Ballad: The Afflicted Saga: Legend of the Risen, #1

By Katika Schneider

A boy's dreams.
His sister's promise.
Destiny greater than either had imagined.
 

Born into humble obscurity, there was nothing Mathias Sagewind longed for more than to become the greatest knight Abaeloth had ever seen. When the chance comes for him to travel to Zeal—the very beacon of honor and justice—he vows to make the best of the opportunity and chase that dream by apprenticing under one of the holy city's out-of-work demon hunters.
 

But not all dreams are blissful and even the bravest of hearts can be shaken.
 

Demons have surfaced on Abaeloth after decades withdrawn in the hells. Lacking in his faith and with childhood notions of glory and adventure bursting to life in the most unexpected way, Mathias must rally his courage and strength to protect the mortal realm from the conquest of these wicked abominations.
 

Plummeted into brutal chaos, there is one thing Mathias Sagewind will do at any cost—and that is to become the greatest demon hunter Zeal has ever seen. With all the land relying on the rare talents of his sworn order, he must stand as a defiant bastion between demons and mortals, the cursed and divine, life and death. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katika Schneider
• Release date: Jul 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9781952673139

Book preview

The Afflicted Saga

Ballad

Legend of the Risen: Book I

Katika Schneider

Copyright © 2023 Katika Schneider

All rights reserved.

This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction, distribution, or unauthorized use of the material contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of the author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual locations, events, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

No Generative AI Training Use.

This author expressly prohibits the use of this book and any other title published by her for the use of training any and all artificial intelligence technologies to generate text. This book was written by a living human for the enjoyment of other living humans, without the use of predictive language software in any part of its creation. All efforts have been made to ensure all affiliated artwork has been created by fellow human beings. Katika Schneider thanks you sincerely for supporting the arts and those who create them.

ISBN: 978-1-952673-13-9

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Coming Soon

About the Author

For Mrs. Tubbs

I can only hope I inspire half as many writers as you did.

Thank you for the encouragement.

I put it to good use.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you to all of you who so graciously spread knowledge of Abaeloth's existence to others. Mathias might have set out to Zeal to become the Best Knight Zeal Has Ever Seen™, but you all are, hands down, the Best Readers I Have Ever Seen™.

Thanks will always go out to Sarah of Sarah Miller Creations for always turning my crudely-drawn sketches into such beautiful covers.

My continued appreciation to the Superstars Writing Seminar Tribe for helping me grow into the best author I can possibly be.

And to my beta team: your enthusiasm and continued requests for more never fail to keep the fire lit under me even on the days that seem too hard.

ONE

T hree days? Sabrina glanced out the logging office's window to where she'd left her boy posted, frowning as she followed the twelve-year-old's intense focus toward the town gates.

Dale shrugged his brawny shoulders and looked down at the counter. I'm sorry, Missus Sagewind. Same storm that dropped the tree on your fence has muddied up the ground too much for my boys and their horses to safely manage. Maybe Gregor can patch the hole with some fallen branches in the meantime?

No, Sabrina answered absently as a series of distant, metallic flashes passed by Broadfell's watchmen. That tree only fell because it'd been dead a year. May as well leave the hole than patch it with rotten wood. She blinked, and her son was gone. Choking on her embarrassment, she slapped three silver pieces on the counter for the boards she'd ordered and hastily made for the door. I'll have Gregor see what he can do and check back with you in three days.

You ought to teach that boy of yours to relax, Dale called after her with a hearty chuckle. Not everything is a knightly emergency. The door thudded shut.

Sabrina grabbed up a fistful of her skirt to allow herself a faster stride as she chased down her son. A knightly emergency, indeed!

Mathias truly was a good boy. He was a hard worker and the most obedient of the six Sagewind children. He had a natural sense for honor and justice and an unhealthy fascination with those who carried such virtues into their professional lives. Yes, Mathias, the son of plain and honest farmers, had the lofty dream of someday becoming a knight. It was a dream which Sabrina and Gregor had allowed him to indulge in his entire life, assuming he'd eventually grow out of it, but the boy still carried around his homemade wooden sword, chest puffed out with the confidence of childhood while he policed the shenanigans of his peers. With Mathias approaching adulthood, the charm of his fancies was aging just as briskly. Sabrina had tried to curb his obsession by assigning him quests to escort her through her errands, but the one event able to thwart Mathias from his contracted duties was the appearance of living, breathing knights entering their little town.

