He pointed his staff and searing light shot forwards. Ser Dalius screamed as he felt pain for the first time since his death. He charged, or tried to. But something was slowing him. And then—he heard the first coffin’s lid crash to the ground.

1.10 P

The midnight fields of Afiele were what the region was known for.

Food. Afiele was not a large province, or major duchy. But it was productive. The land of Afiele swore fealty to Noelictus of course, and the capital, Menorome, and more immediately to the Earldom of Ovela, whose [Earl] or [Countess] or…both…managed the lesser [Lords].

To Ovela, Afiele tithed its only real resource—food. To Menorome, it gave…more food. Afiele was good at growing food. Its villages could provide for a good portion of Noelictus’ needs alone, and the excess was shipped across Terandria, even the world. Noelictus was bountiful, even if it was dreary.

And that made the Kingdom of Shade poor.

Culin and Sasi had learned all this growing up. Well—Sasi thought Culin had learned it, but sometimes he forgot things. He was only six, and he wasn’t nearly as smart as she was—three years older.

They had gotten lessons from the [Tutor], Mister Lecte, until their father, Lord Lantal Afiele, had decided it was too costly. And then in the capital, they had attended a private little academy designed to raise the young nobility and elite of Noelictus’ society…again, until they had had to come home to Afiele.

Thereafter they had gotten lessons from their mother, Lady Risel Afiele.

It had been their mother who explained what the [Tutor] and [Carers] and [Teachers] had not. The reason why some of Sasi’s classmates had laughed when she told them she was from Afiele, and why the keep always needed repairs that never got done, and so on was because Afiele was poor.

“Afiele is important, Culin, Sasi. Our produce has kept the people of Noelictus alive in sparse winters.

Because of the people of Afiele, there is grain in storage, and people can eat Gloomwren eggs. We feed Ovela’s armies, and Noelictus trades on our produce. But being important does not mean we are loved.

Sometimes, we take important things for granted.”

“But Mother, if Afiele is important, why don’t we charge more for grain?”

Sasi thought she asked a very good question each time, but Lady Risel would sigh.

“Because there are many farms and provinces that make food, Sasi. We are neither unique nor large enough to demand more. But take pride in Afiele. Your father has worked hard to make us safe and happy.”