I found my master sitting at a table near the window, his back resting against the chair. He had a relaxed look on his face, as if he could fall asleep at any moment as the warm sun washed over his face. I set my findings on the table, causing him to look over at me. "Ah, you've returned," he smiled, "how was the village? Like you expected it?"

I shook my head. "It was... a bit overwhelming," I admitted, as the books I'd read and scenes I'd imagined weren't quite like what I'd experienced. "But I made a friend, and managed to pick up some supplies we might need."

Elric looked over the items, including the herbs and food. "You're too responsible, child," he shook his head, grinning, "I gave you those coins so you could go out and spend it on yourself."

"I did, well, some of it..." I admitted, recalling how I'd purchased a few items from the food stalls with the boy I'd met. "Did you find our guide?" I asked.

He nodded. "We'll be going there tonight to meet them. The manor is not far from here."

"Manor?" I asked, surprised.

"We'll be meeting with the Baron of this land, Cedric Hillcrest. I'll explain everything on the way there."He rose from his chair and grabbed his cloak. "Gather your belongings, we'll be staying there for a few days before we depart."

As we set out from the inn, the crisp spring air filled my lungs. We ventured out of town, avoiding the large crowds as the day market made way for the night market, and set out on a winding path through the hills. As we passed rows of farm crops and fields of wildflowers with grazing cattle and horses, my master explained everything to me.

The Barony of this land, which rested on the very edge of the fourth County and was the final territory ruled by nobility, supported a long line of talented horsemen. Their family, the Hillcrests, had been raising horses in these hills for centuries, which explained why I'd seen so many of them on the way, and their horses held unique traits. It lined up exactly as the stable boy had told me. To build the cavalry, the king had requested that these horses be brought to the capital to start a royal herd, and requested that Cedric himself personally deliver them and oversee the process.

"We will be traveling with them to the capital," My master explained. "A little later than I'd hoped, but at least we'll be in good company."

This got me curious, as we made our way up a hill and the walls of the manor came into view in the distance. "Is it dangerous?" I asked. Of course, I'd read books of travelers getting mugged by bandits and left with hardly the clothes on their backs, if they were that lucky.

"Well..." My master hesitated. "I'm not as young as I used to be, and I want you to spare using your powers in front of others if possible if we get into trouble."

"What do you mean?" I asked again. "Do you think I might not be able to control them?"

He paused, looking at my concerned eyes. "Ah, perhaps I shouldn't have said that," He said remorsefully, "Your control so far is exemplary. I just meant that not everyone will be as accepting of your abilities as your village was, and I want you to make it to the capitol in one piece."

I agreed reluctantly, feeling as though there was something my master wasn't telling me.

"It will be faster on horseback," he added. This caused me to brighten up, as I was looking forward to riding a horse outside of those from our mountain village. They were fine animals, though a bit rough around the edges and small, bred for being agile, and we didn't have many of them.

I wonder about that stable boy... I thought as I looked around at the passing farmhouses. We were still a few hours from dusk, but I could see the farmers returning to their homes after a long day of work. He must work at the manor. Perhaps I'll see him there? At this thought, I was hopeful. I wanted to see him again and ask him his name, as I hadn't before. Perhaps with all those horses we would bring along a few stable hands as well to keep them in line.

He was... nice, I smiled, recalling his eyes that reminded me of home. I'd like to talk to him again if I could. Hear more about that horse. We approached the manor, with its splendid gates, and I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. This was the first time I'd been to a place so extravagant, and it was all a bit overwhelming at first. We were welcomed by servants, others of which carried out their daily tasks in the yard. There were horses everywhere, I noticed, especially from the giant field of them and multiple barns not far from the manor.

The yard was incredibly kempt, with trimmed bushes guiding us up a stone drive to the manor, which rose up before me. It was incredible, nearly three times the size of my own home, with sturdy stone walls rising dignifiedly toward the sky dotted with tall, narrow windows. Their panes caught the golden glow of the setting sun. As I approached I felt a sense of awe and grandeur, and I noticed that standing before the entrance to the manor was a man who was very well dressed.

"Welcome," he waved, dismissing the servants who had escorted us to their tasks. "I trust your travels have been well?" It was none other than the Baron himself, Cedric Hillcrest, that personally greeted us. He introduced himself to us.

My master nodded. "They have been," he said, shaking the Baron's hand. "I am Elric Shadowcaster, and this is my apprentice, Aster Lorcandottir."

Cedric shook my hand with his powerful, bear-like grasp. I felt like a twig compared to him. "Ah, a Parrfeller, eh? I thought you had the look of the mountains about you. I met your father once, a long time ago. He's a good man."

"He is," I smiled, appreciating the compliment. I wanted to ask how they'd met, but refrained. I cast a questioning look toward my master. Perhaps that was how we were called outside of our mountains, which were known as the Parrfell Mountains. It struck me that those that knew of us must think of us as mysterious people.

