Edmund let the conversation settle, then dismissed him to get ready.
Owen went back to his quarters with Hugh, and the preparations started in earnest.
Agnes was already waiting. Eleanor had clearly spoken to her, because she had the formal clothes for the ball laid out and ready.
The coat was dark charcoal, tailored and embroidered in silver along the collar and cuffs. A fitted shirt, matching trousers and polished black boots went with it. The Ferrers crest sat on the coat, enough to mark which house he belonged to without any excess decoration.
"That’s very formal," Owen said.
"It’s an imperial ball, Young Master," Agnes said. "Your training clothes won’t do."
"I don’t mind dressing properly. I just want to be able to move in it."
"It was chosen with that in mind." She held up the coat. "Try it on, please. I’d like to check the fit before the rest of your things are packed."
Owen put it on and rolled his shoulders to test the material. It was comfortable, more than he had expected.
Agnes watched him raise his arm and frowned slightly. "The left sleeve sits tighter than the right when you lift it." She marked the spot with a pin. "I’ll have it adjusted."
"I hadn’t even noticed."
"You would have," Agnes said, "halfway through the ball."
Owen found he appreciated that. Having a personal maid, it turned out, involved a great deal more than someone leaving clothes outside his door.
After that, Agnes began packing his travelling belongings: several changes of clothes, formal accessories, ordinary footwear, toiletries and the rest of his personal necessities. Owen went through the items with her and added a few requests of his own, mostly for comfortable clothes to travel in and something suitable in case he wanted to practice during the stops.
Agnes paused with a folded shirt in her hands. "We’re going to an imperial celebration, Young Master. Not another monster subjugation."
"I know."
"But you’re not going to stop training for the whole journey, are you?"
"Probably not."
She sighed and made room for his training clothes.
Hugh came back later that afternoon. He had spent most of the day at the departure grounds with Mercer.
"The escort and the carriages are being prepared, Young Master," he reported. "The soldiers are checking their equipment and their horses, and the supplies are being confirmed now. The travel crates are being loaded, and the coachman has been going over the carriage fittings for tomorrow."
"And my things?"
"They’ll go with the appropriate supplies. Captain Mercer is organizing the escort himself."
"What’s the route?" Owen asked.
"Overland toward the capital, Young Master. We’ll pass through several settlements and stop where we need to, for rest, supplies and lodging. The route leaves enough time to reach the capital before the ball."
"Will there be a chance to see any of the places we pass through?"
"Short stops can be arranged where the schedule and security allow," Hugh said. "Unnecessary delays might affect our arrival, though."
Owen accepted that. He was looking forward to seeing more of Asteria than the estates and military camps he had known so far.
The rest of the afternoon went into ordinary preparation. Agnes finished going through his belongings, Hugh confirmed the last of the arrangements, and Owen spent some time on his own cultivation before turning in for the night.
The next morning, Owen dressed in comfortable travelling clothes and got ready to leave his quarters.
Agnes knocked and waited for his answer before coming in. "Your luggage has been taken down to the carriage, Young Master. Is there anything you want to keep close during the journey?"
Owen checked once more. "No. I’m ready."
They left his quarters together and went down through the residence toward the main entrance.
The household was already busy. Servants moved through the corridors preparing breakfast and seeing to their duties, and several greeted Owen as he passed. Near the entrance, the sounds of the estate grew louder: horses shifting in their harnesses, soldiers talking among themselves and the scrape of wooden crates being dragged across stone.
Owen stepped outside and found the travelling party assembled in front of the residence.
A large, elegant carriage stood near the entrance. It was built of polished dark wood with silver fittings, and the Ferrers crest was displayed prominently on its doors. Dark trim framed its windows, and through them Owen could see upholstered seats with plenty of room for a long journey.
Several well-kept horses were harnessed to it, and the coachman was going over their equipment one last time.
Mounted Ferrers soldiers waited nearby in travelling armor bearing the family insignia. Their weapons and equipment were already secured, and they were finishing their final checks before taking up their positions around the carriage. A separate wagon behind them carried the extra luggage and supplies.
Owen took a moment to look it all over. He had travelled aboard the Ferrers airship, but this would be his first long journey by carriage along the imperial roads. The luxury didn’t overwhelm him. He was a Ferrers, and he had grown up around his family’s wealth. What interested him was the journey itself.
Hugh came over. "Everything is ready, Young Master. The soldiers have finished their equipment checks, and the coachman is waiting for permission to leave."
"Your belongings are all secured," Agnes added.
"Thank you, both of you."
Edmund, Eleanor and Gareth had gathered near the entrance to see him off, and Owen went over to them.
"Is everything ready?" Edmund asked.
"Hugh and Agnes have taken care of all of it."
"Good." Edmund looked at him for a moment. "Conduct yourself properly while you’re representing the house. And use this. Get to know the other families, and see more of the Empire while you’re there."
"I understand."
Eleanor came next. She looked him over, from his coat to his boots. "Are you comfortable? Has Agnes packed everything you’ll need?"
"She has."
"Good." She straightened his collar, which didn’t need straightening. "And don’t get so caught up exploring the capital that you forget to eat and rest properly."
"I’ll eat, Mother," Owen said. "Agnes will make sure of it, even if I forget."
That earned him a small smile. "Then I’ll rely on Agnes. Have a safe journey."
Gareth stepped forward last.
"Your first major imperial gathering," he said, "and no older brother to keep an eye on you."
"I think I can manage a few conversations and a formal dinner on my own."
"Remember you said that when you’re surrounded by nobles who care a lot more about politics and introductions than swordsmanship."
"I’m planning to enjoy myself."
Gareth grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. "Have a good journey."
"Take care of yourself on that assignment," Owen said.
"I always do."
Neither of them made more of it than that. Owen would be back once the ball was over.
He turned toward the carriage. Hugh went to take his place with the mounted escort, and Agnes followed Owen into the passenger compartment.
Owen climbed in and settled onto one of the upholstered seats. Agnes sat down across from him and made sure the smaller things they might need along the way were within easy reach.
Through the window, he could still see his parents and Gareth standing by the entrance. He raised a hand to them one last time.
Outside, Hugh confirmed that the party was ready. The coachman gathered the reins, and the horses started forward.
The carriage began to roll across the paved approach as the mounted soldiers fell into formation around it. Owen watched the familiar residence slowly shrink behind them.
Beyond the estate gates lay the long road to the Imperial Capital, with towns and settlements he had never seen, and at the end of it a gathering of noble heirs from all across Asteria.
The carriage passed through the gates, and Owen settled back into his seat, looking forward to the road ahead.