As with most of the town's protected by Hyrule's major houses, the streets of Aethros looked pristine, untouched by the skirmishes and death that reigned supreme elsewhere in the world. That was the point, she supposed, of paying tithes and taxes to a noble lord.
The lord of House Spyridon and his family never seemed like quite the warriors though, not in Ahn's eyes. It was an "inner" territory so to speak, the part of Hyrule that had been tamed first by their ancestors. Outlying territories like her lords, well, those required more grizzled warriors. Soft skills wouldn't cut it. So despite what ridicule her lord received for hiring a woman in his honor guard, Ahn knew it didn't so much as flicker in his mind. Jadis Vykinn knew what it took to defend him, to defend Geddon.
But battle-hardened men knew best when the time came for aid. And thus came his visit to Aethros, to the house of Lord Theseus Spyridon.
A small contingent of horses entered the castle's courtyard before dismounting. Ahn came forward to take her lord's reins while the knights waited for the stable boys to escort them away. He gave her a curt nod in acknowledgment, and as much as she hated to admit it, that alone made her swell with pride. Greyr, their captain and a good friend, cast a look and a knowing smirk in her direction and she only shot him a glare in response.
Their lord headed toward the castle entrance, leaving his honor guard standing in ranks with the horses, awaiting orders.
"Well Spyridon is certainly... stylish," Greyr said with a dry chuckle. "I wonder if any of them can fight. With a sword, not a glove."
"Don't be condescending... they protect their people," Ahn gave him a look, falling in rank beside him.
"Yes, but from what? Clashing drapes?" he gave her a sly smirk.
Smiles broke out across the ranks. Anyone with even a mild sense of humor couldn't last around Greyr. "No, clashing flower beds," she shot back. The jib earned her a short chuckle.
"Aye. I can see that."
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"I'll spare two rolls, fine lady, just for a smile," Cast replied, holding one out to Jarl first. "The kid's growing. Help keep some meat on him."
His remark didn't get the response he'd awaited, rather, no response at all as Jarl began motioning behind him, speaking about a man. Cast and Cresta exchanged looks, the blacksmith shrugging her shoulders slightly. Others would attributed it to the fancy of a child, but something refused to release its grip around Cast's lungs. He remembered who Garden used to be, even if a scrawny half-starved boy didn't seem familiar to her. He'd bought a Light Parcel from her when they were young, when she was yet in training, for his own mother. Only a fool would dismiss Jarl's words completely, knowing that.
But with Garden's discomfort, only a fool would dwell on it then and there either.
"Two meat buns for a smile. And then throw in the wool just because I'm delightful," he said again.
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