Broadfell seldom had knights pass through and the few times they had, Mathias had done a thorough job of embarrassing his parents as he boasted of his heroics and asked unending strings of questions about their swords and their horses and how hot it was to wear armor. He hadn't seemed to catch the knights' irritation with him when he was half his age, but Sabrina feared what would happen to his gentle heart when he asked the wrong hero the wrong question and got a harsh reply. With one final dash, Sabrina lunged forward and grabbed Mathias's shoulder. He stopped, as obedient as ever, and turned his beaming green eyes and crescent grin up to her.

Mother! Knights! There's at least six of them.

Sabrina nodded mutely as she panted for breath and looked down the main avenue to where the group of armored men dispersed down the smaller residential lanes.

Do you think I could go talk to them? With the miraculous agility of childhood, the wooden sword was in Mathias's hand. "I've been practicing every day and I bet they could teach me how to get even better."

Two of the knights had moved well out of view, and Sabrina dropped her skirt to lower Mathias's blade and turn him around to guide him from temptation and back toward home. We've got to get back to the farm. She placed her hand between Mathias's shoulders to keep him traveling in the correct direction. You've still got chores to finish.

Mathias craned his head around to try determining what business the knights had in town until his neck couldn't twist any further. Remorsefully obeying the limitations of his body, he cast his hopeful eyes up at his mother. Once I've finished my chores, may I have my leave?

Sabrina sighed and kept her focus on the road leading away from the knights. She treasured her son's honesty and wonder, but at his age, his fixation with the glory tied to knights was losing its innocent novelty. No, dear. I believe I require your services at home—

But, Mother—

And Jameson will need help in the barn, lest you've forgotten we can't turn out the cows until your father clears that tree from the fence and we can get it repaired.

Mathias's lips pressed tight in a disappointed pout which his personal knightly code prevented him from expressing further, and Sabrina's heart ached. If only the Sagewind family had access to the station or means to make it appropriate for Mathias to taste the excitement he craved...

Your duty, my dear, is to protect your family first. We are all counting on you to help today, more than we'll ever count on the men who just came to town.

The reminder that he was fulfilling the most important role available to him softened the boy's expression, though he did cast one more look behind himself to grab a final glimpse of flashing steel. What do you suppose they're here for?

Likely just stopping by to restock on supplies. Sabrina smiled and gave Mathias a playful nudge. Why, I'll bet at least one of them leaves here with something they couldn't have had if not for our very own farm.

Mathias brightened a little more at the notion of indirectly supporting his unnamed heroes. I suppose there's honor in that.

Content that she'd secured Mathias's compliance for the morning, Sabrina let her worries over what her son would do next fade from mind. The best kind, if you ask me. It may not come with all the glory and excitement you're after, but our family's got one of the most important pursuits there is.

Mathias rubbed his fingers along the worn wooden hilt of his sword as he contemplated his mother's words. It was a fair assessment, but though Mathias truly was grateful for what he had and the good his lot in life allowed him to do, he still dreamed of much more. Do you think they plan to stay the night?

Sabrina laughed and tousled her son's blond hair. Mattie, the roosters haven't quit greeting this morning's sun yet. Wherever your knights are heading, they've still got a full day to gain ground on their quest. When Mathias's shoulders slumped, she smiled at him fondly. There will be others who pass through eventually. Maybe on that day, we won't have so much work to tend to.

Optimism was a trait which came naturally to Mathias, but all of the optimism in the world wouldn't make him want to speak to these knights any less. Withdrawing the urge to kick a stone in their path, desperate to prove his maturity to both his mother and any of the knights who might be watching, Mathias carried out the rest of his escort mission and dutifully went to the barn to help his younger brother tend to the cows.

THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG with the quiet, simple life, and Mathias respected those who wanted such predictability. There was nothing wrong with his peers who already spoke of inheriting their fathers' businesses or apprenticing with the butcher or fletcher. As his mother had pointed out, those sorts of occupations were important and kept society functioning. But let the other kids have their simplicity; greater things awaited Mathias and he knew it. Broadfell lacked anyone with the clout to officially grant him a prestigious title, but that didn't bother Mathias. He'd be a knight of whichever city gave him an offer first.

