Chapter I- II

Andreas hated his journeys. Whenever he talked to Olm, he told him he loved smelling the moist earth after rainfall, hearing his armour rustle as he moved, taking in the raw beauty of the North. A southerner could look at it, call it bland and move one, but he was no southerner. Nor was he a northerner, but he could appreciate every blade of grass in a plain, every leaf in a forest, every little drop of rain that fell, something a southerner would never do. No, he loved riding his horse while taking it all in, chatting with his fellow soldiers and protecting his sire. The same things he had been doing for four decades, and he enjoyed them even more in his age than he did in his youth. Olm was born to do this, Andreas was sure of it.

Andreas knew exactly why he didn't like travelling. His legs cramped, his hands hurt from holding the reins, and his head ached. He had no one to talk to, none of the soldiers had anything to talk of that interested Andreas, Sir Olm was busy enjoying the landscape and his father Konrad preferred talking to his men in a way Andreas hadn't seen before. Father was happy.

Andreas missed Martin Bercken. They had only known each other for little over two months, but Andreas felt a connection to the Karlian he felt to none of the other boys at Sarus. Perhaps because they were the only Lordlings at Sarus, perhaps because the lands were unfamiliar to Martin. Martin would tell him of the Karlsvale, of Bergstadt. And Andreas, being curious about the grand world, would listen.

Nothing of particular interest happened over the journey of a fortnight. Konrad stopped at Auerburg and at Junbach to converse with his close friend Lord Oldvar Draafen and Lord Reloyn of Junbach. Other than that they slept and ate at inns in villages and hamlets by the road. And in those inns, most didn't even recognise their banner. Not as notable as Andreas expected of a journey to the capital.

But even during the journey, the long rides leaving his body aching, being away from that hilly land beyond the Ingram, his thoughts were still there. They would return to the Hinterland, and it would be as though they never left.

The entourage was by a bank of the Ruehn on the western side that morning, gazing south. There was the capital, sitting under the cloudy sky, at the point where the Ruehn swings to the west, where it comes flowing down onto the sea. They had sent a man forth by sunrise before they set off to inform the capital of their imminent arrival. Andreas and Konrad were in front of everyone, dressed in fine, dark blue robes they had donned that morning while the rest were in their usual demeanour.

"You shall stand before the Emperor today," Konrad said to Andreas, everyone could hear them. "Do not talk unless asked to. Once we enter the palace, you will keep your head down and bow once you stand before him."

Everyone was waiting for Konrad to move, and once he rode, his men followed. So they followed the river banks down to the easternmost gate of the city. After a while they were back on the Almian Way, the road stretching all the way from Sartha in the South to Kirtzen. They passed many travellers and merchants, houses and meadows, more and more recognising the green and blue banner of his house. Konrad paid no attention to them, and continued riding as the grey walls of the city and the Erwinsburg to the southwest grew ever closer.

Königsgrab had been the capital of the North for centuries and the centre of the Germanic world for far longer. It was a city some claimed was as old as Sarex, perhaps even older. And Andreas could feel it, the almost oppressive aura the city had as they approached. The Cathedral, Hippodrome, Erwinsburg and Palace were visible from where they stood, the only buildings rising above the walls. A fine selection of the eastern, wealthiest part of the large city. Every building, every stone laid by the people in a process of centuries had a story to it. Sure, Sarus was somewhat old, but the stories its walls and Keep told could not compare to those the ones Königsgrab told.

Some of the folk living outside the walls had lined up as they came, watching them from where their houses stood. Andreas knew father didn't care for the smallfolk watching them, they would without doubt return to their lives in a minute or two. It would continue as though the Davians were never there, as though they hadn't made the journey from Sarus. But Andreas still wondered, how many lives were being lived while he lived his own at Sarus?

Finally, they stood before the closed northern gate of the city, looking up to see the sentries upon the two towers by the gate, the flags with the sun cross waving with the banner of the Davians in the strong wind.

"You good, boy?" Olm whispered to him, slowing his horse down to the pace of his'.

Andreas looked up at the bannerman.

"No, Sir," Andreas said truthfully, his head turning away slightly to look at his father leading the entourage. "I'm afraid."

"Afraid of what, meeting the emperor?" Olm tried to understand.

Andreas nodded, still averting his gaze.

