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This was the first time Santon came directly to my house, so it was officially our first time meeting. The only reason we didn’t meet at the usual place was because of the man who came with him. The two of them were led to a meeting room where my parents and I were waiting for them.

When they reached the meeting room, the butler who ushered them in from the door announced our guest, “My Lords, my lady, may I present Mr. Santon from the Stewards Guild, and Baron Garran Wyldebane.”

If it were only Santon, he would have simply been shown to his seat and offered tea, but since there was a Baron present, we stood to greet him as a matter of decorum and being gracious hosts demands.

Hearing the name Wyldebane, my Dad and I didn't have much reaction, mainly because it was just another house name to us, but seeing Mum’s reaction to that name, I knew that it was anything but.

Dad shook Baron Wyldebane’s hand and moved on to Mum. She saw the obvious look on our faces, so she kindly explained the significance of our guest during the greeting. “Baron Wyldebane, it’s a pleasure and an honor to meet you. When my son said that he would find us a specialized trainer for our hippogriff chicks, I did not expect the head of house Wyldebane, trainer of the Royal War Beasts corps, to show up.”

I thank God for Mum being here to identify who this was. Unlike Dad, who is a first-generation noble and more savvy in local politics of the lands surrounding our territory, Mum grew up a noble and was more knowledgeable about the prominent nobles, especially those from the capital.

Baron Wyldebane gave a polite smile as he shook Mum’s hand. “The pleasure is all mine, Lady Ironcrest. But I will have to correct you, that is ex-head of house Wyldebane, and ex-trainer of the Royal War Beast corps. I retired some years ago to enjoy my golden years.”

Mum nodded again. “Regardless, thank you for taking time out of your retirement to take up this job.”

Last to greet was me. As we shook hands and I offered my greeting, he replied, “Ah, my client, Luke Ironcrest. I have heard a lot about you.”

“All good things, I hope.” I said with a smile.

Baron Wyldebane snorted at my reply with an amused smile. “I would be lying if I said yes. Quite a few noble houses think you’re a ringer inserted by the royal family into the tournament a few years back when you beat the other contestants like a drum. They are still not happy about it when you are brought up in conversation. They cannot prove it, but seeing as the king shows you and your family much favor, they think the king is trying to elevate newer noble houses to shake the standing of the older and more established houses.”

Wow, I didn't expect my beating on some kids to get that political, it was a tournament, were they expecting not to get beaten up? I side-eyed my parents to see their reaction to this news, and saw that they were unfazed, which meant that they most likely knew.

Seeing the older man and his demeanor since he walked in, he did not seem like the type with a stick up his ass, so I decided to be a little cheeky. “Not my fault most of my opponents prance around all day playing knight. I bet the only thing they have ever killed were half-starved and crippled little monsters in a controlled environment.”

After I said that, I was met with silence from everyone in the room. Baron Wyldebane looked at me with a stone face, while my parent had their “Why did you say that?!” face. After a few uncomfortable seconds, Baron Wyldebane barked out a laugh and slapped me on the shoulder. “Ha! Now I know why that meathead king of ours likes you. A man after his own heart. Bold and with the strength of arms to back it up.”

While Baron Wyldebane was busy laughing and slapping my shoulder, I saw my parents breathe a silent sigh of relief.

Soon after our greetings were over, we sat down for a pleasant chat. When the subject of payment for Baron Wyldebane’s services came up, he informed us that, as per my previous agreement with Santon, his services were already bought and paid for.

Once we finished the small talk, Baron Wyldebane asked to see the hippogriff chicks, and Santon excused himself, needing to take care of other business.

Dad led us outside the house, towards the stables. There, in a stable that had its doors reinforced with iron, we could hear the chirping of the hippogriffs and the rustling of their hay bedding. As we got closer, the chirping died down, and there was silence.

Baron Wyldebane turned to us and asked, “When were these chicks last fed?”

Dad turned to one of the knights who was on hippogriff chick babysitting duty mainly because they had armor and aura to protect themselves. Otherwise, any normal person was liable to lose some fingers dealing with the hippogriff chicks.

“About an hour ago.” the knight on duty replied

“Alright, at least they have one less thing to be cranky about.” Baron Wyldebane said as he unclipped a pouch from his side and flipped it open to reveal many small glass vials strapped to the leather pouch.

“Let's see here,” Baron Wyldebane muttered to himself as he pulled out and wore his monocle, “pegasus, sabercat, dire wolf, behemoth, roc, capricorn, war hog, griffin, Ah! Here we go, hippogriff.” he said as he pulled out the small vial.

He then turned to us and said, “Sorry in advance for the smell. I am going to need a bath and a change of clothes after this.”