"So bro," Ramon asks excitedly, almost bouncing up and down on Loaner's back, "you managed to win Amanda back for me? Everything's right on track again?"

I resist the urge to face palm at Ramon's predicament. Your wife to be dumped you because you're a notorious whoremonger. That Amanda's probably scared of contracting something disgusting once Ramon sticks his little bro into her. And getting your elder brother to win Amanda back after your stunt with the dire bear failed is really sinking to a new low.

I keep all this to myself, obviously. Other than an aborted chuckle that comes off more like a strangled squeak. Ramon doesn't notice anything though, thank goodness. Since we're riding behind Fat Man Richard's entourage, I can't see the expression on his face. However, Richard shifts his bulk uneasily, taking his time to answer Ramon's question.

"Not exactly." Richard finally sputters, "Something happened."

"Something happened." I repeat flatly, realizing that this is the universal code phrase for 'I fucked up. Bad'.

"What happened?" Ramon bulls onward, unaware of the subtext, a more likely, too eager for any kind of news about his Amanda.

"I think she's found someone else?" Richard finally manages to say, "She wasn't interested in coming back with me to Southmarsh."

"Oh." Ramon deflates completely and I feel his brow rest against my back in a posture of defeat. Loaner neighs, a surprisingly snide sound.

I stifle a sneeze from the dust being stirred up by Loaner's hooves. We've crossed the ruined outer perimeter of the town, and the neighborhood has improved dramatically. Buildings have been repaired and look actually lived in. Small crowds of people mill about here and there, but keep away from Fat Man and his bruisers. An aura of arrogance radiates of Richard, a kind of expectation of deference from the folk around him. Even his horse has managed to assume a swagger as it canters along the road.

"We've got to bring Amanda back though." Richard continues, this time sounding worried, "Our family is counting on your marriage. That's what the old man said."

"What? Why?" Ramon furrows his brows in annoyance, "Bro, this whole affair is humiliating enough already. Why is the old man getting so involved anyway?"

"I dunno." Richard scratches his hair, sending a shower of snowflakes settling on his shoulders, "He said something about entailment. No idea what it means though. Old man didn't bother to explain."

"Hnh." I grunt, noncommittally. Entailment. That's part of feudal succession law. It means that a noble estate can't be passed down as of right. There's a condition attached to it, usually something that guarantees that the estate remains in the hands of a noble house and remains undivided.

Those General Studies classes at the Academy were actually useful. How about that.

"You figures something out, Mac?" Ramon asks from behind me.

"Maybe." I shrug, "You should really ask your father about it though. I shouldn't speculate."

"Smart man." Richard scoffs, "Dasar family business isn't your business."

"As you say." I respond agreeably, not really wanting to get into a fight with Ramon's brother. That would be counter productive to the mission the Sage charged Ramon and I with.

"So, how's Sylvia bro?" Ramon seizes the lull in the conversation to cut in, eager to shift the focus of attention away from his personal problems.

"What'ya talking about?" Richard grumbles, the folds of fat on his body jiggling with the movement, "Sylvia is where she's always been. Nowhere in sight."

"How can Sylvia be nowhere in sight?" Ramon rolls his eyes, "She's your wife."

"Stop messing with me Ramy." Richard's voice lowers dangerously, "Its not funny."

"What the hell are you -" Ramon blurts out before Richard interrupts brusquely.

"I get it. You're uncomfortable about Amanda ditching you." Richard snaps, "But that doesn't give you the right to laugh at Sylvia not showing up at the wedding. Understand?"

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There's a stunned silence hanging in the air, and Fat Man finally releases a long sigh.

"Sorry, didn't mean to lose it like that." Richard says, "Just, let this issue rest, OK?"

More silence from Ramon. My mind is also sent reeling from what the Fat Man's saying. Ramon told the Sage that he remembered attending his brother's wedding before leaving home for Deshawn City.

And now the groom himself is claiming that the wedding never happened.

"OK. Good." Richard answers his own question and kicks the side of his horse while sinking into a morose silence.

"Its happening, just like the last time." I whisper to Ramon, cold sweat running down my back.

"I know." he hisses back, "The wedding happened, I'm sure of it. And now my brother is saying something else. Its Springvale all over again."

"You're not revisiting your past at least. That's a whole different level of messed up." I remark, "But, there's something we need to consider here."

