Adrian stepped onto the small docks of the village. Most of the houses were dark, torches lit up the place and he spied sentries atop the castle wall. A shout rang out in the distance, and he knew the village was about to stir.
At Sir Cordell's advice, Adrian took his time, standing on the dock to watch the people, his people now, disembark.
"Those of you who haven't seen your families or friends in a while," Adrian said, addressing the soldiers and servants who had been stationed at Whitesand Town along with the late Baron, "You don't need to follow us to the keep. Go home and be with your families."
He received nods and words of gratitude. He caught Sir Cordell's look of approval and simply rolled his eyes in response.
He watched as the body of the late Baron was carried to the wooden ground, and soon they were walking toward the castle, with Adrian at the forefront.
Their arrival had awakened the village. Torches were lit, and faces peeked out from windows, some even stepped outside. Even in the blanket of faint darkness, illuminated only by moonlight and flickering fire, Adrian saw the shock and befuddlement on their faces as he passed.
They hurriedly bowed to him, as he neared and passed by them.
Adrian stopped when he reached his house. the small, humble home his father had left him before going to war. He couldn't remember his mother, she had died only a few months after his birth.
It had been just him and his father in that house for as long as he could remember.
He noticed the door was ajar and walked inside, only to find that most of his belongings were gone.
Before he could ask, Sir Cordell spoke from the doorway. "Servants must have already come to move your things to the castle."
Adrian nodded slowly, but then he remembered something. He walked to a corner of the house and pulled up a loose floorboard, revealing a small chest containing his few valuables and coins.
He walked back out carrying it, and when a servant stepped forward to offer assistance, Adrian handed it over.
He continued toward the castle, passing the tavern. He saw Bell and her family, they immediately bowed as he passed, and Adrian gave them a nod. Then he passed Tatum, who nearly spoke to him before the boy's father quickly covered the child's mouth, and they too bowed.
Adrian laughed wryly at that.
Soon, he reached the castle gates. Awaiting him inside was a row of servants and guards lined up along the wall. In the center stood the Steward and Lady Ela Harrow, waiting to welcome him.
"We welcome the Lord of the Castle, Baron of Harrowfield, Lord Adrian Harrow!"
Their voice went up as they all bowed deeply, even Lady Harrow, the wife of the man whose body followed behind Adrian.
Adrian took in the scene. the people face lighted by the flickering torches, and the keep behind them.
He took a deep breath, then took a step forward into his new life.
------
"Should the late Baron's body be buried tomorrow?"
"Do it tonight… might as well. After that, a feast for the late Baron and, well… my new lordship," Adrian said as he explored the castle.
He hadn't had the chance to do so before, but since everyone and everything now belonged to him, he could come and go as he pleased. Steward Osway followed closely behind him.
"Milord…" The steward hesitated. He treated Adrian with more respect now, even hesitating to correct him. "Is that appropriate?"
"Why not?" Adrian entered what appeared to be the kitchen area. A couple of servants were already busy cooking. his appearance startled them, and they stopped their work to bow.
"Don't mind me…" Adrian said, inspecting the kitchens. Although he knew the castle, some of the faces were new to him.
He knew the castle servants had their own quarters in a separate structure and rarely ventured out to the village.
He could feel the servants struggling to focus under his gaze, so he promptly left the room.
"But to have the burial and then immediately follow it with a feast for your lordship…" Steward Osway trailed off.
"It won't be just for me. Open the hall and the keep to the people. It's for the loved ones they lost too."
"The hall open to everyone?!" Steward Osway nearly stumbled.
"Why not?" Adrian shrugged. "It's not like I have any more 'important' guests at the feast, right? Better to let everyone have some joy."
"But what about Lady Harrow?"
Adrian stopped. "Let her mourn. Let her decide if she wants to join us or not." He then remembered something.
"We have enough to host a feast, right? Especially for two villages?"
Harrowfield controlled two villages, formerly three, before two merged. The neighboring village was only a half-hour walk away, it would be no trouble to inform them and invite them to the castle just in time for the food to be ready.
"We have enough." the steward assured him.
