The next day went well. I got pretty close to doing the Message spell, and with some help from Ionos, I could more or less cast it with just a little assistance, but when I was all on my own, I was left mostly just squirting a few strange letters and noises out scattershot. Still, it meant I had some idea of the fundamentals - enough I was probably able to figure out the rest on my own if I needed to, though I didn’t think Ionos was going anywhere.

  Chores went well, though Luster was much more underfoot than usual today. I was amazed by how much she’d grown - doubling her size in just a few days, she went from weighing about fifteen pounds to somewhere above sixty, and with a length from tip to tail longer than my arm. She was still inquisitive, and everything I did she wanted to watch - to the point where I didn’t spend much time farther than thirty feet away from her. If she could imitate something I did, she would, which had so far only been a problem when she’d gotten the handle of the pitchfork in her jaws.

  What Ionos had brought up the other day still burned in my chest though. Ionos had only told me that something was happening today, almost guiltily, and as I tried to enjoy my sandwich on break, I found myself tight-lipped with concern, grabbing the innocent bread a little harder than I needed to.

  Mary slid in next to me on the rafter I was hanging off of with my meal.. “Hey there! Dad sent me to make sure you weren’t off growing more weird plants and ruining his yard!”

  I shook my head with a groan. “Trust me, after the earful I got over the ferns, I’m not about to make that mistake again.”

  Mary just gave an exaggerated shrug. “Dad was actually saying they might be useful with some drying, so I don’t think he cared as much as he let on. Probably a good idea to avoid doing that without permission in the future, though.”

  I just rolled my eyes and sighed. “Yeah, that much I gathered, don’t worry. I’ll leave it alone for right now.”

  “Pff. My older sister used to do worse all the time and got away with it…” Mary paused, putting a finger to her face, before adding with a grin, “Then again, he probably doesn’t find you nearly as cute!”

  I blinked at that, putting down my sandwich for a moment as a thought crossed my mind. I adjusted the overalls I was wearing - something newly provided by the local tailor as a thank you to Adam to help their new farmhand out on their feet.

  “Yeah… I’ve been meaning to ask about that.” I noted with a sigh, giving a look over Mary. Her overalls were certainly more weathered than mine, born with a history of working on this farm, and her hair was still back in the ponytail she usually defaulted to when she was working. Her blue eyes met mine inquisitively as we talked, and I was left pondering just how used I’d gotten to enjoying lunch with her everyday already. She’d definitely inherited her hair and eyes - and that monstrous strength - from her father, but she looked a lot more like her mother in other ways.

  “Hmm?” She asked, kicking her feet.

  I shook my head, realizing I’d been distracted, and hid my embarrassment by clearing my throat as I forced myself to remember where I was going with this conversation.

  “Adam mentioned you had a few sisters, but I don’t think I’ve met any of them.” I asked.

  Mary just snorted. “Oh, that. All of ‘em are already out and married, so I’m the last kid mom and dad have at home. I think it’s why dad tends to be extra-protective to most people nowadays about me. He’s not ready to be in a home without his kids in it, I think.”

  “Oh… do they usually visit, at least?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.

  Mary gave a small hum as she thought about the question. “It depends, but usually we see them at least a few times a year. ‘Cept for Delia, all of them are usually swinging around, but it’s a busy period on the farm right now, and they usually wait until it’s quieter.”

  I just gave a nod. “Must be rough for him. He clearly really loves you.” I frowned, crossing my arms. “So if his other daughters aren’t coming around, he probably really hates it.”

  “Oh, I’m sure if Dad had a moment to breathe he’d be absolutely mopey about it.” Mary giggled. “But luckily, he’s had a bit of distraction recently.”

  “Really?” I asked. “From what?”

  Mary’s response was to lean over and poke me firmly on the nose. “Some weirdo with nature magic started working as a farmhand on his property and immediately found a bunch of trouble to fall into just when we got used to his squishy face.”

  “My face is not squishy!” I insisted, only for my cheek to be pinched for my trouble. “Hey!”

  “Looks squishy to me!” She teased.

