Chapter 40: The Road to the Capital
Blackwood Manor rose before dawn beneath a pale gray sky.
The excitement of the previous day had disappeared almost completely. There were no crowds gathered around the training field, no children pretending to duel with sticks, and no applicants waiting to learn whether their names would be called. Most of those who had not been selected were already preparing to leave Blackwood, while the fifty newly chosen Black Dragons had been ordered onto the western field before sunrise for their first real day under Sir Darius Valen.
Kael had expected the estate to feel triumphant after founding its first professional military unit.
Instead, it felt busy.
That was probably healthier.
Fifty soldiers meant fifty breakfasts before anyone discussed uniforms, banners, or glory. It meant sleeping arrangements, training equipment, pay records, weapon inspections, medical needs, and arguments over whether the old eastern storage wing could be converted into temporary quarters without collapsing on someone.
The Imperial summons had added an entirely different set of problems.
Kael stood in the council room wearing a dark traveling coat while Edwin checked the documents arranged across the table for what had to be the fourth time.
Copies of the six-year collection discrepancies.
Several of Halwen’s levy notices.
Blackwood’s old military records.
Statements concerning Rusk’s bandits.
The description of Silas Corven.
A record of Jory’s death.
The Black Dragon selection rules and final roster.
Kael looked at the stack.
Are we going to Aurelia or invading it with paperwork?
Edwin did not look up.
Paperwork is generally safer inside the Imperial Palace
Walter, who had somehow appeared despite having no reason to be awake this early, leaned against the wall.
Depends on the paperwork
Lily tied another bundle with cord.
He’s right
Kael stared at her.
You’re supposed to disagree with Walter on principle
I disagree with him when he’s wrong
Walter smiled proudly.
A rare event
Edwin finally looked up.
Your Highness, if the Court challenges your actions, these records allow you to answer precisely. I would rather carry ten unnecessary documents than discover the one we need remained in Blackwood
Kael nodded.
He agreed.
That did not mean he had to enjoy carrying them.
The Imperial summons required his presence three days after receipt. Aurelia was too far to reach comfortably by ordinary wagon travel within that window, but the main Imperial road included Crown posting stations where official travelers could exchange tired horses for fresh ones.
They would travel light.
Two days if the roads cooperated.
Perhaps slightly longer if they did not.
Kael had no intention of arriving late enough to let his enemies claim contempt before he entered the chamber.
The western training field was already active when he left the manor.
The fifty Black Dragons did not look like the unit that old stories would eventually pretend they had been from the beginning.
There was no matching black armor.
No silver-trimmed cloaks.
No perfect lines of legendary warriors standing beneath a flawless banner.
Half the soldiers still wore the equipment they had brought to the trials. Some had chainmail. Some leather. Others patched coats reinforced where they could afford it. Several weapons had already been set aside after Darius declared them unsafe for proper service.
Black armbands provided the only visible thing they all shared.
Kael preferred the sight.
It was honest.
Garrick stood beside Hugo Stone near a temporary inspection table, arguing over the condition of a sword.
Hugo frowned at the weapon.
It’s usable
Garrick looked offended.
You call that edge usable?
For training
Then call it a training blade instead of embarrassing the word sword
Hugo glanced toward Kael as he approached.
My Lord, he’s been doing this since sunrise
Garrick corrected him.
I’ve been doing this since before sunrise
That’s worse
Kael smiled.
How many weapons survive inspection?
Garrick’s expression told him the number was not encouraging.
Enough to begin
Darius answered from behind them.
Kael turned.
The Imperial Shield had already changed into training clothes, spear in hand.
Darius continued.
Not enough for my patience
That sounds more accurate
Kael looked across the field.
Leon Ashford was helping another recruit adjust a shield strap while Marcus Wintermere inspected one of the temporary equipment racks. Iris Hollow was nowhere obvious, which probably meant she was exactly where Darius wanted her. Victor Ravenshade stood in formation beside Elias Thorn, who looked as though he would rather still be asleep.
Grom Ironfang stood near the rear.
The old goblin caught Kael’s eye.
You’re leaving
Not yet
Your horse is saddled
That’s disturbingly observant
Grom smiled.
I survived seventy-four years by noticing when people planned to abandon me
Kael’s expression tightened slightly.
I’m not abandoning you
I know
Grom’s tone had changed.
The conversation from the previous evening still stood between them.
The Imperial summons named Kael alone.
Grom had offered to leave Blackwood before becoming a political burden.
Kael had refused.
That decision had not changed overnight.
Grom approached.
You could take me
Kael shook his head.
No
The Court is going to discuss me whether I stand there or not
Probably
Then why leave me behind?
Because the summons names me
Kael looked toward the Black Dragons.
And because yesterday I ordered you to stay
Grom’s mouth moved slightly.
You remembered
Unfortunately
Kael lowered his voice.
