I strode along the passageway, Moritz just half a step behind me. I was filled with fury that I had to bring him along – and pay him, no less – but at the very least he was silent. When the idiotic guard at the entrance of the dungeons had refused to let me enter without a guide, I had snarled at him and then taken a look at all the mercenary’s who were accepting contracts. Out of the bunch, Moritz was the only one who I thought I might be able to deal with. Known for being absolutely silent, he at least wouldn’t jabber on like most of the others. Regardless, we were here now, and hopefully I’d find what I needed down here.

As we walked, I began to hear a clanging – quiet at first, then louder and louder, though still muffled as though there were several walls between me and the source of the noise. As it grew louder though, I identified it for what it was a forge. I hadn’t known that there was one down here. I flashed back to when I was younger, when father first started showing me around the castle, when he had taken me down to the forge. I’d been scared back then, I’d forgotten that. I’d flinched at the heat and the loud noise, and father had spotted it. He’d snarled at me and told me that I needed to toughen up, that there was a chance I’d rule someday, and weak Coursers will not get any respect.

I’d blinked back my tears all those years ago, and made an effort to toughen up. I was surprised to find that I had to blink back tears now, in the present. Screech, my phantasmal hand pet, was stroking me reassuringly, having clearly sensed my distress. I snapped my teeth at him and he skilfully evaded my bite.

I walked onwards. Weak Coursers will not get any respect. And I will not be weak.