"Now, Come this way, and I'll show you to your quarters." Cedric noticed our luggage, and instructed servants to retrieve it from us. The doors opened, and we entered the splendid manor. We were led through the parlor and down the halls until we reached two doors. "These are our guest rooms. I trust you'll find everything you need inside."

"Thank you for your hospitality," Elric nodded.

Cedric shook his head. "I wish I had more to offer, it's not every day you provide lodging for a former Archmage!"

"You flatter me," My master grunted.

"Nonsense. I'll let the two of you settle in, and we can discuss business after dinner," Cedric replied, waving a hand at us before disappearing around the corner. He's... friendly, I thought. He seemed like a dignified man that had many stories to tell.

As he left, the servant quickly jumped in his place. "My name is Jaida, and I am the head Maid of this household. Please ring the bells in your rooms if you need anything, my quarters are just downstairs." She opened the doors to our respective rooms, where our luggage lay on the beds. "Dinner will be in twenty minutes."

I wore the nicest clothes I brought with me, and met the servant outside my door. My master must've gone to talk with Cedric some more before dinner, I surmised, and followed the servant down the hallway toward the Great Hall.

It was indeed a great hall, with a large, long table extending its length and walls decorated with tapestries depicting the valor of the Hillcrest family. There were more than enough seats for the entire Hillcrest family, which included Cedric, his wife, and three sons.

As I entered, out of the corner of my eye I caught a young man watching me with a curious expression as I entered. It was none other than the boy I'd met in the market, except he was dressed in much nicer clothes and his hair was swept back. He no longer looked like a simple stable boy, but the son of nobility, and he carried it in his presence. As I was seated next to my master, a look of recognition mixed with surprise crossed his face.

"Elric, Aster, I'd like you to meet my family. My wife, Esther," He gestured toward the beautiful woman, with blonde hair falling down past her shoulders, who made my nicest clothes look like rags. She offered a warm smile, and I felt I was seeing Beth's future before me. "My eldest son, Henrik, second son, Ethan, and third son, Jordan."

Each son took after their father in their builds and appearances, with chocolate brown hair and brown eyes, but Jordan stood out in his resemblance to his mother, with his blonde hair and distinctly sparkling blue eyes. They each offered a kind greeting, with the eldest two sons introducing their wives who sat next to them.

"It's nice to meet you," Jordan offered when it was his turn to greet.

I was confused, was this not the boy I had met earlier in the market, dressed like a stable hand? But I returned the gesture with my own shy smile, "Likewise," I said. I felt a sense of familiarity, as well as curiosity about Jordan and his family. They seemed like nice people, and I couldn't help but feel drawn to them and their charismatic demeanor. In my eyes they were model nobility, though they were the only nobles I had officially met. Jordan, so that's his name. Is he just going to pretend like he doesn't know me?

The food was set before us by the servants and passed around until each of us filled our plates. It smelled delicious, and after weeks of eating nothing but smoked fish and rations my stomach was rumbling with delight. The appetizers I'd eaten at the market today were only a precursor.

The table was alight with bright conversation as my master and I were asked questions about our journey, and the family recalled their day. True to Cedric's words, he and Elric left to discuss business afterward and I was escorted back to my quarters. I'd been unable to talk with Jordan like I'd hoped to after the meal, as he'd slipped away by one of his brothers. Perhaps I'd see him tomorrow.

The feeling of sitting down to a family meal was a nice feeling again, but it made me homesick. I went to bed with a forlorn feeling that night, as I recalled the faces of the family members I'd left behind. Will I ever see them again?

______

There was a knock at my door, and I turned suddenly. I wasn't expecting someone this morning. When I approached the door and opened it, I saw it was none other than Jordan.

"Hello, uh, Aster, right?" He asked tentatively, scratching the back of his head. He was standing there awkwardly, holding a brown guinea sack close to his front, as if it might shield him from my judgement.

"You didn't tell me you were the son of a Baron when J met you yesterday," I said, with a hint of playfulness in my voice, leaning against the doorframe.

He winced. "Yeah, about that... I'm hoping you won't mention yesterday to anyone. I wasn't exactly supposed to be there yesterday.."

"So you're a rebel, too?" I arched an eyebrow. "You don't seem the rebellious type."
"And you don't seem like the kind of mage who'd let her powers run wild," he shot back, then hesitated. "Wait, you're not, are you?"
"Not today," I said lightly, but the flicker of unease in his expression made me smile. "Anyway, you didn't believe me when I said I was a Parfeller."
"Well—" He paused, stumped, then stuck out his hand. "Let's start over. I'm Jordan. Nice to meet you."
"Aster," I replied, taking his hand. "Likewise." I offered him a kind smile to show that all was well.
For a moment, he lingered. It wasn't awkward, but I could tell he was measuring his next words carefully. "I'm supposed to show you around the estate," he said finally. "Thought we could start with the stables." He held up the bag, and the scent of herbs wafted out.
My eyes lit up. "Of course!" I turned to grab my coat as it was a bit chilly out there.

"Great," he smiled as I shut the door behind me and followed him down the hall and out of the entry.