The Third Red 1: The Enemy Within

After Dueling Class ended, Eric walked out of Rayzar’s Ring with Dargin at his side. They made their way to the front doors of Castle Scholar where Chosan, the Presteegs, and other sorcerers in their gray Yagaro robes stood.

As Eric approached, his uncle smiled and waved. “Ah Eric! How went Dueling Class?”

Eric shrugged. “Well… I beat Taro Volk’s son.”

“Tarair?” Chosan asked. “I hear he is a tough lad! Mighty good for you!”

Eric nodded then admitted grudgingly. “He is.”

Chosan then looked at Dargin, “Ah you made a new friend I see! Mighty good! Wait… you’re the goblin that saved him yesterday!”

“Hello,” Dargin said curtly.

“I invited Dargin to come with me to Soyagone,” Eric said. “He’s agreed to help me train.”

Chosan hesitated but said, “Very well. Just don’t spend all the time training and fighting. You need to have fun as well.”

“Fight fun.” Dargin grinned.

Eric turned to Snowshine and stroked the white horse’s neck, “Hey girl.”

She snorted. For a few minutes they waited, then Myra and the other children of the Yagaro sorcerers came out. Once everyone was accounted for, Chosan said it was time to go. Eric climbed on Snowshine’s back and they began the walk to Soyagone. Dargin walked alongside Eric, and they were quickly joined by Myra on her pony. The girl looked up at Eric with a hopeful expression.

“Can you train me more today?” she asked.

“Um-” Eric started.

“Train you?” Rikal asked, hearing their conversation as he rode behind them. “With what?”

“Um- just some spells,” Myra said.

Eric felt a vibration as she spoke. That meant she was lying. She didn’t want to learn spells from him, she wanted to learn how to do swords and weaponry.

“Y-yes, I can do that,” Eric said. “Why don’t you join me and Dargin as we train?”

He just needed to think of someplace where they could train with swords as well without the fear of being seen. Then the perfect place came to his mind, Rubara’s island. Hardly anyone went there. Most of the training was done in the Tournament Grounds or Middle Courtyard and Rubara would provide a good cover for them being so large. Eric also wanted to see his grandmother. It was strange to think that they were now seeing so little of each other every day. On Dragoran, Rubara had gone out hunting every so often, but she was always nearby. These past few days however, Eric had spent more time away from her then he could ever recall.

They soon arrived at Soyagone and were greeted by the steward Gilber and his family. Gerg and Grella’s eyes widened when they saw Dargin.

“What is a goblin doing here?” Grella asked, frowning.

“Eric has invited him here,” Chosan said.

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Gilber asked.

“He saved both Myra and Eric’s life yesterday,” Chosan said. “That’s good enough for me.”

Gilber and Gerg let the matter slide, though Grella still frowned deeply at Dargin.

“So how did things go whilst I was away? Has the new servant arrived?” Chosan asked.

New servant? Eric was confused for a moment. Then someone in a light outfit like Gerg and Gilber approached. It was Onro, the man who’d nearly been executed yesterday. Eric then remembered that Chosan had offered a servant position to him and his mother.

“Lord Chosan,” Onro said with a bow.

“Hello Onro,” Chosan said. “How do you feel?”

Onro shrugged. “Like I slept through years of my life. I remember being a child at one point, living happily with my family… and the rest is just… gone. I’m a grown man now and only my mother is alive, but at least she seems happy. I just wish I could remember all the things that happened. It feels odd that I can’t remember any other good times I must have had with my family.”

So, Karia’s spell had removed all the memories of Onro’s time with the Demorians. Eric somewhat envied the man. His mother kept flashing back into his head, and some part of him wanted to forget her, forget the pain of losing her.

“I’m sure you can make more memories. Even if some of your life is missing there is still more to come,” Chosan said.

“Yes, mi lord!” Onro said.

Eric made his way up to his tower bedroom with Mya and Dargin following. He lay his satchel down on the desk then grabbed the training swords. He was about to leave, but then saw the rings on his hands. He was still wearing many of the Heir’s Heirlooms he’d put on this morning! Eric removed the rings as well as the spirit necklace, and the sight headband, though he kept the steel armband with the Greater Body power in it. He opened the chest on top of his dresser where the heirlooms were kept and put the ones he’d removed inside before noticing the one still in the chest. The bracelet with nature sorcery that he didn’t need. An idea occurred to him, he looked back at Myra then back at the bracelet.

