Within fifteen minutes, Dart and Shana stood before the door of one of the grandest houses they had ever seen. It was two stories high and had to contain at least twenty rooms. Even the finest houses in Seles had only had seven.
Dart felt very out of place and almost uneasy as Lavitz went up to the front door and knocked. After several moments, the door opened, and the kindest-looking woman Dart had ever seen opened the door. Upon seeing Lavitz's face, her mouth fell open, and she held out her arms as wide as possible.
"Lavitz, my sweet boy, you're home!" She wrapped her arms around Lavitz, eyes closed as she took in the moment. "Oh, I heard what happened to your unit. I was so worried! I'm so glad you came home."
Tears began to fall down her cheeks as Lavitz struggled to speak. "Mom," he managed to get out. "I'm really glad to be home, but you're suffocating me."
Her eyes popped open and she released him, pulling back and looking at him. Just then, she noticed the two standing behind him. "And who are these lovely people?" asked Lavitz's mother, turning to shake their hands in turn.
"Mom, these are my good friends Dart and Shana. Is it okay if they stay with us tonight?"
"Of course," she replied warmly. "Any friend of Lavitz's is a friend of mine. Come on in!" She turned and walked in the house, ushering them inside.
Lavitz gave them an excited look before walking through the door, followed by Shana. Stepping through the doorway, Dart found himself in a large living room that spanned the height of the entire two-story house. Far above his head hung a grand chandelier, in the far corner roared a warm fire in a fireplace that was almost as tall as he was, and to his left carpeted stairs ran up to a second floor, where a railing created a balcony overlooking them. Plush furniture surrounded the fireplace, and Dart stood in the doorway for a few moments, taking it all in. Lavitz cleared his throat, drawing Dart's attention, and tilted his head toward the door. Realizing he had left it wide open, Dart quickly reached back and closed it.
"Please make yourselves at home!" Mrs. Slambert was saying. Walking up to Shana, she cupped her face in her hands, much to Shana's surprise, and studied it. "You are quite lovely," she said, and Dart thought he saw Shana blush. Removing her hands, Lavitz's mother continued, "Now, I know my son can be quite stubborn, but he has a very good heart and will take care of you splendidly."
Quite confused, Dart looked to Lavitz. He seemed to understand what was going on, as he said, "Oh, no, Mom. Shana and I aren't… We're not together." Hearing these words, Dart put the pieces together and instantly became indignant. Before he knew quite what he was going to say, he stepped forward.
"Yeah, definitely not!" he said a little loudly.
"Dart is right," Lavitz said quickly. "Shana is his sweetheart, not mine."
"Wait, what?" Dart looked to Lavitz for an explanation, but instead he just mouthed, "Go with it."
Suddenly Shana was right next to him, sliding her arm around his. He looked down at her, bewildered, as she said, "It's true, I'm afraid."
Lavitz's mother looked truly apologetic and said to him, "Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to assume. You take good care of Shana. She seems like a sweet girl."
"I… don't know what to say," said Dart truthfully. He glanced at Lavitz, who actually seemed to be stifling laughter, and glared at him as his mother turned and walked toward a nearby doorway. Lavitz's giggles only grew louder.
"Well, I should go ahead and get started on dinner," said Mrs. Slambert. "You three make yourselves at home while I'm busy!"
"Oh, nonsense!" exclaimed Shana. "It would be my pleasure to help you, if that's alright."
Lavitz's mother turned and smiled sweetly. "Well, aren't you kind? Come on, dear. It's been a while since I've cooked for this many people, and I would surely appreciate the help."
After the two women had walked out, Dart immediately rounded on Lavitz.
"What in the world was that?" He tried to keep his voice to a whisper so they couldn't hear.
Laughing freely now, Lavitz held his hands up to calm Dart. "Don't worry, man. Don't take it too personally. My mom fixates on things, and once she gets an idea into her head, like that Shana is someone's sweetheart, she won't drop it. If we hadn't let her think that Shana was your girlfriend, she would have assumed you were hiding some inner love for each other the rest of the night and wouldn't stop messing with you about it."
Dart took a moment to think over the alternatives while narrowing his eyes at Lavitz, who looked at him, amused. "Fine," he said finally before turning and plopping down on the plush sofa. "Wow, that is soft," he remarked. It had been several weeks since he had sat on anything besides the ground or a rock, and he was in wonder at how comfortable he was.
Lavitz smiled as he sat next to Dart. "Yeah, with both my dad and me in the military, we got enough money back in the day to afford all this nice stuff. Mom always wanted a big house to entertain guests, and we did quite often. About ten years ago we actually had King Albert over for dinner, which was pretty cool." When Lavitz saw Dart's impressed face, he added, "Of course, there was a fully armed guard just outside, and two poor saps had to stand next to our dining table and watch us eat the whole time, making sure he wasn't poisoned or assassinated. But yeah, it was pretty neat."
