The afternoon was beginning to set, as Dastan slowly trudged down the cobbled streets towards an old cottage. It was slightly excluded from the rest of the main village, closer to the edge of the woods, hidden between the trees. Dastan had tried to prevent the inevitable, by fetching fresh water from the village well.

Sighing as he glanced at the large stock of cut firewood, he knew that his sister and Kaithi would survive throughout the winter. Placing one bucket down he slowly eased open the door and stuck his head in. Noticing the empty room he ducked his head in the doorframe before depositing the two fresh buckets of water beside the door.

"Kaithi?" Dastan called out whilst dusting off his hands. Hearing a slight yelp from the kitchen he rounded the corner to see Kaithi panting with her hand over heart. Glaring at the young man he sheepishly smiled whilst she waved her wooden spoon in his direction.

Kaithi was a widow of forty and hadn't had the gift of childbearing. She kept Isadora company and took comfort in taking care of the child as if she were her own. Her brown hair was decorated in a tight braid and white flowers, most likely done by Isadora.

Her old brown clothed kirtle had patches around the hem and sleeves, showing it's age. They didn't have the luxury of buying new frocks each season. She kept a small apron around her waist to minimize the dirt on her skirt, though she often forgot she wore it.

"You should know better than to scare me!" She snapped before placing both of her rough hands against his cheeks. Pulling him down to her level, he was merely bowing for her to place a big kiss on his forehead.

"Is Isadora asleep?" He softly questioned whilst Kaithi merely shrugged and returned to her mixing bowl. Moving to the back room, which was shielded by a simple cloth, Dastan brushed it aside to see his sister lying upright. Dastan could see she was paling, that a small line of sweat trailed down her neck as he knelt down beside her.

Slowly taking her hand in his, he soothingly rubbed her palm like he did every day. She shifted under the thick furs to glance at her brother with a weakened smile. He brushed his palm against her forehead, relieved there were no signs of a fever.

"You didn't come home" She yawned as he gave her a brave smile.

"Edvard and I have been working on something for the King. We're going to make you better Isadora" He promised as she shook her head. She didn't want to believe in false hopes. The Gods had made her ill, she wasn't meant to get better.

"I'm going a trip tomorrow" Dastan slowly spoke causing her to frown in his direction.

"For how long?" She tiredly spoke uneasily.

"I don't know how long we will be." He quickly added as he could see the panic in her eyes. Though he merely smiled, kissing her forehead in hopes to make her feel better.

"I'll be back before the snow falls" He told her, though deep down he knew he couldn't promise. He had no idea when he would return, or if he would. But he wouldn't let his sister fear for his life daily when all that wasted energy could be used to healing her.

"Do you swear?" She asked as he gulped. Nodding was the best thing he could do, he wouldn't allow the oath to slip past his lips. Watching as she smiled, her eyes closed before sleep took her. Tucking her into the furs, Dastan quietly snuck back out the room to where Kaithi was standing with her arms folded.

"How long?" She sternly spoke as he merely sighed shaking his head.

"I don't know" He answered.

"Where are you going?" She quietly demanded as he merely placed his hands behind his back.

"Asreldion" He slowly spoke as he watched the anger flood into her eyes.

"Asreldion!" She screeched only to silence her anger when he glared, pointing out that Isadora was asleep. Neither said a word until they were outside the cottage, away from Isadora's window.

"Have you gone mad?" Kaithi snapped slapping the back of his head. It wasn't painful yet he allowed her to slap him to her heart's content.

"Edvard and I are going to find the Library. We can find a cure to make her better" He bargained, though it only made her anger worse.

"Edvard! That stupid old fool will get you killed! Only a mad man will go after that lost Kingdom!" She shouted.

"A desperate man will do anything to save his family" He spoke, a hint of bitterness seeping into his voice. Kaithai knew that Dastan's most treasured possession was his sister, she was the only real family he had left. Blinking back her tears, she blessed him and his journey, even though she would rather lock him away.

"You better come home!" She swore as he kissed her cheek in promise. Gathering his weapons, thick furs and spare tunics he made his way back to the castle. Edvard awaited him in the library before they both made their way to the King's dining hall. Loud music and laughter could be heard from the behind the doors as they made their way inside.

The hall held a large U-shaped dining table with the King sat at the head of the table. He was one of the ones laughing loudest, with a goblet of ale never emptying. The majority of the seats were already taken by bands of men.

A large majority of the men had ink etched into their left shoulders. It looked similar to the royal crest, yet instead of the wolf howling, it was a portrait, baring teeth with blood dripping from its fangs. These particular men were muscular and kept their swords strapped at their sides.

Dastan glanced around at that group of twenty men with narrowed eyes. He didn't like them, something about them made his back straighten and on guard. He noticed a few others on the other side of the table looking slightly uneasy. They stuck out like a sore thumb, no inch of muscle on them, which made Dastan question why they were here.

"Ah, Dastan! I have provided twenty-four men for your journey. This is Gwaine....these are his men! Horses are being prepared with the right necessities. I trust that will be sufficient?" King Barclay boasted pointing to the man beside him, before turning back to Dastan with a questioning tone with a slight slur.

"You are too kind, sire" Dastan bowed in respect causing some of the men to laugh.

"Dastan relax. Have a goblet of ale! You're not leaving until the morning. Enjoy yourself" Barclay toasted as Edvard and Dastan allowed themselves to sit near the edge of the table. They enjoyed the fresh meats, bread, and cheeses provided as they watched their future company make a fool out of themselves.

Eventually, they grew sick of the soothing music the musicians were playing and began to throw food in their direction for something more lively. Edvard merely grumbled in his seat at the sudden attack on his ears, causing Dastan to chuckle.

As the music began to pick up the men all started pounding their boots against the floor as one of them from his seat making his way to the middle as of the dining area and began singing. His words were slurred and the tune was horrifically off-key, whilst he struggled to remain on his feet. The rest found it amusing and joined in laughing at their friend and applauded him by throwing food in his direction.

It wasn't long before half of them were hooking arms and spinning in circles, with their pints of ale in the other hand. Edvard eventually retired early, disgusted by the behavior meanwhile, Dastan used it as a good time to observe his men.

He didn't know any of them, nor did he trust any of them. He noticed the King had stopped drinking and was talking to one particular man, Gwaine. He sat at his right-hand side, with his ear to the King's lips nodding every once and a while. Dastan also noticed that he had hardly touched a drop of ale throughout the evening.

He was a large man, bald, a crooked nose from being broken more than once and set in the wrong place. A dark beard was beginning to show through from a few weeks of not attending to his personal grooming. He had scars vanishing under the collar of his tunic of the right-hand side, evident from an attack with an animal.

His tunic sleeves were ripped deliberately at the shoulders, emphasizes his muscle and scars, to strike fear in his enemies. Dastan merely decided that Gwaine was the one he would have to keep an eye one. He would be the one who would strike him in the back, with no questions asked.

Once the King had called it a night so did the men. A majority of them were all passed out on the floor or on the table in the dining hall. Dastan kicked his feet off the table and decided to retire for the evening to get some rest.

He felt a pair of eyes on him and followed to the man he had observed before. Nodding to each other in farewell, they each set off in different directions towards the rooms the King had set aside for them. Dastan didn't feel easy this night and he made sure to lock his door, before sliding a dagger under his pillow, hoping to get a peaceful sleep.