1

It was late in the evening the day after Elwin had returned. They were supposed to meet the caravan, but it was delayed, and it would be the next day before they finally reached it.

The group of friends sat around a small campfire after another meal of rations and trail mix. They were camped in the clearing nearby the Imperial Road. Using their cart, they positioned it near the edge of the woods to form a private circle where they could all be left alone to talk among themselves away from the great mass of people filling the rest of the clearing. That was how Elwin wanted it. He needed the quiet to talk to his friends.

The small fire crackled and spat out dozens of sparks. Some of the embers landed on Rowdy’s clothing and he scrambled frantically to put them out before his clothing burned.

“Bah!” The little Gnome exclaimed. “I told you idiots not to put unseasoned pine on the fire like that!”

Emerson, the head idiot in Rowdy’s eyes, pointed and laughed.

Rowdy scowled at him and said. “It won’t be so funny when you’re the one on fire!”

Elwin’s friends had really wanted to celebrate his return, but he forbade it. Now was not a time for celebration with so many people to command.

With the dossier in hand, Elwin sat down with his friends and laid out the Emperor’s plan. Elwin was charged with the task of leading all the Domara refugees southeast to a province with few people in it. Officially the province had been part of the empire for hundreds of years, but no one had really settled it because there was still an abundance of unused farmland elsewhere. Much of the land was known to be swampy or mountainous. It would take much engineering to make it profitable.

“Why do you think the Emperor wants it settled now? It will violate the treaty,” Myra-Lynn questioned.

It was a good question, Elwin had raised it himself when talking to the Emperor. The only problem was he had orders, not answers. “All I know is that the Emperor wasn’t worried about the treaty. He doesn’t think Heathlon would raise an army and attack over a settlement.”

“He maybe right,” Selby pointed out. He came from a settlement in the very same province that was not supposed to be there. None of the kingdoms and empires that signed the treaty did anything about it.

“Well, if the Empire has lots of land available, why bother settling the new land at all?” Myra said to Elwin. The two sat next to each other on the dry hard ground. The glow of the firelight playing ghostly shadows across their features. “Just look at all this land sitting unused just around here. There must be hundreds of miles of forest and field around here. Why travel so far?”

Elwin saw her point, but many of the people in Domara were miners not farmers. The documents contained land surveys done years ago that showed rich mineral deposits in the mountains of that region. Elwin flipped through the documents and showed her. “This is a copy of the original survey. These people are miners. They know smelting and blacksmithing. They don’t use ploughs, they make them.”

Myra looked it over.

“Why are you giving it to her?” Rowdy protested. “I’m the engineer.”

Myra sighed and handed him the document. “Still seems a bit odd.”

“It could be the gold and silver that we might find there. The Empire gets cut of everything. That makes me think that this could be about generating new income from the Empire. The Emperor is ambition. Maybe he has big plans that require lots of coin?” Elwin reasoned.

“You might be on to something there Elwin,” Emerson added backing up his best friend. “The Empire has been at war for years, which I’m sure has hurt the treasury considerably.”

“Perhaps,” Selby said. “Or perhaps, the Emperor is looking for allies?”

“What are you thinking Selby?” Elwin asked him. He wasn’t sure what he was getting at.

“Well, the Emperor only just got the crown by allying with certain families against others. But the civil war has weakened the empire’s grip in the east. I bet he’s still worried about his place on the throne,” Selby reasoned.

“Not the Emperor that I met,” Elwin stated. “He seemed pretty confident to me!”

“Elwin you’re only eighteen, the son of a farmer and all the sudden the Emperor makes you a knight? I don’t mean any offense here, but really think about it for a minute. If you ask me, he’s looking to build a loyal following. Why else disband the Red Dragon Army and start a new Order?” Selby pointed out.

Elwin had to admit that Selby was making some good points, but Elwin was not totally convinced. He shook his head. “No. Kindeller said he didn’t understand it either, but he also said that the Emperor is a great judge of character, that he sees something in me.”

“What if the Emperor is just doing this for show?” Rith asked. “It would make him stronger in the eyes of the people and silence any opposition that may be plotting against him, wouldn’t it?”

“Rith makes a good point,” Myra added. She tucked one of her braids behind her ear. Elwin watched her carefully. She was unaware just like that time in the tent when he stood and watched her work without saying anything. Her hands were so dainty and delicate. Her pointed ears added to her exotic appeal. Every so often the braid would slip loose, and she would absently brush it back into place.

“This just all seems so mazy,” Emerson commented. “I mean, how can the Emperor just hand you such a high position? Based on what? Something isn’t adding up here.”

“That’s the smartest thing you’ve said yet!” Rowdy told him. He looked impressed. “Maybe you’re not all skull after all!”

Everyone had a much-needed laugh.

