Lorelei had never seen someone act so swiftly. Just minutes after Kai finished his story, Noah was already out, giving orders. She couldn’t tell what exactly he was thinking, since from the moment they had left the little hut his face was cold and expressionless like the one of a marble statue. Nevertheless, his wife was somehow able to sense something boiling deep beneath this calm surface. A hidden beast ready to burrow its teeth in the nearest prey. If that “something” had been directed at her, Lorelei would have been terrified. The slavers were doomed.

Noah’s escorts and Jessup were running around frantically and before long two large tents stood erect in a clearing not far from the small shack. Guards from Yalda and even some knights arrived for the utter horror of all the poor souls in the make-shift vagrant camp. Soon the air was filled with the rough shouts of soldiers and the surprised, even frightened, cries of the refugees. Everyone was gathered on Noah’s order and encircled by the soldiers.

Noah jumped on an old cart standing nearby and looked at the murmuring people from above – a hawk ready to sink its talons. His next demand stunned Lorelei greatly.

“Every man, woman, and child,” Noah’s roar echoed over the scared crowd, “show me the left side of your chest! Those, who refuse to do so, will be deemed criminals and met with severe punishment!”

Faced with their lord’s fury and the glistening spears of the guards, everyone complied. The soldiers went around, checking each person carefully. Lorelei was really confused about what was going on. Even forcing the women to reveal themselves! This was highly indecent. Amid her confusion, she felt a small tug at her sleeve.

“Members of the Cult of Pure Blood have special brands over their hearts,” whispered Rish in her ear. “A red opened hand. They defile their own bodies to show their devotion to the cause.”

Merciful saints! He believed that there might be some of those fanatics hiding in the crowd. Lorelei finally understood why Noah was so adamant about her being in danger. She was, for the time being, the duchess Norden. And she had made herself the perfect target for those wishing to undermine the ducal authority by coming here, far from the city and its well-trained guards, only with Rish and Jessup. If something were to happen… What would people think if the duke couldn’t keep even his own family safe? The realization was like a cold shower running over her body.

The search continued. The soldiers were very meticulous. They even checked inside the shacks if someone was hiding there. After obviously finding nothing suspicious, the guards retreated. Noah looked at the tensed faces and his loud voice bore into their ears.

“You are all very lucky today. If I had found even one member of the Cult of Pure Blood amongst you, I would have driven the rest out of my lands at the very least. You might think this is too harsh. It is. But the peace in this land is my top priority. Hiding or supporting the Red Hands is just as big a crime as being a member of the Cult. Remember this. I will never tolerate anyone seeking to spill the blood of Norden’s people. My people.”

No one dared to utter even a sound. Despite that, Lorelei could see that the expressions on some faces were changing. The previous fear was giving way to burning hate against a common enemy. The Cult of Pure Blood had tragically marked too many lives.

Noah continued.

“Years ago, I swore that I will unite binshi and limerians. I still stand behind my word. Anyone who harms you is my enemy. You are all my people. And you are under my protection. It came to my knowledge, that you have been driven from your lands by hunger and banditry. I promise you today, I will use all my power so that you may return to your homes. Until that time comes, I will provide you with food and shelter, as long as you don’t break the law and don’t threaten the livelihood of the people in Yalda. To all this, I swear upon my name as duke Noah Lux Norden. May the Two Gods and the Morning Star be my witness!”

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First, there was silence. Then a murmur started and quickly avalanched into a mighty roar. People were shouting, crying, hugging their children. But most importantly there was new hope written all over their faces.

Noah swiftly jumped down from the cart. He turned around and saw Lorelei, standing close by. He gave her a small nod, the fire, and bloodlust in his eyes subsiding a bit.

“I will be in the left tent with Duncan and the rest. We have to discuss the next steps. I would like to catch those vermin as soon as I can before they have time to erase their tracks. When you finish treating the girl for the day, you may rest in the tent on the right. I have instructed for fresh clothes and a camp bed to be prepared. It isn’t much, but you are the one who insisted on staying here.”

“You… you are letting me stay?!” Lorelei couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“I must be going crazy. If it was up to me, I would have taken you back to Ildemar and locked you up with triple guards.” Noah shook his head in resignation. “Unfortunately, as I have come to realize, even this would probably not be able to stop you. I will leave a couple of knights here for your protection in addition to Jessup and Rish. When we leave tomorrow, you can use the second tent as a field hospital. It will be much safer than to personally go into every single shack. The supplies will also be arriving shortly and I have sent orders to the pharmacists in Yalda and the sisters from Widow Island to assist you. This should make things easier.”

By the Gods, was he able to read minds!? Lorelei blinked at him. He had guessed perfectly what was going on in her head right now. It was as if he knew her every thought. Not only that, but he had predicted every possibility and found a perfect solution to all potential problems. Her heart was pounding so fast that her chest was almost going to explode. Driven by some instinct, she grabbed his hand and knelt before him, pressing his palm to her forehead.

“Thank you, my lord!” she said, trying not to choke on her words.

“Stand up, duchess.” For some reason, his voice carried a sliver of sadness. “Do not thank me for this. I am just ensuring the well-being of my people. Besides, if we have missed someone and anything goes wrong, your blood will be on my hands.”

With these words he disappeared inside the tent, leaving Lorelei to cope with a stormy ocean of feelings. Feelings, that she could not clearly comprehend. Nevertheless, she was slowly starting to understand why his men followed Noah with such devotion. There was something mesmerizing in him, something that made one willing to offer him his life and soul. Somehow, she had the feeling that if he willed it, the people around him would gladly bring down even the moon and the stars from the sky just to please him. Such was his charm. Was it due to his earnest concern for the well-being of this harsh land and its people? Was it the steely will and unbending determination shining in his eyes every time he spoke? Or maybe his generosity and selflessness?

Lorelei closed her eyes for a bit, breathing heavily. Enough. Now was not the time for such thoughts. There was work to be done. With quick steps, she returned to the small shack. But despite all her efforts, in the back of her mind, a pair of warm yet sad eyes were still looking at her.

After that everything went smoothly... mostly. Cooking the herbal bread-porridge for Anuk was no big deal. The hard part was to make Kai and the old binshi stop treating her like… well like the duchess Norden. Every time they talked to her, they didn’t dare to even lift their heads and they jumped up every time she opened her mouth to say something. Nothing she tried, changed the situation and it was really frustrating. Above all else, she didn’t deserve such honors. She was just the person currently filling the position of duchess Norden. All this was just basking in Noah’s glory, and she didn’t like it.

Just when all this fearful reverence was getting unbearable, Jessup’s voice came from outside.

“My lady, master wishes to speak with the boy and the old man.”

The binshi and his young ward couldn’t move a muscle and looked like they were going to faint any moment. This forced Lorelei to take matters into her own hands.

“Don’t worry, elder, Kai. I will accompany you to see the duke. Let’s go. Rish, stay with Anuk.”