  “Poin fhaken. Now preashe lem my sheeks go, ma’am.” I mumbled, as Mary finally released me with a laugh.

  “He’s always had a real problem with the idea I was leaving, anyways. The other girls never quite took to farmwork the way I did, but…I really love it. And I’d love to keep doing it for the rest of my life, ya know? And dad, he’s the same way, always loved the animals, always loved farmwork. He never really had a boy to do this kinda thing with, so we got to bond over it.” She added with a grin, pushing her hair out of her face. “So I guess you could say I got a lot closer with dad than mom - Delia and Dahlia took after her a lot more. And I don’t think Irine bonded with much of anyone.” She admitted with a shrug.

  My smile kinda grew. “You do seem to get along pretty well with your dad. Even share the same sense of humor. And throwing arm.” I noted with a grin.

  Mary just gave a proud chuckle at that. “Point is, he and I both really don’t want me to leave the farm, but at the same time… I wanna get married, you know? Have what dad has with mom with… someone. And it’s a little lame to just hang around my parent’s house for the rest of forever… but I’m going to wait until dad’s got a little more squared away, all the same. The farm’s not quite ready to lose another worker.”

  I gave a nod. “I didn’t realize you had that much on your mind. Guess you have a lot of problems to figure out, too.” I admitted. “I feel like I just dump a lot on you when we’re off-work, talking about my problems. I’m sorry I haven't been listening to yours.”

  Mary just shook her head dismissively. “Oh, don’t worry about it. You’re listening now, right? And a lot more than any boy I’ve met before. Besides… I think I’ve got a solution. I just… need to wait a little while.” She replied with a soft smile, crossing her legs as she held her hands together. “And things will work out.”

  “Really? How’d you figure-” I asked, on the edge of my seat, before I heard a deep, strong baritone.

  “Noah, The Druid Hero! Your presence has been summoned by King Ríoghnán Cesar, of the Leofric Commonwealth. Pack your things and come at once, with me, to the Court of Unity!”

  I blinked a couple times, before looking down. Despite being on the other side from the barn, the knight in resplendent crimson armor spoke with such volume and authority that I could hear him far more clearly than my old boss when he screamed in my ear. A rubbery feeling entered my legs when I heard my name called, and I turned to Mary with a smile that felt like it’d shatter if she moved just a little too fast.

  “...I guess I’ve gotta go?” I shrugged.

  Mary’s gaze followed towards my escort with a look of worry, though, a hand clasped over her mouth. “...Why is Allesandro Vasquez here?”

  I gave a double-take at that, more than a little shocked. “Allesandro Vasquez?”

  “The king’s Lord Champion.” Mary replied, and as I looked at her unblinkingly, she then added, “It makes him the king’s best warrior, meant to represent him in duels when he is away or during campaign.” She adds. “Essentially, he’s only below the king in terms of matters of security, and is considered, like… his sword, basically.” she replies, looking quite nervous.

  “So more important than Ionos?” I asked with a raised eyebrow, my chest starting to fill with the familiar butterflies of anxiety already.

  “Yeah. Even the acting Archwizard has to bow to his expertise.” She replied with a frazzled expression. I gave a determined nod, trying to look more confident than I felt when I jumped down from the rafters, and trying to avoid looking particularly pained when my knees protested - it wasn’t quite the spiral it used to be jumping down, but acting cool still had it’s painful consequences.

  The knight put a hand on his hip, the red, angular helmet reminding me of a crocodile or other predator. For how peaceful the rest of this place looked, the Lord Champion felt like I was staring at a coiled tiger.

  “So we finally meet, extra hero.” Allesandro inclined his head, his hand hovering near his blade.

  “Yeah. My name’s, Uhh, Noah. You know that, already. The Druid.” I stammered, trying to adjust my belt.

  “Indeed. You have been summoned to the castle for an inquiry. This requires you to leave as fast as possible - the king is expecting to see you personally.”

  “Inquiry?” I asked with a cold feeling growing in the pit of my stomach.

  “Indeed. You will not be given any more information on this.”

  Part of me wanted to be stubborn about this anyways and insist, but my stomach was busy doing bellyflops and this Allesandro guy’s hand was a bit too close to the hilt of his blade.

