"The Count has appointments from late in the morning to Luncheon and then after that, he has reports and sanctions to pass on till evening tea time. Then till dinner, he has to work on the problems of the local merchants and the citizens." Renard explained to Silas and Tormac "You will accompany him through all of these periods of time, but you should be most vigilant during the evening dispute sessions as people from outside come into the Manor to have their problems solved." Renard went on to explain the rules, regulations and the duty the duo had to follow for as long as they were within the Manor. Both of them listened intently and asked questions where they needed clarification, but overall were ready for the task ahead of them. While both of them had to stay by the Count's side, they were permitted to taking breaks but only one at a time. Renard also handed both of them their gear and accessories. 

Silas received a very high quality black trench coat and was very light overall, his gloves were smooth and seemed of just as high quality and were stitched to his needs. Tormac received his clothing, a red overcoat with sleek design made for comfort. Both the overcoat and the trench coat were fitted with hoods so they may pull it up whenever they needed it.

Silas and Tormac began their shift standing guard outside the Count's room. Standing still and looking straight, both of them looked very sharp in their new outfits and seemed like true professionals. The duo had stood for nearly an hour without moving since their shift began when the Count stepped out of the room and greeted them. The Count had to have breakfast so the duo followed him to his room of dining and stood 5 steps behind his chair at the end of the table. Maids and servants poured in with dishes in hand and served them to the Count, who immediately began to eat and requesting for reports on the well-being of the entire town. Occasionally, he would also glance at the duo from the corner of his eye, perhaps to see their reaction or to see if they are still there. As the Count finished his breakfast and stood up to leave, Selene Silvaren entered the room and greeted her father.

"Good morning, father. Have you finished just now?" Selene said

"Yes, Selene. I hope you finish up soon too, as i already called for your tutor to come by early" the Count smiled and said

"Father, why? I'm progressing well and with good pace so, why did you call him early today? Even Mother agrees i am progressing too quickly and need to slow down." Selene said pouting

"Nothing wrong in a faster pace, young one" the Count said, chuckling and walking away "Growth is a good sign"

Selene noticed Silas and Tormac as the two of them left with the Count and smiled at him. Silas simply replied with courteous head tilt and continued on his way. The Count had his day full and the duo had to accompany him throughout. Many people came to meet the Count till luncheon, all with different problems, suggestions, advice and reports to give. The Count handled all the business effortlessly and quickly. Time passed and it was time for luncheon during which, Silas excused himself first for a break while Tormac stood guard. Silas walked to the staff quarters for his lunch and sat down on an empty bench. As he was eating up, he noticed some maids and the servants glancing at him from time to time. He paid no mind to them and it didn't matter to him even if they gossiped about him as he couldn't possibly be bothered over mere servants with free time on their hands. He finished up, washed his hands and freshened up before turning around to leave quickly.

He moved towards the noble dining hall where the Count was sitting with Selene, who had just arrived. He took his position beside the Count and let Tormac off onto his break. Silas stood there silently, without a motion and looking forward while the Count and Selene discussed about various matter. This went on for a short while before Selene turned to Silas and said "How was your day so far?"

Silas remained quiet but looked in her direction, indicating he could not answer.

The Count realizing the situation said "You may speak freely, Silas. It is permitted to speak as long as the person is a member of our House"

"Thank you, Count. I had a good day so far, my Lady." Silas replied, briefly

"Is this your first time working for a noble?" Selene asked

"Yes, my Lady. This is my first time working for a noble or a noble family"

"Were my arrangements comfortable?" Selene continued

"If you are referring to the room i was allowed to stay in, it was over the top, my Lady. Nonetheless, i am thankful for your goodwill" Silas said, eyes still looking forward

Selene asked no further questions, just stared at him intently, hoping for any reaction at all.

"Enough, Selene. I wanted a moment with you, Silas, away from the presence of your friend." the Count said, cutting the meat before him on the table

"How can i be of service, my Lord?" Silas said, with a straight face, knowing what's to come next.

"Rest of you leave us" the Count said and waved his hand to dismiss everyone present in the room, besides Selene and Silas.

The Count stood up, faced Silas and put his hands on Silas' shoulders, with an expression that hinted at sadness he began "What would it take to buy your allegiance? Name it. Name your price. Anything, I can buy or order within my authority. If it means to sell away this Manor, I will do it. If it means I betray the people of Esmoendo, I will do it. Please, just say it."

