Almost immediately, Ulgrin was met with a bevy of butlers and servants that rushed to his side and began dabbing at the mess. Flabbergasted, he watched as an older man pressed a handkerchief into his face.

“Ah… I can get it myself…” He begged to deaf ears. Within short order he found himself surprisingly clean as another waved a hand and particles of sauce levitated and into an awaiting rag. His beard was left spotless and shining. They’d even gone ahead and polished his eyepatch!

Viscount Maier cleared his throat. “You must be more tired than I thought. Yes, it is a shocking revelation. As it stands, it’s not as bad as it sounds. Andire will be looking for spies, first and foremost. Not a plucky group of adventures exploring through ruins. So you’re not going to be hunted through the streets unless you draw attention to yourself.”

With his heart no longer trying to escape his chest, Ulgrin reached down and swallowed a full glass of deliciously lemony shandy. Despite the impropriety, he didn’t care about looking civil anymore. “Do you know how the information got spilled?”

“I’m afraid not. So far from what my contacts have told me there’s been a massive security breach. It wasn’t just your files that got stolen, but dozens of others. The council members of the Stoneborn Collective will be scrambling for quite some time to learn just how much was exposed. Very unfortunate.”

Not even a day into the whole ‘intrigue’ thing and he was already getting a headache.

Raelza made a loud crunch as she chewed on some bread. “So our bosses screwed it up. That’s just great.”

Ulgrin set aside his fork, his hunger escaping him. “Better than them automatically knowing who we are. I assume that our very public arrival here is excused by Alyss being a noble?”

“It is. They shouldn’t pay much attention to your group... For now at least. If your mother draws you further into the noble stage, it may bring unwanted attention.” He said, casting his gaze towards her.

Alyss stared at her mother for a moment. “Well?”

“If you are indeed on an important mission, then I shall refrain from arranging too many tea parties.” She grinned. “It is good to see that she’s copied some of my early-year enthusiasm and propensity towards getting into complicated situations. So you’re trying to save the world, hmm?”

The alchemist blushed lightly. “It’s mostly Ulgrin’s mission. I’m just tagging along. He makes all the decisions.”

“It’s a team effort,” Saezz remarked, having been consuming quite a bit of food until now. Maids and manservants cast nervous glances as he gestured for more plates to be filled. “Saezz is certain that most of us would be dead by now were it not for your efforts, Alyss.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Raelza added, raising her glass of wine.

“So my daughter has found good companions. Rely on them, Alyss.” Sarisa seemed to be proud for a moment before regaining her normal focused demeanor. “But on to more important matters?”

“Right,” Meier said before drawing a sheaf of paper from below the table. “While I cannot be overt, I can provide you with some support. Lake Andire is massive, practically a sea. I’ve gone ahead and sent some of my trusted men and women to pose as fisherfolk.”

“To have better access, aye?” Ulgrin asked.

“Quite. You’ll be officially hiring them as ‘transportation’, but we both know that you’ll use their vessel as a launching point to explore the depths below. I warn you, while the Fey above have a reputation for being playful but not outright harmful most of the time, down below is a different story. Many sailors have drowned for scorning their domain and not paying respects.”

“That is a troubling matter.” Ulgrin sighed and began to sip at his new drink, the maid having refilled it when he wasn’t looking. “I’m hoping that having Alyss as a native will bridge some gaps.”

“It’ll certainly give you some favor,” Sarisa muttered. “Andirans are said to have fey-blood running through their veins. While it isn’t a silver dagger, it’ll help.”

“Do you mind if I partake of your library while I’m here?” Ulgrin asked the Viscount.

“Go ahead. You’re free to enjoy my castle as much as you’d like. Just try not to make a mess of things? My servants work hard to keep it clean.”

“Saezz will try his best,” the lizardfolk said with determination.

“You’ve got stables for my companion, yeah?” Raelza asked. “Wreath is still at the harbor along with Thorn, our dog.”

“Of course. We’ll send a servant to fetch them. I’m a houndsman at heart, so Thorn should fit in well at the kennel.” Meier nodded, before gesturing to the food. “That’s all I needed to brief you on. Shall we finish eating?”

