” Tessa shivered, “I felt your promise. There was so much to it. I couldn't keep up.”

“Hold onto it, Tess,” I said softly, reaching back to rap my knuckles against her leg, “Fuck Fate.”

My Smith said nothing, but her hold on me grew stronger, which made me smile. I was glad I had gotten through to her. Turns out all it took was an emotional sucker punch to the soul, who knew?

Elora came to only moments later, blinking as she stared at the estate around us in confusion. Panic began to build there for a second before she caught sight of my smiling face. She relaxed instantly, her own smile appearing as she kissed me once more. This one was intense, serious. As she pulled away, her eyes shone with affection. So much so that it very nearly knocked me senseless.

I quickly explained what happened to my Princess, who shook her head with a wry smile, almost as though she shouldn't have been so surprised that something like this could occur.

“You really do love me.” Elora said hesitantly, her hands hitting against me gently as though she had won some kind of victory.

“You doubted me?” I asked with a grin, my fingers brushing aside strands of hair to see her eyes.

“No, I've known that for quite some time. Feeling it is something else, though,” Elora sighed contentedly before spotting Tessa's arms around my waist, “You spoke to both of us? How are you feeling, Tess?”

“Fucking horrible,” My mercenary grumbled, peering over my shoulder once again, “You?”

“About the same,” Elora said sweetly, wincing slightly, “My head does hurt quite a bit.”

“Here, this helps.” Tessa passed the water-skin over my shoulder to the Princess, “I wish he'd tried this new trick when we could rest without having to be on the back of a bloody great horse.”

“Oh, I don't know,” Elora looked at me with heat in her eyes as she squirmed in place, her fingers rising to trace my silver scar, “It could've been worse.”

Tessa's grip on me tightened as she whispered, so softly that I barely heard anything at all, “I guess so.”

“Ah, welcome back, Princess Elora,” Calliston noticed Elora's clearing vision and smiled, “Just in time too. We have something of a committee awaiting us.”

I looked ahead to catch sight of what the Senator was talking about and finally caught my first full view of his large home.

The August Villa was huge, a mass of elegant pillars and shining, white stone. It wasn't blinding, however, nor did it look ethereal and foreboding like the palace at Myrin. It was large, true, but it seemed almost cosy in a way despite its size. Warm. The large doors to a welcoming hall were thrown open and a group of people awaited us at the steps outside. Most were garbed in red and white, clearly servants of the August family. The three at the front grabbed my attention before anything else as they appeared to look like Lencel. Their hair was of a dark brown instead of black but their eyes were a shining blue that mirrored those of the young swordsman. The two youngest I assumed were Calliston's daughters and, more than that, they were near identical.

We came to a stop and dismounted, with me descending first to help my Smiths off of my large steed. Elora was more than happy to accept my help, though Tessa was far from willing. Thankfully, my Smith soon realised that she was still a little shaky from our antics earlier and reluctantly granted me permission to help her. I made sure the ladies were steady on their feet before I moved to join the rest of our company, Tess on my left as Elora took my right.

“Father!” One of the younger ladies shouted with a grin, running over to hug the old man and then Lencel before turning to us, “Which one is the Princess?”

“Propriety, dearest,” Calliston sighed in consternation, “These are our honoured guests. Princess Elora, this is my youngest daughter, May.”

“Youngest by about three seconds,” The young woman said with a roll of her eyes before beaming at Elora, “It is an honour to meet you, Highness. Father has told us so much.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Lady May,” Elora said with a curtsey which somehow didn't look out of place despite her not wearing a dress, “I thank you for welcoming us into your home.”

“Think nothing of it, Princess,” The older woman, Calliston's wife, spoke up next. Reanin August was clearly a great beauty, one which still shone despite her years, “Calliston was all but bouncing off the walls this morning in preparation of meeting you. Him and Lencel both.”

“Mother...” Lencel flushed in embarrassment.

“And I am Sara,” The other twin said by way of introduction with a small smile, “Forgive my younger sister, she is a boundless font of energy most days.”

That seemed to be something of an understatement, the young woman constantly shifting from foot to foot in front of Elora. They were slightly older than Lencel, but not by much at a guess.

“Lady Reanin, May, Sara. I'm sure you already know Lady Vera and Lady Annabelle?” Elora said with the air of a woman who had practiced these sort of introductions often. The three ladies of August all walked up to the First Knight and Smith, exchanging glad greetings and joking amongst themselves. The twins seemed particularly attached to Annabelle, giving hugs to the the Lady of Ice as Reanin and Vera spoke.

“May I also present Sir Alden and his Smith, Lord Deirdric, of Ragora.” The two men both gave crisp bows to the family, “And the Lady Tessa of Myrin.”