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  “Do I have time to pack anything?” I asked after a moment. “Should I be expecting to pack anything?” I added, secondarily.

  “If you have anything particularly valuable, bring it with you. But I will give you only five minutes to prepare.” he replied.

  There was a funny feeling building in my chest as I squared off with the dark helmet. In a more relaxed situation, I might be thinking about how he could see out of his helmet, or why it needed to be so darkened in the first place - If his eyes weren’t even visible when he was staring at you, how on earth could he see?

  But there was a pressure, an intensity in how he moved. I had never seen a tiger walk on two legs, yet at this moment, I felt I was seeing it for the first time. He was staring me right in the heart, I knew in my soul, and he was able to see far more than I would have wanted him to.

  “...Hmph. I heard you plan on avoiding the front lines at all costs. That you see no value in risking your life for the peace and stability of our planet.”

  My legs still shaking, I nodded, still picking up the details of his armor, as well as the absurd looking sword on his back. It was held in a jewelled red scabbard, and the pommel had the pattern of a snake inlaid across it, coiling its way from one side to the other of the weapon.

  “Yeah, I didn’t think…-”

  “Good.” He cut me off, as I stood up rigidly, my entire train of thought cut off. “I don’t know how you managed to fend off that assassin, but it does not take a trained eye to recognize a coward. If this is your normal mood, I shall use every bit of my influence to make sure no fool mistakes you as fit for the battlefield.”

  The words hurt, and yet there was a truth shining behind them that hit me like a bundle of rocks - after all, I myself was trying very hard to convince everyone else to allow me a normal life for a reason. The worst part of Allesandro’s harsh tone wasn’t that there was any malice or vitriol. It was being stated with the same clinical tone as a veterinarian explaining a life-threatening illness, or the chances of a successful surgery.

  “I… thank… you?” I murmured, wincing at the lack of teeth embedded in my own statement.

  “Make sure you pack quickly, Young Noah. I am needed-”

  My unlikely guardian stopped, putting a hand to his blade as the familiar squawk of Luster came from the wheat fields, my little dinosaur hopping forward curiously. “A monster!”

  Mary spoke up. “Wait! Luster’s-”

  Allesandro was heedless, already reaching for his weapon as he emerged into a stance, and my body began moving without a second thought.

  [Create Plant: Devil’s club!]

  I didn’t take a second to cast - it wasn’t even slowing me down a step as the staff I’d been using as a walking stick was swung with everything I had.

  “What-?” The Lord Champion yelled, a second of hesitation from the soldier as the vegetation erupted around him. Devil’s club was an ancient plant that had survived all the way to today, one that was covered in spiny fruit and absolutely covered in spines - it was also thick enough that, when the vegetation grew to take as much space as a cow, was going to be a hindrance to move through. The spines weren’t going to do much against that armour unless Allesandro moved too quickly, but they forced him to slow down and slash them apart, giving me a window to swing my quarterstaff, and…

  My belief was shattered as firmly as the walking stick I’d brought to this confrontation. I couldn’t see what Allesandro did besides a red blur, as I was thrown bodily into the nearby fence-post. Luckily for me, it was wooden, for as my ass made contact I was sure my butt would have been shattered if I had been thrown so bodily into a post of steel instead. Nothing felt broken, but things certainly hurt. Wooden shrapnel blanketed the grass from the remnants of what might have once been my quarterstaff - but I couldn’t have picked the short bit of wood left in my hand out of a line-up!

  “What are you…” Allesandro spoke with a wistful tone, confusion to match my… Well, no, I didn’t think it quite matched the pain I was in, actually. A lot of things felt quite too in pain, suddenly. Looking up to see how he looked, he seemed to be shaking off his fist - he hadn’t struck me with his blade, this was just a punch, but it definitely hurt more than the assassin’s dagger had…

  [HP: 1/134]! Unhelpfully popped up.

  “Luster is his bonded pet! He’s defending it! That’s what he’s doing!”

  “Er!....That is clearly a young drake of some strange variant, lady!” Allesandro defended, clasping a hand to his armor hard enough to create a shrill bang. “You must be confused!”

