Urban

As Fulcher and Corvidrop spoke, the corner of the great hall stirred as one of the many servants of the castle slipped away unnoticed. They traced the darkness with skill and grace, avoiding the wandering eyes of any of their peers. Up and down winding corridors and stairwells they at last they found themselves at the bridge that led to the Western tower. Closing the door behind them, they made their way across the bridge and climbed the tower steps, up and up until at last, they came to the top where a single adventurer stood watch, looking down at the landscape below.

"The Lord and the Prince are moving against the king," the servant whispered. "Fulcher plans to travel south to a place called the Librarum."

"South?" the adventurer huffed. He let out a deep chuckle as he leaned against the wall. "They won't make it far. The desert is a death sentence without a guide. And the King ensured that none would remain along the Southern border."

"There's more," the servant continued. "The young Princess Stella is staying here in the keep. Apparently, it is so that she can remain safe." The adventure produced a pipe from his pouch and began to stuff it with tobacco.

"Why are you telling me this?" he asked.

"You told me to bring you any information I thought would be important," the servant explained eyeing him over nervously. The adventurer lit the pipe, taking a deep breath and billowing out a cloud of smoke.

"It's quite the gossip I admit, but what do you expect me to do about them? The Prince and the Lord."

"Report them and pay me like you promised!" the servant said. The adventure is shrugged, looking back out towards the town.

"You want payment? Write to the Capital and send a bird. As far as I'm concerned, the political movements of the Kingdom on none of our concern so long as we get paid at the end of the day. If the Prince wants to go die in the desert let him." The adventure moved past the man and began to walk down the steps, leaving the servant alone at the top of the tower.

Bewildered, the servant scanned the tower's peak, spotting a dovecote containing a handful of messenger pigeons. Hurriedly moving closer and writing a quick letter, he opened the coop and plucked one of the birds. Tying the letter to its foot before he sent it off into the sky, he began his slow walk down the steps.

Moving back along the bridge towards the rest of the keep, a fluttering noise drew his attention to something behind him. He held his breath as he opened the door to the keep, just as a voice entered his mind. The voice of one of the Ravenguard.

"One of the King's men? Fascinating. I wonder what secrets you'll tell us..."

---

Fulcher could feel Stella's eyes on him, but he kept his gaze trained on Lord Corvidrop.

"Benedict, keep Stella here and keep her safe. If we are to travel south, we cannot bring a child through the desert," he explained.

Plus, I can't have her with us and allow her suspicion to grow. Sooner or later, she'll forget about whatever happened and it won't be an issue anymore. Fulcher thought. He grabbed at his chest again as his heart ached. Benedict rose a long brow, looking over at the young girl.

"Keep the princess here with me? My, that's quite the ask. We could have a room prepared of course. I suppose it's the least I could do. I'm not the kind of man to send a young girl into the desert myself. Very well," the Lord said. He clapped his hands and a servant rushed to his side.

"Go prepare a room for the young Princess," he commanded.  The servant nodded before dashing off. 

"Lord Corvidrop?" Schon began. "Have you heard anything from my home? I stopped receiving letters some months ago from my father. Once I'm ready, I plan to ride north to see him." Fulcher looked at Schon with mild suspicion but cast it off rather quickly. 

She might be Fulcher's wife, but that was before I came to this world, he thought. Let her live her life how she pleases. I won't restrict her.

"Your home is Helmgren? Isn't it north of the Capital as I understand it? From what I've heard, it has been plagued by bandits and marauders. Rumors on the wind say that they are paid off by the Sire to keep the land poor and broken." Benedict explained. Schon frowned and stared down into her lap.

"I simply could not spare the resources to escort you there myself, Lady Schon. You'd have to ride alone if you wanted to return. And even then if the recent reports are to be believed you might not find much at home. Helmgren should be recently abandoned, surrendered to the bandits. Your father is in hiding somewhere in the countryside," Corvidrop continued. Schon stood then and looked at Fulcher.

"You said that you wanted the land free of tyranny free of control?" she demanded. Fulcher nodded slowly, his gaze unsure.

"After you take the throne from your father, aid me in reclaiming my home. It's the least you could do," she said.  Falter nodded.

"You have my word, once the throne is mine and the wars have ended we will muster the military and cleanse your lands of highwaymen. I promise," Fulcher assured. Schon stared at him for a long moment.

"Then I'm coming with. If you fail in your mission, then my home is doomed," she said, settling her gaze back on him. Fulcher considered it for a moment. He had not been the biggest fan of Schon so far, but that's hardly her fault and to be completely fair. She had proven herself, simultaneously quick-witted and cunning. He smiled as best he could at the woman, nodding.

"Very well then, it will be the four of us."