As we move forwards, a large man is shaking the hand of another person. “There he is—Count Darel.” Thanks, Stillwater, would never have known that!

“Should we wait to shake his hand?” I ask.

“Yes, it is customary for each guest to meet the host.”

Looking around as we stand in line waiting, something occurs to me “Where is his wife?”

The surrounding nobles and rich people send me a disgusting look, but I am used to that, being a half-breed.

Gunnar lowers his tone. “His wife died a few years ago. You are stupid, Halfy.”

Taking a huge breath to counter jab at Gunnar, but with that look from Stillwater, I like my insides to be inside. Now my most fun thing; waiting around.

I think this is the first time I have ever been in the presence of nobility. I have seen knights and stuff during my army years, but I am so close to them now.

We wait in line to thank him for the invite, just like his kid said. I cannot help but notice he has a bandage around his hand and a small cut on his cheek. I wonder where the Duke is. Must be here somewhere. And then I accidentally walk into some primped-up bastard. I should remember my manners.

“Sorry about that, excuse me. I was just moving towards His Excellency.”

As he turns, I notice he has a fantastic beard; a little silver shot through his black hair. Looks a little scary but I have seen worse. I hear a gasp in the background, from Stillwater I think. What is her problem?

Stillwater moves forward in front of me and curtsies low to the man. “Your Grace, I am so sorry that this individual bumped into you.” Grace? “He doesn't pay attention all too well. My humblest apologies.”

He just laughs. Screw you too. He holds up his hands as I notice a few beefy-looking guys moving towards us. “No worries. It happens to me all the time. It's Sergeant Joan Stillwater, isn't it?”

I have no idea what is happening. Who is this guy? “Yes, Your Grace, but Sergeant no more. I have left the Town Watch to become an Adventurer.”

Grace? Is this man’s name Grace?

“Ah, a shame. I heard great stories about your victories at the Hall tournaments. Champion four years running. I have been meaning to talk to Axel concerning your future.”

Stillwater’s face just goes red. I need to know who this guy is. “Excuse me, sorry to interrupt. I assume that you are someone important, but I just need to ask, is your name really Grace? Where I come from, that is a woman's name!”

Everyone around me goes quiet. The man turns towards me and looks me over quickly. His smile cracks into a grin, and he starts laughing. A full belly laugh that shakes his frame. “So, this must be the man being awarded tonight.” He knows me? “By your bewildered look, yes, I know who you are. I will be awarding you my Iron Medal of Heroism later tonight.”

He pats me on the shoulder, still chuckling to himself, and walks past me. That was the bloody Duke! The bloody Iron Duke! With everyone laughing at his comments, I feel like a fool.

“What. Did. I. Say?” Stillwater whispers to me, stressing every word. “Show some bloody respect! That was His Grace, Duke Trahern. You are a bloody fool. Come on, we have to meet the Count.”

Like clockwork, Gunnar needs to say something too. “You did good, Solo.”

Frick you too, Gunnar. Even WayWocket looks disappointed with me. He knocks me in the hip. “Just move forward, Solo.” Stillwater is already talking to the Count. “Come on, we need to thank His Excellency.”

In the corner of my eye, I notice Belgrim of the Travellers, the ham-fisted pugilist laughing with Seth. Wondering where his mother Laura and father Althanis are. Of all of them, I envy him the most, having an Elf father who stayed with him and a mother who loves him.

Then I see Seth wave and elbow Grim to notice me. Great, now they are coming over. Stillwater, steps on my foot. Under her breath whispers, “Pay attention!”

The Count is looking right at me like he asked me a question and I did not notice.

“It can be a bit distracting, this whole affair.” He continues, “I was expecting the Adventurer Lone Solo, but I was informed when I returned that you are part of a Charter—the Rejects.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. We only formed a new Charter this morning with Lone Solo.” Stillwater motions to me. “We are hoping to do good things in the name of justice.”

He cocks his eyebrow at me. “Well, I can see that you have already made quite an impression on my cousin, the Duke. Thank you for coming. Please enjoy the party.”