Taking the bracelet, he walked up to the girl.

“Here,” he said.

She looked at it, her eyes widening.

“Why are you giving that to me?” she asked.

“I don’t need it, and Arvis said I was free to give it to whomever I please. Besides I agreed to teach you about swords. Why not nature sorcery as well?”

“Really?” Myra exclaimed.

Eric nodded as he handed her the bracelet. He then led them down the stairs and to Rubara’s island where no one would see them train. By now he was better acquainted with Soyagone and didn’t have to worry about getting lost.

“Ah, little one!” the dragon said, getting to her feet and walking over to him.

Eric frowned at the nickname. “Um, Granny Ruby… would you mind just calling me Eric? I’m not a little boy anymore.”

She looked at him and chuckled. “You’ll always be a little one to me. As was your mother.”

Eric looked down. He didn’t want to be babied anymore. Ah well, if she wasn’t gonna change.

“How went your first day at the school?” Rubara asked.

“It was good I suppose,” Eric said. “I made a new friend. Dargin, this is my grandmother Rubara.”

Dargin looked at Rubara in puzzlement. “Grandmother? But she a dragon!”

“Well, she’s a grandmother to me. She looked after my…my mother’s family for a long time,” Eric said with a slight pain in his voice. “Granny Ruby this is Dargin. He came to my aid yesterday when a group of Dishonored tried to rob me.”

Rubara looked at the goblin, giving him a fanged smile. “Well, I thank you. Anyone that comes to Eric’s rescue in a time of danger is welcome around me.”

“Thank you. Now we train!” Dargin brandished the wooden training sword Eric had given him.

“Wait!” Myra said, looking at Rubara. “Can you take me for a ride first?”

Rubara was silent for a moment then nodded. “As long as you are a friend of Eric, I have no objection.”

“I better come with you, Myra.” Eric told her.

“Yay! Yay!” Myra screamed in delight, jumping up and down before climbing up the ladder onto the saddle.

Eric followed her, looking back. “Come on, Dargin!”

The goblin didn’t move.

“What’s the matter?” Eric asked. “Haven’t you ever flown before?”

Dargin shook his head.

“It’s fun!” Myra squealed as she sat down in one of the front seats.

Eric climbed up and helped fasten the leather straps around her waist and feet while telling Dargin. “It is fun! Don’t tell me you’re afraid of heights?”

“I not afraid of anything!” Dargin said, he set his weapon against a tree and rushed up into the saddle.

Once the goblin seated himself and fastened the straps with Eric’s help, Rubara flapped her wings and ascended to the sky. They circled Sortar and climbed high above the clouds.

“I can barely breathe!” Myra said, her voice suddenly afraid.

Eric looked at her in concern. Up here the air was thinner.

“Take us down Granny Ruby!” Eric shouted to make sure she could hear.

Rubara dove. Myra screamed and took Eric’s hand.

“Whoa, not so fast!” Eric yelled.

“But you like going down fast!” Rubara objected, pulling up.

“Yes, but I don’t want to scare Myra!” Eric told her. “Let’s just go easy while she’s on.”

Beside him, Dargin groaned.

“You alright?” Eric asked, turning to the goblin.

“I think, uhh-” Dargin gagged, putting a hand over his mouth. “-goblins not born to fly.”

He gagged, leaning to the right. Then he vomited on Rubara’s side.

“Ah!” the dragon exclaimed as she felt the regurgitated food on her scales.

“Sorry!” Dargin choked out.

Rubara took them back down to the small island.

“Get me wet cloth and I clean your dragon,” Dargin promised as he undid the straps securing him to the saddle.

“Just a moment,” Eric said as he undid his straps before turning to Myra and helping her as well.

“Eric I can do this myself,” Myra said as she unstrapped herself.

They climbed out of the saddle. Myra went and got several towels from the servant’s quarters. When she returned, Eric used his nature sorcery to raise water from the river and splash Rubara’s side.

Once he got the towel wet, Dargin began to scrub. Eric and Myra helped as well.

“Thank you,” Rubara said once they finished. “I certainly didn’t relish the thought of licking mouth droppings from my scales.”