If I drag you into Aurelia before anyone actually summons you, they can say I’m deliberately provoking the Court. If they want to question you later, they can send an order with your name on it
Grom considered that.
And until then?
You train
Darius appeared beside them.
Grom looked toward him.
With him?
Yes
The old goblin sighed.
Perhaps prison would’ve been kinder
Darius smiled.
Formation in two minutes
Grom immediately walked away.
Kael watched him go.
I think he fears you
Everyone sensible does
Darius accompanied Kael toward the stable yard after assigning the fifty their first morning formation drills.
Four Black Dragons waited there.
Not ten.
Kael had originally considered taking a larger escort before Darius rejected the idea.
You’re going to answer questions about building a private military household, Darius had said. Entering Aurelia with a parade of freshly selected soldiers would demonstrate that you understand politics about as well as Walter understands subtlety.
Walter had been offended.
Kael had reluctantly agreed.
The escort would be small.
Sir Leon Ashford.
Sir Damien Ravenmoor.
Iris Hollow.
Victor Ravenshade.
Leon and Damien had prior household or patrol experience. Iris understood roads and terrain well enough to notice problems before they reached Kael. Victor had been included partly because he was competent and partly because Darius wanted to see whether the proud young noble could function under direct orders outside a trial.
Edwin and Lily would accompany Kael for administrative support.
That made seven people besides Kael.
No banners beyond a small House Kael travel pennant.
No wagon convoy.
No Black Dragon parade.
Kael studied the four soldiers.
You’re the first Black Dragons traveling outside Blackwood in official service
Victor’s posture straightened.
Darius immediately looked toward him.
Don’t
Victor blinked.
Don’t what?
Whatever proud thing your face is preparing to do
I wasn’t—
You were
Leon hid a smile.
Victor glared at him.
Kael continued.
This isn’t a reward. You’re escorting me because Darius believes you’re suited to the assignment
Iris asked,
What are our orders if the Court detains you?
Kael looked at her.
That’s cheerful
You said you wanted useful questions
Darius answered before Kael could.
If the Crown lawfully detains the prince, you do nothing stupid
Victor frowned.
Define stupid
Anything you would enjoy
Leon laughed.
Victor sighed.
Darius looked at all four.
You’re not going to Aurelia to fight
You are not there to prove the Black Dragons are dangerous
You are there to make certain Prince Kael reaches the Imperial Court safely and returns when his business is finished
Damien nodded.
And if someone attacks on the road?
Then you protect him
Darius’s expression hardened.
If someone insults him in Aurelia, you remember that words are not arrows
His gaze settled on Victor.
Especially you
Victor looked wounded.
Why does everyone assume I’m the problem?
Because we’ve met you
Even Kael laughed.
Bram waited near the stable entrance carrying a wrapped bundle.
Kael looked toward it.
What is that?
Something less embarrassing than the blade you’ve been carrying
Kael raised an eyebrow.
My sword works
Bram shrugged.
So does Walter’s cart. Doesn’t mean I’d ride it into the Imperial Palace
Walter shouted from across the yard.
I heard that
Good
Bram offered the bundle.
Kael unwrapped it.
Inside rested a sword.
Not a legendary blade.
No ancient runes covered it.
No magical light poured from its edge.
It was simply better than the weapon Kael had used during his first weeks in Blackwood.
The scabbard was dark leather reinforced at the throat and tip. The guard carried a restrained dragon-wing design, while the grip had been wrapped for actual use rather than appearance.
Kael drew it halfway.
The steel was clean.
Balanced.
New.
He looked toward Garrick.
The blacksmith stood several paces away pretending not to watch.
You made this?
Garrick nodded toward Hugo.
We made it
Hugo smiled.
Mostly him
Garrick immediately frowned.
Don’t ruin a good lie
Kael drew the blade completely and tested the weight.
It felt different from the short sword he had carried into the forest.
More stable.
Better suited to the training Darius had begun forcing into him.
Kael looked toward Hugo.
You were selected yesterday
Hugo nodded.
So I’m assuming you did not secretly forge this entire sword overnight
Hugo looked disappointed.
That would have sounded impressive
Garrick answered.
The blade was already unfinished stock in my forge. Hugo helped fit the guard, wrap the grip, and balance it after I decided the prince needed something that wouldn’t insult me in front of the capital
Kael looked toward him.
I’m beginning to understand that this is your love language
Garrick frowned.
My what?
Nothing
Kael sheathed the sword.
Thank you
Garrick’s expression softened by the smallest amount.
Bring it back
The sword?
Yourself, idiot
Kael paused.
Then nodded.
I will
The manor gate had attracted a small crowd by the time the horses were ready.
Not all of Blackwood.
Not thousands of cheering villagers.
Most people had work.
But several dozen residents from around the manor had come to watch their lord leave for Aurelia.