Elora rather pointedly left out Tessa's family name which I was thankful for. Having a Ragoran Knight and Smith pairing with us was bad enough, but to find out we were travelling with the daughter of Mastan D'viritazi would demand answers, even from a host as hospitable as Calliston. I noticed that Tessa, too, looked faintly relieved that her Noble lineage wasn't brought up. I think it made her uncomfortable enough just to think of herself as a Lady. My mercenary nodded briefly to the ladies of August, taking them more than a little aback with the rather stunted greeting.

“And this,” Elora hurried along, “Is my husband, Count Orin Lostwood of House Rin.”

“The Scarred Knight of Myrin?” May said with awe, her eyes wide and staring, “It is an honour, my Lord. We've heard all about you, you're the talk of Yelmora right now. Isn't that right, Sara?”

“It is, May,” Sara sighed at her sister's excitement, “It is a pleasure to meet you, my Lord.”

“Is it true that your entire body is covered in scars? They say in the city that you were cut a hundred times by a hundred great warriors, all of them falling beneath your sword!” May continued, eyes near shining as her smile threatened to spilt her face in two.

What kind of story was that? The fact that I was being talked about in the capital of the Republic was bad enough without introducing some fantastical story as to how I got my scars.

“May!” Reanin August seethed, quelling her daughter's enthusiasm, “Enough!”

“Nice to meet you.” I said rather awkwardly. I had never really been formally introduced before, not as a Count of Venos. It didn't help that that they had clearly already heard about me before, “You have a very nice house.”

Now why the fuck did I say that?

My Princess was staring at me, her eyes fixed to mine as she tried with everything in her not to laugh. Tessa wasn't so kind and chortled at my discomfort, “Nice line, Count Orin.”

I bit back a biting retort for my Smith and thank the Spirit I did because Reanin August spoke next, “Thank you, Count Orin. For as long as you wish to stay, our home is your home. Come, please, I'm sure you would like to bathe and rest. We constructed a bathhouse last autumn that is simply stunning, if I do say so myself.”

I could definitely understand why she wanted us to bathe. I was literally caked in filth. If Elora hadn't introduced me as her husband I was pretty sure I would be consigned to the role of servant boy and I did smell pretty fucking bad. So much so in fact that I was surprised Elora and Tessa had been able to put up with it for the brief trip on my horse.

“That would be incredibly hospitable, thank you, my Lady,” Elora curtseyed once more and the ladies of August followed suit, May looking incredibly happy that she was pulling it off perfectly.

“I will go see to dinner. May, Sara and Lencel can show you to the baths, Highness,” Calliston said with a smile as he clapped a hand on one of his son's broad shoulders, “I will make sure to have a helping of that broth for you, Lady Tessa. It will surely help with what ails you.”

My heart stopped within my chest for a second as I looked to the Senator, only for him to already be walking down the hall with Reanin in tow. I narrowed my eye at Calliston's back. He seemed a savvy man. I guess my intuition was right, after all. He knew Deirdric's excuse was bullshit but he was playing along anyway. There was something in his tone, the inflection on his words. I don't doubt that he knew something was fishy about all this.

“What was that about?” Tess whispered to me as the August siblings began to lead us through the halls of their home.

“Nothing important, Deirdric just told Calliston you were ill,” I replied softly, “Tell me honestly: Do I smell like shit?”

“Yes,” Tessa said immediately, “You've been running all fucking day, Orin. What did you expect to smell like? Tulips in bloom?”

“I think you smell nice, love,” Elora said weakly. I loved her for saying it but she knew that was a lie as much as I did.

I sighed, “Lencel, I wondered if it would be alright to get some clothes? I don't think we have much in the way of outfits fit for dinner with a Senator and his family.”

“Have no fear, Lord Orin,” Lencel replied happily, “You and I are of a size, I will have one of the servants bring you something, the same with Lord Alden and Deirdric. I apologise, sir Boldrin, but I don't believe we have anything that will fit you.”

“Oh, don't worry yourself, lad,” Boldrin laughed, the boom making May and Sara jump as Lencel flinched, “I've got some clean shit to throw on.”

“We will have some dresses brought down as well, your Highness, for yourself and the Ladies,” May said enthusiastically.

“Thank you, Lady May,” Elora beamed, “But if it would be alright, Lady Tessa much prefers to wear something a little more freeing. Perhaps, Lord Lencel, you could find an outfit her as well?”

“Of course, your Highness,” Lencel said, smiling at Tessa, who in no way returned it, “That would be no problem at all.”

Tessa looked to Elora appreciatively and the Princess grinned in response.

