#chapter 1;

The morning feels more hectic than it should. 

Damien knew this day was coming, had been planning for it for weeks, but now it’s here and now it feels all so odd. Perhaps it was the dream -- waking up from a nightmare is never pleasant -- but nonetheless the world seems off, as if he’s still in a haze, still asleep. 

As if that dream was more than just a dream.

But that’s not a concern for the time, he has responsibilities to take care of before he can ponder the many wonders of the subconsciousness. Reality first and foremost.

“Do you have everything Damien?” his mother had asked some hours later.

Damien tore his eyes away from the crest on the wall. “Yes,” he said, shouldering his pack. He’d checked it a dozen times already, and the servants had checked it a dozen more. He had everything necessary for his travels, and then some. “Enough to hold me off for two weeks, maybe three if I eat a little less. I’m ready to go whenever the stablemaster readies my horse.”

“You’re sure? Everything? You’ve got your oil for your lamp, and the whetstone for your sword?”

“Yes mother.”

“And what about your map? Have you got it? I know the roads are marked but it doesn’t hurt to have a map on hand you know.”

“Yes, I have my map.”

“And what about--”

“Mother, please,” Damien said, waving away her concerns with a reassuring smile. “I’ve got everything, I promise. It’s not even that long a ride. If anything just pray that the weather is fair and the horse doesn’t give out from under me.”

Even with his reassuring words Damien’s mother still comes up and looks him over, checking his padding for the slightest nicks and tears underneath the chainmail, and his hair for the slightest unkept tuff. There’s a maternal concern in her gaze and even if Damien wants to swat her away, he doesn’t. He can’t help it if his mother cares about the little things, and he would never hold it against her. He is, after all, leaving the nest, decked out in armor and prepared for a fight. No mother wants to see her son like that. But they have little choice.

His mother’s eyes meet his, and she smiles.

“My little boy,” she smiled, pulling him into a hug. “You look so handsome in your armor! Your father would be proud.”

Damien hugs her back, and lies through his teeth. “I know.”

“You won’t be long will you? The queen shouldn’t keep you very long. It’s only a week, right? There’s no reason for you to stay any longer.”

Damien pulls away and simply shakes his head. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

“Oh I’m sure you will, it’ll just be a rough few weeks. I wish you didn’t need to go at all.”

“I do too, but the queen demands it, and we know better than to disrespect the queen.” With the whole nation sitting on the brink of war the slightest hint of disobedience would be treasonous, and disastrous. In times of peace perhaps he could refuse the invitation... but this is not one of those times. It’s the time for action. Action that demands the attention of all the noble families, including House Eldren. “I promise you, I won’t be long.”

“Will you bring us something from the capital? I haven’t been in so long I’ve forgotten all the things they have there. I’ll give you a little extra coin and you can get a nice coat for your sister.”

“Which one?”

“Oh, Tanelia. She’s finally growing out of her first coat, the wee thing. It’s amazing how much bigger she’s gotten over the last few months. I think she’d rather like a coat of fine wool from the capital, don’t you think?”

“I’m sure she would mother, but I really must go. I’ll get something for everyone while I’m there, okay?”

“Alright. Oh! And there should be a lad waiting for you out by the stables, make sure you grab him.”

“A... what?”

“A lad, small boy, half-elven although a little too round in the face. Anyway, he’s your squire.”

“Squire? Why do I need a squire?”

“Aydia absolutely demanded that you travel with someone. It’s a long ride to Crystalgate after all, and I suppose she didn’t trust you to pull yourself out of a ditch.” A last minute change that Damien would have been happy to know about sooner, but fine. 

He resolves with a sigh and a roll of the eyes. “Ever the protective sister I see.”

“She’s just keeping an eye out for her little brother.”

“I’m not little anymore.”

“But you’re still her brother. Now hush, go on out and talk to the stablemaster. Find the boy and be on your way. It would be in poor manners if you showed up late to Crystalgate.”

“People are going to wonder why I’m riding around with a boy at my heels, mother!” Damien said over his shoulder, already making his way to the door. He’d spent enough time lollygagging, the sun was high and he was burning daylight. A talk with his mother was nice, but he had a responsibility that he couldn’t hold off any longer.

“Don’t fuss about it!” he heard his mother respond, just as he stepped out the door into the blooming sunlight. The day was shining, nature bustling. Birds chirped in the high tree tops and little creatures bolted to-and-fro. Graveskeep was ever active. 

When one stepped out the door there was a long stretch of land maimed by stone structures and wooden buildings, most used for the training, housing, and the arming of soldiers. Around this enclosure were thick, stone walls, accented by a metal gate at the very entrance. Men marched those walls from dawn to dusk, and then some. For a time patrols had been left to only one or two, but in recent weeks that number had grown. They had no choice.

