Kaunas picked up the cane from the table and placed it on the ground. Despite the pain in his back and neck, he clenched his teeth and managed to ignore it as he stretched his knee and stood up. Leaning on the cane, he took another step toward the cupboard on the opposite side of the room. Opening one of the vases, he found a week-old piece of black barley bread. It was as hard as stone, but thankfully, it didn't smell of mold. He grabbed a used knife and spread butter on the bread, nibbling at it hungrily.

Suddenly, he heard the trotting of a horse outside and rolled his eyes. There was nothing to worry about; it was probably his sister's little friend. But did the boy think it was easy for Kaunas to crawl from the bedroom to the bridge during lunchtime?

As expected, the boy began hammering at the door. Kaunas wished to scream and say, "Stop, I'll be there in a minute," but he doubted they would listen. When the sound of the blows became intolerable, he leaned against the table, stood up with his cane, and made his way out of the room. He walked towards the gate at a snail's pace, and the pounding on the door continued.

"Stop now! I'm coming!" he shouted as loud as his lungs allowed, and the blows ceased. Reaching the iron gate, he leaned his shoulder against it, unlocked the metal locks, and pulled the door open with effort. On the other side of the wall stood a rider, his shoulder-length hair blowing in the wind, with two sacks tied to his horse.

"Come in," said Kaunas, as Wil crossed the bridge, then the gate, and dismounted with a humble gesture.

"Good morning, Sir Kaunas!" Wil greeted.

Kaunas forced a disinterested smile. "Come in," he said, walking towards Wil, pretending to help him with the sacks of flour and potatoes that Wil quickly carried on his shoulders.

"Thank you," muttered Kaunas, hobbling and trying to keep up with Wil's pace. They crossed the threshold into the inner plaza, then entered the main hall, which was filled with dust and bags of food. Wil dropped the bags inside while Kaunas closed the door behind them, shutting out the cold breeze.

Wil let out a sigh of relief and stretched his back.

"Do you need help with anything else?" Wil asked.

"Not really, but it's cold outside," Kaunas replied, invoking basic courtesy. He admitted to himself that being alone for hours had plunged him into an abyss of uncertainty. Any company was fine, even if it was someone he didn't particularly like.

"Would you like a cup of tea?"

"No need, my brother..." Wil started to say.

Kaunas hated being called that. They had no resemblance. Who did Wil think he was?

"Something to drink?" Kaunas offered.

"You mean a real drink."

"Sit down, Wil. I'm going to find something good, alright?"

"Well," Wil sat down at the table and stretched out his arms. Kaunas turned and walked towards the door, heading for the cellar outside. Suddenly, he heard the sound of another horse trotting on the bridge.

He sharply turned his head. "Hey, did you see anyone else on the road?"

Wil raised an eyebrow and asked, "No. What's wrong?"

Kaunas turned pale and asked, "Who's that?" The trot of hooves echoed closer until it resounded on the bridge and stopped in front of the gate. Kaunas felt panic crossing through his mind. Had they arrived a month and a half before? And he had left the gate to the bridge open! He swallowed, worried about what might happen next. He had just recovered from a long period of weakness, and he couldn't allow them to jeopardize his progress.

"I don't remember seeing anyone. Well, maybe I did," Wil exclaimed, jumping up in alarm.

"They must have been behind you! Who did you see?" Kaunas questioned, his heart pounding faster with fear.

"Well... At first, there were several riders, but I didn't think they were coming here," Wil replied.

"Several?" Kaunas felt his heart race even more. "Tell me, were they armed?"

"Now that you mention it, there was this guy with a sword and armor," Wil recalled.

Suddenly, the sound of hooves advancing on the wooden bridge filled the air. Kaunas closed his eyes tightly.

"What's wrong?" Wil inquired, sensing Kaunas's fear.

"Silence!" Kaunas shouted, unable to hide his fear and hurriedly making his way toward the cupboard.

"I'll carry you on my shoulders," Wil offered, approaching Kaunas. But Kaunas made a disgusted gesture and shook his head.

"Leave me alone!" he demanded, trying to quicken his pace with his cane until suddenly, he fell to the ground and let out a scream.

"Brother Kaunas!" Wil rushed to help him to his feet and supported him by taking his arm. They both heard the sound of horse hooves approaching the door, then stopping. A man dismounted from the horse.

"Lower your voice!" Kaunas whispered, hearing footsteps drawing closer. Wil helped him to his feet and carried him, leaning on his shoulders, into the room. They suddenly heard knocks on the door of the house, causing Kaunas's anxiety to intensify.

