Guardian...

Sighing in dejection at the series of bad news Edmund had relayed, Valeron promptly slumped into a free chair, drumming his fingers on the arm of the chair as he pondered possible solutions. After some time, he opened his eyes wearily and asked Edmund.

"Thank you for your services and loyalty, Sir Edmund."

Shaking his head, Edmund let out a hearty chuckle. "It is only expected, my lord. I took an oath to serve this house and I intend to keep it till my last breath."

Nodding his head, Valeron stood up and walked out of the manor and moved towards the edge of the cliff where the sounds of waves crashing into the mountainside had not subsided. Sitting on the precipitous edge and watching the sea and its might at work, he sighed for the umpteenth time in a day as he tried to temporarily put aside the dark thoughts that plagued his mind.