One of the first things Aubrey learned from Marcus, the previous acting captain of the Black Ram Knights, was that for new members there was no testing, no hazing, no initiation. There was no reason to test them, simply by virtue of wearing the black armor, it would not be long before someone challenged them. 

According to Marcus most could not handle the pressure, combined with the disgrace. Barring a few erratic exceptions, those who were not bound by indentured service always quit not long after joining, most of them quitting in favor of becoming mercenaries. 

As such, in order to test her new recruits Aubrey puppeteered a scenario to create a conflict where they would be challenged. 

“That’s enough.” She said from her perch utop Fiona’s shoulder. 

Fiona, surprised, craned her neck to the side to stare at Aubrey. 

Earlier the noise of her wings had almost disturbed the attempted hostage scenario, which could have possibly turned the situation towards the worse if she was not careful. She had taken note of the error, now making a conscious effort to muffle the noise as much as possible. 

“You two were sent here to do business. Make sure you don’t forget that.” She continued. “Still, despite the disrespect it is not unreasonable to suspect someone claiming to be from the 111th.”

The 111th were few in number, they were also known to not respect knightly customs and manners. Combined with the recognizable black armor, it made them easy for swindlers or bandits to impersonate. While impersonating an imperial knight was a grave offense, the empire was much less zealous in punishing the crime when it came to the black knights.

Such things only added to the worsening of an already poor reputation.

The local knight starred dumb founded at the situation. In part from the shock of the overwhelming defeat, but also due to the realization that the black knights he faced were genuine. There was no disputing the knight’s authenticity now that Aubrey had shown herself. 

“Apologies… For the insolence I made you suffer.”

“Why the fuck was someone of your level you sent to the 111th?” Fiona interrupted, pointing a finger towards Ludwig.

“That’s what I want to know!” He responded promptly.

“I can answer that.” Replied Aubrey, departing from the woman’s shoulder. “But before that we need to resolve this situation.”

—

The local knight apologized profusely, and after Aubrey smoothed things over with Ludwig, agreed to escort them into the manor. 

The man apologized once more, as it seemed the lord was already in a meeting, the group was guided to a room outside his office to wait in. 

It was there Fiona and Ludwig sat side by side on a coach still wearing their dark black armor. Aubrey too sat, on Fiona’s lap, on top of both of her hands, a measure to curb her sticky fingers. 

“Explain to me. Why was I sent to the Black Knights.”

“You don't need to be so firm about it. It's not like it was my decision.”

He continued to stare down at Aubrey.

“Like I said, it wasn't my fault. Since you were training with the Fouchet ducal house, if you became an Imperial knight it was almost certain you would be sent to the 2nd chapter.”

The knight chapters numbered 1 through 10 were known as the royal guard; they were orders of knights whose role was solely to provide protection to the emperor, his family, or important members of parliament. 

The 2nd chapter in particular was in charge of protection related to the empress and her children, and the sister of the empress just so happened to be the Fouchet duchess. 

“It was the decision of your master the duchess. I'm sure you know the 2nd chapter does not see much combat. Someone with your potential would only end up rotting there.”

“Why the 111th though? There were plenty of other places I could have gone?”

“Oh. That's because I'm friends with Princess Rosaline, and I have been complaining about how little personnel we have.”

“So it was your fault!” 

“In a way perhaps.”

Though he wanted to shout in anger and protest his treatment even further, he held himself back. Despite his situation he still had his pride as a knight. He might think his treatment was unfair and that he had been wronged, but it did not change the fact he was an Imperial Knight now. Despite how innocent and whimsical her faerie form might have looked, Aubrey was his superior, and as a proper knight he need not undermine her authority.

Bang! 

The group's ears turned to a noise on the opposite side of the wall. 

“You fool! I told you not to get involved with the Blackthorn gang!” A voice shouted. 

“This only happened because your security failed to quell these criminals! They’re so brazen to act in the daylight!” Replied another with a similar amount of zeal. 

“Your right it’s my own fault for turning a blind eye to your disgusting habits, who would expect a lord to be gambling amongst a den of thieves! But this has gone too far now, your idiocy almost cost me the life of my daughters!”

“I don’t think I can take much more of this.” Aubrey muttered. “Ludwig, come with me.”

—

“None of this would have happened if your knights weren’t so incompetent! How is it that a knight trained in mana, loses to a bunch of back street thugs?” Baron Brickenfelt yelled. 

It had begun a few months prior, Baron Brickenfelt was heading to ruin after a series of bad investments. In his desperation he had turned to an underground gambling den in the city of Newfort, which was governed by his acquaintance Count Shampline.

The plan was to regain his wealth through gambling. It was a risky strategy, but as the venue was illegal any debt incurred would lack proper officiation. He had never intended to pay any of the losses he suffered, instead he planned to instigate the count into subjugating the group, and his debt along with them. 

