“Walk with me,” the lord said.

He led me along the garden path, which circled and cut through the courtyard, which was overlooked by many windows in the keep above. It wasn’t the most magnificent garden I had ever seen, and much of it was not in bloom, but it included a wide variety of bushes and shrubbery, all of which had been carefully cultivated to fill their designated beds without crowding their neighbors.

“What do you think of rabbits?” Godwod asked.

I glanced down at Mutig, who was comfortably ensconced in his master’s arms, its long ears laid flat against its back.

“I like them,” I said. There had been some wildlife around the prison where I’d done most of my time. Birds and rabbits. We weren’t supposed to feed them, but people would toss bread bits on the grass on the way out of the chow hall and watch the animals eat. It was one of the most pleasant memories I had of that period of my life.

“Most people see them as game animals, rather than pets,” Godwod said. “A matter of perspective that applies to many subjects, don’t you agree?”

“With animals? Definitely.” I would never eat a dog, but people did. I love pork, but I’d also considered having a pig as a pet before. They were supposed to be at least as smart as dogs, which was pretty disturbing if you thought about it too much.

“Not just animals,” Godwod said. “People as well. Enemies and allies. Making one instead of the other is often due to a lack of imagination more than any other factor.”

“Then I do agree,” I said. “How we think about things puts a limit on how we can respond to them.”

Godwod idly scratched Mutig’s head, and the rabbit closed its eyes. “You don’t look Dargothian,” he said, “but I take it you are the same man little Boffin wrote to me about camping near the border.”

“Yes, my lord.” What I told him about myself would depend on what he already knew. While I didn’t want to reveal the truth, given what the lillits had told me of Drom’s attitude toward heroes, I also didn’t want to be caught in a lie.

“I must admit,” Godwod said, “there have been times in my life when I wished to step away from it all, my duties, the peerage, and make a simple life for myself in the countryside. There are many reasons why a man might wish to abandon who he was and begin anew. What are you running from, Will? Shame? Justice? Failure?”

“Mostly from monsters,” I said.

The lord chuckled. “Monsters come in many forms. I will not pry into your past. Ignorance serves me better in this case, I think. I’ve made a few inquiries, and I am satisfied in thinking of you as being no one at all before you stepped into my garden. Some men in my position are uncomfortable with mystery, but I find it is often preferable to the banality of revealed truth.”

I didn’t have a ready response to that, but Godwod was prepared to fill the silence.

"The burdens of rule can be vexing. One may assume that the comforts of my position would be a source of endless joy, but alas, I often find myself adrift in boredom. My days are plagued by the tedium of bureaucracy, the monotony of tradition, the ceaseless cycle of banquets and courtly affairs. I am as thoroughly ensnared by obligation as any freeman seeking to eke a living out of the soil."

He sighed dramatically, his gaze wandering to a nearby rose bush. "There is no mystery for me here. My dear wife, a woman of taste and grace, sadly lacks the depth necessary to hold a conversation beyond the interests of petticoats and peacock tongues. She has given me only a single child, and a daughter at that. The poor girl is cursed to share my love for the unnameable, and occupies herself by hunting for unicorns, seeking wonders she will never find.” He paused.

“How well do you know Gastard?”

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The question wasn’t a complete non-sequitur. As soon as he mentioned his daughter, I thought of what Gastard had shared with me about his experience here.

“Not well,” I said. “I met him a few weeks ago, and he doesn’t say much about himself,”

We came to a stop back at the fountain in the center of the courtyard, and the lord seemed to lose himself in thought as we watched water falling from the hands of the monument.

“He is a useful man, and it pained me to lose him,” Godwod said at last. “Useful men sometimes forget their place, a failing that could have been overlooked in his case. The fact that he chose to come here with you speaks to your character. I was also pleased to learn that you took a wife. I am more comfortable extending a hand to someone with ties to my land.”

As odd as it was to meet a lord alone in his garden, Godwod clearly kept himself informed. I had the impression that beneath his casual demeanor was a man who kept a tight grip on his kingdom.

“I want to make a life for myself here,” I said. “I’m honored that you sent for me.”

He nodded. “That sword you gave Otto, you forged it yourself?”

“I made it,” I said, “can I ask how you know that?”

“If you wish to settle in Erihseht,” Godwod said, ignoring my question, “that is something I will allow only under the condition that you swear fealty to me. You must forswear whatever bonds you made in the past, and take a new name to ensure that whoever you were does not interfere with the role I see for you here.”

“What role is that?”

“For the moment, a small one. I want you to forge me a sword, and I want you to swear that you will neither sell nor trade any more like it without my express permission. I expect no more from you than that. In return, you will no longer be a stranger in these lands, allowed to live as you choose with the lillits.”

As starting a market empire hadn’t been in my immediate game plan anyway, I had no problem ceding the right to sell weapons to the locals.

“What do I have to do to become your vassal,” I said. “Is there a contract for me to sign?”

“Nothing so vulgar as that,” Godwod said. He set his rabbit down on the edge of the fountain, and it immediately hopped off back into the garden. Then he clapped his hands, and a moment later, people appeared. I hadn’t noticed anyone around us as we walked, but we had not been as isolated as it had seemed.

A guard came walking around a hedge, accompanied by what looked like a priest. The man was wearing brown robes and a black cap. He had a dark beard, and he kept his gaze down as he bowed to Godwod.

“Now is when you kneel,” the lord said.

What followed was a repeat-after-me situation. The priest fed me the words, including a new surname appropriate to what Godwod wanted from me.

"I, Will Smith of Erihseht, swear before Lord Canary Godwod and under the gaze of Gotte my undying fealty, loyalty, and obedience as your devoted vassal. I acknowledge you as my rightful liege lord and pledge my sword, my service, and my life to your cause.”

I wasn’t sure what I’d been expecting, but the oath felt all-inclusive. Being a vassal meant Godwod could pretty much tell me to do whatever he wanted, and while I didn’t like the sound of that, I doubted a refusal would have gone over well. Godwod was the highest authority in this region, so if I was going to be under someone’s thumb, it might as well be his.

“I promise to defend your lands, honor, and interests against all enemies. I shall bear arms in your name, fight valiantly in your battles, and lay down my life if necessary to safeguard your realm.” If Kevin attacked, I'd have been committed to trying to fight him off anyway, for the lillits, if not for Godwod.

“I swear to maintain the utmost integrity and uphold the honor of my position as your vassal, treating fellow vassals and subjects with the respect accorded by their rank. This oath I swear on my honor, in the presence of witnesses, binding myself to you, Lord Godwod, as your steadfast vassal, until death or the release from my obligations."

If nothing else, I could just die to get out of this. To my surprise, Godwod followed up my statement with one of his own. Fealty was a two-way street.

Godwod recited his part like a dramatic actor projecting for the crowd. He enjoyed the role.

"I, Canary Godwod, accept this solemn oath of fealty and service from you, Will Smith of Erihseht, as my loyal vassal. I acknowledge your pledge of devotion to me as your liege lord, and I, in turn, vow to fulfill my responsibilities as your protector and benefactor.

I acknowledge your obligations and duties, and I will not unreasonably burden you with excessive demands. I shall treat you with respect, recognize your accomplishments, and reward your loyalty.

This oath I swear on my honor, in the presence of witnesses, binding myself to you as your faithful and just liege lord, upholding our mutual obligations until the end of our days."

“Witnessed,” the priest said, making a gesture toward the heavens.

“You may stand,” Godwod said. “Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about my sword.”