I'll be doing a pretty big move at the beginning of September so during that time I'm going to be taking a month break.
I'll still be working on the story but I won't be posting any chapters during that time.
I'll keep y'all updated as the date gets closer. Until then it should be business as usual. 3

This chapter is from Thousand Foot Krutch - War of Change. Not super fitting but but I figured it would happen eventually where none of the songs in my playlist really match a chapter.

When he arrived at the garden, Riftan was greeted by the cat Maxi often fawned over, grooming itself in their spot as if it belonged to him.

As he approached the cat, Riftan scanned the grounds of the abandoned garden for any sign of red hair. If what Gabel had said was true, she should have been here by now, especially considering Riftan had run a little late trying to avoid as many people as possible to get here.

A few paranoid thoughts ran through his mind, but he pushed it down as he slowly knelt in front of the cat.

"Hey there." The cat seemed to perk up at the sound of Riftan's voice and gladly began purring as it started to try and rub up against him.

"Where's your mistress?" he asked while petting it in a way to try and keep the cat from rubbing all over him, though it was too late and Riftan could already see the gray tufts of fur clinging to his pants. The cat didn't seem to care as it leaned into his hand before giving a small trill and flopping down to stretch out.

The little act made him chuckle as he stopped petting the cat to stand back up. "Trying to get on my good side?"

The cat instantly reacted to him pulling away by sitting up and meowing at him, however, halfway through the cat's meow turned into a yawn making the noise it created turn a little squeak.

"That's a sad excuse for a meow." Riftan teased.

The cat seemed to take offense at his words and placed its paws on his knee, allowing Riftan to feel the tiny claws through his pants as it let out another meow, this one with a little more force behind it.

"See, I knew you had it in you." Riftan murmured as he rewarded the cat with a thorough scratch around its ear and each time he even dared to stop the cat let out another complaint. He could see why Maxi was so fond of something so soft and needy for affection. A bitter thought crept up as he realized that if the cat had been around when the hound had died it would have been a welcome comfort for her.

You better stay around for her.

The cat seemed to sense his thought and trilled at him loud enough it nearly drowned out a familiar giggle. Pulling away from the cat, Riftan turned to watch as Maxi slowly approached the two with a soft smile.

"He l-likes you."

"I suspect he's merely trying to get me to feed him." he said while standing up, causing the cat to let out a complaint.

She laughed again at the display of the cat meowing away for them to pay attention to him.

"M-maybe...I th-thought of someone."

"Good." Pushing down the memory of her dead hound, Riftan smiled as reached out to take one of her loose curls only for Maxi to duck down and out of the way to pick up the fussing cat.

Riftan didn't want to admit it, simply because of how ridiculous it was, but part of him felt slightly wounded.

"Who is it?" he asked as Maxi seemed completely oblivious to the slight she caused him, too wrapped up in cuddling the now content cat as it left bits of gray hair over her dark green dress.

"A-a b-boy who w-works in the...k-kitchens."

Riftan furrowed his brows at that.

"How old is he?" Riftan tried to keep his tone neutral but judging by how Maxi was looking at him, he wasn't doing that good of a job. It was strange how she was the only one who could make his emotions so hard to control.

"Um...I'm n-not s-sure. Maybe t-ten?" she continued to hesitate before taking a step towards him. "He's v-very s-sweet. I...c-caught h-him feeding s-some of the...c-cats h-here and t-tody he asked if I w-wanted m-more...sweets."

Riftan knew she was trying to make him feel more reassured by her choice but, as pathetic as it was, she was only making him get jealous over a damn child as the thought of wanting to feed her sweets at Anatol came to mind.

Wait.

"More sweets?"

Maxi seemed taken aback by the question, as if she didn't realize what she had just said.

"W-w-well, he's how I-I was a-able...to sn-sneak out the d-deserts and wine." she admitted while lifting the cat up a bit to try and shield herself.

That wasn't what Riftan was expecting. If the boy had been caught anyone would have seen it as him stealing from the duke which was an offense that the duke wouldn't take lightly. The boy was either willfully ignorant or strangely devoted to Maxi. He wasn't sure which one he preferred.

Taking in a deep breath, Riftan tried to think. There were countless reasons why it would be better if they trusted the task to an adult, mainly due to them having the mental maturity to be reliable. However, the boy had already stolen from the duke for her, the chances of him turning in any letters to her father were slim.

Still, it was strange that the only one she wanted to go to was a ten-year-old.

You really don't trust any of your maids?

The thought made it feel like something was weighing down his gut.

"You really trust him?" he asked with a much softer tone than before.

Riftan watched as Maxi hesitated with her answer for a moment before she took a deep breath and gave a firm nod as her hold on the cat tightened, causing him to squirm out of the lady's grasp.

"I do."

