Bernar raised an eyebrow at Garett, but said nothing as he chuckled quietly to himself.

“Yes,” Garett said. “You see, they have special techniques for making armor light and strong. Not only that, but a single piece of armor might last you a lifetime, if you take care of it properly,” he continued. “They’re certainly not cheap. I’d wager a breastplate alone is about two thousand crescents,” my brother chimed in with a bit of uncertainty.

Our collective jaws dropped. “T-two thousand?” Irun asked, his jaw slack and with eyes as wide as mine. “It’s an investment Coltend is willing to make. After all, it is the central trading hub for all four countries,” Garett said. “But we haven’t seen anything that would suggest as much,” Batch said curiously. “Not yet,” Garett replied wryly.

We didn’t understand what he meant by that, so we simply looked at each other and shrugged.

“Halt!” Garett shouted after he had seen the Master raise his hand. The whole party came to a complete stop and began to dismount. Our legs hurt from riding for the better part of the day, so it was quite a relief to stand on our own two feet again.

“All of you, listen up! Master’s got a few words for you,” Garett shouted again and everyone looked at the Master who was stepping forward. “I want you all to listen closely, as I will only say this once,” he began with an air of caution as he looked at all of us.

“Since this is mostly directed toward the juniors, I will keep this short. Where we’re about to enter is full of influential people and politicians from all four countries. They will be scattered around the palace, so mind who you talk to and how you talk to them,” he glowered at us warningly, sending another shiver down our spines.

“As tempted as you may be to try and do something out of league simply because you think I won’t be watching or hearing about it later, don’t,” he said, his intonation falling heavily on the last word.

I gulped a disappointed, dry ball of spit as the gloom also hung over Irun and Batch’s heads.

“Not that I expect you to, but you’ve been warned,” he said. Bernar grinned, trying to hide it from the others. “Don’t forget that just because we’re amidst other people, and important ones at that, never be caught off your guard. Do you understand?” he said sternly. “Yes, Master,” everyone said in unison. He nodded, turned on his toes like he had the night before, and proceeded towards the stairway.

“You heard what he said?” Batch asked quietly. “Yeah, though I find it rather strange how they would simply all be here at once without something bigger going on,” Irun replied.

I wonder what he’s not telling us, I thought.

At the top of the stairway, they were met by a short man with graying, slicked back hair and a large stomach. He was clean shaven and wore Coltend’s colors on his tightly-fitting doublet. “Welcome, Masters,” he said, bowing low and straining the fabric around his waist.

I should probably shield my eyes before a button pops out, I winced.

“My name’s Fulco, and I am honored to be the one tending to your needs on behalf of King Truls,” he said cheerily as the wrinkles around his eyes scrunched up. “We’re honored to have been invited,” the Master replied. “Tell me, good man, where might our accommodations be?” he asked plaintively.

“Follow me, good sirs,” Fulco replied with a motion, and they walked through the doorway. Once inside, I couldn’t help but notice the tall, granite pillars that supported the great roof lathered in grandiose carvings and battles from past times. There were also six stained-glass windows that had depictions of the gods from the Master’s story, one appearing in each window.

The red strip of carpet led down the hallway to the end of the large room. Benches were placed in rows facing the back of the room, where the king and queen would sit. The hall was far quieter than I had expected, at least for the time being, though I would be lying if I said I’d noticed it from the start. Like the others, I was too busy looking at all the details carved into the pillars and such.

Sorry you’re missing out on this, Ed, I thought, wondering where he was carted off to.

“This way, please,” Fulco called out and turned to the left wing of the room, where there was yet another stairway. We followed him up the stairs, and on the walls, we saw fine oil paintings of the old captains of the Royal Guard. Their standard wasn’t on display outside, but it was obvious to tell who they were given their high-quality armor and majesticly posed paintings.

