“Yes,” Master Garett said. “You see, they have special techniques for making armor light and strong. Not only that, but a single piece of armor might last you a lifetime, if you take care of it properly,” he continued. “They’re certainly not cheap. I’d wager a breastplate alone is about two-thousand crescents,” he said with a bit of uncertainty. Our collective jaws dropped. “T-two-thousand?” Irun chimed in with eyes as wide as mine.

“It’s an investment Coltend is willing to make. After all, it is the central trading hub for all four countries,” Master Garett said. “But we haven’t seen anything that would suggest as much,” Batch said curiously. “Not yet,” Master Garett replied. We didn’t really understand what he meant by that, so we simply looked at each other and shrugged.

“Halt!” Garett shouted after he had seen the Master raise his hand. The whole party came to a complete stop and began to dismount. Our legs hurt from riding for the better part of the day, so it was quite the relief to be able to stand on our own two feet again.

“All of you, listen up! Master’s got a few words for you,” Garett shouted again and everyone looked at the Master who was stepping forward. “I want you all to listen closely, as I will only say this once,” he began with an air of caution as he looked at all of us.

“This is mainly directed to the juniors of the party, so I will be curt. Where we’re about to enter is full of influential people and politicians from all four countries. They will be scattered around the palace, so mind who you talk to and how you talk to them. As tempted as you may be to try and do something out of league simply because you think I won’t be watching or hearing about it later, don’t,” he said with his intonation falling heavily on the last word.

The three of us gulped dryly and tried to keep a straight face to the best of our abilities. 

“Not that I expect you to, but you’ve been warned,” he said. Bernar grinned, trying to hide it from the others. “Don’t forget that just because we’re amidst other people, and important ones at that, never be caught off your guard. Do you understand?” he said sternly. “Yes, Master,” everyone said in unison. He nodded and turned on his toes - like he had the night before - and proceeded towards the stairway.

“You heard what he said?” Batch asked. “Yeah, though I find it rather odd how they would simply all be here at once without something bigger going on,” Irun replied.

I wonder what he’s not telling us, I thought.

At the top of the stairway, they were met by a short man with graying slicked back hair and a large stomach. He was clean shaven, and wore Coltend’s colors on his doublet. “Welcome, Masters,” he said bowing low. “My name’s Fulco, and I am honored to be the one tending to your needs on behalf of King Truls,” he said cheerily as the wrinkles around his eyes scrunched up. “We’re honored to have been invited,” the Master replied. “Tell me, good man, where might our accommodations be?” he asked plaintively.

“Follow me, good sirs,” Fulco replied with a motion, and they walked through the doorway. Once inside, I couldn’t help but notice the tall, granite pillars that supported the great roof lathered in carvings of grandeur and battles from times past. There were, also, six stained-glass windows that had depictions of the gods, one for each window.

The floor had the red strip of carpet leading all the way down the hallway to the end of the large room. Benches were placed in rows facing the back of the room, where the king and queen would sit. The hall was far quieter than I had expected it to be, at least for the time being, though I would be lying if I said I’d noticed it from the start. I, like the others, was way too busy looking at all the details carved into the pillars and such.

If only Edryd were awake to see this, I thought.

“This way, please,” Fulco called out and turned to the left wing of the room where there was yet another stairway. We followed him up the stairs, and on the walls they saw paintings of the old captains of the Guard, depicted in fine oil paintings.

“I’m just going to assume he’s taking us to the barracks portion of the palace,” Irun said. He had been hoping to sleep on a comfortable bed for once. “Seems like that’s where we’ll all be sleeping,” Batch replied. I was in too much awe to come up with any intelligible response. “You will have all of the necessary items to take care of yourselves and your equipment, so shut up for now,” Bernar whispered back. “Yeah, but sharing a room with the Master was not on my bucket list of things to do before I eat dirt,” Batch muttered under his breath.

My brother merely chuckled and shook his head.

“We’ve arrived,” Fulco said promptly, pushing open a door to a large room with numerous beds lined up beside the walls. Batch spotted a hallway that looked like it led to a bathing area, and nudged Irun excitedly.

“I shall summon the servants to take your…” he paused, getting a glance at my armor that still had a few bloodstains from the battle earlier in the day. His eyes opened wide at the sight of me, and quickly put his hand to his mouth. 

This poor fucker hadn’t noticed it before.

“My goodness, is that…?” he began. “Yes, it is, good sir,” the Master cut him off. “We’d very much appreciate it if the servants could assist us in getting their garments all cleaned up by tomorrow,” the Master said politely. “I-I-I assure you they’ll be cleaned by then,” Fulco said with a slight bit of disgust in his voice. “Thank you for your troubles,” the Master said, smiling warmly as Fulco scurried off to find the servants.

The Master turned around and smiled. “He turned about as green as the blood on your armor, boys,” he said. It was the first time anyone aside from Bernar or Master Garett had heard him say something with a hint of humor.

We weren’t entirely sure it had been meant as a joke, so we just grinned as a result. “Let’s get cleaned up and get some food in our bellies,” Bernar suggested to everyone, noticing the awkward exchange. “Yes, I’m aching to try their apple cobbler. I hear it’s superb,” the Master said.

