Caledon the capital of the duchy of the same name. A bustling city that houses a tenth of the duchy's population. A vibrantly colored cityscape that has the hues of the rainbow. The sounds of the common people fill the air. The sounds of children’s laughter, haggling mothers, and shop merchants shouting their wares. All under the protective eyes of the personal guards of the duke.

The colors of their heraldry matching their uniform. A light mustard yellow with an emblazoned eagle stamped on their breastplate. Their swords held to their waist. While carrying a simple long spear. Only those within the castle walls do they carry a few of the island's matchlocks. The newly purchased arms that could be easily trained to use.

Many times, the duchess had complained about the training of these men. A simple company or so. The loud noise that erupts from their firing initially brought fear to the inhabitants. However, as time went on it seemed to have become tradition to tell the time. When you can hear the shooting start it is morning. When it stops it's time for lunch, when it picks up it is time to return to work. The daily monotony of it all brought a sort of calm to it. Some merchants joked about the need for the training saying how would I know when to eat if not for the bangs of the guns.

On a day like this the feeling of boredom crept to the young lord. Adler De Caledon, boundless and energetic. He rode off in the morning light followed by his retainer a squire by the name Leoncino de Costa, son of Sir Valero de Costa. The knight who accompanied his father to the meeting. The young lord dressed in the drab browns and comfortable wears of the merchant class. He rode at a gallop enjoying the wind blow through his combed back black hair. Swaying in the wind like a tree in the breeze.

“My lord, please. God almighty. Slow down” Leoncino pleaded through bated breath. His horse a chestnut Caledon destrier. While the young lord had taken a swift courser which may have been smaller and less imposing. However, quickly outpaced Leoncino. Adler simply laughed into the wind. “Come on Leon. If you do not hurry. You will miss your father’s return alongside mine.”

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The two rode through the city eliciting screams and panic movements. Some foreign travelers threatened to call the guards, quickly being informed who they were shaking their fists at. The pair rode towards the city center. The mass of people slowly waking to the sounds of the guns. “My lord, please come by. We received some good mutton later today” a tavern maiden said with a thin smile. Adler smiled and waved a hand as he rode by. Leoncino gave a smile as well. However, the maid had simply scowled towards the squire remembering the mess the youth had made after drinking too much one night.

They rode further stopping to rest near the square. Adler reached first and had already begun cooling off his horse when Leoncino arrived. “Slow again Leon. I told you to get Lightning instead of Iron.” Leoncino’s horse snorted in disagreement. Adler placed a hand on the horse as if to apologize for offending Iron. The horse was rather studious in accepting his apology and stood near Adler’s horse.

They rest beneath a large oak tree that had been growing long before their births. The wind blowing in their ears. While the city folk go about their business when they hear the cries of a horn in the distance. Both men stand quickly heading to their horses and heading towards the western gate. A sense of elation fills their lungs as they ride in haste.

A moment or two they arrive at the gate much to their elations. However, as the gate opens, they see not the large entourage of the duke of Caledon. Instead, the lone figure atop a horse followed by a black veiled wagon. Adler seeing this felt his hair stand upon his neck. Simply, because he realized who rode the horse. “Count Pendii, where is my father? Where is Sir Valero?”

Before Adler could speak once more. The count had a face of despair. The look of someone who had lost it all. There and only then did Adler knew. His father had died. Behind him was most likely the body of his late father. He simply nudged his horse along. Looking into the count’s eyes. “Please, Count Pendii. Tell me how my father died.” Leoncino looked up at that. His eyes narrowed towards the count. “Mine as well, my lord.”