Yves Aldus thought he had seen it all, he may have been young but he traveled all over Vantis as a knight in service to the Emperor. However this was the first time he had seen a merchant fight a horde of bandits alone. Merchants were all penny pinching misers... At least that's what he thought until he met Emery Sieghart. His courage was no less than a knight's that day.

He ran his fingers through his wheat blonde hair as he recalled the day he met that certain merchant. Yves was standing guard by the gate as usual when an exhausted villager scampered towards him. He was egregiously wounded yet he hastened to the fort to warn them of brigands.

It went without saying that Yves alerted the commander of the fort, it took but a minute to gather the men, the cavalry made haste to the village as if the devil was on their tail, even a seconds delay could doom the villagers.

Yves and the rest of the soldiers arrived to a spectacular sight... A lone merchant was fighting the bandits. What was even more shocking was the identity of the merchant. The man Yves had met with earlier, the seemingly ordinary merchant . Emery Sieghart, Yves believed that he would never see the man again, he was a knight and Sieg was a merchant. Their fates were to never cross again, but fate always has been unpredictable.

The merchant stood his ground to a hulking beast that even Yves would be wary of. Fighting a group of cutthroats with nothing but a sword was valiant, so much so that it gained Yves respect. It was hard to say if Yves would've done the same if he had been in Sieg's shoes.

"Yves! Are you listening?"

"Ah! Sorry sir, I was distracted in my thoughts."

"So tell me how we should award the peasant boy. We can't just let him go unrewarded for his efforts, He's pretty ballsy for a merchant."

"I believe the best course of action is to refer him to lord Eregor. The lord should know what the best course of action is."

"Right... Why don't you go check on him? He should be stirring from his sleep around now."

"Yes sir"

The man Yves had been talking to was the commander of the fort. Although Yves technically outranked him in status, the commander was a hero to be respected. He had saved the current lord of the southern region in a battle years ago during the Virrenlands campaign. He was offered a title but he refused an idea that was still incomprehensible to Yves. Any soldier would jump for an opportunity to be knighted, but the commander refused. Perhaps he didn't want to be caught up in the political strife that accompanied knighthood.

Yves made his way through the complex maze of the forts interior, it was built in such a way to confuse invaders. A maid respectively received him and led Yves into a dimly lit rom. The merchant had just woken up. He was looking around the room increasingly confused.

"Good morning, I hope you've had a pleasant rest, you were quite valiant last night, and you even managed to stir my heart."

"You're Yves... Yves Aldus. Are the villagers okay?"

Emery Sieghart was the strangest merchant Yves had ever met. He didn't try to look for a way to profit off his heroic deeds, the first thing he had done was ask if he had indeed saved the villagers.

"Yes, you saved a good number of people. The situation would've been grave if you had not intervened."

"I see. Is my cart okay?"

Yves chuckled softly... It seems that he still retained some characteristic of a merchant.

"I heard from some of the villagers you used my name to unnerve the brigands."

"Ah! Forgive me, it was the only idea that came to mind. Of course it didn't work, a peasant like me couldn't have done anything to scare the brigands off. I thought that using a noble name would've scared them off."

"No you need not to ask of forgiveness. It was ingenious, a pity that it didn't work. Can you walk? I want to show you something."

Sieg struggled to get on his feet, he got off the bed with great difficulty. Yves helped steady him and led Sieg through the narrow halls of the fort.

"Have you decided on your reward? Maybe coin, or perhaps a trade contract, even a manor in the city wouldn't be out of the question. I'm sure whatever you ask for the lord can provide."

"Do you think it's possible for me to become... "

"We're here! Just walk right through there." Yves directed Sieg to a door at the end of the hall.

"There's quite a bit of people inside so be mindful."

Sieg limped to the door, he curiously looked back at Yves. Yves nodded and beckoned him to open it. Sieg gingerly opened the door, inside were rows of people on beds. They were the farmers and villagers that Sieg had saved from the brigands.

