Hearth had never been so humiliated in his entire life, losing to a commoner with only the instruction of a two-year-old. In Abrosite, a subdomain of Fulmen, he lived a life of luxury and prestige, among his brothers he was considered with the most potential. His father Aaron was quite fond of him and showered him with gifts but he was also strict when it came to training so he did not slack off. He quickly defeated his brothers and even defeated his siblings who were slightly older than him. He was the son of Aaron's first wife and thus a legitimate heir to the Bedross' domain.
Abrosite was one of the richest provinces under Fulmen since there was a small magic crystal mine in the location also it was in close proximity with Bren and trades between the two aided in its wealth. As for the magic crystals, where ever you were located in the Imperium, you could only export crystals and cores to the Imperial Capital, no one complained though because they also paid a hefty sum for the goods.
It was the Imperium that would then distribute finished products like a lighting magic core-crystal pair, these were sold at a markup. Only the Imperial Capital was sanctioned to create goods that were related to crystals and cores as they publicized its dangers and that only the best artificers could make such goods. If you wanted to know how to make one you would have to go to their Prerihan Pillar Academy where you were either taught to become an elite soldier or an artificer. Both of which were lucrative, the Soldiers of the Empire were more prestigious while Artificers were wealthier. Hearth knew this because he was groomed by Aaron to take over Abrosite in the future.
It all turned upside down one day. Hearth's mother found out that he was not actually her son. Rather Hearth was the product of Aaron and Terrane, Aaron's second cousin. When Aaron's first wife was in labour it was found out that the baby was stillborn, Aaron decided to switch the stillborn child with Terrane's own son when she fainted from delivery. Terrane agreed to this, due to the fact that if it was found out that her son was born out of wedlock he would be treated as a bastard with no hope of gaining lordship.
Aaron's first wife found out accidentally when she discovered that the midwife that helped her "deliver" Hearth and invited her to dinner. She overheard some guards talking that Aaron invited the midwife over to his study, there, she listened to their conversation as Aaron offered her more money as she was swindling him. He was caught red-handed by his wife.
Thankfully there were only a few who had heard this and Aaron effectively shut down any rumours spreading. But Aaron's first wife took her heartache and vented it at Hearth, it was pure torture to Hearth when he heard the news as he was cast away by the woman he identified as his mother. He talked to his Lord Bedross on the matter but his father also did not know what to do. He was threatened by his wife that she would spread the matter about Hearth if he ever let Hearth inherit his title.
Aaron was at a loss. Even though he wanted Hearth to be his heir there was no way that that was going to happen in the present, so before he could find a way to make his favourite succeed him he consulted Reitz on the matter. Reitz was happy to help Aaron but of course, he did not fail to reprimand Aaron.
Hearth was distraught when he was told that he was going to be sent to Bren to become an official vassal of Ezra. It was a misfortune, from heir to servant. He could not take it. He thought he was exiled. He drew up a plan in his mind so that he would regain his position.
He would never have thought he would face humiliation such as losing to a commoner in a duel he would have sulked in his room if not for the fact that he was still on duty to "protect" Ezra. This was the first time he had suffered losing face in front of so many powerful people, he was normally given praises at how he had so much potential. Now he was beaten like a dog but even as this happened he still held his head high as if he was still holding the Bedross' honour.
He escorted the little lord along with Evan and an injured Caspian. This was his walk of shame. They did not say anything to each other, but everyone was filled with praises for Caspian. They told him that his precise movements were outstanding, the shy boy could only smile and nod and he did not even say anything. Evan was silent, he did not want to give the notion that he was favouring either of the two vassals of Ezra, although he did. The group also lauded Ezra's instruction calling him a genius to be able to command Caspian like that. They told him that he would be a great commander in the future, maybe even much greater than his father.
Reitz had a complicated facial expression, he obviously did not know how to feel, his son did nothing wrong, in fact, he should be proud that Ezra was so capable, but he also felt that he should have protected his friend's son somehow. Aerwyna had a light smile on her face, she puffed her chest and had a proud aura on here, she only cared about the praises her son was getting.
When Hearth went to his quarters, he rolled in bed and cried his heart out. He felt utterly helpless in his predicament, with no family, no father, no friends, away from home, only to be a servant to a toddler. He felt that all his good fortune had utterly disappeared, it was as if fate took everything away from him.
The next day, he was assigned to guard Ezra again as Sir Evan was summoned by Lord Reitz for a meeting because some of the Blackfyre Guard went to with sir Deimos the Demon Hunter. Caspian and Hearth were finally allowed inside Ezra's room, they were stunned to see books and weird carvings, there was a special table made to showcase the carvings.
They thought that this was done by a master carver, it was very detailed and the carvings were bizarre. They were thoroughly shocked when they found out that it was Ezra's work. The room looked like it was the study of someone much older. Hearth was now very curious about Ezra.
"So it's just you guys, Huh? Where is Evan?" asked Ezra to both his retainers.
"Sir Evan was summoned by his lordship, it seems they are going to discuss matters about the knights," answered Hearth, he did not use any honorifics when he talked to Ezra because he was still bitter about the incident the day before.
"Hmm, so no Evan? Good! At least he won't be blamed for negligence, I doubt you two would be punished, they know you are not someone who can handle such situations." Ezra said.
"For what?" Hearth and Caspian asked.
"For this"
Ezra took them out so swiftly they could not react, both of them got knocked out.
Ezra then took off speedily and stealthily, he went to the location of the Demon Hunter.