Frits awoke in his bed that was warm and soft. Around his left arm, his wife Sasha laid, still asleep. The world was dark and silent as he rose out of bed. Cold air blew through the large, glass-pained doors in his room to greet him a good morning.

Better than a hole in the forest, Frits thought with a smile.

A dog licked his fingers as he stretched and acclimated to the morning,

“Good morning Scratch,” Frits whispered with a smile. “Come on, buddy.”

The two walked down the hall as he popped his head in each of the three rooms he passed. In each, a child laid still asleep. He tried to think what each was dreaming about as they laid in peaceful slumber.

He walked downstairs and saw a loaf of heinbrood on the table in the kitchen. It had a note that read: Be safe, Love Mom. Frits smiled and stashed the bread into his satchel. He threw the dog and bone and gave it a pat on the head.

“Be good,” he said and was off.

Outside, the morning was just as cold and dark as from his bedroom window. He drew his coat in tight as he walked to the stables. When he got there, he was greeted by an old friend. He was a tall, brown haired horse that had a strong build. He snorted as he greeted Frits.

“He is all set for you, sir,” a young man said as he handed the reigns to Frits.

“Thank you, Anvar,” Frits said with a smile and he mounted his horse.

“Ready Taunten?” Frits asked as he patted the horse’s side.

The horse snorted happily in response.

As he made it to the road, a woman was waiting him.

“Morning, Eva," Frits called out.

“Morning Frits,” she gave him a smile. “Six years and I still cannot believe we made it here.”

They both looked back at Frits’ villa. It was a made of a beautiful, white stone that was accented with birch. Finely kept trees and vines covered the landscape and a few lit lanterns from the villa’s workers gave a soft glow to the property.

“Who would have thought those terrible days, all those years ago, would bring us this,” he said. “It was quite the shock when Charles gave his villa to my family. I suppose him wing at the palace beats anything else.”

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As they rode, he turned to Eva, “How is Brenen?”

“Enjoying a well deserved, early retirement,” she said. “The kids keep him plenty busy.”

“We are headed up to Frostwatch,” Frits said softly. “It will give us a chance to visit Jon.”

Eva gave a weak smile, “Yes, that will be nice. It has been a while.”

***

They came to the palace grounds and rode over to the stables. Each of them dismounted and entered the backroom that was filled with armor. A young man sat there in his armor and he looked nervous.

“You are the new guy, right?” Frits asked as he opened up his locker that said Lord Frits Master Rank Messenger.

“Y-yes,” the man stuttered.

“What is your name?” Eva asked as she got her armor on.

“Harold,” the man replied quietly.

“Just follow our lead, and we will get through this as easy as can be,” Frits said with a smile.

The three walked across the palace courtyard, toward the beautifully carved doors to the hall. The staff was already busy working away as they avoided the path of the three soldiers. Without a word, two guards that were posted by the palace doors opened them and bowed slightly.

As they entered the palace, they were greeted by a roaring fire on the far side of the great hall. In front of them, there was a long red table that had two thrones at the end of it. One was empty and the other had a man sitting in it.

“Good morning, King Edwin,” Frits said with a smile.

“Good morning, Frits and Eva,” a welcoming voice boomed across the room to them as the man stood up and opened his arms. “Two members of my royal court that are still sending messages for the crown.”

“Messages need sending, my King,” Frits said with a smile. “Sasha has been on me to step down, so my time may be coming sooner than I thought”

“New recruit?” King Edwin said.

Harold turned to Frits and Eva, who nodded. He was sweaty and clearly nervous. Frits smiled as he thought of his first time as lead messenger.

“Yes, I am Harold, my King,” Harold said in as clear of a tone as he could.

“Keep an eye on these two, will you?” Edwin said with a laugh.

“Y-yes, my king,” Harold said nervously.

“Relax, you are in the hands of two of the most capable people in this kingdom. I would trust them with my life. Years ago, we all did,” Edwin looked at Frits and Eva and gave them a smile.

“Thank you, my king,” Frits and Eva said with a bow and their right fists over their hearts.

“How is the queen, my king?” Eva asked.

“Oh you know her, she is not one for early mornings,” Edwin said with an eye roll and laugh. "Here are the scrolls. They must be delivered to Everand of Frostwatch, or any designee which carries her seal."

King Edwin handed over a bundle of scrolls that Frits put in this messenger's satchel. "Now, is there anything else you require of me?"

"No, my king. I shall move at all haste to deliver your messages," Frits said with a bow and his right fist over his heart.