day 3 and soon to start a new chapter I hope. 5302. so getting there.

Steven said. “I must say it is a bit strange that you do not have one, even without the titles. Here is it is custom for all riders to take on a servant soon after they bond. There is just to much work involved with the bonds and the upkeep of the gear. Most riders will have two by the year’s end. Those with a command will have more as they advance. Being titled I do not see how it is that you can mange without help.”

Rick said. “I don’t get it, but she has refused all along. Even threw me out of the room for handing her a glass. I keep trying to get her to see reason, but so far the closet she comes to have a servant is when one of their Majesty’s forces her to let the palace servants do their jobs. She won’t even from her own unit, for all she won the rights to do so two years ago. Not that it would have happened without tricking her into a bet. Now Anna you are in the ambassador suite so I will take the one on the right, leaving the left for Max. That puts us close if needed, and before you say it we were seconded to you for the length of the trip, that does not end until you are back in Glacer. Daren you get with Julie and learn the way around.”

I shook my head but Daren said. “Yes sir, I’m on it. The captain of the guard will be given us a tour of the house and grounds. There will be a map waiting in all of your rooms when you get back to them. Thankfully here we do not need to worry about the guards. No way they will be found sleeping, like it was in Jordan. fear. Sorry folks, but we have been having problems with Drack sneak attacks for the last couple of months, so it makes us overly careful where we don’t know the locals. It is nothing against you, just that we were in Jordan last month and found the guards sleeping and a wing of Finn about to the walls, at one of the places, of all things. Grated King Jermain was at a different residence but he had given us that one for use and assured us safety.”

Steven looked at him. “That is insane. Sleeping, all of them? Just what?”

Daren nodded. “We were had been in Collmen, so none of us had had a full night’s sleep in two weeks. We thought we were in safe territory, with allies, so did not post our own watch. It was just chance that one of the guys woke in time to see them.  Of course they apologized, but well. The staff that was there to see to the running of the palace was found in the bunkers, as were all the off duty guards, once there was time to look. Not that we have anything to say that wasn’t their normal routine as they said, but it is enough to make us far less trusting. There had been some insults before then, but no one thought it would go that far and it could just be an overreaction. However it is something that needed to be explained as there will be a bit of tension there.”

Steven shook his head. “There have been rumors that they have been entering talks, but I have not found the source. Still we had planned to have a few extra eyes, now then I do think there is reason to have a few more guards in the halls between your rooms. I agree and have been to the places enough to know just as you do that they never enter the bunkers unless the threat is great. The religious prohibition on being underground hasn’t changed at all since you went to Alanta. Now then I will let you get by with hiding this time, but you are to take your place at the high table tomorrow night. I know that you want to stay out of it, but I need it understand that I am indeed committed to this alliance. I am tired of being told why I can’t be. So for all you don’t want to you are going to take up the title you prefer to forget about.”

Daren bowed. “Just know that none outside of my team know of the title, so there will be a number of questions about me from those we have dealt with. That said I will be happy to join you, I was hope to get a chance to catch up with everyone, but didn’t want to force your had. Some might use the fact that my unit is currently under Glacer’s direct command to say that you have already tied yourself to them. Knowing as I do how some lands do not give any credit to bonds I can see why my oaths could cause you problems so have done all I can to see that it is not known.”

Steven shook his head. “As I told you when you bond, both times, you are my son and nothing can change that. You are not the first prince of this land to server in the army of another land, not even the first to be sworn to a different crown. As they all know. Granted it was not the lands of the east, but the president is still there. So you are not going to get out of it and will need to be at a number of the events. I do hope that won’t cause you many problems but you have duties here.”

Rick said. “It isn’t a problem I knew it would be likely and planed accordingly. Now do to the bond we cannot accept your servants seeing to him even at the table, but his can but on the same uniform as yours to minimize any issues.”

Steven shrugged. “I don’t see why that would be needed, but if they will better not standing out I am sure that Herny will see that some get delivered, but truly there is a mix at the table as it is. It is expected that those who have servants will be seen to by them. Now then I have kept you over long. I know you must be eager to get out of your travel clothes.”

Herny nodded. “Indeed, now the main hall there will bring you right to the rest of us when you are ready to join us. Truly I am not going to upset by you posting a watch and I am sure that my guys will be happy to have yours sharing duty on the wall. I gantry that none will be sleeping. Now then I will take him and see you later.” He was smiling but did see that Steven left with him, after looking at me again. Clearly I can expect questions, but it might be tamed from what I feared.

I shook my head. “The extra watch is not needed, but do see about getting ours in the watch rotation. They are going to be running double numbers, but offer to set tests of skill. They do not expect the East to know much of the Darkness, after all we severd all ties. They have never heard of Gorwn, save for the bits Daren has been able to tell them and it is not possible to know if any of that was shared. So tell the men to ask to be tested and that they set the limits, there are no restrictions on showing off. The best way to make friends here is by showing skill, not hiding it. Now I need to get changed, and yes I will accept one servant and a guard for the events. The ones in the house I cannot have obvious weapons, but will for the outdoor ones and you all know I am never unarmed so don’t overdo it. Yes Daren you must have a guard when you are at your father’s side. It won’t look right if you don’t. Oh and those acting as servants cannot have obvious weapons, just to be clear. I never thought to be here. The main parts of the house is open to the public during the games, so don’t worry they expect to find people lost in the halls. Truly it is not too hard to learn the way. The red line on the floors will lead you to the main rooms, blue to the guards and armory, yellow to the library and brown to the kitchen. So just try to stay out of the blue areas until you get to know some guards other than that go explore after you change if you don’t want to go to the hall.” I ignored the looks and went into the room, to find Ben had a dress laid out and my bags mostly unpacked. As Ryder had gone in once knew which room it was to get rid of the saddle and bags I expected it, but still frowned.

He bowed. “I thought for this night the gown was best, my lady. You showed strength with your availed and so would want to soften it a bit. If that is not so I can have your other clothes for you soon. None were badly winkled.”

I shook my head. “Now you know that wasn’t needed Ben. I am fully able to put my things away. That is more than seeing to the gear. Thank you. Yes the dress is the one I had in mind. Now don’t go frowning so, I have a few waiting to gate in if I need them. Dresses take up more room in bags and are just a pain to pack.”

He bowed again. “It is no trouble, Master has a full staff with him just so he can see there is someone with you. He was worried how it will look that you are alone, now though he is wondering how you know the governor. He was just a bit to surprised for you to be strangers.”

I smiled a bit and started to get out of my clothes. It wouldn’t do to be too long and I did need a shower before I got into the dress. then there was my hair to see too. “There is no reason for him to worry about it. I am a bonded rider and here that means I am expected to be strange. As to the other. I don’t know why Roland is confused. He knows I grew up here. I told him I was working in the archives before I was sent to take the tests. It should be clear that the governor knew me as he sent me from his house to take them. Granted it might not have been clear we were family but it should have been that he knew me.” I might not have told the troops with me, but I had told the comity when they were looking at who to send. I was hoping they would see why I was the wrong choice, they said that the issues I had just made it more important that I be sent here.