I go on morning walks.
Everyday, at the same time like clockwork, it was a routine that I've not broken once.
A routine that won't break even if there is an arrogant royal adviser staying in a lodgings just a bit far from my house.
Which is a good thing because I really need to clear my head after yesterday's events.
I haven't even been able to process the entire thing yet.
First, dad dies and now a bunch of fancy royal servants come barging into town and demanding to see him.
And then there's Mae...she's been bothered and constantly on edge ever since, she barely slept last night and kept fidgeting this morning and looking out the window anxiously all the time.
But for now, I decided to push those thoughts away, this was supposed to be a refreshing morning walk to clear my head like it always does.
Yet it isn't clear...
I groaned silently in frustration as I kept walking alongside the trail inside the forest.
My eyes were constantly scanning the area and observing for anything new, my ears listening intently for any unusual sounds that could potentially be dangerous.
After all, this is a forest; it was filled with animals both small and big yet dangerous enough as it is.
I never bring my bow and quiver of arrows with me on my morning walks, instead I always brought a hunting knife and of course a leather sling bag.
The air was cold and there was a bit of fog surrounding the trees and everywhere else. Scattered twigs and leaves everywhere, quite a cloudy day too, no sign of any clear sunlight gracing us with its presence.
It was peaceful...until I heard a twig snap behind me.
With swift and hasty movements, I picked up a stone and threw it towards the source of the sound.
"Ow!" It yelled, turns out it was a man; one that I've never seen before.
He was tall and had quite the muscular frame, his hair was golden blond and his eyes were just as gray as the skies right now.
"What was that for?" He asked loudly as if he was insulted.
I couldn't blame him though, who wouldn't be insulted when someone throws a stone at them?
"You scared me!" I retorted.
"I didn't mean to!" He said defensively.
"Doesn't matter, you still scared me!" I repeated.
"Okay okay, I'm sorry for scaring you...I really didn't mean to." He apologized, lowering his voice now.
"Well...I am sorry for throwing a stone at you." I also apologized.
There was an awkward silence between us right after that until he spoke again.
"So...you come here often?" He asked, trying to make small talk.
"I live here." I answered plainly like it was the most obvious answer in the world and it was.
"Right...stupid question, sorry."He muttered.
"Who are you?" I asked, raising a brow at him.
"Oh uh, Knight...Andriel Knight." He said as he walked towards me and held out hand for me to shake which I did.
"Diana Fletcher." I introduced myself.
"Fletcher? You're a child of Thomas?" He asked.
"One and only." I proclaimed.
"I heard he died..." He continued, his voice was low and hesitant as if he didn't want to accidentally say something wrong.
"You heard right."
"I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thanks...so, are you a soldier of Norumann?" I questioned.
"Yes, I am." He answered immediately.
"That's quite fitting." I remarked.
"How so?" He asked in confusion.
"Your name...Knight? It's fitting with you as a soldier." I explained.
"Oh right, I never noticed." He mumbled, and just like that we went back to awkward silence.
We didn't speak much again after that and I pretty much lost any motive or energy to keep going on my morning walk and so I walked back to Mornfal.
Andriel followed behind me quietly, I guess he was lost inside the forest because he stayed close as if the moment he got too far or looked away for even just one second I would disappear.
Soon enough, we got back to Mornfal which wasn't that far since we didn't walk too deep into the forest.
We went our separate ways as soon as we got out of the forest. I set off straight to my house and I didn't entirely bother to look at where he was going to but I will make the assumption he made his way to the lodgings.
When I entered my house, Mae was no longer looking out the window and was instead cooking.
She was either cooking from routine or from anxiety but judging on how hasty she was slicing the vegetables, I'd go with the latter.
I approached her slowly, careful not to startle her.
"Mae...?"
"Oh hey, you're back." She said softly, turning her head a bit to glance at me before turning her attention back to slicing the vegetables.
"Are you okay?" I asked worriedly.
She chuckled quietly at me, "You asked the same question yesterday.".
"Well, I'm asking again and don't lie to me." I said sternly.
She sighed and put the knife down to face me, "I'm just scared...".
That took me by surprise, Mae wasn't the type to ever put her guard down even to me. Her childhood wasn't all that great and that had left her scarred and untrusting to everybody she meets.
Seeing her so vulnerable and honest was not something you would see everyday and as much I want to see more of her like this, I knew that this was the only defense mechanism she has in life.
I hugged her, I was scared too but I did not want to admit it and I could tell neither did she.
That precious moment between us ended when a loud knock was heard on our door.
And in an instant, I saw Mae regain her composure and hastily went off to get the door.
I followed after her as she opened we saw Lord Berne. Unfortunately.
Fortunately, Mae had calmed down from yesterday adn was back to being polite, "Good Morning Lord." She greeted, stepping aside to let him inside.
As expected, he didn't return the greeting but did let out a grunt in response.
Better than him hurling insults, I guess.
He walked in, his hands behind his back while the two guards from yesterday followed behind him.
"I have my decision." He proclaimed.
And yes, I was expecting disappointment and I was right to do so.
"I will not hire you, I don't think you can do the job better than a man would." He explains.
Knew it.
Before I could speak, someone else did it.
"Sir, if I may..." A soldier behind him starts speaking.
Andriel Knight.
Lord Berne turns back and stares at him, "Speak, boy."
"Don't you think his majesty should decide? After all, his word is absolute." Andriel states.
That sentence was enough to put Lord Berne into thought again before he finally came to yet another decision, "Very well, Andriel...his majesty shall decide their fate." He says before turning back to me again.
"Pack your bags, you're travelling to Norumann with us." He orders before exiting the house.
It all went by so fast, I didn't have time to fully process it as he left, Andriel giving me a small thumbs up before following after him along with the other two guards.
"We leave at dawn." He called out one last time before walking away to the lodgings.
Mae closed the door and stared at me for a bit in disbelief, "Did that just happen?" She asked, as if she was looking for confirmation.
"It did..." I muttered, just as shock as she was.
"I-we gotta go pack and...and prepare..." Mae mumbled,, starting to ramble about the possibilities and how our lives were more or less going to change from this very moment.
Dad...please help me.