Under the guidance of Count Tould, Diara and her soldiers traveled along the path inside the city walls toward the castle of Valla-Glas. Before crossing the drawbridge in front of the castle, they passed through a small barbican that seemed diminutive compared to the grandeur of the castle itself. The clanking of thick iron chains echoed as the drawbridge lowered, allowing the party to enter the castle's courtyard.
In the wide open space of the courtyard, knights sparring with swords and others tending to horses circling a round training ground turned their attention to Diara's wagon as it entered through the castle gate.
"Well, now! Can a lord of a castle keep abandoning his post like this?"
A booming voice rang out from the entrance of the largest building within the keep, loud enough to echo across the courtyard toward Count Tould.
"Ha! Hess! Did the Goddess tell you your prayers are no longer needed? Where does a priest wander off to like that?"
Count Tould dismounted, handed the reins to a stablehand, and approached his old friend, Priest Hess, with arms spread wide, expressing the joy of their reunion after a long time.
Dressed in a flowing white robe with sleeves so long they covered his hands, a priestly cap that meticulously concealed his hair, and sporting a long, impressive beard, the elderly Hess greeted his old friend with a gentle smile.
Diara stepped down from the wagon and, accompanied by Gravel and Iris, walked toward the entrance of the keep where Count Tould and Priest Hess were conversing. The soldiers following the carriage set down their spears and packs, leaving a few to guard the carriage while the rest followed a servant's guidance into a building beside the keep.
"Ah, these are our guests for the night. The adventurers Gravel and Iris, and the Knight of the Hidden Moon, Diara."
"Welcome. It may be a humble gray stone castle, but I hope you find your stay comfortable. And Diara, it's been a while. It feels like just yesterday I saw you running out of the temple and wandering the streets of Ves-Dinas, yet so much time has passed." Hess said warmly.
"O-Oh… It's been a while, Priest Hess!" Diara replied, her face flushing.
"Why are you calling my castle humble?" the lord of the gray stone castle interjected, stepping in front of Hess with a playful protest.
"Thank you for the warm welcome. For adventurers, this is more than we could ask for, so please don't worry." Gravel responded politely.
The group exchanged greetings and entered the keep.
They passed through a corridor bathed in light streaming through large windows over 4 cubits(2 meters) tall, arriving at the great hall inside the keep.
Gravel noticed the paintings hanging on the walls, a long table in the corner of the hall, and a richly patterned dark carpet covering the floor. In one corner, a bronze-decorated fireplace radiated a warm red glow, adding coziness to the spacious hall.
"So, what brings a priest who should be listening to the voice of the Goddess of Prosperity to this gray stone castle?" Count Tould asked, draping his red bear pelt cloak over the nearest chair as he entered the great hall.
"It's nothing major." Hess replied, stroking his long gray beard.
"Yesterday, I happened to see an envoy from the House Raller entering Valla-Glas. I figured you'd be away, as usual, and that Labil would have to receive the envoy in your stead. I came to assist, but now that you're here, it seems my help isn't needed."
"Ha! To think you'd care so much about the House Tould. Without your House Willow, who knows where we'd be…" Count Tould said with a chuckle.
"If you're so grateful, show your face at the temple more often. The Goddess might not care to see an old devotee, but a count should visit now and then."
"Alright, alright. I've kept our guests standing too long listening to your nagging. Let's save the temple talk for later."
Count Tould said, smoothly deflecting Hess's lecture as he approached Diara.
"Then I suppose I have no reason to linger in the castle. I'll head back to the temple, Gran." Hess said.
"Have you seen Labil? He'd be thrilled to know you're here."
"Labil comes to the temple often, unlike you, so it's no matter." Hess replied with a grin.
"Ha! I'll have to visit the temple tomorrow, then. How about staying for dinner with an old friend? With guests here, the food and wine will be better than usual."
"Oh? That's tempting enough to make me stay. I'll go talk with Labil and look forward to dinner. You enjoy your time with the guests."
Hess said, offering a warm smile to Diara and the others before leaving the hall.
"Phew. That nagging old man's taken care of. Diara, you must be tired from driving the wagon. How about resting in a room?" Count Tould asked.
