Chapter 24.2

Dawn came and woke Eirwen through sunlight in her face, courtesy of having slept in her office rather than the master quarters. With a grumble she turned around and closed her eyes again. She might have drunk in moderation the night before, thanks to her company looking out for her, but that didn't change the fact they all had gone to bed rather late. Belatedly she remembered to sense her surroundings, verifying her doorguards were still in place.

Just this once, she decided to indulge herself and mentally asked one of them to draw the curtains. He came in and wordlessly closed them for her, pausing for a few counts, then walked out again. If she had to hazard a guess, he likely had verified she had enough water and snacks at hand. With things settled, Eirwen nodded off again. As hoped, the curtains blocked out the sound of the bells enough to barely register in her sleep. By the time she woke, it was almost noon and she had rested well.

She stretched and verified her surroundings. Four knights standing guard outside her door, including Sir Caerbychan and Siress Nantgate. She spread her senses to sweep over the estate. As she swept over the private library, she could sense her beloved weapon master in there, stirring as he picked up on her detection. It was almost amusing how both of them had chosen to sleep in their previous locations, rather than in her quarters. She realised he must have felt as uncomfortable as she did.

Eirwen freshened up with a splash of water, then mentally reached out to all four knights outside her door. She verified there was nothing to report, then passed on her commands for food. After lunch, it would be time to change clothes and go for a hot bath. A luxury that today she was perfectly willing to enjoy.

To little surprise, her senses told her that the weapon master woke at noon, verified her condition, then went for training at once. He really didn't know the meaning of rest. For a moment, Eirwen pondered if she should invite him for a bath, distract him from the need to always better himself.

After considering it carefully, she decided against the temptation. Just because he should be able to reject her, didn't mean she wanted to end up in a situation where he had to. Besides, he did promise her a date soon. It was fine to build things up slowly, if only so she never had to face her heartbreak again.

As the eight bell rang out, her senses told her the Carraigs arrived at the rear courtyard and began training both the old and prospect knights. The old Duke had neglected selecting knights, on account of depending solely on his own fury. A berserking flame user made it hard for those near to gather ambient mana, after all. But Eirwen had no intent of squandering talent like that, she wanted her own knights in this territory as well. So far, things were going well.

Eirwen noticed Aoife was keeping her distance from the weapon master, seemingly displeased with him. Likely due to Aoife having been on Eirwen's side the night before, knowing full well how his actions hurt Eirwen, even if they were under her command. Bethan arrived and seemed similarly far from happy, but then again, the healer always had been a grump.

Like them, Eirwen too didn't properly know how to rest. She combed over reports and ledgers, verifying the state of both her dukedoms. It was too soon to see the impact of her actions, but she still wanted to make sure she didn't miss a thing. At the tenth bell, she decided enough was enough. Time for her to stretch her body as well.

As she made her way to the rear courtyard, escorted by silent knights, she couldn't help but notice how quiet the estate felt nowadays. The only real noise was from where several blacksmiths were overseeing the construction of a forge, so that she could have the right equipment made. Much weaponry had begun to fall in disrepair during the war, so new blades and shields were needed. Unlike the previous ruler, she felt a forge had to be kept nearby, unifying smiths to better their work.

At the rear courtyard, Aoife and the weapon master met her with similar smiles. Oh, it was so obvious how her old friend felt about her. Eirwen put that aside and noticed the flash of guilt in her hound's eyes. It secretly pleased her that he did feel guilty over the necessity of her orders. But that wasn't fair to him.

"Alright, you all have been training the knights and prospects. How about an illustration? Let's spar using the real thing, but only the way they're being taught. Bethan, on standby please." The healer grumped, as she was wont to do, but obeyed. After a few illustrating spars, the knight prospects were left to spar amongst themselves without mana techniques, improving their weapon skills. 

As for Eirwen, she sparred with Aoife and her weapon master, rotating who spectated. Thus the rest of the day went by. In the evening, all dined in the great hall, rotating who ate and who served or patrolled. With all the troops and servants present, things still felt cosy. It also helped increase the bond between Eirwen's own and the locals.

Normally, Eirwen would have alternated with the weapon master, who currently led the chain of command, on account of no Verglas nobles remaining. She would need to establish Aoife in that chain soon. But just today, Eirwen enjoyed having both of them by her side during dinner, idly conversing. Though she couldn't help but notice the occasional look in Aoife's eyes, aimed almost as much at Eirwen as at the weapon master.

