Wars Never Offer a Safe Home

The grand banquet hall of the neutral Keep was as lively as breakfast time at the chapel. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over polished oak tables as mouth-watering aromas of slow-roasted venison and buttered root vegetables drifted throughout.

Seated at the center of the head table, flanked by Lord-General Valen on her right and Lord-General Ardent on her left, was Sister Maria. She had to remind herself to call them by their official titles. As Maria had soon learned, in these border territories, the heads of the houses—the lords themselves—commanded their own vanguards.

They were warrior nobility; same as Celeste’s House Aurelian. She finally understood why the young knight remained so stiff around them.

Maria stared at the food before her, waiting until those around her partook.

“Sister, please,” Lord-General Valen gestured with his hand, “help yourself.”

“Thank you, I will!”

Lord-General Ardent chuckled as she dug right in.

Surrounded by high-ranking lords, ladies in fine silk dresses, and the Envoy, Maria looked entirely out of place in her simple tunic and veil.

At the far end of the long table, Kaelan sat with his back against a stone pillar. The fine wine in his goblet barely touched. True to his habits, his sharp eyes constantly scanned the room. Maria shook her head with a smile as she watched him pick out four main exits. His eyes lingered on the occasional patrolling guard that rotated through.

A few seats down from Maria, Celeste sat upright in her polished silver armor. Several nobles, high-ranking officers, and attentive servers gathered behind her chair, eagerly asking about "Saint Maria’s heroic exploits."

"Oh, it was... it was a display of legendary valor!" Celeste declared. But her usual theatrical confidence was shaky.

Thomas, sitting right beside her, leaned over and muttered. “Shouldn't you be used to these kinds of high-society gatherings?"

Her golden ponytail twitched. "My... my family stopped taking me to formal galas when I was twelve," she whispered. “There were... a few unfortunate incidents where my heroic demonstrations… went a bit too far.”

Thomas stared blankly. “...What did you do?”

“I… accidentally knocked over a duke's goblet of wine with a practice sword."

“Of course you did.” He let out a dry chuckle before turning his attention to a pair of velvet-clad nobles seated across from him.

He gave a smooth smile that pulled them in. The former Court Mage then slipped a hand into his faded blue coat and pulled out a gleaming fragment of dragonscale.

"Gentlemen." He gently placed the scale on the tablecloth and leaned in. "What you see before you is an authentic scale from a Calamity-Class Dragon. I am willing to part with the batch for a very reasonable price..."

The nobles leaned in and examined the scale with awe-struck eyes.

"Magnificent," one whispered. "Truly a masterwork of nature, M-Mage Thomas. But alas,” he shook his head, “our treasuries are entirely drained."

"Drained?" Thomas's smooth smile faltered.

"The war has bled our domains dry," the second sighed. "Every coin we have is currently tied up in reconstruction efforts. We simply have no liquid gold to offer."

Thomas hung his head in defeat, sniffling.

"However!” one quickly added. “I understand your party is headed to the Holy Capital.”

“W-We are.” Thomas rubbed his eyes before glancing up.

“Then, be sure not to stop at just any merchant house. You must head straight to the Grand Consortium. They will pay a premium for such fine dragonscale."

Thomas beamed. “Just a bit longer for my retirement…” he muttered under his breath.

While her companions navigated their own social hurdles, Maria remained unfazed by the surrounding lords, generals, and diplomats. They asked heavy political questions, which she tried her best to answer through bites of tender roast venison.

She tried to listen to the Envoy speak about regional trade tariffs, but there were too many distractions. Her amber eyes sparkled as she took another bite of the buttery vegetables. She held a cloth napkin to her mouth as she looked at Lord-General Valen.

"This roast is simply divine! The herbs... is that wild thyme? Mother Martha and the children back at the chapel would absolutely adore this!"

Valen blinked in silence before letting out a raucous laugh. "You sure hold quite the appetite, Sister."

Looking at the countless smiles across the table, it was hard to believe that only five days prior, there had been an active war between the two houses. Now, they clinked their goblets in celebration of an official peace treaty being signed.

Lord-General Valen had dropped off a limp Maria at the Keep on the evening after the battle. But before she had the chance to wiggle her toes, the Envoy warned her. Negotiating a formal peace treaty between two houses consumed by decades of bitter feuds would likely take weeks of diplomatic gridlock.

Yet, Maria's presence had completely rewritten the rules of diplomacy.

After a day of rest, she was on her feet. She knew nothing about mediating a peace treaty, but she tried her best. Really, all she did was listen with care as the two Lord-Generals spoke of the sons, brothers, and men they had lost to the feuds.

By the third day, she had both generals at the signing table. The Crown Envoy looked on with a pale face as they ratified the peace treaty in record time, ending a generational war. Maria just tilted her head at the Envoy’s reaction then.

As the celebratory feast wound down, servants began clearing away dishes and platters. Maria tried to blend in among them to do the same. The staff watched with confused expressions as her companions convinced her to remain seated.

The staff shut the  heavy oak doors of the banquet hall behind them. Only the primary lords, the Envoy, and Maria's party remained within. Valen and Ardent stood up together, raising their silver goblets. The room fell into a respectful silence.

"Sister Maria." Lord-General Valen’s deep voice echoed off the stone vaulted ceiling. "For decades, our houses have poured gold, steel, and the blood of our youth into a pointless stretch of borderland… convinced that giving up an inch meant surrendering our honor."

Lord-General Ardent stepped forward. His eyes softened as he looked at Maria. "You showed us that true honor lies in protecting life, not squandering it. Therefore, House Valen and House Ardent have come to a joint decision regarding the disputed territory."

