"Danger is relative, Mr. Pine, yet opportunity comes with danger," Roland said, as he read over the relevant materials collected by his assistant minister in his mind. "You inherited the title from your father, am I right? He had been a knight and was rewarded the name and land for his valor in battle."
"Exactly," Tigui said, nodding.
"The battle also started in the Months of Demons, and it was an honorable battle fought for the innocent. At that time, a small number of demonic beasts accidentally crossed our stronghold defense through the Redwater River into the hinterland of the Western Region. Your father came across those beasts when he was in his patrol duty. Considering that the town behind him had no fortifications, though it was not in his governance, he chose to attack the beasts. Rather than avoiding and retreating for support, which most man would have done under the same circumstances," Roland stated, watching Tigui. "I believe you're clearer about what happened afterward than me. Together with the men who he gathered in town and his squire, your father marched on the beasts and defeated them."
"Indeed," Tigui said, his voice trembled with excitement, apparently admiring this glorious history. "One of the monsters, dreadfully huge, looked like either a stage or an ox or the combination of both. Its leg was thicker and sturdier than my father's trunk and shook the ground when it ran. I could never defeat this kind of monster if I were there."
"But he did it. Standing near a shallow groove, my father lured the angry beast to him, and when it sped up to strike, he lay down in the shallow groove, holding the sword on a stone with the tip right up. The seemingly invincible beast was too foolish to dodge the sword tip which ripped open its belly, and the guts poured out, covering all over my father. By now, above my hearth still hangs the reward from that battle—a large horn from a demonic beast."
Roland drank some tea and said calmly, "The battle was worthy of admiration. Your father had kept his faith, compassion, and bravery of a knight. Joe Kohl, who gave your father the title and the land, was an earl in Longsong Stronghold back then. 25 years ago, he was promoted to a duke by my father, King Wimbledon III. He was appointed as the Guardian of the Southern Border with his governance extending all over the Southern Territory. It was a pity that with no one staying in Longsong Stronghold to back the late Pine. After Joe Kohl had received the new appointment, he became a thorn in the eyes of the Duke of Longs Stronghold, when he stayed at the east of Longsong Stronghold."
"You know it all too well." Tigui exhaled, looking a little helpless. "Lord Joe doesn't get along well with Duke of Longsong Stronghold and didn't obtain his earl's title from the duke, either. With a bloodline tracing back to the branch of the crown, he's not beneath Duke Ryan, whether by family or blood."
"This is politics", Roland thought secretly, a trick played by King Wimbledon III that would balance two powers.
In order to fully understand the complicated relations between these two families, he had spent a whole day with his assistant minister.
The lands and governance among the noble are extremely complicated. In theory, the superiors were able to command juniors within his land. But it turns out that was far more complex to carry out. As we could see from Joe Kohl and Duke Ryan, though having his land in the Western Region, Joe Kohl, who was an earl named directly by the king, was as respected and beloved as Duke Ryan by the subjects.
After Joe had been titled the Duke of the Southern Territory, the crown would surely arrange new spies on his land, which was the usual means to keep political stability.
"Therefore, when the land was passed to you, the trade and farm had turned bad gradually, and the property was no longer as prosperous as it had been," Roland said slowly. "Now, here is a new chance for you."
"A new... chance?"
"I suppose you heard the famine that happened two years ago. Longsong Stronghold detained the food supply of the next month in the name of insufficient ores trading. This year we have the same trouble. The unexpected collapse that happened in the Mine of Northern Slope has backed my people into a corner, and we have to ward off demonic beasts with the help of our newly built city wall. The war will be tough and hard, but yet chances come with danger, as I said before."
"..." Tigui knew what the prince meant. He frowned and said nothing.
"It seems to me that you're not a general noble." Roland smiled. "For no nobles dress like you when they're out and no high-borns get their palms full of horns. Mr. Pine, you haven't left behind your father's legacy, have you? The fighting skill of a knight."
It was certain that he did not leave behind the skill, Roland thought, or he would never spend so much time on the Misty Forest. From the information offered by Barov, he spent at least three days every week in the Misty Forest during his days in Border Town. Each time he was fully equipped and brought hunters with him because he could not afford to keep squires. Some people liked fighting and apparently, Tigui Pine was one of them.
"I'll offer you this chance to win back the honor of your father—to fight for them with your sword and courage. I'll reward you a piece of land in the east of Border Town, an appropriate piece of land for the viscount if you're doing well in battle."
Though it rarely happened, the offer was valid. When a prince had come of age, he had the power to name the viscount, baron, and knight according to law. However, he barely did it to the men who were under other lords' authorities. He was afraid of either being inappropriate to poach from other lords or being awkward to be rejected. But in Roland's eyes, manners meant nothing compared to Nana's healing skill, neither did he worry about being rejected by Mr. Pine. Since Joe did not bring Tigui's father with him when he was the Guardian of the Southern Border, it seemed that Joe had given up the Pines.
Finally, Tigui said, "Your Highness, may I send Nana back to Longsong Stronghold? No one has ever defeated the demonic beasts here, and I don't want my daughter to perish here in case we lose the battle."
"I've told you from the very beginning, Mr. Pine, that the danger is relative. Have you ever thought what if anyone in Longsong Stronghold finds out Nana is a witch? Unlike here, the church has its root deep and long in Longsong Stronghold. With disciples and spies everywhere, I can't even save her, once her identity is revealed."
Roland paused for a moment and added, "Border Town will not fall, for I'll fight with my people side by side on the city wall when the Months of Demons comes. Our enemies are mutated beasts not unbeatable demons. You father defeated them on a plain without any cover, and we have more now, an unsurpassable wall that stands between the beasts and us. If... I mean, if we're truly in danger, I'll send Nana away to secure her safety." He paused. "And Anna, too. I'll prepare a boat on the dock in case. I promise they'll be safe."
"Then... I lay my trust on you, Your Highness," said Tigui Pine, and he stood up and kneeled, his chest straight up and his belly flat, before he saluted the prince with a knight courtesy and pledged. "I'll fight for you."
...
After Tigui and Nana had taken their leave, Anna rolled her eyes to Roland.
"What're you dreaming of?" she said, "I'm not going anywhere."
