Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

The evening sun poured its final golden hues over the estate, bathing the high-vaulted halls in amber light as if setting the scene for his arrival.

The smell of fresh bread drifted in from the kitchens, mingling with the faint perfume of lavender that always clung to the curtains Jasmine loved so much.

Near the large arched window, little Basil stood on tiptoe, hands pressed on the wall, as he tried his best to peer out with the seriousness only a three-year-old could muster.

"Where's Papa?" he asked for the third time in the last ten minutes, turning his curly head back toward his mother. He tugged gently at the hem of her deep green gown that mirrored her eyes , his tiny fingers bunching the soft fabric.

Jasmine, seated on a cushioned bench with one hand resting on the gentle rise of her round belly, looked down with a soft smile. Her other hand reached down, warm and delicate, brushing through Basil's dark, unruly curls.

"He's coming soon, darling," she said, her voice soft as silk.

"I want him now," Basil huffed, his small brows furrowing in a perfect imitation of Alpheo's most commanding glare. "He said he would bring me a story from the soldiers and a gift."

"He will," Jasmine assured him, drawing him into her arms but paying attention to her bloated stomach. Basil climbed up onto the sofa beside her, resting his cheek against her belly, as if hoping his father's return might somehow echo from within.

"Does he bring a gift to the baby too?" Basil said, eyes half-closed and tone half-drowsy.

Jasmine laughed softly, her fingers still stroking his hair. "Oh, I'm sure he will.Maybe a sword with a ribbon.

Basil blinked up at her, clearly thinking hard. "No swords for the baby," he decided finding it too dangerous . "Maybe a duck.I want a duck, too. Yeah two ducks, he is bringing ducks."

"Then a duck it is," she said with a smile, kissing the top of his head. Outside, the last light faded from the horizon and from down the road, hoofbeats began to echo softly, steady and sure.

And though Basil didn't see it yet, Jasmine's smile widened. "Look," she whispered. "I think your father's home."

And just like that, the little boy perked up, sliding down off the sofa and running toward the door barefoot, laughter bouncing down the corridor like the first bell of spring.

The door creaked open with a gust of cool night air, and heavy boots thudded against the polished stone. Alpheo stepped into the chamber still wearing his cloak and armor , the faint scent of sweat and dust clinging to him. His hair was tousled from the wind, but his eyes lit up the moment they landed on the small figure charging across the room.

"Papa!" Basil shouted, legs pumping in full gallop, arms outstretched like a tiny, overexcited lancer.

"By the gods.What is this? A wild beast?!" Alpheo cried with mock alarm, dropping his satchel and crouching just in time to sweep Basil up into the air with a great laugh. "To arms! "

Basil squealed with delight as he was hoisted high, swinging through the air like a sack of flour before being pulled tight against his father's chest.

"I see you've grown since I left," Alpheo said, pretending to strain under the weight. "What've they been feeding you? "

Basil giggled, wrapping his arms around his father's neck. "Bread!Meat and pasta! And tangerines! Mama says it's for the baby too."

"Ah, sharing with your little sibling already? A good elder brother " He turned and looked toward Jasmine, who was watching with that quiet, tired smile

"And how is my beloved? ''

"She's tired, and her ankles are twice the size they were yesterday," Jasmine said dryly, but her eyes glowed. "But seeing you here already calms me.

You can tell me what you have been up to when you finish tossing our son like a sack of potatoes."

"He's heavier than a sack of potatoes," Alpheo said, mock-grunting as he set Basil down, ruffling his curls. "And twice as loud."

"I am not loud!" Basil protested.

"Oh? I could hear you from the gates," Alpheo replied, placing a kiss on the boy's head and moving to Jasmine. He leaned down carefully, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "You kept everything standing while I was gone."

"And you didn't get stabbed, which is always appreciated. Black is not my colour Jasmine murmured, her lashes lowering as she leaned into the warmth of Alpheo's touch.

Alpheo chuckled, low and amused. "Barely," he admitted, brushing his fingers over her cheek. "But that's a tale better left for tomorrow. Tonight, I think we deserve something sweeter."

Just then, a tiny tug at his cloak drew his gaze downward. Basil was standing at his side again, eyes wide, full of hopeful expectation.

"Did you bring the story, Papa?" he asked, bouncing on his heels.

