“Mom! Have some of this! It’s really tasty!”

“Oh…? Where did you get that, Blue?

“A nice man gave it to me!”

“Uhmm… It’s okay, I’m not really hungry.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’ll eat later.”

The girl in front of me struggled to not show the overgrown child just how motion sick she was as she kindly responded to him with a forced smile on her face.

It was a strange scene to watch. The two appeared to be around the same age and yet…

-So… Dad?-

Silika signed.

-Yes?-

-Who are those two?-

Silika asked as she glanced at the pair sitting with us in the carriage.

-That’s Sarah and Blue.-

-And who are they…?-

She insisted, glancing at them with a worried expression.

I looked at the pair, and the woman noticing my glance politely smiled at me before turning back to her ‘son’.

Before we rejoined with the main caravan, I had generally skirted the topic of the feral attack and our assault on their colony, but it had proved impossible.

Once we rejoined the caravan before crossing over to Norland, Silika started noticing things. For one, many of the carriages were different, having been repaired or replaced after the attack. For two, between the people who were injured or died, we were far fewer than when she was separated from us…

And the nail in the coffin was when she took notice of the carriage carrying the caskets…

-They are the people we rescued from the Ferals.-

I opted to answer simply.

She straightened up in an instant.

-Really?! They were prisoners?!-

Well, Sarah was… Blue not so much…

I nodded as I smiled awkwardly, very conscious of the half truth I gave her.

After the raid on the Feral’s lair, we hadn’t really known what to do with Blue. Technically he was a Bastard and a heretic, but his position disposition had made it difficult for anyone to condemn him personally especially since he had been the one that led us to the lair and consequently led to Sarah’s rescue.

Most of the time he acted like little more than a polite child despite looking like a grown man making it even more difficult to decide what to do as he didn’t have full agency of his own. So, for a time, he had simply been kept in a locked room.

Sarah on the other hand had not fared so well.

Although she was grateful, she didn’t have any life to return to. She had no family or friends to speak of to return to, but, more importantly, she was haunted by the memories of what she had been through.

Struggling with Silika’s disappearance, I had distracted myself spending most of my spare time with her as it seemed to bring her comfort.

Although she didn’t speak much about it at first, she eventually opened up about her experience and how it still affected her. She confessed the terrible guilt she held for bringing Bastards into this world… But even more so, never allowing some to even have a chance to live. She repeatedly referred to herself as a murderer and a monster… And as I tried to comfort her as best I could, I let it slip that Blue had survived.

She was ecstatic at the news, and beyond anyone’s expectation she demanded to see Blue repeatedly after that. I wasn’t too sure what to think at first, but then I realised that she and I weren’t so different. I filled the hole in my heart that was left from the death of Lilika and our unborn daughter through Silika, who was I to judge her longing for what she could closest associate to her sons? It took some haggling on my part, but I was able to let the two of them meet. It was to be a one time thing, but after witnessing their tearful reunion, no one could bring themselves to separate them again, but it became obvious we couldn’t leave them in Lowland. The wounds and memories of the Feral attacks were still fresh and too many people knew Blue’s true nature.

As the one who decided to spare him, I took responsibility and had them journey with us. Maybe in Clotop the two of them could start some semblance of a normal life…

-That’s right. They were prisoners. It’s not a very good memory, so let’s not ask them about it.-

She opened her mouth in surprise and nodded seriously, making me both smile and my heart ache.

It was always heartbreaking to see how well Silika could sympathise with these situations. Something only possible for people who had suffered tragedies themselves…

I looked toward the window as she began playing with her plush toy.

I wonder if some day she’ll trust me enough to tell me about it.

About the time before.

About that “man” and that “woman” she sometimes spoke of with fear in her eyes.

Alzan’s investigations in Evergreen had never turned up anything concrete. It had been a feat, actually, to turn up anything at all considering we also had to continue pretending she was my daughter from birth, but it was still disappointing.

All we knew is that she was from the Somewhere West or perhaps South. Likely from a rich or noble family, but that was the extent of it. How she had ended up in a rundown orphanage in Evergreen was a mystery. We had tracked down a report of a coach carrying a girl who matched Silika’s description, but even that was a dead end as the driver had given false credentials… Meaning that someone had sneaked her into Evergreen, but for what purpose?