Olm thought. "I remember the times I first met the Emperors, all four of them." he said. Andreas hadn't even met one in his fourteen years. "Listen, boy, you are right to be afraid. Emperors are great men, they may not be good or just sometimes but they are nonetheless great men. But you mustn't forget, you are a Davian. Member of an Imperial House, above Patricians. Emperors may rule lands, but they cannot rule hearts. They aren't masters of men."

Andreas was confused. "If Emperors aren't masters of men, then who is?"

Olm smiled warmly. "You ask good questions," he said. "Iron is. Iron and steel."

As he said that, the entourage came to a halt. The gates were shut. They waited for them to open, but instead a man looked down from the walls.

"Who are ye?" the man asked, seemingly confused as for the men standing below on horseback.

"Do you not recognise my banner?" Konrad's horse stepped forth. "I am Konrad of House Davia," he yelled, "I have been summoned by my Emperor. Has your post received my emissary of arrival?"

"We have."

"Then would you open the gates of the city?"

"Wait, we received orders." the man said and went out of sight. The soldier said some more, though it was barely heard from where the entourage was. The wind aided them not.

So they waited. Andreas felt his legs tensing up, his throat dry. He took a sip from his waterskin, looking up at the sun-cross.

"What do you make of it, Sir?" one of the lads named Theo asked.

"Not much," Sir Olm replied, "Some nerve not to open their gates to a Lordling they invited."

Two snickered at the remark.

"I've waited fifty years for this," Konrad Davius said, turning to the Sir. "I won't mind waiting a few minutes more."

"What are they doing?" Andreas asked Olm.

"I don't know, Andreas," Olm said, "Perhaps there will be someone coming to escort us."

"Then why isn't anyone here yet? They called us here, they knew we were coming!"

"Silence, Andreas." Konrad said loudly, not even looking back.

"But Father–" Andreas continued, only to be cut off.

"Those men are doing their duty, following orders. We're in no rush. We wait."

Andreas couldn't argue with his father, nor did he want to. This wasn't the place or time for this. A silence took them as they listened to the city in front of them. It was as though the city itself was alive, talking, whispering. They saw the occasional guard looking down at them, doing nothing. Even the folk watching them seemed unsure as to what was supposed to happen.

They waited for a few more moments before the gates were opened for them. Slowly but surely, the giant wooden gates opened. Andreas saw faces behind the walls, slowly being revealed to him. There were many commoners on the other side, he saw men of the Palatine Cohort, a dozen on foot and three on horse. There was one more man between them. A man on horse with dark hair and a beard. He wore a green coat. He scrunched his eyes at first, not recognising him, until finally the gates were open fully and the man approached them, followed by the mounted men of the Palatine Cohort. Andreas saw Olm's eyes opened fully, a smile appearing on his face whether he liked it or not.

Konrad must have recognised him too, for he turned around to face Olm, a more subtle smile on his face. The Davian then turned around again and dismounted his horse in a hurry. Olm did the same, dismounting even quicker. This caught Andreas by surprise, his horse moved under him. He calmed the animal, holding the reins tightly, and watched the men.

"Ave." Konrad said to the man, raising his right hand while his left rested behind his back.

Olm now stood beside Konrad.

"Ave, Konrad Davius." the man said, dismounting his own horse. Then, he turned to Sir Olm. "You got old."

Olm burst out in laughter. "You fu–" he paused, probably remembering he was with Konrad. "That's the first thing you say after all them years, Galvus?" he mocked. "Old."

"Old indeed, Sir Olm." the man smiled, then turned to Konrad Davius. "Excuse the men for keeping the gate shut, I wanted to personally come to greet you."

"Well, I didn't expect you of all people, General," Konrad replied. "How long has it been?"

"Four years? Even longer with Olm here. Too long, certainly. Come, I'll escort you to the palace. We'll have your horses by the Imperial stables. Oh, I'm… very sorry for your loss."

"Thank you." Konrad said, his voice faltering from the journey of a fortnight. He gestured that they should go on.

General Galvus laughed as they got back on their horses. The Davians followed Konrad and the General, and Olm returned to Andreas' side. The men of the Palatine Cohort formed two lines on both sides of the road while the men on horse cleared the road in front of them.

"Who's that?" Andreas whispered to Olm as they passed the gates.

"That's General Galvus, the Lion of Barus," Olm said with excitement and a wide smile. "Closest ally to the Emperor, Restorer of the West, consul of the year 675, and the finest strategist of our time. Have you studied our battles out in the west?"

"No, but I've heard of his victories. He was granted a triumph, wasn't he?"

