The air in the stables was stale with the stench of sweat, dung, hay, and frightened horses. Neighs and clatter of hoofs filled the twilight as some steeds rammed against the walls of their stalls in an attempt to break free. The raised voices of the grooms trying to calm the animals mixed with curses to all gods and saints, both Binshi and Limerian.

Storming into this chaos, Noah needed a few moments to gather his thoughts and find the source of the commotion. On the floor before one of the stalls, he noticed the dusty, manure-covered figure of a stable boy curled up and clutching something like a big doll. The doll, however, had suspiciously white hair and was about the right size to match a three-year-old child.

“Soraishu!”

Noah’s distraught shout was drowned by the clamor as he ran towards the two. His ears picked up the stablehand’s cursing, not so much angry but rather an outlet of worry and relief.

“You little twerp! What were you thinking, entering the pen!? I swear, you are up for a good whooping!”

Incoherent sobs and wails alerted Noah that the little intruder was still alive and, considering the circumstances, unharmed for the most part. Kneeling next to the two, he had the chance for the first time to have a better look at the young groom who had prevented a tragedy. Straw and dung tangled the curly, red-brown hair, the dusty face - pale beneath the clusters of freckles sprinkled over his nose and cheeks. A warm feeling spread in Noah’s heart as a smile stretched his lips. His hand landed on the youth’s shoulder, resulting in a small yelp as a pair of hazel eyes glared back at him in momentary confusion.

“Good work, Jess. Can you move?”

“M-master!?”

Jessup De Mar gulped and blinked, unable to process what was going on for a moment. Then he slowly nodded. Assisted by Noah, he shakily stood up, never letting go of his precious, whimpering load. With a shaky step, the three swayed their way towards the stable gates, the young squire leaning on his master’s shoulder.

The blinding sun met them on the outside, accompanied by Lorelei’s worried cry. Noah dragged his ward to a watering trough and made him sit down. With some effort and coercion, Noah managed to loosen Jessup’s arms and pry Soraishu away. Nestled in the warmth and security of Lorelei’s embrace, the child began whaling like he was trying to cry out his lungs.

“Is he injured?” Noah and Jessup asked almost simultaneously, their eyes frantically checking the small body.

“No. Thank the Gods, he is just frightened.” The tension in Lorelei’s voice slowly dissipated as she cradled the boy and began whispering in his ear.

“By all Saints!” Jessup heaved in relief and splashed some water on his face. “The twerp almost made my heart burst!”

“What happened?” Noah’s eyes darted between the child in Lorelei’s lap and his squire.

“Star-hounds bite me. I have no idea, master. I was cleaning some manure when I saw the pipsqueak wobble into Princess’ pen. Luckily she is on the calmer side, otherwise, our little bug here might have been squashed on the spot. I pulled him out just in time before he ate a hoof in the head.”

“Any injuries?”

“Well, uhm, you heard the Lady say he’s fine-”

“I’m talking about you, boy!” Noah laid a hand on his shoulder. “Are you alright?”

“Y-yes, master!” Jessup suddenly reddened and he averted his eyes. “A bumped elbow and a scraped knee. I’ll live through it.”

“Good. Go to the kitchen and have them give you some wine and ham bread. Then visit Baba Marishka and have her look at the bumps. Afterward, get some rest.”

“But I still have my chores. And I’m helping the game-master in place of Andrash…”

“It’s an order. No work till the end of the day. Tomorrow, I’ll be expecting you at dawn with my shaving water and a sharpened blade for the morning training.”

“But… Then… You mean…” Jessup’s eyes rounded and he stared at Noah gaping before his face beamed with joy. “Yes, master! I’m going. See you tomorrow, master! Goodbye, my lady!”

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The youth scurried away faster than a hunted rabbit, driven by the fear of his lord suddenly changing his mind. Looking after him, Noah shook his head and chuckled.

“So, his punishment is over?” Lorelei’s quiet remark made his smile brighter.

“He has earned it, don’t you think?”

“He never deserved punishment in the first place.”

“He showed insubordination and blatant disregard of his master’s orders.”