A horseman walked up to the carriage side and I recognised my uncle, Marlot.

“We’ll be reaching the city walls soon, Marshall. You should keep your head down. We don’t know what type of welcome to expect.”

I frowned seriously.

“Are we expecting trouble?”

He shook his head.

“Can’t be too careful. This trip has been anything but uneventful… I’d like to get you to your father in one piece.”

I nodded and slid down the coach’s shutters

-Can we stop soon? I want to go for a walk…-

Silika signed with a tired expression. .

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

-We’ll be home soon, don’t worry.-

She looked at me with a look of bewilderment.

-Home? Soon? Really?-

-Of course, I told you we would arrive this morning…. I told you yesterday as well.-

-Yeah… But I figured you were lying. Like usual.-

-I don’t lie that often.-

-Oh yeah? Well you said beans were tasty! And you said the carriage would stop bouncing soon! And you said once we joined the others they would have sweets! And you said…-

I let out a tired sigh.

-Silika…. Please…-

She pulled out her tongue and forcefully rubbed her bunny rabbit in my face as some form of revenge.

Sarah chuckled from across from us.

“You two look like you're having fun.”

I scoffed.

“Does it really now?”

“Of course! What else could it be?”

While we spoke Silika climbed over my laps to look out the window. She pulled my collar excitedly as she pointed at something in the horizon.

I looked out the window and recognised the outer defensive walls of the Clotop. I smiled as I slowly sat Silika more comfortably on my knees. It seems Marlot hadn’t exagerated when he said we were close, although it would be a while still before we reach our destination.

-It’s a castle like Evergreen!-

I nodded.

-That’s right, but that’s not the castle. The castle is inside. Clotop and Evergreen are what is called a a walled-city.-

She looked at me with a puzzled expression.

-Isn’t that the same?-

-Well, a castle is usually just a fortified building and the walls around it. So when the walls go around the whole city, you don’t call it a castle.-

I explained, rubbing my chin as I tried to make my explanation not too complicated for a child Silika’s age.

-Actually, there’s two places within the city you could call a castle.-

-Really?! Can we go see them?-

I raised an eyebrow.

-Well, we live in one, so sure.-

Her eyes grew wide in amazement.

-You mean I’m going to live in a castle? Like a princess?!-

I laughed a little at her excitement.

-That’s right, like a princess.-

A while the carriage came to a stop as the caravan reached the city gates. Curious, Silika tried to poke her head out of the window, but I stopped her, Marlot’s warning echoing heavily in my mind.

-Don’t do that Silika.-

She looked at me with an annoyed expression.

-Why not?-

For a moment, I considered repeating what Marlot had told me earlier, but caught myself. Telling her would only make her worry.

-The city guards will come for inspection soon, so you have to be well behaved, otherwise he won’t allow you in!-

-He won’t allow me in?! How could he do that!-

-It’s his job. He decides who can come in and out.-

-Can’t you tell him to let me in?-

-Nope, he has to decide you can come in.-

Her expression shifted to doubt.

-You’re joking, right?-

-You really think I’d do that?-

I said, raising an eyebrow.

A genuine worried expression plastered itself across her face. Although it might be amusing, I decided to cut the joke short.

-Of course I’m joking, but please keep your head in until we reach home. Don’t want you to hurt yourself.-

As if on cue, the gate guard finally reached our carriage for her inspection accompanied by one of our knights.

”Fair tidings, my lord."

”Greeting, soldier."

I simply responded with a nod.

”Tis a formality, but I need to see your family stamp, my lord.”

I nodded and dug out the metallic object from my breast pocket. The woman glanced at it and nodded. Without another word, she continued on her way down the carriages.

-What was that?-

-The lady? She’s the city guard I mentioned.-

-No, I mean the thing you showed her.-

I was taken aback slightly but avoided showing it on my face as I dug out the stamp from my breast pocket and handed it to her. I assumed she’d know of it, but then again, she was still young.

