Jakob – POV

  I had never imagined, not in a hundred years, that we would stand on the threshold of reviving my house, or Dianne’s, or perhaps even founding a new one altogether. Yet here we were poised upon the first step of building a noble house. The task would not be easy. It would demand sacrifice, cunning, and strength. We would have to fight for it, and for that we needed more than dreams...we needed an army, or at least a household guard to protect our claim.

  As I approached Anda that evening, my mind turned over several strategies for securing his loyalty. He was no ordinary adventurer; his reputation carried weight, and his companions were seasoned, disciplined, and resourceful. If we could bind them to our cause, our fledgling house would gain not only protection but legitimacy.

  “Good evening, Master Jakob,” Anda greeted, his voice calm but watchful.

  “Good evening, Master Anda. Where are the others?” I asked, scanning the camp.

  “Ah… Beatrice and Jennie are in the city buying supplies, while Stanley and Jake are patrolling the perimeter. The other adventurers linger nearby, but we prefer to remain cautious.”

  “Indeed,” I said, nodding. “Listen, I have a proposal for you and your team.”

  Anda’s brow furrowed. “What kind of proposal?”

  “Employment for life. Security. A chance to settle down and raise families. The life of an adventurer leaves little room for such things...I know this well, having lived it myself.”

  Anda tilted his head, intrigued but wary. “What do you mean by this employment?”

  “We would like to take you and your companions into our service...as the first retainers of our house.”

  “Retainers? Your house? Are you claiming nobility?”

  “Allow me to explain…”

  I recounted our past and present circumstances, the hardships endured, and our vision of returning to Shaxaian lands. I spoke of our determination to carve out a new destiny, though I withheld the deepest reason for reclaiming our titles. That truth would come only after their loyalty was secured.

  Anda listened intently, his expression unreadable. At last, he said, “I understand. Where I in your place, I too would yearn for home, and for the restoration of my house.”

  “Correction,” I said firmly. “We are not restoring...we are establishing anew.”

  “Ah, yes. A worthy endeavor indeed. Let me discuss this with my fellow party members. In the morning, we will speak again.”

  “Of course, Anda. I will leave you to it.”

  “Good night, my lord.”

  “No, please. We are still a fallen house, little different from commoners.”

  Anda shook his head. “No. Nobility is nobility, whether fallen or risen. Allow me to show proper respect.”

  He bowed deeply before departing to meet his companions, who were beginning to return from their errands.

  I made my way back to our wagon, where my family was preparing supper. The smell of roasted meat mingled with the smoke of the fire, and the flickering light cast long shadows across the camp. My children busied themselves with chores, while Dianne oversaw the meal with quiet determination.

  I prayed silently to the gods that Anda and his party would agree. Good people were rare in these times, rarer still those willing to bind themselves to a cause greater than coin.

  Nathan - POV

  During dinner, my mother unveiled our new house sigil. It gleamed upon the cloth she had stitched, bold and commanding; a symbol of authority, a promise of permanence. A good start.

  Father informed us that he had spoken with Anda, but that the adventurers would need to deliberate before giving their answer.

  I could only hope they would accept. Anda’s party carried a strong reputation and undeniable skill. Any noble worth their salt would fight to have such people sworn to their service.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  That night I lay beneath the stars, the cool grass beneath me, dreaming of what might come. I imagined banners flying, retainers sworn, and our house rising from obscurity to glory.

  The following morning, as we broke our fast, Anda’s party approached.

  “Good morning, Lord Jakob. Lady Dianne,” Anda said, bowing. The rest of his team followed suit.

  “Good morning, Anda. Everyone, please...no bowing,” Father replied.

  Anda straightened. “We have discussed your offer, and we have decided to accept.”

  “Are you certain? The road will be hard,” Father cautioned.

  “Yes, we are certain. It is a chance for us to finally settle down and take root,” Belle said.

  “That will be ideal for us. We were all growing weary of the road,” Stanley added.

