Chapter Text
The Hildebrand's mansion was so much more different than what Willow imagined. Her mind expected a bedazled manor and anex, then her memories scream at her. The manor she was thinking about was burned to the ground a month ago. Count Lewis and his family burned to a crisp while she was fleeing the flames with her maid friend. Turns out living in a village that was under said count subjected her to serve at least five years at his estate.
And now standing before the Hildebrand estate to meet with the eldest son of the grand duke, she can't help but be wary. The cold and almost empty garden she is standing in looks more like a cemetary.
She steeled her will and steped forward, remembering why someone like her was here in the first place. How her journey started but wasn't in full swing yet. She had to find her mother. See her at least once so she could beg for her to go back to her father. Just so that her father doesn't die alone at the border from the cold winters. And she could only do that by taking a leap of faith. Well more like a step than a leap.
At the main gate a guard is already waiting for her, taking her bow and knife as well as her coat. The guy was only wearing a light tunic in winter. How does he not freeze? Who knows, probably someone with fire affinity. The guard leads her to another garden. This one was a bit better than the unwellcoming first one with the few flowers that could witstand the harsh enviorment blooming around the benches and tables.
At the midle stood two men. They looked similar enought. Same hight, same colored hair and facial features, matching earings on oposite ears. They looked like twins. The obvious difference was their professions. One was a priest, dressed in the colors of the sky church with long hair and a nasty scar that ran along his face. The other had shorter hair, clearly groomed for practiality. He had squared shoulders and light armor on him.
They turned towards the guard and the priest left with him, leaving Willow with the military man.
'Your previous position was a maid. Correct?' The voice of the man was intimidating but not as low as one would have tought. Willow eyed him with caution, feeling wrong without her knife while being face to face with an armed man. 'Yes my lord.' Came the silent answer from Willow. She gotten familiar with royal etiquete, however some still took offence to her words.
'No need to be this scared. We met before, during the fire. You must remember...attacking me without a thought in the world.' Willow flushed a faint red and shame velled up in her chest. The man must have noticed as he quickly added. 'I don't hold a grudge, I was actualy impressed. Protecting that girl even with injuries. A noble thing to do. I am Markus Hildebrand. I oversee the guard of the dukedom as well as our family's soldiers. And I want you in our midst.' Markus was serious, not an ounce of a joke in his voice.
'Aren't you the oldest? Shouldn't you be preparing to be the next grand duke?'
'My dear sister is our sucsessor. So? Do you accept my proposal? We have a suitable position open. One that pays well, if you are concerned about money.'
'I don't have a choice here I fear. I cannot refuse the grand duke's offer nor his son's.'
'Great. Roll call is in half an hour. I shall show you to the knight quarters and the training grounds.' With that he started walking, not even caring about the stone path infront of him. Instead he opted for the freshly cut grass.
'Wait a second...' Willow started as she caught up. 'Why not have me as a maid?'
'Don't worry. It's something like that.' He said withouth looking back and Willow followed a few steps behind. Markus didn't follow the built path, Willow even saw a poor gardener's face dim as he looked at his master. However when it came to Willow she felt a bit like she was at home.
She remembered times during her early years of childhood, being at the field next to the village. A brown haired woman smiling at her from the edge of the forest, next to woman was her father. He was smiling at her, then looked at his wife with sad eyes.
The memory faded as Willow realized that she was once again in a forest. Different than the one she grew up in, learned to hunt in even.
Markus looked back opened his mouth like he was about to ask something then closing it. He tried again, this time actualy speaking. 'We have two quarters. One where nobles who send their kids to us resied,' He motioned towards the eastate. 'And the one where you will be staying. It's the better one in my opinion.' As he finished speaking a clearing came into view. He smiled at it fondly and waved to the people who noticed. 'As you can see, we have folk from all over. Most are orphans, criminals or refugees. They have some kind of background and were taken in by me and my siblings. Makes them loyal.'
Willow looked at the people around her. They were happy, laughing while polishing their weapons and getting ready for training. There were younger and older fighters, both men and women. But one thing stood out, all weapons that were scattered were for close range combat. This made her think of her bow and quiver and spoke before she could think. 'Any chance I am getting my bow back?' This made Markus laugh and she became confused. What was so funny about her question?
'I belive..' Markus started, however he imedietly burst out laughing again. It took a few seconds but he eventualy restarted. 'I belive it's in your room, might be hard to train with this lot, and you'll have to learn swordplay either way.' With that he turned on his heel and started his track back to the eastate.
At this point it finaly dawned on Willow. This was the start of her new life. She looked at the soldiers, her new comrades, and headed to explore.