“Elwin is a good leader with a lot of courage,” Anna pointed out. “I think it’s justified.”

Rith and Myra readily agreed. Even Rowdy conceded that Elwin was their leader with or without a title.

“I wish you all could have met the Emperor,” Elwin told them. He’s one of the smartest people I have ever met. I have faith that he knows what he’s doing.”

“Aye, you may well be right,” Selby said pointing to the dossier. “There are no words to describe this! The position you have… The power you weld now… He’s either insane or a genius. Only time will tell.”

“It is a huge responsibility,” Elwin said with a sigh. “I took an oath. I must lead these people… I’m responsible for law and order.”

“Aye, but if anyone can do this, it’s you, Elwin! I believe in you!” Selby proclaimed.

“Only if I have all of you behind me,” Elwin told them. “My entire life has changed in the last week. I must do as the Emperor commands, but no one else here is obligated to go with me.”

There was a silence.

Everyone looked at each other strangely, but no one said anything at first. Then Rowdy got up and said something.

“If I may Elwin?” Rowdy said in his formalist voice possible. “I will accept the Emperor’s offer to be the head engineer for the new settlement.”

“Are you sure?” Elwin questioned. “I thought you wanted to think about it and talk to Ellie?”

“I’m sure,” Rowdy said smiling broadly.

“What about Ellie?” Anna said in her best feminine voice.

“I will deal with Ellie,” Rowdy told her.

“Well, you certainly aren’t going on this adventure without me,” Myra-Lynn added.

Now where have I heard that before? Elwin mused to himself. He smiled remembering that Myra had said something similar to him when the volcano first erupted in Domara.

“Nor will you be leaving without me!” Anna scolded him. “How dare you even think such a thing!”

“I’m in,” Emerson and Rith chimed in together.

“Aye! It will be like going back home, almost,” Selby said.

2

It was late in the evening when everyone was quiet and the fire was low, when Elwin told Myra to come some place private with him. Taking her by the hand, he led her into the woods. They wandered away from the others until they could not be seen. They found a small clearing with a large rock that Elwin leaned against roguishly.

Myra-Lynn looked at him as if she was reading his mind. She knew what he was going to do. She was sure of it. She smiled sweetly and the dim red moonlight gave her blonde braided hair a heavenly glow. Elwin felt like her was lost in her fine Elvin features, her gentle eyes and sweet deep red lips.

For a few minutes they said nothing to each other. Myra held his hand tightly. She would not let go. Elwin felt his pulse quicken and he took a deep breath.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Elwin snaked his arm around Myra and pulled her body in close to him. It felt strange, like he was holding a young teen. She was so small it was hard to imagine that she was over sixty-five years older than him.

Nearly a foot shorter than Elwin, she was forced to stared up at him. Her eyes were wide and shimmered in the ambient light. Her beauty sent a shiver down his spine. He thought she was the most attractive creature he had ever met. She was more beautiful than Livilla could ever be. It was a beauty that would never fade as long as he lived. No one else even compared.

He leaned in close and kissed her full on the lips. Still not a word had been said.

She kissed him back with a passion that no other woman could have matched. She reached up with her hand and wrapped them around his neck pulling him down closer. Her lips were moist and sweet like honey. She pressed her body tight against him. She seemed to melt into his arms. She held him so tight that he could feel her heart beating rapidly. It was a kiss seemed to last forever. It was like time had stood still.

Eventually their lips parted. They were staring into each others’ eyes again. Myra blushed a deep crimson and looked away.

“What’s wrong?” He asked.

“Nothing,” she said quickly. “It was just… waiting all day to spend some time with you!”

Elwin smiled. “Why are blushing so?”

“Because I can’t hide my feeling from you any more…” she said playfully.

This time Myra kissed him.

It was another long passionate kiss that made Elwin’s heart leap. He didn’t feel like this when he was with Livilla! He thought. This was far different! His feelings for Myra were complex. Livilla was just a play toy that the Emperor gave to him to fool around with. Now he realized that Myra was who he really wanted.

Is this love? He wondered as their lips parted again. She hugged him tightly before she finally released him.

“So how does that feel?” Elwin asked.

Myra looked away again, hiding her face from him. “It feels like… love!” She spoke in a quiet voice.

“Good,” Elwin said. “I hoped we were both feeling the same thing.”

He brushed a stray braid of hair from her face. Her flesh was hot to the touch. Her face was still flush with color. They embraced and kissed once more.

Eventually, Myra wanted to return to the camp. It was already very late. She did not want to take the relationship any further than they already had… at least for the moment. They were still getting to know each other. She wanted to spend a little more time together first. She told him that it would not be proper and there were far too many people around that could stumble upon them.

Elwin conceded that she was right. A dark forest, late at night, with a thousand people close by… This was not the time or the place to do more than kissing.

So, together they walked back to the campfire. Most of the others were already in their tents.