“Le!” Eric and Myra agreed in disgust, sticking their tongues. They looked at each other and noticed their shared reaction and chuckled, Myra getting rosy cheeks as well.

“Now, can we train?” Myra asked.

“Yes, can we?” Dargin agreed.

Eric nodded, he picked up the training swords he’d left on the ground.

“Before we begin though, Dargin. I must ask you to keep this a secret. Myra isn’t supposed to be learning to fight,” Eric told him.

“My mother would kill me if she found out,” Myra said nervously.

Dargin nodded. “You have my word. I not tell anyone. Though yer mother not really kill you right?”

Myra shook her head. “Um, no, she wouldn’t.”

Though from the way Myra didn’t giggle about it, she was a little worried. Eric had seen the way Lorala threatened to send Myra to the Suffering Sisters if she found her daughter trying to learn more about weaponry.

“Why is she so against you learning to fight anyway?” he asked.

“It’s against tradition” Myra said. “She only says that we girls are weak and should rely on men to protect us, that it’s our role and we shouldn’t waste our time on something we are not supposed to be.”

Eric frowned. He knew that was wrong, his mother had been able to use a sword, she’d developed the strength to do so. With Greater Body, a sorcerer could increase their strength as well. It might take more time for girls to develop strength to match or at least challenge a mans but it was possible.

“Well, if you spend time training then you can become strong,” he said.

Myra nodded. They began to train. Eric reviewed the slashing exercises with Myra for a moment before beginning to spar. Eric held back when sparring against Myra, letting her get a few blows in. Then Dargin went with Myra and wasn’t nearly so chivalrous.

“You too slow! Too weak! Too predictable!” Dargin said.

“Ow!”

He’d caught her on the forehead, creating a small scratch. Myra gritted her teeth as she got up after being knocked down for the sixth or seventh time. Her body glowed as she called upon her Greater Body. That forced Dargin more on the defensive! Blow after blow fell and he struggled to block the raw speed.

Then she managed to get him in the stomach.

“Ah!” Dargin grunted at the pain. “More like it! You strong when you use Greater Body. Though I would work on being able to swing the sword without it. Don’t use sorcery unless you have too.”

Myra nodded. Dargin retaliated and managed to land five hits in a row. Myra hissed and kicked the ground.

“I can’t do anything without my Greater Body. I’m so weak! I hate being a girl!”

“Hey, hey.” Eric said touching her shoulder. “You’re still young. There’s time for you to get stronger. It’s not going to happen overnight. Don’t give up. Stick with it and someday, you’ll be able to do beat one of us without your Greater Body.”

“You think so?” Myra asked.

“Aye, my- my mother could could use a sword pretty well without that power,” Eric reminded her. Talking about his mother was always hard, like opening a wound that had just closed.

“She had to work hard though,” Rubara said as she watched them. “After she joined the Maidens of the Mist, she had to carry heavy things like firewood to make herself strong.”

“Mother tells me that whenever I have something heavy, I should use my sorcery to lift it.”

“Your arms won’t get stronger with that! Those labors caused Margery to be strong for a human woman,” Rubara said.

“So, I have to carry firewood around?” Myra asked.

“Something heavy would help I suppose,” Eric told her.

The image of his mother carrying wood was in his head. He’d seen her do it a few times on Dragoran. She would gather wood for the fire to cook their food when Rubara brought it back. Sometimes she had him do it.

Eric, go get some firewood from the jungle! She would say.

Eric sniffled a bit at the memory, he felt tears start to form in his eyes.

“Yes. Using arms only way to make em bigger,” Dargin said flexing his enormous muscles which were clearly visible due to the sleeves being torn off from his shirt.

Forcing himself out of the memory, Eric focused on the hear and now, wiping his eyes.

“Well, let’s try some nature sorcery now.”

He ran Myra through the basic theory for the elements.

“Now remember, there are two types of elements. Internal, fire, lightning, and wind. You can call upon these from the air so they are always around and inside you. And external, ones that require an outside source to use. Water, earth, and plant.”

“So how do I use them?” Myra asked.

“Imagine something about the element. Like the warmth of a fire, then push sorcery to your hand and say Fyra!”

Eric’s mind once again went back to his mother, when she had taught him to use nature sorcery, saying these words, or pretty close. He remembered a flame lighting in her hand.

“Fyra!”

