I Will Be the Greatest Knight

The Commander's choice in calling the knights and mage to the library rather than the meeting room was meant to convey that he didn't want these talks to be taken too seriously. He wasn't asking for a report of the time he was away, but merely checking in on his knights and wondering if there was anything he needed to know before they could continue on together.

However, before the highest ranked to begin, he strode forward after shutting the library's door and grasped the backrest of the chair he was meant to sit in.

"I suppose I should get it out of the way early that I rescued my mother and aunt from imprisonment at the palace without too much issue," he explained, his eyes traveling along all those he considered his friends. "However, His Majesty has stated that he doesn't want to see me in Hydrogia for some time. A certain scaled beast decided that she would make her presence known by landing on the roof above the throne room and audibly cracking the structure."

Irene and Felix exchanged glances, feeling immediately guilty that the dragon had gone after him in the first place. He asked the dragon to stay in Idona but they could do nothing to stop her when she decided to fly away.

Throughout the room, there were many serious expressions despite the Commander's light laugh that was meant to show them that he wasn't it taking it too seriously.

"He said that to you even as one of his vassals…" Alix responded in disbelief and crossed his lithe arms over his chest. "That family loves to terrorize you, don't they?"

Henry's dark eyes moved to the blonde knight and he silently pleaded for the man to go no further than that. His subordinates didn't need to know the particular details of just how beaten down he was by the Royal Family.

In fact, the evidence of their harshness was sitting in his desk, but he was unable to read it before he was told that his knights were arriving and he prioritized that over a letter from Her Royal Highness, Princess Marie. He didn't want to destroy his mood as he was meant to welcome his men, and woman, home from a long journey that he had summoned them onto.

"No issue," Henry persisted. "I have no desire to return to Hydrogia for as long as I possibly can. There is nothing for me there. My mother and aunt are under Commander Lothian's protection in his fief." The knight then pulled out the chair and finally sat down amongst his men. "Now, what have my knights been up to? I would rather discuss the last month I have missed rather than my failings as a Duke meant to solidify our duchy's relationship with the monarch."

His smile became wry and those around him were sympathetic.

It didn't sit right with Irene that he was sweeping aside even though it was clearly a sore subject for him that he would rather avoid. She knew she was hypocritical because she wasn't fond of talking about her own feelings when it came to certain things, but she wanted the Commander to be happy no matter the cost or uncomfortableness.

Before she could say something, it was Felix who spoke up.

"You've done more than enough for this duchy," Felix responded. "Even without the Royal Family, we will get by as we always have. The duchy has never required funds from Hydrogia. The only time we requested help was when the Duke's Tower was sieged by monsters and it meant our survival. We believe in you, Commander."

Resounding agreement was heard throughout the room.

The Commander seemed hesitant to accept such generous words. He had been receiving such praises in Hydrogia as well when Commander Lothian wouldn't allow him to wallow in self-pity.

"I appreciate that, very much," Henry responded. "I have already received word that the mages will arrive in spring before the flooding. Once I receive their payment for the dragon orb, I have a few plans for the duchy that will help make it a stronghold for generations to come." He paused. "Speaking of the mages, Nickron said that the barrier has been put back up. Is this true, Siverly? How are the monsters in the area?"

The mage sat up a bit straighter in his chair.

"The area is buzzing with constant mana once more," he assured the Duke.

Irene decided then that she should speak up.

"We also observed on the return home that there are no monsters to speak of outside of Idona, Polona, and on the border of Chemois. We were merely patrolling and not cutting through forests or caves, but Felix and I believe it's the result of Sylaron," Irene explained. "How her being in our duchy could be a very good thing."

"Good for you, but poor for us," Sir Trenton reminded. "Based on the direction in which the monsters were headed while stampeding up into the mountains, I believe they will be a problem for our knighthood in Hydrogia eventually. We will have to see if Commander Lothian has the means to send men there now or if it will be something we have to attend to on our journey home."

"No harm in sending the dragon in your direction," Henry stated thoughtfully. "She could be monster management throughout the entire kingdom."

"That's alright," Maximus added. "I would like to get my hands on those bastards who dared try to take our second in command from us. I'm sure Commander would love the same as well."

"Fair enough," Henry relented with a smile. "If there's nothing else then, we have a couple of hours until it's time for our feast. You ought to get rested or bathed. I can tell some of you haven't bothered washing up despite my directing the maids to give you warm water."

The guilty parties stood up quickly. That included Trenton, Felix, and Maximus. Siverly, Irene, and Alix were all pristinely bathed and had nothing more to do before they were able to eat.

"I ought to lay down for a while so I have energy this evening," Alix decided as he got up from his chair. "If you would excuse me."

"We will see you later," the Commander said.

"I'm going to read something," Siverly announced as he departed, not waiting for an answer or seemingly caring for one.

However, Irene was still there and she only realized part way through the meeting that the letter from her father had been brought with her as she rushed to exit her barrack in her worry that she was late. She was nervous enough that she stared at the letter in her hands.

"A letter?" the Commander asked, forcing Irene to lift her eyes.