"The first triumph granted in the North since the reign of Constantine the Great! The man has personal command over the Fourth Legion!"

Never defeated in its history, Andreas thought, not once. The Fourth was among the Legions General Octavius commanded during his conquests and the Second Civil War. Other than that it had always sided correctly during the strifes after the Julio-Camillans, the Savians and Cornians, and was famously commanded by Erwin I against the Norse. Andreas looked out to the front, to his father and the General riding side by side. "You seem very fond of him."

"Aye, we had our good moments. He's a lot like me, though his career has been more decorated. Don't get me wrong, I'm not jealous, I had my fair share of glory. How is he still so happy? Does he not miss it?"

Andreas didn't answer, he didn't know what to say. He understood perfectly well what Olm was getting so excited over. It was strange seeing this man, his name embellished in books and records, so mundanely walk and talk with his father in front of him.

It was also rather strange to see the places and lands he had only heard stories of or read about. He had read all about the city of Königsgrab, oldest and biggest city of the North, home to over a hundred and fifty thousand, yet being there was completely different. He instinctively looked to his right as he rode down the main road to see the university, the first of the North. All knowledge of the North would either go into those walls or to the University of Löwensfurt. The University was a palace of its own, Andreas had read, surrounded by walls, built as one singular building. After that came the heart of the city, the cathedral facing the east, towering above the city, as though it stood there long before the conquest of General Octavius; the old forum of the Northern senate, the grand Hippodrome built parallel to the Helver, the palace and the adjacent gardens stretching from the hippodrome down to the river, and the inner harbour to the west of the palace. All of the city's important landmarks and locations (except for the Erwinsburg to the northwest of the cathedral, standing atop Erwin's Hill) were in the eastern part of the city, connected by a road and many squares with statues of the old Sarthan Gods, still kept intact.

Andreas spent as much time as he could studying the buildings as they went, being particularly captivated by the Hippodrome and the cathedral, both made of opposite materials that still stood so closely and harmoniously. It was as though the city was divided, the palace and Hippodrome made of white limestone, and the rest of the city built of a mix of wood, stone and limestone, with limestone being preferred by the Patricians living near the palace and hippodrome, and wood being preferred by the peasants living to the western districts of the city, and stone being a middle ground.

The crowds looked confused, and Andreas immediately noticed. "Why are they looking at us like that?" he asked Olm.

Olm looked around, then looked behind and saw the banner and began laughing. "They don't know who we are. Your banner has green and blue, they think you are a representative of the chariot teams. Trouble is, they don't know which team you represent."

Andreas laughed with the old man.

They passed the forum and the hippodrome, and made it to the Imperial stables in front of the palace. The palace at Königsgrab was a large, three floored, square like limestone building. It's walls stood with marble pillars, though they were used decoratively more than actually supporting the structure. Just like on the city walls, flags of the sun-cross waved in the air above the main entrance. The main entrance stood behind an eight foot wall and a small and somewhat lush courtyard. Andreas thought the palace itself was as large as Sarus.

It was noon, and the clouds seemed to disperse as the crowds gathered. The men dismounted their horses as the stable hands came and took them. The Davians followed Konrad, and he followed Galvus through the gates. The Palatine Cohort had been notified, and the guard stood before the palace, forming a square perimeter, their halberds keeping the crowds safe and ruly. All eyes were on them as they passed through the front courtyard.

Andreas was in total awe as he walked behind his father through the entrance hall and into the main hall. Never before had he seen such opulence, such display of wealth and royalty, so much food coming in such quantities; even guards and servants dressed exquisitely, every man and woman well groomed and proudly wearing their light blue brigandines and robes. Food was beginning to arrive from the kitchens of the palace. The ever seducing smell of the food; the honey, the meat and the wine got to the boy long before he even saw the Emperor.

The Imperial Palace at Königsgrab was far, far more illustrious than the keep at Sarus; purple cloth hung around the grand hall after the entrance hall in contrast to the limestone the palace was built with, the marble throne at the very end resembled Lord Andreus' stone seat at the hall, yet was still distinct due to the Imperial ornaments of old, the letters S.P.Q.S. and the sun-cross engraved on both sides of it; the tables around the hall were similar to the ones at Sarus, but since the hall at Königsgrab was grander and far older they too seemed enlarged with the hall. Other than the purple cloth, purple-gold banners depicting the sun-cross and dark blue banners depicting the eagle of House Kehler or the red banners of House Kahren were placed on the entrances of the doorways, but they were overshadowed by the purple.