He turns to talk to the next person. We move away, and this is what I was waiting for—getting grilled by Stillwater. I do not know who is worse, my old army sergeant or Stillwater.

“Was that your idea of keeping out of trouble? I mean, really, Solo! I could punch you so hard right now.”

“I am sorry, okay? I bumped into him by accident! I do not hang around the upper crust of society. How would I know who he is? Maybe if he was a local thug—”

Gunnar steps in. “Are you comparing our Duke with a common thug, Halfy?”

“No, of course not. I was merely pointing out that a local thug is more recognisable than a nobleman.”

“You have put your foot in it again, Solo.” And it is Seth’s turn. “You can be an idiot.”

Belgrim pipes in too, “Laddie, I feel sorry for you. Who is this lot with you?” Charming as always.

“This is my new Charter, the Rejects. Joan Stillwater, our leader.” I see her blush with that statement—do not know why. “Gunnar, our ... What do you do again, Gunnar?”

“I heal your sorry arse ... Solo.” I guess he noticed that Seth was half-human like me. “Also, I can do things you wouldn't believe.”

“Yeah, like talking to mangy strays.” He fumes at that. “So, that was the Duke, hey? Looks like he could handle himself.”

“You can be a little daft. From what I’ve heard, he served in the army, just like most citizens.” Belgrim said.

“He looks like it, Grim, but he would not fight on the frontlines, would he? He is the Duke.”

Seth and Belgrim just laugh at me. Seth replies, “That man held off a barbarian attack for twenty days on a village up in the colonies with only ten soldiers! I can't believe that you haven't heard that.”

“So, he’s actually done something for common people?” Gunnar said. Gunnar is being sort of nice to Seth. Wonders never cease.

“Yep. He has done much more too. You’re not from Western Duchy?”

“No, I'm from the south.”

Belgrim grabs Gunnar on the shoulder. “South, hey? I'm from Southern Earldom. What's your family name? We might be related.”

Gunnar moves his shoulder to loosen the grip. “I don't have a family—” That is strange. Dwarves are their family. “—so we can't be related.”

“Just hold on, son. No disrespect. I'm an exile too. My family kicked me out once they heard I was going to join a monastery. No benefit to their profit. Wanted me to join the Church.”

Gunnar just grunts. I see Stillwater talking to a few other people. Good, no angry woman.

Seth looks at me and changes the topic. “So, how did your 'adventure' go last night?”

Gunnar turns to me and stresses under his voice, “What did you tell these people?”

I was about to open my mouth, but Belgrim cuts in, “Don't worry, son. Solo here was just talking about it when we met him at the hall I assume that you foiled this 'adventure'?”

“Stop calling me son! I knew you couldn't keep your mouth shut, Solo!”

That is it! I know we have to keep it down low, but really. Seth steps on my foot, looks at me, and shakes his head. Fine!

“Good Dwarf, if it wasn't for Solo here, we wouldn't have discovered the Bloody Swords waylaying traders and farmers travelling to Lake Merrin.”

Now I am going to open my mouth, and damn the next person who interrupts me. “What? What?” Not the best way to voice myself.

“Yeah, Solo. Thanks for that. We would have had our hands full too, if it wasn't for the Count and his personal guard.”

This is spinning right out of control. “One second.” I move over to where Stillwater is talking to some sort of official. “Excuse me, my Lord, but there is something that needs Mistress Stillwater’s attention. Joan ...”

Stillwater is taken aback by my statement. “Excuse me, my Lord, it seems my Charter needs to speak with me.”

The stuffy individual looks a little smug. “No need to apologise. The young man seems to deem this matter more important. Maybe we can speak later, Champion Stillwater?”

“Most certainly, my Lord.” As we move away, Stillwater whispers, “Why did you pull me away? That was a member of Count Darel's court.”

“I think there are better ways to talk to the Count.”

I can see the wheels turning in Stillwater’s brain. “Fine. Who or what is this better way?” Althanis and Laura have joined us. I motion my head to this sight. Stillwater asks, “How do you know the Travellers?”

“Luck ... and ale.” That infuriates her and I smile as I walk back to the group. “Greetings, Travellers, this is our esteemed leader Joan Stillwater.” Gunnar and WayWocket roll their eyes.