"Blast!" Wil exclaimed. "I think he's trying to force the door."

Kaunas's face filled with horror as he looked at Wil. "I forgot to lock the door!"

"What?" Wil paled.

"He's going to open it!"

Wil swallowed hard and jumped up. "Do you have any weapons around here?" he whispered, scanning the room for anything that could be used.

Kaunas shook his head.

"You stay here," Wil instructed, crawling towards the door and searching the room for something. He found a clay plate and hid behind the door frame, holding it as a makeshift weapon.

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"Do you plan on using me as bait?" Kaunas flashed his teeth in frustration.

"You'll see," Wil replied.

The door opened, and sunlight streamed in. Kaunas's heart raced as he watched a high boot step onto the ground. The silhouette of a man gleamed in the sun, with a sheathed sword hanging from his waist. He seemed almost unreal.

Suddenly, Kaunas recognized him. "Wil! Don't move!"

But Wil didn't hear. He swung the plate towards the man's head, but the visitor agilely dodged like a panther and punched him in the stomach. Wil fell backward onto his buttocks, and the plate shattered into pieces.Kaunas scrutinized the man before him, taking in every detail. Gray, disheveled hair covered by a leather hat. A face marked by fatigue and wrinkles, with a patch concealing one eye.

"Young Kaunas," the man addressed him. Suddenly, Wil leapt out from behind the man and made a move towards him.

"Wil, leave him be! He is a friend!"

Wil stumbled and looked at Kaunas, bewildered.

"Yes," Kaunas struggled to sit up. "Apologies, Sir Van Pruisen. We didn't realize it was you."

"Don't worry, lad," he reassured, rushing towards Kaunas with the energy of a young man. He took Kaunas by the arm and helped him to his feet, treating him with unexpected tenderness.

"But look at what they've done to you, young man."

"I'm recovering," Kaunas replied.

Van Pruisen sighed. "I feared something like this would happen." His voice turned grave and solemn. "I heard about your father's fate. What a pity! He was a noble and strong man. I'm deeply saddened by his loss."

"Yes," Kaunas shook his head. "If only we had acted differently from the start. But, Sir Van Pruisen, please take a seat. Make yourself at home. My castle is yours."

"Thank you," Van Pruisen replied, keeping his hand on Kaunas's shoulder. He walked alongside Kaunas, treating him as if he were an elderly man. It felt belittling, but Kaunas knew he deserved it in his present state.

Wil was still blinking behind them, clearly overwhelmed.

"Ah," Kaunas stopped. "That there is Wil."

"Good morning, Wil," Van Pruisen turned to Kaunas. "Your loyal servant, I presume?"

"Something like that," Kaunas laughed. Wil frowned. "Wil," Kaunas snapped his fingers. "Go fetch some wine."

Kaunas led Van Pruisen with his arm around the man's shoulder until they reached the table in the living room.

"It's truly wonderful to see you, Sir Van Pruisen. What brings you here?"

"The rumors I heard. I had to visit my old friends. And of course, to remember your father." He turned his head towards the wall, pointing to the portrait of Kaunas's father. It depicted him in his youth, sporting an eccentric haircut and a mustache divided into two pointed sections resembling sewing needles.

"Yes, my father..."

"I miss him too, son. Truly, I'm sorry. Which reminds me," he glanced around. "Where's little Ade?"

Kaunas couldn't help but laugh as memories flooded his mind. When they were children, Van Pruisen loved to carry Audra in his arms, while she despised him with all her heart. She had even peed on him more than once.

"I'm ashamed to admit," Kaunas coughed.

"What happened?" The man's expression turned horrified.

"Well... She got a job in the Eastlands. Apparently, she was invited by the Czar of Navgarod."

"The Eastlands? I had no idea she was that talented! But did she leave you all alone like this?"

"She believes it can be beneficial for us in the long run," Kaunas explained.

"Well, it's better than nothing. I hope the poor little one thrives. And I must say, I had no idea she had such talent.""Well," sighed Kaunas, "it seems that she has a gift for the supernatural."

"So she's gifted. Sounds good to me. We always wanted a saint in our circle of friends or family."

"A saint?" Kaunas was confused. He cursed silently for letting her go. He could have done more to prevent his sister from going on that trip. "Alright then. Sir Van Pruisen, would you like something to drink?" said Kaunas.

"Well, a meeting after so long deserves a celebration!"

