Watching Ethyn ride valiantly into view, the Guardian's chest swelled with pride.

'There's my boy,' he thought, his eyes flashing beneath his inscrutable hood.

Ethyn's previously bright red hair, now a dark auburn, was hidden below the eighteen-year-old's shiny helmet. Only the man's green eyes shone through the slit of his visor.

The black stallion on which he rode was a stunning testament to equestrian beauty and strength, and it had taken Aiden most of his savings to acquire the gift before the boy's training began years prior. Ethyn reigned in beside the cloaked figure and dismounted.

Silver gave a deep bow and said seriously, "Sir Samberg, I am honored that you would grace me with your presence. We humble peasants could never deign to hope for such an auspicious visitor."

Removing his helmet, Ethyn flushed and shook his head. "None of that, old man. I am still the same Ethyn."

Silver tilted his head beneath his hood. "Old man? I look younger than you these days."

"You are just jealous of my manly stubble. I'm thinking of growing a beard."

"Stubble? All I see is skin like a baby's bottom on that chin of yours. Not enough hair for a whisker, no less a beard."

The men laughed, and Ethyn embraced his friend in a warm hug. "It is good to see you, Silver. It is good to finally be home. But where is everyone? I expected a rousing reception. Did you not get my letter?"

The Guardian shrugged. "That is how I learned your surname. Funny that you never mentioned it before, though I never thought to ask. Lily has been parading that letter and the news of your triumphant return around to anyone who will listen. Usually that is Conall's job. But to answer your question, our friends are all at the inn ready for a celebratory feast. I told them to wait because I wanted to see you first. How was the ceremony?"

"It was a lot of pomp and nonsense." Ethyn rubbed the back of his neck with wince. "But King Rhodri was very nice. He said something to the effect that I showed 'great promise'. I was a little nervous when he raised the sword over my shoulders, but that part all went off without a hitch. The princess was lovely to look at, but I don't think I made the best impression."

"Already setting your sights too high?" Silver elbowed him with a chuckle.

"I'm too practical for that, but a guy can dream of bigger things, can't he? I mean just look at you, Guardian!" Then he added more seriously, "I'm sorry you couldn't be there for the knighting ceremony. I just couldn't find a good way of explaining your presence. I mean you are family, but not the kind they would have accepted without a ton of questions."

Silver waved away the apology, "No need for the cloud of my reputation to ruin your moment. I would have done the same. How long are you staying here?"

Ethyn and Silver began their walk along the lane to the inn, the horse following faithfully behind. The full heat of summer sun bore down upon them, and the pair sought the shade of the trees as they strolled. Ethyn answered, "I have two weeks before I have been asked to report back for assignment. They said I should enjoy some time at home."

"What assignment do you anticipate getting?"

"I'll probably be attached to some Baron or perhaps even a garrison. Or sent on a quest. Being positioned around here would be ideal, but I think I wouldn't mind being stationed at the palace either. Even with the unbearable company…"

Silver frowned, "How is Commander Borit these days?" The Guardian's nemesis had risen to the top rank in his field. The sharp-nosed man was now in control of the entire military.

"Borit might be going senile. He looked me straight in the eyes and didn't recognize me. It's just as well. I don't want to think how miserable he would try to make me otherwise." It had been a closer call than Ethyn let on, but he saw no reason to worry the Guardian when it had not been an issue.

"We can be thankful for small mercies…You will be here two weeks, hm? That's good. I am glad you'll still be here when I return."

"You are leaving?" Ethyn was surprised, his jaw dropping slightly. He had hoped to spend some time with his friend after such a long absence. The young man had only ever been released from his training duties for a month at harvest time each year, so it had been nearly since he had really seen the people he loved. It seemed that his time with the Guardian would be cut short.

"Yes, very soon I must leave. I keep having these dreams that I need to visit the castle. It's been calling me for nearly a year. I've ignored them, but now… Well, Hanna just visited and told me I need to retrieve a document from the keep. I begged her to let me at least stay until you arrived."

If Ethyn's eyes were wide before, now they were the size of his head. "The keep? The keep of the castle? You are going to steal from the castle?!"

The cloaked figure cocked his head to one side curiously. "I recall a young boy who broke into the house of the Mighty Silver to rob him blind. Whatever happened to him?" Silver's voice was serious, but there was a hint of humor in it.

Ethyn rolled his eyes, "He got scared straight, and now he's sworn to protect the very place you have threatened to plunder."

"Hold your horse there, Buddy. No! I am going to retrieve a document as a FATE has ordered. Apparently Borit has big plans that will affect the whole kingdom. Bad plans. I hope to expose him for who he is. I think it is finally time." The Guardian's eyes flashed silver, and Ethyn could hear the anticipation in his voice.

The knight's brow furrowed as he nodded slowly. "I see. Be careful. What if you run into Borit?"

"I hope I do," Silver said menacingly, then he shook his head and sighed. "But just in case I am spotted, can you ride around the countryside here pretending to be me until I return? It is always nice to have an alibi."

Ethyn chuckled. "I can do that."

"Thanks." Silver clapped him on the shoulder in gratitude.

The pair were now nearing the village center. They passed a bookstore, which doubled as a library for those too poor to buy books. It was positioned next to the new school, which would help all children have the opportunity to read.

Part of the baron's money had been used to hire a teacher. Recently, she and Aiden had become engaged. Silver smiled at the thought. The town had grown into a thriving city out in the middle of nowhere.

Even Conall's inn had added a second story to accommodate more guests. His quality of accommodation had improved as well. The inn materialized into view. Their conversation came to a close as they walked alongside the building in silence. Tying the horse off outside and giving it water, the knight signaled to the Guardian that he was ready. Silver strode forward and pushed open the tavern door. In his best impression of a barker he had once heard at a faire, he announced, "The hero has returned. All welcome, Sir Samberg!"

There was a general cheer from the room as all those who loved Ethyn best welcomed him in. Lily and Aristos sat with their three children (their daughter and her two younger brothers) whooping and hollering congratulations.

Aidan and his lady love were at a different table clapping wildly. Conall stood from where he had been gathered with Katherine and Gilbert—now a soldier in his own right—and slapped the new knight on the back. "I, uh, knew you could do it, boy! Welcome home!"

Ethyn entered and began to answer the many questions as he made his way to his seat. Silver pulled Conall to the side. "I need to head out."

"So soon?" the mayor asked ruefully.

"I can feel it in my gut. It can't wait. If I'm not back in four days, something has gone horribly wrong. Ask Gilbert to keep tabs on any new warrants that may involve a man in black. Have you got the horse I requested?"

Conall nodded, "She's, uh, saddled and out front. You probably saw her on your way in. Be careful."

"Thank you. Please keep Ethyn entertained. I don't want him to miss me too much."

Conall nodded again and shook the Guardian's forearm. "Good luck. Don't have too much fun without me."

"Me? Never. I am the epitome of decorum and grace. No excitement here." Silver dipped his head in a courtly bow.

The Guardian passed through the door of the dining hall and noted the afternoon sun. If he rode all night, he should make it most of the way tomorrow, giving him the better part of a day to surveil and make his move before making the two day trek home. It was a risky move, but he trusted Hanna would not let him down.

He fingered the little glowing vial tucked in his leather belt. 'Don't break it. You may need it,' he thought. He secured his hood and the ever-present fairy necklace around his neck to make sure everything was in place.

'Stop stalling,' he chided. The Guardian took one last longing glance toward the door before mounting the horse. 'Go now or you'll never leave.'

With that, the Guardian of Rynnlee clicked his heals and pulled the reins toward the city of Burke, leaving the laughter of the inn behind him as disappeared into the trees.