Nurses rushed from patient to patient bandaging wounds and wiping faces. Yves gave Sieg a hearty smack on the back.

"Not all will survive, but the worst case scenario was avoided. I'm sure the lord will thank you quite generously for saving his people. Get to know the people, I'm needed elsewhere. I'll see you later,"

Yves approached the commander's office, and he respectfully knocked on the plain door. The commander should've received lord Eregor a short while ago. It was unpardonable for a mere fledgling knight to interrupt a conversation between such high ranking figures.

"Come in! Was the merchant fine?"

Yves entered the room civilly. He politely saluted an imposing giant of a man. Although he wasn't as huge as the brigand from earlier, he was nevertheless an imposing figure.

"Yves! The Aldus boy! How's your father doing? I heard he took a bad fall earlier this year on a horse!" The giant lord also had a giant voice, his booming voice somehow managed to cause him physical discomfort.

"He's fine lord Eregor, about the peasant boy..."

"Hmm... I'd say he has about a week left to live."

Yves recoiled in shock, the lord was known to be mischievous but this was taking it too far.

"This is no time for joke-"

"I would never joke about a man's life. In my honest opinion he has a week left until he's executed."

"He charged a horde of bandits alone! This is surely an act of valor that would put even knights to shame!"

He may have saved the village but it isn't so simple. The bandits were hired by that eccentric lord... Monroe was it?"

Yves recognized the name, anyone born in the northern region could. He was a wealthy baron who buried himself in books all day. His territory, rich in silver, was managed by his heavy-handed aides. Although Monroe wasn't a bad man, his ignorance of his aide's brutal treatment of the peasants was an already inexcusable sin.

"Why? What does he gain from attacking a village under the protection of lord Eregor, a noble awarded the tile of count by the Emperor?"

"I doubt it's merely Monroe at work here, he probably has a backer, and that scum couldn't have done this alone..."

Although the count tried to feign calmness it fooled nobody, his usually hearty face wasn't present. Then again, any lord would be angry if another attacked their territory.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"If that boy leaves my estate, he surely would not face a good fate. I've already interrogated the leader of those bandits... He kept silent even in the face of death. Whoever hired these men have unbelievably deep backgrounds."

"So do you have a plan...? I don't want to see such heroic deeds rewarded by death."

Lord Eregor ran his fingers through his graying hair. It was clear that the merchant situation frustrated him to no great end.

"I do have a solution... But it depends on you."

"Please tell me lord Eregor. I'll do everything in my power to help."

"Take the merchant as your esquire."

"Wait... What?"

"Monroe won't be the only one with backing, your father is a marquis right?"

Yves understood what the count was implying, Monroe couldn't harm Sieg if he was under the protection of the Aldus name. The practicability of it did nothing to diminish the bizarreness of the whole notion.

Sieg was at least half a decade older than Yves, would the veteran merchant be content with becoming the esquire of a fledgling knight? It wasn't uncommon for wealthy merchants to purchase noble titles, in fact many prestigious noble families were actually descendants of said nobles. But this would probably be the first time a merchant would enter the lower ranks of nobility through squirehood.

Sieg would most likely have to sell his wagon and horse to gather the funds necessary for squirehood. It was a cruel twist of fate that the merchant's long years of work would be ruined by an act of valor. The lord cleared his throat to signify that he was not yet done with the conversation.

"Of course I'll pay for his equipment and fees. I wouldn't want rumors of my ingratitude spreading. The hero deserves his reward, and he shall receive it."

"Much thanks upon your generosity... I'm sure Emery Sieghart would be pleased to hear such kind words from your mouth."

Yves was mildly surprised by the count's words, he was humble for a count. Most nobles wouldn't be bothered to thank a peasant, much less utter praises about him. The commander nodded in agreement with the count's words.

Yves took his leave after a few more minutes of conversations, mostly discussing who could be behind Monroe and what their goal was.

