They had set off early in the morning, in the first light of day. At the request of the steward, he had come along with them, leaving Lady Ela to manage while they were gone.
They had taken the land path, their numbers too many for the boats, not to mention they would have to circumvent the terrain anyway once they reached Whitesand Town.
Thus, Adrian, the steward, and the knights recommended they journey on foot directly to Sawhead Castle, where they would stop before finally heading to Sandhail Bay. But first, Adrian sent some men to trade at Whitesand Town while returning the few boats he had borrowed from Lord Bronsone.
The journey took longer by land, but in Adrian's book, it was calming, especially since he spent most of his time on a horse or a cart while needs like food were handled by servants. It was on the second day, well into the afternoon, when they arrived at Sawhead Castle.
Adrian looked at the castle in the distance and at the people trying to revive the village in front of it. To think, just weeks ago he had fought in this area, had even fought atop the walls to take it.
Now it was held by Lady Willa Hayes who was ransomed from the enemy along with the other captured lords before. Just like him, she was a young person suddenly becoming the leader of the land. Unlike Lady Ela Harrow, Lady Hayes had the blood of the Hayes in her veins, so she could truly become the Baroness of Sawhead. Though, he reckoned it wouldn't be long before she was advised to immediately find a husband.
"The ocean…"
Adrian, still on his horse, heard Tatum muttering from a nearby cart. The kid had hitched a ride with his father, leaving his mother back home. Adrian chuckled at the boy before the group moved once again.
"Should we stay the night?" Adrian looked at the sky and asked Sir Cordell and the steward.
"We could." the knight spoke first. "Sandhail Bay should only be a few hours now. If we rush, we could make it before the dead of night."
"Milord… I suggest we camp for the night so you can get acquainted with Lady Hayes." the steward suggested. "It is good to make connections and build amiable relationships with neighbors."
Adrian raised an eyebrow at the steward's words, sensing a hidden meaning, before shaking his head and considering the two options.
When they reached the edge of the village. where houses still showed signs of fire, though some had been replaced by new structures Adrian reached a decision. A messenger went ahead to inform the castle.
"Have someone guide the people and make camp here tonight."
"Of course."
Soon, Adrian and a small group were welcomed before the walls.
"Lord Adrian, Lady Hayes welcomes you. I am the steward, Dustan." The man gestured for them to enter.
Adrian hopped off his horse and looked around the courtyard. It looked very different without the bloodstains and signs of struggle on the walls and ground. He remembered sleeping in one of the rooms of the keep and wondered if he would be assigned the same one again.
"My thanks. I hope our presence isn't a bother to Lady Hayes." Adrian said as a stable boy took the reins of his horse.
"Of course not. Lady Hayes is happy to accommodate you. she expected this to happen. At the same time, she is glad you are staying, as it allows her to give thanks for your efforts in retaking the castle."
Adrian nodded and waited for the steward and the knight to dismount before entering the keep. Soon, they found themselves in a hall where a lady. a young girl, really, about his age but more petite sat at the far end. She had black hair and pale blue eyes, and Adrian could detect sadness in them. He couldn't blame her. as far as he knew, her family had been killed, the castle's treasures stolen, and her people slaughtered. Although she still had a few villages under her, it would take a long time to recover.
"Lord Harrow, be welcome to my castle." Lady Hayes said, nodding to him.
"Lady Hayes… you have my thanks."
"Please… you were one of the fighters who fought to free this territory from the Islanders' grasp. To host you is only natural." Lady Hayes said. Adrian noticed she seemed a little stiff and concluded she probably wasn't used to being a lord yet, just like him.
"It is only right." Was all Adrian could say.
Lady Hayes gestured with her hand. "You must be tired. My people will lead you to your quarters while I prepare a feast for you."
"Thank you," Adrian said. He followed a servant and found himself in a room much better than the one he'd had before, almost as good as his room back in his own castle.
