We walked out the parlor and into the yard, where a cool spring breeze met my face and tugged at my hair. Jordan grinned as he glanced at me,  "So I take it the Parfeller's aren't the type that could snap your neck like a twig as the rumors say, after all?"

"Not quite. More like the kind to break your ribs giving you a bear hug though," I joked. His laugh was easy, and I found myself smiling. "But I can understand why you didn't believe I was one of them. I don't exactly fit the rumors."

He shrugged, his steps light as we crossed the yard. "I wouldn't know— I've never met a Parfeller before. But, now I can say I have!"

The scent of horses and manure wafted to my nose as the stable came into view, a familiar scent from our own stables in the village. "And you nobles aren't as ruthless as the books say," I teased.

Jordan's grin faded slightly, replaced with a thoughtful look. The wind tousled his hair as he replied,  "Depends on where you go. But there are still some that live up to our names."

I thought for a moment. "Well you don't seem too bad." He smiled, then gave a soft laugh, but there was no humor in it. "What's so funny?" I asked.

"You have much more to learn about the world of the nobility, then. Ruthless isn't too far off,"He had a far-off look in his eye as he glanced over the yard.  "You'd be surprised what people will do for power. Cutthroat might be a better term."

"We share everything we have in my village. Don't your people do the same?"

He shook his head. "It must be nice to live like that, without anyone governing over you. Unfortunately, it can't work that way here."

I frowned, wondering what he meant by that. It was a foreign concept to me. Nevertheless, I would soon see exactly what he was talking about when I reached the Capital with Elric. I was nervous and yet excited for that day. We reached the entrance to the stable, with its tall wooden doors. The stable hands greeted us as we approached.

A gray-bearded man was leading a glossy black mare, her coat darkened with sweat. "Morning, Jordan!" the man called out, his voice warm and gruff. "Who's this little lady you've got with you?"
"Arthur!" Jordan broke into a grin. "This is Aster, our guest and the apprentice of Elric Shadowcaster."
The man's bushy brows rose. "An Archmage's apprentice, eh? That's no small thing." He held out a hand, which I shook, noting the rough calluses that spoke of years of work.
"Just Aster is fine," I said with a smile. "Jordan's been showing me around."

"Well, you couldn't have a better guide," Arthur said with a chuckle. "This boy's got a knack with horses that'd put his father to shame. He knows his way around the estate and surrounding land better than anybody."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Arthur," Jordan replied, though his cheeks colored slightly.

"Oh, nonsense. It's true, and you know it." Arthur ruffled Jordan's hair, earning a playful swat. The black mare snorted, jerking her head back, and Arthur expertly steadied her. "Well, don't let me keep you. I've got to cool this one off before the sun gets too high."

"See you later, Arthur!" Jordan called as we moved on. He turned to me as we entered the stable, "He's one of our top Horsemasters. and taught me nearly everything I know about horses and riding. He can tell you about every horse here, down to the smallest markings."
"That's amazing," I said as we continued walking, entering the stable. The clatter of hooves on cobblestones and the low murmur of stable hands filled the air. Sunlight filtered through slats in the walls, casting golden stripes on the hay-strewn floor.

The scent of horses hit me, warm and familiar. A golden horse stuck its head out of a stall, ears swiveling toward us. "That's Comet," Jordan said, his face lighting up as he reached out to scratch the horse's nose. "He's the horse I was telling you about yesterday."

