The group of four spent a few minutes in silence, mourning for the young boy who had perished from sickness years ago. Faust did not ask what disease it was that killed him. He had seen numerous people die from a large swathe of different afflictions.

When they stood up again, he felt Leona tug at his sleeve. He turned to her, and she gulped.

“Faust… you need to tell Flora. The sooner the better.” He could see a slightly anxious look on her face. She didn’t like its implications either. They both dreaded the talk with her.

Faust took his fiancée’s hands into his and smiled at her tenderly.

“Leona. It needs to be done. There’s no kind way to go about this. No matter what I say, she will be heartbroken…” his smile had saddened. No matter what, seeing Flora suffering was never his intention.

Her face showed a complicated expression, but she nodded eventually.

“I’m sure you will do well.”

Then, before Androcles and Alexander, she kissed him on the lips, before taking his hand.

“This girl…” Schenk scratched his head and chuckled.

“Well, she takes after her parents I reckon,” Alexander smirked at his Baron.

“And so we all step into the footsteps of our parents…” he looked at his liege meaningfully who nodded briefly, taking a deep breath.

“Whether we like it or not.” The Earl smiled weakly as the group of four returned to the castle. Leona and Faust separated when they got out of the gardens.

They wanted to leave for their rooms when Schenk called them over once more. He only said four words.

“That will wait until marriage.”

Leona blushed and looked away while Faust was thrown into a coughing fit.

Alexander chuckled next to them. “Poor things.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That night Faust could not sleep well at all. He had a terrible premonition for the next day. The little sleep he got, he dreamt of unpleasant things. When he woke up, he didn’t feel rested at all. He felt like going straight back to bed. He sighed, shuddered, and forced himself to stand up.

‘Today is the day I dreaded the last two weeks… I will tell Flora.’ He had a sour taste in his mouth just thinking about it. He dressed himself in a fresh set of clothes and went down to the kitchen which was next to the grand hall.

It was still very early; the sun hadn’t risen yet. Still, he got a piece of bread and some cheese from one of the cooks.

‘Let me go for a short walk to clear my head… I’m still groggy…’ he said and left the inner castle, going for a walk around the castle. It was cold and wet. It had rained in the night.

Yet Faust was not affected at all by this. He didn’t even think about it. He felt warm despite wearing only ever so thin clothing. It was still March after all, so the nights were still cold.

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Faust casually strode down the main road before he came to a sudden halt. Around the next corner would be the training grounds. And he could hear weapons clashing and men grunting from there. He didn’t pay a lot of attention; his mind was elsewhere.

‘So I really am betrothed now…’ he thought and couldn’t help but smile when he thought of Leona. He may have looked like a lovestruck fool when he walked around the corner. He caught one of Alexander’s soldiers smirking at him.

“What’s there to smile about at this awfully wet and cold morning comrade?” he asked with a cocked head. He didn’t mean ill and was merely bored, that much Faust could tell.

Only now did Faust realize how cold it had to be as he saw the man wearing a thick coat.

“A breath of fresh cold air is a wonderful thing after a long and sleepless night.” He replied, which earned him an approving nod.

“Aye. We soldiers have to enjoy the little things in life as much as the big ones. What’s your name young fella?” the big man with his big, bushy full beard asked Faust.

“Faust. What's yours?” he replied. The man stood up, walked over to Faust, and held out his hand for a shake.

“My name is Bronn. Nice to meet you.”

They shook hands. Both of them were surprised by each other's grip strength and Faust saw Bronn grinning at him widely.

“You’re stronger than you look pretty boy!” he laughed and retracted his hand.

‘Pretty boy?’ Faust laughed inwardly. He had good looks, but he was far from what one might call a “Pretty Boy.”

Yet compared to these seasoned soldiers, littered with scars of different sorts and sizes he stood out.

“You are the one of the kids that will come with us to Antioch! I’ve had my doubts, but now that I’ve seen you, I feel much better already.” He hit Faust on the back comradely and laughed.

This man left a good impression on Faust.

‘Wait, he is one of the four soldiers we’re going with?’ he thought excitedly.

‘Alexander must have briefed his men already. I wish he wouldn’t call us kids anymore… at least not after we’ve been through the last weeks, but then again, he must have seen way worse.’ The air was forced out of Faust’s lungs by the heavy hand on his back.

“Yes, I’m one of the four soldiers coming with you.” Faust smiled weakly.

Then the bear of a man seemed to realize something.

“Are you the one with the magical abilities?”

Faust sighed and nodded.

“Awesome! You must show me when we’re on the way!” he exclaimed enthusiastically, and Faust could only force out a wry smile.

“I… I fear that’s not possible. I have no idea how I got my powers or how they work.” Faust scratched his head and Bronn laughed.

“Then we will have to find out. That’s why we’re going in the first place.” The older man grinned.

‘A cheery fella.’ Faust concluded and smiled inwardly. The man before him appeared a lot like a bear.

“Bronn. The other three are also very capable. Each in their own way.” Faust said and Bronn smiled faintly his face showed doubt.

“We shall see when we are traveling. We will have ample time to get to know each other. After all, we will be working together for what Alexander believes several months if not years.” The older man shrugged.

Faust’s mouth dropped open.

“That long???” he asked dumbly, and Bronn was surprised.

“You didn’t know? Well… now you do. Alexander told us that we are to leave for Antioch in two weeks. Until then it’d be better if you had settled all your personal matters, your family and friends…” he said, patting Faust on the back.

“Well… family won't be much of a problem,” Faust murmured sadly and Bronn gulped.

“Sorry kid. I didn’t know. Anyways, if you have personal matters to resolve, do it now. You won't get the opportunity for a long time and might never get it again. I don’t have to tell you that what we do is risky do I?”

Faust shook his head.

“You don’t. I understand. There’s one thing. Maybe two.” He spoke absentmindedly, his thoughts at Flora, Schenk, Mirabella, Vitus, Lucon, and the others. He wouldn’t see either of them for such a long time. It bugged him, yet he knew to gain strength and knowledge about his condition, then he needed to go to Antioch.

“It was nice knowing you Bronn. Let’s train a bit over the next two weeks. Now I’ve got to have an important conversation I have dreaded for long.” Faust nodded at Bronn.

The man’s eyes glinted when Faust mentioned training. He really was a battle freak, but what else to expect from a member of the Companion Cavalry?

“Do what you must kid.” He smiled and sent Faust off with his signature slap-on-the-back.