by Ulysses Troy
Gavise opened his two arms, and lifted his eyebrows. “How the hell should I know? As I stated before, I could, actually, if only you had not ruined my plan.”
“To be honest, you could be dead if I hadn’t been here to ‘ruin’ your plans, Gavise. The men of LaPellás, they attacked the Brotherhood for some dark reason, not to save our lives. It was just coincidence and a little of luck that they were here with us at the same time. If I hadn’t been there at all, the Black Knight might have killed you as he killed every single man in the castle, even the ones who were not related to the Brotherhood.” Like the prisoners.
And finally, Gavise gave Conrad the credit, though not in words but with his expression. That was enough for Conrad to get it. “I can’t quite understand that man.” Gavise took a bite from the red apple, half red and half green. “He appears not to be on good terms with his Baron cousin. Yet, he just shows up here to fight a duel of honor on his wish. And for what? Only to be used as a puppy by the Lady.”
“I am not surprised you have not gotten the reason by now.” Conrad laughed. “Don’t you understand? He is doing all of these because of Chanel. And I doubt if he has a problem with being a puppy to her.” I bet that’s what he wants.
Gavise was surprised. “Chanel has the look of an untouched maid from the holy heaven with an angel’s blood in her sacred veins, but even I can’t be dumb enough to do all of these to be with a bright goddess.”
Conrad looked at his friend. “This is not one of your short-lived whims. I think he really loves her.”
“I doubt if he had a hard time falling in love with her.”
“Well, at least she did not enamor you, seeing as you have a special thing for blondes.” Conrad paused. “Wait, that’s actually quite interesting. Did you hit your head somewhere Gavise, or have you just started to grow up?”
Gavise of Beocur smiled. “Chanel is a piece of art. Her beauty is a spark in the darkest night, outshining all the light of the stars. And her voice, as far as I was able to hear, is a love song from a sweet lute. But stepping on the Black Knight’s way? Hell no, I have already made plenty of enemies for this life, and I am pretty sure it is the only one that I’ve got.” Gavise took a sip from his wine.
“And apart from that, I would not still consider her as a good match. Despite how good she looks, she is a vile woman.”
“Yes, even I heard some rumors about her intrigues.” Gavise said while watching the grate. “And no, this is no good omen this time.”
***
“We must go to the plains,” Conrad said to Gavise after chatting for an hour. “But no one must see the Baron like this. Do you know how we can shorten the path?”
“Shorten? Why would we need to do that?” Gavise said. “Vincent has a cart carrying wheat to the feast. He may sneak you into the plains.”
“Vincent?”
“He is just outside the shack, gardening near the flowers. He must be hearing us. Vincent!” Gavise called towards the window. In a glance, a middle-aged man with rather an interesting expression on his face appeared on the window.
“Yes!’ He shouted.
“Can you take us to the plains with your cart?”
“Whaaaat!?”
Gavise looked at Conrad’s face. “Spare him for that, he is a bit deaf.” Then turned to Vincent again. “Can you take us to the plains!?”
“Yes!”
“See?” Gavise said to Conrad. “I have said he could.”
“But only at the right price!”
“You fuc . . . I mean how much, Vincent!?”
“A half hundred tourins would do that!”
“What was that Vincent? I can’t hear you well, ten tourins?!”
“I said half-hundred!”
Gavise turned to Conrad. “And they say he is deaf.” Then, he turned to Vincent again. “Well, we don’t have that kind of mon . . .”
“I will arrange that.” Conrad interfered. Merlon would gladly pay for a cart that will carry his lord towards death. And himself, too.
***
The previous day, during the fight in Unac’h Dorn, he could easily have died. Even a rusty arrow or a broken spear could have done it, end his only life with death, permanently and with no hope of return. Yet, just like a hundred fights he had fought, he had managed to survive the Dark Angel’s never-ending attempts to seize his soul, and continued to breathe. For one more time, I prevented him from harvesting my soul, but for how long? He was not trying to escape from the bitter death. Conrad knew someday he would die and be buried under the ground, as death was the ultimate fate of the mortal. He was just trying to make sure it wouldn’t come by steel.
And the day before, at Unac’h Dorn, the sweet hands of luck had not only touched him but also his company. Even though he was denying that it was a rescue, Gavise had been rescued and was safe and sound at the plains. Merlon, the servant who Conrad was deeply thankful to for succoring them at the eleventh hour when the hope had abandoned them to their cruel fate. And Edmond, after he was seriously injured from his leg by Retlaff’s sinister sword, Conrad was worried that the young Baron might lose too much blood before they could get proper help. But thanks to the Holy One, they had managed to get to the village of Hoél before Edmond’s situation got worse, and the hag who had once cursed Edmond with her harsh words had dressed his wounds this time, without hesitation. All to the good, she was an experienced herbalist and succeeded in stopping the young Baron’s bleeding. After treating him, she gave them a bag of herbs and showed Merlon how to use them to cure the wound. But even though Merlon would not agree with that, the hardest part was not keeping Edmond alive. It was sneaking the injured Baron into the Plains, as he did not want to be seen there injured, since this kind of accident could easily attract attention, and also might cause rumors about how the young Baron got himself injured avoid facing the Black Knight, labeling him a coward and staining his honor. So, to pass the guards without awakening suspicion, they had to switch his clothes with Gavise’s and present him to the guards on watch as an unlucky bard who had gotten robbed by some bandits along the road, even though it was not easy, since Gavise was a lot shorter than Edmond. They had to lie brazenly about how Edmond had gotten caught by the rain and his clothes shrunk.