The plan had failed horribly, and he now found himself arguing with the count, who although spindly and thin, still carried an intimidating aura. 

The lamp he had thrown laid on the floor behind the Baron. The small mana crystal that served as a light source had shattered into dozens of different shards. 

“Unlike some people, my knights are no fools. There is something strange at play here.” Replied Count Shampline. “Shameful as it is to a lord, I already sent a request to the Imperial knights. One west via mail carriage, and two to the North by courier.”

Baron Brickenfelt’s expression warmed slightly, though not enough to make the man smile. The warmth quickly faded as he stared back at the count. A glare shot at him from behind a pair of round spectacles, accompanied by a scowl underneath his brown beard. 

“Even so.” Continued the man. “I cannot say when I will get a response. The concerns of a frontier town at the end of the tracks does not make much of a high priority.” 

Crack!

The door that led out of the room the two mount found themselves in was kicked open. It flew open, hitting a hatstand that leaned against the wall, another bang was heard as the hatstand hit the ground.

“What insolence! Who dares to intrude in this private affair.”

“Hahhh.” Sighed the handsome young man in black armor who stood in the door frame.

“So much for private, the whole manor’s likely heard at this point.” Said a different softer voice. 

The eyes of the two nobles looked away from the face of the armored man, instead down to his waist, where a small woman stood atop his outstretched palm, leaning with her back against his chest armor. 

The spectacled man moved his mouth as if to speak again but was cut off before he began. 

“I am Aubrey, chapter captain of the Black Ram Knights.”

Though surprised by the intrusion, the men were not startled by the faerie’s appearance. One of the Baron’s many unfortunate investments was into developing the nearby Valent forest. Naturally news of Aubrey had reached his ears.

“The 111th?” Stammered the Baron, who had just barely escaped being struck by the door. 

“As an Imperial Knight I’d be glad to offer assistance. However, under supported as we are, and considering I already resumed the incident earlier today at the tailor’s shop, I would also like to request a recompense.”

Baron Brickenfelt stared back at the count. He was not in a position to offer monetary support, even so it was a problem within a city governed by the count, the baron thought it natural he would pay to resolve this.

“Are you trying to extort me, Dame Aubrey?” Said the count. 

“Not at all. I’m simply asking for some monetary support, I would never ask for anything that would be a burden upon the count.”

“Hah.” The man replied with a sigh, and a nod of his head. “Very well, me and Baron Brickenfelt will provide your support.” 

The baron, who had momentarily given an expression of joy, saw his expression quickly darken once more. 

“Harold! You know I don’t have the funds to spare?” He objected.

The count flashed a wicked grin from underneath his beard. 

“Surely there must be some way you can repay the favor. Especially after Sir Aubrey saved the life of your daughter.” He turned his gaze back to the black knights. “Is there anything else you require?” 

“Hmmm.” Hummed Aubrey as she stroked her small chin. “We are short on personnel at the moment, if you could transfer one of your knights to us it would be of great help.” 

She must have noticed the leverage the count had handed to her, because she responded with a ridiculous demand. A trained knight was worth far more than anything the count would pledge to the 111th. 

“I see.” Said the Baron. “Sadly I do not have any knights under my house.” 

He felt relieved for a moment, it was not a lie that he had no knights, even a weak and poorly trained knight was something he could not afford. In this part of the country even a baron with considerable capital would maybe only have three three knights at most. However his fortune seemed short lived, as the count narrowed his gaze.

“Now George don’t say that. Your son will be graduating from the imperial knight academy this year. You could transfer him to the 111th, could you not? Surely it would be a small price to pay considering the life of your heir which the chapter saved?”

Though it was different in other countries, in the empire the seat of succession was provided to the eldest child regardless of gender. The Baron only had two children, his eldest the daughter who would inherit the family title, and his son who was currently attending a knight academy in the capital.

“What! You want me to make my son a black knight? Think of my honor Harold!” 

Forget the debt, if rumor spreads my son was sent to the 111th I’ll be ruined. 

“Your honor? What will it hurt you? I doubt your reputation can fall much further.”

The argument that had calmed with Aubrey’s arrival had begun to heat up once more. 

“Your little instigation cost me the lives of three knights! Do you really mean to shirk the only compensation you can offer?”

“Fine! I’ll send a request to the academy.” Sounded a dejected response. 

There’s not much time till he graduates, I’ll have to work fast if I want to get out of this. No way am I sending my son to the 111th.

“Great.” Replied Aubrey, departing from the knight’s palm and flying onto the Count’s desk. 

“Sir Brilmith, go check on Ms. Redclay, make sure she hasn’t touched anything. I will finalize the deal, and listen to the recounting of the current problem.”

He gave a nod, and departed the room, though this time taking care to properly shut the door.