Iron of the Innocent: The Dark Judge (Vol 1)

Chapter 7: No Escape

274 I.C.
Balindos
Caegoroth Kingdom
Cor Wresgoth Estate

Shydler took a sip of his morning orange juice. He set the frosty cup back in its place as his eyes widened a bit with the tangy, sweet taste. He loved his morning beverages as cold as possible, and he would get crushed ice for his morning glass. If that meant he had to freeze a bucket of water, then he would do it. He placed the glass back on the table next to a plate full of various breakfast items.

He had three eggs over easy, sausage, toast, crispy hash, and pancakes. Starting the day off with plenty of food to sustain him throughout his busy hours was the best choice in his opinion. Taking another bite of toast and eggs he placed his fork down on his plate and looked over at Leena. She was radiant this morning in her thick, warm bathrobe.

The sun rose into the sky not long before, and Shydler opened the windows in his small dining area to let the cool morning breeze inside. The colorful sunrise was extravagant, and Shydler savored every moment. Here he was with a beautiful woman, a gorgeous sunrise, and a delicious breakfast. He had his own estate, plenty of wealth, an orchard to harvest, grapes to process into wine, gardens to tend, and as much time for his arcane profession as he wished. The drudgery of daily demands was behind him. There were no lands to rule, cases to judge, or stupid politics to contend with except those he chose to entangle himself.

He was wearing his own plush bathrobe, which he slipped into after his hot bath. His hair was still damp. He wore his favorite house slippers to keep his feet warm, and he was completely content. Joy was in his heart, and a smile played across his lips as he watched Leena slowly eat her light breakfast. She liked it light, quite different than Shydler.

Leena was reading a missive she received the day before, with a look of interest on her features. Her focused, clear eyes moved along with the handwriting, and her expression changed along with the content.

"Who is that from?" Shydler asked with curiosity.

Leena looked up at him from her position to his left. "My sister," she said as she laid the scroll on the table. "She is going on and on about my nieces and nephew who are driving her crazy."

"Children can do that," Shydler said.

Leena smiled slightly as she reached for her piece of fruit. "I would like to have children someday. I've been feeling the urge." Her focus drifted as if thinking of something far away.

Shydler did not say anything as he picked up his fork to continue eating.

She continued, "But I have only seen twenty summers, so I don't have to anytime soon."

Shydler took a bite of his hash. His chef made it exactly like he wanted it, cooked with a crispy outside and soft inside. "What do you have planned for today?" he said changing the subject.

Leena looked over at him for a few moments as she finished chewing her bite of fruit, a look of sadness touched her eyes and the slight smile on her lips dissipated. Then she looked away toward the windows, the emotion evaporating without words.

"I plan to speak with the supervisors of the laborers," she said. "Then I want to talk with Ereese about some issues in the house. After that, I plan to do some training, study, and I want to go into Gilstoth to shop at the markets. Among other things, I need to talk with the weapons craftsman and have him fix my short sword. I chipped it in that fight in Dawnshire."

"Sounds like a busy day," Shydler said.

"What about you?" Leena asked.

Shydler thought for a moment. "I think I will take a look at the new book you brought me."