In the village of Lurun, as was the case every year, the monsoon began in anticipation of the harvest. Using the rain as an excuse, the villagers rested, leaving the town quite tranquil. A man, cloaked in a dark hood and riding a horse, appeared, causing a minor stir.
The knight, who brought a small sense of dread to the village, stopped his horse in front of the house of Emil Noi, a wheat farmer. A faint glow of candlelight streamed from the windows.
The knight dismounted and knocked on the wooden door. Moments later, the door swung open to reveal a man, a bloodstained knife in hand.
“Huh? You’re not the village chief?”
Ignoring the unsettling presence of the knight, Emil peeked outside to confirm the village chief was truly not there. Only then did he look up at the knight and ask, “Who might you be?”
The rain-soaked man pulled back his hood and attempted a smile. However, seeing Emil with a bloodied knife seemed to catch him off guard.
“You’re Emil Noi, correct?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I’m Sheyden, sent on Kassel’s behalf with a letter.”
“It’s not a will from Kassel, is it? Or a death notice?”
Emil’s expression darkened as he took a step back.
“No, he’s very much alive. In fact, I should tell you he’s doing quite well.”
“If he’s doing well, he should come back himself. Why send someone? Could it be he’s so busy he doesn’t have time to visit his father?”
“No such thing.”
“Well, come in. It’s raining quite heavily. Lucky the village chief hasn’t come knocking.”
Following Emil’s lead, Sheyden entered the living room, removing his wet robe. A lavish dinner was laid out on the table, seemingly ready to be served.
“It worked out well,” Emil said, handing him a towel. “I had prepared dinner for two, thought I’d have to throw it out.”
Drying his wet hair, Sheyden replied, “That’s not necessary. My companions are probably hungry in the barn by now.”
“Huh? You traveled all this way in the rain to deliver Kassel’s letter.”
“Well, I volunteered…”
“In that case, feel free to eat. You’ve had quite the journey.”
“Hmm, I like that rationale.”
“Besides, it’s a good meal. Help yourself. Eating alone would’ve been boring.”
As Emil washed the blood off his hands, he served freshly cooked pork onto a plate.
“Here, Kassel’s letter.”
Sheyden placed the letter wrapped in multiple layers of cloth to protect it from the rain on the table.
“I’ll read it later. It’s probably something like ‘Sorry, Dad. I’ll be back after playing a bit longer.'”
Handing him a fork and spoon, Emil set down a bottle and glasses of wine.
“How can you be so sure?”
“By your uniform, you’re a formal knight, right? And by your accent, you’re not from here. So, something big must’ve happened. And yet, he didn’t come himself but sent a messenger? Moreover, to send a knight to a farmer’s house? If he accomplished something big, he’d rush over to show off. So, he’s either afraid I won’t let him leave if he comes, or once he’s here, it’ll be too bothersome to leave. One of the two.”
Placing the letter back on the table, Sheyden replied, “He says he doesn’t have the confidence to leave once he’s here. But hearing from you, the latter seems more likely. May I have some wine?”
“I’ve taken out two glasses. Do you think I intended to drink alone?”
Pouring the wine with expertise, Sheyden remarked, “These are fine glasses.”
“Some naïve noble from Koholrun gifted them as a thanks for quality wheat. But a few months ago, the damn village chief, in his drunken state, broke two. So now, only two remain.”
“Well, that’s fortunate. Ask that noble for some more glasses using the ‘Noi’ name. I bet they’ll send over two or three sets now, with some premium wine to boot.”
Sipping the wine, Emil frowned, “Did my boy scam someone over there?”
“He did, quite splendidly.”
“It must’ve been fun.”
Busy eating, Sheyden briefly replied, “It was.”
“By the way, were you starving?”
“Lately, I’ve had little time to eat.”
“Help yourself then. Once you’re full, share an interesting story or two.”
“I’m not much of a storyteller. Perhaps save it for when Kassel comes himself?”
“Do I seem that laid-back to you?”
“No.”
“Hmph.”
Sheyden recounted the stories of their past slowly. By the time they had finished their second bottle of wine, it was deep into the night.
“So, is Kassel truly fit to be Captain Wolf?”
Sheyden felt that Emil’s concise question encapsulated the crux of what he wanted to discuss.