-It’s a Stamp. Nobles receive them when they are born. It’s a way to identify a person or sign papers amongst other things. It’s very precious.-

She carefully handed the stamp back to me.

-Do I have one?-

I shook my head.

-We couldn’t make it before, but we’ll make one soon.-

After all, the cast needed for the stamp is kept sealed within the Ashbrook castle…

The carriage began moving again and slowly we crossed the threshold of the gate and the city finally came into view which once prompted Silika to climb over me.

She gazed out in the streets with sparkles in her eyes. To me, Clotop wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. As opposed to Evergreen, Clotop was a northern city which experienced heavy snow 6 months a year, the buildings were built with steep wooden roofs supported by large wooden beams. Most buildings did have stone foundations, but fully stone carved buildings, like in the capital, were a rarity. There was a charm though to the diamond lattice windows and the carvings in the wooden walls.

As Silika leaned out of the carriage to look better, Marlot’s words came back to me again and I pulled her back to safety.

She looked back at me, annoyed.

-What’s that for?-

-Don’t lean out the carriage, you might fall.-

I said, saying the first thing that came to mind.

She didn’t look impressed.

-I always lean out of the carriage.-

-Well, maybe you shouldn’t.-

She squinted her eyes in annoyance, but, surprisingly, listened to my request and didn’t push any further.

A few passerby eyed our carriage, but nothing more as we made our way through the city.

We finally reached a second wall that despite being much larger and impressive remained in a state of disrepair and unmanned with traffic flowing in and out its gate unimpeded.

This was the entrance to the Old Fortress. The area was once occupied by nobles and their servants, but this was of a bygone era. When the Ashbrook became lords of Clotop over five generations ago, it became an element of pride that we never had any need of a wall to protect ourselves from our own citizens… Of course, there was also a tactical advantage to having an inner wall, but no siege on the city since then had ever necessitated it and the patriotism it inspired, more than made up for it.

This part of the city now served mostly as an administrative and mercantile district, and at its centre, my childhood home, Windstep Castle. The Castle itself didn’t have a proper wall, instead it was built around three large inner yards, the first of which served as the castle’s umbilical cord to the rest of the city.

I held my breath as we crossed this last gateway that had separated us from my family’s home. My old home. Our new home.

It felt like an eternity as the carriage made its long way around the yard before finally stopping in front of the steps leading indoors.

Waiting on the threshold was a middle-aged man whom I didn’t recognise, although, from his attire, he must be the castle’s butler who replaced Alzan when he followed me to Evergreen.

“Welcome home, my lord.”

He greeted us as he opened the door of the carriage. At the same time, another servant opened the door on the other side and quietly invited Sarah and Blue to come out.

I turned back to the butler and solemnly nodded at him before taking a step out and turning back to help Silika down.

The butler looked at her for a moment, almost as if to evaluate her, before taking a knee and bowing his head at her.

“Welcome to Clotop, young Lady Ashbrook.”

Without waiting for an answer, he stood back up and finally faced me properly.

“Leon, at your service, my lord.”

“Pleasure. Marshal Ashbrook. And this is…”

“Silika, your daughter, I presume?”

I was taken aback at his tone, not exactly dismissive and had a tinge of excitement?

No, something more like urgency. As though he’s been waiting for this specific moment for a long time.

“That’s correct.”

He nodded thoughtfully.

“My Lord has been gushing about the young lady ever since we received news of your arrival.”

There was a bit of weariness to his voice.

“I’m certain it will bring him great joy to finally meet her…”

He almost allowed a sigh to escape.

Well, that’s unexpected. Who'd have thought that man would be the type to gush over a granddaughter? I guess age truly does things to people.

“Speaking of, where is the count? I had expected him to be here to meet us.”

The butler’s expression immediately turned darker.

“Why don’t we get the young Lady inside first, my lord? The wind can be ghastly cold in this season.”

I furrowed my brow at the strange comment.

“I’m sure you know this, but my daughter cannot hear us.”

“It is not her that I worry about, my Lord.”

He said, glancing at the people moving about the yard behind us.

Perhaps, Marlot wasn’t exaggerating after all… Although what was it that they were so afraid of?

The man led us inside, through the great marble entrance.