Eric had only spaced out for a second. Myra’s incantation drew his attention. A burst of flame shot from her hand as she thrusted out. Unfortunately, Eric had in his delay, forgotten a safety rule he’d been taught when performing this element. Make sure you face away from anything flammable.

Myra’s flame hit the fruit tree she was facing, causing Eric to yelp.

“Uh oh!” Myra said.

Eric shook for a moment, looking around. What did he do? What did he do?

Then he spotted the lake surrounding them.

“It’s alright,” Eric reached toward the water. “I can put it out! Aga levras!”

A large amount of water rose up from the lake. Eric levitated it directly above the burning tree and released it. The water fell on the flames, which quenched and went out.

“I’m sorry!” Myra’s head fell as Eric turned to her.

“It’s okay,” he said. “I should have remembered to tell you not to aim at a tree. Come on, let’s try a few more.”

They had just enough time for him to give her the incantations for the remaining elements before Rubara called out, “Someone’s coming!”

Eric felt a shiver run down his spine. He walked around his grandmother too see. Sure enough, two figures were making their way across the bridge. It was Orvalor and Lorala. The old knight had taken off his armor and changed into a formal tunic, though he still carried a shield with him. His wed daughter Lorala walked at his side, and she would not be happy if she found Myra with a sword.

“Myra it’s your mother and grandfather!” Eric called back to the other side.

Myra’s smile faded. She rubbed the small scratch on her forehead where Dargin had hit her with the wooden sword earlier.

“I can’t let them see me!” she said. “If my mother finds out I was using weapons she’ll send me to the Suffering Sisters!”

“Can you heal the wound?” Eric asked, thinking quickly.

She nodded, gathering light to her fingers and bringing them up to her forehead. The girl had used up her first sorcery core training. Instead of the blue Eric usually saw her use her sorcery was now purple in coloration. Eric watched as the small cut healed, though the blood remained. He licked his fingers and rubbed the girl’s forehead, getting rid of the last traces of red from her sparring match. Myra looked a little disgusted as she felt his saliva but didn’t complain, knowing it was for the best.

Just in time. Orvalor and Lorala came from around Rubara and faced them.

“Captain Orvalor, Lady Lorala,” Eric greeted them as he turned around.

“Good almost evening my young great nephew!” Orvalor said. “Your shield is ready!”

He held up the shield he was carrying. Now that Eric saw it up close, he realized it was not Orvalor’s shield, but the one Eric himself had made on Dragoran. Though it was different now, the edges of the shield were reinforced with steel, five gemstones attached to it, a ruby at the top directly above the blue painted Y, a small golden wing on either side, and an eagle head representing Eric’s opinicus above that. In addition to the ruby there was a sapphire, emerald, citrine, and amethyst on the corners and a yellow diamond at the bottom.

“Alvan and Arvis have both done remarkably!” Orvalor said. “Alvan coated the edges with steel so you won’t have to worry about it breaking, and Arvis has enchanted the gems with a shielding spell. Whenever you face a sorcerer, they shall put up a magic shield to protect you against magic attacks.”

Eric took the shield, turning it around to see a metal handle had been nailed into the back. “Thank you.” He waved it around, performing the maneuvers and blocks he’d been taught yesterday. The shield was heavier than before, but still lighter than a completely steel shield. Eric could still use it easily.

“What do you think?” he asked, turning to Dargin and Myra and holding it for them to see.

“It’s beautiful,” the young girl said with a smile.

Dargin merely shrugged. “I not care for shields, they used to hide. I prefer big weapon like poleaxe.”

He pointed to the tree he’d leaned his weapon against.

“That is a good weapon,” Orvalor said, walking over to the poleaxe and inspecting it. “Can be used to hack or thrust, and take on horsemen. Though this one is quite old and chipped. You could get a better one.”

Eric spared a glance at Lorala, who had noticed the burned tree.

“Need I ask how your nature sorcery lesson with my daughter went?” she said with a deep frown.

“It’s fine!” Eric objected, putting himself in front of Myra.

“Fine?” she repeated. “It most certainly is not!” She pointed a finger at her daughter. “You careless… you could have burned this grove down! We get a lot of fruit from here!”

Myra recoiled at her mother’s words.

“It was my fault!” Eric told her angrily, but truthfully. “Don’t blame her! I should have remembered to tell her not to aim at something flammable.”