If it had been up to the Baron, he would rather have faced Evrard even though his wounded leg was preventing him from walking. A duel like this would only end with his death and would lower Edmond’s chances against the Black Knight, which were already too low. Sometimes I think the servant is right about him. That’s why Conrad made Merlon give him some opium. Under the effect of the opium, The young Baron was sleeping in his tent, under the guard of his loyal servant. He is safe as long as he is asleep; otherwise, will ultimately make sure to show up in the contest as promised, no matter how wounded he is.
Conrad found his friend near the tavern’s exterior walls, sitting on a wooden crate and apparently struggling with something. He approached him and rested his back on the tavern’s wooden wall, crossing his arms.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Are you blind?” Gavise showed the lute in his hands, it was a new one. “I am preparing to perform at the feast.”
“It seemed as if there were enough bards for the feast, at least to me.” Conrad said. “Like ten of them an inch.”
“Yet none of them are the famed Gavise of Beocur: the wandering bard and part-time hero. Defender of the innocent, savior of the kingdoms, lover of the ladies.”
“Really, ’cause I don’t remember if Lady Chanel hired him. She could easily hire somebody worse if she wanted to listen to some disgrace.” Conrad laughed.
“No, she did not hire me, but that does not matter.” Gavise said, ignoring Conrad’s laugh. “I call it ‘using the opportunity’ Conrad. I also recommend it to you. It also helps with the ladies a lot. And I don’t have to get hired to make coins. A bard always has numerous ways to gain coins, especially when he is surrounded by that much of a noble and sitting pre
tty crowd.”
“Well, if you still insist . . .”
“Conrad, do you have any idea about how this feast is able to help me to make a respectable profit as a talented and famous bard? Feasts like these are my ordinary scene!” He shook his head with disappointment. “After all those years we have traveled together, your mind has not improved one bit.”
“If you want to make a profit from this feast, you better test your chances at being a gigolo. I am sure you would be quite popular among rich noblewomen . . . blinded by age.”
“You could be a mediocre bard if you used your mouth for something more reasonable and useful than roasting me with stupid comments, Conrad. Now, if you would excuse me, I have to continue with my hard work as I am in the middle of a creative process right now.” He bragged. “I’m writing a new love ballad, just for this feast.”
Conrad was surprised. “Wait, do you really expect to finish it by the time of feast?”
Gavise smiled. “My friend, you should never underestimate my effective skills. I am no ordinary bard.”
“Yes, you are far too bad to be one.”
“Say what you want to say, but tonight,t he plains will be full of applause for me and my new masterpiece.”
“See you too, Gavise. And good luck with . . .”
“Don’t!” Gavise made a hand gesture to prevent Conrad from speaking further. “You know what happened the last time you wished me good luck.” Of course, the ox shit.
“Then I wish you not bad luck.” Conrad left Gavise there, alone with himself, and walked towards the entrance of the tavern. After the what had happened in Unac’h Dorn, he had to talk with her, learn the cause of their attack, if it was possible. So, he moved to the upper floors to reach the Lady’s quarters. He had some questions to ask and some answers to get. One way or another.
***
The Lady’s room smelled of high-quality perfume. Cherry smell, popular among the noble ladies these days. They talked quite a while, yet Conrad was not able to get the answer that he had been seeking.
“Ser Conrad, I’m actually surprised, you are acting like a little boy. Did you really think my men did not notice your presence at the castle?” Chanel said while looking into his eyes. She smiled. She was smiling a lot, just like usual. She must know how good her smile is, and how distracting.
“You still have not answered my question, my lady.” Conrad said, trying to ignore the Lady’s tease. “Why were your men there?”
“To meet the Brotherhood with justice, that’s what a Lady must do, protect her subjects from vile outlaws.”
“Then, if you knew their location already, why didn’t you attack them earlier?”
“Ah, Ser Conrad, you are good with questions, more than I would have guessed.” Chanel stopped smiling for a moment. “I did it for a reason, still a good one, and you should be thankful to me.”
Conrad did not believe her but acted as if he did. Thanks to the Holy One, he was good at acting, at least sometimes. “You saved us, why?” He said while following her moves with his eyes. The woman slowly approached him from near the grate she had been watching. And then she smiled again. That poisonous smile of hers.
“His mother isn’t the only one who thinks the young Baron must be taken care of. It would be so unfortunate for all that effort and preparation to see his death before the contest.”
Contest, this bloody contest. “How do you know about . . .”
