Chapter 1: The Joys of a Broken Window (Part 2)

Chapter 1: The Joys of a Broken Window (Part 1)

Three days passed swiftly for the Lord who had grown tired of his nightly routine and he arrived to meet Semerin with excitement showing clearly on his face. Wearing a leather satchel around his shoulder, Eden Exen joined the Thyrinian jeweler and climbed the rock overlooking the small cabin.

“I see you are still wearing that hooded cloak of yours, Semerin; is it a family heirloom or do you simply have nothing else to wear?” teased Eden.

The jeweler knew he was in no place to disrespect a Lord and tamed his response, “No, not really; I merely find it the most appropriate attire for late-night gatherings with killing intent.”

Still feeling smug from the first trial, Lord Eden replied with a mix of sincerity and sarcasm, “Terrific; another pointless slaughtering. What is it this time? One particularly pesky squirrel that riles you?”

Ignoring the banter, Semerin revealed the true target, “A vicious black hound that stands as tall as a man. The cabin’s owner, a man named Herlon who happens to be a fellow jeweler, starves the creature and locks him inside to guard against intruders. Usually a keeper also keeps watch, but every Thursday night – such as this one – he disappears into the woods for hours. ”

Lord Eden became cautious of the situation, “So what is the hound guarding in that cabin that you wish for me to retrieve?”

Semerin took a deep breath before explaining, “There is a small chest that Herlon has hidden away in there. Inside of that chest is a rare schematic – or guide if you want – to a unique forgotten method of designing jewelry.”

Skeptical again, Eden questioned him further, “And how does stealing from your rival in the market qualify as a trial for the medallion exactly?”

“No, no, my Lord! There is no theft involved because that schematic is mine!” he argued. “I was the one who found it, that is before Herlon – in his usual envious self – stole it from me.”

“Tell me, Semerin, do you have any children?” asked Lord Eden out of the blue.

Confused, the jeweler answered, “Yes, I have a precious boy who helps me in the shop every day.”

Lord Eden abruptly began climbing down the rock and walked away as he berated Semerin, “Was the other one devoured by an alligator while once taking a stroll and you thought to have me enact your revenge for you the other night?”

Quite baffled, Semerin hurried after him, “What? Lord Exen, what are you talking about?”

Eden stopped in his tracks and turned to berate the jeweler some more, “It seems to me, Semerin, that the trials you would have me doing have less to do with honoring greatness and more to do with catering to your self-serving desires!”

Semerin immediately rejected the notion and tried to explain, “My Lord, that is not at all my intention behind this. I designed the first trial to test your intellect, resourcefulness and strength. The second one aims to check if in the true spirit of a Champion of the Kingdom you would choose to put yourself in danger to right a wrong in the world.”

As Lord Eden took a few moments to mull over Semerin’s words, loud noises of struggle forced the two men to turn towards their source in the cabin. “That must be one unlucky rat,” offered the jeweler.

“That will be an adequate description for you if I find out your claims are false,” threatened Lord Eden sternly.

“I would expect nothing less, my Lord,” agreed the hooded man before adding, “And I am confident that our Champion will find the hound easy to dispense of.”

Returning to a calmer state, Eden proudly declared, “Bigger and worse beasts have fallen to my blade; even more await the honor.” A few moments of silent thinking later the Beilrunot Lord accepted the challenge, “Alright Semerin, I will slay the hound and get your little box, but I have one question for you: Are you willing to be the bait again?”

With a small laugh that hid the trauma hiding in its shadow, Semerin replied, “I am afraid not, Lord Exen. But I will come along with you once the hound is down.”

“I figured as much, and that is why I brought my own bait this time,” Eden said pointing to his satchel. The Lord began walking over to the cabin door and continued telling, “Only a fool would not learn from his past, and since in the last trial you had me slay an alligator I figured it would more of the same this time around. Hence, I brought some grilled mutton with me for bait, or treats for the way back if any remain.”

As he reached the door to the lodging cabin, Lord Eden drew his sword with this right hand and used the other to unhinge the door’s barricade. Then, he cautiously retreated a few steps backwards anticipating the hound to storm outside. Yet, the wait would be long without the hound ever emerging. Eden grew impatient and walked towards a window and peered inside, only to find the long-fanged hound circling in its place.