Rows and rows of people stood on both sides of the spacious chamber; a mix of Patricians, Plebeians, servants and Cohortmen. The Imperial court, surrounding the Emperor, was at the end of the room. The Emperor's immediate family, his councillors, Questors, quartermasters and Generals surrounded the marble throne. Between all of them, facing the entrance and approaching Davians, sitting upon his throne sat the Emperor of the North, Constantine III.

All eyes were on them.

Konrad stood before the Imperial court and bowed, keeping his hands together. Andreas followed his example, standing two feet behind his father. General Galvus took his place by his friend and colleague General Corbus to the Emperor's right. The Emperor looked at the Davian and his son with great interest, and raised his open hand, gesturing to him to speak.

"I am Konrad of House Davia, son of Lord Andreus Davianus of the Hinterland," he said. "My father, the Lord of the Hinterland, has died before the new year. I have accepted the summons of my Emperor to take his place to serve him."

There was silence as the Emperor rose from his marble throne. He was a tall man with long, brown, wavy hair. He had quite a luscious, well kept beard and light brown eyes. He wore the royal purple, a garment fit for Emperors. Upon his head was a round, golden crown, with pearls, red and blue gems adorning it. "I, Constantine, Third of my name, Emperor of the North," the Emperor spoke, "Have summoned you to name you Lord of the Hinterland. I ask you, do you accept the honour?"

"I do, your grace." Konrad said with full confidence, looking up.

"Then it is I who commands you to kneel, and to repeat as I speak." Konrad obeyed and knelt. The room was silent. "I, Konrad of House Davia…"

"I, Konrad of House Davia…"

"Pledge to protect the people of the Hinterland…"

"To fight in the name of the Empire when I am called to do so…"

"And to stay loyal and true to the Empire."

"May the Lord and my Emperor judge me…"

"But may they never call me a traitor."

"Terror bellum, honor in pace."

The Emperor smiled. "I accept your pledge. I name you, Lord Konrad Davius of the Hinterland. Rise, Lord Konrad. I grant you the right to collect taxes upon the people of the Hinterland, to raise armies when your banner is called," Lord Konrad now rose, and the Emperor approached him. "I wish to give you my deepest condolences; to you, your House and the Empire at large. Your father was a good man, I wish all of my Lords were as strong and wise as him."

"I thank you, your grace." Konrad bowed, and the Emperor passed him, approaching his son.

"Ah, Andreas Daviaus. I am very glad to have you here with your father."

Andreas wasn't sure what to say, so he said what his father said. "Thank you, your grace."

"Now, to celebrate. Let us eat, let us drink."

The Emperor raised his right hand and the Imperial court sat down onto the benches, and Lord Konrad gestured for his men to sit as well. Konrad looked back with a genuine smile, and Andreas, seeing his father like that after the long journey, couldn't help but smile too. Finally, he thought, it is done. Now Father could be happy for once after all these years.

- - -

Andreas sat comfortably on a marble bench in the gardens of the palace. They had stayed in the palace for almost a week, dined finely, visited many districts of the city including the University, attended a chariot race and even entered the city's cathedral and catacombs, where Emperors of the North are crowned and buried. They had even been to the illustrious throne room. Throughout his stay at Königsgrab, Andreas finally felt as though his father's natural pride had something to show for. He was a Lord now, faithful servant of the Emperor. Now the people of the city recognised his banner and name. Even Andreas was somewhat proud, always sitting silently by his father's side and smiling.

The skies were blue and sunny. Spring was upon Germania, though he feared he wouldn't see much of it once he crossed the Ingram again. He could see the private Imperial docks at the edge of the gardens, the Hippodrome rising above its walls, the palace to his left and the many villas of wealthy Patricians and members of the court to the south of the palace. It was marvellous, in every sense. The skies were just beginning to turn red, the Helver too, often called the Heart of Germania, and from time to time he could see ships pass the gardens on the river. Andreas couldn't think of a truer expression for it, a heart. Two of the four great cities of the North were situated by the Helver: Königsgrab, the capital; and Löwensfurt, Königsgrab's twin city, home to the Lord Steward of Löwensfurt, traditionally the heir to the Imperial throne. Yes, Stevengen, Sterl, Junbach and Kelchen were by the Ruehn, but they hadn't the population nor the opulence to be called 'great'. The only other city which could possibly match the Twin Cities as such would either be Bergstadt or Portzburg.

