The morning light shone in his room walking him. He rolled out of bed, putting both feet on the cool marble floor. He set his head in his hands, sitting motionless except for his breath. He did not have good night of sleep with no nightmares so it was fatigue gripping him and nor was his head in pain. The birds sang their song just outside his terrace. For most mornings he would have greeted this as a gift, but this morning, this day. It was not a gift to him. He mustered enough courage to get off his bed and go to his lavatory. Splashing cold water in his face did not help. His reflection looked grim in the bowl’s water.

He slipped on a shirt and a pair of trouser before going to the kitchen to fix himself some food. The deserted halls of the Manor did not give him any comfort. He truly felt alone. In the kitchen, he started a fire in the stove and set a pot of boiling water. He then set some freshly baked bread on the grill. He continued his morning ritual as he did for years past.

As he sat down with his breakfast he simply look yonder lost in his thoughts. The city bell which sounded the ninth hour of the morning aroused him from his gaze. He realized he has already finished his breakfast and was just sitting at the kitchen table. Realizing the time, he gulped down his cup of moonberrie juice and went back to his room to put on more official attire. His mother had sent him a tailor to make him clothes that would be more fitting of his new role but he didn’t see the need. His old clothes he thought were as good as any. Just like his brother he was not raise in the normal aristocratic way. He had much more freedom in his youth then his cousins did. He and his siblings would have never seen the day where they would have to lead their house. He posed for a second to wonder if this was how his brother had first felt.

Now dressed, he walked into the hall to the den where his brother conducted most of the house business. He looked around the desk and found the folder of information he was looking for. He felt a cold chill as he grabbed the folder. As if he was forsaking a piece of himself. It needs to be done, he muttered to himself.

This was the second time today his face was welcomed by the morning sun. It seemed it was going to be a nice sunny day today. He closed the doors behind him under key. After the incident over a month ago, he took more precautions with his family’s estate.

“Top of the morning to you, master Andilien” A young ranger greeted him as he was passing by.

“And good morning to you, Zephyr. But it’s Lord Andilien now. So you’re off to the ranger camp for training? Late aren’t you? Not the best way of making the best of impressions!” Ulian remarked with a sly grin on his face as the young ranger continued on his way.

“What would you know of best impressions Lord Andilien!” the young ranger replied almost out of ear shot.

What would I know indeed! Ulian thought to himself. He would have to make a good impression on the inquisitor and his superiors at Headquarters for his news to them would be sour at best. His walk to the blood knight headquarter was uninterrupted. He was greeted by one of his teachers, Knight-Lord Bloodvalor. They exchanged pleasantries and then the Knight-Lord escorted him to the investigation division. Armed with paper in his hands and dressed to the finest of aristocratic styles, Ulian walked down the halls with his old teacher until they reached the desired door. The writing on the door read: Court Room 3. The Knight-Lord opened the door slowly to a long table with three distinguished characters and an empty chair. Presumably, this was where Knight-Lord Bloodvalor would sit. His old teacher directed him to a chair facing the table.

“Ah Adept Andilien, please come in and sit. We will begin your disciplinary hearing immediately.” A knight at the center of the semi circle table said. Ulian did not recognize him.

As he sat down, he noticed another table to the side of the room where he recognized his superior, Knight Val’thar, whom didn’t seem too pleased to see him and to his right side another elf that seem to be part of the Blood Knight Bureau of Investigations. Ulian simply exchange a nod with them which was not returned.

“Very well then let’s commence this hearing. For the record please state your full name and rank.” The knight at the center said.

“Ulian Thelien Andilien, Adept - Third Battalion under Knight Val’Thar, Twenty-Second Regiment.” Ulian spoke in a monotone voice.

“On this morning we are gathered here to investigate you for your absence at your recent call of duty two moons ago. I, Sir Osselin Lightsong, will precede this investigation and serve as one of four judges along with Sir Quithas Liadrin to my left and Sir Aldrae Plainwalker to my right and Sir Thedrian Bloodvalor to my far right. We will hear testimony from Sir Ithelis Val’Thar your superior and Sir Ulfred Tallwind, Bureau of Investigations in charge of the case on your disappearance and the impending case of Dissolution of your House’s assets both of which are seated to the table to my left.”

