The day dawned comfortably, with a veil of low mist enveloping the mansion’s courtyard. By the time the six o’clock bell rang, the hallways were already filled with measured footsteps and low voices—the house was waking with quiet discipline.
In the side parlor, the long table, normally used for less formal meals, had been cluttered with papers, lists, and small cloth bundles. Elizabeth stood at the head, wearing a simply tailored black dress, but with an onyx necklace that seemed to draw attention to her face. Her gloved hands held a clipboard.
Before her, a row of maids and a few staff members waited, their postures erect. Among them, Ester—arms crossed, expression neutral—and in the background, Damon, quiet, watching like a curious shadow.
"The estate is low on supplies," Elizabeth began, her voice calm, but carrying that tone of order disguised as observation. "Flour, salt, wine, dried herbs... and other things I won’t list so we don’t waste the morning."
There was a slight murmur among the maids. A long journey meant double work before and after, and Yindhar wasn’t exactly on hand.
Elizabeth set her clipboard on the table and continued, "I need a small train to go to the port city of Yindhar to fetch supplies. Two soldiers will go to ensure security. Ester, you will be responsible for leading the group."
Ester merely inclined her head but didn’t answer immediately. Elizabeth continued, "In addition to the soldiers, two maids will direct you to help with the loading and purchase negotiations."
It was then that Ester raised an eyebrow, uncrossing her arms. "With all due respect, my lady, that’s unnecessary. I can go to Yindhar alone and bring everything. We’ll save time and travel."
Elizabeth extracted a finger, as if she had already anticipated the objection. "It’s not a matter of efficiency, Ester. It’s a matter of safety."
"Safety?" Ester almost quipped, as if it were a joke. "The road to Yindhar has always been safe."
Elizabeth’s gaze fell on her, and the air in the room seemed to thicken.
"It always was... until a month ago." Her voice lost all trace of lightness. "The forest that forms part of the route has been taken over by mountain thieves. They call themselves the ’Hunting Dogs.’"
A louder murmur ran through the group. Some of the maids glanced at each other uneasily.
"They ambush travelers, steal cargo, and, according to some reports, kill simply to spread fear," Elizabeth continued. "This is no time to test luck or individual skill, Ester."
Ester kept her face impassive, but her jaw dropped slightly. "Two soldiers already wanted more than enough."
"Not for me," Elizabeth replied, her voice quiet, but with a cutting firmness.
For a moment, the two women stared at each other. Elizabeth, with the silent weight of someone who didn’t need to shout to assert authority; Ester, with the look of someone who rarely backed down, but who knew the hierarchy.
"Besides..." Elizabeth turned slightly, her gaze falling on Damon, who remained standing in the background, "Damon will go with you."
This made Ester blink once, genuine surprise breaking through her controlled facade.
"Him?" Her tone came out almost like an automatic protest.
"Yes," Elizabeth replied, as if there were nothing to discuss. "He needs to learn more about the world beyond the walls of this mansion. See how exchanges work, the market, people’s behavior... and, perhaps, learn to deal with the unexpected."
"My lady..." Ester took a step forward, her tone more serious. "With all due respect, he’s not trained for such travel. And he has no combat experience."
Elizabeth didn’t back down an inch. "That’s why he’ll be with you." A pause. "To learn."
Ester narrowed her eyes. "Teaching is different from protecting. And it’s not my job to train inexperienced servants on a dangerous route."
Elizabeth set down the clipboard gently, as if ending any illusion of debate. "It’s exactly your job when I say it is, Ester."
The room fell silent.
"The Hounds aren’t an army," Elizabeth continued, with the calm of someone who controls every word, "but they are opportunists. If they see a group too small, they’ll attack. If they see strength... they’ll hesitate. Damon will be there to observe and assist as needed. His presence, combined with the soldiers and maids, creates a more secure environment."
Ester remained silent, but her eyes flicked over Damon, as if gauging the true weight he could bring to the situation.
Elizabeth then concluded: "The decision is made. The convoy leaves tomorrow at dawn."
Esther pressed her lips together in a thin line, breathing through her nose. "As you wish, my lady." Her voice held no agreement, only formal acceptance.
Elizabeth turned to Damon. "Prepare for a two-day journey to Yindhar and two days back. The weather in the harbor area is humid, so bring appropriate clothing."
Damon merely nodded.
[More night...]
Night had settled over the mansion like a black velvet cloak. The heavy curtains in Elizabeth’s room were drawn, and the soft candlelight illuminated only the space near her vanity. The scent of lavender oil hung in the air, mingling with the faint scent of polished wood.
Elizabeth sat before the mirror, her snow-white hair loose around her shoulders. Aria, standing behind her, combed her hair with slow, precise, almost ceremonial movements.
"My lady..." Aria’s voice was low, as if afraid to disrupt the serenity of the scene, "what exactly is your plan, sending Damon with Esther on this trip?"
Elizabeth, without reflection, opened her eyes to meet Aria’s. A small, almost lazy smile curved her lips.
"Plan?" She let out a low sound, almost a suppressed laugh. "I’m just going with the flow, my dear. Damon has his own quest... I merely create the opportunities for him to advance in it."
Aria continued combing, but her expression in the mirror remained wary.
"But... is that really necessary?" she said, hesitating. "Couldn’t he continue training here, safely?"
Elizabeth rested her chin on her hand, still staring at the maid’s reflection.
"Tell me, Aria... did you enjoy being possessed by him?" The question fell like a sharp blow in the silence of the room. "Feeling your sweet vitality... in that form?"
The comb stopped mid-comb.
"I... no... it’s not... that..." Aria began to stammer, looking away from the mirror.
Elizabeth’s smile widened a bit, but without losing its soft, almost maternal tone.
"Are you jealous that he’s going after Esther?"
"No!" The answer was quick, but the blush that rose to Aria’s cheeks betrayed it. "It’s not that..."
Elizabeth tilted her head slightly, her eyes shining with something between curiosity and amusement.
"It’s okay to admit it was... nice," she said, with a cutting calm. "Being taken like that. Few people have the courage to face and accept that kind of pleasure."
Aria flicked the comb again, as if hiding in the gesture that had happened to her. "I... so..."
"But if you fight it..." Elizabeth interrupted, her voice now low but firm as a blade, "you can push him away."
Aria’s hands trembled slightly.