He found Sieg in the fort's taproom merrily drinking with some of the less severely injured farmers. The farmers were diligently thanking Sieg when Yves intruded upon their conversation.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I must talk with Sieg alone."

The farmers nodded and thanked Sieg one last time before they left.

"What do you need Yves, probably come to tell me of my reward?"

Sieg was in a better mood compared to the morning, apparent by the joking tone he took with Yves.

"So when will I be able to depart? I'm already behind schedule on a few of my contacts."

"About that-"

"My life as a merchant is over right? I had my suspicions when fighting the brigands, they were too well armed to be a group of deserters. It seems that they were most likely the hired arms of a noble right? And I'm sure that interlopers won't have a good fate in store."

The merchant was perceptive, almost devilishly so. It was a testament to a merchant's intelligence, a merchant's deductive skills didn't lose out to any church scholar or official.

"Yes... But there still may be a way out... Will you become my esquire?"

Sieg blankly stared at Yves before coming to his senses. Yves thought it amusing that the usually perceptive merchant was stunned by Yves question.

"Yes! Wait... I mean of course, I'd be honored to accept."

"Are you alright with my young age? Rest assured that it won't be the typical master servant relationship, we'll be considered equals. I can't have the man I look up to become servant after all."

"Your words are too kind, but do be mindful with the praise my lord, you don't want to spoil your squire."

Yves was pleasantly taken back by Sieg's jest. It had been too long since he had been able to jest with a peer. Yves wouldn't let the sly merchant get ahead so easily.

"Rest assured, I have no intention of spoiling my squire. In fact he should dread the coming days. Drilling year's worth of noble etiquette and customs will not be easy, training him in the art of combat will be no easy feat either."

Sieg's joking face completely melted away, he threw up his hands in mock horror.

"Spare me lord! A frail merchant such as me could never survive such arduous training!"

"A man who could face down a giant with such valor can't be defeated by mere studying, in fact we should also add geography to your curriculum.

Sieg sneered in mock disdain. He held up his nose proudly as if he was a king looking down on his vassals.

"Ha! You may beat me in other subjects but geography is a merchant's specialty. How confident are you in besting me at it?"

"I've studied at the most prestigious universities all across Vantis, years of trading pales in comparison to my lifetime of studying books and scrolls. In fact as a youth I spent entire days in my father's library! They called me Yves the book hermit back in my hometown!"

"Hmm... I see, sorry. I'm sure you're very knowledgeable."

Sieg unexpectedly gave up on the verbal sparring match, he gently patted Yves on the shoulder. He sighed and stared at Yves with an indescribable expression, it was almost a mix of pity and concern.

"What? Is something the matter?"

"They didn't bully you did they?"

"What...?"

Yves was absolutely befuddled by Sieg's sudden question. Was he missing something from the conversation?

"I'm sure that you didn't have many friends, but there's always a first time for everything. I shall be your friend!"

Although it was indeed true that Yves didn't have many friends during his youth due to his preference for books over games, it still frustrated him to no great end hearing it from the merchant.

"Ahem! I had many friends! My scholarly pursuits had not deprived me of friendship!"

"I'm sure you're aware of what king of title hermit is... I can't imagine that you had many friends with such a nickname."

It was obviously clear that Sieg held the upper hand when it came to wit. Yves regretted challenging the merchant to such a duel. He knew that there was no outwitting a merchant, yet like a moth to flame he still foolishly insisted on besting the merchant verbally.

"Am I interrupting something?"

Almost out of thin air the commander appeared in the taproom, his appearance was different from his usual lethargic attitude. Yves saw that no one else was in the tap room besides Sieg and the commander, everyone else had likely gone to work during their conversation. After all soldiers couldn't spend the whole day in a bar, the refugees were no doubt also hard at work earning their keep.

"Is something the matter commander?"

It was strange that the commander came down to the taproom, he usually never left his office unless in case of dire emergency.