I reached forward to scratch the horse's neck. "He's big," I said, marveling at his size. And he was incredibly muscular, too. "Our horses are smaller—built for climbing steep trails. This one looks like he could charge through a wall." There was really no comparison between the two of them, the horses here looked like truly noble steeds, fit for nobility. Comet huffed, as if in agreement.
Jordan laughed. "He probably could. But don't let his size fool you—he's a sweetheart.  Especially when there are treats involved." He fished a sugar cube out of his pocket, holding it out on his palm. Comet snatched it up eagerly, nickering in approval.
"Seems like you spoil him," I said.
"Perhaps." Jordan gave the horse one last pat before gesturing toward the far end of the stable. "We can take him for a ride tomorrow. I'll ask father, but I'm sure he'll let you."
"Really?" My eyes lit up. I'd gotten to hone my horse riding skills over the past two years, but, like my swordsmanship ability, it still needed work. "I'd love that."
Jordan gestured over his shoulder. "Come on, we'll go drop these herbs off, and I'll show you where the real magic happens."
We passed row after row of horses, each one sleek and strong, bred for endurance or speed. Stable hands nodded in greeting as we walked by, some leading horses out to the pastures, others brushing down their coats. The place buzzed with quiet efficiency.
"Your family really takes this seriously," I said, marveling at the sheer number of horses. "What do you end up doing with all of them?" I wondered.
"It's what we're known for," Jordan replied. "Breeding, training, trading—it's the backbone of the barony. These horses have carried knights into battle, messengers across borders, even kings to their coronations."
"That's... impressive." I hesitated, then added, "Must be hard, saying goodbye to them."
Jordan's expression softened. "It is. But they always come back, in a way. Their bloodlines live on here, in all the horses in our territory. It's just part of the process. Without them, our barony would hardly be thriving like it is now. Most nobles have a lot of horses, although likely not this many. Though... I guess I wouldn't know too much since I haven't left our estate."
"Really?" I asked.

"Yes, my older brothers mainly carry out public affairs with my father. I guess you could say I've enjoyed the freedom to do other things, though.."

"...like sneak into the town market for the day?" I said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, I suppose you could say that," he reluctantly agreed.

"Hey, that reminds me. Why did you leave so quickly? And why was it such a big deal for you to be there, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Ah, about that..." he must've known this question was coming. "The people aren't exactly on good terms with my father right now. They don't like that he's sending our horses to the capital to mix with their stock."

"And why exactly would they not like that?" I wondered.

"It means there's war on the horizon," Jordan sighed. "The king has never had an interest in refining the Royal Calvary's bloodlines until now. Rumors spread quickly, and the people are uneasy. War means higher taxes, which they've already started to feel the brunt of. They're upset, not with my father, but with nobility in general. With all the gossip and political unrest... My father thought it best for me to not leave the barony alone. Helps keep us distant from criticism until it dies down."

I shifted on my feet. "I... understand, I guess..." After a pause, I said,. "It must be hard for you to deal with."

"Some days it's harder than others... But I'm just the third son. No one expects much from me, so I get to sneak off to the market and talk to Parfellers without it making the news." His words were light and playful as he gave me an elbow. "And what about you? It must be hard for you to have to leave your home, especially if you're as close to your village as it sounds like."

I thought for a moment. "To be honest, I haven't had much time to think about it. I've been so busy with training and everything, that this all feels like a dream," I gazed up at the clouds that were hanging peacefully overhead, and thought of the previous evening. "You and your family remind me very much of them. You all seem very close."

"I'm glad you think so," He smiled. We came to the entrance of another stable, which seemed to move at a much slower pace than the other one. There were fewer stable hands running about, and they were mostly delivering feed or leading horses out to the paddocks.

"This is the barn where we keep most of our older horses. They're some of Father's favorites, and they've earned their keep over the years so they get to live out their lives in luxury," he said, smiling. He patted the rump of an old gray stallion tied to a wall, and nodded to the stable boy who was brushing him off. "How's Henry doing today?" he asked.

The boy, who couldn't have been more than twelve, looked up, "He's doing much better now that I've been applying that salve you made to his joints and adding garlic to his feed."

"Good to hear," Jordan said, ruffling the boy's hair. "I'm just showing Aster around. She and her Master are my father's guests. We'll be in the medicine room if you need anything."

The boy's eyes lit up, "Are you a mage?" He must have heard the rumors. Then he quickly settled himself, dipping his head slightly. "Sorry, that was rude, Miss... er, Aster."