What's got your tongue today? Jameson drove his shovel into the soiled barn floor and leaned his chin atop it. He often picked at Mathias over his obsession with knights in the annoying way only ten-year-old boys can, which was why Mathias had elected to forego telling him about the morning's excitement.

There's a lot of work to get done. Mathias kept his eyes on his task, hefting a hearty scoop of manure into the waste cart. Thought I'd save my breath for chores.

Jameson grumbled at Mathias's reminder and grunted as he straightened and filled his shovel. Nah, something else is bothering you.

Mathias wiped his brow with his sleeve and plucked for excuses. Lying was most certainly dishonorable, but so was opening the doors for mockery. We can't get the fence fixed for three days. That means more work for us, more stress for Mother and Father, and the cows getting cranky for being locked up.

Jameson deposited his load and put down his shovel to cross his arms. No, I don't think that's quite it, either.

Mattie!

Both boys spun to face the barn door at their little sister's squeal. No less excitable than Mathias, it was often difficult to tell if Julianna was happy or hurt. A moment after her breathy address, she'd thrown open the barn door, faded pink skirt fluttering around her skinny legs, green eyes alight from within the wild tumble of her long blonde hair as she squished her bare toes in the mud outside the door.

Mattie! Julianna reached a hand toward him to keep from needing to enter the filthy barn and waved her entire arm. "A knight's coming down the road! A real, live knight!"

Mathias's shovel fell from his hands and into the slop of the dirty barn, even as Jameson laughed at his stupefied expression. Such antagonization didn't make it through Mathias's awe and he was already cobbling together excuses to throw his mother's way when she tried to tell him the knights weren't interested in him now. Wordlessly, he dashed through the dirty barn and took Julianna's extended hand. She grinned at him and spun around to lead him from the barn as Jameson demanded to know where Mathias thought he was going.

Julianna dragged Mathias around to the front of the house, though she didn't have to exert much effort to do so, and she pointed her free hand down the road. "See, Mattie? He's coming! Here!"

The house's front door groaned open, followed by Sabrina curtly calling for her husband. The two youngest of the mobile Sagewind children found their way into the yard, but Mathias noticed none of that. All he saw, all that mattered, was the man striding toward their humble farm.

His shoulders were broad, and he only wore parts of his armor, exposing the solid brawn of his arms and legs in a way Mathias instantly admired. His pale brown hair was shorn short and his scabbard was well-loved, evidence to the many adventures he'd participated in. His jaw was rugged and strong, brown eyes confident but kind and directed straight toward the bouncy little girl and her dumbstruck brother as the rest of the Sagewind family filed out behind them.

For once in their lives, none of them had to worry about Mathias running up to this esteemed guest and making a fool of himself, as he stood, transfixed in wonder and unable to contort his tongue enough to form words. Those knights who had passed through Broadfell between quests had never ventured so far from the main roads, and this knight was the most distinguished guest the modest homestead had ever received.

Children, Gregor's voice was marked with an unsettling tension. Go inside and get yourselves cleaned up.

Jameson and six-year-old Moleigh obeyed immediately, but Julianna only made it as far as squeezing Mathias's hand as the boy's numb fingers loosened the wooden sword from where it was tied to his belt. The few times he'd snatched a moment or two with other knights, he'd tried his best to impress them with how handy he was with his trusty stick, but the fluttering of his heart suggested that even his finest parries and thrusts wouldn't so much as hold this man's interest. He gulped on this sudden reflection of his obvious shortcomings as the knight neared them and for the first time, Mathias was embarrassed by his beloved blade.

The sound of the infant Sagewind daughter fussing at her siblings' frantic efforts filtered from the house, and Sabrina ducked back inside to tend to her cries as the knight came to a casual stop before Gregor and his two children.

Good afternoon, Sir Knight, Gregor said, a nervous hitch which Mathias had never heard catching in his voice.

And to you. The knight's words were steady and warm, and he passed his eyes over Jameson and Moleigh as they peeked through the window and unsuccessfully worked on tidying themselves, then turned a more contemplative gaze to the two filthy children before him. My name is Sir Reghar Nivus, Knight of the Order of the White Circle. I've come from Zeal with a few of my brothers in arms on a scouting mission. Might I ask you a few questions?