Realizing the need for provocation Lord Eden stepped back, picked up a rock and hurled it through the window plane. The shattering glass had startled the starved creature and it finally leapt out from behind the door. With his sword at the ready, Lord Eden reached inside his satchel for a piece of mutton and then threw it far to the side. The hound followed a similarly cautious approach, although it could not resist the meat and headed over to fill its stomach. Eden threw another piece in the opposite direction, and like a dog in training the black hound again followed the meat and devoured it whole.

The third piece of grilled mutton would be the last Lord Eden Exen intended to use. He removed it from the satchel and extended his arm forward trying to get the hound drawn to him. Burying his feet in the ground, the Lord vigilantly watched the hound’s eyes as it slowly approached the meat he waved around. He waited for the opportune moment when the hound would charge and then flung the piece of meat upward. As the beast jumped after the mutton, Eden took his chance and swung his sword right across its neck. The hound fell to the ground, mutton still between its teeth, but dead as a log with a neck gushing blood.

“I cannot say I am not impressed, Lord Exen,” shared the jeweler as he came from behind.

Returning his sword to its sheath, the Lord boasted, “You and everyone else. Now shall we go fetch your little box?”

The two men entered the dim interior of the cabin and began their search for the chest. However, they were shortly taken by surprise when three armored men holding torches and swords stormed in behind them and quickly seized hold of Semerin. Lord Eden swiftly drew his sword and held it in in both hands. “I would not come any closer if I were you,” he threatened.

A mere moment later, a fourth better-dressed man with a long moustache and pointed goatee emerged from behind the guards. “Ah, Semerin,” he began, “I see you are back at it again.”

“I am here for what is mine, Herlon!” the captured jeweler asserted.

Intentionally ignoring him, Herlon addressed the other intruder in his cabin, “Lord Exen, it is an honor to make your acquaintance.” The man with the charming voice suddenly yelled at his guards, “Put your swords away you fools, we are in the presence of a Champion!” and his men obliged.

Eden, however, did not return the gesture and firmly kept hold of his blade. “I assume you are Herlon the thief jeweler?”

“I see Semerin has unfortunately been too convincing with his lie,” returned Herlon with a sad tone. “My Lord, I must apologize for what Semerin has done, getting you caught up in all of this; he really is a disgrace to our noble profession. Every year he tries to steal my schematic from me, and sometimes he remorselessly gets someone else to do his bidding.”

Eden found himself cornered and torn on the matter, but he knew he would soon be asked to choose a side and decided to stall until he made up his mind. “So you are saying that what is in that little box over there is truly yours by right?” he asked as he pointed to the small chest on a pedestal that became apparent in the light of the torches.

Herlon moved closer to the pedestal and his guards followed him closely, “Of course, Lord Exen, for I was the one who found it buried in the ground.”

“You liar!” shouted Semerin from his place in the hands of a guard, “I was the one who found it and it belongs to me!”

Lord Eden was still unsure who to believe, “You both sound convincing to me, Herlon. Why would I believe you over him?”

The sly jeweler answered masterfully, “I do not mean any disrespect, Lord Exen, but I have come here and found you inside my cabin without invitation; and I also have to note that you broke my window.” With a big smile he carried on, “Nevertheless, I have ordered my men to stand down. Why would I choose to do so if I were not convinced that you were a man of reason and honor who stands by the truth?” Taking note of Eden’s pondering silence, Herlon reached into Semerin’s cloak and removed the golden medallion from his pocket, “Semerin is the perpetrator here; even this medallion, my Lord, I have fashioned it with my own hands. This disgrace of a man stole it from me two weeks ago, but thanks to you I finally have it back.”

“I have come all this way for that medallion. Let us assume I believe you, Herlon, what would you see happening after that?” inquired the Lord.

Trying to be as charming as he could, Herlon replied, “Well, Lord Exen, finally catching Semerin is more of a reward than I would have wished. If you were to believe me and leave here peacefully I would be delighted for you to accept the golden medallion as a personal gift from me. Consider it a small gesture for all your trouble and compensation for the wicked trick Semerin attempted to play on you.”

“My Lord, do not fall for his words, he will have me slaughtered the moment you leave,” pleaded Semerin hysterically. “You have to believe me, Lord Exen,” he argued, “I was the one who designed your medallion to honor integrity. Remember how I told you the sword lies in front of the crown, becoming its central spike just like you have strengthened the Kingdom with your victory?”

