Jon thought he would stop crying when Mallory finally left him at the edge of the circle and took the bag off of his hands, but he suddenly had a sinking feeling.

What if it is like the farm again?

Jon was back to not being able to do things on his own. He had felt so comfortable among his friends that he didn’t realize that he might have been dragging them down.

Oh… Jon looked down at his gun in sadness.

There was no one to shoot. Did that make him useless again?

“Why the long face?”

Jon looked up to see Mallory.

“...I can't do anything,” Jon said.

“You can shoot,” Mallory said.

“I can’t do anything… for anyone…” Jon corrected.

“Ah… I see.” Mallory nodded slowly. He put his hand on Jon’s shoulder. Jon assumed people kept doing that because his shoulder was always so close to people's hands.

“You’re doing a lot by just being there,” Mallory said. “I don’t think you realize how much people depend on you to actually get things done.”

Mallory’s focus seemed to be on the women as they continued to talk.

“Do they?” Jon asked.

Mallory nodded. “It’s actually kinda bad if you think about it too much. On one hand, if people rely on you too much to do things, then how will they ever move forward with their lives?”

Mallory crossed his arms. “Then again, if you weren’t there, then they wouldn’t be able to move forward with their lives at all. It’s a tricky situation.”

“So… what do I do?” Jon asked.

“You keep living,” Mallory said. “There isn’t exactly an answer for that. Everyone just has a different experience. You just gotta learn to keep your head high and-”

Mallory suddenly bowed over, bursting into laughter.

Jon looked up to see what Mallory saw. Mercy and Tallow also stopped training to look as well.

“Stop laughing,” Hector said. He was dressed in a black blazer and nice black pants with a white button-up shirt underneath and a bowtie on his neck.

“I mean it,” Hector said. “Stop it.”

“I… think you look nice, Hector,” Mercy said, stuttering. “I mean, silly, but nice.”

“I didn’t ask,” Hector responded. “But thanks. I think.”

“I’m sorry,” Mallory said, standing up. “I just… I just know you hate it.”

“Don’t laugh at my pain,” Hector said, walking up to the ring.

“I’m not laughing at your pain, Hect, I’m laughing at your misery.” Mallory brought Jon with him to meet Hector halfway. “You’re not actually in pain.”

“But my neck feels like it’s choking me,” Hector said. “It’s… hold on.”

Hector grabbed the front of his collar and pulled hard. There was a large ripping noise, although Jon didn't see anything rip.

“That’s better.” Jon noticed now there was more space for Hector’s neck.

“I… don’t think your father’s gonna appreciate-”

“Screw him,” Hector said. “I’m wearing it.”

“I’m sure someone worked really hard to make it for you,” Mercy said, walking up to him. She reached behind his neck.

“I got ya,” Tallow said. She reached underneath her headscarf and after some digging, pulled out a pin, handing it to Mercy.

“You don’t have a clean one?” Hector asked as Mercy took the pin and reached behind his neck again.

“I’m not wasting one of my clean ones on you,” Tallow said. “But, they’re all the same amount of clean anyway. I have clean hair, you bastard.”

“There we go,” Mercy pulled her hands away. Hector’s collar was at a happy medium in its new place.

“Now you can pretend that you didn't just ruin a nice suit,” Mercy responded.

“Whatever. I just want this stupid thing to be over with,” Hector muttered.

“It’ll be fine, Hector, it’s just a…” Mercy’s attention was drawn somewhere up high.

“What?” Tallow asked. She looked up as well.

Jon followed suit.

High up on the wall, arches acted as windows to the outside. Sitting on one of the arches was a small blackbird.

“He’s here,” Mercy said. She held her hand up.

The bird disembarked from its perch and came down until it landed on Mercy’s hand. Now, Jon could see that there was a small rolled-up piece of parchment tied to its leg.

Mercy took the paper off and opened it as everyone gathered around her.

“...I have to go,” she said. She turned to Hector. “Maybe you should be there.”

“Me too,” Mallory said.

Mercy turned to Tallow and Jon. “You stay back… for now.”

“Is your dad that scary?” Tallow asked.

“It’s not my Dad,” Mercy said. “That’s the thing.”

She looked at the paper again. “That’s… I don’t know who it is, so in case it’s someone nasty, like one of my cousins, I’d rather have you stay back.”

“Your father didn’t come?” Mallory asked. “That’s sorta…”

“I know, disrespectful,” Mercy said. “But whatever. Mallory, can you-”

“I already know. I’ll get Harris and co. Hector-”

“No,” Hector responded.

“...I’ll get Luther as well.” The three of them left the barracks.

“...I’m bored,” Tallow said. “Let’s watch from afar.”

“Sure,” Jon said.

They left out of the entrance of the barracks that led directly to the outside. It was nighttime, of course.

Tallow pushed Jon casually as they walked along the outside of the house.

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“Jon,” Tallow asked, “have you and Macy… done anything I should know about?”

“...No,” Jon said. “She rubbed my back.”

“I know that. I mean... You know…”

“...We talked,” Jon said.

“Okay. That’s fine. I guess you’re not that type of guy anyway. I don’t know why I worry.”

