Corrin panted heavily, wiping the sand and sweat out of his stinging eyes as he stared at his opponent across the sand. Wyn had left hours ago, and hadn't returned. While it was possible that he was simply taking longer than expected to recover, Corrin suspected he'd gotten wrapped into something as usual. Nonetheless, he and Luscien had continued training under Eryndor's tutelage in his absence.

After Corrin had repeated several mind-numbing technique exercises for hundreds of repetitions, the spirit knight had finally suggested they stretch their legs with a 'light spar'.

And while yes, it had started out as just that, Corrin's competitive nature had quickly led him to taking it more and more seriously, because he couldn't land a damn hit. Even after an hour of almost non-stop sparring, Eryndor's clothes were virtually untouched by grime, and his smile was as easy as it had been at the start.

Tightening his grip, Corrin gathered mana into his legs, preparing to charge again. Beside him, Luscien drew in more mana, his tails flickering weakly as his channels no doubt strained from the exertion. Despite his demeanor, it seemed the student had a competitive streak of his own.

A bell rang out from the manor, and Eryndor straightened, turning his head to look. His face was one of mild surprise, but he held up a hand to stop them.

"Let's call it here for the day," he announced, sheathing the blade he'd been using to fight Corrin and Luscien at the same time. The spirit knight was hardly winded.

There was nothing left to do but accept defeat. Corrin let out a groan and held out his arms, falling backwards into the sand, which immediately clung to his sweat-soaked skin. His whole body was sore, and his soul was no better, strained and tired from channeling for hours. He heard another thud next to him as Luscien hit the ground right after, though he didn't let out a groan of his own.

Eryndor laughed. "It is good to see you so tired! That's exactly how it should be after a day of training! And Corrin, let's see if you know the answer to this one: What should any good spirit knight do after a training session like that?"

"Pass out?"

Luscien wheezed.

"The answer is of course, eat!"

Corrin sat up abruptly, his stomach growling at the mere mention of food. "What kind of food are we talking about?"

"Let's go have a look shall we? Miss Hayashi! Follow us inside!"

Corrin raised an eyebrow, but slowly got to his feet anyways, following the spirit knight who was already walking towards the front door of the estate. Kei fell in step just as Eryndor threw the front door open and shouted out into the halls.

"Is everyone here?"

"Welcome back sir!" A chorus of voices replied.

Lined up at the entrance of a large dining room at the end of the hallway, was an array of people, dressed in servant's clothes. There were at least a dozen of them, from young to old, and they bowed as Eryndor walked in.

The spirit knight strode forward as one of the servants—an older man in his sixties, standing in front of the rest—straightened back up and smiled widely.

"Venish! It's been far too long!" Eryndor pulled the man into a hug, and the servant returned the gesture.

"You have my apologies for my absence last year sir, I regret that—"

"Nonsense! I missed you of course, but family is more important. I read your letter, but it is better to hear it from you in person, Patrice was born healthy?"

"Healthy as can be," Venish nodded. "My daughter couldn't have been more relieved."

"You'll have to tell me all about it over dinner, but let me not forget everyone else!"

Breaking apart, the knight strode towards the rest of the staff, who seemed… surprisingly excited to see him. He greeted a young boy, some thirteen or so, sizing him up and joking about how much he'd grown, then he celebrated with a young woman who seemed excited to show off a marriage bracelet.

He continued down the line, greeting almost everyone in turn—save for the few he'd already interacted with. There was a strange sense of formality to it in the way that he went one by one, but Eryndor still seemed genuinely happy to see them. He knew each of their names, and was keen to ask about whatever developments had happened since the last time they'd spoken.

After speaking briefly to each one, he introduced Corrin, Kei and Luscien, who'd been standing awkwardly in the doorway.

"These are honored guests! They'll be joining us for dinner tonight."

"Of course sir," Venish nodded. "I suspected as much, and had Clevera prepare extra."

Eryndor clapped the man on the shoulder, turning to the three of them. "This is Venish, he's our head servant in Liresil. If you have any requests while visiting, he's your man. Venish, this is Corrin of Straetum, Luscien Genevisc, and Miss Kei Hayashi."

"It is an honor to meet you all," Venish greeted them with a refined bow. "If you would all be seated, dinner will be served in a moment."

"I believe we three should wash up first," Eryndor said. "I would hate to spread grime so shortly after arriving. Could you show them the way? Corrin may use the second guest bathroom."

Within a few minutes, Corrin found himself alone in a… bathroom?

Are you kidding? This place is bigger than my whole bedroom back home!

Perhaps it was then, in one of the guest bathrooms of Eryndor's estate, that Corrin understood for the first time just how different the world really was in the east. This wasn't a bucket outside the church—or even a public hot spring—this was a bathroom more luxurious than anything else he'd seen before.

"Where do I even bathe?" He wondered aloud, inspecting the room with naked curiosity. He set his hands in the hand-river, turned some knobs on the toilet—one of which caused it to glow orange deep below as fire lit up the pit—and flexed, au naturel in the impossibly clear mirror. Eventually he turned to the strange glass box at the back of the room.