“I’m just going to assume he’s taking us to the barracks portion of the palace,” Irun said, hoping to sleep on a more comfortable bed for once. “Seems like that’s where we’ll all be sleeping,” Batch replied. I was in too much awe to come up with any intelligible response.

“You will have all of the necessary items to take care of yourselves and your equipment, so shut up for now,” Bernar whispered back. “Yeah, but sharing a room with the Master was not on my bucket list of things to do before I eat dirt,” Batch muttered, getting a chuckle out of my brother.

“Here we are,” Fulco said promptly, pushing open a door to a large room with numerous beds lined up beside the walls. Batch spotted a hallway that looked like it led to a bathing area, and nudged Irun excitedly.

“I shall summon the servants to take your…” he paused, glancing at my armor as I passed him that still had a few bloodstains from the battle earlier in the day. His eyes opened wide at the sight of me, and he quickly put his hand to his mouth.

This poor fucker didn’t notice the smell before, either? I’m sorry, Fulco, but I’ve been wearing this all day, so suck it up, I mentally chuckled.

“My goodness, is that…?” he stammered. “Yes, it is, good sir,” the Master cut him off, stepping in front of me. “We’d very much appreciate it if the servants could assist us in getting their garments all cleaned up by tomorrow,” the Master said politely. “I-I-I assure you they’ll be cleaned by then,” Fulco said with a slight bit of disgust in his voice. “Thank you for your troubles,” the Master said, smiling warmly as Fulco scurried off to find the servants.

Sorry about that, I winced at the Master who glanced at me over his shoulder.

The Master fully turned around and smiled. “He turned about as green as the blood on your armor, boys,” he said. It was the first time anyone aside from Bernar or Garett had heard him say something with a hint of humor. We weren’t entirely sure it had been meant as a joke, so we just nervously grinned. “Let’s get cleaned up and get some food in our bellies,” Bernar suggested to everyone, noticing the awkward exchange. “Yes, I’m aching to try their apple cobbler. I hear it’s superb,” the Master said before leading us inside.

There was a score of beds lined up along the walls, covered in freshly washed linen sheets. Comparing it to our beds in Codrean, this felt far too luxurious for us. Nevertheless, this was where Fulco had told us we would stay, and I knew I wasn’t the only one giddy with excitement.

“Never would have taken you for having a sweet tooth, Master,” a voice came behind us. We all turned towards it, only to find that it was a servant girl. Her hair was covered by a red head wrap, except for a single lock of black hair that hung from the brim down to her pale cheek. Her deep, green eyes flicking from one person to the next indicated that she felt like she had done something wrong.

After all, no one had seen or heard her come in.

Gods above, she’s gorgeous! I thought, feeling my heart skip a beat or two.

“I’m sorry,” she said, quickly bowing. “I had no intention to startle you. Especially not all dressed up like that in fancy armor,” she said. “Not at all! It’s alright,” the Master said warmly, glancing at me over his shoulder again. I only noticed him doing so out of the corner of my eye, since I still hadn’t taken my eyes off of her when she caught me staring at her.

I briefly blinked and shook myself out of my daze, trying to wake up from the trance her beauty had put me in.

“What is your name, child?” he asked calmly, making sure she felt comfortable around him. “My name is Meliss, Master,” she said timidly. “Well, Meliss, would you do us all a favor and take our garments to have them cleaned? I’m sure Fulco has probably already instructed you to do so,” he continued. “Yes, of course, Master, but they need to be off your bodies for me to wash them, Master,” she said quietly.

They fucking need to be what now? I thought, feeling my face beginning to flush with color.

The Master smiled and turned with a malicious glare in his eye. “You heard the young lady. Strip,” he said playfully and with an air of command that no one dared to defy.

Irun, Batch, and I looked at each other seeking counsel, but none of us knew what to do about this situation.

None of us youngsters had been in our undergarments in front of a lady before, let alone entirely naked, so most of the others were also apprehensive to be in that state. That’s not to say that we didn’t have female synners. We were merely separated when it came to bathing, changing clothes, and sleeping. Aside from those things, we did everything else together as equals.