Taking note of Semerin’s altered description of the medallion, Lord Eden mindfully listened to Herlon’s rebuttal, “Do not believe this vile little man, my Lord! It was I who fashioned the medallion as a symbol of our Champion’s integrity. What is better than the blade of your victorious sword to decorate the center of the crown?”

Satisfied with what he had learned, Lord Eden stared Herlon down and said, “I do not appreciate your lies, Herlon, repeating what you hear like a parrot.” Recalling Semerin’s words from when they first met, Eden was aware of the trick the jeweler used to expose Herlon’s deception. He swiftly came forward and stated, “First, this medallion was made to honor greatness; and second, you really need to get your eyes checked because the sword passes behind the crown. Of course, you would know all of this had you actually been the one who made the medallion.”

The Lord then swung his sword at the guard who held Semerin, causing him to release his prisoner to parry. A powerful boot to the stomach sent the guard flying backward, and the Lord grabbed Semerin by the arm to dart towards the door. Yet, their escape would be cut short when four more armed guards rushed through the door.

As Lord Eden took a step back, he found himself surrounded by seven swords aimed at him and his companion. “I am disappointed by your choice, Lord Exen, I would have thought you to be a smart man,” remarked Herlon with contempt.

Still gripping his blade tightly, the Beilrunoty Lord stressed, “A smart man would not try to kill the Kingdom’s Champion. Tell your men to step aside or I promise this will only end in your death, Herlon!”

The man with the long moustache headed over to the pedestal to grab the chest and bring it over. He stood before Eden and asked, “This man you defend has brought you all this way, Lord Exen. Do you even know for what?” Herlon held the small chest forward and swung open its top to reveal what was inside, “Nothing.”

Lord Eden was at a loss, and as he saw Herlon smile and his guards put away their swords his confusion grew. Semerin then walked over and stood at Herlon’s side. “Congratulations, Lord Exen. You, our Champion, have brilliantly passed the second trial!”

“What the hell are you talking about?!” asked Eden with anger growing on his face.

Removing his hood to reveal his bald head, Semerin offered an explanation, “Well, my Lord, after the first trial and the incident when you used me as bait for the alligator I grew concerned about your true self and values. It was in the wake of that disturbing moment that I decided to alter my plans for the second trial.”

“I have to say, when Semerin approached me with the proposition I thought it was outlandish, but after a while I saw the benefit behind it,” added Herlon.

“Benefit? You two blabbering bastards actually believe there is anything right with trying to make a fool out of a Lord?” sounded out Eden furiously.

Semerin was careful with his words as he tried to avoid scratching the Champion’s pride any further, “We do concur, my Lord, that deception is unfavorable, but in this case it was necessary. We will all sleep more peacefully knowing that our Champion would only pretend to risk a life while certain no one is ever truly at risk, rather than discovering that he would willingly sacrifice a life for his own gain.”

Despite the two jewelers’ noble intentions, Eden found their methods to be out of line by a long way, and it ultimately caused their explanation to carry no weight with him. Much greater rage boiled inside the Beilrunoty Lord than what little showed on his face as he asked Herlon, “So there was nothing in the little box? And you were in on this whole charade?”

The coconspirator confirmed, “I am afraid it is a yes to both, my Lord.”

Eden took his sword and calmly returned it to its sheath; with his unblinking eyes staring down the two men he suddenly seemed even more intimidating when armed not with his sword, but with his blank expression. The Lord stretched out his left arm towards Herlon and opened his hand. The man fond of his facial hair quickly realized what was needed and duly handed over the golden medallion. After glimpsing over to check it was the right ornament, Lord Eden proceeded to wear it around his neck. Then, and out of the tense silence of the confrontation, Eden suddenly lunged his right arm at Semerin, his mighty punch slamming against the jeweler’s face right in the middle.

 

Herlon watched as his friend fell thumping on his back, screaming and holding his bleeding nose in pain. Turning back to face the Lord with the scowling face he heard him formidably declare, “He gets a broken nose. Be glad I already broke your window.”

Chapter 1: The Joys of a Broken Window (Part 1)

Another calm night on the Western Sea had just begun as the ship steadily sailed due east to Beilrunot, an ancient city first founded as a trading port. Somewhere below deck one of Beilrunot’s finest ever knights and heir to Prime Lordship of the city, Lord Eden Exen, sat on a worn out wooden chair leaning over the crate beside him. In the soft light of the lantern hanging from the wall he patiently waited for the return of the young man he had sent on a mission.