“He was an honest knight doing his best to save his lord from his own stupidity.” Lorelei shot him a condemning glance while rocking the now quietly sobbing Soraishu.

“Insubordination is still insubordination.” Noah huffed. “And while we are on the topic…”

Standing from the watering trough, he knelt before Lorelei and rubbed his godson’s back gently.

“Rai. Will you look at me? Tell uncle. What were you doing with the horses? You know you shouldn’t go there.”

“Sowy… Ucle No… Sowy!” Between sobs, the boy let go of Lorelei and threw himself in Noah’s embrace. “Rai bad. Rai very bad. Rai go away. Then dada be better.”

“What do you mean?” Noah frowned and looked confused at Lorelei over the tuft of white hair.

“You wanted to take a horse and go on a journey?” Lorelei looked just as perplexed.

“Yesh. Ho’shy take Rai away. When Rai away, dada get better. No sleepy-sleep. No aua.”

“No, Rai, your daddy was injured and needs to sleep to get better. It has nothing to do with Rai.”

“No!” Soraishu’s little fists drummed on Noah’s chest and he wiggled like a worm in his arms. “Dada has aua because Rai bad. Rai tell dada Rai hate dada. Dada no play with Rai. Dada only play with Ucle No. Rai tell dada bad. Rai tell hate dada. Dada got aua. Rai bad - made dada aua. Rai no hate dada!”

“I… I don’t understand.” Noah tried calming the child to no avail.

“I think…” Lorelei’s face darkened. “I think Sir Gregor and little Rai argued before the Red Hands’ attack. And Rai believes his father’s injury is his fault.”

“But that’s insane! He has no-”

“Soraishu!”

A shrill scream shook the courtyard. Disheveled and pale-faced, Saya flew towards them, skirts pulled up and blond locks trailing behind her like golden flames. Not far behind, Baroness De Vindur ran with all her might, still unable to catch up to her daughter, her face devoid of her usual rigid calmness.

Throwing herself on the ground, Saya pulled Soraishu from Noah’s embrace and began crying and rocking back and forth.

“How could you?! How could you run away?!” She sobbed and sniffled, her beautiful chubby face wet and paler than snow. “Bad boy! What if you got injured? What if I lose you too?! You are all I have left! Why did you run?”

“I swear to the gods, when things are over, I’ll pull your ears until you look like a little donkey!” Baroness De Vindur stroked the child’s head with a trembling hand, her red eyes barely holding back the tears.

Not knowing what to do or how to react, Noah and Lorelei stood to the side, giving the family some time to calm down and collect their thoughts. The old Baroness was the first to register their presence. Her eyes slowly rounded and she jumped up, dusting her dress in heraldic green and silver.

“My Lord! Lady Norden!” Her usually sharp voice sounded old and shaky. “Did you… Thank you for finding Rai. I… He… We thought…”

“Calm down, Baroness.” Noah steadied her swaying body and nodded. “The child is frightened but uninjured. He just took a stroll.”

With his eyes, he told Lorelei to keep quiet about the dangerous encounter with Princess and Jessup’s lucky intervention. A small nod from her sealed their pact of silence.

Hearing his voice, Saya too lifted her head, her blurry gaze having difficulty focusing on them.

“Lady Norden? Lorelei! Gods! You are awake! I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I should have been with you. I should have… Thank the Mother and the Two Fathers, you are healthy again! I’m sorry for being away…”

“Enough, my dear.” Lorelei blinked some traitorous moisture away and kneeled next to her friend. “You had more important things to do than holding vigil next to my bed. Come now, let’s go back and have some tea to calm our nerves.”

“Y-yes…” Saya sniffled and trembled, her fingers still clinging to Soraishu. “B-but… My legs… They feel like mush. I’m sorry! I don’t know… I…”

“Lady Sigurd, take Rai for a bit,” said Noah calmly, and the moment the child was plucked away and secured in his grandmother's hands, he lifted Saya in his arms.

“M-my lord! You can’t do that! L-Lorelei… The Duchess would think…”

“The Duchess thinks this is the only true way for a knight to treat a lady in distress.” Lorelei patted her mortified friend’s hand and smiled. “Let’s go.”