After a moment, Lavitz chuckled and said, "You know what's really weird to me is that my dad was actually a military advisor to King Albert. I mean, I guess it makes sense, but something about that is strange." Dart remained silent as Lavitz ruminated. Finally, "That's how I got to know King Albert actually. My father would take me to the castle to have meetings with King Carlo, and while our dads were off talking business we would play around in the castle courtyard. When King Carlo died, it only seemed fitting to King Albert, young as he was, to retain my father in his position in the court."
He fell silent once again, clearly remembering a time when his father was alive. Dart grew curious.
"Tell me about your dad," he said.
Leaning forward, Lavitz became more serious. "My dad…" he began. "He was the greatest man to ever live. So supportive of everything Mom ever wanted to do, such good military acumen, so kind to everyone around him. He liked to keep to himself, most of the time, but if he ever spoke, his words carried such wisdom. No doubt that's what King Carlo saw in him all those years ago. He taught me how to fight, how to be kind, how to be strong, how to love people." Looking down and fidgeting with his hands, Lavitz added quietly, "I miss him every day."
Cautiously, Dart asked, "How did he die?"
Lavitz's face turned sour. Dart feared he had struck a nerve. "When my dad worked for the court, he met this young man. Well, young at the time. He's actually about fifteen years older than I am. His name was Greham, and my dad took him under his wing. Trained him, became his mentor. Eventually Greham became his assistant at court, and helped my dad with the transition between King Carlo and King Albert. It was a dark time for Serdio, and my dad needed that stability. But it was strange… Greham looked up to my dad, but it was more than that, more… wrong. In the later years, it was like he idolized him, but in a bad way. Then one day, something inside him snapped, and he defected to Sandora. Betrayed everything I ever knew or held dear, everything my father loved. When Dad tried to stop him, to talk to him and change his mind…" Lavitz's voice caught, and a tear fell down his face. "He turned on him. My dad trusted him and that man killed him."
Dart sat forward, shaking his head in shared frustration and grief. "Man, I'm sorry. That's rough."
"I swore that one day, if I ever face him, I'll kill him for what he did."
Thinking back to his own father, Dart remembered how it felt to lose him, and how his own anger and desire for vengeance had driven him from his home. Quietly, he said, "I know the feeling." Part of him wanted to have the right words to say to make Lavitz feel better, but he could think of nothing. As Lavitz sniffed and reached up, wiping the tears from his face, he decided to just change the subject. Maybe if they got up and moving, that would make him feel better.
Forcing a happier atmosphere, Dart announced, "You know, I've never been in a house this big before. Is it okay if I look around?" He stood, eager to get moving.
Standing with him, Lavitz accepted the shift in emotion and said, "By all means! Lead the way. We can break when we get upstairs and take this old clunky armor off, too. I'm itching to get out of it."
Dart charged his way upstairs, eager to see each and every room. As he walked into each one, Lavitz had something to say about an event that had happened there in his youth. They investigated a storage room, a vast library, five sizable bedrooms, a parlor, and what appeared to be an old smithing shop. Lavitz confirmed this theory and explained that in his off time, his father loved to come and make things like pots for the kitchen, swords for his companions, or just to improve his own weaponry. Dart looked with interest at all the tools as Lavitz explained what each one did. Afterward, Lavitz told him to go to the guest room that had been designated to him, take off his armor to get comfortable, and then meet him in the library. Dart did so, and soon found himself much more comfortable in just his tunic and trousers, with his father's memento hidden under his shirt, surrounded by walls filled with books.
Lavitz soon joined him, similarly dressed, and explained that his father had loved to read, which is why they had such an extensive collection.
"But books aren't why I wanted you to come. I have something to show you." Lavitz smiled at Dart's confused expression as he pulled the folding ladder away from the books and set it up so that the top step rested just underneath a high window. Then climbing the ladder, he paused near the top, unlatched the window, and swung it open. Then he stepped onto the window pane and then the roof, indicating that Dart should follow.
Intrigued, Dart climbed the ladder. Stepping onto the slate tiles adorning the roof, Dart was impressed with what he saw. From the top of Lavitz's very tall house, he could see all of Bale. Despite being surrounded by houses, it felt very secluded up here. Looking out, Dart found that he could even see the castle, though it was almost hidden behind some trees. The sun was beginning to set on the far horizon, leaving its last rays to illuminate the city for them. The cool of the evening swept over him as a light breeze played with his hair.
"Wow," said Dart.
"Indeed," agreed Lavitz, nodding and taking in the view. "If I was ever upset about something when I was little, or just wanted some time to myself, I would always come here and just sit. Sometimes, my dad would join me and help me talk things out." Lavitz sat down, gazing in the direction of the castle. "I went there many times as a child, but I only really appreciated Indels Castle when I sat here. My father loved that place even more than I did. I always wanted to be like my dad when I grew up: a powerful knight to protect the country, protect King Albert."
Sitting next to him, Dart said, "Sounds like you're wish came true."
"Yes…" Lavitz became thoughtful. "You know, I really do love this country. I would gladly lay down my own life to protect it. No matter the cost, I vowed I would always do just that. It's the same feeling you have toward Shana."