Walter stood among them.
He was not traveling.
Kael had made that decision very quickly.
Walter had objected for approximately twelve seconds before admitting that two days of hard riding would probably kill his back.
Lily mounted her horse nearby.
Walter looked toward her.
Make sure he eats
Kael turned.
Why does everyone keep assigning people to feed me?
Because you forget
I do not
Edwin answered without looking up from the travel documents.
You forgot yesterday
I was busy
Exactly
A woman from Blackwood Hollow approached carrying a small cloth bundle.
Walter recognized her and stepped aside.
Kael did too.
Mistress Elayne Corra.
The former teacher held out the bundle.
Bread
Kael stared.
Of course it is
Elayne frowned.
Is there a problem with bread?
No
Then take it
Kael accepted the bundle.
Thank you
She nodded toward Aurelia.
Don’t let them talk so long you forget where you came from
Walter smiled.
That’s the best political advice he’s gotten
Edwin looked offended.
I have spent two days preparing him
And she beat you with one sentence
Kael laughed.
Then movement near the edge of the crowd caught his attention.
A little girl had approached Grom.
The old goblin was not traveling, but he had come to the gate with the others.
The girl held something behind her back.
Grom stared down at her.
Hello
She looked nervous.
You’re Grom
Usually
The girl brought her hands forward.
A tiny wooden figure rested between them.
It had green paint smeared across the face, an oversized ear, and a crooked spear made from a sharpened twig.
Grom stared.
I made you
He looked at the carving.
Then at her.
I hope I don’t actually look like that
The girl gasped.
Grom smiled.
Then she realized he was joking.
Her fear disappeared.
My father said you stopped the other goblins from hurting people
Grom’s expression changed.
Yes
So you’re a hero
The old warrior went still.
Kael watched from several steps away.
Grom took the carving carefully.
Hero is a dangerous word
Why?
Because people expect too much once they use it
The girl thought about that with the seriousness only children could manage.
Then be a good one
Grom stared at her.
For several seconds he had no answer.
Finally, he bowed his head.
I’ll try
The girl smiled and ran back toward her family.
Darius stood beside Kael.
Don’t say anything
I wasn’t going to
You were
Kael smiled.
Maybe
Grom turned toward them.
If either of you speaks, I will deny everything
Darius nodded solemnly.
Of course
The System appeared as Kael prepared to mount.
[Travel objective updated]
Destination: Aurelia
Imperial summons deadline: three days
Primary considerations: safe arrival, preservation of evidence, political preparation
A second notice appeared.
[Current intelligence status: incomplete]
House Kael’s recent actions are known beyond Blackwood
Potential surveillance along Imperial routes cannot be ruled out
Kael read it carefully.
No convenient thirty-eight-percent ambush prediction.
No hidden-event counter.
Just the obvious fact that people were watching him.
The trials had attracted observers.
The Court had summoned him almost immediately afterward.
Someone connected to Silas Corven was already moving against Blackwood’s investigation.
Kael did not need the System to tell him caution was appropriate.
He dismissed the notice.
Iris noticed his expression.
Problem?
Maybe
She waited.
Kael looked toward her.
Assume we’re being watched once we leave
By whom?
Don’t know
House Halwen?
Possibly
One of your siblings?
Possibly
Corven?
Possibly
Iris frowned.
That’s not useful
Exactly
Kael adjusted the sword at his side.
Which means we behave normally until someone gives us a reason not to
Iris nodded.
That was enough for her.
Darius approached Kael’s horse before departure.
The others moved far enough away to give them privacy.
Remember what I told you
Kael smiled.
You’ve told me approximately nine hundred things
The Court
Right
Darius rested one hand against the saddle.
Don’t enter expecting enemies everywhere
Kael raised an eyebrow.
That’s surprisingly moderate advice
Paranoia makes people easy to manipulate
Darius looked toward the eastern road.
Seraphine may oppose you because she genuinely believes Grom should not serve in an Imperial territory
The Empress may see your growing House as a political problem
Cassian may challenge your military logic
Adrian may question whether fifty untrained soldiers deserve to be called a military force
Kael nodded.
All possible
Don’t turn disagreement into conspiracy simply because it happens in a palace
That was important.
Kael thought of Halwen.
Corven.
Rusk.
How easily every suspicious event could be forced into a single explanation.
He had already refused to do that in Blackwood.
He needed to remember the same discipline in Aurelia.
And Father?
Kael asked.
Darius’s expression became almost amused.
Your father is your father
That is completely useless
It is also the best warning I can give you
Kael sighed.
Darius continued.
Augustus may let half the Court attack your argument just to see whether you can defend it
Would he?
Yes
Kael stared.
Darius smiled.
Try not to take it personally
He’s my father
Take it somewhat personally
That’s worse advice
I’m done now
Kael looked toward the Black Dragon field.
