"Riders," Lykander noted while gazing down the path that led from Boncini to the road.

"More news from Auros?" Joseph, steward of Boncini asked concerned. He joined the young man.

"I don't think so," Lykander mused, "they're wearing Tirèze colors."

"Border patrol then?" But why were they so far into Zeir? Boncini might be close to the border, there was still no reason for a patrol to be here. Joseph looked at Lykander. "Go inside. Tell the girls to be wary. As long as we don't know what they want it's better to be careful."

Lykander nodded and disappeared inside.

Joseph walked up to the approaching soldiers to greet them. "Good day, soldiers. Be welcome. By what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

The soldiers pulled their horses to a halt. "We come from king Darius Tirzé. Are you lord of this house?"

Joseph shook his head. "The lady Vara and her husband are at court. They will not be back for several days. I am steward of Boncini. I manage the estate in their absence. What can we do for you?"

The soldiers exchanged glances and dismounted. "We are here to ask for men to strengthen our border. We had men from Lavos, but they returned to defend their own borders. Balor has turned its eye east. King Elon's men are called back and we have come for aid."

Joseph looked at them guiltily. "I do not have the authority to make such decisions and our garrison is small. How many men would you even need?"

"As many as you can spare," the soldier answered. He cleared his throat. "King Darius says to remind you Tirèze and Zeir are allies. You are obliged to honor his request."

Joseph gritted his teeth and forced himself to remain calm. "As I said, the lady is away. You are welcome to wait for her. We will accommodate you."

The soldiers exchanged looks again. "This matter is of the upmost urgency."

"I am aware," Joseph assured them seriously, "but I cannot call her back now. She will return within the next few days. I am sure she will heed your request." He gestured towards the house. "Please, be welcome. We will take care of your horses and prepare rooms for you. I will send for food and wine."

Reluctantly the soldiers followed him inside. They had expected to resolve the matter quickly and return to their duties, but they knew they could not go back to Tirèze without a reply from Boncini, strange as it was to receive it from a woman.

...

Black horse, black carriages, black attire. The buildings along the streets were adorned with black banners. All in farewell of a well-loved king.

Behind the carriage with the coffin walked lady Eurydice with her son, king Marcos. Behind them Cyrus and Ariane, who carried Lucius. Behind them was Vara with Iason, and also Iolaus.

Surrounding them were a lot of soldiers, guarding the royal family against possible threats.

Vara sighed to herself. At least it wasn't raining. The entire day had been one long string of protocol and ceremonies. Now they would finally lay lord Caius to rest in the royal tomb where the rest of the Aurelios line was buried.

Vara had never been there. Aelia had already passed away when Vara came to live at the palace. She looked up when Iason pressed her hand. He offered her a small comforting smile. Both of them longed for the day to be over, but even then they could not return home right away. It would be a few days before they could depart and return to Boncini.

Vara dreaded the next few days already. Things had been tense and awkward between her and Ariane, and it didn't help much that they ran into each other at every meal and ceremony. Even now, Ariane's back was stiff and she ignored Vara during the procession. Vara was almost relieved when finally the large boulder was rolled in front of the grave. It would give her some respite.

With formalities out of the way, they were free to retreat and talk amongst themselves. Those that had come to pay their final respects now returned to their homes or lodgings and the royal family alone remained.

Vara adjusted the black shawl that covered her head and retreated to the side with Iason. She sat down on a small bench and let out a heavy sigh.

Iason gently pressed her hand. "You cared about him a lot, didn't you?"

Vara nodded and looked at him with watery eyes. "He was like my own grandfather. He was a good man. Lord Caius and lady Eurydice were the ones that saw to my education when I came to live at the palace. He taught me how to play lantruculi. I would spend hours in their study and when I grew older, we talked about all kinds of things. He liked to debate. He'd put out problems for me and ask me how I would solve them. I will miss him."

Iason smiled tenderly and planted a kiss on her temple. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Vara sighed sadly and leaned into his embrace. "Thank you."

She looked up when she felt eyes on her and crossed looks with Ariane, who quickly averted her head. The girl's face was void of emotion, but her back was stiff and she turned away, gently rocking her son in her arms.

Vara leaned her head on Iason's shoulder and sighed in defeat. "I want to go home."

He ran a hand through her hair. "We will," he said, "the moment we can."