The bathhouse truly was something spectacular. Two large baths separated by gender and a tall, wooden wall awaited us deeper in the August estate's villa. Tessa didn't look too enthused by the communal nature of the bath, looking at me almost desperately as my Princess pulled her along, muttering calming words all the while. Elora danced back out a moment later, kissing me on the cheek with a wink and disappearing back inside before I could even gather my thoughts. She knew what she was doing.

The lads all headed into the opposite door. A dressing room awaited us and it took me longer than I'd care to admit to peel off my sodden clothing, sweat and filth turning them almost solid. I wrapped myself in a towel before following my companions out into the bath beyond.

“Shit, this sure is something,” I said as I walked into the large room, glancing to the top of the large wall that separated the baths into two. I couldn't help imagining Elora behind it, but I forced myself to think of anything else. Thinking of my Princess at a time like this would definitely be disadvantageous.

The pool that dominated the centre of the room was shimmering with steaming water, the heat of which I could feel even from where I was standing. I all but sighed as I made my way over and stepped inside, the warmth suffusing my body as the aches of the day were banished. I was so used to a quick wash in a cold stream that I tended to forget how nice it could be just to soak for a while. The last time I had the opportunity to do so was in the palace. That seemed like a lifetime ago now.

“Aye. Hot springs, am I right, lad?” Boldrin said as he jumped into the pool, a sigh of relief escaping him as he closed his eyes, “That's the stuff. Nothing beats a proper Yelesi bath.”

“You are correct, Boldrin,” Lencel said as he too climbed in, “They were one of the reasons that father bought the property in the first place, though he didn't build this place till last year. The water is pumped up from beneath us, I believe, though I couldn't tell you how it works exactly.”

“It is quite something. Reminds me of those in the Empire,” Deirdric said to his Knight, “Do you remember, Alden? That bathhouse in Ionostrum?”

“I do,” The Ragoran warrior replied with a grin, “I remember that young woman who wouldn't leave you alone.”

The scholarly man flushed at that and hurried to explain, “The baths in the Empire allow both men and women inside at the same time. I was quick to tell this particular lady that I was married, but she wasn't having any of it. Followed us back to the inn we had booked for the night.”

“I almost had to draw my sword on her,” Alden laughed with closed eyes, “Say what you want, but she was very persistent.”

I chuckled at that before noticing Lencel staring at me out of the corner of his eye. As I looked at him he was quick to look away. Three guesses as to what he was staring at?

“You can ask if you want, Lencel,” I said politely as I allowed the hot water to wipe the filth clean of my body. The amount of grime that fell off of me and into the bath almost made me want to apologise, “Most people want to.”

“Forgive me, Lord Orin,” Lencel said, looking embarrassed, “I was just taken aback.”

“Aye, my body's taken quite the beating over the years.”

“Marks of a warrior, lad,” Boldrin grumbled, a hot towel chucked over his eyes, “Or a fool. Probably a bit of both in your case.”

I snorted at that and leaned my head back on the edge of the bath, “Some I got cause I was an idiot. Actually, most of them now that I think about it.”

“May I ask about the one that took your eye?” Lencel looked fascinated, “I'm sorry to ask, but such a wound would normally end the career of a warrior.”

“I picked a fight with a Master Knight,” I said darkly, going back to that moment. Pushing Elora away to save her from the same fate as Zelato's silver slices cut into my flesh, “It didn't go well for me. But, to be fair, I was pretty fucked up at that point.”

“The boy's being modest,” Boldrin chuckled, “He'd just killed two fully fledged Knights and held back a half dozen others, all without yet Forging a Weapon.”

“They underestimated me,” I pointed out to a stunned looking Lencel, “If they had taken me seriously instead of just writing me off I'd probably be dead now.”

“Hammond didn't.” Boldrin said quietly, his tone absent emotion and yet I could still hear the pain hidden there, “He took you seriously, lad.”

“Aye, he did that,” I murmured, remembering that scorching yellow fire, the feel of it as it burned my skin. Next to that pain, Alden's fire might as well have been lukewarm. “If it hadn't been for you, Brin and the others, Elora and I wouldn't have made it through.”

Boldrin shook his head, “Nah, you would have found a way. I know it. You're a scrappy bastard, son, always have been. Take more to kill you than that.”

“Maybe,” I shrugged as I looked to the top of the wall that separated the baths, “I think I would've done much better now. I'm twice as strong as I was.”

“I've been finding it difficult to gauge my strength,” Lencel admitted, “How do you know when you're ready to fight? Ready to use your power for the good of all?”

“Truthfully, young Lencel, I don't believe you do know,” Alden said with intensity, “A time will come where you must act and you'll have to make a choice. Only in fire can we be forged anew.”

