Chapter 1
Arne leaned on the cold windowsill of his father’s study, his gaze wandering over the wide bogland sprawling underneath castle Hohenfels. It would be a long time before he could enjoy this familiar, rugged landscape again. He already felt homesick, even though he hadn’t left yet.
“It’s only four years, Arne.”
“Father, I beg of you,” Arne pleaded, turning around to face the man who had interrupted his melancholic musings.
Arnold II., Margrave of Hohenfels, fixed his son with a warm, but firm gaze. Compassion. Regret. Conviction. “We’ve had this discussion countless times. You have to go.”
“But-”
“Do you want me to list the reasons again?” The older man sighed, rising from his cushioned chair behind the massive oaken desk. “Our house is not strong enough to stand without allies. We need connections. We need friends.”
“Lisa has that handled,“ Arne pouted. He knew very well that his complaints were unreasonable, but the prospect of four years surrounded by noisy, emotionally unstable noble brats made him want to hole up in his room for the next decade.
Arnold turned to face his son. Exasperation. “We cannot rely on your sister’s reputation alone. You know that,” he said flatly.
“She is a paladin!”