The short walk to the castle gates was new for Pascal. He had always viewed the castle from the fields. He usually caught himself wondering what life was like inside the castle. He often heard stories of lavish balls and feasts with the fairest Ladies and the most influential Lords in the county. Each time he heard a story, Pascal imagined one day that he would be invited to a feast. His favorite daydream was when Duc Leogard personally sought him out to attend a meeting. The Lord's reasoning was because he needed Pascal's intelligence to make plans for a village improvement. Duc Leogard discussed and planned with Pascal until it was time for another feast.
"Do I need to leave Lordship? I do not feel I am fit to sit at a table with your guests, being only a peasant."
"Pascal, you have helped me to find ways to improve the village since dawn. I would not wish to insult you by not inviting you to feast with us this night. Would you stay and dine with us?"
"Your Lordship, I would be honored to dine with you. But first, let me return to my hovel to change from these rags to my better ones."
"No, you shall be attended to here. Tamarak, take Pascal to clean himself and gather an outfit for the evening!"
"As you wish Master Leogard. Would you come with me please?"
"At once. Thank you Lord, for allowing me to clothe myself and dine with you this night."
"Certainly Pascal, master planner."
This is how the dream always started for Pascal. Afterwards, he feasted with the Lord and his guests until the night was old and Duc Leogard retired from the table. As Pascal went to retrieve his clothes and return to the village, Tamarak pulled him aside.
"My Master asked me to inform you that you would be bedding here tonight. I am to take you to your room."
"Thank you Tamarak, but I do not wish to take advantage of his Lordship though. I must be going back to the village."
"Pascal, he insisted on it. It is no burden to him. The room is used when there are guests who do not leave and for outside advisors to bed in for a night. Please come with me."
"Tamarak, if it pleases his Lordship, then I shall come with you. Tell me as we go, is this how most advisors are treated?"
"No, most who are from out of the castle are only kept here for a few hours and then leave. My Master seems to have taken a liking to your intelligence. He knows about your father and grandfather and their service to his family."
"They were men unlike me though. They did important things and defended their respective Lords their entire lives. I have done nothing to live up to their importance to this castle. I merely live in the village as a farmer. The food we produce is used in the feasting, but that's it."
"Pascal, you aided the Lord in improving the village. That is a great service to him. Ah, here are your quarters. Sleep well. At dawn, another servant will return to wake you."
"Thank you Tamarak. Rest well tonight."
That is how the daydream always ended for Pascal. He wondered if this visit would be anything like the daydream he enjoyed so much. Unfortunately for him, this visit would not end in a feast or him staying. No, this trip would end up far different.