There was a long awkward pause as the knights in front of him were sorting through some documents. Then it started. They called his superior to testify first. They asked him to read his report and letter to Sir Bloodvalor. Ulian’s disappearance caused him to miss his tour of duty, which was coincidently a traitorous offence in the eyes of the Order and would leave a black mark not only on his record but his superior’s record as well. This, Ulian assumed, was the reason why his superior was colder than usual towards him.

After Sir Val’Thar was done with his report, then they asked Sir Tallwind to read his report on the investigation and give his impressions. Ulian sat thought most of it grinding his teeth. He could not bear the incompetence of the Bureau. They cut so many corners in their investigation. But Tallwind’s report bended the truth in such a way it hide those facts from the panel quite well.

It seemed to Ulian an eternity passed by before Sir Tallwind finally shut up and sat down. The panel of judges were still jotting down notes and so the room fell silent for a few moments as they were writing there thoughts on paper. Then the panel’s attention centered on him. It now came to him to defend himself against these allegations.

“Adept Andilien, you have the choice at this time to present or have someone on your behalf to present a statement in your defence to this panel. Be warned that if you should renege from delivering any statement this may work against you. I will also remind you that refusing the presence of an attorney will not grant you any leniency in the eyes of this court.” Sir Lightsong finished speaking and sat back starring at him. Ulian acknowledged his willingness to make a statement with a nod and stood from his chair.

“Gentlemen, I will not deny the fact that I did not present myself for my tour of duty. And if I was in the capacity to report for duty, I would have very well done so. I would like to point out that two evenings before this incident; I was abducted from my own manor by use of a portal out of the city.” This statement raised a few eyebrows towards Sir Tallwind.

“To prove these facts, my estate hired a private investigator. This person found traces of arcane and fire magic used in my residence which he has determined would be of a week old which coincidently is when the Bureau acknowledges my disappearance happened. And his report continue to read that he found a greater concentration of magic bellow the landing in the foyer, which he concluded was leftover essence from a portal which furthermore collaborates with the Bureau’s statement that there was no evidence of me leaving my place of residence that night in question. He also writes that this would collaborate with the Bureau’s lack of witness and subsequently the premature close of closure of that investigation. This report was submitted to the Blood Knight Investigation bureau a week and a half after my disappearance the day of his investigation. I would like to inquire with Sir Tallwind at this time if he has such a report in his hands?” Ulian looked sharply at Sir Tallwind who looked a little paler hearing of that report.

Sir Tallwind shuffle around his papers but failed to produce any copy of the report.

“I have not record of this report being filled with our department your honors.” He answered addressing the panel.”

“In that case, I would like to submit along with this report the receipt that was given to the investigator from clerk at the Blood Knight’s Bureau of Investigation. Please not the receipt was signed and dated by the clerk.” Ulian produce the report and the receipt and gave it to Sir Lightsong.

In turn, he handed both documents to the rest of the panel so they could examine it. Then sir Lightsong had an assistant give the documents to Sir Tallwind for his examination. After, he looked at the report; Sir Tallwind examined the receipt that was given. His hands started to quiver slightly when he noticed whose signature was on the receipt.

“Sir Tallwind, Is that an authentic receipt?” Sir Lightsong asked.

“Yes it is your honor. I can only assume that this report has not reached my desk.” Sir Tallwind answered in a very cautious voice.

“Furthermore…” Ulian piped up. “I submit to you now, detailed plans against my house which I acquired at the location I was held against my will. Also, I present to you one of the notes that was sent to Lord Dawncaller asking him not to look for me.” After a short pause he continued: “Please note that the same hand authored these documents. Also, I have supplied my own written sample for comparison which you will hopefully recognize these documents do not bear my handwriting.” Ulian said relentlessly.

