The grounds of the Mannigold estate were alive with commotion. Servants and farmhands ran back and forth, frantically clearing a path for the caravan that was soon to arrive. Under normal circumstances, only the necessary staff would tend to the main grounds while Sir Perry was away. The rest of those in his employ would be tending the fieldlands just north of the barracks. However, Sir Perry had been away for several months handling affairs on behalf of Omnirius, and today he would be returning with his entire guild in tow; some of them wounded, but all of them tired and hungry.

Before long, the large wooden slabs of the main gate groaned as they opened, and a new wave of excitement swept over the grounds. The children ran, jumped and skipped their way to the main road, all lining up to catch a glimpse of their Lord’s return.

“You two! Has the cook finished preparing the breakfast meal?”

“Yes, Mister Avenell.”

Avenell wasn’t satisfied.

“And did he remember to cook enough bacon?”

The two scullery maids looked at each other.

“I-I believe so, Mister Avenell.”

He narrowed his gaze at them.

“Did they make sure it was extra crispy?”

The two maids pondered for a moment. Then, one of them suddenly took off running toward the keep.

Avenell sighed.

Robert Avenell was usually a mild-mannered man. He was well respected by the staff and matters were handled smoothly because of it. The only time that he became short tempered was for matters of special occasion, regarding Sir Perry.

“Well? What are you standing around for? Go help her!”

As he spoke, he waived his hand at the second maid who skittered off.

Avenell pressed his fingers against his eye sockets and rubbed them a few times. Then, he looked fondly toward the main gates. Even at such a distance, he could see the early morning sun bounce off Sir Perry’s armor. He then set off down the road so as to formally greet Sir Perry by the time he made it up the hill.

Sir Perry’s manor was constructed from the remnants of an old barracks that had been built during the War of Blood and Iron. It was where Sir Perry and his militia had been stationed while he was tasked with keeping the forces of Boginsklad at bay. The barracks was later converted into Sir Perry’s place of residence after he had received his landholdings from High King Rhoden IV. Robert Avenell was one of the first farmhands that Sir Perry had contracted to work the fields. Perry quickly grew fond of Avenell’s skill and his reputation with the others. Before long, Avenell was given the title of seneschal.

Thanks to Sir Perry’s promotion, Avenell and his family enjoyed many benefits. However, even if Avenell himself had not been given such status, he would still have been glad to be in the employ of Sir Perry. The serfs of Old Viemen were not all able to evacuate during the war. Many remained and were forced by Royal Decree —and by the Marquess Viemen himself— to pick up arms and defend the southern border. There are very few who have forgotten that it was Sir Perry Mannigold who stood beside them in rank and led them into battle. In the eyes of  many, there could be no greater reward than to serve and work under someone they loved and respected.

Avenell was one such person.

It was why he cared so much that Sir Perry had enough bacon to eat, and that it was crispy and to his liking. It was why he walked the long path to greet Sir Perry, even though he did not need to. And it was why he smiled when Sir Perry came close enough that Avenell could see his familiar features come into view.

“Welcome back, Lord Mannigold,” Avenell said as he bowed low.

“It is a pleasure to see you as well, Avenell!” Perry swung his leg over the saddle and dismounted. “How many times must I say it? If you are to call me anything, call me ‘Sir’.”

Perry walked up to Avenell and put a hand on his shoulder. Avenell took the gesture kindly and stood up to his full height.

“Of course, Sir Perry.”

“Ingrid!” Perry called out suddenly over his shoulder. “Take the men to the keep. There should be breakfast in the mess hall!” He then patted Avenell on the back and nudged him forward.

A horse galloped toward them; riding atop was a woman in plate armor.

“Are you not joining us, Sir Perry? We will not dine until you are settled as well.”

“Nonsense, Ingrid. The food will be cold if we all wait. Besides, I must tend to my other duties. Avenell will update me first and I will meet you later in the mess hall.”

Ingrid turned her horse back to the rest of the caravan. “As you wish. I will save you a plate of bacon.”

Sir Perry smiled and patted Avenell on the shoulder.

“That’s why she’s my second in command.”

“A wise choice indeed, Sir Perry.”

The two continued to walk down the dirt road as the caravan passed them. Excluding Sir Perry and Ingrid, there were a little over two dozen others. An assortment of swordsman, squires, hunters, and other skilled persons made up the bulk of the Starspawn Guild.

“I trust all is going well in the construction of Gate City?”

“As well as you might expect,” Perry answered. “Though, they have almost bled the stone quarries dry.” Perry looked like he had more to say but stopped to scratch his beard.

“May I trim that for you after breakfast?” Then, Avenell looked Sir Perry up and down, eying the dirt and grim that had been haphazardly wiped from his skin and armor. “And have a bath drawn, as well?”

“Enough of that, Avenell. Tell me how the farm has been.”

“The winter was not as harsh as we had anticipated. Only a few fell ill but they were tended to and have since recovered.”

“Good, good. Remind me to give the physician special thanks.”

“I will make note,” Avenell said before continuing. “The seeds have been sewn only a few weeks ago, but some are beginning to sprout nicely.”

“And the food stores?”

“Well stocked.”

Perry smiled.

“Good. Great!” He had other questions of course, but as they continued down the path toward the keep, Perry became distracted. The children ran by and waved big circles in the air, jumping up and down. He waved back, laughing to himself.

Avenell slowed his pace enough to have Sir Perry completely in his field of view. He looked healthy and well nourished, which was good. Other than his untidy hair and unkempt beard, Perry seemed his usual self. A tall man, solidly built with wide shoulders and strong legs. His hair was dark brown, though Avenell could see the faintest glint of silver starting to show. Sir Perry had lived through the ravages of the Omnirian Plague as well as the War of Blood and Iron. Yet he continued, much to Avenell’s chagrin, to perform diplomatic and militaristic duties on behalf of Omnirius. Perry, despite his youthful vigor, was well into his forties— an uncommonly old age for a man in his position. Avenell was glad that he had lived long enough to see his hair turn gray, but even so…

“Sir Perry?”