The next day Eirwen caught up with all the reports. She used the communication crystal to contact the Verglas estate and speak with those present there, verifying that Pertrellan had indeed gone to her own territory. Good. The Vicomtesse had stayed by Eirwen's side for over half a year without seeing her family at all, serving as a motherly figure, a trusted advisor, and more and more as a loyal friend. She deserved the rest. As did they all.

With that in mind, Eirwen made sure to not practice any flame mana that day. When she did go to the rear courtyard, she solely did it for exercises and practising an alternative version of the Carraig Defence, one using solely earth and ice. Aoife gave advice and asked questions, taking lessons herself as well. Near them, the weapon master trained people in swordsmanship, not using any mana himself. She could tell Aoife had caught on, eventually being unable to stave off her curiosity and reaching out mentally.

"Neither of you are using flame mana today. So it's true that he's taking you on a date tomorrow, then?"

Ah, is he? He hadn't told me his plans yet. I do believe he sent a few scouts out this morning, so I suspect he's verifying something first. But yes, I figured tomorrow would be the right timing.

"Good. You deserve it."

It was sincere support, accompanied by an encouraging smile. It stung Eirwen's heart, to know Aoife was still supporting them, burying her want for them.

Shortly after, the weapon master meandered over, all the while handing advice to whomever he walked by. When he finally had made his way to them, he opened with a smile and a bow. "Your Grace, Vicomtesse, I hope today treats you well. Your Grace, I would like to invite you to join me on a scouting trip tomorrow morning. I have arranged for a small escort."

Eirwen sent him a bright smile in turn. "That is the most polite and roundabout way you have ever asked me on a date. It rivals the time you asked my father for the first time if you could take me on one." The sparkle in his eyes confirmed the similarity was a deliberate act of his. "Very well. Please let me know later today what kind of preparations you expect of me."

Aoife groaned in her hands, then shook her head at them. "This is why they still tell stories about you two at the royal court, you know. I hear they were even considering writing a play about the two of you, but the writer first wanted to know whether it was going to end as a tragedy."

Eirwen raised an eyebrow at her, then at her weapon master. He nodded. "I overheard a few conversations about that. Our friends told Aoife most of it, but conveniently left out the part where three of them had offered the writer to act as patron."

Now it was Aoife's turn to look a bit confused. "Hold on, you were half the estate away when they told me. Were you eavesdropping on us from that distance? And how did I not notice that?"

He at least had the decency to look a bit ashamed. "Ah... Apologies. That's because I was eavesdropping on the entire estate at that point. Makes it harder to notice when it feels the same everywhere." And watching them as well, of course. But admitting to that was a bit too much for him even now. Especially in public, where it could give off a hint of his capabilities. Not that Eirwen distrusted anyone present, but that kind of subject could easily make drunk tongues wag too much.

Aoife looked up at him, her face hard to read. When she spoke, her tone was similarly flat. "I guess it shouldn't surprise me just how intense you try to keep a grasp on the situation. Honestly, I should have put things together during the war. You always were eerily prepared, even when it came to those intending to disobey your orders."

"Guilty. Yes, I spied on a lot of our own people back then. Though not as intensely as I did recently. If I had done that during the war, I'd probably have gotten myself killed by lack of focus. No, I just spied on those I suspected might step out of line. And hey, you and Darragh made sure I was aware of who might cause trouble, so I knew who to primarily focus on."

A quick appreciative smile from Aoife, which triggered Eirwen's jealousy. Aoife had served him well back then, been able to spend years by his side, even fought together sometimes. All the while, Eirwen had been stuck observing from a safe distance. She secretly wanted to properly experience that, to have him on her side in combat. Not just as her shield, but as a fellow fighter.

The weapon master gave them a nod. "Alright, I fear duty calls once more. Enjoy your training. Eirwen, you might want to mix ice and earth together on top of a layer of earth, and then put ice on top of that. That might help with making blows glance off you more easily. Aoife, layering the two mana types makes it easier to combine them. You're now trying to wield them separately but bring them together, that leaves a gap that costs additional focus to overcome. Good luck."

He turned and started offering advice to people again, illustrating what he meant in ways that were flashy enough for others to witness and learn from as well. He always had been good at instructions, adjusting his explanations to people's understandings. Eirwen nodded at Aoife, then both decided to follow his suggestions. It took some effort, but soon they started making progress.

It was both enjoyable and frustrating, the way he caught on like that. On the other hand, maybe that's how he felt whenever Eirwen provided him with feedback. She should ask him about that some other time. For now, she trained.