After everything that had happened in the past few days, Ero could hardly wait to speak with his father. Not out of longing for his parents. He was used to being separated from his family for long periods. Some at his age were already looking down at a wife and children or seeking their fortune afar. Rather, he hoped his father could keep Alina from her foolishness. The girl might be a skilled dancer who knew how to defend herself with a sword, but against a horde of wild barbarians led by one of the greatest robbers, even Alina couldn't defend herself. Sometimes he even wished she would long for the protective arms of a man, far away from any dubious characters. Amidst these thoughts, he didn't even care if those arms belonged to him or someone else, as long as Alina was happy.
From this hill, one had a good view of his family's majestic estate. Some guests paused here in awe, just as the boy rested for a moment in the saddle. The forest stretched far around the estate. No naturally formed clearing. It was once cleared to give this clearing sunlight and room for a house. Now a green meadow surrounded the estate, where their horses grazed. Beneath him, Falira pawed the ground restlessly. Even the horse showed its longing for the familiar scent of the stables. This was their home.
The shadow of a large cloud passed over the estate, drifting lonely across the sky. Next to the house, Ero also noticed a detail that clouded his joy at returning home. His family had visitors. Not just from anywhere, but from Saron.
The mare beneath him needed only the hint of a command, and she leaped into a swift gallop. Falira sped so fast that one might think the wind was giving the noble stallion wings. He reached the courtyard and swung himself out of the saddle as the horse moved at a trot. Quickly, he covered the remaining distance. The servants could barely react in time to open the heavy gate for him. The crack was enough for the boy to gain entry. Inside, he only had to ascend the stone staircase, where his father's study was located immediately to the right. The door flew open with his strong push and swung shut behind him.
His father sat at his imposing desk as expected. At home, he went through all the cases he had to deal with in the near future and letters from important people of the land, as well as those from his friends. Now he looked up at his son, surprised. "Ero, I didn't expect you," Beldor greeted him. Mid-sentence, he lowered his head back to the papers. "What are you doing here? Did you bring Alina? I hoped you were courting her at school."
"Your son is currently serving as a target for frying pans," said Ero, touching the sore spot on his head. His fingers picked up the still wet blood, which he examined on the tips and then wiped away on his dark pants. "Why is Nala with you?"
"Is she already here?" His father seemed genuinely surprised.
A final stroke to complete his signature. Beldor put his writing utensils in a case and pushed the chair back in a wide motion. Ero knew portraits of his father in his younger years. A handsome youth, skilled in swordsmanship. Today, he had become somewhat chubby and a little too sluggish. Instead of sitting high on the horse, he preferred to leave the reins to the coachman. At 64, his hair was thinning. Some of his friends used toupees to cover it, but he didn't mind the signs of his age. Quite different from his beloved wife.
Beldor's steps took him to the large window of the room. From here, he had a view of the courtyard, where Falira scratched her head on the carriage. A smile crossed the lips of the old man. "I didn't expect so many guests," he admitted. "You asked for a messenger for the prisoners and evaded every one of my requests to visit. Your mother is lonely with just me, so she asked her friend to spend a few days at the estate. But it's nice to see Alina again. Miri will be very happy that you visited us."
"And Alina?" Ero wanted to know.
"Oh, does my son suddenly share my opinion that she's the missing Amazon princess?"
"Not that!" confessed Ero. He sank into one of the chairs, while his father remained at the window. He leaned against it between the frame and a large painting.
"I never told Nala," sorrow reflected in the old man's expression. "She has suffered many great losses; should I tell her about a granddaughter?"
Maybe he imagined the resemblance, thought Ero. Nerre had not expressed anything like that during her visit, and after all, both sisters had grown up together. No one knew Nette better.
"As we're talking about that family," he addressed the reason for his actual visit. "Someone from Saron visited us a few days ago."
"What did she want?" his father inquired.
"Her private campaign." Ero didn't need to say more. The man in front of him grimaced knowingly, and his son tilted his head back.
The bare ceiling was blackened by time and nights when his father sat here by candlelight.
"I'll draft a letter to the kings immediately," he said. "Nerre must not act against her king's command, but in her private war against the Amazons, she does everything. The kings don't care as long as it doesn't backfire on them, but the school is a different matter. What should you do for them?"
"She thinks there's a descendant of Alesa in Morlo's gang. This girl is supposed to want to raise an army with the help of the legend of the origin of the Amazons. I wonder where she gets her information from."
Ero laughed, but waited in vain for a similar reaction from his father.
"If I'm right, Nerre will send them her best weapon." Ero looked at his father. "If I'm wrong, it doesn't matter. Alina looks so damn much like Nette. Under her leadership, many would take up the sword." The judge shook his head. "I foresee a disaster."
"That has to do with your son." Ero snorted. Alina might resemble the Amazon queen, but she had nothing to do with it, just like him. "My father is so hated that his son will be welcomed by them, just like my brother was once."
"That mangy dog should be grateful to me instead of plotting to take my sons away," growled Beldor. "I hardly think I can stop you or Alina from going there."
That was exactly what Ero was aware of. Alina would rather die than let the school fall into ruin, as she had often said on their journey. And he wouldn't allow her to embark on such a dangerous path alone. They were friends.
"What Nerre says is true." Ero blinked at his father, confused. "Do you really not remember our trip to the execution? You and Per were with us. Then there was this small group, including two children."
"Nala." Ero still remembered her. A little girl all alone. Abandoned by all loved ones and Marli, her great protector.
"The second girl was Alesa's granddaughter. The old woman left the Amazon village with her family at Nette's request. I sent them to Morlo's hideout. If you go with Alina and find yourself in danger there, ask for Melasa. For the Amazons, their honor matters more than anything else. I hope she will help you."
And I hope you're right, old man, Ero left it at a thought. He liked Alina, and oh yes, he loved her so much that he would give his life for her. But not if it could be prevented.
Ero stood up and went to the door without another word. One last glance back at the father, who had turned his head and was now watching a bird of prey hunting.
The boy closed the door behind him quietly. If his father saw no hope, what else could they do? Would at least the letter to the kings result in protecting Marno?
In silence, Ero pleaded for it, or at least that their sacrifice would not be in vain.
His steps led him along the corridor. His room was next to his parents'. One had been prepared next to it for Alina. Did she know about it?
He didn't dare to ask her.
Inside, he opened the cabinets with all his old clothes, as well as new ones his mother had thought of. In all the years with Marno and Alina, he had become accustomed to the simple life. There, he had long since stopped wearing tailored clothes. If something was broken, he had it fixed by a friendly farmer's wife, or he took needle and thread himself.
Rough hands from work were just as normal as the occasional fading scar. A life with his parents would protect him from all that, and yet he didn't want to return there.
His hands wandered over the fabric of his past life. A promise flared up in his memory, and he saw this possibly last visit here as a chance to fulfill it. The question remained: How would Alina react to it?
He would find out soon enough.