You’ll keep training them?
Until they beg you to return
Good
Darius’s smile widened.
You misunderstood
Kael frowned.
What?
They’ll beg you to return because they’ll think you can stop me
Can I?
No
Kael laughed.
Then he mounted.
The gate opened shortly after sunrise.
Kael rode first.
Edwin and Lily followed, then Leon, Damien, Iris, and Victor. Their equipment remained practical and mismatched except for the black armbands tied around their upper arms.
No gleaming black armor.
No grand procession.
No military spectacle.
Just a prince, two members of his household, four newly selected soldiers, and several days of evidence packed carefully into waterproof cases.
Villagers raised hands in farewell.
Some bowed.
Others simply watched.
Kael looked back once.
Blackwood Manor stood beneath the morning sky.
Weathered.
Incomplete.
Alive.
A few weeks earlier, it had been somewhere he barely understood.
Now leaving it felt strange.
Not because everything was fixed.
Almost nothing was.
The mill was still under reconstruction.
The forge still needed reliable iron supplies.
The survey remained unfinished.
Halwen was still due to appear.
Silas Corven remained somewhere beyond Kael’s reach.
Fifty Black Dragons had been selected but had not yet become a true unit.
The roads were still bad.
Several villages still lacked healers.
Blackwood had a future now, but that future remained fragile.
Kael turned back toward the road.
That was exactly why Aurelia mattered.
He did not need the Court to love what he was doing.
He needed enough authority to continue doing it.
The first hours passed without incident.
The Imperial road east of Blackwood was better maintained than most local routes, though Kael still noticed sections where drainage had failed or wagon ruts deepened near low ground.
Marcus Wintermere would have hated it.
Kael smiled at the thought.
Victor noticed.
Something funny?
Roads
Victor stared.
You’re smiling about roads?
I’ve been in Blackwood too long
Leon rode on Kael’s opposite side.
That’s probably true
Kael looked between them.
You both became disrespectful very quickly after selection
Victor shrugged.
Darius said we’re supposed to become comfortable functioning as a unit
That is not what he meant
Leon smiled.
Probably not
Iris rode several lengths ahead.
She slowed suddenly.
Kael noticed.
What?
Riders behind us
Everyone’s posture changed.
How many?
Three
Distance?
Far
Damien looked back.
Following?
Iris considered.
Too early to say
Kael continued riding.
Don’t change formation
Victor frowned.
Shouldn’t we—
No
Kael looked toward the road.
Three riders on an Imperial route aren’t automatically assassins
Victor reluctantly relaxed.
Iris remained near the front.
Over the next hour, the riders never closed the distance.
At a crossroads, they turned north.
Victor glanced toward Kael.
Not spies
Maybe
He frowned.
They left
That doesn’t prove they weren’t watching us before they did
Victor stared.
Kael smiled faintly.
It also doesn’t prove they were
I hate politics already
Walter would be proud
They reached the first Crown posting station before evening.
The station master nearly dropped his ledger when he recognized Kael.
Fresh horses were prepared.
The exhausted animals from Blackwood would remain there until the party’s return or be transferred later through the Imperial road system.
Kael ate Elayne’s bread while Edwin reviewed the travel schedule.
Lily looked far too satisfied.
Don’t say it
I wasn’t going to
You were
She smiled.
Kael looked toward the road east.
Aurelia was closer now.
Tomorrow, the outer settlements surrounding the capital would begin appearing.
The following day, if nothing delayed them, Kael would enter the city with time remaining before the Imperial summons expired.
Leon sat nearby cleaning mud from his boots.
Victor was arguing with Damien over whether a tournament duel counted as useful battlefield experience.
Iris had already questioned two stable workers about road conditions ahead.
Edwin was reorganizing documents that did not need reorganizing.
Lily was making sure everyone ate.
Kael looked at the small group.
This was not the escort he would have imagined when he first returned to Aurelia.
No grand knights.
No noble procession.
No hundred-man guard.
Just people chosen because he had begun learning what they could do.
That was enough.
For now.
Kael looked east toward the darkening horizon.
Somewhere beyond it waited the Dragon Throne.
His father.
His siblings.
The Empress.
The ministers.
The nobles who would question Grom’s selection, Darius’s allegiance, Blackwood’s new soldiers, and perhaps Kael’s right to make any of those decisions without their approval.
He did not know how many of them would oppose him.
He did not know how many might surprise him.
Darius’s warning remained with him.
Do not turn disagreement into conspiracy.
Kael intended to remember it.
Blackwood had taught him to listen before deciding what the problem was.
The Imperial Court deserved the same discipline.
Even if some of the people inside it did not.
The following morning, Kael would continue east.
Toward Aurelia.
Toward the first court session in which he would no longer be arguing about someone else’s policy.
This time, the Empire would be judging what he had built.