"That would be great." Diara replied.
"The adventurers might want to do the same. I'll have the book you mentioned sent to your room."
he added, addressing Gravel and Iris.
"Yes, thank you. I would be very grateful" Gravel responded.
With a gesture from Count Tould, a few servants approached and guided the guests out of the great hall.
"Hmm… I wonder what business the dog of House Kavil has, sending an envoy…"
Count Tould mused, walking to the window and gazing outside.
The House Raller, led by Rudian Raller, ruled the small barony in the kingdom's northwest. Starting as a mere soldier in House Kavil, Rudian Raller had risen to the rank of baron, officially recognized by the royal court, though the family's history was still short.
Count Tould had never met Rudian Raller in person but had heard plenty of rumors: a man who betrayed allies for status, a ruthless tax collector, and whispers that one should never drink the wine sent by the House Raller. He seemed the type to fit every vile descriptor imaginable.
If the westernmost territory of House Kavil belonged to the House Raller, the easternmost human territory at the foot of the Norwan Mountains, connected by the vast Latulle cave passage, was the domain of the Smollen barony.
The Dawi and Muwa on the other side of the mountains were reluctant to travel to human kingdoms, so most trade with them occurred in the city of Tollu, under the House Smollen. Though a small baronial city, Tollu was rough but promised future prosperity.
The disputes between the Raller and Smollen always stemmed from the House Raller's jealousy of Tollu's flourishing state. To Count Tould, House Raller was a constant threat to his vassal, the House Smollen.
"Before we enjoy a pleasant dinner, let's hear what the dog of House Kavil has to bark about. Bring in the Raller envoy."
Count Tould ordered a waiting servant. He sat in a chair beneath the banner of the House Tould, embroidered with their rhino emblem, the armrests adorned with carved rhino heads. Leaning forward with his chin resting on one hand, he awaited the unwelcome guest.
Soon, the sound of sturdy leather boots echoed through the corridor, reaching Count Tould's ears. The footsteps paused, and the heavy doors of the great hall creaked open, held by two servants. Between them stood a small, rotund man with shifty eyes, an odd-shaped mustache, and a protruding belly, accompanied by a bear-like figure with scars on his cheeks and arms, clearly a bodyguard.
"The envoy of Raller, Punshal Deira!"
The large man announced, his voice booming so loudly it shook the room, causing the small man's hair to flutter beneath his hat.
"Welcome, Punshal Deira." Count Tould, remaining seated.
"I am Punshal Deira, here to pay respects to Count Tould."
The small man said, approaching the count's chair. He removed his hat, extended his right arm, stepped to the right, then forward with his left foot, and bowed deeply with the hat pressed to his chest, performing a flawless noble greeting.
"So, what business brings such a courteous envoy from the House Raller to Valla-Glas?" Count Tould asked.
As he spoke, the large man handed a small box to a servant, who opened it, inspected the contents, and showed Count Tould a small statue adorned with gold and jewels.
"It's regarding a matter with your vassal, the Smollen, and their territory… There's been a disagreement, and I've come on behalf of Baron Rudian Raller of the House Raller to seek your mediation."
Punshal explained.
"I see. Tell me about this disagreement." Count Tould said, motioning for the servant to remove the box.
"Well… the issue concerns the fortress the House Smollen is building in the forest, called the Lanta Fortress. When my lord, Rudian Raller, was granted his territory by the Duke Kavil, it was understood that the Raller barony extended to the birch Forest, where the Lanta Fortress now stands…"
Punshal tugged at his mustache, about to continue, when—
"Is the dog of House Kavil spouting nonsense in here?"
A voice thundered from outside the great hall, startling everyone. At the entrance stood a towering man with dark red hair slicked back, clad in heavy plate armor. His eyes blazed, teeth clenched, as he glared at Punshal with a piercing stare.
"W-Who dares use such vulgar language in the presence of the count?" Punshal stammered.
Ignoring him, the red-haired man strode forward, each step resounding with the clank of his armored boots and greaves.
"This is all a scheme by you dogs of House Kavil!"
He roared, advancing toward Punshal.