Lantal felt a bit foolish around his wife at times. He was an Afiele lad, born and raised in his home. He’d met Risel on his visits to the capital; she had roots there and was far more worldly than he.

She knew about [Knight] orders; Noelictus had almost done away with their [Knights]. The Hunter’s Guild had replaced them; the [Undead Hunters] and other specialists roamed Noelictus and Terandria at large, dealing with threats.

“It’s a delicate situation, Lantal. Why don’t you request Lady Seraphel to let the Thronebearers come with you when you have to slay undead next? Let them prove their valor.”

“Would they want to do that? There’s nothing fun about hacking apart an undead bull. Dead gods, but I thought my enchanted sword was going to dull.”

Lantal shuddered. Risel rolled her eyes.

“Lantal, maybe let the guard clean up the undead. But slaying a few zombies would be a feather in their helmets. Not all [Knights] fight as constantly as…you. I think they’re a bit intimidated by you, actually.”

“Me?”

The [Lord of the Fields] was astounded. He stopped brushing at his hair.

“I’m hardly one of the Twins, dear. Even Duchess Grishen has ten levels on me and she doesn’t fight—

much.”

“Most [Lords] don’t fight undead every day. Believe me—some go to war, but slaying undead? That’s a custom of Noelictus. Consider it, Lantal.”

The [Lord] rubbed at his chin. If he could ask the Thronebearers for help…they were already stretched thin because he needed to keep some of the guard at the keep just in case they were attacked as well as deal with the ever-present undead threat.

“Well, if I could rely on them…I had to kill that cow and bull with just two helpers.”

“Lantal. Don’t take risks!”

“A zombie bull isn’t exactly a risk, dear. Not unless I’m stupid enough to let it get close. It’s just tiring.

Speaking of which…I haven’t seen Culin and Sasi today. How are they doing?”

The [Lord] betrayed his worry by glancing around. Normally he could hear his children throughout the small keep. He knew they had been out of sorts. He worried that this wasn’t the life for them. It had been hard on him as an only child.

Risel smiled. Lantal looked at her, surprised by her expression.

“They’re happy. I barely got them to sleep in their room last night, Lantal.”

“Really? But they’ve been in such a bad mood—what changed?”

“The songmistress! Or rather—that [Singer]. The one you hired?”

“Who?”

The [Lord] had almost forgotten his visit to Idelt’s village. But apparently they’d already arrived for the banquet. And the foreigner—Cara—had done so much already.

She had made Culin and Sasi smile.

——

“Well, it’s not broken.”