I smiled. This boy reminded me of so many of the younger children in my village. "Just Aster is fine, please. And yes, I am indeed a mage! It's nice to meet you." I offered him my hand, and he accepted the gesture. I could feel his gaze burning a hole into my back as Jordan led me into the "medicine room" just across the walkway.

"Everyone is so nice and polite here," I said softly, thinking of the stable hand with the reddish brown hair. As we entered the room, I was met with a strong scent of herbs that made me reel back. "I didn't know it was such a big deal to be a mage. There aren't many of us, are there?"

Jordan set the bag of herbs down on a wooden counter, which was lined with mortar and pestles and various other herb-distilling equipment. On the far wall appeared to be a cabinet filled with hand-made extracts and remedies.

"No, and their numbers are getting fewer by the day. And there are lots of legends surrounding mages, so you all have quite the prestigious reputation," he winked.

"I'll have to try and live up to that, then," I sighed. "So, this is where the real magic happens?"

There were rows of herbs tied to the ceiling, lined up to dry, and Jordan emptied the bag to string up the herbs he'd bought in town in the same fashion. "Indeed," he said, handing me a leather tie and a bundle of herbs. "I love coming out here in my free time and making things for the horses. It's usually only me, so it's pretty quiet."

We worked quickly, and I helped him hang the herbs on the ceiling to dry. "You mean you do all this by yourself?" I was impressed by his handiwork. The room was neatly kept, and everything was labeled properly. He even had a shelf of books pertaining to herbs in the corner.

He nodded. "We used to have someone do this, but he retired, and passed his knowledge to me. With our funds tight like they are, Father didn't think it necessary to hire someone else."

I marveled at the different types of herbs hanging on the ceiling, trying to pick out their names. "What's this one?" I asked, reaching up for a green plant with wide leaves.

I was totally unprepared for Jordan to reach up behind me to grab the plant. He was so close—and at this distance, I realized how tall he was. And how nice he smelled, like fresh-cut grass and morning dew. I couldn't help the color that went to my cheeks, but the moment was gone as Jordan picked a dried leaf off and pulled back.

"It's peppermint," he said. "It's pretty good for digestion."

I examined the plant once more, looking over the rows of hanging plants. Jordan pulled his watch from his pocket. "We should be heading out soon. If you're interested, maybe we could come back here and make some more garlic extract for Henry's feed?"

"Yes, that would be fun!" I exclaimed, excited at the prospect of playing around with more herbs. We may run out of plans before I leave for the capital, I smiled, recalling the promise he made to take me out on Comet. But it was nice to have things to do other than sit in my room and wait for Elric to give me updates.

We left the stable, continuing to make small-talk and poke fun at each other. I was starting to feel more comfortable around this Jordan boy, and was happy with the fact that I'd made a friend. Part of me was scared that people would tend to be wary of me because I was a Parfeller, but Jordan and his family accepted me right away. It made me wonder how his father had met mine, and what circumstances led up to it. My father had never mentioned meeting a lowlander.

After a brief lunch, we continued our tour. As we walked down a dirt path, we came upon the entrance to a grand gate behind the manor, where tall rose bushes rose up behind, perfectly and squarely trimmed. Jordan waved at the gardener who held a pruner, neatly clipping the tops of the bushes on what I imagined was a ladder, though I couldn't see it from this side.

Jordan shifted his pace, "Would you like to see my mother's flower garden? I think you'll like it. Less manure, more flowers."

My eyes lit up. "Yes!" I'd never seen a flower garden before, only fields and fields of wildflowers. I wondered if the beauty of this one would match up to their splendor.

"You know, I think I'm starting to figure you out," Jordan chuckled. "You just say yes to everything."

"What can I say, I'm a simple girl," I shrugged, laughing, "I see horses, I see herbs, I see a flower garden, who wouldn't say yes?"