“Ah! You return with wine!” declared the twenty-two-year-old Lord, “Wherever did you find any on this forsaken vessel?”

Setting the wine and the round iron cups atop the crate, the cabin boy excitedly said, “I got it from the Captain’s quarters.”

With a delighted smile the ever-confident Lord praised him, “Your boldness is well noted, young man.” Taking his now full cup in his right hand he asked, “What did you say your name was again?”

The cabin boy, a scrawny thing in his late teen years, suddenly turned nervous and hesitantly replied, “Well, I never really told you, Lord Exen.”

“I have to stop you there,” objected the black-haired Lord in an attempt to be humorous, “Lord Exen is my father. You may call me his majesty Emperor Eden Exen.” The sarcasm was not lost on the cabin boy, and after a moment of pandering laughter Eden spoke more seriously, “Lord Eden would be fine.”

“As you wish, my Lord,” assured the cabin boy.

“So what is it? Was your father drunk when he named you?” wondered the Lord with the dark-colored eyes, “You are not named after a tree or something, are you?”

The cabin boy finally gave in to the inevitable and disclosed his name, “No it is not an issue of that sort. I was just reluctant because my name … well, my name is Daniel.”

As he watched the young one sitting across from him brace for a backlash, Lord Eden finished his sip of wine and returned, “I see. You must have anticipated me to instantly despise you for sharing a name with our Prince?”

Daniel Domish, son of King Mark Domish, was the sole Prince and heir to the Kingdom of the Seven Cities, and had a rather turbulent past with the Lord from Beilrunot. When King Mark Domish first came to power he envisioned a quadrennial tournament that brought the Kingdom together, with each city entering two of its finest knights to compete. Prince Daniel and Lord Eden were two of the fourteen knights granted the honor of taking part in the last King’s tournament. The two young men demonstrated that they were both fearless and skilled competitors; yet, as they both reached the ultimate concluding duel – which was fought over the frozen surface of icy waters – the Prince was the one favored to honor his family and city. Odds were defeated, however, as Lord Eden Exen proved the wiser and more capable, emerging triumphant to become the Kingdom’s Champion. The title brought with it a sizable prize and great prestige, but what the Beilrunoty Lord most reveled in was his new-found status among the people as the one who defeated the heir to the throne.

“Before this night I had only heard of you and your legendary triumph four years ago, Lord Eden,” clarified the cabin boy, “I was afraid that my name was one you simply resent.”

The tall Lord was unshaken by the proposition and slickly replied, “To be honest, I never thought it possible to one day have a civil conversation over a glass of wine with a man called Daniel.” Eden raised his cup and smiled to relieve his new companion, “Yet, if I was destined to do so eventually, then sitting here with you is better than what I would have imagined.”

Daniel became more at ease after hearing the Lord’s comforting words, “It is an honor to be in your company even for just a few moments, Lord Eden.”

After four years of being a Champion – which earned him ego-boosting nicknames such as Domish’s Doom and the True Prince – Eden had become indifferent to flattery and he continued speaking his own thoughts while taking aim at the Prince, “I do believe, however, that if the other Daniel was to be here, he too would be the one desperately searching the ship for wine.”

The cabin boy laughed at the insinuation, “I have heard the men on the ship regularly speak of our Prince’s bad habit.”

“Habit?” replied the smirking Lord, “It is more of an engulfing romance!” Barely waiting for Daniel to finish his laugh Eden went further in his scathing slants, “But he was not always like that, no. I reckon it was merely the consequence of falling into the ice-cold waters of defeat!”

The cabin boy had heard of the Beilrunoty Lord’s sharp tongue and again laughed to indulge him, “I am sure it was, my Lord.”

Eden could not help but notice the irony of the situation as he criticized the Prince’s heavy drinking while he himself pushed his cup towards Daniel’s side of the crate so that it may be refilled; still, he chose to ignore it. The young cabin boy then proceeded to remind him, “Lord Eden, I do not mean to pester you, but you did promise me a tale if I brought back wine.”