“Yes you-

“Lorala, enough. A wise thing, admitting when you made a mistake,” Orvalor said before noticing Eric’s sweating body. “You’ve been training your bodies and sorcery hard. Perhaps you should take a break?”

“I believe that would be a mighty good idea,” another voice said.

Chosan walked into sight from around Rubara.

“You should do something besides train, Eric. Something fun.”

Eric frowned and huffed in annoyance. He could still use up another sorcery core to train.

“Come now, there must be a game that can put a smile on your face.” Chosan said.

“Chosan, please,” Orvalor said. “The boy is still in grieving. He will need time before he can smile.”

“Well, it doesn’t hurt to try does it?”

Eric felt it did but didn’t say so. The way Chosan kept trying to get him to have fun and smile was starting to annoy him. He just wanted to get strong so he could fulfill his duty and defeat Corgo. He clenched a fist as the bats face appeared in his head.

“Perhaps you should try painting now, Eric?” Chosan suggested.

Eric shook his head. “Not in the mood.”

“Well, if you would prefer something practical why don’t we have a game of Castles and Conquests?” Orvalor suggested.

“Castles and Conquests?” Eric repeated.

“It’s a battle of wits where we try to defeat each other through strategy. Can help make a good commander out of the novice soldier,” Orvalor said.

“That still counts as training though,” Chosan objected.

“With all due respect Lord Chosan, war will be coming sooner or later. We must do everything we can to prepare. Who knows how long it will carry on this time? Eric is heir to this family, he needs to learn to lead effectively in battle not only fight in it.”

It was Chosan’s turn to sigh.

“Very well. But I swear I will find something besides battle for him to occupy his time with!”

Orvalor began to walk back to Soyagone, with Chosan and Lorala following suit. Eric, meanwhile, turned to face Rubara.

“Bye Granny Ruby!”

Rubara looked at him. “Goodbye little one. Come back any time.”

Eric picked up his training swords, tucking them under his right arm while carrying his shield in his left. He then trotted after the others with Dargin and Myra behind him. As they approached the center of Soyagone, Orvalor stopped them.

“You are welcome to come,” the old knight said to Dargin before turning to Myra. “But not you. This game is for warriors.”

Myra looked down.

“Why don’t you do something useful and take Lord Eric’s swords and shield up to his room?” Lorala suggested. “I’m sure he would appreciate that. Oh and-” she waved her finger in the air. “Don’t play with the swords!”

Eric considered the girl as she looked at him with those beautiful brown eyes. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“I will. Its fine,” Myra said as she took the swords from under his arm. “Least I can do to repay you. Like a Lend Hand would do.”

Eric gave her a small smile. “Thank you.”

“Aha! And there’s what I’ve been looking for!” Chosan said. “Seems you’re able to make him smile Myra. He must like you.”

The girl seemed to blush a bit.

“I enjoy being around her,” Eric admitted. “At least as much as I can enjoy anything right now.”

“Well, I’m glad you can cheer him up,” Lorala said to Myra. “But don’t think he will ever let you be his Lend Hand. Besides, he’s not even a Soron Knight or War Caster yet. Even if he does become one there will be plenty more boys better suited to such a task.”

Eric sniggered at the woman. Why did she have to be so hard on Myra and put her down?

Myra left with Eric’s swords and shield in her arms. Lorala called after her.

“Myra use your sorcery! It will be far easier than carrying them by hand!”

She went after her daughter with Chosan following suit. That left Eric and Dargin with Orvalor who beckoned them up one of the towers on the other side. They climbed a great deal of stairs and turned into the captain’s quarters. A bed stood in the back behind a table that contained a small model castle. Orvalor’s armor lay on a mannequin in the corner next to his bed. Hung on the wall were his sword, spear and shield, as well a painting of him looking much younger standing beside a dark-haired maiden that bore a resemblance to Myra, with the same flower headpiece in her hair.

Dargin stepped forward to get a closer look at the spear and sword. Eric did as well. He’d never gotten a good look at Orvalor’s weapons before. The spear shaft had two blades, one a normal pointed top and a spike at the bottom. The sword guard showed a matching design on each side of what looked like three people in the mouth of a beast. His rectangular shield with the letter P on a star hung between them.

