Kenric, flaming torch in hand, stared up at the starry night sky at his manor’s main gate as he waited for Elizabeth to join him. As usual, it calmed him, making him feel less tethered to his problems. He sucked the freezing air into his lungs, and then he heard footsteps. He expelled the air, expelling some of his stress along with it, and turned.

She’d come dressed in a frilly shirt and trousers over boots, her long blonde hair elegantly braided behind her. It was different from the usual sort of look she went for.

“Why are you dressed like that?” Kenric asked.

Elizabeth blushed, “I thought I’d try something new.” Kenric wasn’t sure, but he thought he saw her glimpse at his own clothes, so similar to hers, for a moment.

“Very well. Come, let us go to the gate,” Kenric said. They left the manor and walked through the quiet streets of Blaidd, Kenric’s torch staving off some small portion of the winter cold. There were still a few people about here and there, but on the whole, it was far more silent than during the day.

Kenric remembered when he had been a child, and he’d first walked through Blaidd at night. It had been a strange experience, as though peeking into a world where he’d acted differently. What if instead of sleeping during the night and going out at day, he did the opposite? This was how the world would be, no? This was the reality he’d live.

Those were the whimsical thoughts of a child that had been erased years ago. Now he’d been out in the city at night countless times, and none of it seemed very special anymore. However, that was most likely not the case for Elizabeth. He watched her out of the corner of his eye as she looked around.

“Is this the first time you’ve been out here at this hour?” Kenric asked.

Elizabeth’s gaze snapped to him, and she self-consciously rubbed the nape of her neck, “Y-yes. Although, I can see some of the city from my window.”

“I see,” Kenric said. She was usually rather conscious around him, as though trying to make sure she wasn’t disappointing him. He wondered, was that the training of nobility, or was that because of what she had suffered before coming here?

They walked, and Elizabeth suddenly asked, “I’ve wondered this for some time now, but since everyone who lives here is in such constant danger, why don’t they just leave? I understand that Yareth would be threatened if Blaidd falls, but does every single citizen here feel that same responsibility?”

“And where would they go?” Kenric asked. He continued sardonically, “Perhaps to Lord Aubet’s territory? Maybe they could set up a farm and live in peace there?” Elizabeth looked down at her feet, and Kenric explained, “Leaving is not so easy. Setting up any manner of livelihood in a new place with barely any funds is a near-impossible task. Besides, this is their home. You were forced to leave yours, can you not understand how terrible that feels?”

“Home…” Elizabeth repeated softly. They walked in silence for a bit and, while looking at the stars as though wanting a reason to avoid his gaze, she asked, “Back when we spoke with Lord Aubet… you said you didn’t love your land even a little bit.”

The question took him to a darker, heavier place, and his voice reflected that, “Yes. I don’t.”

“Then… why don’t you leave?” Elizabeth asked, finally meeting his eyes.

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The question took Kenric by surprise, “Me?”

“Yes. A capable warrior such as yourself would have no trouble finding work. You could even choose who to serve, someone you respect, and someone who listens to you.”

“Are you asking me to defect?” Kenric asked.

“No, I’m asking why you haven’t already abandoned Blaidd and left? Surely you realised that you had that option long ago?”

Kenric brought up his cane to display it before putting it on the ground again, “For one, I cannot fight for long. I doubt that makes hiring me any easier.”

“But those few minutes in your hands mean the world in others’,” Elizabeth said doubtfully, “And besides, you’ve got experience as a commander as well. You’d be taken in in a heartbeat—Wereion might even make you a noble if you went to them now. I’m certain you know this.”

Kenric remained silent for a few moments. It was not something he had ever put into words, and picking out the greatest reason for him staying in this land he did not care for took a little thought, “It’s my duty.”

“Because you are the lord of Blaidd?” Elizabeth asked.

“Because my father loved this land, and he left it to me,” Kenric said, “That is all.”

Perhaps recognising the finality of his statement, Elizabeth fell silent. They arrived at Blaidd’s main gate, and the guards on duty, clad in steel armour, bowed in greeting. They waited for a while until, from the darkness, the hulking form of Gordon came into view.

The guards readied their weapons, but Kenric told them to stand down, and once Gordon reached them, he said, seeming to grin proudly despite his lack of a mouth, “No one noticed me this time, boss! Although, now that I think about it, I think I had to sneak past way less people than last time…”

“Well done,” Kenric said, “You’ll be staying in my manor for tonight. We’ll see about introducing you to everyone tomorrow. Come.”

They returned to the manor, giving Gordon the sparring ground to recharge in should he wish, and turned in for the night.

The next morning, Kenric awoke early as always to train with Elizabeth, while Gordon watched.

“So you do this every day?” Gordon asked, sounding fascinated.

“If I don’t, my body will begin to forget how to fight, and then I will lose to you,” Kenric said matter-of-factly as he swung his wooden blade in forms he had memorised intimately long ago.

“Ah, flesh—always so packed with all kinds of weaknesses,” Gordon said shaking his head.

Elizabeth, who was sitting as she maintained her stasis spell on Kenric’s leg, pointed at the shining red crystal on Gordon’s back, “Don’t you have that large weakness as well?”

“That’s only one weakness, and a good one at that,” Gordon sniffed.

The sun continued to rise, along with most of the manor staff, and as they spotted Gordon, they pooled out onto the sparring ground to gawk. Once enough people had gathered, Kenric put his wooden sword down against the makeshift fence and announced, “Everyone, meet Gordon. Gordon, these are some of the people who work for me here.”

Gordon raised a hand at the crowd, “Hey.”

“Er—what is this… Gordon?” Liam asked, scrutinising him with a disbelieving look on his face.

“A golem. He will serve under my direct command,” Kenric said, “Liam, once you’re done cooking breakfast, take him with you to the barracks and get the soldiers used to him. Have them make a hut for him there.” A thought occurred to him, “And take Noodle with you.”

“Understood, my lord,” Liam said. He returned back into the manor, and Kenric turned to Gordon next, “Speak with who you wish while you wait for Liam, but don’t hurt anyone,” he levelled Gordon with a dangerous look, “If you do, you won’t survive the day.”

If Gordon could gulp, he seemed as though he would have in that moment. He gave a small bow and echoed Liam, “U-understood, my lord.”

Amongst the manor staff gathered here was Aida, and Kenric said to her, “Come, let us speak in my office.” They entered the manor again, and Kenric realised that Elizabeth had automatically followed them.

“We will be speaking about matters sensitive to Aida, so I’ll have to ask you to leave us for now,” Kenric said.

“Matters sensitive to me?” Aida asked, pointing at herself.

“Your past, specifically.”

Aida scratched her head, looking troubled before settling on something, “Nah, it’s fine, let her come. She’s bound to find out eventually. Most people here already know.”

“Know? Know what?” Elizabeth asked.

Kenric opened the door to his office, revealing that Gerald was already waiting within, “We’ll speak of it inside.”