“Right you are, Daniel,” conceded the Lord as he removed a medallion from his left pocket and laid it on top of the crate. The golden medallion was oval in shape and the detailed carving caught Daniel’s eye once more. A miniature reproduction of King Mark Domish’s own crown was carved in the middle. The plain crown had seven long spikes that rose at its front and grew in length from the sides to the tallest one at the center. The carving also included a long sword that appeared to pass through the crown, with the handle below and the sharp tip of the blade reigning highest.

The mysterious medallion carried plenty of symbolism in its design and the cabin boy had been very curious about its origin from the moment he caught a glimpse of it in Lord Eden’s hand. “I hope you learned the way into the Captain’s quarters well,” said the smiling Lord before he began his tale, “This promises to be one long night.”

---

 

Lord Eden Exen always sought new experiences on his travels and four years ago during his time in Thyrin – the capital of the Kingdom – he enjoyed visiting the local taverns to see what they had to offer. Having opted against returning to Beilrunot immediately after his triumph in the King’s tournament, a decision he believed his father was indifferent to, Lord Eden enjoyed his days of being celebrated as Champion with vigor.

It was a month into his stay in Thyrin, and on a night of drinking and dancing with nameless women to the sound of the playing fiddle, that he was first approached by a stranger. At the end of a string of joyful songs, Lord Eden rested his legs and sat down at a round wooden table. A few moments later, he noticed a hooded figure make his way over to him and instantly became intrigued. The Lord had been anticipating the visit after hearing multiple rumors of a man who sought out to challenge the Champion of every tournament in exchange for a rare prize.

“Greetings to our brave Champion,” began the man who concealed most of his face in the shadow of his hood.

Being the proponent of sarcasm that he was – a trait he had developed from a young age – Lord Eden returned, “And greetings to you, our friendly neighborhood shadow lurker.”

Amusing, thought the unimpressed man and then only showed a brief smile. “May I join you, Lord Exen?”

Eden signaled for him to take a seat and watched his concealed shady eyes carefully, “I have heard of many legends, but you seem to be the first one I actually witness.”

“I assure you, my Lord, that I am far from a legend. The name is Semerin and I am simply a jeweler with an offer to honor your greatness,” explained the man of average height.

Having only recently claimed his title, the dark-haired Lord was his most arrogant self at the time and he internally laughed at the suggestion that he needed to achieve any further greatness. “A jeweler? And what is a jeweler to offer me exactly?”

Semerin reached inside his cloak with his hand and removed the golden medallion, displaying it in front of the Lord, “A small prize for passing two trials. A medallion that displays your sword ascending from behind the crown, to shine bright and reign supreme over all the spikes that stand for our seven cities – much similar to your own merited rise to reign as Champion over the Kingdom, my Lord.”

The Lord eyed the oval medallion carefully and became impressed with the meticulous amount of detail its carvings had, at least as much as his imperfect drunken vision allowed. Although he knew that this medallion was purely ornamental, Eden was intrigued and inquired, “What would these trials entail exactly?”

“You shall discover that in due time, my Lord,” replied the jeweler as he tucked away the medallion and removed a small pouch to place it on the table. “That is your clue for the first trial; I shall expect you tomorrow night,” he instructed as he got up and left.

Eden, having finally found a new challenge with which to entertain himself, grabbed the pouch and opened it, only to be slightly disgusted at what he found. “Fortune has smiled upon me it seems, for I have stumbled upon yet another deranged one,” he noted to himself as he eyed the severed head of a duck holding a tooth in its beak.

---

 

Lord Eden’s sword never left his side, but the next night when he went to meet with Semerin he had additionally worn steel plate chest armor and bracers. Under the soft light of the moon the jeweler was quick to take note of the Lord’s arrival, “Ah, Lord Exen! I see you came well prepared for a brawl.”

Not particularly fond of breezy nights that carried the stench of swampy waters, Lord Eden cleverly revealed, “It does not take long to understand that a severed head of any kind means something will need killing.”

Semerin was delighted that his riddle was capably solved and confirmed, “Right you are my Lord. I reckon Duck’s Pond was just as effortless to deduce?”

“I learn more about Thyrin with every day I spend here, Semerin,” said Eden as he followed the man down closer to the edge of the pond, “But I am a Beilrunoty and I was not to be bothered with that, so I just paid a man in the tavern to solve the rest of your ridiculous clue. As it turns out you would have me travel south to Duck’s Pond and slay something that has teeth.”