"The case is much more severe than we expected... Stonewall has been eradicated, there's not a single survivor... Those bastards murdered everyone. We must take action now."

Sieg suddenly dropped his tankard, he clutched his head with shaky hands.

"T-that's im- impossible... I was just there a... D-... day ago..."

"I'm sorry... The bandits must've struck-"

"How is this possible! The Emperor can't just let his vassals murder each other's subjects! We should petition-"

The commander dropped his gaze, he whispered almost inaudibly.

"We don't have enough concrete evidence... The Emperor isn't well either, I doubt he can be of much help."

"Then we can hire bandits! See how Monroe likes it when..."

Yves had never seen Sieg angry before but like Sieg had joked earlier there was a first time for everything. Sieg rushed up to Yves in a fit of fury and grabbed his by his shirt.

"Yves! You've gone too far! Innocent citizens should not have to suffer for the acts of nobility. You're no better than Monroe if you think that's the best solution..."

"I'm sorry... I wasn't thinking straight..."

"Both of you calm down... Lord Eregor has already departed in order to deal with the situation. However, he begs of your assistance."

Sieg was the first to voice his suggestions, Yves thought it was quite rude to question the will of a noble but he opted to not mention.

"What could the lord want from the two of us...? I'm just a merchant and with no offense to Yves he's a fledgling knight yet to be tested."

"I won't sugarcoat things...Villages will only continue to be destroyed, lord Eregor's council even suggested that we strike back. A war between two nobles will raze villages and claim the lives of innocent civilians. We... I do not wish for another war, please we can only rely only on you."

"I accept whatever mission lord Eregor bestows upon us... My squire and I shall not disappoint. I wish to know what manner of task we are receiving."

"We need you to pose as an inquisitor for the Church. Monroe is a religious devout sure to welcome you with open arms. We need you to find who Monroe's backer is... We can't take action until we know who we're up against. "

"Priest's won't take kindly to merchant disguising as members of the papacy. They don't like us even at the best of times... If we're caught I'm sure losing all our fingers twice over wouldn't be enough to atone."

Sieg interjected with another complaint, the wily merchant frustrated him to no great end with all the questions but he indeed had a point. The Church does not take kindly to fakes, a fact everyone knew. Yves once heard a whole village was subjugated to inquisition because of their endorsement of a fake priest.

"Yves has studied Church law before so he shall assume the identity of Inquisitor Marcel Volta. You'll be assuming the position of his armed bodyguard, or perhaps an attendant of sorts. You'll depart right away, come with me to receive your papers and gear."

The commander led Yves and Sieg to the lowest depths of the fort. He hastily pushed them into a dimly lit room. The room was a scattered mess of crates and burlap sacks. Perhaps it had been a dungeon or prison in the past. The long standing peace in Vantis had made such rooms obsolete, at least until now.

Yves noticed a large table covered in robes and weapons by the far side of the room. The commander ambled over to the table and beckoned the duo over. This was different from how Yves had envisioned their quest to start. Rather than two brave knights fighting for the people he felt that they were more alike to spies scurrying in the dark.

The commander introduced the goods on the table. He handed Yves a set of elegant white robes befitting a noble. A red cross was boldly emblazoned over the center of the robes. Truly extravagant robes befitting a priest Yves sardonically thought.

"Now we must make Sieg look the part of a Church knight... we have yet to ready the armor but lord Eregor was generous enough to reward him a blade from his own collection. Receive this blade with respect. It's worth several years of your earnings merchant."

Sieg gingerly received the sword from the commander, cradling it in his arms like a new born. Yves found it comical to see Sieg treating a sword like an infant but no doubt he himself would be just as nervous receiving a sword from the count.

The sword was wrapped in a fur mantle, cloaks favored by knights for their practicality and insulation.

"Tomorrow your armor will be ready... And you'll also be leaving. Good luck gentlemen."