Chapter 108: The Grey Cavalry

They looked beautiful together.

The servants were giggling all through, making comments about Isolde’s beauty and how handsome the new baron was.

He tried not to let it distract him.

The process had been worth it.

Allen packed his supplies, bowed and was about to leave.

"I will have the frames delivered within the week. Mounted and ready to hang."

"Thank you," Emeric said. "Graves will see to your payment."

He nodded and left.

He had paid 500 pieces of gold for the portraits. A hefty sum, as Graves told him, wondering why he would pay so much.

Two days later, the portraits hung in the great hall.

Three canvases. Side by side. Isolde on the left. Emeric on the right and one of both of them in the middle.

They stood before them. Looking at themselves. Looking at each other.

"It’s strange," Isolde said. "Seeing us like this."

"Like what?"

"Like we belong here. This feels real. My husband, a baron."

He took her hand.

"It is real."

She squeezed his fingers.

"I know." She paused. "It’s just... sometimes I forget. After everything. After the way my family treated me. After the way the world treated me. I forget that I deserve this."

He turned to her. Knelt beside her chair. Looked into her eyes.

"You deserve everything."

She stared at him.

"Everything," he repeated. "And I’m going to give it to you."

She leaned down and kissed him.

"Thank you Baron Halden." She said, with a teasing smile across her face.

He picked her up from her chair, planting kisses on her face and her neck much to her protest.

He could hear giggles somewhere in the hallway, but he didn’t care.

He would make love to his wife.

—

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

[PORTRAITS COMMISSIONED — HOUSE HOLDING RECORDED]

[THE MANOR BECOMES A HOME.]

[DEVOTION LOGGED: BUILDING A LIFE TOGETHER]

[DP AWARDED: +5]

---

Emeric briefly read the notification and shuffled it away.

---

Three days had passed since the letter to the Crown.

Emeric stood on the Estate steps, watching the column approach. Two hundred riders. Armor gleaming in the sun as they rode for the estate with banners flying. The Grey Cavalry.

At their head rode two men.

The first was tall. Broad. Grey-streaked hair. A face like carved stone with a menacing look about him, he noticed as they dismounted their horses.

The second one was younger. His name was Lieutenant Corwin. He was the commander’s second. He looked like he only followed orders and did not ask questions.

The company was dispersing into formation, filing out into the courtyard.

Commander Gaius dismounted. He didn’t bow. He looked at the front of the Estate. Gently surveying the entirety of the new place they had sent him to.

Then he looked at Emeric.

"Baron Halden."

"Commander."

Gaius’ eyes swept over him in a lazy manner, not hiding his contempt. He was assessing his Lord without much hiding it.

"Grey Cavalry!" He called out as he turned to his men standing in formation. "Salute!"

The cavalry saluted in a loud voice, their fists balled in as they slammed it into their chest.

Hah!

The sound of armor clanking against each other echoed in the courtyard.

"I was told to report to Greyfell. This is Greyfell?"

His name was Commander Gaius Kane. He had served the Crown for thirty years. He had fought in three wars. And from the look of disdain that was barely masked, he had never been tasked with serving a baron.

"It is."

"Hm." Gaius turned, gesturing to the broad expanse of the courtyard. "Two hundred knights. As requested. They will need a place to stay, stables and supplies. I assume you have arrangements."

"I do."

"Good." Gaius paused. "The Crown also sent funds for the repairs and the knights’ pay for this month."

He snapped his fingers. Lieutenant Ashe stepped forward, then two knights emerged from behind him, carrying three heavy chests. Emeric watched as they dropped it in front of him.

"The allocation," Gaius said. "One hundred thousand gold. As requested. Plus additional funds for repairs. It’s all there."

"Thank you."

Gaius didn’t respond. He turned and walked toward the stables.

Lieutenant Ashe lingered a moment. He looked at Emeric. Nodded. Just once. Then he followed his commander.

Emeric stood there, his gaze going over the knights.

He could feel the eyes of the knights on him, watching him from behind their masks.

He didn’t care.

He turned and walked inside.

Graves met him in the entrance hall.

"The Grey Cavalry, my lord?"

"They’re here."

"I saw." Graves paused. "Commander Gaius is... not pleased."

"I noticed."

"He is a man who believes he deserves better. He will not say it. But he will show it."

"I know."

Graves inclined his head. "What are your orders?"

"Show them to the field on the east side. They can make their tents there. for the men. The stables can hold their horses. Marta will need help with the kitchens—two hundred knights eat a lot."

"Yes, my lord."

"And Graves?"

"Yes, my lord?"

"Watch them. All of them. I want to know if anyone steps out of line."

"Understood."

That afternoon.

Emeric inspected the camp.

The knights had set up in the fields beyond the manor. Tents. Fires. Horses picketed. They moved with practiced efficiency.

Commander Gaius stood apart. He was speaking with Ashe who paused, alerting the commander of the baron’s arrival.

Ashe stopped speaking, nodded and vanished into the sea of tents.

Emeric approached.

"Commander."

Gaius didn’t turn. "Baron."

"Your men are settling in well."

"They’re professional."

"I can see that."

The silence that followed was uncomfortable.

Gaius spoke first.

"I’ll be blunt, Halden. I didn’t ask for this assignment. I was told to bring my men here. To a dying estate. To serve a baron who won his title in a tournament." He paused. "I don’t like it."

Emeric met his gaze. "I didn’t ask for you either."

Gaius blinked.

"But you’re here. And I’m here. And we both have a job to do." Emeric paused. "So let’s do it."