After, Ranliff, his personal attendant saw him off his carriage, Heimrich bolted into the castle and to his room as fast as his weary body would allow. Here, he hopped out of his sweaty clothes and wiped himself down.
Swiftly, Heimrich changed into an inner garment a semi luxurious tunic before wearing a red sash with the ducal emblem.
Shortly after, he had shimmied into his underwear and black trousers after which he changed his socks and wore his tailored calf length boots.
Taking a deep breath he relaxed and smiled. The future might have been cloudy but right now everything was okay, his Father was here proud and safe.
And...he could commence his plans.
When he had just reincarnated as a baby he had panicked fruitlessly. Slowly he developed a close relationship with his mother who insisted on personally feeding him even though it was looked down upon in the noble circle.
He had no affection for his father before he put some effort into making time for family. A year later, the rambunctious man irresponsibly whisked his three year old self North for a father son expedition.
Now he was 14 and they had come a long way. He cherished the memories of his past parents but they were long gone and he was dead. Now, the Duke and Dutchess were his parents the people he loved the most in this world.
In 5 more minutes Heimrich had made it to the gate. Spotting his mother, he took to her side. Sounds of rushing rocks and impact came from afar quickly getting louder. Not long after, Duke Edeltroud arrived with a relatively small team of men from his army.
Something over forty men.
Seeing the Imposing man in armor at the forefront of the charge Heimrich's lips parted, his lips edging upward ever so slightly.
In a show of high equestrianism and discipline all horse slowed down abruptly infront of the castle entrance. The commoners in the estate hoorahed at the display. Everyone except the duke rode to the barracks a long ways behind the castle.
Gunther Edeltroud stepped off his horse brown warhorse and open his arms wide. Leaving behind his mother Heimrich ran toward him and tackled the larger man. Beyond Gunther's expectations he was floored by his son.
Soon started a scuffle on the ground a father and son wrestled to submit each other.
"Quite the strength you got there boy. I thought it'd be years before you took this Duke down. I must say you've really gotten strong that "excercise routine" thing you started years ago has done you well. It's a pity, your diet, equipment and excursions are way too expensive to provide enmasse for our soldiers."
Smirking, Heimrich stood off his father and pulled the larger man back up causing his armor to vibrate. He immediately marched back to the castle not staying for the expected nauseating reunion of his parents.
After waiting for 20 minutes, his parents returned arm in arm, swooning over each other.
Twenty minutes! He had twenty minutes to think of a way to save his eyes and put his father on the spot.
"Father. Father!"
"What boy?!!" He snapped grumpily interrupted from kissing his wife.
Heimrich started with an angelic smile, "I'm sure you missed mother and I dearly. So much so you must have taken keep sakes that reminded you of us for when you came back from the Frigid North."
"Why don't you show mother her gift first then you can give me mine after." When he finished the ruddy color had receded from the Duke's face and his eyes kept gravitating towards the Hall behind Heimrich.
But before the silence could settle his mother chimed in, "Heimrich my dear son, how astute you are, your father already gave me a painting of mountain Hagra I'll go have the servants hang it in our room." Almost chirping his mother kissed the duke goodbye. The air seemed to grow ominous as the duke looked down admiring the spick and span floor.
"Well father what'd you get me please tell me it won't be a generic sword with some boring tale. I have those designing my bedroom wall. I have no doubt you were extra thoughtful about it especially since I didn't tell mom where you were two days before you left." No sooner had he spoke those words when the Duke's face went positively white.
"Of-fcourse I was extra thoughtful to satisfy you my boy. Ummmmm yes! Yes, it's arriving with the rest of the army they should be here in the hour." Goosebumps had formed on the Duke's arms when he saw Heimrich's eyes narrow.
"Then father why don't I entertain you for an hour whilst you wait to give me my gift." Seemingly shrugging with nonchalance he invited his father for a game of hand wrestling and began.
By the time they were done playing with both hands dozens of time, the game had ended and an hour had almost expired. Heimrich's eyes regained their dangerous light. Just when the duke was about to shed crocodile tears to vy for sympathy.
A subdued chorus of hoof beats echoed towards the Manor.
"Look son, here comes the men bringing your select choice from our most dangerous battle." Dragging Heimrich out of the manor the Duke led him out shouting for his men.
Coming closer they looked slightly puzzled. Though they were carrying loot from the Wagon it seemed to be their personal spoils. An inference Heimrich didn't fail to make.
Veins were bursting on his arms now but inside he was delighted. The duke saw his son's arms and almost fainted from the implications.
"S-son trust me! I-I-I let them use p-p-personal wagons because I t-told them they got to keep what you didn't ch-ch-choose! Right men?" The duke appealed to his 'pissed' son and the good nature of his amused soldiers.
"Young lord it is indeed true that you get a choice pick from among the most coveted loot, how could your great and loving father forget a present for his only son, please." Hedge, a veteran in the vanguard mounted archers explained, barely held back his laughter.
"Oh great and loving father, may you never forget the path you've walked lest a dastardly villain painfully remind you or someone else about it." With a deadpan glare Heimrich gave a veiled warning to the acting duke.
Carelessly perusing the loot, Heimrich came upon a long pitch black coat seekingly made of some aquatic beasts skin. It was a skin tight fit. Pleasantly surprised at the make he snatched it up, bowing his head slightly and nodding in thanks to the soldiers who promptly left.
Turning to his father with a doctored expression Heimrich said in an unquestionable tone."I'm going to the Vatican to become a templar after which I'll be going on crusades and you're not going to tell mother"
"No," raising his voice the Duke bellowed "I will not have my son work for the damned Vatican, neither will I let you risk your life as a templar in some senseless crusade"
"Oh but you will or I will tell mom you burned down grandma's...Gaagh! I'm weak to you! I know the location of King Egerrson II. Soothe your and mothers heart with another child and wait for safe my return. Father don't ask just give me your blessing and send me on a 5 year long expedition with my attendants."
Speechless, his father's mouth opened and closed for a long while before his brows knit in inner contention. Finally he sighed tiredly, "You have my blessing come back. Is there really no alternative?"
"No father, I have to do this for more reasons than I care to say. At least I'm still here for a few months." With a cruel gaze Heimrich stared at the horizon.