He wished that he could talk to the child but knew that it wouldn't look good. There were many places where the guests weren't allowed and the kitchens of the duke's castle was definitely one of them. Not only that, but he would prefer for any attention on the boy to be kept to a minimum.

Smiling at her determination, Riftan brushed his thumb over her cheeks causing her to blush. She had placed her trust in Gabel and Hebaron, it was only fair he did the same for her. Besides, if the boy was able to sneak out that much food without the kitchen staff noticing he should be able to do something like this.

His hand slowly moved from her cheek to play with her earlobe as he began to think of the unique styles of jewelry he had seen that would look good on her. It was only a shame he wouldn't be able to send her anything too bulky.

As his mind wandered his hand slowly moved to slowly trace her skin until his fingers rested at the nape of her neck as his pinky played with the chain of her necklace. Riftan felt her squirm under his touch as the determined look in Maxi's eyes faded to something much sweeter, tempting him to lean in and capture her lips in a slow kiss.

Riftan felt her hand start to mimic his own by holding onto the back of his neck making him smile into the kiss before he moved down to trail his lips over her her neck, making sure to focus on the spots he had learned made her shiver. As he felt her nails start to dig into his skin, Riftan remembered something he had heard years ago and moved to drag his teeth across her collarbone. The act caused Maxi to let out a small gasp and he felt a sharp pinch as her nails broke his skin on his neck. Her reaction only encouraged him as he continued to focus on the skin around her neck before slowly moving to back up to continue with the slow kiss that gradually grow into one that left both of them breathless.

He preferred this method of learning, where he could test and tease her to find what she liked. Where he could feel how soft and responsive she could be as one of his hands rested on the small of her back so he could bring her in closer while the other tangled up in her hair. Even after the bell rang out, he still couldn't find the will to let her go. Each time she tried to leave he would pull her in for once more kiss and each time he could feel her smiling against his lips until eventually her hand slipped out of his.

"You may want to fix your collar a bit, Vice."

Riftan's shoulder sagged, not two steps away from his room and already he was being accosted.

Turning towards Hebaron, Riftan gave him a questioning look as the taller knight pointed at the back of his own neck.

"It would seem your lady has claws." Hebaron said in a teasing tone.

Placing his hand on the back of his neck, Riftan could feel the small scratches left behind by Maxi.

Riftan kept quiet as he carefully adjusted his collar to cover up the marks. Though, part of him saw them as of badge of honor that he wished he could show off.

When he was done Hebaron gave him an exaggerated wink. "It's a good thing you have us to help you out. Ah! Before you say anything, I am well aware of how stubborn you are about this but just see it as me paying you back for taking out that archer that nearly shot me."

Riftan shook his head. "How in the hells is that even comparable?"

Hebaron shook his head. "Sir Riftan, the matters of the heart can be life or death." he said while placing a hand over his chest. "Besides, it's not as if Sir Gabel and I have not assisted each in matters such as these. We've just decided to let you join us."

"I would rather you not lump me in with you two lechers." Riftan sneered.

"Oh, I wouldn't lump you with us." he said with a small chuckle, unbothered by the title. "I mean no offense, Vice, but when it comes to women...well." He scratched his beard as he hesitated. "You may be a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield but in these matters you're just a squire."

Riftan glared at the ridiculous comparison, but he couldn't find an argument that wouldn't give away what he had been doing with Maxi. It was bad enough that Gabel heard his drunken comments, he didn't need to tell Hebaron what he said to the lady while sober.

Hebaron chuckled despite the icy silence between them as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Tell me then, if you don't need our help then how do you intend to figure out what to do?"

Riftan could feel his blood pressure rising as Hebaron talked. He couldn't understand them, both he and Gabel acted as if sex was some mystical thing that only a few men could grasp where everything he had seen and heard made it look to be rather straightforward and simple.

"Instinct." he finally replied, the answer seemed to satisfy Hebaron so Riftan took the opportunity to start to walk away.

"Instinct is all well and good, but it can only get you so far." Hebaron called out as he began to walk with Riftan, unfortunately his long legs allowed Hebaron to quickly catch up with him.

"Bite me." he retorted out over his shoulder.

"Bite her." His comment made Riftan stop and turn to glare once again at the older knight, but it only made him laugh.

"I'm serious, some ladies like that, just don't leav-"

"It's rather amusing." Riftan quickly cut off the other man's words. "The advice both of you are throwing my way are things I am already well aware of."

Hebaron shrugged. "It's only normal to start with the basics and I'm sure there's more for you to learn on the way to Drachium."

Riftan's jaw started to hurt as he held back from yelling at Hebaron, it also didn't surprise him the man was repeating the same thing Gabel had threatened.

Hebaron continued to follow Riftan to the Banquet, thankfully having decided to keep quiet as they met up with others of their order. However, as drinks were served, he couldn't help but notice how both Hebaron and Gabel kept looking at either him or Maxi, which made him feel anxious. They had gone on and on with how they wanted to help him and yet he felt as though they were only drawing more attention to the situation.