“Hmmm…” Jon didn’t know what to say. He just took to watching the nighttime view of the outside of the castle.

“That’s another way you remind me of him,” she said. “You should stop doing that.”

She finally stopped when they could see the front of the castle.

The inside of the castle had enough lights to brighten up the entire area. Soldiers had already started walking out of the front in two lines. Both lines split up so that the soldiers stood side by side while expanding out of the entrance.

Harris, Luther, Mallory, Hector, and Mercy had all walked out afterward, passing through the space in between the soldiers.

Mallory had found the time to throw on more elaborate robes that Jon hadn’t seen before. He looked the most animated.

Mercy and Hector were holding hands as they walked out, although even Jon could tell that they looked a bit stiff.

Tallow sat cross-legged next to Jon’s wheelchair on the grass.

“Here he comes,” Tallow said. “Can you see him?”

Jon couldn’t tell at first. Soon, though, he finally saw the figure approaching.

It was a silhouette of a man. Jon had never been intrigued by watching someone approach so slowly before. He wanted to see what Mercy’s family would look like.

‘I don’t believe it,” Tallow said. “It’s one freggin’ person, those smug bastards. Let’s go!”

She stood up and grabbed Jon’s chair again, pushing him further into the light.

Mercy was the first to notice.

“Tallow?” she asked.

She broke away from Hector and ran towards them.

“You can’t just do that!” Mercy whispered as they got near. “You might spook someone! Especially-”

“That’s why I stayed close to the light,” Tallow said. “It’s fine. Especially cause you’re here.”

Mercy rolled her eyes. “Come on.”

She escorted them to the front of the castle. Harris was shaking in trepidation as Luther stood calmly next to him.

“I don’t believe it,” he responded. “It’s one freggin’ person, those smug bastards.”

“You were doing so well on your swearing,” Harris whispered.

“Freggin’s not a swear,” Luther responded.

“I mean you said, oh, you were always so stubborn…” Harris sighed.

“Just make sure you don’t pee on yourself-” Luther stopped when he noticed the small group approaching.

“What the hell,” Luther grumbled. “You guys are like festering scabs.”

“We wouldn’t fester if you stopped picking at us,” Tallow responded.

“You little... shuddup.” Luther turned back to the approaching shadow.

“Certainly is taking his time, isn’t he?” he muttered.

“Guys!” Hector said. “What are you doing here?”

“The same thing you are,” Tallow said. “We’re fine.”

Hector tried to say something, but just sighed and gave up.

They turned to the shadow.

“Certainly taking his time, isn’t he?” Luther asked out loud as if he wanted everyone to hear what he said.

He looked at Mallory.

“Why don’t you meet him halfway?” Luther asked loudly, to the point where it sounded like a demand.

“You want me,” Mallory asked, “to meet a ninja-master, in the middle of the dark, where-”

“Aw, you’ll be fine!” Luther yelled. “Take some guards with you!”

“I can go-”

“No!” Luther yelled, interrupting Hector. “I don’t need you causing any wars right now with your attitude."

“But I…” Hector grunted and pulled back.

“I can go with him,” Jon said.

“Ah that’s sweet,” Tallow said, rubbing his shoulder, “but Mallory should really have-”

“Come on!” Mallory grabbed Jon’s chair. “Let’s go!”

“Stop you... daft bastard!” Tallow yelled, but Mallory had already jogged off with Jon in tow.

“Why don’t you meet him?” Tallow asked Mercy.

“It’s… complicated…” Mercy said shyly. "Political stuff, and..."

Jon didn't hear the rest as he and Mallory moved further away.

Mallory slowed down as they got closer to the figure. They waited at the edge of the light until the figure finally stepped into full view.

The first thing Jon noticed was his hair. It was large, black, and curly. He had seen hair like that on the farm, but this one was kept so… neat and circular. And huge.

“I am imperial Shisio Junwata Ninja of the Highlander clan,” the man said, bowing. “But you can refer to me as just Junwata.”

Now, Jon could inspect Juwata’s clothes as well. It consisted of whites, greys, and blacks. Jon could see that he was wearing incredibly neat robes that were different in design from Mallory’s. They were more fitted to his shape, and his shoulders were incredibly pointed.

“Master Junwata, the day is yours.” Mallory bowed down towards Junwata as well.

Jon wanted to bow, but he didn’t want to fall out of the chair, so he just waited.

The men stayed bowed for several moments longer than Jon expected. Junwata was the first to stand back up.

“I see you have done well to observe our customs,” Junwata said as Mallory stood back up as well. “I would hope that your research hasn’t stopped at just our greetings.”

“Would the whole of The Scroll Standards of Kiske Urien of the North be enough?”

“You’ve read the standards?” Junwata asked. “How many?”

“All of them,” Mallory said gleefully. “I mean, I assume I did.

“There are only 9 copies left,” Junwata responded. “How did you get your hands on them?”

“I studied them in spellcasting school,” Mallory responded. ‘In the north.”

“Ah. I see.” Junwata looked away in thought. “We should look at collecting those back.”

“That’s a joke, right?” Mallory asked, “heh-heh.”

