"You want to do what?"
My father, so to say, was unamused.
"Give her to me."
I stared directly into the man's, dark-brown eyes.
He clearly wasn't surprised to see me at such an early hour.
This estate wasn't free from the brutal reality of this world either, after all. And with two other sons fighting for the meager inheritance, it wasn't unusual for the three of us to seek the old man's favor.
"That's quite an unusual request," Demerion, the head of the Castor household, squinted his eyes. "What do you want to do with her?" the old man leaned over his desk and brought his hands together before nesting his chin on them.
"I can get fifty gold off her. That's not a small sum."
Just like the raids, it was an amount that could ruin the family that female knight came from.
By all means, this was actually quite a considerable request on my end.
"Most likely, she will go free in a few days at most," I revealed bluntly. "But I stand to gain greatly from this trade," I looked up, directly into the old man's eyes.
Within the realm of the family politics, it equaled to a slightly audacious challenge.
And was merely the second son, after all. And up until now, my four years older brother was quite ahead in the race for the old man's favor.
"Father, I swear," I fell down on one knee, right in the middle of the old man's office, before striking my head against the floor while lowering my head. "I stand to gain enough to benefit the whole family. And I solemnly swear to repay this favor many-fold!"
Old man stared at my face for a while, a hint of surprise lingering in his eyes.
For a moment, he stood silent.
Then, he leaned back into the expensive cushions of his chair.
"Fine."
A small smile emerged on the old man's lips.
"You are my son," fatherly warmth flashed on the old man's face.
Despite the race, he was still my father… At least, in this third life of mine.
"But…"
Not even a second into my relief, Father's lips twisted into a cunning, satisfied smile of a slight bully.
"Whatever it is that you are planning, she will have to agree to it."
My smile didn't even twitch. And I was fully aware not even lowering my head in respect could hide my expression from the old man.
This man was a genuine master, I could tell as much.
A tense encounter like this, however, was a price I happily paid for what I gained.
And without a further ado, I bid my respectful farewells before heading straight for the castle's small dungeon…
Not before taking a quick, short detour through the barrack's kitchen.
After the last round of raids, we were momentairly well off.
The grannaries were stocked and the coin tingled in the fathers coffers. With the clan's militia on the ready and training hard, we could take a monetary breather in the world of constant conflict and struggle.
For at least some time, no one was interested in messing with us.
Which is why, I hurried down the stairs and then down to the shadowy basement level, lit up by just a handful of flickering torches.
And with a small, cloth bundle in my right and a torch in my left, I stopped before one of the private cells.
Conviniently, right now, this female knight was the only high-value guests that could score us more than few coins.
Still, her cell while somewhat considerate, lacked any sort of excessive luxuries or comforts.
The times were hard, after all. And getting stale bread was often luck not everyone could afford.
Now, however, I unpacked the bundle and presented a bowl of steeming hot beef stew.
"This is for you."
I placed the bowl before I even bothered to take a look inside the cell. Save for the father who captured her, no one else really even saw her.
She was nothing more but a coin pouch that a family, desperate to save and recover her, would pay for her release. Not the first nor definitely the last of this kind of guests that would visit our basement.
"All your man, nay… Everyone else in the dungeon will receive their own meal. It just takes a lot longer to cook that much as opposed to preparing a single bowl."
I pointed at the food I just offered.
Then, not wasting time on useless dawdling, she walked into the light cast by my torch.
"Who are you?" Her vividly blue eyes cast a sharp stare, almost potent enough to pierce through my chest. "What do you want?"
"For now, just talk. And I'm happy to do nothing but talk until everyone receives and then consumes their proper, hot meal."
I resisted her stare and even dared to stare right back.
Right now, she was on the wrong side of the bars. And no matter how tough of a face she made, I was plainly doing her a favor, for whatever reasons I could have.
"I hate wasting time."
Even with her tough face failing to achieve the purpose, she attempted to regain the control by forcing the pace of the conversation.
Still, she reached out and accepted the bowls, holding it dear to her chest while looking all vigilant.
"As you wish."
I shook my shoulders.
While not related to my purpose here, I somewhat liked that no-nonsense attitude of this knight.
"Would you like for me to arrange for your return? Likely along with your men and maybe even some supplies?"
My old man's reaction was a good gauge for just how ridiculous my sudden suggestion was.
And the girl stuck within the cage of my family's dungeon could only open up those intensely-blue eyes of her wide.
All I need in return, is a small favor."