TOPWL 194

“Is that a carrier pigeon?”

Shane asked while looking out from the carriage.

“I think so. Probably from Selena.”

Yudit replied as he untied the slip of paper from the pigeon’s slender leg. As he read the contents, his expression relaxed.

“Khalid’s gone back. To the duchy.”

“I see.”

Yudit let out a breath.

That’s one thing off the list.

He smiled faintly, until he noticed another note. When he turned it over, his face immediately went pale.

“What’s wrong?”

It had barely been a few seconds since the relief set in, but it felt like he was plummeting into a pit.

“…The ship went missing. The one carrying the Lieutenant people.”

He couldn’t breathe. He had thought they’d be safe, since it was Khalid’s ship. Eden, Viego, the others, they had all been on it. Yudit covered his face. His hands were cold, bloodless. The taste of iron spread in his mouth from where he’d bitten his lip. Shane tried to comfort him.

“We don’t know yet. It’s only listed as missing.”

“They could’ve sunk it and still called it ‘missing.’”

At that, Shane went silent. He couldn’t deny the possibility either.

“Your face is pale. You should rest inside the carriage.”

Shane gently supported Yudit, who had frozen in place. Yudit followed him back into the carriage without a word. Maybe he wanted to be alone, because Shane closed the door behind him.

The space grew quiet once the curtains were drawn. Yudit sat blankly, thinking of their faces. Eden’s smile, Viego’s scowl. The Lirut people asking him to kiss their lucky charm coin. Would he never see them again? Before he could even realize it, tears began to fall.

“Ugh…”

They were the ones who had been with him since childhood. Without them, he would’ve died long ago. He owed them more than he could ever repay. And he was the one who had sent them to their deaths.

If he’d never brought them out of the back alleys, they’d still be living there somehow, surviving in their own way. But he had dragged them out, made them build roads and homes, and then buried them in the sea.

Unable to take it, Yudit ran outside.

“Ugh…”

He vomited everything he had just eaten onto the dirt, but the nausea didn’t stop. His stomach churned, his head throbbed. Tears blurred his vision. Collapsing to the ground, Yudit sobbed.

I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

***

Yudit looked up at the sky again that day. The clear autumn sky held not a single bird, but he didn’t stop staring.

“We’re almost there. That’s Devlin Castle ahead.”

At Noban’s voice, Yudit lifted his head. Past the hills, Devlin Castle came into view.

“Should take about an hour. Once we arrive, you should rest.”

“Yes. I will.”

The long journey from the capital had exhausted both the soldiers and the horses. They had enough rations. Letting everyone eat well and rest today would lift morale.

Yudit watched Devlin Castle’s distant outline. Built along the mountains, the castle looked like one massive fortress. The stone walls, hewn from the surrounding cliffs, looked rough but strong. There were no ornate decorations or carvings, only rows of arrow slits and narrow watch windows. It was clear that function had been prioritized over form.

The stark, austere walls didn’t move Yudit. It had already been three days since he’d received news that the ship had vanished.

But part of him hoped some of them might be alive. He remembered Khalid saying he had dropped off some of the Lirut people on an island near the Beryl Sea, thinking they wouldn’t survive a long voyage.

He had immediately sent a pigeon to Selena, asking her to send people to check the island.

Eden and Viego are young and strong, they had likely boarded the ship. But there was still a chance some had stayed behind.

Lost in thought, he looked up and saw they were near the gate. Word had been sent ahead, so even though they approached with a large force, the guards showed no signs of alarm. As Yudit rode forward, one of the guards rang the bell. The rattle of chains echoed as the drawbridge slowly lowered. Yudit was the first to cross.

The rest of the soldiers followed, one by one. When the last one entered, the heavy drawbridge began to rise again.

“I am Butler Gordon. It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

A man approached Yudit and bowed. With graying hair, thin lips, and sharp eyebrows, he gave off a stern and meticulous impression.

“Commander Yudit Friedrich Adenauer.”

“The Lord is preparing a banquet inside the castle, so I’ve come in his place. You must be tired. Allow me to escort you inside.”

He gestured to the carriage, suggesting Yudit ride. But Yudit shook his head after a short pause.

“If it’s all right, I’d prefer to ride.”

“Very well.”

Without further comment, the butler entered the carriage. Once it started moving, Yudit followed behind on horseback.

He had expected the inside of the walls to be just as barren, but as they went farther in, a different scene unfolded. Shops and market stalls lined the streets, and there were more people than expected walking about. Though the tension and gloom of wartime lingered, the town still felt vibrant.

Past the market was the smithy quarter, where dozens of blacksmiths worked tirelessly on weapons and armor. The constant sound of hammering filled the air, along with the hiss of hot metal cooling in water.

They passed through a plaza filled with taverns and inns, and then began the final path toward the castle.

The thick conifer forest on both sides of the road stood still and silent. The castle, even rougher up close, loomed ahead.

“It feels like ghosts might appear.”

Bagon muttered under his breath. Yudit agreed but didn’t say it aloud.

At last, the carriage stopped at the castle gate. The heavy iron doors creaked open. The moment Yudit stepped inside, a chill swept over him. Cold wind slipped through the gaps in the walls that hadn’t been repaired. Maybe it felt colder because the gaps were so small. Covering them with tapestries might help, he thought absently as he followed the butler.

“Let me show you to your room.”

They passed through a long corridor. At first, Yudit had doubted the castle could hold so many people, but with hallway after hallway and room after room, it seemed easily possible.

“This way.”

The butler opened a door, revealing a surprisingly cozy and clean room.

Though the walls were the same rough stone, the warm-colored curtains and tapestries softened the space. Flowers and plants were placed throughout, adding cheer. Logs burned gently in the fireplace. Even though the sun hadn’t fully set, candles were already lit, casting a warm glow.

“This is a good room.”

The butler looked a little surprised at Yudit’s comment, but quickly nodded as if it were nothing.

“If you need anything, please let us know. And…”

He gestured toward two attendants standing nearby.

“These are Edmond and Garen. They’ll be serving you. Feel free to use them as needed.”

Yudit looked over the two attendants. Both had the brown hair typical of imperial citizens, but Edmond’s eyes were a mix of green and gray.

“The banquet starts in two hours. If you’re hungry, we can bring you something now.”

“No. I’d rather bathe first.”

He’d been covered in dust for days. The discomfort was unbearable. At the butler’s glance, the two attendants stepped out.

“They’ll bring the water shortly. Then, I’ll take my leave.”

The butler bowed with practiced elegance and exited. Yudit rolled his stiff shoulders and walked to the window. Beyond it lay a cliff, dense forest stretching far below. He rubbed his tired eyes. No one would be sneaking in from that direction, at least.

Beside the bed, which looked big enough for three, stood a walnut desk. It was finely made. This territory was known for its forests. Was the desk made from local wood? As he mused, the door swung open.

“We brought the bathwater.”

Edmond and Garen entered, each holding steaming buckets. When they poured them into the tub, thick clouds of steam began to rise. Yudit began to undress, but suddenly felt a gaze and turned his head. Edmond was staring at him. When their eyes met, Edmond quickly looked away.