Maria paused. Her fork hovered over her plate as she looked up. "A decision?"

"We are relinquishing our claims to that land," Lord-General Valen declared. "And in its place, we wish to establish a permanent foundation in your name."

The Crown's Envoy stepped forward, unfolding an official scroll stamped with wax seals. "A grand estate in the valley's heart shall be constructed, Sister.”

Thomas nearly fell out of his chair listening. Celeste barely held him up.

“We understand you help run a small orphanage in your home village… Of course, any loved ones are more than welcome to join you.”

“...An estate? I don’t really need…”

The Envoy continued. “It would feature a large orphanage capable of housing many more in need and staffed with plenty of help. But of course, this would be your land; you may freely expand its use as you see fit."

Maria could already picture the smiling faces of all the children. There would be plenty of hiding spots for their playtime on such a large estate.

"Furthermore,” Ardent added. “Both our houses shall provide backing to this sanctuary. Earlier during your rest, Sister, we overheard your companions mention concerns regarding certain rigid authorities in the Holy Capital..."

Kaelan narrowed his eyes from the far end of the table.

"Rest assured,” Valen said. “With the combined might of House Valen and House Ardent, no political interference or any other threat would dare reach your doors."

Silence fell over the banquet hall while Maria sat frozen in her chair.

All she wanted was for the children in the chapel and Mother Martha to live in peace. She never imagined an opportunity for it would arrive so far from home.

"Think upon it tonight, Sister," General Valen said gently. "We do not expect an answer immediately. Rest, and give us your decision before your planned departure in the morning."

***

Maria stood on the stone balcony, looking out over the moonlit valley. The cool night air brushed against her face.

Kaelan quietly stepped out, behind her. He didn't speak at first; he simply leaned against the stone railing and looked at the same sight.

"It's a grand offer," he said. "With the backing of two powerful houses, even High Inquisitor Vane would have to tread lightly trying to get to you. You could build your sanctuary… and help as many as you wish.”

Maria looked down. "I know," she whispered. "I imagined it, Kaelan. The big dormitories, the warm kitchens, the helpful staff…"

"So... do you wish to stay?"

The question lingered in the cool breeze. Maria closed her eyes, and in the quiet darkness of her mind, she didn't see the grand estate.

She saw the old floorboards of her little village chapel. She saw ‌young Leo trying so hard to be the man of the house. She saw the children playing in the courtyard, Mother Martha sitting in her wooden chair by the crackling hearth, and Father Goren’s grave beneath the old oak tree.

"If I take the estate..." she whispered, opening her amber eyes, "I wouldn't just be Sister Maria anymore. I would be their 'Saint'."

She turned to face Kaelan with a bittersweet smile. "There are so many that I could help… But I don't want to be a symbol..."

Kaelan stared at her with softening eyes.

"Is it selfish of me?" Maria asked. "To want to return to my quiet chapel instead?"

"Maybe. But I'm fairly certain even the gods would agree that you're allowed to be a little selfish, Maria."

She gave him a warm smile.

Before the night concluded, Maria requested a brief audience with Valen, Ardent, and the Envoy. With absolute humility and grace, she declined the grand estate. The generals were dumbfounded, but as they looked at her sincere smile, they couldn’t help but smile back and honor her wishes.

"If you ever change your mind, Sister," Valen said, "our gates will remain open to you until the end of our days."

“After all,” Ardent added. “We might not have been here without you.”

By morning, pale sunlight illuminated the courtyard as the party prepared for departure. Thomas initially remained without word upon hearing of Maria’s decision, but he was steadfast to see their travels through.

And to sell the dragonsacle at the Holy Capital for a huge profit.

Celeste gleamed about a chance to go off to defeat the Demon Lord.

“Calm down, shrimp. That’s not happening.” Kaelan shattered her illusions. Though Maria quickly consoled her.

The two generals stood by the courtyard gates alongside a sturdy traveling carriage. Harnessing the carriage were two majestic, coal-black horses whose coats gleamed like polished obsidian.

Maria’s eyes brightened. "They are beautiful!"

Thomas stared at the horses. "These... these are Aetherblood Coursers!"

Maria just blinked at him, while Celeste hopped to meet their eyes.

“Maria, those are mana-bred warhorses!” Thomas said. “A single one could cost half a baron’s estate!"

“You have a sharp eye,” Ardent said.

General Valen chuckled. "They possess incredible endurance, Sister. They can carry you and your companions for days without tiring. You’ll reach the Holy Capital in only a week.”

“Oh, you really don’t have it.”

“Please accept them as a token of our gratitude."

“If you insist…” Maria bowed politely. "We are deeply grateful. Thank you, Generals."

The party loaded their traveling packs into the carriage. Thomas took the driver's seat, as the most experienced from the group.

“I hear great experience comes with age,” Maria teased.

“Are you trying to start a war after you just ended one?”

Celeste also hopped in front, and Maria remained sandwiched between the two. Kaelan leaned against the window frame, keeping a watchful eye on the road.

The group waved goodbye as the carriage wheels rolled smoothly over the gravel path, while the Keep slowly vanished behind hilltop ridges. But before heading back onto King’s Road, they made one last stop. The town with the courier station.

Maria watched as the carrier falcon zoomed off through the sky.

“I hope you have a wonderful birthday, Toby. Hopefully, I’ll see you again soon.”

Before that could happen, she had to face Vane. Maria smiled softly, her heart turning toward the journey ahead. The Holy Capital was no longer a distant dream, it would soon be reality.