Laura moves forward and grasps Stillwater's hand. “Nice to meet you, Joan. It seems that we have been dealing with similar issues.” Stillwater looks dumbfounded. I feel the same. Such heroes.

“My wife is being a little vague. After meeting your fellow Adventurer, we found out some new information ourselves—”

Stillwater butts in, “So you know what happened last night?” The Travellers all nod. Stillwater glares at me. Great. “And what is this new information?”

Laura gently touches Althanis on the arm. “I’ll explain this, my love.” Never seen that look on Gunnar's face before, it seems like a gravity of sorrow that can never be filled. “After you left last night, Solo, we headed out to talk to a few trusted people at the marketplace. Apparently, for the last two weeks, imports have either been delayed or have never arrived. Food supply is becoming a little stretched. You didn't know that, did you?”

This seems to be familiar, oh yeah, Brice! While the others shake their heads, I say “I heard something about that, but I did not really understand. How was it not well-known to everyone?”

“We still have the grain bins and a few other reserves in town, so they guessed it would be fine,” Laura says.

Althanis continues, “So we headed out last night, hoping that we could help.”

Belgrim laughs. “Yeah, bit of a three-ring circus happening on the roads.”

“Grim, quiet.” Althanis looks around and lowers his voice. “Like I was saying, the incident that The Rejects were dealing with, we found that there were people stopping food from being transported into town. We got lucky, didn’t sleep much either, but around Community Highway coming to Lake Merrin, we found some of the Bloody Swords.”

The Rejects look at each other, shocked. Stillwater asks, “The Fellowship of the Sword? They were in town? It’s a standing order to trail them.”

“It is a standing order?” I cannot believe my ears. “I heard from someone that they have been hanging around, mostly talking to Zlata.” A complete hush falls over everyone. “What? My friend saw them at the Anvil and Musket and at Corbin's.”

“Who saw the Swords with Zlata?”

“Her name is Pela. She was a waitress at Corbin’s, and now at the Hall.”

“Can you introduce me?” I nod at Stillwater. “This whole thing is bigger than we thought.”

Suddenly a bell is ringing and people are moving. Housen calls out, “Lords and Ladies, please find your seats. Dinner is about to be served.” Where are we sitting?

Housen moves through the crowd towards us. “Rejects, this way. Travellers, you are over there.”

Damn, we are not sitting together. We move towards the dining hall; it has a lot of tables. As we get to our table—it is not right in the back, but it is pretty close—there are a few people already seated. They look nearly as out of place as we do.

As we sit down, I hear someone banging something on the floor. Count Darel is standing up with the Duke on his right. In a booming voice, he says, “My Lords, my Ladies, I would like to thank you all for coming tonight to honour His Grace, my cousin Trahern Isenhart. Not only are we honouring His Grace tonight but we will also be awarding heroic individuals with the Iron Medal of Heroism.”

He pauses for a moment before continuing in a solemn tone. “I have been hearing very disturbing things of late, concerning my subjects and their safety on the highways. For the last three days, I have been out with my personal guard to investigate these wrongdoings.”

He motions towards one of the tables. “I happened upon the Travellers of the Road this morn, and after questioning them, found that we were out there for the same reason. I can announce this evening that we uncovered a Charter that was hired to attack farmers and tradesmen—”

Audible gasps. Everyone voices their indignation in a clamour of distressed voices. I look at the rest of the Rejects and I can see the wheels turning in Stillwater’s eyes, but for the life of me I have no idea what she is thinking. Women are weird.

The Duke stands up and waves his hand. “Please, everyone, silence. Cousin, please continue.”

Darel nods at the Duke and picks up where he left off. “We uncovered a Charter that was hired to attack farmers and tradesmen coming to Lake Merrin. Several have been brought in, while others escaped and will be brought to justice. I would like to thank Althanis and his Charter, Travellers of the Road, for coming to the aid of my county.”

Well, this got interesting. He continues, “Please, everyone, let’s enjoy our meal. After dessert, we will be rewarding these incredible heroes.”