259 The Matriarch's Plans

Before Arran and Brightblade stepped out of the mansion's gate, Jovan insisted that they take an escort of four guards. This seemed unnecessary to Arran — the Matriarch's residence was barely a stone's throw away, and if they were attacked, four adepts would hardly make a difference — but Jovan was adamant all the same.

"Lord Ghostblade," he said with a serious frown, "it would not be right for you to go unescorted. Not with your status."

Arran sighed, then gave his steward a short nod. "Very well."

He sighed not because there'd be an escort on the short walk to the Matriarch's residence, but because he knew that, from this moment on, there would be an escort whenever he stepped outside his mansion's gates.

As the guards joined them on the way to the Matriarch's mansion, Arran glanced at one of them. A tall, light-haired man with broad shoulders, he was one of the more talented swordsmen among the guards.