“The spear has two points in case one of them breaks,” Orvalor informed them. “And my sword, Army Bane is capable of turning my enemies against each other if I ever find myself outnumbered.”

Eric thought of one man being surrounded by enemies only to turn them into allies by sticking his sword in the ground. In his mind’s eye he saw them turning on other enemies and whistled. “Incredible.”

Dargin merely shrugged. “Why you bring us up here?”

“To make a leader out of Eric,” Orvalor said.

“A leader? Me?” Eric repeated astounded.

“Of course. You are the Yagaro heir after all. When you come of age, you’ll become Lord of Soyagone. It will be expected for you to lead the Yagaro armies as well as others into battle. The western third of the Royal Lands is under Yagaro command. You need to be able to fight with your mind as well your body and sorcery.”

Dargin huffed. “Minds can’t fight. Only bodies do.”

“Bodies do most of the fighting,” Orvalor admitted. “But they can only get you so far when you are at war. Neither of you have been in a siege where an entire army attacks a well-fortified position. Let me tell you, it is not the bodies or sharp swords of all the men from either side who win the battle. It is the mind of the leader who makes the plans to attack. Lords have the responsibility to defend their home from invaders and lead their men. I have the duty to teach you to do that.”

He directed Eric toward the table in the middle of the room with the miniature castle inside it.

“What is this?” Eric asked stepping closer.

“Castles and Conquests, the game that makes leaders.”

Eric looked inside. He saw a small forest of carved trees and a painted river around the castle. Twenty small figures stood in both the forest and the castle. Several ovals were scattered through the board as well.

“You call us to play game?” Dargin said.

“A very important game for anyone that wishes to lead,” Orvalor said.

Dargin shrugged. “I not interested in leading. Only fighting.”

“Fine, you can watch these pieces fight then.”

He picked up a handful of pieces and held them for Eric to see before telling them what they were.

“A common soldier.” This wooden figure held a spear and shield. Glancing down at the board again, Eric noticed that these were the most numerous pieces.

“A knight.” A mounted man with a lance.

“Archer.” A person pulling a bow.

“Sorcerer.” Robed man holding a staff.

Orvalor didn’t say the name of the next figure he held up to Eric who instantly recognized the fist-topped helm.

“Soron Knight…” Eric said before gazing at the other and guessing at them. “Masked sorcerer with robe and armor, War Caster.”

Orvalor nodded and held up the figure wearing armor that resembled dragon scales like those on Eric’s shield. He carried a sword and held out his free hand as though about to cast a spell.

“Sorcerer Lord,” Orvalor said before putting the pieces back and picking up the last, largest piece. “And the dragon! Most powerful of all. Now, let us play!”

Eric took a seat on the castle side while the captain took the forested end.

“Now… let us get down to a battle of the minds! Remember, one good mind can make more difference than ten swords if used correctly.”

They played several rounds, Eric lost each one. He did however learn the mechanisms of the game, the glass ovals were enchanted to produce more illusionary pieces when a physical one passed over them, increasing the numbers for either side’s army. The dragon piece could only be used once a hundred pieces were “killed” or simply vanished as they were illusions.

“Well, that’s enough for now. Our guests should be arriving,” Orvalor said after winning for the last round against Eric who managed to at least get inside the castle this time.

“Guests?” Eric repeated. He hadn’t been made aware of guests coming.

“Lord Chosan invited some people… and goblins for dinner,” Orvalor looked at Dargin as he said this. “I believe it was the Saru Clan.”

“My kin?” Dargin asked. “You send em messengers?”

“Aye, Gerg wasn’t too thrilled to go into to the Goblin Underground. Omaron had to go with him. At least they both came back unharmed. Lord Chosan also invited the Greddys and the Calamens.”

“He invited Karia?” Eric said, getting slightly eager.

“Oh yes, Lord Chosan has been friends with that girl’s mother for a long time. I believe you boys should want to bathe before they arrive.”

Eric did so without complaint, his days of disliking water were behind him. Afterwards he changed into the formal shirt he’d purchased from Silkas robes and the same pants from the welcome party. Dargin refused however, unless Orvalor beat him at arm wrestling. The old knight did so. Dargin was forced to bathe and remove the torn, dirty clothing he wore as well as the spiked pauldrons. Finding an outfit wasn’t easy for him given his large size. Though he eventually settled on a bright green surcoat.