“Very well,” Ulgrin muttered, halfheartedly consuming the rich food. It tasted quite good, but he couldn’t quite get around the fact that their mission just got a lot more deadly. Only time would tell if they made it past these new obstacles, but he had a dark feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Or perhaps that was the shandy? Ulgrin tried to ignore it and enjoy the evening.

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Stolen novel; please report.

The night passed smoothly. After the Viscount retired for the evening they spent the remainder relaxing and, in Ulgrin’s case, studying the lands of Andire.

Much of the knowledge was already known, but he did discover the name of the water-dwelling fey. The Murky Court. There were three other ‘factions’ amongst the fey, namely the Deep Court, the Gale Court, and the Blaze Court. Naturally they aligned themselves to both the four seasons and the main four elements.

While there was no definitive ‘guide’ to their demeanor and traditions, he learned that the Murky Court was one of stagnancy. Their members were often set in their own ways, stubborn and unwilling to compromise. Breaking their rules would likely result in death in the best case.

Interestingly enough, the Andiran Monarchy was neither the better or lesser of the fey Courts. They were held on an equal pedestal, with all the privileges and challenges that were presented. From what he could tell that made their intertwining system of laws an absolute mess. Trying to make an understanding of that left him with a major headache. Hundreds of rules and none made sense.

Practice that night was canceled due to his apprentice being in a food coma, but Ulgrin was happy to see the boy enjoying himself.

The next morning dawned quickly and everyone found themselves once again seated at the main dining hall for breakfast. A hearty one to clear hungover minds, filled with rich bread, perfectly roasted bacon, and tart jams to spread. The table was quiet for a while as everyone rid themselves of their nightly fog.

“We’ll be going on a hunt this morning, Alyss. Your comrades may come along.”

“Huh?” Alyss almost dropped her slice of bread. “What do you mean hunt? I don’t particularly want to go hunting…”

“Not that kind of hunt,” Sarisa chided. “It has been far too long since we’ve seen each other. And since you’ve decided to take upon the mantle of a warrior… in your own way, that is… we must spill blood together. It is traditional. That, and I wish to see what you’ve made of yourself.”

The alchemist grit her teeth, sighing. “I don’t suppose this is something I can refuse?”

“Saezz believes this will be a good thing, Alyss.” Their friend added. “A hunt would be an excellent way to celebrate your reunitement.” He turned to Sarisa. “What shall be the target?”

“The most dangerous game.” She tossed a sheet of paper onto the table. Ulgrin saw that it was a bounty. ‘Wanted - ‘Windcutter’ - Dead or Alive.’ It went on to explain that the bandit was wanted for murder of a state official, murder of a guardsman, theft, and multiple other small crimes. She seemed to be an elf with long ears, a wicked scar, and heavy leathers. Her gang was armed and deadly.

“Mother, I’m not going to kill someone with you!”

Sarisa raised an eyebrow. “Why not? You’ve blooded yourself in battle. There aren’t many challenging enough threats in this area for us to take down.”

Ulgrin cleared his throat. “As much as I would support such familial bonding, we are on a time limit.”

“One day. That is all I ask to be with my daughter.” Sarisa said, piercing eyes boring into his. “If you deny me this, you can consider the Cloudfield family to be not a friend of yours. I won’t stop you, but neither will I aid you in any way.”

He let out a deep sigh. He supposed it was unfair. “Fine. One day to go on this… excursion.”

“Very well. Come, Alyss. We must prepare. I've got a gift for you.”

“But I never agree-” Her complaints were cut off as the noble dragged her daughter away and out of the dining hall. Ulgrin chortled, shaking his head.

Viscount Meier laughed. “There’s not much that’s changed about Sarisa. She fought alongside me and earned her title through battle. Did you know she was but a mere page once?”

“Hard to imagine,” Raelza balanced a spoon on her finger. “Did she ever not have a stick up her arse?”

“Hah. I’m afraid not. She’s always been focused and overly responsible. I’m fairly certain her husband only married her because he’s afraid of the woman. Or aroused. It’s a thin line, I suppose. They were both knights at the time, so it definitely wasn’t an issue of status or rank.”

“What battle did you fight?” Saezz asked.

“The Barony of Redriver and Dougan’s Hold had disagreements with me. They thought that together they could take my lands by force. Thirty years ago we began a, well, not quite a war. The term amongst Andirans is a Ritual of Conquest’. Rather than send peasant levies to die pointlessly, a series of skirmishes were had over land amongst knights and higher nobility.”