The mention of food made Adrian wonder about their stockpiles. He spent the next half hour in a store room, figuring out how the food was stacked and whether they had enough for the coming winter. Though winter is short in these parts of the land.
He discovered they had plenty. With the ocean only a day away, they wouldn't have to worry about starvation unless a war or something similar broke out.
Soon, Adrian stood on the platform outside the castle.
The late Baron's body lay atop a pyre. The castle employed an old lady who knew the ways of the God of Light, and she handled the ceremony.
As it began, Adrian watched the people's faces, lit by the growing fire as it prepared to engulf the late Baron.
He knew some couldn't care less about the Baron, he certainly woudn't, but he also knew they were all worried about their new lord.
They were worried about him, and worried about the future.
When the flames finally took the body, all eyes turned to Adrian. The steward handed him a prepared speech, and while Adrian considered reading it, he set the parchment aside. He stepped forward, projecting his voice so all could hear.
"Death is inevitable." He began. He heard someone shift behind him.
"It comes to us all, in different ways." Adrian scanned the crowd. Their attention felt a heavy responsibility. He hid his hand as he clenched them, hiding the tremor.
"Today we lost the Baron. Weeks ago, we lost our families and friends. That is why we must remember not death, but the memories of the living."
At those words, the villagers looked at one another. Some wore expressions of deep sorrow, the wounds were still fresh.
"The flicker of a flame can be snuffed out, but it will burn again. The sun will rise once more. So tonight… we mourn, we remember. And by the morrow, I hope we will have the strength to walk forward again!"
Adrian's voice boomed as he finished. The people took in his words. He knew he was supposed to speak of his new lordship and promise to be a good ruler to them, as the steward recommended, but it hadn't felt appropriate.
"Tonight… my castle is open to all," Adrian concluded. He turned around, Sir Cordell and the steward quickly following. He passed Lady Harrow; they exchanged only a few words before, but he intended to speak with her more later.
Soon, the people marched into the castle keep. The hall had been repurposed for a feast, with food and tables ready. Only after Adrian took his seat did the others sit.
"Don't wait for me. Everyone, please, help yourselves."
Adrian felt someone sit beside him and found Lady Harrow joining him at the head table. They shared a silent nod.
Adrian watched the crowd, some were hesitant, others reserved, but he smiled when he saw the children dive into the food. Tatum was already there, stuffing his mouth with a goat leg.
Adrian turned to the lady beside him. "Lady Harrow, I know I've said it, but you have my condolences."
Lady Harrow turned to him, an unreadable look in her eyes, before she nodded. "I thank you, Lord Harrow." She grabbed a cup, and a servant poured her wine.
Strictly speaking, he no longer had to address her as Lady Harrow, he was the Lord now and she wasn't his wife.
Yet, Adrian continued to use the title anyway.
To think that before, she was a lady he couldn't afford to offend, now, the situation was reversed.
'Life is full of surprises' Adrian thought.
"You gave a nice speech. Did the steward write those words for you?" she asked.
Adrian snorted, then remembered his position. He could feel the steward's disapproving look from the side.
"No. I just came up with it."
"I see. And what of the matter with the Prince? I heard he personally handled your inheritance."
Adrian nodded and sighed. "And hence, the barony needs to put more effort into helping the Prince's plans. I'm thinking of leaving the day after tomorrow to head to Sandhail Bay."
Lady Harrow nodded. "You are going personally?"
"Yes."
He saw hesitation on her face until finally, she spoke. "What of me?"
Adrian grabbed a cup, and a servant poured him wine. It was tasty and very much to his liking.
"You're still a Harrow." Adrian finished his drink and looked her in the eye. "Regardless of… other things… you are still Lady Ela Harrow."
Something flashed across her face, and Adrian hoped his point was clear.
"I expect I will be going back and forth between here and Sandhail Bay. The barony still needs the help of someone who knows how to manage it."
He picked up a bite of food and swallowed it. A few moments passed before she answered.
"Of course. I thank you."
Adrian nodded. Soon, the feast grew lively. People became comfortable, some got drunk. A band played and singing turned to dancing. The night was full of memories and merriment.