“Except for the females who will change in the bathing area,” the Master added quickly, gesturing for the women to go. “The rest of you can get started,” he said. When we hesitated a little, his eyes flared with a bit of mana, adding to the intensity of his next word. “Now,” the Master tilted his head, his voice filled with a rumble I’d never heard before as it permeated the room like a thunderclap.

Like the others around me, I flinched at the suddenly barked order. It felt strange to be forced to do this, but Meliss’ expression hadn’t shifted in the slightest.

Regardless, I did my best not to make eye contact.

Batch and Irun had miserable looks on their faces, while Meliss, on the other hand, was entirely unfazed; almost as if she felt almost nothing seeing us strip. It was, apparently, a common thing for maids and servants to wait on other people to undress so they could take their clothes. To her, it was nothing more than a few bloodstained people changing their attire.

First impressions are everything, right? How can she be so beautiful yet so unfazed by everyone naked in front of her? It seems cruel that someone would have to see so many different people in their birthday suits enough times to become numb like that, especially at her age, I thought while mentally admiring her beauty.

I quickly finished undressing, and I felt something I hadn’t really felt in years: exposed. Thankfully, it wasn’t just me, as some of the others did as well. The tell-tale sign of this was with the awkward manner in which they placed their jerkins, undershirts, and undergarments into the small trolley she brought.

When it was my turn to put my stuff in the trolley, she smiled at me. I froze on the inside as butterflies did somersaults in my stomach, but I tried to keep my arms and legs moving, making it look like this was my usual state of being. I caught her gaze as I let go of my blood-soaked jerkin, and she smiled at me, giving me a knowing nod.

Ah, fuck. I looked at her, after all, I thought, flushing with embarrassment.

I stepped away from the trolley without turning around, but she just kept staring at me. She couldn’t have been much older than I was, yet we’d had this strange connection I’d never heard of before.

At least, that’s what I thought we had.

“Well, then,” the Master cleared his throat after noticing the exchange. “Oh,” Meliss said, breaking whatever thought ran through her mind. “Right away, Master,” she grabbed the trolley handles and scurried out of the room. She almost ran into the door frame on her way out, and it was clear her mind was somewhere else entirely.

Bernar gave the Master a knowing look and laughed at me just as she turned the corner. “For someone as quiet as she was when she arrived, she was a bit clumsy on her way out,” he began. “Although she didn’t even have to say a fuckin’ word, and she’s got your prick all tied up in a knot,” he elbowed me in the ribs.

“What, I can’t think someone’s beautiful?” I asked defiantly. “Of course you can. I’m just doing you a favor by telling you not to get hung up on her after only seeing her once, little shit,” Bernar said. I raised an eyebrow questioningly, mostly because I couldn’t tell if he was joking, or if it was just my lack of experience getting the better of me. “There are even more beautiful women than her out there,” he whispered, causing me to raise an eyebrow. “Just take my word for it,” he patted me on the shoulder. “Alright, alright! I get it,” I retorted somewhat reluctantly.

“Gentlemen,” Fulco called out, relieved not to see bloodstained clothing everywhere as we all turned to face him. He walked through the doorway with two servants carrying bundles of clean, red linen undergarments. “These are for you after you bathe, and, if you so wish, you may keep them when you leave. We are as generous as we can be with our guests,” he said with pride.

“Thank you,” the Master said, grabbing one from the pile. The two servants began handing them out according to size. Comments on the softness and smoothness of the undergarments came en masse, and others could simply not fathom the quality of the material. “I will leave a servant for you just outside the door should you need any food or drink,” Fulco gestured to the doorway.

“Thank you, dear Fulco. We’ve had a long journey, so for now, we shall all retire. Tomorrow is a big day, from what I hear,” the Master said tiredly. “Oh, very much so, Master,” Fulco said with excitement.

There it is again, I thought.