  “No! She’s a… Giga…” Mary stumbled, before biting her lip and trying again with vigor. “Giganotosaurus! Noah’s told me! He’s been taking care of him this whole time, and she’s caused absolutely no harm to anyone!” She insisted. “And if you touch him on our property, I will tell Uncle Ionos, and we will raise hell for you!”

  The Knight just turned, his expressionless helm seeming to be fixated on me. It took a few seconds before he spoke again.. “...Druid. Noah.”

  I wheezed, taking a second to try to respond as I stumbled on my knees, having slid from the post and onto the ground, putting my less-in-pain arm out with one finger to ask for a moment as I huffed and puffed.

  “If you commit to me on oath that this is true, and confirm with the wizards of our order that this is the case, I shall spare your pet of draconian resemblance. Should there be any trace of a lie, and you have indeed brought our ancient enemy to walk freely in our midst, I will execute you on penalty of treason, without hesitation. Is that understood?”

  I bobble-headed a nod, “Yeah. Oath. Whatever you want from me! Just… don’t hurt her.” I begged, unable to meet his eyes, as Luster instinctively clung to my legs, distressed and vocal, but seemingly calm.

  Allesandro clenched and unclenched his armored gauntlet once or twice, as he seemed to be staring at it in fascination.

  “...Long has it been since someone struck at me with no hesitation. Many are the assassins who would wish to be able to cloak their colors as well as you.” Allesandro spoke up. “Hurry with me. The beast will remain by your side as we walk to the capital. We shall keep moving with haste. I shall give you thirty seconds to recover from my blow.”

  “You hit… hard.” I just wheezed, slowly struggling to my feet. Thirty seconds was cruel when I wanted to take a nap for a good hour after that.

  “Blame yourself. I usually hold back far more on weaklings, but you came at me as a man. Consider that pain the consequence of your actions.” the knight snapped.

  I blinked, trying to figure out if that worked out to a compliment or an insult, before giving up and choosing to just focus on stumbling to my feet. “C-capital. Got it. Hopefully, that’s the last time someone slugs me today. Don’t think I could take more.”

  Allesandro had already turned away from me, unreadable within that great suit of armor. “...Perhaps. Let’s go.”

  I started to nod… before I stopped, shaking my hands as I turned around, walking towards Mary. “One second.”

  Mary looked pale after the conversation, a glare spread across her face still firmly centered on Allesandro

  “Noah, you don’t have to go with him. I’ll talk to dad. He’ll figure something out with Uncle Ionos. Whatever this is, it’s not-!”

  I stepped forward, and wrapped her in the greatest hug I’d managed in my life to that date, stifling the thought with a gentle smile.

  “I’ll be okay. It’s going to be fine.” I spoke with a confidence I did not feel. “I’ll be back, alright?” I said.

  Letting go was difficult, but I managed to turn away with a pivot in my legs swift enough to hide the look of death on my face as I followed Allesandro. This was an upsetting start to the day, but that didn’t mean the result had to be catastrophic. Surely whatever was going to happen, I would be able to handle it!

  As I followed him, knees still shaking from that gut punch, I took a deep breath as I tried to calm my mind. Something was going on… and I didn’t know a damn thing about what would happen next. But I’d stay calm and figure it out. Or, at least, I’d try.

  There was an aching part to me as I stared Allesandro in where I assumed his eyes were.

  “Let’s go.”

  The knight was motionless as he spoke. “Have you no possessions to bring? This may well be the last time you see this place.”

  I just gave a light chuckle that hid the cold settling into the bottom of my soul. “...Nah. Wish I’d had time to make some.”

  Allesandro took a second before turning away and opening the ranch gate. “...A shame. Come, then. And stay close - I will only ask you to follow willingly once, else I will shoulder you as baggage and carry you to the court.”

  I followed him. Every step I took from that ranch felt like a lifetime away, and yet I managed to find the determination in my steps to follow at his pace. I wasn’t sure if it was out of fear that I would never return, or resolve to come back. The answer lay where I feared to tread, yet walked to inexorably - down the road, within the castle.