“And with company,” she said, a faint touch of humor in her voice as she cast a bemused look over her shoulder. Caspian followed her gaze to the motley assortment that was watching them from only a few steps away. They were not members of the court, not from the village either. Two of them were dressed in what he recognized to be altered military uniforms, one a dark skinned woman with long braided hair and the other a thick bodied man with a blunt appearance and a crooked nose. In their company was a spritely blonde woman in a dark cloak anda well dressed man who was currently assessing him from over the rim of his wine. Another stood behind them, blending into the shadows so much that Caspian had nearly missed him. A hood was pulled over his eyes revealing only an angular chin and a few locks of brown hair.
“Is that…” Caspian asked, still taking in their varied appearances and matching them to Keira’s descriptions.
She nodded. “Would you like to meet them?”
“Of course,” he said, offering an arm. “I think your guests deserve a proper welcome.”
Keira snorted as she laced her arm in his. “Allow me to make the introductions then,m’lord.”
Caspian gave her ear a playful tug, unable to help the smile stretching over his face. He’d never liked those words so much as when she used them to tease him. More than that, he was glad to see that she was feeling at ease enough for japes.
“This is Rhea,” Keira said, motioning to the tall woman with the dark skin. She gave a brief nod, an informal salute that brought back memories of his time in the army. “She’s the head of the Blades, and this is her wife, Lilith.” She was clearly talking about the small blonde woman, the one she’d once described asa firework in human skin.
“He really is a lord, isn’t he?” Her blue eyes were assessing him as expertly as one might peel an apple with a knife.
“I told you,” Keira said, seeming embarrassed by her brazen inspection.
“How did you come by the title?” the well dressed one asked. His red brocade vest was covered by a thick black coat, a common fashion of the southern lords. Perhaps he had some noble blood in him, which might also explain the interest.
“The prince and I fought together at Icespire Pass. When I recovered from the battle, he asked me to look after these lands.”
“You fought at Icespire?” The large one asked. Though his words were quiet, his voice was as heavy and blunt as a hammer.
Caspian nodded.
“Lost too many souls there,” Rhea said soberly.
“May they find peace in the next journey,” Caspian said the familiar mourning words.
“Well, I’m sure that the prince is not the only one who is grateful you made it through,” the would-be noble said.
Keira held his arm a little tighter.
“Florian Crestwell,” he said, extending his hand.
Caspian took it slowly. So this was Florian, the one she had…
“I take it you have heard of me,” Florian said good naturedly, no doubt trying to make up for some of his own awkwardness.
“Keira told me a good deal about you all,” Caspian said with a smile, trying to recover.
“Hopefully not too much,” Rhea joked, and they all shared a laugh.
“This hulking gentleman beside me would be Gareth,” Florian indicated. “And this is Knox, Lilith’s brother.”
Caspian had nearly forgotten the hooded man was among them until he nodded in greeting.
“It is an honor and a pleasure to meet you all and to welcome you to Northall,” Caspian said.
“The lands are lovely,” Rhea said.
“-Even if it is freezing,” Lilith added.
“You must be very proud,” she continued anyway.
Should he be? Of course he thought the land he’d been given was beautiful, and he’d done his best to keep it so these past years. But it hardly felt as though he could take any ownership of his charge. He hadn’t built the keep or the town. Caspian certainly hadn’t planted the forests or carved the rivers. He didn’t even tend the fields. “I am grateful,” Caspian said at last.
“So modest,” Florian said, a jest in his tone, though not a teasing one.
