Adventure of Exiles

The duke arrived along with his retinue.

Felix, Lisa, Noah, Emily and Isaac waited at the north gate of Kurkenburg.

As the duke was approaching Emily took a deep breath.

“I got this. It will be fine. We just need to talk.”

“That’s the spirit, Emily.” Felix encouraged.

“We will stand with you, Emily.” Lisa added.

“Of course.” Noah replied.

“Whatever you say, Emily.” Isaac stated.

Felix held in the urge to facepalm as the duke approached.

Albrecht cut an impressive figure. He was tall. His face was worn but his grey eyes were sharp as ever. His brown hair and beard were showing signs of greying. He was wearing a fine purple jacket and riding gear. He had a sword at his waist. He had an aura about him of strength and wisdom.

He bowed at them, “a pleasure to meet with you all I am the duke of this land, Albrecht.”

“Nice to meet you, Duke Albrecht.” Emily replied, returning the bow.

Felix, Lisa, Isaac and Noah bowed as well.

“I was told that the military commissioner Stephen was killed. I must know more about why and what happened.”

“He died after trying to have me killed and attempting to return to the Military Grand Council.” Emily replied.

Albrecht raised an eyebrow, “and why would he do that?”

“Because I am Emily Strass, daughter of the late King Ogier Strass and his wife Queen Willa Strass.”

The duke stared at Emily and then shook his head.

“No, that cannot be possible.”

“I have the proof, Duke Albrecht. The staff of Eternal Night, only those of royal blood can wield it to its full potential.” As she took out the staff of Eternal Night.

The men and women of the duke’s retinue were shocked and started talking to each other immediately.

The duke was silent and just raised his hand.

“Alina, can you confirm?”

“Yes, Albrecht. The power of the staff is flowing into her. I sense no deception. She is telling the truth.”

Emily slammed the butt of the staff down against the ground and a myriad of shadows flew out of the staff.

“As you can see, Duke Albrecht. I am not lying. The staff obeys me.”

The retinue were shocked once more.

The duke gave a long and tired sigh, “if that is true then you are indeed the princess. It was believed that all the royal family had perished during the Lyris Civil War. I deserve to hear the truth.”

“And that’s what I intend if you will hear me out.”

“Proceed.”

***

Emily told the full story from the very beginning. Noah, Lisa, and Felix would chime in sometimes with extra details.

Isaac just stood there silently.

Until the part with the reveal of him being an assassin.

Albrecht looked at Isaac, “that’s a bold claim from the princess. Speak up boy.”

He stepped forward and spoke clearly and firmly, “my name is Isaac. My last name has been taken from me and the memories of my life before that were erased. But I was the one that attacked the Princess. On the order of the Military Grand Council, I was tasked with ending the lives of those who opposed the council.”

The soldiers were enraged and drew their weapons.

“Stand down!” Duke Albrecht commanded.

The soldiers reluctantly stood down.

Albrecht rubbed his beard, “I have lived many years boy and have dealt with many people as well. I can tell when I’m being lied to. You are speaking honestly and plain truth. Do you remember more about what you did on the order of the Military Grand Council?”

“I’m sorry I don’t. I have the broad strokes, but the details are hazy. I was given some sort of vial which caused the loss of memory and drove my loyalty to the cause.”

He sighed, “I didn’t want to believe it, but I had my suspicions about the Grand Council for many years now. Too many times opponents to the council died in too convenient of times.”

Albrecht looked back to Emily.

“If that’s all. I will not press further.”

Emily nodded and finished the story.

Felix could see that the duke was a calm and collected man.

“Quite a story. But now what will you do lady Emily.”

“I intend to give you the staff.”

The duke was surprised, “and why would you do that? It’s not much use for me. In your hands you have incredible power of ancient Neveria.”

“Because I will want to resolve this conflict peacefully. I want to prove my dedication to that cause. To use such power against my own people. It would be a stain on my soul and my heart.”

“Hmm I understand.”

“But I ask for one thing in return.”

“And what is that?”

“Help me, Albrecht.”

“Oh?”

