1 Prologue

A middle-aged man in plate armor sits upon a warhorse on top of a hill. He stares up at the crows circling overhead while a man runs up to his side.

The man kneels down and speaks to the horseman, "My Lord, the enemy have routed, should we send a contingent after them?".

"Worry not about the enemy, Vincent. I think we've made our point.", says the horseman while looking down the hill to the plains just a hundred yards ahead.

The plains look muddy with a mix of reds and browns, the soil turned over from the feet of men and the hooves of horses. Bodies of men and beast litter the ground, as soldiers in chainmail and leather comb the battlefield for wounded and loot.

A young squire runs up the hill and whispers into the ear of Vincent. "My Lord," says Vincent, "I've just been informed that Knight-Captain Michael was taken down in the enemies first attack of the town."

"What of his family?", the horseman replied.

"He was survived by his son, but it would appear the mother was attacked by the skirmishers who attacked the town during the battle.", Vincent replied, "What would you like to do with the boy, my Lord?".

"Michael was a friend, and so I shall care for his son as if he were family. Go and gather the men Vincent, we've got a long march ahead of us and I must also send a letter to the King. He must know that the border skirmishers are not just brigands and deserters anymore. This aggression from the Mantuans shall not be tolerated.", says the horseman. "At once, my Lord.", says Vincent as he rushes to his horse to rally the men for the long march home towards the border city of Ravenlock.

Ravenlock, the seat of power in the County of Landis, governed by Count Robert Adeston, the current ruler of the county. the Adestons have been the ruling power of the county since the founding of the Kingdom of Beliric back in Year 1120 of the lunar calendar.

Count Robert's domain lies on the Kingdom's border with the neighboring Kingdom of Mantua. With the Fearsome Peaks blocking most of the border region making safe passage through difficult, the only patrollable part of the mountain being the only pass for miles.

Having just fought off a Mantuan raiding party, the men gather up into a column and get ready for the march back to warm food and, for some, a family glad for their safe return. The way back towards the city is smooth and after a days march the men give a cheer when the gates of the city come to sight.

Count Robert tells Vincent to send the men off once they reach the gates and to meet him in the keep for a report. Once Vincent sets off to his task, the Count rides through the streets he's grown up with for the last forty years of his life. He notices the tavern sign swaying near the gatehouse and the noise from the open window, men making merry after a long day of work.

As he rides along the main road, he starts to see the keep, tall and completely made of stone, standing behind the ten meter high and three meter thick walls that encase the castle grounds. When he finally gets to the gatehouse for the keep, he notices his wife of twenty years standing in the arching doorway. He urges his horse to a trot and hops down once he gets to the gate.

"Welcome back, my beloved.", says his wife, "I'm glad you are safe."

"It's good to be back Jane, some of the men didn't make it though.", Robert replied.

"It's but the cruelty of war Robert, as you well know. I heard about Michael, what of his family?", questions Jane.

"His wife wasn't able to make it, but his son is alive. I told Vincent to bring him along, I plan on taking him on as my Ward so that he has ample opportunity to do what he wants when he is of age.", says Robert.

"I understand Robert. I shall make preparations for him and get him a good tutor when he's older. The poor boy is all alone, but I shall endeavor to make him feel he's never alone.", said Jane.

By the time their conversation is over, they've made their way to the inner keep area, and the Count let's the stable boy lead the horse away. Just as they begin walking back towards the main hall, Vincent catches up with a small boy of five or six in his arms.

"My Lord/Lady, this is Lucas, son of Sir Michael.", Vincent says, "I thought you would like to meet your new Ward before I take him to get some dinner."

"Yes, thank you, Vincent, but don't worry about him. We can take it from here. Go make sure the boy of yours isn't causing too much trouble.", says Robert with a smile.

"Thank you, my Lord, I'll send my aide to you with the battle report after dinner.", said Vincent.

As Vincent turns away and heads towards his home, the Count and his wife take a hand each of Lucas and with a smile towards each other they walk into the keep.