"So if that's the toilet, and that's the sink, then…"

He turned a knob on the wall and shrieked as cold water blasted out from a pipe above. Immediately, he pressed his body against the wall to avoid the stream, fearful like a rat in a cage.

After some more careful fiddling with the knobs, he was able to figure out the strange water mechanism, and washed himself off in the now-heated water.

"Damn rich people," he grumbled as he turned it off and grabbed a towel from the rack on the wall.

It was heated.

Corrin let out an unbefitting moan, and then took his time drying off. He had to admit, after months of mostly bathing in rivers, that had felt good.

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Venish had left clothes for him on the bed, a simple shirt and trousers that weren't his own, yet somehow they fit him perfectly, and the cut of both were actually quite stylish, and the fabric was more expensive than any clothes Corrin owned. Hair still damp, he made his way back to the dining room, where dinner was getting going.

Luscien had already sat down by Eryndor, who sat at the head of the table, and the spirit knight had left the other adjacent seat open, waving Corrin over to sit. Kei was sitting a few chairs down, having apparently found several servants that appeared to be Nladian, and joined them to talk.

"You must have enjoyed the shower!" Eryndor laughed. "You were in there for some time, though I suppose you've been on the road for a while haven't you?"

Corrin rubbed the back of his head and sat down, checking out the spread. The table was covered in food, and servants had filled the chairs, speaking casually and laughing with each other and Eryndor alike. A couple still stood and served the table, but they still participated in conversation, and rotated out frequently. Corrin didn't have much experience with the nobility, but that struck him as a bit odd, especially compared to Kei's stories.

But then again, it wasn't a bad surprise at all.

His stomach rumbled, and Corrin put conversation at the back of his mind, piling his plate high with food, and with his mouth too busy to talk, he simply listened.

From what he'd gathered, most of the staff present—save a skeleton crew—worked other jobs during the off-season, gathering under contract with the Kaelburns for the summer months, in which branch members of the family often sent their children on vacation in the city. Despite the limited time frame, it seemed they'd all developed a close relationship with Eryndor, who had been visiting since he was a child. In that way, they treated him less like a lord, and more like an old friend who was returning after too long.

Though, that wasn't quite sufficient either, which Corrin didn't appreciate until one of the youngest servants, barely more than a boy, lingered behind Eryndor's chair after bringing him more food from the kitchen.

"Yes, Karo?" Eryndor turned, setting down his fork.

The boy hesitated, chewing his lip. "Nevermind, it's nothing."

Eryndor tilted his head, smiling gently. "It's clearly something. Out with it."

"It's just, there was a big storm last month. It tore the roof off our house, and we've been trying to patch it with canvas, but the rain keeps coming and—" He stopped, flushed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have—"

"Nonsense," Eryndor said at once, frowning lightly. "You should have said something sooner." He looked to Venish, who was nodding as though he'd already expected this outcome. "Make sure his family receives what they need. Materials, coin, whatever's fastest. I'll cover it."

"Of course, sir."

"Thank you," Karo said quietly.

Eryndor just gave the boy a light pat on the shoulder. "Boys your age shouldn't have to worry about such things. Eat, eat. Focus on growing Karo. That's all you need to do."

The boy nodded and scurried off to the other end of the table.

Corrin exchanged a glance with Kei, and even Luscien seemed a bit surprised, but the servants acted as though it was nothing unusual, and the dinner continued on.

As the last of the dishes were cleared and the wine passed around, Eryndor made a sudden announcement.

"I intend to attend a show this evening! Luscien, will you be joining me?"

The boy shrugged. "I don't see why not."

"Good good! You're wiser than I was at your age! It's a shame really. When I was a boy, I was too preoccupied with the sword, and now as a man I find myself preoccupied with duty! Though, perhaps those are just excuses!" He laughed about something.

"If you're looking to attend a show," Corrin interjected, "you should see the Virellian twins."

Kei's eyes lit up. "Ah that's true. They're incredible. We watched their show last night and I could hardly believe how good it was."

"What more could I ask than a personal recommendation? Do you know where they're performing tonight?"

"I think so," Corrin nodded. "I'd be happy to watch them again."

"Then it's decided!"

***

Unlike the night before, the show was just about to start by the time they arrived just after sunset, settling into seats a ways from the stage. Even from so far, Aria stood out, pulling gazes to her, until Bruno shouted out across the crowd.

It was the same introduction as before, almost word for word, and Corrin smiled as he relaxed and settled in.

Unlike the prior night's vibrant tale and lively storytelling, it seemed they were aiming for something a bit more melodic this time. Aria stepped forward, taking center stage amidst the gentle strum of a lyre, the flickering lantern light catching the soft curve of her profile, and began to sing.

What more was there to say of her voice? A clear sound that resonated with something deep in the chests of the audience, and Eryndor and Luscien were no different, captivated from the first note. As before, the spirits soon gathered in the air, even more than before, and just like the last time, Corrin found himself entranced.