Once Dargin put the coat on, they went back to the front of Soyagone where Chosan waited. The rest of the Presteegs were there too, like Orvalor they’d taken off their armor and now wore fine tunics. They waited and soon the guess arrived.

First came a family of at five goblins. Four males, one large as Dargin and the others smaller, the last big one with longer hair was female. The three smaller males laughed and pointed at Dargin when they saw him in the new attire. Dargin snarled at them in return, causing them to back off. The other two larger goblins stood in the center of the group and approached Chosan. Eric guessed they were Dargin’s parents from their size.

The largest goblin spoke to Chosan with a serious and intimidating look. “Next time you send messenger, send one who doesn’t run away so fast. I probably not come if my son not here already.”

Chosan cast a sideways look at Omaron and Gerg.

“Sorry Lord Yagaro!” Omaron said. “But I’m not a sorcerer like most of my family, I didn’t feel like I would stand a chance if they attacked!”

Boy, he has some confidence problems. Eric thought. Though seeing as all Omaron’s cousins were gifted with sorcery, no wonder he felt inferior.

Looking at the Presteegs and Verdos families, Eric saw a variety of reactions to the presence of the goblins. Orvalor, Vikal, Omulus, and Gilber appeared calm, though Gerg looked at the goblins with nervous eyes. Lorala was clutching her husband’s arm. The only ones that didn’t look worried were Myra who was grinning eagerly, and Grella who frowned deeply with eyes that looked full of disdain or even hatred toward the goblins.

“I apologize, Vulgan,” Chosan said.

Dargin’s father, Vulgan huffed like his son.

“Well. As you are Sortar Lord I forgive. Though send more brave messengers next time or I refuse.”

At that moment, an extravagant carriage entered Soyagone, when it stopped the Greddy family emerged from it. Richan, his wife, and eldest daughter with him.

“Good evening Chosan!” Richan said. “Always a pleasure to dine with my-”

The other Lord stopped talking as he saw there were goblins amongst the crowd.

“W-what are goblins doing here?” Richan asked.

“They are guests, same as you.” Chosan informed him.

Richan as well as his daughter Ritara frowned at the goblins.

“I do hope I won’t be sharing a table with them,” Ritara muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Disgusting creatures.”

A few of the goblins growled at this. Eric didn’t blame them. Even though he didn’t find them the most appealing to look at that was no reason to be rude to them.

“Now now, let us be peaceful here! No need to insult or fight one another!” Chosan said putting his hands up.

“No fighting!” the female goblin said. She followed up with something that must have been in the goblin tongue, which Eric didn’t understand.

The smaller goblins appeared to calm down.

“Let us just sit down then!” Ritara said, stepping toward the doors of Soyagone.

“Hold on a moment!” Chosan said. “We still have another set of guests coming! Ah here they are!”

Sure enough, another five figures were making their way across the east bridge connecting the Yagaro Castle to the mainland of Sortar. Karia’s family was the opposite of Dargin’s, one man, one woman and three young girls. The man who must have been her father wore a brown vest over a white tunic, he had balding brown hair and a beard. On either side of him were two girls. Eric instantly saw Karia, who wore a pretty pink dress with a blue bow around her dress instead of the dull brown he’d seen her in earlier. Her fiery hair tied in a ponytail that hung over her shoulder. Unlike Ritara she didn’t have any jewels aside from the simple wooden pendant around her neck. Still, Eric thought she was far more beautiful than Ritara even without jewelry. The tallest woman must have been her mother, she wore a bonnet that covered her head, though when she got closer Eric noticed she shared Karia’s fiery hair. Then there were two other girls that must have been her sisters, one about Myra’s age, and a younger one.

The Calamens walked up. The father bowed while the mother and daughters curtsied.

The father spoke first. “Thank you for inviting us to dine with you Lord Chosan. It was a pleasant surprise when we received your invitation. Happiness upon all!”

“Happiness upon all!” Chosan repeated as both men put a hand on their heart.

Karia then stepped forward. “Hello, Lord Eric.”

Eric chuckled. “No need for the title, Karia.”

She smiled. “This is my father Danas and my mother Betrica.”

“Hello,” Eric said to them.

Betrica smiled at him. “I helped deliver you from your mother’s womb years ago.”