Gregor glanced down at Mathias, frowning at how close the boy's eyes were to popping out of his head and how red his cheeks had become from holding his breath. There would be no fair way to discourage Mathias from getting his hopes up, as Gregor knew better than to withhold information which might assist the holy city. He placed a restraining hand on Mathias's shoulder and cleared his throat.

Of course, Sir Nivus. Gregor fished a piece of silver from the pouch at his belt and pressed it into Mathias's hand. Mathias, take your brother and sisters back to town and pick up a sack of flour. Your mother said she was running low.

Muscle memory closed Mathias's fingers around the coin, but couldn't motivate him to think clearly enough for his youthful brain to remember the tenants of obedience. If Mother needed flour, we'd have picked some up this morning when—

Mathias... Gregor warned, flushing at the degree of focus Sir Nivus placed on his unusually argumentative son. I gave you your orders.

Mathias met Reghar's eyes with a fluctuating confidence and licked his lips. I know Broadfell better than almost anyone. If Sir Nivus needs something found, I—

I'm sure if Sir Nivus needs your help, we'll be able to get to you in time for you to make all the difference. But for now, your mother and I need you to run to town and fetch a sack of flour.

Julianna squeezed her brother's hand, green eyes softening with sympathy for his position. No matter how badly Mathias wanted to stay and hear all of the wonderful and important things Reghar had to say, Julianna's uncanny wisdom suggested that he'd be better served to keep quiet and do as he was told. An obedient boy displaying disobedience before the very sort of man he hoped to impress would do nothing for Mathias's honor.

Sniffing back his complaints, Mathias squirmed his hand out of Julianna's grip so he could resecure his loosened sword to his belt. He might have been frustrated with his father, but he was even more ashamed of his childish behavior. Yes, sir, he caved at last. James, Moleigh. We need to go to town. His heart was far from his voice and he didn't look up as his siblings hustled outside, but neither did he thwart Julianna's hand weaseling into his once again. Biting the inside of his cheek, Mathias set course down the farm's dirt path.

Mathias, is it? Reghar asked, turning just in time to see the boy jar to a stop and straighten to attention. A good knight always follows his orders, even if he doesn't want to. Your family is lucky for your service. I'll not keep you from your duty any longer.

Did you hear that, Mattie? Julianna whispered, sending a brilliant grin back to Reghar. He said you were a knight!

Too overcome with the morning's emotions as it was, Mathias couldn't get himself to turn around to properly thank Reghar for the generous commendation. Instead, the boy decided to keep the knight from being a liar in the first place and raised his chin. Well, you heard him, he told the other children with the grand authority which came from the responsibility of being the oldest. We have our orders. Let's move out.

"You had orders..." Jameson muttered as he trudged along behind. He scuffed his boot against the road to send a rock bouncing out ahead of the procession. Moleigh failed in her attempt to mimic him.

My orders included bringing you along, Mathias said. So I'm honor-bound to make sure you come with me.

The younger brother continued to voice his complaints which the older accepted in practiced stride, Julianna's spirited soprano popping up from time to time to emphasize parts of her favorite brother's logic. Gregor held his breath and wrung his hands as Reghar watched his brood disappear around the bend, and he winced when the knight chuckled.

You've got quite the special group of kids on your hands, Reghar said.

Gregor swallowed his nervous choke and cast placating eyes to Reghar. Mathias has admired knights from the day he saw his first. He meant no harm—

Reghar dismissed Gregor's excuses with the flip of a hand. He didn't come close to offering any. His spirit and heart are in the right place. I'd be interested to see what he's made for himself ten years from now.

Gregor flushed and glanced about his storm-battered property, unable to help but feel embarrassed on his son's behalf. The plan has been for him to take on the family farm. It may not look like much right now, but later in the season, when the crops are thriving and the calves have all dropped, it has its own charm.

Reghar looked back to the flustered man. Is Mathias content with this arrangement? To hang up his wooden sword and live a simple life?

Gregor floundered for the correct words to use with Reghar but found them increasingly hard to grasp. He speaks of how he'll run the farm at least half as much as he talks about knightly ambitions. He's a good boy and he works hard. The better part of him knows his lot in life and so we've never seen any harm in letting him enjoy his daydreams while he still has the time for them. Reghar's expression didn't change from that subtle air of skepticism and Gregor remembered the knight's authority at last. Forgive me for prattling about my boy. You came here with questions. Mathias couldn't have possibly been what you wanted to ask about.