Both stood up when the king and lady Eurydice approached, the king's arm securely wrapped around his mother's shoulder. "We will return to the palace," the kings spoke, "and we will share a meal together."

Iason bowed and Vara curtsied. "My king. My lady."

In the distance, Cyrus and Ariane also approached. Cyrus tried to catch her eye, but Vara avoided making direct contact. They hadn't had the chance to speak in private after their encounter at the lake, and with Ariane so obviously begrudging her, Vara intended to keep it that way. No matter how much it hurt.
She looked at the king instead. "Iason and I will take a carriage back. We will see you shortly."

King Marcos briefly glanced at his son before turning back to Vara. He nodded in understanding and placed a hand against her cheek. "Of course. We will see you soon."

Vara bowed her head and curtsied again. Then she hugged Eurydice tightly and took Iason's hand.

Iason pressed her hand gently and tugged her with him back to the road. "Why don't we just walk back?" he suggested.

Vara smiled at him. "My thoughts exactly."

...

"You're not bad with a sword," Byron grinned at Torcan as he blocked another attack. He swung his own sword free and retaliated, forcing Torcan to move back.

"You are not so bad yourself," Torcan replied. The man from Lavos had a strong hand and a firm stance. It was not easy to unbalance him. How was it possible for the bulky man to keep his ground like that?

Byron chuckled. As if reading Torcan's mind, he said, "don't let your opponent decide your movement for you. You'll already have lost half the battle, eh. Instead, keep him wary of you. Be unpredictable."

The two had been sparring for a while and Torcan could feel himself grow tired. Byron seemed to notice this too. He lowered his sword and smirked. "Let us call it a day, eh. Where is this bathhouse I have heard so much about? Eloni will let me sleep with the horses if I return to her like this." He gestured towards his body all covered in sweat and grime.

Torcan chuckled. "Come. I will show you the way."

Byron's grin widened and he walked alongside Torcan. "Tell me, my friend," he spoke, "it has been a while since we last met. You still have taken no wife. Is there no one that caught your fancy?"

Torcan looked away, suddenly uncomfortable. He sighed. "That life is not for me." He frowned. Perhaps he should not go to the bathhouse with Byron. He usually made sure he was alone.

Byron tilted his head and thought for a moment. "It is true then?"

Torcan stiffened and stopped walking. He had never been so mortified in his life.

Byron noticed the change and looked at Torcan calmly. He shrugged. "Men. They talk." When Torcan didn't respond, Byron shook his head. "You are who you are. It does not bother me." He sighed. "I was blunt. Forgive me. My wife eh, she always tells me so. I do not heed her words. I mean no offense."

"None taken," Torcan said stiffly, "the bathhouse is there. I will see you at the evening meal."

"You are offended," Byron said, "don't go. Forget I said anything, eh. Do not let my words ruin our friendship." He halted Torcan as he turned away. "Come."

Torcan hesitated. He knew Byron was a good man, even if he had a loud mouth. That didn't mean he wasn't uncomfortable.

Byron held out his hand towards Torcan. "Please. I will tell you all kinds of embarrassing things about me. Like the time my horse pushed me into a pile of dun because I was too busy watching Eloni, eh. She did not notice me eh. I had only just arrived at their doorstep. Or when I was a child and my brothers challenged me to cross the ice when I knew it was not thick enough. Or that time..."

Torcan chuckled and held up his hand. "Alright. You have convinced me."

Byron grinned and slapped Torcan's shoulder. "Good. Good. Then let us go now eh. And later we can eat together. I am starving."

...

Kaveh, Mithridates and Zahir looked around the courtyard of Boncini. The three soldiers from Tirèze had been appointed a room in the barracks with the rest of the guard, and after being served a meal they now explored the grounds.

They were allowed free passage throughout Boncini, but had been instructed to leave the staff alone.

What they had seen so far was so different from what they knew that it was a completely different world. Green trees, a rich garden, fountains and a well. Chickens strolled freely across the grass and in a nearby pen, goats were playing.

Kaveh let out a whistle. "No wonder Balor wants the land. It is rich and fertile. Look at the trees!"

His comrade Zahir smirked. "I am looking at something else rich and fertile." His eyes had landed on Eudemas who was hanging out the laundry.