"Alright."

"And that boy? Where did he go? Who is he, a servant?" asked Van Pruisen.

"Yes," replied Kaunas, laughing and looking around. But all he heard was the horse neighing outside and then galloping away. Wil had left.

Kaunas took the cane in his hand and hurried to the cellar.

"Don't bother," Van Pruisen said. "Just tell me where the wine is, and I'll get it."

It wasn't the ideal scenario for the guest and the owner of the house, but it was better to bend the rules on this occasion.

"Alright," sighed Kaunas. "In the cellar, down here, there's a collection of wines. Some of them have spoiled, but there are still some good ones."

"Good thing you mentioned it," said the old man, rushing to open the cellar and descending the stairs. After a few minutes, he returned with two glasses and a bottle wrapped in parchment, a childlike smile on his face.

"This was your father's favorite," he declared, placing the glasses on the table and pouring the wine. "Vintage from almost fifteen years ago."

Kaunas sighed. Why was he still talking about his father?

"Are you still practicing your swordsmanship?" asked Van Pruisen.

"Well... I tried, but in the end I decided it wasn't for me."

Van Pruisen looked horrified. "But you had talent! Come on, if you had just been a bit more dedicated…"

Kaunas raised his glass and took a sip. It was good wine. Father had good taste.

The old man chuckled. "Ah, those were the days, my friend. We thought they'd never end. Before Jogälion. That Jogälion. How has he been ruling?"

"He's quite efficient. He has cleaned up the streets. But he's also on good terms with Siwelzac. That hasn't been good for us."

"That's how things go. Every coin has two sides."

"If you say so," Kaunas added.

Van Pruisen refilled his glass and took a sip. He swirled his cup.

"Listen, Kaunas. I was very close to your father for so many years. It's a shame I had to return to my homeland. But now I want to expand my work here. I've also spoken to members of your king's court."

"Really?"

"Yes. The young ones want me here. They know about my experience and hold it in high regard. And… I've even been offered to train some of his men."

"Well... You didn't do a good job with me."

Van Pruisen looked offended, but then laughed. "That's because you're a lazy scoundrel."

"I admit it," said Kaunas."Well, regarding the subject, since I will be here, I can offer you some support. At the very least, I can provide protection. Fortunately, I still have respect both here and in the Brightlands."

"But what will happen to Siwelzac?" Kaunas sighed. "They will come next month... They expect us to pay them something, but we have nothing to pay them with! I don't know what they're going to do to me."

"Ah, those scoundrels have no basis for criticism against someone like me. I've seen the world, my lad. I have survived worse situations than you. I even lost my leg. By the way, I have a bronze leg. And I have managed to survive for so long. A puppet threatening my old friends is nothing."

Kaunas cleared his throat. "But what can we do?" His face grew serious.

"But there's something else, my young friend." Van Pruisen looked him in the eyes with his one visible blue pupil.

"What?"

"That, as you are right now, with no talent other than debauchery, you won't get far. You will never escape this situation. Even if someone powerful or the gods themselves help you, you can only go where your own two feet take you. And judging by you, they won't take you very far."

"What should I do?"

"You must recover, learn to wield a sword, learn to govern, defend yourself... and strike back. When fiefdoms start with guys like Siwelzac, that's what will keep you going."

"But Sir Van Pruisen, you can't just run away from things that just are. The priests say it's destiny. I've always been like this. I can't change. It's my fault. But it can't be changed anymore."

"That's where you're wrong, young man."

"What can I change? We're born for something. And I wasn't born for that. I need someone to look out for me."

"You've offended me with your words. Now listen to me. Since childhood, my father paid me to transform you into a nobleman. A gentleman. A warrior. That should have been my first priority. I failed initially, but not anymore. So," he continued, "if you accept my help, once you've recovered, I'll begin your training. We'll bring people here. And this will be my home. Do you understand?"

Kaunas blinked. Things were moving quickly. But for now, accepting it would be much safer than being alone. The old man was one of the greatest warriors the world had ever known, and despite his age, he was wise and knowledgeable. He knew everything there was to know about war. So Kaunas just stared at him, astonished, and nodded.

"I will transform this place..." Van Pruisen stood up, his back to Kaunas, "... into a fortress. Got it? And then, it will be you." He pointed at him. "You will be the one to either reclaim the glory of your family's castle or build a new one. Right here! Where this crumbling house stands. I will make you a true nobleman, my son! I won't fail your father. Never again."