“This is well crafted boy, a quite creative defence if I was to hear one” Sir Tallwind quickly retorted obviously defensive of his departments actions.

“I would hope the court would se fit to call for an impartial scribe to examine these documents. I am positive, he will attest that these documents are originals, are not of my hand and the paper is not from any of paper supplies this city currently deals with.” Ulian looked at the panel and then more intently at Sir Tallwind. “This document details each step to over through my House” Ulian started pacing. “I can also supply you with a list of names of witness’ who were present at the time I found these documents.”

Sir Lightsong looked upon the documents once again before he spoke “Due to the submission of new evidence we will ask the Bureau to reopen their investigation prior to finishing our deliberation. If there is no other matter to address…” He looked at Ulian.

“As a matter of fact, Sir Lightsong, I would like to take this opportunity to submit my petition to the court to be release me from service for my civil duty as steward to House Andilien effective immediately.” Ulian surprised the panel with this request.

He grabbed another piece of parchment from his folder and started reading out loud: “As per order 66, article C, sub-paragraph 1972y, line 89 to 92: If the living patriarch of a noble family is found to be missing, the next in line of succession or the next eldest surviving male relative will assume stewardship of said house and will remain as such until such time were either the patriarch return or a period twelve moon cycle has past. At which point said steward will be sworn in as the next Lord of said house. And therefore, any individual found fit to assume stewardship for this period of time will be excused of any civil or martial duties which are not inclusive to the role he has been given. In the case of the missing patriarch’s return, the steward will be release back to his prior civil or martial duties.”

“I am sorry adept I do not see the relevance here.” Sir Plainwalker spoke up for the first time.

“I would like to remind you the closing statement of Sir Tallwind’s report stating that no other surviving male of my House could be located for a period of three weeks. And I would also like to highlight that my brother, Lord Andilien, has yet to present himself.”

“I must say quite unorthodox adept.” Sir Plainwalker said as he frowned at him.

“If it displeases the court sir, I can arrange for another hearing on the matter.” Ulian simply stated evoking no particular emotions.

“Seeing as the Bureau did testify today to the fact that no surviving male of your House has been accounted for. I will grant your motion and give you stewardship of your House until such time Lord Andilien should returns.” Sir Lightsong interjected as he was writing on a piece of paper. “Please take this and go to the office of civil affairs and deliver this to an available clerk their. They will draft the necessary documents for you. Then bring the document to my department where I will have a Knight sign it. But adept Andilien, I will remind you this does not have any affect on the outcome of this hearing. We will reconvene after the Bureau of Investigation has looked into these documents you submitted. During this time you will not be permitted to leave the city. I know hereby close this hearing until further notice.” Sir Lightsong finished.

Ulian watched as everyone got to their feet and proceeded out of the room. No one acknowledge him. He had guessed right that his motion for stewardship left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth except for Sir Lightsong. He specially noted that Tallwind was red in the face. He assumed it was a combination of embracement and furor with the new evidence brought forward and seeing that the clerk who had signed the receipt was his own assistant.

Sir Lightsong came around the table and handed him the note he had to bring to civil affairs. He patted Ulian on the shoulder before he left and exchange a quick gaze almost which told Ulian that he had played it well and had a good enough case in his favour.

The rest of his day was uneventful at best. He conducted all the rest of his business at the Blood Knight Headquarters and then returned to the manor. It was already night time by that point. And so he sat down at the desk in the den trying to make heads or tails of the paperwork that was left untouched for a month. Good news was that he was dismissed from any responsibilities at the Order for the time being. The sad news, he inherited responsibilities he did not care for. After a few moments, Ulian pushed his chair back and leaned forward. He set his head in his hands, sitting motionless except for his breath. It was Ulian’s new responsibilities that were weighing heavy on his mind. Candlelight was making the shadows dance in the room. Crickets could be heard just outside the window and then the occasional footstep of passersby. He got up from the chair. Blew out the candles and left the den. Climbed up the stairs slowly and got to his room. He removed his heavy clothes and slide into his sheets. The only thing on his mind now was to have a good night sleep.