Jordan seemed to find this funny, and we continued to joke as we followed the path through the garden. Our boots crunched against the gravel, mingling with the distant whinny of horses. The manicured hedges and sprawling lawns gave way to bursts of colorful blooms, patches of flowers that I'd never seen before.

There were oranges, reds, and purples—hyacinths, roses, bluebells and all kinds of flowers I'd never seen before, as well as exotic plants. I couldn't resist stooping down to take in their beautiful fragrance.

"So, what do you think?" Jordan asked, waiting patiently on the path with his arms crossed behind his back.

"It's... splendid!" I said, searching for the words, my voice tinged with awe. "I've never seen such a perfect garden. We only have fields of wildflowers, and never in this much variety."

Jordan grinned, feeding off my excitement. "I'm glad you think so. My mother designed it years ago, when she and my father were first married. She used to tend to it herself, though Henrik and Ethan's wives help her now along with the gardeners. They've always thought of it as a nice refuge from the chaos of the household."

"It's a lovely way to unwind," I commented. It was much like Jordan's own hobby with the herbs. I wondered if his father and brothers did something similar.

"It is," Jordan responded. We continued walking the garden, stopping near the fountain to talk for a while before we heard another set of footsteps on the gravel.

It was none other than Cedric Hillcrest and his wife, Edith, out for an afternoon stroll in the garden. Jordan waved when he saw them, and I waved back tentatively.

"Mother, father, it's a lovely afternoon, isn't it?" Jordan greeted, smiling.

"Ah, Jordan, indeed it is," His father returned the greeting. "I trust you've been giving Aster a proper tour of the estate?"

"He's given me a thorough survey of the grounds, Mr. Hillcrest. It's quite an amazing place." I replied. I hadn't been able to talk to him much last night, so I wanted to give myself a proper introduction, especially if he was going to be the one escorting my master and I to the capital.

"Well, we do what we can," Cedric said humbly, but I could tell my compliment had struck home.

"Have you been settling in alright? I hope everything has been to your liking," Edith offered. She wore a beautiful yellow sundress, complimenting her elegant blond hair which she wore down in a loose braid.

"Everything has been perfect, and the staff has been so nice to me," I smiled. "Thank you very much."

"That's good to hear. If anything comes up, just let me know, and I'll take care of it personally."

I was blown away by her kindness, and my face flushed. I nodded, "Yes ma'am, I will," I said.

"Why, she's the spitting image of her father, isn't she, Edith?" Cedric smiled.

I perked up, "You knew my father?" I asked.

Cedric nodded, scratching his beard. "We were very good friends, once upon a time, when I was young and reckless. I used to take young horses up the mountain for training, and he would always give me a warm place to stay. We had many good adventures, him and I. He's a great man."

I was lost for a moment when homesickness flooded through me, and I thought of my father's warm smile. "Indeed he is," I said, trying to keep my voice from cracking. Jordan seemed to pick up on this, and butted in.

"Father, would it be alright if we took Comet and Sabra up to the meadows tomorrow? I think it would be fun to show Aster the forest. We'll be careful, I promise."

Cedric regarded Jordan's offer thoughtfully. "Alright, you may go, but Aster, be sure to check with Elric first."

I nodded, my thoughts shifting away from homesickness. I was excited to ride one of the Hillcrest's powerful horses.

"And also, Father..." Jordan asked tentatively, "How are the breeding plans going?"

Cedric nodded. "They're coming along nicely. Henrik has already reviewed the stallion lines, and Ethan's just sent back notes on the mares. I just need to evaluate before we finalize the list."

Jordan nodded, thoughtfully. "You know father, I was thinking, I'm out with the horses every day, training colts, so perhaps I could—"

Cedric shook his head softly, "That's very thoughtful of you, son, but there's no need to concern yourself with such things. Ethan and I already have that under control. There's a lot of paperwork involved. Continue focusing on your studies—the time will come when you'll be given the opportunity to shoulder such responsibilities."

Jordan's jaw tightened, "But father, I—"

Cedric shook his head once again, "No but's. You're much too young, and you're brothers handle themselves well enough." He sighed.