Rowdy was the only one left sitting by the fire contently and enjoying the peace. He saw them return and gave them a knowing look.

“And where have you two love birds been?” He said with a grin.

“Out for a walk in the fresh night air,” Elwin stated.

“Hmm,” Rowdy said. “There is no need to hide it. We’ve all noticed the tension that has been building between you two all day.”

Myra sighed. “I hoped I wasn’t that obvious!”

“Myra,” Rowdy stated. “You wear your heart on your sleeve. You couldn’t hide your feeling even if you wanted to. Dummy here just took forever to notice it, that’s all.”

Elwin glared at him.

“Hey, I’m just pointing out that you humans are a little slow sometimes,” Rowdy said throwing his hands up defensively.

“Before I go to bed for the night, I want to leave you with this thought,” Myra said. She took Elwin by the hand and pulled him in close kissing him again.

They parted. Myra said nothing. She gave him a little wave and then disappeared into the tent that she shared with Anna.

Elwin sighed. He sat down at the fire next to Rowdy.

Rowdy just shook his head at him. “You two are so mazy!”

“Have you never been in love, Rowdy?” Elwin asked him.

“I am in love. She is waiting for me back home,” He replied. He gave Elwin a side long glance. “So, you’re in love now, are you?”

Elwin sort of shrugged unsure how to answer. “I don’t know. Maybe?”

“You aren’t telling us everything about your trip, are you?”

“Nope!”

“That’s what I thought,” Rowdy concluded. “Well, if you want to talk, I can be confidential.”

“Thanks Rowdy,” Elwin said poking at the fire with a nearby stick he found. “You know I consider you a friend, right?”

“I know,” Rowdy replied. “You know I have to go home and marry Ellie before I can join you, right?”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Good,” Rowdy said. “Well, I must retire for the night!”

Rowdy got up and headed to the tent that he usually shared with Elwin these days.

“I’ll be there shortly,” Elwin told him.

Elwin sat back alone staring into the fire. It had been the craziest week of his entire life! He thought. They had fled from a volcano. He had gone to the Imperial Palace where he was knighted. He spent one incredible drunken night with Livilla. Then he returned to a hero’s welcome with a new mission.

Now he had just kissed a young female Elf who was completely in love with him. Elwin had much to think about that night and he knew it would be quite sometime before he would be able to sleep properly!

3

The next day Elwin awoke last. He needed the sleep more than anyone, so his friends let him sleep in as late as possible. Sure, it was only a bedroll in a small two-man tent with a stout Gnome snoring next to him, but it was much closer to his friends then the luxurious feather bed of the Imperial Palace had been. A bedroll was all a real adventurer needed anyways! Elwin thought.

He started packing as soon as he awoke. He dressed in his cleanest cotton shirt and hemp trousers. He dusted off his light traveler’s cloak and threw it over his shoulders. Most of his thoughts were of the coming day. There would be much excitement when they finally met the supply caravan later that afternoon. There would be a big feast to celebrate their salvation. Of course, every once in a while, a stray thought of Myra-Lynn would creep into his mind. Before he even knew it, he was remembering the kiss they shared in all its vivid detail. The feelings and images were like lightning seared into his brain forever. He had never kissed anyone like that before and it had left him wanting for something more.

Once Elwin left the tent, he found that the rest of his companions were already up and about. Some were getting fresh water while others were packing up their own equipment and tents. From the rest of the refugees there was a nervous anticipation in the air. People were starving. The whole camp was buzzing, stomachs growling. In a few short hours they would meet with the first of several caravans. They would finally have enough food to feed everyone and other valuable supplies.

Eventually Elwin emerged from his tent to the scene of Emerson telling off a couple of kids. The three boys before him were dirty and ragged, yet they had stern looks of determination on their faces. The leader had a typical long sword that looked far too big for him. The other two boys had daggers. One of them had a bow slung over his shoulder as well.

“Look, as I have said already, Sir Elwin Birch is a busy man. Now, shove off! We have no time for children!” Emerson said clearly frustrated with them, but despite his protest the children would not budge.

“But if we could just talk to him for a minute…” the eldest of the boys started to say, but Emerson cut him off.

“Are you really going to make me draw my sword!?” Emerson said menacingly.

Elwin knew it was an empty threat. He did not believe for a moment that Emerson would actually strike down three teenage boys.

“It’s alright Emerson,” Elwin said to his friend. “You can stand down. If they want to speak to me, I’ll give them a moment.”

Emerson smirked. “As you wish, Sir Elwin.”

Elwin was curious to find out what this arguing was about. “So, out with it. Why are you boys harassing my friend?”

All three of them knelt down on one knee before Elwin, their heads bowed in a show of respect.

“Sir!” The eldest boy exclaimed. “We are your humble servants!”

