Amidst Remony’s laughter, a few tears breached the corners of her eyes. It was a mix of both. William feebly smiled. He was glad that Joss had found the courage and brains to comfort her, the best he could.

When peace had settled between friends once more, William asked Joss, “By the way, have you had any problems with Jacqueline, lately?”. Joss slackened his stance and replied, “Not really… It might be for the fact, that I’ve made a few safety rules for myself… So…”.

Joss’ flicked his gaze around and muttered, “And about that matrimony thingy... Don’t get me wrong, Mirabelle. I did like your idea, but I’m not ready for it… And...”.

The moment the topic of marriage was shelved away, Remony lost some of her color. But by tossing around the thought, she could also find solace in it… After all, maybe the oncoming years would be kinder to her when it came to love?

The one her heart was set on, wasn’t done talking yet. With a tinge of yearning, Joss explained, “I kind of… Still hope that father will return to us this year. Or maybe the next… I know that you don’t like him and maybe wish that he would stay away forever… But I need him… I hope you can understand that…? Mirabelle…”.

William found it hard to sympathize with his brother on this matter, but he also felt that it would be wrong to lecture the boy, on what to feel and what not to yearn for. Because contrary to what William had seen, there was a lot he didn’t know about Joss and his father. For example, he didn’t know whether they enjoyed hunting together, or if their father actually showered Joss with affection sometimes…

But one thing he was certain of, was that Joss had seen more sides to this man than William ever would. So if Joss wanted that man to come back, then so be it. In the end, only fate could decide the outcome… Whether they liked it or not.

****

On that same day, the great hall was rearranged to harbor finer company. The raised table for the lord and his guests were decorated with woven trees and late-blooming flowers. Leading up to the high-class seatings, was a long weaved carpet that journeyed to the doorstep, among four long-tables. Each warmed by lit candles and red cloths, to cleanse the mouth and hands in. There was also plenty enough room for the entertainment and dancers to roam in later that eve, situated right in the middle of all the splendor.

On the walls hung meter-wide tapestries. Each gifted a long time ago by the Talcans, who would be their special guests tonight. Lord Blaise and his family, comprised of two sons, a wife, and two mistresses, stood ready for their guests to make an entrance. Along with the long tables stood the lesser guests; patiently waiting for the main attraction to arrive, so they could take their seats.

The hall was silent until the door clicked open and immediately buisines and servant girls initiated their welcome. Happy music was played, while the girls showered the guests with white flower petals. Among them was William, who threw a bunch of them on what he found to be an odd couple.

The announcer bellowed, “Welcome! Oh, Vilihame, master of poetry and his charming lady Mariel. We welcome you and your children: Gaynore, Franquet, Laslie, Dermont, and Avian, to our humble castle nestled in the Misty Lake… Please be seated and the feast shall commence”.

The seemingly young lord and his lady who looked to be nearing her fifties bowed along with the Blaises. They leisurely raised their bodies. The Talcans’ eyes were soft and beaming with friendly love, while the Blaises’ had a glint of anticipation. Lord Blaise cracked his voice a bit, then quickly cleared his throat before saying, “... I am... beyond honored to have your company tonight… And I hope that you find your personal safety guaranteed, as we have allowed you to keep your forces within and outside our castle walls”. Lady Mariel smiled wide and said, “Why, with such a grand display of humbleness we couldn’t deny your invitation, now could we darling?”. The lady gave the word on to her husband, who said, “... Indeed”.

Once everyone was seated, the dishes started rolling out. Among them were white bread and small bowls of sugared almonds. As a common courtesy, the lord would take the first pick and bite before anyone else. The hall was buzzing with servers, who dished out the food and guests who leisurely picked their poison from the plates.

William served along with Remony, the delightful appetizers. When he saw how quickly the butter was scooped clean, he wanted to cry. He bemoaned to himself how they had spent hours whipping that small amount into existence, and *poof*, it was all gone!

