The manor loomed in the distance, its towering spires piercing the darkening sky. The journey back had been uneventful after the earlier ambush, but tension still clung to the air like a stubborn fog.
As the carriage rolled to a stop at the front entrance, servants hurried to greet them. Cale stepped down first, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings before extending a hand to Lady Althea. She accepted it gracefully, though her knuckles were still pale from gripping the edge of the seat.
"My Lady, you should rest," Cale suggested softly.
Althea shook her head, her resolve unwavering. "I'll be fine. But I want to speak with you in the library later."
Cale inclined his head. "As you wish."
They parted ways, with Althea escorted by her handmaidens to her chambers. Cale, however, made his way directly to the steward's office. Gregory, the manor's steward, a portly man with a balding head and a meticulous demeanor, looked up from his ledger as Cale entered.
"Master Cale," Gregory greeted, his brow furrowing with concern. "There were whispers of trouble on the road. Are you and Lady Althea unharmed?"
"We are safe," Cale assured him. "But the roads are growing more perilous. We must increase security for future journeys."
Gregory nodded solemnly. "I'll see to it immediately."
Satisfied, Cale left the office and made his way to his own quarters. The room was modest compared to the grandeur of the manor but impeccably maintained. He removed his coat and cleaned his blade with meticulous care, the ritual grounding him after the chaos of battle.
Later, as the moon cast its silver glow over the estate, Cale entered the library. The scent of aged parchment and polished wood filled the air. Althea was already there, seated by the fireplace, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"Thank you for coming," she said, gesturing for him to sit.
He took the chair opposite her. "You wished to speak with me, my Lady?"
She nodded, her gaze steady. "I meant what I said earlier. I want you to teach me how to defend myself."
Cale leaned forward slightly. "Learning to fight is not a decision to be taken lightly. It requires discipline, dedication, and a willingness to face danger head-on."
"I understand," she said firmly. "But I refuse to be a liability. Today was a wake-up call. If not for you, I don't know what would have happened."
He admired her determination. "Very well. We'll start with conditioning and basic self-defense techniques. No weapons until you're ready."
A flicker of relief crossed her face. "Thank you, Cale. I won't disappoint you."
He offered a faint smile. "I have no doubt."
As the fire crackled between them, a sense of camaraderie settled in the room. Cale knew that this decision marked a turning point. Lady Althea was stepping onto a path few noblewomen dared to tread, and he would be there to guide her.
The shadows of uncertainty lingered, but together, they would forge a path through them. And perhaps, in the process, they would discover strengths they never knew they possessed.