Eric gaped at this. So, Karia’s mother was a healer then?

“You look a bit like her,” Betrica noted. “Though you have your father’s eyes. They were both good people.”

Eric cringed as his heart filled with sadness at yet another reminder of what he’d lost. But he was glad that she thought well of his mother at least.

“Yes, your mother was a capable warrior.” Dargin’s mother said. Eric was surprised to hear her speak with a full sentence unlike her son.

“You both knew her?” Eric asked.

“Yes, she-“

Ritara suddenly hissed. “Can we get to the meal please?”

Chosan beckoned them inside. They all sat at the back table in the Great Hall. Eric, remembering the table manners his mother had taught him when having dinner with guests pulled out the second chair on the left side, hoping that Karia would be the one sitting there next to him.

“Oh, thank you,” Ritara said as she took the seat instead.

Karia sat next to Ritara, who frowned as though disgusted at having Karia sit next to her. Eric took his seat at Chosan’s right. Richan and Juliana Greddy as well as Orvalor took Chosan’s left side of the table. Danas, Betrica and the four goblins occupied the left side. Baskets of bread were served shortly from the kitchen by Gilber and his grandchildren.

“Ah Grella!” Ritara waved, showing what looked to be a pleased smile.

“Oh, Lady Ritara. Here, bread for you!” The servant girl dashed past Karia and handed a loaf to Ritara first before handing one to Eric.

Ritara smiled a smile that didn’t seem nice, it was more of a smirk. “I can always count on you to bring food to me immediately, old friend.”

“Oh course,” Grella said as she gave Eric a slice of bread as well before continuing down the table, giving the goblins a glare as she handed them their slices. To Eric’s chagrin, Karia got hers last.

“So, Eric, how do you like being in Sortar?” Ritara’s mother Juliana asked as she took a bite of her bread.

Eric shrugged as he buttered his own. “Not sure.”

“Not sure?” Ritara repeated. “Surely living in a castle is better than some cave with a big smelly pet dragon.”

It was Eric’s turn to frown at her. “My grandmother isn’t smelly!”

“Grandmother?” Juliana questioned.

“Rubara is my grandmother not my pet!” Eric stated. “And she isn’t smelly. She’s the best grandmother I could ask for! She’s beautiful, loving, and always cleans herself!”

“Does she now? My dragon could learn a thing from her. I can smell his droppings all the way up the hill to our castle,” Ritara said. “Maybe I ought to have your dragon pull him into the lake and hold him there while we have our servants scrub him.”

Karia grimaced. “Why must you always solve a problem through force?”

Dargin chuckled. “Why not? Force fun.”

Ritara frowned at Karia. “Force is the only way to make sure things are done right. You Smiling God peasants never do anything right except keep us entertained,” Ritara said. “Maybe that’s why none of you are nobles.”

Karia seemed to shrink back. Eric frowned again at Ritara, she may have been beautiful, but she was clearly unkind.

“Hey leave her alone!” Eric said.

“Why? She’s just a peasant, she shouldn’t even be allowed to share our table.”

Karia buried her face in her hands. Eric threw a glare at Ritara.

“No one insults my friends!”

“Friends?” Ritara repeated. “You should really find some more suited to your class rather than ugly goblins and peasant girls!”

“Richan! Teach your daughter some respect!” Chosan exclaimed.

Richan sighed. “I think it might be best if we leave. If you wish to mingle with commoners and goblins that is your business. Send me a scroll when you have room for more important guests.”

The Greddys got up and walked back out the door.

“I’m sorry about that, Karia.” Eric told her as he got up and put a hand on her shoulder like he had with Myra yesterday.

“Wasn’t your fault she was such a brat, Eric.” Karia gave a small sniffle as she wiped the tears off her cheeks. “I have to say, you’re the only Lord’s heir that I’m pleased to know. Tarair and Ritara are both terrible. They’re raised to view others as weapons or inferior, but you are nice. I hope you’ve considered coming to the play tomorrow?”

Eric paused. “Um… I think I can make time. For you.”

She beamed.

“Ah mighty good! We shall go and see the play tomorrow then Eric!” Chosan said. “Finally, something fun aside from battle for you! Ah here’s the rest of the meal!”

Platters full of roast beef, mutton, beans, and other fine foods were brought in.