Before he knew it, it was over, and the songs had run dry.

When the final note faded, the crowd erupted in applause. Eryndor rose with measured grace, clapping steadily, the weight of his gaze settling on Aria and Bruno as they moved backstage.

Above the open amphitheatre the canopy lights of Liresil's upper boughs flickered to life one by one, casting threads of gold across the woodwork and crowd. Spirits drifted lazily between branches, like petals on a breeze.

Corrin leaned back and grinned. "Not bad huh?"

Eryndor didn't respond right away. His eyes still fixed on Aria, who stood center stage, shoulders rising and falling faintly as she caught her breath.

"She burns brightly," he finally said.

Corrin blinked. "I… guess that's a way to put it, yeah."

As the audience slowly dispersed, Bruno caught Corrin's eye from the stage and gestured them over.

"Corrin! What didn't get enough of me yesterday? And Miss Kei, I must say you look as radiant as ever!"

"Made a new friend, figured I'd show you guys off."

Bruno hopped down from the stage, brushing invisible dust from his sleeves as he sized up Eryndor. "An important one too, judging by your clothes. I must say, your hair is striking, sir! It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Bruno Virellian."

Eryndor laughed. "Thank you! It was suggested by someone very dear to me, and I wear it with pride! Eryndor Kaelburn, second class spirit knight!"

"Corrin, did he just say he's a spirit knight?" Bruno whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.

"It's true."

"I am what I claim," Eryndor declared. "And I'm honored to meet a performer of such caliber. Your music moved me!"

Bruno blinked, thrown off by someone even more intense than himself. "Um… thanks?"

Aria approached quietly, sitting on the edge of the stage. "You're very kind to say so."

"Lady Aria!" Eryndor turned to her fully, pressing a hand to his chest in an earnest gesture. "Your singing is easily the best I have ever heard! Though I'm no critic, I've been to operas in Taravast, and I would put you against any of them."

"That's… very generous." She flushed faintly.

"Hey, do you think you could help us perform in Taravast? You could put in a good word right?" Bruno chuckled, waving off his words in jest.

"Of course!" Eryndor said anyway. "Abilities such as yours should be nurtured and shared! I've taken to helping young Corrin and young Wyn for the same reason."

"Wait, really?" Bruno asked.

"I only ask that you answer a question of mine in return."

"What's the question?"

"Pursuing this life, are you content?"

Bruno seemed taken aback. "Am I content?" He laughed. "What kind of question is that? We're making money, we have fans, and we've gotten to travel all over the basin! Compared to where we started, how could I not be? All that's left is the Theatre Caelestis! And you said it yourself, Aria is good enough for its halls! With her voice, there's nowhere we can't—"

He caught Eryndor's gaze and faltered.

Aria had furrowed her brow she thought, but as Bruno fell silent, she looked up, smiling faintly. "I suppose I am. Each time we perform, I still get nervous, and I worry I'll mess up, but Bruno is always there giving me courage. And more than that… I think people are at their most beautiful when they're smiling. Singing is what I can do to help people smile."

Eryndor nodded. "I see, thank you."

"Why do you ask?"

"The Kaelburn family has a long, proud tradition of becoming spirit knights," Eryndor explained. "My grandmother, my father, as well as my aunt, and now I. However, I have a younger brother, you see? He was expected to do the same. But as of late, he's expressed a disinterest in it. He claims he wants to go into theater, and along with other proclivities of his, he has caused something of a stir within my family. I'm afraid he's under quite a bit of pressure at the moment, and as his older brother, I wonder what I can do for him."

"So, this is your way of trying to better understand him?" Aria questioned.

Eryndor seemed to think about that for a moment, then burst out into boisterous laughter. "I suppose it is! You'll have to forgive me, I know that question was quite direct. Truly though, I would be happy to help you should you make it to Taravast, and I'm sure my brother would love to meet you. Though for now, would you humor a request to perform at my estate before I leave the city? I would consider it a great favor, and of course, I would compensate you fairly."

Bruno grinned, sticking out a hand. "four silver, no—five!"

"Let's say one gold piece for the night!"

"One gol—" Bruno choked. He turned to his sister, swaying. "Aria, I need you to help me stand."

Aria's eyes sparkled dreamily as she clutched her brother's shoulders. "Bruno, that's so many snacks!"

"Haha!" Eryndor laughed. "Then the deal is struck! So long as it is not the solstice, I will be happy to accommodate any other day!"

Did he just say 'Haha?' Corrin watched the strange exchange. Though he seemed a better person, Eryndor was far stranger than Tor had been. He was unflinchingly honest, and direct almost to a fault, but even considering that, it was still strange to ask a question like that to people you just met, wasn't it?

Bruno and Aria too, had their own oddities, Luscien was just so dry, and Kei… well, Kei had actually come a long way, he was proud of her for that, but she was still figuring herself out.

Yep. Corrin decided, with complete confidence. I'm the only normal person here.

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