“How about I put it this way? Loyal, despite getting to know Kassel last among us, recognized him as captain before anyone else. When I asked him why, he said that Kassel was the first person he met who genuinely wanted him to give his best.”
“Just because of that reason?”
“I asked the same thing. Just because of that? Then Loyal laughed and replied, if it was ‘just because of that’, why hadn’t he ever heard someone say the same thing to him?”
“That’s rather poignant.”
“And at the same time, a piercing statement. We Wolves always tried to best Loyal, never really wishing for him to become stronger.”
Emil rested his chin in his hand and asked with a gentle smile, “So, what about your opinion?”
Sheyden shook his head, “You probably caught bits and pieces of my opinion throughout our conversation. It’s getting late. I should be going.”
After taking the last sip of his wine, Sheyden picked up his still-wet cloak.
“You could stay and rest here.”
“No. I should leave soon so my Captain can sleep in a good bed a day sooner.”
“That kid can sleep anywhere.”
“Seems like it. The meal was delightful.”
“So was the company.”
As Sheyden was about to leave, he hesitated and then asked, “Emil, are you really just an ordinary farmer?”
“Why? Did Kassel say I’m a hidden prince or something?”
“Not that. But you’re certainly not an ordinary farmer. If I spoke like this to a regular farmer, wouldn’t they have fallen off their chair by now? Yet, you’re just sitting there as if listening to an old tale.”
“I am a regular farmer. The only thing different about me is that I traveled for three years when I was young. But who hasn’t done that? And during those years, I gained a lot of experiences and things, but it was all just a preparation to meet the most precious person in my life.”
“You’re speaking of Kassel’s mother? It sounds rather romantic.”
Sheyden asked with genuine curiosity and slight amusement.
Ignoring him, Emil continued,
“Thanks to my wife, I had to turn back without even crossing the Sky Mountains. My adventure ended with marriage… and if I continue, you’ll tease me for being romantic again, won’t you?”
“Let me finish for you. Your adventure ended with marriage and it began with marriage as well.”
“You really are something.”
“Am I?”
“Anyway, my three years after marriage felt more adventurous than the three years I traveled around Acrand. And it was also a short and sorrowful journey. My wife wasn’t healthy enough to share a lifetime of adventures.”
Sheyden, sensing the somber mood, remained silent. But as he was about to leave, he couldn’t help but ask one more thing, “I just want to confirm, Emil. From what I know, some twenty years ago, there was an incident where someone from Carnelock, neither an aristocrat nor a noble, almost became the captain of the Dragon Knights. If I remember correctly, that person’s name was…”
Interrupting Sheyden, Emil asked, “Who’s the captain of the Dragon Knights now?”
“Deradul Machi.”
“He’s a great fellow! See? That’s the kind of person who becomes a captain. Why care about some nearly-became-the-captain incident?”
“I suppose you’re right.”
As Sheyden opened the door to leave, the rain continued to pour heavily. Just as he was about to step out, Emil suddenly grabbed his hand.
“Hey, promise me you won’t tell Kassel I said this.”
“Yes?”
“After hearing your story earlier, I’m honestly scared to death. If I understood correctly, that’s a pretty dangerous situation, and it seems ongoing.”
“We think the same.”
Emil firmly grasped Sheyden’s hand.
“Take care of Kassel.”
His voice, which usually hinted at a threat to spank his son when he returned, was now filled with emotion, his eyes dewy. Sheyden nodded firmly.
“Do not worry. On the name of the White Wolves, I will protect Kassel.”
“Thank you. Are you heading to Nadium now?”
“Yes.”
“Safe travels. And, send my regards to the Queen.”
“Yes.”
As Sheyden mounted his horse, he gave one last wave. But Emil had already retreated into his home. Through the window, illuminated by the candlelight, Sheyden caught a glimpse of Emil tearing open a letter left on the dining table. With a satisfied smile, Sheyden began to leave the village, but suddenly paused, looking puzzled.
“Huh? Send his regards?”
Sheyden chuckled briefly. He felt an urge to return and clarify, but knowing Emil was probably engrossed in reading the letter from his son multiple times, he didn’t want to disturb him.
Instead, Sheyden sped off to where his friends awaited.
End of Part 1: Captain Kassel
–TL Notes–
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