Status Updates From The Still

"Anavar, I have no proper court. The best service you can give is to attend me. Call those whom I seek; relay my words. When we're home in Stryx, protocol will sort itself out. Chamberlain Willem will help. Let's find Raeth."
In the courtyard, Tursel had made great progress in settling the displaced townsfolk. His men had improvised rough shelters, in which villeins and merchants alike huddled.

The dust of forty horsemen would raise alarm, especially if no patrol of that number had been sent our way. It was our forerunners' task to hold open the gates to the keep. A flaming arrow into the dusk was to be our signal.
We waited int he ruins with growing unease. Rust would ride with us; I could not prevent it. But he'd sworn on his very soul to turn away from Llewelyn, should they meet.

In principle, Rustin might have accepted my foray. But there was much advice to endure--most of it worth the hearing--before we were allowed to leave and even then, my party had swelled to six.
Two picked soldiers were to escort us to the edge of Stryx, to ward off brigands and await our return. A third, a burly young fellow, was to dress in peasant garb, ride into town and keep us in sight.

I'd feared he'd find Rustin a bloated corpse, crawling with feeding mites. On the other hand, Rust had deserted me and fled to the safety of Seawatch; so much for my loyal vassal. More than once, I'd spat out mouthfuls of grass and hay, when he'd lost his temper over some careless remark. I saw the advantage of Eiber's paid and full-time soldiery; they played at no hypocrisy of oaths and pretended allegiance.

He dropped to a knee. "I pledge myself to thee as vassal, from this moment unto our deaths or my release. I shall serve and protect thee with honor. I do swear my loyalty, and vow I shall take no other as my liege save thee." In the age-old gesture, he touched his palm to my chest and bowed his head.
For a moment I stood transfixed, almost in dread. He'd proffered me his life, his independence.

This is not enough I need to kill him with my own hands

The girls are fightinggggg 😐

1) I love a good emotional declaration of loyalty. 2) people complain Rodrigo is very unlikable and he is but also I think he's a very well written 15 year old sheltered lad thats mourning his mother and being forced to grow up too fast idk