Before the chilled strawberry soup was served, William got some interesting intel. This was all thanks to Joss’ story about the spirit stone scandal. For without having heard of it, he wouldn’t be so fixed on these lofty figures’ small-talk. Secretly anticipating a juicy fight to break loose at any second, if the wrong words should be spilled.

The intel was shared by lady Mariel, who broke the silence and sparked a conversation with their hosts, “We figured that there might have been some truth in your writings… Many nearby villages have been plagued by the Ravaging Shades, ever since the incident with Minbury happened…”. Mariel took a sip of ale before explaining further, “Vilihame and I, have heard of your efforts to vanquish these maleficent beasts… We understand that this task was upon you before the arson happened. Thus it does make sense to us that they may have acted ill on your behalf… And that the blood that was spilled, mustn't necessarily be paid back by you and your people, Brigham”.

The lord reacted pleasantly surprised to hear this name. So did William. He found himself amazed. All this time he never knew lord Blaise’s first name. And to hear it now so suddenly? The world sure is full of surprises! But of course, this wasn’t the information that caught his interest.

While the fancy clothed nobles sipped their soups, talks of another wonder took place. It was lord Talcan who spoke for once. “That ragged Man-beast…”, he muttered between slurps. Not another syllable left his mouth as if spilling words was beneath him. So lord Blaise, or rather Brigham inquired, “Man-beast, Vilihame?... Isn’t there anything further you’d like to add?”.

Lady Mariel laughed heartily and excused her husband’s behavior, “Oh! He means to speak to you about the Man-beast. You know, the ancient that is more beast than man… He seems to be playing around again in our territory these days. Quite a bother, if you ask me… Anywhere he goes there’s always trouble following suit…”.

Brigham nodded, while worry corrupted his mind. He said, “I wonder why there are so many stragglers living in his shadow?… What do they gain from it?... Hrmph. I guess you can only look on the bright side of things, my dear guests. His presence is after all not all doom and gloom. In fact, I’ve heard a large selection of those who follow him might be worth bonding with? Since they can come from far away lands... Exotic dinosaurs so to say… And yet… It’s insane what those beasts will do just to follow that thing. That indeed causes worry… Erh… Or should call it Man-beast… Hmmm… Didn’t he once have a human’s name?”.

William who was listening in on their conversation, couldn’t help but mutter the name to himself. Just to see if he had guessed right: “...Thalgar”. This name was said with the weight of a feather, and yet Lady Mariel still managed to pick it up.

In a snap, she stared back at him as if to attack. William couldn’t help but flinch. Fearing that his interference might lead to punishment. But the lady didn’t get her title: Charming, for nothing. She genuinely giggled, as she beheld the servant girl who spoke out. Gleaming she said, “That’s right, dear girl! Thalgar was the name, indeed… Ah, isn’t it just wonderful to see, that there are still bright and young girls around these days?... Thanks, dear servant girl, you may continue to serve that gorgeous son, Brigham has. Right, Brice sweety?”.

Brice stared at lady Mariel as if she was a deadly wisp... No one had dared talk to him like that before!... The middle-aged woman saw his discontent but continued to flatter him red, “Oh, don’t be such a shy clutter-honey… We all adore you at this table! Right darling?”. Vilihame gave the boy a thoughtful nod. They were, after all, relatives.

As the sweet torture of Brice continued, William found the news of Thalgar rather peculiar… For wasn’t he supposed to be battling the protagonist soon, for the first time?...

William thought to himself: Ah… If there was something I liked about that book, it was the confrontation between the protagonist and his rival Thalgar…

Thalgar was super strong and an ancient-being compared to other humans. No one was a match for him, except of course the main character, who battled him multiple times... Each resulting in a painful defeat that left the protagonist with broken bones and pride.

Yet he picked himself back up, only to return much stronger for every downfall he had. The protagonist forced himself to peak the top, thus he ended up killing Thalgar in the end. It was truly a satisfying conclusion to a long war between two ultimate forces…

But how could the protagonist do that… Develop into the fine man he was, when his adversary and training-partner was missing way up here?...

And what exactly made Thalgar wander this far away from his original plot-line in the first place? Truly a mystery!...