Moon insisted Frank remain for dinner, despite the steward's hesitant protests. By twilight, the long dining hall glowed with lamplight, the rich scent of roasted pheasant mingling with woodsmoke as the five Knight Commanders arrived one after another, steel spurs clicking on the polished stone floor.
Moon greeted each with a measured nod, studying their posture and the respect—or lack thereof—in their bows. Thane, broad-shouldered and scarred, gave a crisp salute and waited for invitation. Veyra, the only woman among them, inclined her head gracefully, maintaining composure. Holt, lean and sharp-eyed, muttered a polite "My lord" that felt habitual rather than sincere. Draeg, grizzled and broad-faced, plopped into a chair without waiting. Rusk, youngest of the five, strolled in casually, grin playing on his lips, ignoring the customary bow entirely.
Moon seated himself at the head of the table, Frank dutifully at his side. Silence stretched long enough for the commanders to grow restless, until Moon finally spoke.
"Tonight is simple," he said lightly. "Good food, good wine, and conversation. I want to know the minds of those who guard Ridgewell."
Platters of venison, honeyed carrots, and fresh bread were brought forth, but the true course was the dialogue. Moon guided it deliberately, posing questions meant to pierce beyond polite pleasantries. What would you do if a fellow knight disobeyed an unjust order? Which matters more in a knight—discipline or cunning? How do you keep loyalty from curdling into fear?
Thane answered with blunt practicality; Veyra with thoughtful precision; Holt with measured calculation. Draeg grumbled at each question, and Rusk leaned back, smirking and offering careless quips.
Finally, Draeg slammed his cup aside. "I won't sit here and entertain questions from a runt born of a water demon."
The room froze. Even the servants paused mid-step.
Before Moon could think, his hand moved. A dagger flashed from his belt, pressing cold steel to Draeg's throat. The knight froze, eyes wide, chair legs scraping harshly across the floor.
The sudden speed, sharp and precise, startled even Moon. A pulse of raw, unspoken threat radiated from him—so strong it flattened the air between them.
"You forget," Moon said quietly, each word slicing through the silence, "rank is not a suggestion. Discipline is not optional."
Draeg's bravado crumbled instantly, and Rusk's grin faded.
Then pain struck—white-hot in Moon's skull—and he released the dagger, clamping a hand to his temple. The steel clattered harmlessly to the floor.
"Dinner," he said, his voice roughened but even, "is concluded."
Servants rushed, the commanders half-rose in confusion. In the chaos, no one saw the look on Frank's face—shock shading to dread—as he stared at his lord.
Draeg and Rusk bowed stiffly and left without another word. The remaining three—Thane, Veyra, Holt—watched in wary silence.
Moon straightened slowly as the pain ebbed. "The rest of you," he said, calmer now, "will remain. We have work to discuss."
**
The dining hall had emptied, but Moon remained at the head of the long table while Frank ushered the three remaining commanders into the council chamber. A single lantern burned low, throwing long shadows across the stone walls.
"How many trained guards do you command between you?" Moon asked as soon as they settled.
"Three hundred in total, my lord," Thane answered without hesitation.
Moon nodded. "Before I begin… I need your trust."
Veyra stepped forward at once. She went to one knee, drew her sword, and lowered the blade until it touched the floor. Her voice rang with steady conviction:
"I swear my steel and my life.
I shall take no bribe, hold no fear.
I shall guard the realm and the one who leads it.
From this night until my last breath,
my loyalty stands with you, my lord."
The words carried the cadence of old maths spoken by ancient houses. Moon blinked, startled. Holt hesitated, eyes narrowing in calculation, then followed suit, kneeling to repeat the pledge. Thane joined after a moment, his deep voice rumbling through the chamber.
Moon stared, utterly unsure of the proper response. He turned helplessly toward Frank.
Frank exhaled and covered his face with one hand. "Rise," he whispered.
"Ah—yes. Rise," Moon echoed.
The three stood, eyes bright with an unwavering resolve that unsettled him.
"You won't regret this," Moon said awkwardly.
"It doesn't matter, my lord," Veyra replied, still holding her sword upright. "I would follow you to the ends of the earth if need be."
Moon searched her face, wondering where such fierce devotion came from.
He drew a steady breath. After munching thinking the previous night,he had come to the conclusion—Before the town's happiness, He must secure his safety. The former Caspian was poisoned. He currently had no known allies and trusted no one,not even his own guards and so he must start from the top.Recruit more guards and slowly build that trust.
Moon didn't have big dreams,all he wanted was to make the people happy so in turn he could have his games. He didn't think of expanding the town to a city and whatnot. All he wanted was peace but he didn't want to be in a –had– I– known– situation and so he gave the order.
"Recruit more guards."
Holt raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning to build an army?"
"Something like that," Moon admitted. They listened in silence as he continued. "Post a recruitment order.We need about 200 more guards and we also need to provide enough tents for them all."
They all looked at him in confusion,why tent when they already had houses. As if hearing their thoughts he continued, "These selected people as well as your guards will live separately from the others. They would also train and act differently than the others. By the end of winter,if I get my desired results then they would successfully become soldiers and not Knights."
"Soldiers?" Thane echoed. Even Frank listened carefully fully interested, his Lord was becoming stranger by the day.
Moon nodded," That's right. Let's find a suitable area to accommodate them shall we. Their daily meals will also be provided by me."
Frank shifted uneasily at his side, the corner of his mouth twitching. "My lord… your purse is not bottomless," he murmured.
Moon ignored the warning. "Find a suitable location and begin preparations. We'll meet again in three days."
Plans were finalized, tasks assigned, and the commanders departed into the night. Frank lingered, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity.
"Are you well, my lord?"
"Just tired," Moon admitted, rubbing his temples. "Too much thinking for one evening."
Frank gave a slow nod and left him to the quiet.
Moon remained in the dim study, thoughts circling back to the dinner hall. 'What exactly happened to me back there?'