Those who lived just outside the castle walls were going about their early morning routines. Farmers lead oxen to the fields, woodcutters lugged trees in from the thick woods, and the occasional child stumbled by. This village was the very foundation of the keep. If not for them then the guards would no have food, clothing, and no firewood. Likewise, if not for the guards then the villagers would have no protection. The wild might take them, if not the war on their doorstep.

And to think this was only a small fraction of the whole duchy.

Damien made his way over to the stables, where the finest horses were kept for nobility and guardsmen alike. “Stablemaster!” he called as he stepped through the door. Someone immediately turned to look at him: a bearded man with wrinkles at the edge of his eyes.

“Oh. Good morrow your grace, I’ve prepared your horse.”

“Good, I’ll need to leave at once.”

“Yes of course, I’ll bring him right out for you. Please wait outside.”

Damien stepped out of the stables and waited. The stablemaster quickly arrived with a horse in tow, as well as another individual. It took Damien about two seconds too long to realize the man dressed in leather armor was his supposed squire.

“This is our finest steed your grace. He’s trained well, knows his way around rough terrain and a long day’s travel. If nothing goes wrong then I’d wager you’ll arrive at Crystalgate within a week and a half.”

“Thank you stablemaster,” Damien said as he took the reigns. Then he looked to the new face, supposedly his squire. “Who are you?”

“Marius Falner.”

“Do you plan to tend to me the entire trip, Marius?”

“Yes your grace. Your sister asked it of me, and I wouldn’t go back on my word.”

“It will be long travels.”

“I’ve traveled far and wide, I assure you I will be okay.”

“Do you already have your things?”

“Yes. I’m ready to go when you are.”

“Fine then. Stablemaster, fetch the man a horse. Then we’ll be off.”

“Yes your grace,” the stablemaster said before he disappeared back into the stables. 

Damien took the moment to adjust his things, making sure the bags along the saddle were nice and secure, and that the saddle itself was on tight. Once he ran out of things to tinker with however, it went back to relative silence. He took a moment to look over his “squire.”

This boy was not nearly as much of a boy as Damien had expected him to be. With the way his mother had went about describing him it sounded like he was hardly fourteen, perhaps younger. But this man was easily in his early twenties, if only a few years away from achieving knighthood should he strive for it. His hair was long and pulled back, and his face adorned light stubble. While in his armor and with his build one might even confuse him for a full fledged knight. Still, Damien can’t help but glance at the ears. Face a tad too rounded for sure.

It’s a wonder why his sister picked him of all people.

The stablemaster took another moment before he returned with the horse. Thanks were exchanged along with a handful of other words, and then they were off.

The horses were tended to, the fire was stroked. The only light came from the hovering moon and the blaze. Damien had already rolled out his bedroll, as did Marius, and now they prepared for a simple night of slumber. With any luck, it would be an easy night.

“I’ll take first watch,” Damien said as he reached into his pack and pulled out his journal.

“If you wish,” Marius said as he pulled off his mail. He placed his armor to the side before laying down in his bedroll. It only took a passing moment before he slipped into slumber. Considering the long day of travel, Damien was not surprised.

Ink and feather in hand, Damien pressed the tip to the page and started to write:

Day one, entry one.

My journey to Crystalgate has begun. I’ve found myself in the company of a squire by the name of Marius Falner. He’s half-elven, though undoubtedly human by name, and by appearance. If not for the ears I might not have known any better. 

Apparently he was brought on by Aydia. I can only wonder how they know each other. Nonetheless, I’ve found myself in the particular position of having to travel with him. It’s something I would have much rather avoided, but it can’t be helped. It’s for my own good.

The first day has gone well enough. Rations are fresh and the horses are eager to get a good ride in. I’m just happy to be out of Graveskeep. Being in charge of an entire duchy is... intimidating, even if I’ve split the land between myself and my sisters it’s still difficult job. With dad gone and me old enough to be considered a man I’m the figurehead. I’m the one who has to deal with all the other families, making alliances and breaking alliances. It’s... not easy.

Just leaving Graveskeep has made me so awfully aware of how many lives are in my hands. And with this war drawing closer and closer by the day... at this point it’s hard to say if we’re even at peace anymore... things are only going to get worse. I’m not quite sure if I’m ready for it yet.

But if my father heard me saying that now he’d slap me upside the head, so I’ll holld my tongue.

With any luck we’ll arrive at Crystalgate within a week and a half.

Let’s hope the gods are kind.

Damien presses the feather against the page and then closes the journal. He tucks it away in his pack before turning his gaze to the fire. There are many more hours to come.