Reghar's face softened with a genial smile which flustered Gregor even more. Indeed, Mister...

Gregor hastily wiped the grime and sweat from his hand on his pants leg and extended it forward. Sagewind. My name is Gregor Sagewind.

Though it would have been more appropriate for Gregor to have bowed in respect of a knight of the Order's title, Reghar accepted his hand in a firm grasp. Sagewind is a strong name.

Strong enough to work a farm. If you'd prefer to continue our discussion indoors, my home is modest but does offer comfort out of the sun.

Reghar nodded at the offer. That would do well. I believe it would be of benefit for your wife to be included in our discussion, anyway.

The offer stood, but Reghar's comment was not one Gregor had anticipated. Sabrina's circle of acquaintances was even more limited than his own and he was certain she'd have nothing more to offer Reghar than Mathias did. Whether or not the request made sense, Reghar wasn't just some questing noble but a representative of the highest organized power on Gelthin and, if rumors were to be believed, all of Abaeloth. If this knight deemed Sabrina beneficial to his questions, Gregor was obligated to facilitate as much as possible. Well out of his element, Gregor turned and opened the door to his house.

Stray straw clung along the baseboards and tracks from Julianna's muddy feet scampered about the worn wooden floors. A sturdy cradle and two chairs were positioned on either side of a stone fireplace, a half-finished quilt draped over the back of the smaller one. Before the fireplace, a toddler son played with a collection of colorful marbles, and dolls crafted out of corn husks lay scattered before the hearth. Two wooden tables sat further back, one centered in the dining area while the other was butted up beneath a window with foodstuffs in mid-preparation strewn across it. The home was aged and seemed too small to comfortably house a family of this size, but its furnishings spoke of warmth which Reghar approved of. As the knight closed the door behind himself, the rapid drum of Sabrina's footsteps came from the hall to his right.

Gregor, did you manage to— A sharp gasp cut off her words as she entered the common room and saw Reghar inside her home. Sliding her youngest onto one hip, she bustled over to the scattered toys before the fireplace and began unsuccessfully trying to gather them from her toddler. Please excuse me, Sir. I-I hadn't known you planned to come inside.

No need to apologize, Missus Sagewind. Your hands are quite full with your young ones. I'd have more reason for concern if your home showed no signs of lives lived and loved.

Sabrina immediately halted her efforts of cleaning up the mess her children had left and stood, grabbing Parker's hand as he pulled at her skirt. Gregor crossed the room to stand beside her, clearing his throat as he tried to draw upon some of that flowery etiquette Mathias liked to throw about.

Here we are, Sir Nivus. As you requested. If there is anything my family can do to assist Zeal, we would be honored to comply however possible.

Reghar's smile faltered as he soaked in the nervous couple before him, well aware of how a knight standing in the entryway of their home had shaken their entire day. He looked at their toddler sucking his entire fist at Sabrina's side and the infant pulling at her hair, and he followed Gregor's arm as it reached in support across her back. It was forward enough to have interrupted their routine, and he did not envy them the distress his following words would offer. But he was here on orders, and he would fulfill them whether or not he wanted to.

Zeal appreciates your willingness, but I must assure you that if you are unable to uphold your vow of service for any reason—and I must stress, any reason at all—neither I nor the Order will hold you at fault. The question which my compatriots and I have come here to ask is difficult to speak and, I'd venture, even more difficult to answer.

Sabrina shifted closer to her husband and his lips pressed into a thin line as their lists of fears played out through their worried eyes. Was Zeal after their livestock? Their land? Was there a war brewing which required Gregor's service? Did they owe taxes to the Citadel which they'd be unable to pay? Tears began to line the lower lids of Sabrina's eyes and as she trembled against him, Gregor caved to his tension.

I am afraid we have little to offer Zeal, he said. What you see around you is the limit of our holdings and the animals are how we make our living.

Reghar took a labored breath and looked away from the fretting couple. With all of the terrible conclusions they'd already made, they'd overlooked the one he was after. I believe your family has more to it than what is in this house or on the property now, Reghar said gently. When the only response he received was the oblivious cooing of the Sagewinds' youngest, he continued. Times are changing in Zeal and Abaeloth as a whole, and all I am permitted to tell you is that Zeal is in need of a new generation of priestesses to interpret Etha's word and will. My presence at your farm today indicates a likely candidate resides in your home.