“See Elwin, mazy!” Emerson commented dryly.

“What do you mean by this child?” Elwin demanded in his sternest voice. Yet when he looked over at Emerson, he winked at him. Emerson just shook his head and smiled. Elwin used a serious face when he looked back at the three boys at his feet.

“My Lord! You’re a knight… sir!” The boy stammered.

“I’m aware,” Elwin replied sarcastically. He was fighting hard not to smile even just a little bit.

“Sir, if you don’t have a squire yet, I wish to become one, sir. You’ll need a squire, sir! All knights do!” The boy squeaked.

“What do you mean boy? How do you know of this?” Elwin questioned him.

“S-S-Sir, the stories all claim that a knight must have a squire!” The boy said trembling. “A faithful assistant.”

“Fairy tales!? Is that what you base this belief on?” Elwin asked. He could not keep up the facade any longer. Elwin finally smiled at the boy. He changed his tone to something a little gentler. He spotted his brother in the immediate area packing up one of the tents. “Well, if I did need a squire, I would just ask my brother to be my servant.”

Rith heard his brother and scowled at him disapprovingly. “Are you mazy, Elwin!? I think not!”

Elwin laughed and asked the young man. “What’s your name boy?”

“My name is Gradin, Sir,” the boy said. He looked up hopeful.

“How old are you, Gradin?”

“Fifteen, sir!”

“Your not even an adult yet,” Elwin pointed out. “And your friends?”

“Anton is fourteen and Erban is thirteen,” Gradin said.

Elwin could see the boy was as scared as he was bold. It took a lot of guts to just approach a knight like that. They all seemed intimidated by Elwin’s presents, yet they would not scurry away and scatter like other peasants might. Elwin was not very comfortable with people fearing him. It was something he had not faced yet and now that he saw it in the boy’s expressions, it made him feel uneasy. Children should not have to be afraid at least.

“Get to your feet boys,” Elwin commanded. He grabbed Gradin by the arm and hoisted him up like a doll. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but I think you’re all very young. I don’t know if you’re ready for the life you would have if you were to serve under me. Have any of you ever killed before?”

The two younger ones just stared at their feet, but Gradin was anxious to tell Elwin yes, he had killed two kobolds once when they strayed too close to his farmhouse back in Domara. Elwin merely laughed and said he meant people, human beings. Elwin himself have never actually killed anyone before, but he had come close. If Rith hadn’t killed that warrior in Golden Meadows, then he would have. That much he knew for certain. He knew he had it in him. If he needed to, he could kill another man to defend himself and his friends. It was the most important trait that he felt made him a good warrior. He comforted himself with this fact as he lectured the boys on the importance of the killer instinct in a warrior.

“They’re not that young,” Rith commented to him. He pointed to Gradin. “That one there is Anna’s age.”

Elwin gave his brother an annoyed look. He turned back to the boys. “If you’re truly serious about being warriors, then I will have you know that it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. There are countless hours of training involved. But I’m not going to take on a squire currently. What I need are warriors who will follow my every word.”

“We can do that, Sir Elwin!” Gradin proclaimed. He looked at his two friends who nodded in agreement.

Elwin knew that these boys were not going to take no for an answer. They were not going to stop bothering him until they got what they wanted. When Elwin looked in their eyes, he knew that they had strong wills even if they were not fully aware of it themselves. It might be better yo give them a task and put them to work.

“Where are your parents?” Elwin asked them. “Can they vouch for you? Are they willing to hand you over to my service so readily?”

The three boys looked at each other awkwardly. Finally, Gradin spoke. “We have no parents. They are dead or lost. We don’t really know.”

“The volcano?” Elwin questioned.

Gradin nodded. “Yes, we got separated from them. With all the confusion we didn’t know what to do. We heard you telling people to head south, so we followed. You saved our lives, Sir Elwin. Now we pledge them to your service.”

“Well Emerson,” Elwin said to his friend. “What do you think of this offer?”

“Squires Elwin?” Emerson replied with a raised eyebrow. “First of all, knights usually have armour, which you don’t have yet. And secondly, knights also have horses, which you also don’t have. So, what is there for a squire to do?”

Emerson made some good points, Elwin thought. But these boys seemed determined enough that he did not just want to brush them aside.

“I admit this is an interesting situation,” Elwin replied to his companion. To the boys he said this. “I appreciate your willingness to work for me, but my friend here is right. I have no need for a squire at the moment. However, we can always use some extra hands and strong warriors. If you boys are as serious as you claim to be, then you must practice long and hard. This is no easy task mind you, but if you ever want to join my company of soldiers you must do this. Gradin, I put you in charge of your friends. When I call upon you, you must be ready to server.”

“I understand my lord!” Gradin said. He snapped to a salute.

“Good,” Elwin said. “Now you’re all dismissed until I call upon you.”