Many passed Andreas as he sat there, though he recognised none of them, and he was sure none recognised him. They'd only know his name when he was with father, after all. But then, when he looked out onto the palace, he saw familiar faces approach him: his father, the prince Erwin Flavius and a woman he would see in the palace, but never got the name of. The Davian quickly got up upon seeing them, correcting his posture and waited for them. He saw father smile at his gesture.

Once they were close enough Konrad spoke. "Hello, Andreas," He turned to the prince. "This, your grace, is my son."

"I am very pleased." Erwin spoke and Andreas bowed lightly. "This is my wife, Lady Claudia Servina." The woman bowed too. "Have you enjoyed your stay thus far?"

Andreas immediately noticed the man's deep voice, deeper than even his father or General Galvus. He stood out from the rest of his family, even Andreas noticed when he stepped into the palace for the first time. Where his brothers had both dark-brown hair and brown eyes, he had dark hair reminiscent of a mix of blonde and orange and blue eyes. Andreas had noticed how distinct Erwin looked compared to his brothers when he first entered the palace, though he did not ask his father about it until some days had passed. His father had explained how, unlike his brothers who had taken after their father the Emperor, Erwin had taken after his Kahren mother. Andreas had also noticed how similar he looked to another man of the Imperial court, whom he learned was Felix Kahren, Erwin's uncle.

"It has been very pleasant, your grace," Andreas said, "It's all a little much for someone like myself, but pleasant nonetheless. I have been especially fond of the fine Imperial Institutions."

"I'm sure you are. What do you think of your father's province? I've never been that North."

Andreas quickly glanced at his father, then back to the Constantinian. "I find it barren, in a way both dreadful and beautiful. Though it doesn't come close to the Helverland."

Erwin nodded in approval. He gestured for him to sit back down on the bench, and Andreas obliged. Konrad and Lady Claudia stood by Erwin's side as the man sat by Andreas. "Your father has told me you enjoy the histories and arts. Has the University been to your liking?"

Andreas was getting a little uncomfortable by the man's demeanour, and was very unsure of what he wanted with him, yet had to answer. "Yes, quite." he said, trying as hard as he could to conceal his discomfort.

The prince paused for a short moment. "I have talked to your father and I have a proposal for you. My squire disappeared a few weeks ago, and I am in need of a new one. Your father thinks you would make for a fine replacement."

Prince Erwin must have noticed. At that moment, the bench wasn't hard but soft and coarse, like sand, and Andreas sank into it deeper and deeper as Erwin spoke. His own father had recommended him. He wasn't sure whether to feel proud of himself or terrified as he had practically no experience of being a squire or page. And now that he was fourteen years old, he feared it was too late for him to even start. "Truly?" he could only mutter as he thought about it. He looked up at his smiling father. He had no idea how terrified Andreas was.

"Yes, indeed." Erwin reassured the Davian.

"What would my duties be?" Andreas asked, not looking away from his father.

"Well, you'll pour drink into my cups, carry my things… Lord Konrad told me you can read and write, so I'll have you do that for me as well. In a case of war, however unlikely, you'll see to it that I am outfitted. Worry not, all of these won't take too much of your time. You may further your education in the city, and I am sure you will enjoy it here."

That surprised Andreas. It sounded delightful, what the prince promised. "How long am I to be your squire?"

"I'd say two years. You'll be an adult by then, and could return to Sarus."

Andreas sat in silence for a few seconds, taking in everything just said. The prince sat there, smiling at him reassuringly. All the while Lady Claudia and his father were before him, looking down. A thought rang through his mind. "What about my father?" he asked.

The prince took a breath, as though he had expected the boy to ask. "Lord Davius will return to his province to perform his duty to my father."

Andreas maintained his silence. He expected the Constantinian to continue speaking, but he didn't. He thought about this proposition, what it would mean, yet was also unable to do so. Not alone. It had been too sudden. "May I talk to my father? Alone?"

"Of course." Erwin said and got up, gesturing to Lady Claudia to walk with him down to the docks.

Konrad watched Erwin and Claudia walk away as he sat by his son. "So?" he asked.

"So?" Andreas repeated. "This was your idea?"

"Yes, it was," Konrad turned to face Andreas. "What do you think?"

Andreas looked at his father in blatant disbelief. Did his own father not know him well enough to see how he felt? "I won't see you for two years!"