“But never mind that, a spellcaster and a diplomat? I’m glad that they sent someone who could hold their own against me.”

“Oh, no,” Mallory shook his head. “Of course not. Why do you think I’m in the light?”

Junwata gave a small chuckle. “Of course. A scholar as well. Shall we?”

Mallory nodded and stepped aside, bringing Jon aside with him.

“Don’t mind him,” Mallory said. ‘That’s Jon. He’s a farmer.”

“Jon the farmer…” Junwata said to himself as he passed by.

Jon The Farmer Thurmond Armstrong, Jon repeated to himself in his head. He wondered if that was how he should introduce himself as Mallory turned him around so that they could follow Junwata.

“My niece is awaiting me, I assume?” Junwata asked.

“Niece, niece, niece… yes!” Mallory nodded. “She’s up ahead.”

Niece. Was he Mercy’s uncle?

“There you are!” Luther asked. "Took you long enough."

This seemed to be aimed at Mallory more than Junwata, though it could have been debatable. Luther did give the visitor his full attention right after.

"Where's your guard?" Luther asked. "Aren't you supposed to be protected?"

"I am the guard," Junwata said. "Just one of me is enough."

"Of course you would say that." Luther rolled his eyes.

“Well, I have arrived,” Junwata announced. “And you are?”

“My name is Luther. Captain of the Guard, and whatever other titles I need in order to scare you, And this here is the…”

Luther turned to gesture to Harris, next to him, but the King wasn't at his place next to Luther anymore.

Luther had to turn all the way around to see Harris hiding behind his line of guards.

Mallory walked up to the King. “Come on, Harris, you can do it!”

Harris pulled his arm away from Mallory and brushed off his large red collar.

Harris walked back to Luther’s side.

“My name is Harris, and I am the reigning patriarch of this castle,” Harris said, giving a small bow as much as his knees could handle. “My castle will act as a host for things to come. I hope that all of this comes to a lasting relationship… no matter the outcome.”

“Of course,” Junwata said. “It is my desire as well.”

“I see you’ve met Mallory, our head of diplomatic affairs,” Harris said, pointing to Mallory.

“Of course.” Junwata nodded slowly. “You have made a strong choice.”

“And then you have Luther, future father-in-law of the bride,” Harris said, pushing Luther in the shoulder.

“Now that is the scariest title you can come up with,” Junwata said to Luther.

Luther growled.

“Sure. Yeah. All the other things still apply.”

Luther stepped aside. "Come on in.”

Mallory came back to Jon’s chair, and they all walked into Mercy and Hector. Mercy was wrapped around Hector’s arm again.

Jon saw that Tallow had made her way back, leaning against the outside of the castle wall.

“Uncle,” Mercy said. She bowed. “It’s good to see you again.”

“That’s your uncle?” Hector asked. “But he’s-”

“Hector…” Mallory gave him a knowing look.

“...Hi.” Hector seemed nervous. “...Welcome.”

“So, you are the boy that has caused such an upheaval in our political court back home,” Junawata said.

“Both here and abroad,” Luther added. “He just causes trouble for everyone.”

“Uhh… sir. My… I… Mercy…”

“Save it,” Junwata put his hand up. “We will talk later. Same for you, Mercy. We will have a very serious talk when we can.”

“Of course, Uncle.” Mercy bowed. The only people Jon had ever seen Mercy treat like this were Sabez and his parents. Mostly without the bowing.

“Come on in, where it’s bright, '' Mallory said. “Please.”

“Yes, of course.”

“That means you too, Hector,” Luther said. “Off to the ball.”

“But Mallory," Hector said as Luther and co. went ahead. "He's-"

"Shut up, Hector," Mallory repeated. "No one cares right now."

"Hector looked at Mercy. "You and your uncle have different-"

"Come on, boy!" Luther's scream was enough to shake Hector.

"Aw, whatever. No one cares what I have to say anyway." He followed Luther, Harris, and Junwata inside.

“That’s my cue,” Mallory said, in response to the yell. “Thanks for helping, Jon.”

“...What did I do?” Jon asked. He didn't remember participating in the conversation at all.

“Thanks for just being there! Talk softly and carry a big gun!” Mallory gave Jon a thumbs up and ran inside.

Big gun? Jon looked at his gun. It wasn't that big.

Mercy and Tallow then both reconvened at Jon’s wheelchair.

“Just for being there?” Tallow repeated, “Why would Jon need to be there?”

“My clan likes there to be a show of strength,” Mercy explained, “so that they can feel respected for their strength. But you also can’t disrespect them by antagonizing them too much.”

“Doesn’t sound fair,” Tallow said.

“It’s not,” Mercy said. “But that’s why Mallory brought Jon. He’s in a wheelchair, but he carries a gun. Good metaphor.”

“Good metaphor indeed,” Tallow said. “But now, I can understand why you keep him around. And why you're so frustrated all the time."

“What do you mean?” Mercy asked. “Cause of how backward everything is with my family?”

“That’s not what I meant…” Tallow said, “...but we can talk about that later, right, Jon?”

Jon didn’t know what to think, but he nodded. He was just glad to be helpful for once.