Chapter 124: The Watcher

Pip stood beside him.

The boy was twelve. Could he really do this ? He had been living in the stables when Emeric arrived. He knew horses. He knew the land. He was eager to please.

"You wanted to see me, my lord?"

"Yes." Emeric gestured to the herd. "These beasts. They’re not dangerous anymore. Not really. They’re just... animals. But they need care. Feeding. Water. Shelter."

Pip stared at the herd. His eyes were wide.

"You want me to take care of them?"

"I want you to be in charge of them."

Pip’s mouth opened to offer some form of protest but he quickly quieted down.

"In charge?"

"Yes. You’ll feed them. Water them. Make sure they’re healthy. Report to me if anything changes."

Pip was quiet for a long moment.

"But... I’m just a stable boy."

"You’re a stable boy who knows horses. These are like horses. Bigger. Stronger. But horses."

Pip looked at the herd, scanning through the creatures.

"They’re... really big."

"Yes."

"And they have horns."

"Yes."

"And the fire ones—the Ashmanes—they’re actually on fire."

"Only their manes. They won’t burn you if you’re careful."

Pip swallowed.

"My lord... I don’t know if I can do this alone."

Emeric studied him.

"Then don’t do it alone. Who can help you?"

Pip was quiet for a moment.

"My uncle. He lives in the village. He used to work with horses. Before the previous baron... before everything."

"Can he help?"

"He could. He’s old. But he knows animals. He could teach me."

Emeric nodded.

"Then ask him. Tell him I sent you. Tell him he’ll be paid for his time."

Pip’s eyes widened.

"Paid?"

"Yes. This is a job. A real job. You’ll be paid. He’ll be paid. You’ll both be responsible for the herd."

Pip stared at him.

"A real job."

"Yes."

Pip’s face split into a grin.

"I’ll do it. I’ll ask my uncle. I’ll take care of them."

Emeric smiled and patted him on the back .

"Good. Start tomorrow. Bring your uncle to me first. Then you both can come to the herd."

---

The next morning.

Pip arrived with his uncle.

The old man was thin with grey and weathered hair. His hands were gnarled and his eyes looked tired. His name was Corin. He had worked with horses for forty years. Before the previous baron. Before everything.

He stood at the edge of the trench, looking at the herd. His expression was unreadable.

"These are magic beasts."

"Yes."

"Not horses."

"No."

"But they’re like horses."

"Yes."

Corin was quiet for a moment.

"The fire ones. Would their body burn to touch?"

"Only the manes. The rest of them is normal. Flesh. Bone. Blood."

"And the lightning ones? The Thunderhooves?"

"Their hooves crackle. But they won’t shock you if you’re careful. They’re calm now. Docile."

Corin studied the herd.

"I’ve worked with horses my whole life. Never thought I’d work with... these."

"Will you do it?"

Corin looked at Pip. The boy was watching him. Hopeful. Eager.

Corin sighed.

"Fine. I’ll do it. But if one of them burns me, I’m blaming you."

Emeric smiled.

"You’ll be taken care of."

The work began.

Pip and Corin started with the Ironhide Bovines. They were the largest of the bunch and frankly the most intimidating. But it wasn’t all about looks, they were also the calmest. They moved slowly, trying not to spook them and spoke softly. They offered grass. They let the beasts sniff their hands. Standard things they had adopted when domesticating a horse.

The bovines watched them with curious eyes, wary but somehow, they were not aggressive. Like all the fight had gone out of them.

By midday, Pip had fed three of them by hand.

By evening, Corin had checked all of them for injuries. Cuts. Bruises. Anything that needed attention.

"They’re healthy," he reported. "Strong. Well-fed. Whoever was driving them—they took good care of them. Before they drove them here."

Emeric nodded.

"Good. Keep at it. Report to me if anything changes."

That night.

Emeric stood at the edge of the trench. Watched the herd. Watched Pip and Corin. The boy was laughing at something. The old man was smiling. The beasts were calm.

Gaius approached.

"The boy. He’s taken to the herd."

"He has."

"And the old man. He knows what he’s doing."

"He does."

Gaius was quiet for a moment.

"You trust them with this?"

"I do."

"Why?"

Emeric looked at him.

"Because they care about the creatures I think. That’s all that matters."

---

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

[NEW ASSIGNMENT — HERD MANAGEMENT]

[ASSIGNED TO: PIP, CORIN]

[STATUS: ACTIVE]

[SYSTEM NOTE: THE HERD IS HEALTHY. THE BOY AND THE OLD MAN ARE CAPABLE. THIS IS ONE LESS BURDEN FOR YOU.]

---

Emeric read the notification and closed it.

"Now, perimeter report." He said, turning to Gaius.

---

The shadows were his home.

He had lived in them for twenty years. Learned to move without sound. Breathe without notice. Exist without being seen. He was a ghost. A whisper. A rumor that vanished before it could be confirmed..

He had been hired to watch the new baron. That was all. Watch. Report. Nothing more.

He didn’t ask questions. He never did. Questions led to complications. Complications led to mistakes. Mistakes led to death.

So he did exactly as he was asked. No more, no less.

The first week.

He watched from the rooftops. From the trees. From the shadows of the mansion. He watched the baron work. Dig trenches. Fight monsters. Save villagers and even helped rebuild.

He watched the baroness. She was beautiful with her dark hair and her very intelligent eyes. From what he had gathered so far, she was cursed. This prevented her from healing. That explained the wheelchair. Shame.

They were in love however.

He watched everyone. From the servants to the knights and even the craftsmen. How they worked.

That was the job. Boring as hell.

They’re good people, he thought. Actually good people.

He pushed the thought away.

The second week.

He had noticed a particular trend. The baron often talked to himself.

At first, he thought it was nothing. A man muttering under his breath. A habit. A quirk. But then he noticed the pattern.