Dart became avidly aware of Lavitz's eyes studying his face, but he kept his gaze fixed on the castle. He did indeed understand what Lavitz meant. He would die a thousand times over before he let anyone hurt Shana. Remembering his hurried travel between Seles and Hellena, he said, "I just… can't help myself. I guess. I can't refrain from helping her when I know that help is needed."
"Exactly. You understand that Shana's life is important, to you even if to no one else. Because you value it, you protect it. Trading your life for hers seems an easy deal to make. And with everything going on, with us going into a real war zone tomorrow, she's going to need that. She's going to need you. You're the only one who can protect her the way she needs to be protected." After another pause, he added, "You understand that, right?"
All too well, Dart understood. More than anything else, he regretted that Shana was coming with them because of the imminent danger they would be facing. No sane man would allow a woman into a battle like the one they were about to enter. And yet, for some reason, he could not bear the thought of leaving her behind. He knew that if he were gone, there was always a chance something would happen to her, like it did the last time. He could not let that happen again.
"Yeah," he said quietly. Finally, he felt Lavitz turn his gaze. A little more relaxed, Dart rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together. The two sat in silence for many minutes, not needing to say anything. They were simply understanding. Dart knew why Lavitz was going to Hoax. If Shana had been threatened by a dragon, he would have done the same thing if there was even the slightest chance to save her, no matter the risk to his own body. Lavitz felt the same passion for this country.
Several minutes later, Lavitz's mother's voice floated to them from the open window, calling them down for dinner. As the two stood, Lavitz placed a hand on Dart's shoulder and said, "You're a good man, Dart. Sometimes you remind me a little of my father. I'm glad to have you coming into battle with me."
Lavitz's eyes brimmed with sincerity. The weight of that statement was not lost on Dart. Fearing an emotional reaction should he try to speak, Dart simply smiled weakly, patted Lavitz's arm, and climbed down into the library.
It had been several months since Dart had had a truly decent meal. And in their eagerness to get to Bale, he had not eaten since that morning. As such, facing the magnificent feast before him, he had to fight especially hard to make sure that he didn't inhale his food so quickly that he insulted his host. While he truly loved catching and cooking his own game, there was nothing like meat that had been tenderly cared for and spiced to perfection. This feeling of satisfaction was only amplified by the two large loaves of bread that lay sliced on the dining room table. He felt that he was eating a meal fit for a king, and couldn't help but wonder if this was the type of food that Lavitz's mother had prepared all those years ago for King Albert.
As his stomach slowly began to fill, his attention drifted further from the food and more toward those seated with him. To his surprise, even when he had eaten all he could, the others were still working. Shana looked at him with a stern expression several times after this, and he got the feeling that he had not been as mannered as he had suspected. Looking over at Lavitz, all Dart found was amusement on his face, but his mother either didn't mind or hadn't noticed. She spoke almost ceaselessly during the meal, venturing to learn more about him and Shana, but to Dart's relief, she did not mention their "relationship." Perhaps Lavitz was correct in his advice from earlier.
After dinner, the trio moved to the large sitting area in front of the fireplace, Dart feeling uncomfortably full. He tried to remember that in just a few days, he might envy this feeling. He could hear Lavitz's mom scurrying about in the dining room, cleaning up all the dishes and remaining food. Shana stood, mumbling something about needing to help out, and walked into the dining room.
Just afterwards, she walked back out, followed closely by Lavitz's mom, who was loudly insisting that Shana rest and relax while she worked. "After all," she said, "You've already helped prepare the food, which is much more than a guest should have to do anyway!" When Shana turned around to protest, Lavitz's mother quickly interrupted, grabbing Shana's face again. "And look at you! I bet you haven't had a proper bath in ages, especially not traveling with these smelly men. Let me draw you a bath, dear." As she was about to turn and leave for the bathroom door just under the stairs, she stopped and turned, announcing that both Lavitz and Dart would also be bathing before they went to bed.
"My mother is nothing if not hospitable," said Lavitz while they all waited in front of the fireplace. "More than anything else, she wanted to make sure she could open her home to anyone at any time. Honestly, it's easier if you just go with it." This last statement was directed at Shana, and she shifted and smiled uncomfortably.
Dart interjected, "You know, I think it'll be nice to have a bath. I've kind of forgotten what it's like to be clean."
"Yes, we're both very aware of that," said Lavitz while he feigned a serious look, a grin playing at his mouth.
"What are you talking about?" asked Dart. "I don't smell that bad." Just to be sure, he lifted his arm and sniffed, immediately regretting it.
At his reaction, both Lavitz and Shana began to laugh.
Several hours later, Dart found himself sinking into the soft mattress in his guest room. Lavitz had provided some of his older clothes for Dart to borrow while his mother washed their dirty laundry, as she seemed to be unable to refrain from doing nice things for them. Fresh and clean from his bath, he ran his hands through his hair, now soft and damp. He felt more comfortable than he had since his nights long ago in Seles. Pulling the covers up over his body, he felt warmth run through him. His head sank into a feather pillow, and before he knew it, he was asleep.