  “Provided that we are properly compensated,” Jake interjected.

  “Of course,” Mother said. “We will pay, arm, and feed you. We will provide housing and care, and if you choose to start families, your compensation will increase. A house and plot of land will be granted to you as well.”

  Father added, “The usual rates for retainers back home were five gold per month. You will be paid as knights...knights you shall soon become.”

  Jennie’s eyes widened. “That is quite generous, my lady.”

  “As proof, here is a starting bonus of ten gold,” Father said, handing each of them coins.

  “This is more than we earn in a year,” Jake murmured in disbelief.

  “I know. Dianne and I were adventurers once,” Father said.

  Anda nodded. “With these stipulations, we accept.”

  “In that case, we ask that you swear fealty,” Mother said.

  Anda knelt, placing his right hand upon his chest. His voice rang solemn and clear:

  “I swear to all the gods that I will serve House Mayweather?Abensberg. I will be eternally loyal and obedient. I will labor for the benefit and glory of House Mayweather?Abensberg today and until the breaking of the world.”

  Father raised his hand. “And I, as co?head of the newly established noble House Mayweather?Abensberg, accept your fealty. In return, I will provide compensation, shelter, and shield today and until the breaking of the world.”

  Mother echoed, “I, as co?head of House Mayweather?Abensberg, also accept your fealty, and swear to provide care and shield in return.”

  “Stand, Anda, and take your place with House Mayweather?Abensberg,” Father said, offering his hand.

  “Thank you, my lord,” Anda said, rising.

  The scene was repeated four more times as each of Anda’s companions swore their oaths.

  We, the children, were awestruck of what we just witnessed. I myself, coming from earth has never seen this kind of exchange. We looked at our mother for some play-by-play commentary.

  Mother explained to us that this was no small matter. Retainers were more than hired swords; they were bound to the house, afforded rights above commoners though below nobles. They could not bear our family name, yet they were counted as family nonetheless. Such fealty was sacred, a bond that could not be lightly broken.

  My siblings and I were still bewildered by the ceremony. Mother promised to explain everything in time.

  “My lady, I suggest you acquire servants,” Jennie said.

  “Can you help us with that?” Mother asked.

  “Yes. There is a slave market in the city. I do not know how you feel about slavery, but it is the safest way to hire loyal people. Slaves are bound by magical contracts and cannot betray you.”

  Mother hesitated, then nodded. “I will leave it to you then.”

  “How many?” Jake asked.

  Mother surveyed our wagon. “Five or six. All female, young. Race is not an issue. Also, a new wagon and several horses.”

  “That will cost dearly,” Stanley warned.

  “Gold is not an issue,” Mother said, glancing at me with a wink.

  “Two horses with the wagon, and ten more for riding,” Father added.

  Anda raised a brow. “That will cost a fortune.”

  Father handed him a pouch. “There’s a hundred gold in that pouch. Acquire the horses, the wagon, the servants, and supplies for all of us.”

  Jennie accepted the pouch, and she, Stanley, and Belle departed for the city.

  Once they were gone, Mother turned to me. “Nathan, is it wise to spend so much?”

  “It is fine, Mother. We have plenty of gold and treasures to sell. My minions have already gathered loot from the dungeons.”

  Father looked at me sharply. “Really?”

  “Yes. They told me last night. The pocket dimension is three?quarters full.”

  All of them stared at me as though I had grown another head.

  “Don’t look at me like that. Of course, they gathered loot. They are selling most of it now and depositing the proceeds into the pocket dimension.”

  Father frowned. “We are not only speaking of loot. You can speak to your minions even when they are far away?”

  “Yes, Father. They are my summoned creatures. I share a mental link with them.”

  Silence fell. Then they both shook their heads in disbelief.

  “Once again our little prodigy surprises us.” Dianne said as she hugged me, suffocating me with her ‘weapons’. I could only sigh.