Stephan was wide awake as the sun rose in the eastern sky. He stood on the balcony outside his fathers room looking over the Castle grounds as he finished dressing. Stephan knew these were dangerous times. Those people who had tried to eliminate his father were still about and would think nothing of killing a young knight like him. A creaking noise brought Stephan out of his dreamworld.
Four men entered the courtyard by the gate as Stephan looked down from the balcony. The creaking gate hinges gave their entry an erie feel. Their image was one of four men who were built to fight. Each weapon they carried were located for fast and easy use. Stephan smiled as he turned to meet them downstairs. Now, he mulled, a terrible price would be paid to harm him.
Stephan greeted the men and a period of arm clasps and brief hugs were exchanged between them. "Thank You for coming on such short notice," Stephan spoke aloud. The four men grinned as one of them announced, "for what we are being paid, Hell couldn't stop us." For the next hour, Stephan explained the layout of the castle grounds along with its shortcomings and it strengths. Each man studied the layout for the best defensive positions. "How many reserves do we have?" quieried Stephan. The answer was short. "26 knights with about 70 foot soldiers. They should be here in a week." Stephan nodded as he knew then the castle would be secure.
As the sun set Stephan looked down from the balcony at cook fires in the training area. Stephan looked up as he saw the Blackhawke banner fluttering in the evening breeze. Now it was evident that the castle wasn't an abandoned ruins any longer.