“I plead with you, duke. That you will support me in restoring House Strass back to the throne. To end the rule of the Military Grand Council. To bridge the gap between the north and south. To bring peace and prosperity back to Lyris. Albrecht, please. Lend me your aid.”

Albrecht was silent.

Emily waited patiently for his response.

Albrecht then walked up to Emily and knelt at her feet, “To tell you plainly princess Emily. I must beg your forgiveness. When your father started the civil war with Augustus I turned away. Not wanting to be caught up in a conflict, I remained neutral. I wanted nothing more than peace like you. So, I hid behind my high mountains and seas around the duchy. It was a terrible mistake. Because of that. Your family and many others died. Horrific tragedies were inflicted on northerners and southerners alike. I knew such things were happening, but I turned away again. Not this time, I will lend you, my aid. I will join your cause. And when the time comes, I will help restore House Strass to the throne. This, I swear on my honor as duke.”

Felix, Lisa and Noah were silent and watched the scene.

Emily knelt and put her hands on the shoulders of the duke.

“I forgive you, Duke Albrecht. Let us work together to a brighter future. One where we will not repeat the mistakes of the past. Together.”

“Indeed. Let us do so.”

Albrecht looked back to the men and women of his retinue, and they let out a loud cheer, “long live House Strass!”

“Long live House Strass!”

The cheers and shouts continued.

The duke and the princess stood up.

Emily was smiling and looked over to her friends, “thank you.”

The duke called over one of his men, “Sweyn, see to it that the princess’s companions are rewarded. After all they protected her majesty and uncovered a temple of ancient Neveria. A boon of two thousand gold crowns will be granted.”

“Split evenly between Isaac, Lisa, Felix and I that’s five hundred crowns.” Noah said in disbelief.

“Yeah, I’ll take that.” Lisa remarked.

“Thank you, Duke Albrecht. Your generosity is much appreciated.” Emily replied, bowing.

“It’s the least I could do.”

Sweyn returned with pouches and handed them to Isaac, Lisa, and Noah.

Lisa and Noah looked stunned by the amount of gold.

Isaac just looked at the coin pouch blandly.

Sweyn came over to give Felix his pouch.

Felix tried his best to keep a straight face.

But five hundred crowns only? Come on, they are being underpaid here.

He took the pouch in one hand, felt it’s weight for a fleeting moment.

Felix sighed.

He pushed it back to Sweyn, who looked at him curiously.

“Could you do me a favor Sweyn. Could you donate my reward?”

Lisa, Emily, and Noah looked at Felix in utter shock.

“Who are you and what did you do to the real Felix?” Noah asked.

“Emily are you sure he’s fully healed? Maybe he lost more blood than we thought.” Lisa commented.

“Felix actually being nice without expecting anything in return? An actual miracle.” Emily remarked.

“Oi! Come on guys, I can be nice. Right, Isaac?”

“Yeah, whatever.”

Felix sighed again.

“Felix, you know we are just teasing.” Emily said, shaking her head.

Felix shook his head and took out a piece of paper from his pouch, writing down an address and a note.

“Up north in the city of Svarostadt there is the Saintess Kjera Orphanage. Those kids need it more than me. Deliver the money and the note to the orphanage. Let them know the donation is from commander Edwin and his humble helper. Tell them Edwin is still watching over them and they should be good children. Give the note to the caretaker Rebecca and she will understand.”

“Humble helper? Are you sure you don’t want the children to know who exactly made this generous donation?”

“No. All they need to know is it was from Edwin. He is still looking out for them.”

“Yes, sir. I will personally make sure the donation will be delivered.”

“Thank you, Sweyn.”

Sweyn bowed and left.

Duke Albrecht motioned his hands, “let’s not dally any longer. I will need to return to Lipsia to prepare for the coming storm.”

“Of course.” Emily replied, giving a nod.

As Albrecht and his retinue were departing, he turned back to look at Emily.

“I’m sorry for your lost. Michael sounded like a good man. He will be remembered.”

“Thank you, duke.”

Albrecht got back onto his horse.

“We will see each other again, Princess. Farewell for now.”

“Until we meet again, duke.”