"I can think of plenty of things to consider right now." Ramon mutters, "Like whether or not I'm going crazy."

"Stay focused." I urge, "Our safety might depend on it."

"The Sage said my family's safety was what's at stake." Ramon points out, "We should be fine, for now at least."

"You're missing the point." I rebut in a worried voice, "Mac Nair's parents in Springvale were not my parents. And on the same note -"

"That Richard might not be my brother." Ramon concludes for me, swallowing hard.

"Yeah. So you see the problem?" I reply, scanning the town for any danger. Nothing so far, but just by following Fat Man, we could be walking right into the lion's den.

"I don't think Richard means us any harm though." Ramon says doubtfully, "At least that's what my gut is telling me. I mean, Richard does genuinely seem happy to see me. Unlike, well, you know."

"Don't remind me." I cringe, recalling being chased out of my own home back in Springvale. But being chased out also meant that a line in the sand had been drawn. Here in Southmarsh, we had no idea from what angle the danger would be coming from. It could be from the front, the sides, the back, or even from the Fat Man's ass. Ramon and I were flailing in the dark.

"The Sage did say he would contact us again." I smack my lips after some thought, "We should just sit tight, wait for further instructions. That would be the safest thing to do."

"We might not have the chance." Ramon purses his lips unhappily, "If whatever is coming for my family makes its move first, I'm jumping into action, come what may."

"I got it. I'll back you up if it comes to that." I sigh in resignation, "I just hope it doesn't though."

The Sage better contact us the moment we settle in. Its one thing to knowingly head into danger. That's the trade of a magic knight after all. But not actually knowing anything about the danger you're going to be facing is just stupid.

"That bastard." Richard growls out of the blue, rousing Ramon and I from our secret conversation.

Our little procession approaches a well appointed and newly built villa, guarded by men in the same uniforms as the House Guard stationed at the gate. The villa also has very substantial grounds decorated with neatly manicured bushes, swallowing a large part of the neighborhood surrounding it. Solid stone walls carve out the villa's perimeter and an iron gate coupled with a pair of House Guard keeps unwanted guests out.

Richard abruptly swerves out of formation and heads straight toward the House Guards in front of the villa's gate. He then hocks a massive load of spit right at one of the guards, staining the man's uniform. The guard doesn't respond, staring off into the distance while Richard sneers nastily and rejoins our group.

"What was that for, bro?" Ramon protests, looking back at the guard worriedly.

"Provoking someone isn't wise." I sourly note, "That guard still has his musket. And none of us have eyes at the back of our heads."

"I needed to let off some steam." Richard exclaims, "And damn, it felt good! Morgan's not going to shoot either of you in the back anyhow. He knows what he did, and he knows I know. So relax."

"What did he do?" Ramon asks, his curiosity piqued.

"Something he shouldn't." the Fat Man answers darkly, not offering any further explanation.

I swing my third person viewpoint backward and find that Richard's right. That guard, Morgan, just keeps standing by the gate, not reacting to the insult, the spit drying on his uniform. From this angle, I can't see Morgan's face clearly, but his mouth is subtly pulling downward in a snarl. He's mad as hell, but can't do anything about it. Richard must have a really powerful hold over that man.

Morgan's hand slides under his jacket, and for a moment I almost throw myself and Ramon off Loaner's back, fearing that the guard is reaching for a pistol. Then it turns out that Morgan's just scratching himself. Scratching himself really enthusiastically. He must be suffering from a rash or something similar.

Our procession finally reaches the base of the tower that's the Dasar manor, and our progress is halted by a wooden barricade built in place of a traditional gate. Footmen move the barricade to the side, giving us free passage. As we step into the shadow of the tower, we are greeted by a pair of maids, dressed in the exact same costume Ramon had disguised me with in Deshawn City, right down to the veils over their faces.

There's one difference though. Both the maids carry swords by their side.

Without missing a beat, the pair bow deeply to Richard, a single smooth motion. Ramon eagerly jumps off Loaner without warning, making a beeline to the manor's main entrance. The crowd of footmen part, looks on recognition on their faces. Ramon's arms reach out, seeking out something that he has badly missed. His mouth quirks, forming a somewhat forlorn smile.

"I'm home."

"Don't be so sure." I murmur to myself.

But I let my friend have this moment. He should enjoy it, the same way I did in Springvale.