Edith placed a hand on Cedric's shoulder, as Jordan clenched his hands but respected his father's wishes. "Cedric, dear, perhaps it's time to give Jordan a little more responsibility."

Cedric sighed, looking over Jordan. "You're right dear. Perhaps I'll have him help with finalizing the sales list this year. After all, as you said, you do work with them every day. How does that sound?"

Jordan seemed to perk up a bit, "Yes, father. I'll talk to Henrik this evening."

Cedric turned to Edith, "Speaking of which, Henrik mentioned the new shipment of pellets arrived this morning. He was worried the storage might not hold everything if the next delivery comes early. We may need to expand the west barn sooner than expected."

Edith nodded. "I'll talk to the foreman about the layout this evening."

Jordan shifted on his feed, clearly trying to find a way back into the conversation, running off of the momentum he'd gained earlier, "I could check the storage this evening, just to make sure we're not over capacity. And maybe look at the plans for expansion—"

Cedric gave him a quick, almost absent smile. "That's alright. Ethan's already handling it. He knows what to look for."

Jordan opened his mouth to argue, but his father was already turning back to Edith. "I don't want Ethan overworking himself, though. He hasn't had a proper break in weeks. The negotiations with Hyana are taking longer than we expected."
"He'll manage," Edith said, though there was a note of concern in her voice. "Still, it wouldn't hurt to have someone ease his load, especially with the capital pressing for more stock."
Jordan brightened slightly, stepping forward. "I could—"
"We'll talk to Henrik about reallocating the staff," Cedric said, brushing past Jordan's suggestion entirely. "The paperwork needs to be in order before we can make any changes."
Jordan's hands curled into fists at his sides, but when Cedric turned back to him, his voice remained light. "You're doing well with the horses, Jordan. Keep at it. Comet's in excellent shape. I just stopped by to see old Henry yesterday, and he seems to be doing great on your remedies."
It was meant to be praise, but Jordan's jaw tightened. "Thanks," he said, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Cedric nodded, seeming satisfied and not picking up on Jordan's frustration, then turned to Aster. "I hope you enjoy the rest of your tour. Don't let Jordan keep you out too long—we wouldn't want you missing supper."
With that, Cedric offered a polite nod and strode off with Edith, leaving Jordan staring after them.
After they left, Jordan let out a long, hard exhale. We stood for a moment by the bubbling fountain, as I searched for my words. But I couldn't find anything to say, so I hesitated, glancing at him, "Jordan..."

He shook his head. "It's fine. He's just... busy."

I frowned. There was another long note of awkward silence, and I couldn't think of anything to say to break the tension.

"Well, that went better than I hoped," he said at last, with a note of sarcasm in his voice, sitting down beside the fountain. "But at least he'll let me help with the sales. I just wish he would stop treating me like a child. If he would only stop and look, he'd see I'm just as capable as Henrik or Ethan."

"You know. For what it's worth, I think you're more than capable of handling more responsibility." I frowned. "You care about this place. That has to count for something."

Jordan looked at me, his expression softening. "Thanks, I just wish he'd see it that way. But he still sees me as a ten-year old boy, even though I'm nearly sixteen. By my age, my brothers were already managing the business. And I was still a toddler."

"I-I'm sure he's not doing it on purpose," I said, tentatively. "Perhaps he just wants to protect you."

"I think he's done enough protecting at this point. How much do I need to prove myself to tell him that I'm ready?" He brought his hands to his face and sighed, then straightened his posture. "I'm sorry to unload all that onto you, Aster."

Then, with a shrug that didn't quite mask his disappointment, he gestured toward the path. "Come on. Let's keep going."

"I–" I started to speak, but I didn't want to overstep my boundaries. Who was I to interfere with his family matters? So I followed him through the rest of the garden. His cheery mood returned, but it didn't feel quite the same as it did before. It left me wondering just how much more he had to prove before his father saw him as more than just the youngest son.