“Never would have taken you for having a sweet tooth, Master,” a voice came from behind us. We all turned towards it, only to find that it was a servant girl. Her hair was covered by a red head wrap, except for a single lock of black hair that hung from the brim down to her pale cheek. Her deep, green eyes flicking from one person to the next indicated that she felt as though she had done something wrong.

Gods above, she’s gorgeous! I thought.

“I didn’t even hear you approaching, young one,” the Master said, genuinely surprised. 

This was true. In fact, no one had heard or seen her coming, which came as a surprise to us all, especially the Master.

“I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I had no intention to startle you. Especially not all dressed up like that in fancy armor,” she said. “Not at all! It’s alright,” the Master said warmly. I still hadn’t taken my eyes off of her when she caught me staring at her. I briefly blinked and shook myself out of my daze, trying to wake up from the trance her beauty had put me in.

I noticed Bernar grinning at me out of the corner of my eye, as well.

“What is your name, child?” the Master asked calmly. “My name is Meliss, Master,” she said timidly. “Well, Meliss, would you do us all a favor and take our garments to have them cleaned? I’m sure Fulco has probably already instructed you to do so,” the Master said. “Yes, of course, Master,” she replied quickly. “But, they need to be off your bodies for me to wash them, Master,” she said quietly.

The Master smiled and turned. “You heard the young lady. Strip,” he said both playfully and with an air of command that no one dared to defy. Irun, Batch and I looked at each other seeking counsel, though there was none to be had.

None of us youngsters had been in our undergarments in front of a lady before, let alone entirely naked, so most were apprehensive to be in that state. That’s not to say that we didn’t have female synners. We were merely separated when it came down to bathing, changing clothes, and sleeping. Aside from those things, we did everything else together as equals.

“Except for the females who will change in the bathing area,” the Master began, gesturing for the women to go. “The rest of you can get started,” he said. When we hesitated a little, his eyes flared with a bit of mana, adding to the intensity of his next word. “Now,” the Master said sternly with a slight tilt in his head.

We each felt a jolt of fear run through us, and reluctantly began removing our jerkins while our cheeks flushed with blood. I tried my best to avoid eye contact with Meliss to not make the situation more awkward than it already was.

Meliss, on the other hand, was entirely unphased, as if she felt almost nothing seeing us strip. It was, apparently, a common thing for maids and servants to wait on other people to undress so they could take their clothes. To her it was nothing more than a few bloodstained people changing their attire.

To me on the other hand, it was the most embarrassing experience I had ever had in my life.

First impressions are everything, right? How can she be so beautiful yet so unphased by everyone being naked in front of her? It seems cruel that someone would have to see so many different people in their birthday suits enough times to become numb like that. Especially at her age, I thought while mentally admiring her beauty.

I quickly finished undressing, and I felt something I hadn’t really felt in years: exposed. Thankfully, it wasn’t just me, as some of the others did as well. The tell-tale sign of this was with the awkward manner in which they placed their jerkins, undershirts, and undergarments into the small trolley she brought.

When it was my turn to put my stuff in the trolley, she smiled at me. I froze on the inside as butterflies did somersaults in his stomach, but I tried to keep my arms and legs moving, making it look like this was actually my normal state of being. I caught her gaze as I let go of my blood-soaked jerkin, and she smiled at me, giving me a knowing nod.

Fuck, I thought.

I stepped away from the trolley without turning around, but she just kept staring at me. She couldn’t have been much older than I was, and yet we’d had this strange connection; one I’d never heard of before.

At least, that’s what I thought.

“Well, then,” the Master said, clearing his throat after noticing the connection between the two. “Oh,” Meliss said, breaking whatever line of thinking ran through  her mind. “Right away, Master,” she said, grabbing the handles of the trolley and scurrying out of the room. She almost ran into the frame of the door on her way out, and it was clear her mind was somewhere else entirely.

Bernar laughed at me just as she turned the corner. “For someone as quiet as she was when she arrived, she was a bit clumsy on her way out,” he began. “Although, she didn’t even have to say a fuckin’ word, and she’s got your prick all tied up in a knot,” he said in jest. “What, I can’t think someone’s beautiful?” I asked defiantly.

“Of course you can. I’m just doing you a favor by telling you not to get hung up on her after only seeing her once, you twerp,” Bernar said. I raised an eyebrow questioningly, mostly because I couldn’t tell if he was joking, or if it was just my lack of experience getting the better of me. “Just take my word for it,” he cautioned. “Alright, alright! I get it,” I retorted somewhat reluctantly.

“Gentlemen,” Fulco called out, relieved to not see bloodstained clothing everywhere, as we all turned to face him. He was walking through the doorway with two servants just then, each carrying a bundle of clean, red, linen undergarments. “These are for you after you bathe and, if you so wish, you may keep them when you leave. We are as generous as we can be with our guests,” he said with an air of pride.

“Thank you,” the Master said, grabbing one from the pile. The two servants began handing them out according to size. Comments on the softness and smoothness of the undergarments came en masse, and others could simply not fathom the quality of the material. “I will leave a servant for you just outside the door should you need any food or drink,” Fulco said.

“Thank you, dear Fulco,” The Master said. “We’ve had a long journey, so for now, we shall all retire. Tomorrow is a big day from what I hear,” he continued. “Oh, very much so, Master,” Fulco said, with some excitement.

There it is again, I thought.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Fulco said as he bowed and walked out the door.