His comrades grinned. "Women from Zeir only mean trouble," Mithridates said, "they have the same rights as men and don't know when to hold their tongue."

Zahir chuckled. "I don't think I will mind a little fire."

Kaveh shook his head amused. "You say that now. Wait until she orders you around. See how you like your fire then."

"Feh," Zahir said, "a strong woman will give strong heirs."

Mithridates rolled his eyes. "Hear him speak. He has not even taken her yet." He grinned at his friend. "You did not even speak to that one. "

Zahir scowled. "I will. She will fall for my charm. She will have no choice." Encouraged by his comrades he walked up to the young woman.

Eudemas saw him approach but continued to hang out the sheets. Whatever the man's intentions, he wouldn't dare try to harm her, not here in someone else's home. It would be a breach of hospitality.

The man smirked at her. "Greetings fair maiden," he said, "I am called Zahir. I am one of the best riders of king Darius. Any woman will be honored to be my wife, but I have chosen you."

Eudemas raised an eyebrow at him, but continued her work. In the distance the two other Tirèze soldiers were laughing.

Zahir narrowed his eyes. He did not like being made fun of. "Perhaps you do not understand the honor I show you. In my homeland they would be proud to be called wife of Zahir of the painted horses."

"We are not in your homeland," Eudemas pointed out, "in my homeland, a man courts a woman he wishes to marry."

Zahir scrunched his nose. "Such nonsense. What good will that do?"

"So a man can prove his worth," Eudemas retorted.

The idea seemed to appall him and he looked at her bewildered. "Why should a man prove his worth?" he asked shocked, "his worth is inn his skills, with weapons and horses, with his fists. His worth is widely known." He looked at Eudemas confused. "Why waste time smooth-talking a woman? What's important is she gives you strong sons."

Eudemas planted her hands on her hips. "They court us to prove they can provide for a family. That they are men that don't need violence to feel strong."

Zahir laughed. "What use is a man that can't defend his home?"

Edemas shook her head. "One does not rule out the other. I know there are men in Tirèze that understand this. I have met such a man. His name is Torcan."

Zahir laughed even louder now. "Of course it is the half-man you speak of."

Eudemas frowned. "I do not know what you mean by half-man, but it sounds like you ridicule him. You should know he is a close friend to my lady and I do not appreciate you insulting him."

Zahir smirked. "It is not an insult. He is not a man. He lacks certai..."

"Is there a problem here?" A deep voice interrupted Zahir. Lykander stepped in between Eudemas and the rider from Tirèze. "You were told to leave the household alone."

The man scowled. "We were only talking. I did not know the woman belongs to you."

Lykander narrowed his eyes. "She belongs to herself. And you'd do well to leave her alone. You are a guest in this house. Behave as such."

Zahir scoffed. "With what authority do you speak, boy?"

"With the authority given to me," Lykander retorted, "you are here to speak to the lady Vara. She will be home in the next few days. Do not bother the women of this house."

Zahir gritted his teeth and took a step forward, but his friends had walked up to him and pulled him back.

"Do not fight, Zahir," Mithridates soothed his friend, "we still need their help."

Zahir scoffed. "He is just a boy. What does he know about fighting."

"We are not here for him," Kaveh said, "king Darius sent us here to ask for men. We must wait." He looked at Lykander. "We are not enemies."

"Then don't make yourselves enemies," Lykander answered.

Kaveh gave a nod and pulled his friend away.

Lykander looked at Eudemas. "Are you alright?"

Eudemas nodded. "I am fine. He was only boasting of his manliness." She smiled. "Thank you."

The young man answered her smile. "Lady Vara wouldn't appreciate if I let anyone of her household come to harm."

Eudemas laughed. "You are right about that. If she were here, she would have boxed his ears."

Lykander smirked. "Now that would have been something to see."

Eudemas smiled and picked up the now empty laundry basket. "Good day, Lykander," she greeted him and walked towards the kitchens.

"Eudemas!" Lykander called after her.

The serving girl looked over her shoulder questioningly.

Lykander cleared his throat sheepishly and rubbed his neck. "Have you seen Chloe today by any chance?"

Eudemas laughed softly. "She went out to the market this morning. She should be back soon, don't worry."

Lykander smiled and inclined his head. "Have a good day." He turned and walked back to the gardens.

Eudemas shook her head amused. "And you."