Too true in my case, I realised. The burns from Craven's flames had long since healed, but their mark remained upon my soul. The day of Elora's wedding marked the moment that I stopped being Orin from the Commons. I'd been forced to change or die in the attempt. For Elora, for my family, for Venos as a whole. I'd said before that I didn't have a choice, but I did. I chose the sword, chose my Princess.

“I was wondering, Lord Orin, while you are here in Yelmora, if you wouldn't mind sparring with me some?” Lencel's question took me by surprise as I turned to the young man, “I see your strength. I believe I could learn much from the instruction.”

“Sure, if you think I could help,” I said with a smile, “And its always good to train against unfamiliar styles. I'm pretty curious about this Formless Sword of yours.”

“I would be glad to show it to you,” Lencel said with a bow of his head, “I too am curious about the style you have learned from sir Boldrin. May I know its name?”

I blinked at that before turning to the old man, “Does your style have a name?”

“Aye, course it does,” Boldrin said with a disappointed shake of his head, “I like to call it 'Kill that fucker before he kills you'. Something like that, anyway. It ain't perfect, true, but I've only been working on it for twenty years. Give me some time. It took Frankel near thirty to name his.”

“There you go,” I said to Lencel, “I think you can tell the difference between our mentors. Was yours as lax as mine?”

“Hardly lax, lad,” Boldrin cut in, “I had you training against different opponents since you could hold the sword, to keep you fresh and alert to different techniques. Tessa was always best though. You bring out the best in each other.”

I raised a brow to Boldrin, “I didn't beat her once when I was with the band.”

Aye,” Boldrin replied with a laugh, “Because she wanted to win so badly that she never held back. I wonder who'd win now.”

“Is Lady Tessa another student of yours, Boldrin?” Lencel asked.

“Aye, lad. My first in fact,” Boldrin said, his smile softer, “And my greatest. No offence, kid.”

“None taken,” I replied.

I would never be bitter about my own skill in combat being inferior to Tessa's. She was the ideal I had been chasing since I'd first met her in the Brigade. I was skilled, but Tess was born to deal death. A memory appeared then, one which I had long since forgotten until that moment. We'd been involved in a skirmish in Andapa. It wasn't even a job. Some bandits had stupidly decided that they wanted to attack a camp filled with armed mercenaries. Tess had only been with the band for a few days at that point. I'd seen her in passing, but we'd yet to properly speak. Of course, I know now that she knew exactly who I was, but that was neither here nor there. I watched her take on three men twice the size she was. She played with them, dancing through their attacks with such speed that they hadn't a hope of matching. She truly was like lightning in that moment, her body striking with the force of a thunderbolt as each blow landed before any of her opponents realised what was going on.

I frowned as the memory became all the more vivid and I watched Tessa dance. There was something to it, something more that I was missing. The way she moved. I felt a resonance with my soul, with Storm. My black flames flickered with Tessa's Element, as though they found the image exciting, memorising.

“I couldn't believe Lady Tessaraina was so proficient as a fighter when we first arrived,” Alden said softly, his eyes looking into the steaming waters, “As a girl, she wasn't interested in combat. She much preferred her mother's lessons on being a Lady. I remember having to coax her out of her room when her father was invited to a tourney organised by the High Lord. She became pale at the sight of blood.”

I tried to imagine that Tessa in my mind, such a contradiction of the one I knew now. For a moment I allowed myself to think on what would have happened had she been left to grow up with her family in Ragora. Would she have been the Lady that she had wanted to be as a child? Growing as a Smith to eventually Bond with some Lord that had been picked for her?

The thought of someone else Bonded with Tessa made my teeth itch and my hands clench in the water.

“May! Stop it!” We heard the muffled shout of Sara on the opposite side of the wall, pulling our attention and yanking me free of my own fantasies of beating a young Ragoran Knight to death for Bonding with my Smith.

“Oh no, May.” Lencel sank deeper into the water, a look of long held suffering in his eyes, “I am so sorry, my Lords.”

“I just want to see the scars!” The walls did a good job of muffling the sound of voices, which meant she must have been shouting pretty fucking loud.

“Get down from there!” My eye shot up to the top of the wall. Was she climbing? Was seeing my scars really so alluring?

A shout of pain came next as the sound of splashing water filled the room. This was hurriedly followed by a voice I recognised as my wife's, “Tess! Don't hurt her!”

I couldn't help myself. I started laughing, my imagination running rampant as I pictured my savage Smith kicking the younger August sibling from the dividing wall to protect my dignity. Boldrin joined me, as did Alden and Deirdric, while Lencel remained in a state of embarrassment.

It was no use thinking about what could have been. Tessa was mine now, just as much as Elora was, and I was hers. I wouldn't change that for anything, nor did I wish to think about what would have happened in a world where things were different.

If anything, I just wish I had Bonded with her sooner.