“So, only the most skilled and well armed?” Ulgrin asked.

“Quite. Most battles hardly had more than thirty participants, but the climactic battle had over a hundred. It took several years to come to a conclusion, as villages and towns exchanged hands. It was actually similar to a game, of sorts. Overseen by one of the Three Houses, it was as fair as possible. Still quite bloody, though.”

“Strange.” Ulgrin mused, trying to understand how that might work. It seemed wrong to compare a series of battles with lives lost to a game. It made sense not to include the common folk, but his kinsmen would no doubt be quite angry if they were ‘exchanged’ just because some noble bastards lost a fight. Most Dawi would riot if their liege didn’t bring them along to fight. Different cultures, he supposed.

Viscount Meier continued. “Sarisa made her name alongside me. Her husband was also a knight during that time and earned quite a bit of respect and coinage. When she earned the title of Baronetess, he married her and was elevated alongside.”

“She certainly looked like a skilled swordswoman,” Saezz remarked, yellow eyes quite perceptive. “Saezz would enjoy a bout.”

“Hah. You’ll lose, ser. Her advancement in the Cold-Iron-Blade Style is quite far. I’d dare say she’s close to reaching the status of mastery.”

“Cold-Iron-Blade Style?” Raelza asked.

“One of the martial practices in Andire. Focuses on speed and precision first and foremost. Bypassing weak points is their style. She could likely strip a man in full plate of his entire armor given enough time. Her estoc has shown many knights that relying solely on armor and enchantments wouldn’t save them.”

The drow shrugged. “Speed and precision is good and all, but I’d like to see her stop my glaive with that piddly stick.”

“She wouldn’t need to. I’d imagine that Sarisa would either avoid it completely or step into your reach and negate the advantage.” Viscount Meier seemed to possess a sort of fatherly pride on his smiling face.

“What’s this about my fighting style?” The voice of the woman in question asked as she strode into the room, Alyss in tow. “If any of you want to be beaten on the dueling grounds, I’d be happy to oblige.”

Behind her, Alyss had an uncomfortable look on her face as she tugged at her new outfit. Ulgrin had to admit it was quite the dashing ensemble. A veridian and dark gray coat rested over her shoulders with a well tailored silk vest on top. Sensible trousers covered her legs and a pair of nicely made boots rounded out the picture.

For a moment he thought it to be normal silk, but a second glance revealed its true nature. Spider silk. Both expensive and incredibly protective. Quite supportive of enchantments, too! He’d love to get a glimpse at its inner workings, but had a feeling asking her to disrobe would be a bad idea.

Sarisa wore a similar outfit, the dueling clothes much more fitting on her. Alyss also ruined the picture by wearing her stained and scarred bandolier over it with the alchemy satchel by her side. She no doubt desperately wished to be wearing her gambeson.

“We’re ready, if you would do the same,” Sarisa spoke, gesturing to his party.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Viscount Meier stated as he stood up. “You’ll find mounts at the stable. I would join, but these old bones wouldn’t last long in a fight. Good day, you all.” He left the room, followed by quite a few attendants.

A person in dark armor approached, and he was shocked to see the maid, Fran.

“I’ve found their location, mistress.” Swaddled in dark cloth and leather, it was surprising to see the catfolk had quite the roguish nature.

“Good. I’ll meet you all by the stables and we can be off.” Sarisa nodded and led her daughter out.

Saezz watched them leave and grinned. “This is going to be fun, he can tell. Saezz will definitely be having a sparring match now.”

“I wish you luck, friend.” Ulgrin sighed and gestured for them all to leave. “Let’s get armored up. There’s no telling how dangerous this ‘Windcuttter’ will be.”

“Maybe we can sit back and relax while the noble lady does the job?” Raelza said with a sigh. “For once I’d like to be able to just relax for longer than three days. Is that too much for a girl to ask?”

Ulgrin cast a glance back towards the bounty paper. Who was this mysterious bandit? He hoped their battle would be swift. Time was passing every day.

There was only so much left.

More backstory on the Cloudfield family and insights into the Andiran monarchy. I'll likely be doing something like two-to-three days in a row where I post a chapter and then one day off for the course of the Writathon. We'll see if I keep to the schedule, but I'm still holding strong.