Before Reghar had finished his statement, Sabrina had already gasped her reservations and Gregor was fiercely shaking his head. Having dealt with several similar reactions—and a few more severe than this—over the past weeks on this assignment, Reghar raised his hand to command them both to an unwilling silence.

I will repeat that Zeal does not demand your compliance, but I cannot emphasize enough the amazing potential lying dormant in your oldest daughter and I fully believe she would be capable of holding the honor of one of the Order's revered priestesses.

But she's just a girl! Sabrina blurted before sensibility could hold her words at bay. Her tears followed soon after.

She is, Reghar granted. But I don't think I need to explain to you the wisdom she possesses. She's already hearing Etha's voice, of that I'm certain, even if she isn't, and we've been instructed to search for girls with such a rare blessing to help cultivate what they've been given before the cruelties of life impact who they will become.

Gregor hadn't stopped shaking his head and, bolstered by Reghar's willingness to let Sabrina voice her concern, allowed his own accusation fly. You come into my home and demand I hand my daughter off to Zeal—

Reghar closed his eyes and raised a placating hand. I've demanded nothing—

Beside himself, Gregor struck a fierce step forward and held his arm protectively in front of his wife. How do we know you are truly in the Order's employ? How do we know you aren't some devious brigand?

Gregor...

He jerked his arm free from Sabrina's timid grasp. You're asking us to send our daughter away on the word of a complete stranger. Dizzy and breath heaving at the audacity expended to confront the sturdy and well-armed man, Gregor staggered backwards and sank into one of the chairs before his knees failed him.

Mister and Missus Sagewind, Reghar said, moved to compassion rather than anger at the heated attacks on his title and pride. I know what I've presented you is an impossible request, and I will repeat that neither myself nor Zeal will think less of you for declining. But if you are interested, I will arrange for my page to deliver a signed and sealed copy of my orders as proof of my identity and intentions. I'll not insult your judgement or love for your daughter by assuming you'd send her with me or any other stranger, but Zeal has approved traveling funds for two so her escort can be a trusted associate of your choosing.

Sabrina hadn't moved and Gregor sat in silence as his head quit spinning quite so violently with Reghar's explanation and the potential prestige his little girl could claim for the Sagewind name. And what of this gift you say my Julianna's got? How can you be sure she can hear your Etha's voice any more clearly than one of my old cows can?

Reghar held the girl's name in his mind for a moment. Julianna Sagewind was a splendid name to match the title of High Priestess. The sect I belong to is trained in the divine visions, and we can see aspects of the world which most cannot. Just as clearly as we can all see the honor in Mathias, I can see the blessing about Julianna. The Mother Goddess shines through her eyes and the wholesome innocence of her mind and mannerisms. Girls with this gift are few, and Zeal is in desperate need of those pure and blessed enough to bridge Etha's will to the mortal plane. Your Julianna is one in thousands capable of even attempting such a feat.

Gregor clenched his jaw as logic and skepticism wrestled about in his brain and when he spoke, it was with a far more calculated calm than he'd previously had access to. If we agree to send her—

Gregor! Sabrina gasped, sobs wracking her voice.

Her husband bowed his head and lifted a gentle hand for her silence. "If we send her, where would she live? Who would watch over her with half the devotion we would? Zeal is nearly a week's ride from here. How would we know she was well?"

Reghar shifted his weight to rest the other leg. Though they'd come close, the Sagewinds hadn't kicked him out of their dwelling yet, which was a promising sign. If you send her to Zeal, she would be housed comfortably with other girls her age in the Citadel's dormitory, all needs met free of charge for the duration of her training. Testing would occur seasonally and those less fit to interpret Etha's will would be safely escorted back home, at the Order's sole expense. Those who pass these trials would continue their training within the temple as they develop their personal blessings. Should Julianna complete her training and be selected for permanent residency, she would accept the noble title of Priestess, retain room and board in the Citadel, and receive a comfortable stipend for her service to Zeal, protected and cared for with all the might the Order has to offer. Zeal remains an open city. You are welcome to visit and check on her welfare, and we have a superior network of messengers to relay communications. You have my word, Zeal wants what is best for Julianna every bit as much as you do.