It wasn't until food was served that the two changed their focus toward the other ladies that had tried to make their way toward the table the Remdragon's knights sat at. It wasn't until he watched as one lady locked eyes with him and smiled only to be whisked away by a cheery Hebaron that it clicked. Riftan's focus turned towards Maxi who looked to be watching the woman now dancing with Hebaron for a moment before her attention shifted towards him.

Riftan tried to think back to the last time he had been harassed by a woman at these events and he couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.

The bastards could have told him they were also keeping the harpies off him. For just a moment he thought that their actions almost made all their pestering worth it. That small moment was quickly shattered as they finally returned to the table and Hebaron smiled brightly at Riftan in a way that made his skin crawl.

"Vice Commander! I did not realize you had such a sweet tooth!"

Riftan slowly closed his fist around his goblet as he stared daggers at Gabel whose attention quickly went towards the small dents that had appeared on the cup in Riftan's hand.

"Sir, Gabel." he said in an icy tone. "It would seem that you've been focusing too heavily on your archery skills, it would be a shame if your sword arm became useless."

Whatever smile Gabel held quickly became forced as he looked at Hebaron for help, but the man quickly turned his attention towards a very confused looking Ursulin.

"Are you suggesting we spar?" he asked with a pleading look in his eyes.

Riftan gave him a smile that didn't reach his sharp eyes. "What a wonderful idea."

There was no questioning of Gabel's skills as a knight. The young man was talented and deserved his position in the Remdragons. However, the man was more suited to archery and wasn't built for blocking an attack from someone like Riftan. However, despite the fact that Gabel needed a break only an hour of sparing, Riftan had to give the man some credit. Gabel was lasting better than he had expected and it was leading to some interesting training for Riftan. If he were to give it his all in the fight, Riftan was sure Gabel would break an arm, so this sparring turned into some strange practice in restraint. It was tedious at first, but he was starting to find some enjoyment out of the situation.

Riftan stood poised as he watched Gabel roll his shoulder before going for his water skin near the other knight that had gathered to watch.

"What did you do to earn his ire?" he heard Ursulin ask, causing Hebaron to chuckle.

"Nothing I regret." Gabel answered while throwing a smile towards Riftan.

"Enough talk, we're not finished yet."

"You're a demon Sir Riftan!" Gabel called back before giving a dramatic sigh. "No man can train like you do, some of us need a break in between matches."

"I beg to differ!" Hebaron boasted, earning a sigh from Ursulin.

"You might as well get whatever punishment he's dealing out over with." Ursulin advised Gabel who was delaying the next match by taking another swig of water.

"He's right, if you let him keep going like this we might have to bring you to Drachium Castle in a coffin."

"I said enough talk!"

Riftan watched while he slowly grew impatient as Gabel gave a pleading look towards Triton who had been silently watching, but their Commander just smiled and shook his head.

He was about to call out to the knight again but stopped as Gabel finally started to walk back towards him.

"I'll be sure to inform the blond you talked to that you died heroically!" Hebaron called out as they both returned to their proper stance.

"I'd prefer if you'd avenge me!"

"I'll consider it!"

"That's loyalty for you." He heard Gabel grumble under his breath. Riftan tried not to smirk at the friendly banter and focus back on getting the match started but he quickly paused when he caught sight of red hair. Looking up at the castle he noticed Maxi watching them from the third floor, making him smile softly before turning toward Gabel who looked disturbed.

"What?" he asked as his face shifted back to its usual hardened expression.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to that."

"Shut up and fight." snapped before lunging towards Gabel.

Gabel did well in holding his own against Riftan however, even with the distraction of Maxi watching him, Riftan was still able to best the younger knight. Though he did noticed Gabel trying to use Maxi's presence against him by pivoting his stance similar to how Hebaron was the last time she watched. Gabel was quick to smile when Riftan noticed what he was up to but when Riftan started to put a little more force into his swings his smile quickly vanished. To Gabel's credit, he learned rather quickly it was better to dodge his strike than parrying them. However, as the hours ticked on his movements were noticeably slowing down and eventually their commander took pity on the younger knight and called off the match. As they lowered their weapons Hebaron called on in a cheer at his friend's survival, which Gabel responded with a forced enthusiastic bow. Riftan could tell he was trying to keep his exhaustion hidden from the ladies that had predictably gathered to watch the match.

Riftan glanced up and saw Maxi was still watching and that urge to wave at her came up again, but he ignored it. He instead settled for running his fingers over the scratches on the back of his neck as he walked up to Gabel.

"You've gotten noticeably slower since we've arrived here. Maybe you should lay off the sweets."

Gabel looked over at Riftan with a surprised expression before bursting into laughter.

Riftan had a feeling he got the message.