The jeweler with a round face did not like the flaunting smirk on Eden’s face and tried to respectfully argue, “As well as your method worked, Lord Exen, yet you must realize that one day your wealth and fame will no longer be there to serve you. What would you do then?”

“I prefer not to worry about that for now,” Eden concisely replied. “So what poor creature’s life have we come to end tonight?”

“I am not sure that you would call an alligator a poor creature,” returned Semerin smugly, “But you would know better, my Lord.”

The revelation took nothing from the Beilrunoty Lord’s nerves as he simply smiled and said, “I figured a golden medallion would not come by easily.” He stepped in front of the jeweler and looked out at the water to try and pinpoint a possible location for the reptile, “You know, Semerin, one meets many interesting people during the King’s tournament.”

A bit puzzled the hooded man agreed, “I am sure one does, my Lord.”

Still scouring forward, Eden continued, “Yes, well unfortunately for you, during my time in the tournament I became close friends with one Lord Verrye Tepporeon of Serwein.” The city of Serwein was the sole city in the Kingdom not built on the coast, but rather on a high plateau just in the embrace of Mount Jabarut. The city’s tropical climate made it unique among the seven cities, and its lack of access to the seashore was compensated by the fact that it was founded on the banks of the vast river Cryne.

“Two Lords of your stature becoming friends; I would not call that unthinkable, my Lord,” returned Semerin. Every city in the Kingdom – bar Thyrin where the King reigned supreme – had a Prime Lord that was sovereign over its territory. The Prime Lord along with four other High Lords formed the council of the each city. Lords Eden Exen and Verrye Teporeon were the heirs to the Prime Lordships of Beilrunot in the west and Serwein in the east, respectively. Despite the guarded nature of the competing cities of the Kingdom, such a friendship was not unheard of.

“True,” concurred Eden, “And I even learned many things from him.” He moved back towards the man who was in possession of the medallion he desired and described, “You see, you would not be considered a proper Serwenese if you have not brushed shoulders with the odd alligator on the river Cryne at least once in your life. If you were to ask them, the people of Serwein would have you believe that when submerged it is practically impossible to guess where an alligator lies in waiting.”

Oblivious to what would come next, Semerin smiled as he heard the Lord’s words. Yet, that smile would quickly fade to a frightened look as Lord Eden suddenly grabbed the jeweler from his shoulders and dragged him down close to the edge of the pond. “Lord Exen, what are you doing?!” shouted Semerin frantically, but to no avail. A few seconds later he found himself forcefully thrust in the air, and then landing with a splash into the waters of Duck’s Pond.

Almost instantly an eerie sound of movement in the pond echoed in the wilderness. Barely on his knees, Semerin raised his wet face in terror and watched as large ripples of water formed closer and closer to him by the second. His heart sank and his eyes widened as he shrieked in fear at the sight of the emerging nostrils of the reptile. It was beyond doubt that his end was here.

However, the frightened jeweler was unaware of Lord Eden standing nearby in waiting. With his long sword held above his head in both hands and facing downwards, Eden waited for the creature to begin emerging. Then, with all his might he brought down his trusty sword, driving its sharp tip through the alligator’s temple right in the nick of time.

Semerin felt a large splash of water on his skin, but no punctures through it. As he slowly unfastened his eyelids, he gazed upon the unmoving corpse of the large reptile floating dead before him with a long sword’s handle protruding from its head. He looked to his side and caught a glimpse of a smugly smiling Lord who came over to retrieve his sword while stating, “But why guess where it is, Semerin, if you can be certain of where it’s heading?”

After barely surviving being recklessly thrown into the dangerous waters, Semerin was scarred from his brush with death and quickly made haste to exit the pond, not letting his stumbles slow him down. Still shaking with fear as he reached dry land, he turned to look at Lord Eden who cynically inquired, “Where are you going? Do you not wish to harvest one of its fangs? Is that not why you brought me here?”

Semerin was enraged and was barely able to hold himself back; his only wish was to return home and forget he ever met Eden Exen. Although, he was quick to change his mind and said with a still trembling voice, “You can keep it. Just come to the lone small lodging cabin east of the city in three days’ time, and bring your sword with you for the your second trial.”

After wiping down his trusty blade, Lord Eden returned it to its sheath and declared, “Do not worry, it never leaves my side.”

Chapter 1: The Joys of a Broken Window (Part 2)