The Vampire & Her Witch-Chapter 1366: Jocelynn’s Blunder (Part Two)

"Lord Reynold," Owain said, turning to the older brother of the missing Sir Rain. "I’m glad to see that you’ve made it safely back to civilization," he said, offering a genuine smile for one of the few lords who ventured into the wilderness to fight demons as frequently as Owain himself did.

The greatest difference between the two men was that Lord Reynold Aleese had been venturing far beyond the borders claimed by the Lothian March. Reynold’s father, Baron Tybal Aleese, had long believed that there must be a central settlement of some sort where the Horse Lord’s nomadic forces stockpiled their supplies and made their preparations for war, and he’d sent his son deep into the wilderness in the hopes of finding what might prove to be the powerful Demon Lord’s only strategic weakness.

Thus far, Reynold hadn’t returned with any such discovery, but every year, the maps of the lands south of Aleese Barony grew a little more detailed, and the young lord rarely failed to return without a few trophies from his expeditions.

"It’s good to be back," Reynold said in a voice that reminded Owain of the missing Sir Rain, even if Reynold’s strong jaw and lacked the pronounced underbite that gave his brother such a strong resemblance to the boar on his sigil.

"Where’s Rain?" Reynold asked bluntly, not bothering to mince words with the soon-to-be Marquis. "My mother is so worried about him, she’s spending the day at the temple praying for his safe return." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"I wish I knew," Owain said helplessly, allowing genuine frustration to color his voice. "My father sent him to scout the area near the Vale of Mists, along with Lord Hugo and some of our distinguished guests from Blackwell," Owain said, holding up his hands as if to say he’d had nothing to do with the decision.

In this case, it was actually true. His father had stripped him of his retinue before sending Owain to investigate the fire that had consumed Sir Tommin Pyre’s home in Hurel village, killing the wife and child of Rain’s predecessor.

It was the last time Owain had seen either his personal guard or his Steward, and the more he had to put up with Sir Gillander’s stuffy presence, the more he longed for the company of the rough and tumble knight who he could at least drink and carouse with.

"I’m sure that Rain is fine," Owain said more hopefully than he felt. "He’s tough, and too stubborn to get himself killed, even if he’s run into those armored demons who captured Sir Carwyn. Rain wouldn’t go down without giving the demons the fight of their lives," he said, offering genuine praise for the tenacious knight.

"He better not have fallen, in battle or otherwise," Reynold said, taking a large gulp of wine before he continued. "If he makes Mother cry over his pyre, I’ll drag him back from the Heavenly Shores to apologize if I have to," he said.

"If he’s dead," Reynold added, looking Owain very directly in the eyes. "I expect a place in your vanguard when the time comes to avenge him," he said in a tone that made it clear that he wasn’t making a request.

"And you’ll have it," Owain said, clapping the burly lord on the shoulder. "You’re always welcome in my vanguard," he added a heartbeat later, as if he’d just made some decision. "Whether you’re riding beside me or beside Rain, I’ll always have a place for the knights of Aleese at the head of the charge."

"Good," Reynold said, nodding in satisfaction as he gulped down the last of his wine. "That’s all a man can ask for."

For a moment, Owain considered mentioning that he wished that more of the knights of Aleese had shown up for this hunt, but he knew better than to press things too far. Whatever reason Baron Tybal might give for failing to attend the hunt, it was clear that his son was loyal, and that Sir Rain’s disappearance hadn’t driven a wedge between them.

That was already a victory, even if it didn’t give Owain everything he wanted. Besides, with both Baron Tybal and Baroness Peigi remaining in Lothian City, with the Baroness spending the day at the temple to pray for Rain, it was obvious where the remainder of the Aleese knights would have been assigned.

At least it wasn’t Jocelynn’s fault again, though if he thought about it, he’d realize that the Baroness might arrive at the temple early enough to attend the memorial for Ashlynn anyway.

By the time Owain reached Tulori Leufroy, however, the pattern had crystallized into something he couldn’t ignore.

"Lord Tulori," Owain said, settling onto the bench with the same easy manner he’d used with each of the others, even though his patience was wearing thin beneath his performance. "I trust your first hunt in the Lothian preserve will be a memorable one."

It was a lighter touch than the one he’d used on the others, in part because the boy was nineteen and barely worth the pressure, and in part because the Leufroy heir was the one most likely to give a revealing answer if Owain gave him enough room to fill the silence.

Tulori set down his bread and met Owain’s gaze with a composure that seemed well rehearsed.

"I’m sure that I’ll learn a great deal by watching everyone ride in today’s hunt, my lord," Tulori said smoothly. "My father has always praised the Kennel Masters of Lothian for breeding the best hounds. Combined with you at the head of the hunt, I’m just afraid that things will end too quickly to be worth all the effort that Sir Gilander has put into preparing all of this," he said, gesturing at the lavish breakfast and the servants standing at the ready.

"Some things can’t be rushed," Owain said, politely accepting the praise. "If I’m going to force an elk to fight, we’ll have to wear it out too much for it to flee. But your father knows this. My father always said that Valeri was one of his best companions on a long hunt," Owain added, turning his head slightly to the side as he regarded the pampered young lord who’d been sent to Keating for his schooling. "I’m surprised he hasn’t come along to teach you himself..."