Two days later.
Linley took leave from the institute and, bringing the blade case and Bebe, boarded a carriage back to Wushan Town early that morning.
The trip that usually took half a day on foot took only two hours by carriage.
Wushan Town was the same as ever. Dirt roads, wooden houses, people working in the distant fields. The carriage entered the town, and as it passed the new blacksmith shop, the clang of hammers rang out from inside.
Linley lifted the curtain and glanced outside.
He was almost home.
Hillman had just finished that morning's training and was sending the children home. He looked up and saw a carriage stop outside the Baruch Clan's manor.
A familiar figure climbed out. The young man carried a large wooden case on his back, and a black rat stood on his shoulder.
Linley?
Hillman froze for a moment. Hadn't he just left for the Ernst Institute? Why was he back?
He hurried over. "Linley? Did something happen? Didn't classes just start? Why are you back?"
"I'm fine, Uncle Hillman." There was a hint of barely contained excitement in Linley's voice. "Where's my father? Is he home?"
"My lord is inside attending to business," Hillman said.
"All right, I understand. Thank you, Uncle Hillman."
With the blade case on his back, Linley strode inside.
Hillman followed, his head full of questions.
Hogg was looking through the account books in his study.
The Baruch Clan's lands were small, and the taxes they collected were meager. Every expenditure had to be carefully calculated. The money Linley had brought back had to go toward the children's development. He couldn't touch it.
He looked down at the figures, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Father! Father!"
The shouts came from outside.
Hogg paused. *Linley? Hadn't he