Sabrina resumed her quiet lamenting, stumbling over all of the reasons Julianna was just a normal little girl, but both men, holding each other's eyes with a tense understanding, did a fair job tuning her out. The Sagewind family had never placed much interest in the workings of the divine realm and, if anything, found themselves among those still resentful for the damage done to Abaeloth by the juvenile bickering of the old gods. Gregor's limited understanding of religion confirmed that Etha was the one who had put an end to that horrible era and he respected Zeal's political influence on Gelthin, but the way which the Sagewinds had always lived by was that hard work yielded greater benefits than blind faith in a silent goddess.

But here was Reghar, telling him on all his knightly honor that this goddess wasn't silent, that Julianna had the means to bring her voice to Abaeloth.

After a lifetime contently subscribing to the notion that a man built his own fate, the idea that his own little girl could wield such tremendous power both humbled and horrified Gregor. Reghar's reassurances only took his comfort so far; if Etha had selected Julianna for whatever reason and he refused to foster this gift, how might this Mother Goddess look upon the Sagewind family? On the other hand, should he hold his breath and take this leap, if he could overcome generations of doubt and self-reliance, what good could be gained? This could be the step his children needed to find futures outside of the skills he knew how to give them. One less mouth to feed might even allow them to begin saving for means to pull ahead. All he had to do was say yes.

The cacophony of the four oldest Sagewind children racing back down the little lane cut through the contemplative silence which had seized the interior, and Reghar cleared his throat. I will honor your desire to take your time with this most difficult decision, but if you were wanting to avoid troubling your children over it, I'd best be on my way.

Sir Nivus. Gregor stood as the knight turned toward the door. I'll be expecting that copy of your orders.

Reghar studied the resolve in Gregor's eyes and spared a sympathetic glance at Sabrina, who continued to murmur her misgivings. Would it be too bold of me to include travel information on the chance you accept the offer?

As the front door burst open, Gregor shook his head. It would not.

Reghar nodded his gratitude to Gregor as Sabrina firmly shoved her toddler's hand aside and hustled out the back door of the house. Mathias, panting from his great sprint back home as he burst inside, held his prized sack of flour high.

I've returned— he gasped for breath—victorious! His winded siblings filed into the house behind him, and he cast a brilliant smile at the knight.

Jameson slammed the door closed and Julianna dramatically threw herself to the ground, tongue lolling out the side of her mouth. After a careful moment of observation, Moleigh attempted the same display. Chuckling at the children's theatrics, Reghar crouched down before Mathias.

You've returned victorious?

Mathias delivered a curt nod to buy time to suck in adequate breath to speak. Objective complete.

Did you leave your men behind? Reghar asked, indulging Mathias's whims to the tense chagrin of Gregor and the growing irritation of Jameson.

No, sir! Mathias answered. They all returned with me. He gestured to the pile of girls and the glowering boy behind him.

Reghar rocked back to give the other three children a humored appraisal, noting that it seemed to require little Julianna running out of breath to quiet her, then looked back at Mathias. The knight missed the days of youth, a purer time when dreams still held value and threats of demons were nothing but frightening stories parents used to keep their children in bed. Noble birth had practically handed Reghar his title and station, but few boys of Mathias's upbringing who sought greatness in Zeal so much as snatched the position of a simple soldier. Many of those either burned out or died in their first year of service. Mathias's enthusiasm was endearing, and Reghar hoped fiercely that the boy found something else to dream about before he ever had to experience what a life in armor was truly like.

It looks to me like you left your rear flank vulnerable. Reghar said at last, patting Julianna's head as she popped upright from her feigned death to nod. What would you have done if some villainous foe came from behind while your troops were already struggling to keep up?

Any other child would have seen this observation as a humiliating reprimand, but Mathias valued it as a tactical insight to learn from. This was the first time any knight had chosen to engage with him, and he would take all he could from the experience. I would have turned and gone back at the first sign of danger, he declared definitively. I'd have told them to keep running and get to safety, and I'd have taken care of the threat myself.

Reghar's amusement faded into contemplation at Mathias's answer. He'd expected Mathias to backpedal and apologize for potentially endangering those in his care, especially after Reghar had just told him