"You won't be in the Hinterland for two years." His father's joyous face turned back to the one he was accustomed to: the stern and dead.

Andreas didn't know how to respond to that. "You speak as though that's as terrible as being damned to hell!" He paused. "I don't hate it there."

Konrad shook his head. "You don't know better, I do." He pointed at the palace. "This, this is better."

The boy looked down, his hands fighting each other on his lap. "Do you really think I can be a squire? To a prince?"

"I do." Fathers voice softened, and the man placed his hand on his sons shoulder. "You're a good lad, Andreas. I'm sure you'll learn lots from him. You're going to be a Lord someday."

"Then why haven't you sent me anywhere like Lord Armus did Martin Bercken?"

"There wasn't an opportunity. But this, this is an opportunity too good to simply pass. Do you know how many boys would kill to be Erwin Flavius' squire?"

"I am not one of them." Andreas looked away, towards where his father pointed at. "Won't you miss me?"

Konrad sighed. "I will. But I'll sleep well knowing you are in the hands of the Constantinians."

"So you'll return to Sarus alone?"

"If you accept the honour, yes."

Andreas didn't feel well about it. "What would it bring me to be his squire?"

Konrad scoffed at the question. "What won't it bring you?" His vo The university here is a hundred times bigger than our book room, your swordsmanship will improve here greater than it ever could at Sarus, you'll see how the Imperial court functions up close. Shall I go on?"

"No…" he said, for the only thing truly keeping him in the Hinterland was his father's duty.

"Then I suggest you take this opportunity." He placed his hand on Andreas' hand. "I give this to you for your own good. Everything will be fine. Two years sounds like a lot, but trust me, once you have done your duty and returned to me, it will be like this conversation we are having was mere moments ago."

Andreas thought hard. His life would, without a doubt, change dramatically depending on what he chose. So, after assessing everything in every possible way he looked at his father. "Then you'll return to Sarus alone." Andreas felt a soul crushing relief in his chest. He thought saying those words would make him happy, but it did not.

His father shook his head. "Then it is settled. Sir Olm will stay here to protect you."

Andreas looked back up at his fathers face in surprise. His face confirmed his words. "Sir Olm? Protect me?"

"Yes, boy. It'll do Sir Olm well to get away from the Ingram."

"Am I not safe with the Imperial Legions and Cohorts surrounding me?" He kept looking at his father, lost, trying to find anything in that familiar expression to aid him.

His father had a look which Andreas hadn't seen before. It seemed as cynical as usual yet troubled and even pained. "It would most certainly give me rest knowing my best man is with you and not holed up, freezing his arse off."

Andreas smiled at the remark, though was still unsure. "That cannot be the only reason though, can it?"

"No," Konrad said. His tone changed to an honest one. "What games do you play, boy?"

"What?" Andreas didn't understand.

"You play games, don't you? Here in the capital you'll learn a new one to play: Politics."

"Politics?"

"Yes, Andreas. Of all the games we enjoy and don't, politics is the deadliest of them all. A few wrong words can mean the death of thousands, a question can cause strife and intrigue, the death of one changes the course of history. Anything can happen, anyone can die. That, Andreas, is why Sir Olm will stay. I cannot foresee the future, only the Lord can, and I fear even with my new position, something unforeseeable may happen. If something unforeseeable happens, I'd much rather have a man with you whom I trust my life with."

Andreas nodded in agreement.

"Good."

"All the things you said about thousands dying, that just sounds like war…" Andreas said, trying to understand his father.

"War is the child of words and politics, intrigues and games."

"If politics is a game, is war a game too?"

"No, never. War is death, war is suffering."

"Have you ever been to war?"

At that moment, his father seemed different. His mouth was open, as though he wanted to answer but couldn't. The man straightened his stature, his hand left his son's shoulder, all the while looking down in, what Andreas thought to be, fear. Andreas had struck him unknowingly, deeply. His father never talked of the past, and even if he did it was about the good things, never about his family's exile. No servant or soldier spoke either. Andreas didn't know, he never knew his family's past, his father had seen to it. "Once." Lord Konrad said.

And he supposed that was just that. The reality that he wouldn't see his father in a long time dawned on him again. Andreas hoped his father felt similarly. "Would you tell the prince of my choice?"

"Of course."

Konrad was about to stand up when Andreas spoke again. "Wait, not yet."

"What is it?"

"Could you sit with me for a few more minutes?"

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