Edos returned to the camp with Aldric, Samantha and Flynn for what was mean to be a brief stop. He had now collected enough to buy the entire hilly reason which was to the north of the Olisius woods, as well as the swampy land which was to the west of it. He left Samantha and Flynn to rest and prepare supplies for the following campaign and carried Aldric with him to the town to talk to the mayor.

"I'm kind of nervous," Aldric admitted.

"Don't be this is just a formality," Edos encouraged, "I just want you with me because I want to spend more time with you."

Aldric felt warm all over again and he discreetly nuzzled Edos' neck while the room they were in was still empty. Just as he finished that action the mayor came in with an assistant and the meeting began in earnest.

***

Several hours later, after lunch at the tavern and a small shopping trip in the markets, Aldric and Edos returned to the camp.

"Let's have you go through the procedures for your Officer rank before we leave... also if you're agreeable, I would like you to move into my home in the acres."

Aldric was surprised by this. For one thing it was known that Edos hardly stayed in the large two story ranch he had in the Acres and for another thing he hadn't expected them to be so public about the relationship either.

"I'm not against it but isn't that announcing to the whole militia that we are together?" Aldric asked quietly.

"I want them to know," Edos affirmed, "It will allow them to act towards you correctly."

"Ah..." Aldric wasn't surprised that Edos was thinking like that. The courser was naturally possessive and protective, "Thank you then."

Edos gave him a fond look and lead him into the admin office to register as an officer.

***

"Did you two get everything sorted?" Samantha asked them as they headed back out to the deeper dungeons.

"Yes, two strips of land have been purchased, I applied for a fiefdom, got Aldric registered as an officer and moved him over to my ranch," Edos answered.

"Oh! Congrats! You got him kidnapped," Flynn enthused.

Samantha and Edos chuckled at the wording while Aldric quickly clarified it by saying, "Willingly kidnapped!"

"Haha! Very cute," Flynn commented, "You are handing yourself over to be sold and as my mom say, counting the change too!"

Aldric ducked his head shyly.

"I can't believe you are really going to be a minor lord," Samantha said, "Father would be so proud."

"I hope our mother is," Edos commented, "But she is a difficult woman to please."

"What about your other Father, have you told them about each other?" Samantha asked.

Aldric's ears twitched at this strange statement.

"Not yet though you know that Father already knows cause he is a damn busybody," Edos griped, "At the moment I'm focusing on my relationship with Aldric first."

"Fair enough. What is the aim of this campaign?" Samantha inquired.

"Refill the coffers I just drained and start to stockpile gear for the next batch of recruits. I need to spend some time reorganizing the army now to let some of the new officers carry out missions to the moor, or maybe even lead a junior campaign. However first and foremost I plan to selfishly train up my mate," Edos admitted.

"Flynn thinks that is a great idea!"

"Me too, not sure if we have enemies but incase we end up making any, I think it is best that we don't have him as an easy target," Samantha readily agreed,

"Is that really fair to the other recruits?" Aldric asked meekly.

"Hah! Do you know that Ian is Edos' adopted son?" Flynn asked him with a laugh, "No one in life is equal. Accept your role and work hard at your chosen goals."

Aldric was a bit stunned by that information. Ian had never said anything to him about it and when Edos mentioned he had a son he never thought that it would be someone that he already knew

"Just focus on getting stronger," Samantha said, "We don't mind training you up."

Aldric nodded and made a pact with himself to give it his all to climb through the ranks as fast as possible.

"Any medallions or power stones we find, I'll be giving to Aldric. I'll compensate the team out of my own personal funds," Edos noted.

Flynn rolled his eyes and Samantha huffed but they didn't say anything else.

As they descended into the caverns, it was a different environment from the last campaign they had been on. The room ahead was completely filled with vines and there seemed to be some sort of treasure trapped in it's midst.

"It's been a while since we faced this," Samantha commented, "Attack the larger vines Aldric and it's best to use a close range weapon."

"Yes Under General!" Aldric replied.

"You and Samantha go ahead and handle this on," Edos commanded. 

"Yes General!!" the two of them chorused and they cantered into battle. 

Edos then to turned to the three canines he gave the command to stay put. They whined but obeyed, settling at Flynn's feet. Alec, Flynn's ghostly companion with drifting off in another direction as if going to scout.