Ash's back story –
When Baird was younger, he was sent to Galla for four years on an internship. He is fluent in the language, and still speaks with a trace of the accent, which is similar to Austrian or German.
Baird and his wife had three daughters and four sons. Neal was always the youngest son, but he had two younger sisters. One of his sisters also had the Gift, but apart from her and Neal, the rest of the Queenscoves had only a small amount of magic. Neal's brothers all chose the Knighthood, and have all been slain. Baird is recovering from his last Knight son's death when Neal announces that he will try for a Knighthood.
"The Gods did not put us on this Earth to bury our sons, Nealan!" Baird hissed. "We were put here to have many sons, and when we are old, our sons will be strong young men, and they will carry our coffins! That is not the job of a father!"
Neal stood dutifully at the military at ease, his head bowed.
"I have buried sons," Baird said, softer now. "I have prayed to the Gods for my own boys. My daughters have been taken from me, and I fought with every morsel of strength I possessed many years past to keep your mother from bandits when you were soon to be born. I cannot protect you when you are there."
Still Neal kept his silence.
"You have the Gift, Neal! So strong for one so young! You have such potential! You want to be a knight so badly you will risk this?"
"A Queenscove Knight has always served the Crown-"
"I am a Knight of Realm! Do not forget just because I am buried in babies and paperwork that I have a shield. Do not forget that I have seen the Kraken. Do not forget that I know what it is you are putting your hand up for. And don't you dare forget that it is not my job to bury you."
"I will serve the Realm," Neal said, his deep green eyes boring into his father's.
"You can serve the Realm here! At the university! As a healer!"
"I will serve the House of Queenscove."
"I represent the House!"
"It is my job to bury you, father," Neal said, adopting a tinge of his father's accent. "Who will serve the Realm and the Queenscove name when you are gone?"
"This is not your duty, Nealan. This is mine. I am your father."
"You did not protest when my brothers attempted to relieve you."
"Because I always had you!" Baird shouted. "I always had a son to bury me!"
"Jessamine can carry your coffin should the worst happen," Neal said. "The convent and the nunnery do not hold the same risks as being a Knight of the Realm."
"Nealan, I must protest. You are all I have left. Please. Stay at the university."
Neal took his father's gaze again. "You do not have to protect me, father. This is my burden now."
Baird held his eye line. "Promise me an heir. Promise me sons and daughters. At your earliest convenience."
"I will name my first born son 'Baird' if you please," Neal said.
"I will not put my name on a form allowing this. You will have to ask your mother."
Neal had not faltered in his staring contest with his father. One side of his mouth turned up.
"Thank you, father," Neal said with his sad smile in tact. He bowed, as was appropriate, and left his father to ponder.
Perhaps it was time for the younger men to take on the duties now.