Servants brought him water to clean himself, and he changed into loose, comfortable clothes that were still of noble design. It was still a few hours until supper, so, feeling bored, he decided to explore the recovering village. Soon he was at the shore. The waves of the ocean were not far off, and he suddenly had an urge to swim.
He saw some youths from his village diving into the water, cheering and laughing. Adrian looked down at his fine clothes and cursed his choice of attire before sighing.
"Screw it, I'm the lord," he grinned, pulling off his shirt.
"Milord?!" a servant gasped nearby.
"Watch my clothes, will you?" Adrian said, tossing the garment to him. Next came his boots. When his toes felt the sand between them, he gave a sigh of satisfaction before running toward the water.
He felt like a kid again as the water splashed against him, his head dunking deep before rising back through the surf. Then again, he was a kid, suddenly burdened with the responsibility of a lord. He could only afford a few moments like this now.
-----
"You want me to what?" Adrian couldn't believe what his steward had just suggested.
The steward had a look of trepidation on his face, but having already spoken, he repeated himself.
"Milord, Lady Hayes is a young and beautiful woman and the Baroness of Sawhead. Without a male Hayes heir, you could marry her and become the Baron of both Sawhead and Harrowfield. Of course, it is merely a suggestion, milord, please do not take it to heart."
Adrian looked at his reflection in the mirror. It still felt strange to see himself in noble clothing, as if he shouldn't be wearing them. He tugged at the stiff collar, wondering if a Lord ever truly felt comfortable in his own skin.
"I understand your concern, Osway... but again, I'm in no hurry to find a wife, and there is no battle coming soon..." He paused at that and added inwardly, 'Hopefully...'
"So, I won't be dying soon."
"Of course not forgive my words milord..." the steward nodded, setting the matter aside. Soon, a servant's knock alerted them that supper was served.
-----
The situation felt awkward, at least to Adrian as he sat in a private dining hall with only Lady Hayes at the head table. Servants and their stewards stood at their backs, but they were not at the table, it was just the two of them. While Adrian liked to think of himself as able to socialize without issue, the silence felt heavy.
"The Prince certainly doesn't have low ambitions," Adrian said, replying to Lady Hayes' comment about the Prince's plans.
The Lady took a small bite of fruit and nodded, her table manners far superior to his. "What do you think His Grace's far-reaching goals are, Lord Harrow?"
"The ocean..." Adrian started to shrug before remembering his station. "I don't dare speak for His Grace, but a port city would allow him to build ships, establish trade routes, and practically control this part of the ocean."
Adrian tried to recall a map he had seen in his castle. "Among other prospects, he could trade with the barbarian kingdoms, or to the continent across from us through the islands, having sole access to their resources and trade would bring tremendous wealth to anyone."
Lady Hayes eyed him, likely surprised by his casual assessment of the Prince's strategy. She swirled the wine in her glass, her gaze sharp and calculating. "And what of the Islanders?"
Adrian put down his cup and spoke after a few moments. "Or maybe that is the Prince's goal? The islands are supposedly in chaos..." He left his words hanging, but the Lady of the castle understood.
A few moments passed before Lady Hayes spoke. "Forgive me, Lord Harrow, but I am impressed by your insight. I had heard that... you were merely a cousin to the late Lord Harrow."
Adrian smiled at her. "I was... but people can surprise you."
"Indeed."
The dinner proceeded with less awkwardness. He could feel Osway's gaze on him, urging him to consider the proposal, but Adrian ignored him. Besides, he sensed that Lady Hayes didn't want a husband. or at least, she wanted to settle her territory before considering one.
She was, after all, just as young as he was.
Supper ended, and the time for sleep arrived. It wasn't his first time staying within these walls, but the silence seemed to especially defeating that night, he could still hear the echoes of screams and the frantic war cries from when he had fought for the keep.
That night, sleep barely came to him at all.
Early the next morning, Adrian politely said his goodbyes before departing with his group.
After a few hours, they finally arrived at Sandhail Bay.