I would probably be stopped if it got out that I was leaving to circumvent my liege's order. I had to make it seem official. That was pretty easy. Sir Betan was a big martial idiot. He never got to experience a tournament. I just had to dangle that thread in front of him in a conversation before he was begging me to take him. I was totally fine with it. He would be good company. "Okay. We should go as soon as possible. We might need to stop in Huntston for a little. I need Molly to come with me. I want her to be there and test her skills." I said. He frowned. "Are you sure that it is the place for her? She is amazing with a bow. You also taught her about knives. The men there are not going to stand at a distance and let themselves be taken out." I nodded my head with a smirk. "I know. That's why it is a test." I confirmed. Betan shook his head in disapproval. "You know how I feel about Molly. She's a good lass. It's not enough to be a knight." was all he said before going to collect his son and get him ready for the trip. That was understandable. I was bringing my children. This would be really fun.
Doing this still needed permission. Sir Betan was the one to petition our lord. I had the excuse that I was not too favored at the moment. I did not even need to say why it was. Len's punishment and trial lowered my standing in the court. I did not take shit from anyone, so they knew better than to openly mock me. That did not mean that they did not mock me in private. Sir Betan and Sir Alane still trained with me and the others. "Every family has its deviants. You just got unlucky it happened at the start of your family tree." Betan said. Since combat was all he cared about, he was actually pretty level-headed about this. I was grateful for those words. We got the permission to go on the condition that we fight explicitly in his name and bring any prize money we win back. That was not unreasonable. We made our way for Huntston. When we got there, I allowed my guests to stay in the guest house for the night. Len was living there too. Holly was in the main building. I made sure that they were told why I was there. They both looked confused. "You know I would never abandon you." I smirked.
Even if I was going to take them, I could not just take them. Sir Betan and Alane were aware that I was taking Molly. Len would not be allowed to fight. This was a fight for our liege, Count Swifthunt's, honor. That was fine. There were more hybrids living over here. I just had to speak to their father. He had already knighted his sons. "I did not see any reason not to. They are stronger and faster than grown men twice their age. Unsurprisingly, their services were not needed here." he said. That was true. I went over to ask them if they also wanted to fight in the capital for the glory of Count Swifthunt. They immediately agreed. Now that I had them coming along, it would not be too suspicious if I brought Len. Betan frowned when he saw my son, but he did not stop him from travelling with us. On the way to the capital, we ran into a few angry bandits. We had to keep the legend alive. I made sure that they were brutally slaughtered and displayed on the side of the road. I got to see the hybrids in action. The brothers Yellowtail were much more feral than Len was. Lady influenced them a lot.
