While Shira, Toni and Jody were occupied in settling down in Vedronia, Lord Austin and Robb roamed the wondrous valleys of Mistwich in search for a little clue which might lead them towards their aspired goal.

Mistwich, one of the five kingdoms in Aribon was famous for it's humongous mountains and centuries old petrified dragon eggs which the royal family always had up for showcase in events.

Like all the other kingdoms in Aribon, Mistwich also withdrew itself from Empire's Bay rule after Queen Barbara's exit and became an independent kingdom.

At noon, Lord Austin and Robb went knocking from one house to another and from one valley to another looking for clues until they finally decided to take some rest.
They decided to wait at a caravansary right across the street they were at.

They entered the beautiful caravansary made of nothing but rocks and stones, the huge candles lit up the dining hall majestically, everyone looked extremely pleasant and content, the scene was a sight for Lord Austin and Robb's sore eyes. 
They occupied a table at the corner and observed everything around them.

"Are you well, My Lord?" Robb spoke as he stared at Lord Austin's face.

"Oh, yes, I'm quite well, just exhausted" he said "Get me wine, boy" Lord Austin commanded.

Robb was shocked, his eyes widened with curiosity as he asked "My Lord? Are you sure?"

"Why?! Can't a worn out man have a goddamn cup of wine?!?!" Lord Austin grouched.

Robb fell back and stuttered "Oh– no I didn't mean no disrespect, My Lord, I apologise... But I found it unusual of you asking for wine..."

"How on this goddamn earth is it unusual?!" Lord Austin grouched yet again.

"You never drink wine, my lord, I remember you telling me perspicuously that you loathe wine and those who consume it.." Robb said.

"I used to, now I don't, now go and get me some wine before I lose my temper, boy!!" Lord Austin banged his fists on the table.

"Right away, My Lord" Robb got up immidiately.

Robb got back with a glass of wine and Lord Austin threw away the glass as Robb placed it. "I don't want it anymore.." Lord Austin scratched his chin.

"But my Lord... We paid two coppers for the glass you just threw away.." Robb said while looking at the shattered pieces of the glass on floor.

"It is gone now" Lord Austin replied.

"My Lord, are you well? You're behaving so unusual..." Robb asked with curiosity.

"What could be wrong with me? I'm in perfect shape" Lord Austin scoffed.

"I'd reserve my comments.." Robb added and looked away.
Lord Austin sighed and looked at Robb "I am a little tired and worried about what destiny holds next for us."
Robb looked back "My Lord, you are the mightiest man I know, you have survived the worst possible era to live in...." He paused and looked back at Lord Austin "the man sitting in front of me is fearless, I wonder now why does he fear the destiny when he has always carved his own?"

Lord Austin scoffed "huh, you don't get to carve your own destiny all the time, do you realize that, boy?"
"No I don't" Robb smiled "All I know is that you have been through worse.. you have survived hell... You have come a long, long way, my lord... and that your fear of destiny is not going to stop us from achieving our goal"

Lord Austin smiled back "I wonder how do you become so wise sometimes when all you know is how to spit stupidity out of your mouth"
And they both burst into laughter.

Suddenly, the both of them stopped laughing and the atmosphere was filled with unusual silence..
Robb decided to break the unusual silence and said "oh, what a beautiful city, isn't it, my lord?"
Lord Austin gazed out of the window by their table "indeed, my boy, indeed it is"
They could see the tremendous mountains towering high with clouds hovering around them, the bright sun shining through the clear blue sky, the children running through the lush green fields and the women giggling together.

Robb looked back at Lord Austin "What now, My lord? It seems like our future queen has not been in Mistwich"

"We find a place to stay until tomorrow dawn, and then we will lay out our other plans"

"But... My lord... The caravansaries here are very extortionate... I'm afraid we don't have much coins to afford it..."

"I know just the place"

***
Lord Austin navigated the way while their horses troted and led them through the winsome green fields filled with sunflowers
Lord Austin whisteled as he saw a hut close by and the horses halted.
Mary... Lord Austin thought to himself as he dismounted his house and slowly started walking towards the hut.
Robb stared in surprise and tried to call Lord Austin out but he continued walking.. upon seeing this, Robb dismounted his horse too and followed him..
Lord Austin finally paused at the entrance of the hut and knocked.. a feminine voice screamed from within the hut... Will be there in a minute!
Lord Austin jumped back and suddenly started walking back and Robb screamed "My lord!"
Suddenly, the woman opened the door "yes, I'm here, how can I help you-"
Lord Austin turned around and the woman's jaw dropped "Sebastian?!?"
"Good afternoon, Mary" Lord Austin greeted, dripping with sweat, shakingly.

"Oh, heavens! I never thought I would see you again" Mary's blue eyes tinkled with tears.. "Well, what on Earth are you doing out there, in you come!" She jumped with excitement.
She turned towards Robb "and.. who might this young man be?"

"Robb. His name is Robb" Lord Austin said, shaking still.

"Oh, well, just get in now already, you two!" She led them inside the hut.

"Perhaps, a little afternoon tea for you both? You look exerted!" Mary exclaimed as they sat down in the living room.

Lord Austin stuttered "N-no, we're- we are well"

"Sebastian... I understand... We are meeting after decades... But I'm still the same Mary you knew ages ago.."
Lord Austin's eyes sparkled as his gaze met hers.

"I missed you, Mary.."

"Oh, Austin-"

"Aunt Mary!! Aunt Mary!!" A child came running through the door
"My baby!" Mary exclaimed as the brunnete-haired boy jumped in her arms. "You have to scold Josh.. he won't let me play with his dog!"

"Later, my love, we have guests over right now, go, run along" the boy rushed outside the door.

Lord Austin got up "Mary... I know you expect answers to a lot of questions that are going on in your head... But I really need your help"

"You show up years later.. and still nothing has changed about you.. Austin... I will always be here to help you.." Mary smiled.

"We need a place to stay"

"Of course.. Austin.. you may stay"
Mary started walking towards the kitchen.

"Mary... We are grateful to you" Lord Austin said.

Mary smiled and walked away.

Robb whispered "My Lord, who is this beautiful lady?.."
"One of the things I sacrificed for Empire's Bay" Lord Austin sighed.

Sorry for being lazy asf guys... Btw happy summer to y'all! Expect regular updates now. :)
Love, Disha.