Alpheo grinned and dropped to one knee, pulling Basil close with dramatic flair. "Indeed I did!" he declared, his voice rising like a bard about to weave a mighty saga. "A tale of conquest and courage! I've led my loyal men through mountain and mire, seized a stubborn city built like a stone beast, and bent a fortress to its knees!"

Basil's eyes were huge now. "Tell! Tell! Tell!"

"I very well could," Alpheo said, grinning slyly. "But I think you'll be far more interested in something else I brought back."

Basil gasped. "The gift?!"

Alpheo gave a solemn nod. "A gift, just for you. But you'll have to open the door to see it."

Without another word, Basil turned on his heel and scampered toward the heavy wooden door. He reached up on tiptoe, struggling just a bit with the latch, his little fingers fumbling excitedly until it gave way.

The door creaked open with a soft groan, and there, waiting on the other side, was a tiny white puppy.

The little thing sat shivering slightly on the threshold, fluffy fur tousled by the night breeze, oversized ears perked high as it looked up at Basil with soft, curious eyes the color of cloudy sky. Its tail wagged once ,twice ,then rapidly blurred into excited thumping as it let out the softest little whuff.

Basil gasped so loudly you'd think he'd been given a royal crown. "Papa!" he cried out, turning to look back at Alpheo, who was standing beside Jasmine with an amused smile. "There's a dog!"

Alpheo nodded. "The fierce guardian of yours, ferocious, noble, brave. He defended my camp until now, but he said he was tired of battles and wanted a warm hearth and a boy to protect."

The puppy gave a tiny sneeze and took a hesitant step forward, then another, until its cold little nose bumped into Basil's knee.

Basil dropped to the floor, arms wide open. "White!White, he is white as the snow. That's his name white!" he declared with all the ceremony of a knight bestowing honor to his squire.

The puppy responded by climbing clumsily into his lap and licking his chin, apparently liking a name that did not require much thought.

Alpheo and Jasmine stood side by side near the hearth, the soft orange glow of the fire casting their shadows gently across the room. Jasmine leaned into him, her arm hooked lightly through his, her other hand resting atop her round belly as they watched their son tumble around the floor in a whirlwind of giggles and puppy yips.

Basil was lying flat on his back now, his cheeks flushed with joy, while the tiny white pup clambered clumsily over his chest, its little tail wagging with reckless abandon. The two looked like they had known each other for years rather than minutes.

Jasmine tilted her head, a faint smile on her lips. "Where in the world did you find him?" she asked softly.

Alpheo chuckled under his breath. "Egil, believe it or not. Picked him up during one of his raids into the northern hills. Said the villagers used dogs like these to guard their flocks from wolves. Thought I would like one"

Jasmine's brows rose in gentle surprise. "Really?"

Alpheo nodded. "They raise them to be smart, loyal, protective. They grow alongside the herd and the family. And since this one's still so young, he'll bond with Basil quickly. He'll grow into a fine companion. Might even give his old man a bit of a challenge when they both hit their unruly years."

They both laughed quietly.

On the floor, Basil had now wrapped his arms around the pup's fuzzy sides, and the creature had stopped squirming, seemingly content to nap directly on top of him. It gave a small sigh, nuzzling under Basil's chin, and the boy let out a sleepy giggle.

Alpheo smiled warmly at the sight. "It'll be good for him," he said, voice tinged with something softer than usual. "Growing up with an animal. Teaches them empathy. Makes them brave. Brings out the kind of personality that isn't afraid of the world. I grew up with a dog; I believed that was the best thing that could have happened to me."

He exhaled, amused. "Though that breed tends to get… well, quite big. Energetic too. Soon enough, Basil will be the one trying to keep up."

"Well, they can keep playing," she said softly, "while we deal with the far less entertaining business of grown-ups."

Alpheo gave a groan that was only half in jest. "Already?"

She laughed and swatted his arm playfully. "Not that kind of business—though maybe later," she added with a teasing grin, brushing her fingers down his chest.

He grinned, leaning in to steal a kiss. "Promises, promises."

Jasmine rolled her eyes, smiling as she pulled away. "I meant the princedom, my dear tyrant. Herculia is ours now. Which means tomorrow we start counting taxes, drafting letters, and satisfying the nobles' appetite for land.

Of course the majority of that would be by your hand."

At that, all of Alpheo's excitement went down the drain in an instant.

''How boring.''