Cloak and Scalpel

En route

"So, how exactly are you going to explain to your family that you found yourself a fiancée?" I asked as Aamon walked me back to my rooms. "If I recall correctly, you left Castle Aberleen to find the Heart and answers about Kalon. But you suddenly come back with a fiancée."

"Leave that to me," he said.

I frowned at him. "That won't do," I objected. "Because people are bound to ask me. We need to get our stories straight." I paused. "I'm the daughter of a wealthy merchant living near the Azrya Woodlands. Our manor was attacked by Alice, and you fortunately were there to save me."

Aamon raised an eyebrow. I shrugged at him. "It's a simple story," I said sheepishly.

"As you wish," he said.

We stopped just outside my door. "What about Gusion?" I asked. "Will he return to Castle Aberleen with us?"

"And interrupt your sweet, loveydovey time together? No."

The door opposite mine swung open to reveal Gusion standing there. Aamon frowned at him. "I need you close to Diana," the Duke said. "Since the presence of the Heart will help in keeping Kalon under control."

"Yeah, you banished me from Castle Aberleen, remember?" Gusion asked, rolling his eyes at his brother.

Aamon remained silent. I recalled in the game lore how Aamon had banished Gusion after earning the ire of the Elders of House Paxley. "You will remain in the castle," Aamon said. "You can either stay in the dungeons or the secret passages, out of sight, out of mind. Choose."

It was refreshing to see Gusion looking as if he wanted to throttle Aamon this time. "I'll stay in the towers," Gusion said, rolling his eyes. "I'll enter in secret. Though I get the feeling you would find the dungeons funny."

"Immensely," Aamon agreed.

"That reminds me," I said, turning to Aamon. "I need to know about your family. Your siblings, your relatives, your parents. All of it. And maybe about you as well. I can't be engaged and not know anything about my fiancé, can I?"

"In due time," Aamon said as he turned to the room he shared with Gusion. "Goodnight, Diana."

I could hear Gusion grumbling to Aamon about dungeons as their door closed softly behind them.

-----------

"We wish you all a safe journey."

The next morning saw Gusion, Aamon and I gathered in the courtyard of the Lunar Temple. Estes and Miya had been kind enough to provide us with three horses. Sleek and majestic, they looked as if they spent their lives running underneath a moonlit sky. Their glossy silver and white coats seemed to gleam underneath the morning sun.

Aamon placed a hand on his chest and offered Estes a small bow. "Thank you for your aid, King Estes," he said solemnly. "House Paxley will not forget your kindness."

Estes tilted his head in acknowledgement. "Diana," Miya said. I turned to her. She held a cloak in her hands made of a thick blue fabric with a golden trim. "The journey to Castle Aberleen will be a while. Nights can get cold. Here."

I smiled as I took the cloak from her and fastened it around me. Earlier, Sara had dressed me in blue riding breeches, and a white shirt with bishop sleeves. She'd insisted on riding boots earlier, and I inwardly thanked her for the decision.

"Your Grace," Alucard said, approaching Aamon. "I can personally pledge that the Lightborn squad will convene at Castle Aberleen in the coming month. Captain Tigreal will join us."