The faint, salty scent of the sea wafted through the open window of their second-floor inn room, mingling with the sounds of laughter and chatter from the bustling street below. Brandon sat at the wooden table, deep in concentration as he crafted a ceremonial document known as a "Visit Letter." This formal missive was a necessary formality for nobles to announce their visits, especially since they were uninvited.
Leon watched him work, the process reminding him of the visiting cards from his previous life; an elegant touch, yet laden with expectations. "It's strange how similar this is to our customs," he mused, leaning against the wall.
"True, but submitting a visiting letter so close to a wedding is considered quite rude," Brandon replied, carefully choosing his words. "Without prior notice, the host might struggle to accommodate unexpected guests. They need time to prepare, especially for an event as grand as a wedding."
"Right," Leon nodded, frowning slightly. "But it's our best option to get close to the Falcon family's castle. Hopefully, they won't refuse a generous gift from the son of a noble from afar."
Brandon paused, his pen hovering over the parchment. "With a wealthy city like this and such a grand castle, they must have extra rooms and stables for unexpected visitors."
He continued writing, keeping his language formal and measured, as was customary among the Kantardar nobility. He mentioned that his "father," Baron Dawson, had fallen in battle and that Redingburg had succumbed to invaders. He expressed his hope to garner support from the great nobles in his quest to reclaim lost territory.
Leon interjected, "It's clever to mention your father's death. It adds a personal touch, but it also carries the weight of loss."
Brandon nodded, the sadness evident in his eyes. "In this feudal world, where communication relies on letters sent over long distances, it's crucial to establish credibility quickly. Without telegraphs, we have to rely on appearances and official documents."
Liam chimed in, "And since you're portraying a noble heir with a lost title, not having formal documents only strengthens your narrative. You're a wandering son seeking justice."
With the letter sealed using a signet ring, they turned their attention to Brandon's disguise. They dressed him in the armor and battle robes of Baron Dawson, the once-magnificent attire still possessing a certain regality despite its wear. Leon felt a pang of relief that he hadn't yet modified the unsightly snake motif on the helmet, which would have clashed with their plan.
Once fully equipped, Brandon looked every bit the part of a nobleman, embodying the tragic story of a son left behind. Leon's heart ached at the thought. "You know," he said quietly, "this disguise reflects your true story more than you might want to admit."
Brandon met his gaze, a flicker of understanding passing between them. "I'm willing to play this part, not just for me, but for Liam and to find your sister."
Once they finalized the details of the plan, Leon and Liam took on the roles of Brandon's loyal servants. They mounted their horses and set off towards the Falcon family's castle perched high on the cliff, anxiety mixing with excitement.
As they approached the castle, everything unfolded smoothly. Brandon's skills in acting had improved significantly since their last disguise in Selva. His noble demeanor and articulate speech raised no eyebrows among the guards at the pass.
"With all the nobles attending the wedding, it's no wonder we're not attracting any suspicion," Liam observed, relaxing slightly as they passed through the gates.
Leon nodded, feeling a sense of hope. They were close now, and if their ruse worked, they would uncover the secrets lurking within the Falcon family's castle and get one step closer to finding Liam's sister. The challenge ahead was daunting, but with their careful preparation and Brandon's convincing disguise, they were ready to take the plunge into the heart of the Falcon family's world.
With their small trio, Leon, Brandon, and Liam blended into the bustling atmosphere of the castle's approach. Riding along the cobbled avenue, Brandon greeted passing nobles with a confident nod and a practiced smile, effortlessly embodying his noble persona.
Leon followed suit, bowing his head in deference to the various "masters" that crossed their path. "Just act natural," he murmured, glancing at Liam, who struggled to maintain composure.
Liam's face was a mask of suppressed fury. "It's hard to bow to these people," he muttered, bitterness lacing his words. "Every nod feels like a betrayal."
"Remember why we're here," Leon urged softly. "Finding your sister is the priority."
As they approached the castle's towering entrance, they relayed their identities to the knight stationed there, presenting the carefully crafted visiting letter. Once that was done, they retreated to their inn to await a response, anxiety gnawing at them.
The letter detailed their location in Western Port, and if the castle's steward accepted the visit from the "Son of Dorson," they would send someone to retrieve them. The waiting felt endless, tension hanging thick in the air.
To distract themselves, Leon led the group to a high-end tailor shop the next day. "We need proper attire," he declared. "Even if we can't attend the banquet, we must look the part to interact with the Falcon family."
They hurriedly chose garments that fit them well enough, knowing there was no time for custom tailoring. Fortunately, Leon and Liam's roles were less scrutinized; all eyes would be on Brandon, who, clad in an elegant corseted robe with intricate patterns, resembled a walking portrait of nobility.
"Look at you," Leon said, stepping back to admire Brandon. "You'd outshine anyone at a ball."
"If only I could earn traffic with just a glance," Brandon chuckled, the tension easing slightly.
After a short but agonizing wait, the next day brought relief when Falcon family servants arrived to invite them to the banquet. Leon took a deep breath as they followed the servant into the castle, clutching a carefully chosen wedding gift.
Once inside the lavish inner castle, however, the atmosphere shifted. Before Leon could catch his breath, Brandon was whisked away by the castle's owner, leaving Leon and Liam to play their roles as dutiful servants.
"Stay calm," Leon whispered to Liam, who fidgeted anxiously. They exchanged nervous glances, silently praying for Brandon's success.
When Brandon finally returned, a familiar calmness in his demeanor, both Leon and Liam let out a collective sigh of relief. "You did it!" Liam exclaimed, pulling Brandon into a tight embrace. "You had us worried!"
Brandon chuckled, though there was a hint of fatigue in his eyes. "It went well. I managed to keep up the act without any slip-ups."
Liam clapped him on the back, gratitude flooding his heart. "You risked so much for us. I can't thank you enough."
However, they all knew that this was just the first hurdle. Even with Brandon's successful interaction, the real challenge lay ahead. The servants had briefed them on the restricted areas of the castle, and their freedom of movement was limited.
While Brandon could navigate the castle with relative ease, Leon and Liam were tethered to him, unable to roam freely as the followers of a great noble might. "We can't just wander off," Leon said, glancing at the elegant decor surrounding them. "We need to stay close to Brandon and find a way to search for your sister without drawing attention."
With a shared understanding of their precarious situation, they settled into their roles, determination mingling with trepidation as they prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead in their quest within the Falcon family's domain.