Silas was shocked at the words coming out of the Count's mouth, his words screamed of desperation. Whatever he may have thought of the Count so far, might all be wrong. No man speaks that way to someone unless they are cornered, especially a noble. His strong voice was now quivering now and then and all of the Count's presence had nearly vanished and he had become this, desperate man who was looking for an escape. Silas pitied him.

"What is it that you need from me that would push you so far, my Lord?" Silas said confused "I simply wish to roam the lands unburdened for anyone besides myself."

"Sit down and i will explain it to you" the Count gestured to the chair beside him, Silas moved to sit on it and the Count continued "No one besides the Silvaren family and Renard know about this and no one else suspects anything but, Silvaren family has been ordered by the king himself to actively participate in the war. Which is why I am trying to hasten our pact." Silas looked at the Count in disbelief, a noble family to partake in war directly means that the country is either on the last legs, low on resources or wants to get rid of a noble family through conflict. None of those situations fared well for a noble family they almost always meant doom for the entire family. 

"Defying the order means death of everyone in the family. We would be hunted as fugitives and deserters and hanged publicly with our names scrubbed from the records of history. I wouldn't want that to happen. So i ask for your help, tell me what you need." the Count said, looking directly into Silas' eyes. Silas took a moment to reel from the sudden request. This was far from what he had been expecting.

"What is it exactly that you need from me?" Silas said

"I need you to leave Esmoendo. Quietly. And i want you to take Selene with you and keep her safe. That's it. That's all i ask" the Count said, upset and holding his daughter's hand

"You want me to take a noble-born lady with me, a wanderer, to god knows where. I am travelling the lands to learn about people, to experience culture and to grow my unique magecraft." Silas said, confused even more "There is no goal or fixed place in my mind where i would settle down and stay in that place and i highly doubt if that would happen at all. After all that you would want me to take your daughter?"

"YES, anywhere but here. That is how desperate i am, after all she is my only child, my only daughter. I would rather have her out there in the world and thriving rather than surviving a day in a battlefield" the Count said, closing his eyes and facing upwards

"I can't take her with me indefinitely. She can't survive the hardships i will go through" Silas said, calmly

"And how do you know what hardships you would go through, boy?" the Count said, raising an eyebrow in suspicion

"I am a wanderer on a path with no direction and no end goal. I will travel places to experience the culture i don't know anything about. I will meet people with different customs and traditions. I will be on the road for god knows how many days. Throughout all this, you expect me to be happily breezing through each moment with absolutely zero trouble?" Silas clarified

"No, I suppose not. At least.......please, at least get her to the Veythar Kingdom. YES! The Veythar Kingdom! I was good friends with the king of Veythar. I will write him a letter asking to take care of my dear Selene. Would you do that at least?" The Count said, with his fist clenched in sorrow

"If you would pay for the gear we would use on the way, then sure. And i would like to discuss the kingdom's current situation. If you would trust your daughter to me, then suppose you would entrust the kingdom's information to me then? What kind of nobles live where, what are they like, how do they behave and who would be more likely to help us should we need assistance." Silas said, with his hands interlocked and slipping into deep thought

The Count's eyes lit up with hope "Yes! Of course. I will share all that is necessary with you. By the end of your contract week, you will be well stocked and prepared and cleared to leave the Manor. The official order to the Silvaren House to participate in the war will come in the later week, by then you and my daughter would be long gone. I would never want my daughter, whom I have raised for 19 years with love, to face the horrors of war."

"But why does the King of Velmara force the family into this current war? Did you do something to threaten his position?" Silas asked as he processed the moment before this.

"No, never. The King's heart is filled with envy, jealousy and spite more than any other human emotion. I doubt he would need a reason to be rid of any of the nobles in his territory" the Count said flatly

"We shall discuss more on this, but later. You are currently behind on today's schedule."

Silas stood up and resumed his role as an escort guard. He looked at Selene and said "My lady, I hope you are prepared for what is to come. Please spend some time with your family and say your goodbye. It may be possible, you may never see them again. Please use the duration of this week to mentally and physically prepare yourself to face a new world. I hope you won't badger with complaints and nag me through the journey over every little thing as well."

"I may be a noble lady, Silas, but i think i can handle my own out on the road" Selene said

"Fortuna ad paratos venit, remember those words well, Lady Selene and prepare well" Silas said