.
A/N: Today is a backstory on the first time Sterling met Merrick and how their bond of friendship was formed. It is vital to the story.
.
Sterling stood on the second-floor veranda, his hands on the stone banister, looking out over the fortress's keep and those who were under his command. He observed as servants and knights moved about in an orderly fashion, working on their tasks for the day. Everton made him feel a sense of pride every time he laid his eyes on it. He and a core group of knights raised this place from nothing.
When King Minbury had first given him the fife, he was appalled at its condition. The ancient fortress was nothing more than a ruin.
However, in a year's time, the group of rag-tag Roguemont knights had made major repairs to Everton's fortifications. After that, they made their skills and services in monster hunting available to the empire, earning them riches like no others had seen.