“Hmm?”

“Have you perhaps given any more thought to our discussion?”

Perry folded his arms and looked to the sky.

“Which discussion was that?"

"From before your departure…"

Perry avoided eye contact.

"Sir Perry."

"I do not see the need, Avenell."

"I know you resist, but even still. It is far too dangerous to keep taking these excursions. You've done enough already. There is no need to keep putting your life in danger."

"I am a knight, Avenell. I have sworn an oath to defend Omnirius and her citizens— of which you are included." Perry then looked around. "As well as everyone here."

"Your oath was to High King Rhoden…"

Perry shot him a look and Avenell stopped himself. They both knew what he meant, but Avenell had the good sense not to say it out loud.

"I am a leader now, Avenell…" Perry insisted. "The Starspawn is growing. Little by little, day by day, it is growing. They are going to need someone to teach them. I cannot leave them, nor would I want to."

"You can train them here,” Avenell insisted. “Within the walls, where there is safety."

"Please understand, Avenell, you are neither a fighter nor a swordsman. There is a time and a place for safety in training, but still there are things that cannot be learned from behind safe walls."

"Someone needs to be here,” Avenell insisted, “To assume leadership over the workers. To take command over the fields and manage things around the keep."

"That's why I have you!" Perry announced proudly as he clapped him on the back.

"I am happy to assist wherever necessary, but you know I am not sufficient. It will be unacceptable in the long run to have someone like me—"

"Ellis!"

Avenell nearly choked.

"Pardon!?"

The two came to the stone pathway set out a few yards in front of the entrance to the keep. The servants opened the doors from within and came out to greet them.

"Ellis! I am sure that with your tutelage he will become a fine and capable man."

Avenell rubbed his chin.

"Perhaps you’ve suffered a concussion on the journey home…"

"You won't need me while you have the boy,” Perry insisted. “He may not be my nephew by blood, but he is my appointed heir and heir to this land. He will take on his responsibility and he will be successful." Perry looked around. "Now…Where is he?" Unsatisfied, Perry looked up and shouted into the air. "Has he no manners!?" He waited with his hands on his hips.

No response came.

Perry raised his brow. He then turned to look at the servants who shook their heads.

"Where is that little bastard…?" Perry started back down the steps and looked out onto the grounds. "Avenell, where is he?"

"I…am not sure."

Perry spun around.

"Not sure!? How are you not sure? The compound is not so big that he could be lost."

"Ellis has not been on the grounds for several days, Sir Perry."

Perry's shoulders sank. Then, he stretched himself and put his hands on his hips.

"Has he been running amuck in town again? Causing trouble with Marybeth, I presume?"

"If there has been trouble, I have not heard of it. Not in this town, anyway."

"Are you sure? Not even with—"

Perry stopped, turning suddenly to make eye contact with Avenell.

"What do you mean, 'this town'?"

Avenell felt a knot in his throat. He could see Perry's face harden as he stepped in closer.

"Master Ellis and Marybeth, as I understand it, though my information is limited, recently returned a few days ago… from an excursion to Malendar's Edge."

"EDGE!? THEY WENT TO MALENDAR'S EDGE!?" Perry roared. "That's several days ride! The terrain is wild! There are bandits! Beasts!" He grabbed Avenell by the shoulders. "Why would he go there!?" His eyes were intense and unblinking. His face was red as a tomato.

Avenell had to choose his next words carefully.

"He…"

"He what!?"

Avenell cleared his throat.

"Master Ellis and Marybeth traveled to Malendar's Edge to hunt…a creature."

Perry's eyes narrowed. In a hushed, deep tone he spoke to Avenell.

"What manner of creature?"

"Well…there are rumors…so the townsfolk say. I don't believe them of course, likely exaggerations— "

"What were they hunting!?"

"A basilisk."

At this admission, Perry relaxed his grip on Avenell and backed away.

From behind, Avenell could hear footsteps approaching from inside the keep. Ingrid appeared in the doorway; in her hand was a plate of bacon — extra crispy.

“Sir Perry, the men insist on waiting for you— except for Albert, of course. But the rest of us are…” She stopped as she saw Avenell standing with a worried look, beads of sweat were dripping down his face. Sir Perry stood with his back to them both and was slowly drawing himself up. He then began to laugh.

Ingrid came slowly down the stairs.

“Sir Perry? Is everything alright—”

“I’LL KILL HIM!”

In a fury, Sir Perry cried out and balled up his fists, shaking them at the open air. Before anyone could react, Perry took off down the path at full speed toward the gate. An unsuspecting farmhand was bringing in one of the horses to the stable. She saw Sir Perry heading towards her and waved at him; but, when he came fully into view and she saw the rage in his eyes, she dropped the reigns and ran.

Ingrid called out to him.

“Sir Perry! Wait!”

It was no use.

Perry ignored her words, hopped into the saddle and raced toward the open gate.

“Perry!” Ingrid cried out in vain. “Damn it!” She shoved the plate of bacon at Avenell and ran toward the stables.

Avenell looked down at the bacon. He could hear the shrieking concern from people on the street as Sir Perry charged through them. Off to his left, he heard a commotion in the stables. Before long, Ingrid shot into view on a horse of her own, galloping after Sir Perry.

Avenell reached down and picked the least crispy piece of bacon on the plate and took a bite.

He finished chewing and exhaled deeply.

“It’s good to have them home…”