“Let’s just say I am good at making people speak.” Merlon, you greedy pig. It could not be someone else, as the three were the only ones who knew about their little journey towards the Brotherhood’s hideout. And Merlon, he would gladly give their little secret to the Lady for some coins. Or maybe even eggs.
“What about Ser Evrard? Does he care about the young Baron’s life as graciously as you do?” Conrad said. He was the one to be used as your sword after all.
“Evrard?” The beautiful woman swiftly smiled while covering her mouth with her hand. “No, I asked him to help my men. I doubt if he cares about Baron Edmond at all.”
And for a reason you asked him to kill every single inhabitant in the castle, innocent or guilty. Because you did not want to leave any witnesses. Sometimes, women are dangerous. Beauty can easily be more deadly than any poison in a shrewd and able woman’s hands. Especially in the hands of someone like her.
***
The inn was even more alive than it had been the night before. Conrad saw some new heraldry on the Guest’s expensive clothes. It appeared that Lady Chanel’s noble guests just kept coming and coming, to see the contest in person, from all across the Northern Baltaire.
Conrad sat at a random table, just to be removed by the table’s real owner immediately afterwards. Then, he searched a bit for a servant to get help with finding himself a suitable place to sit, in all the chaos made by drunk nobles and noisy instrumentalists. He was just about to curse one of the musicians for gathering a crowd around himself and blocking his way, but then, suddenly he saw that the musician was his best friend, Gavise of Beocur. He cursed him anyway.
When he finally paid him and his voice more attention, he realized he was singing a song, the new song of his. To be honest, Conrad was surprised to see Gavise finally manage to achieve something he claimed he would do, as Conrad never expected his friend to finish his song in time for the feast. Gavise was a man of empty promises after all. But there was one thing that surprised him even further.
The song was actually good. Even though Gavise always tended to exaggerate his talents and saw himself as a living piece of legend, and Conrad preferred to deny the fact, he was not bad at all as a bard. Gavise had a natural talent for the art of poetry and an advanced knowledge of music to help him while creating new songs. Yet, he was one of the laziest persons Conrad had ever known, and his mastership in the art of speech was not based on hard work, but sole talent. For a moment, Conrad joined the crowd and listened to Gavise’s song.
I don’t know if I ever saw another
Another with eyes like yours
They make my heart burn
And eventually turn
My mind into a fool’s
That bright smile of yours
Is slowly poisoning my heart
While the others are looking
at you to see your body
I look at you for your soul
That’s what I want to see
I know it makes me a fool, destined to lose
Only to lose
But my heart is tied until you’ll give me your bitter lips
Yes, your bitter lips
I love you my darling
But how much time do I have left?
To be killed by your love
Yes, by your bitter love
’cause your lies and sincere words
Oh, my darling, they are killing me
They are all a bitter dagger to my heart
Slaying me wild, and tearing me apart
But if it is the risk I must take
I will take it, love, just for your sake
I know it makes me a fool, destined to lose
Only to lose
But my heart is tied until you’ll give me your bitter lips
Yes, your bitter lips
Oh my dear God, I am sorrowful
What have I done to you so sinful
To be punished with her ruthless silence
Which is more painful than any kind of violence
Take my head with an ax from my shoulders
Give an order to see me getting cut into the pieces
But don’t look at me love, don’t look at me love
The way you are looking at me right now
It’s my destiny, loving you so desperately
I know it makes me a fool, destined to lose
Only to lose
But my heart is tied until you’ll give me your bitter lips
Yes, your bitter lips
After Gavise was finally finished, a great
flood of applause coming from all present surrounded him. It looks as if they liked that one. People cried praises and called for another turn, but no matter how much he loved this attention and wanted it to keep going on, Gavise had to make room for another bard. After he descended from the wooden table that he was standing on, he quickly spotted Conrad in the great crowd of men and women. He approached his friend with a cheerful smile on his face.
“Hey, Conrad! It’s good to see you there, among the men of taste!” He patted Conrad’s left shoulder while turning towards the people. “Now, be a good friend and find me a suitable lady to seduce.” He quickly explored the tavern with his eyes, searching for a woman of beauty.
“I suppose I have better things to do.” Conrad said. “Especially when it comes to being a pimp.”
Gavise seemed to be resentful. “You know I have been through a lot lately. At least do that much for me!”
“Yeah, like it was not me who saved your ass again, for the thousandth time, just yesterday. And a suitable lady? I thought your heart was still beating only for sweet Giselé.”
“After she snitched me to her ruthless and sadistic father? The one who sleeps with a poisoned, unsharpened blade set?” Gavise seemed to be surprised. “No, thanks. Love, as a whole, is totally a painful and masochistic process Conrad, but even I have some limits for my own good.”
Having no answer to give, Conrad just shrugged his shoulders.
“Beautiful, isn’t she? I call her ‘Bitter Love’.” Gavise said, meaning his latest song.
“Well, it ended up being better than I expected. At least nobody threw you a piece of ox shit this time.”
“That, my friend, was a great unpleasantness that only happened once and will never happen again. Under normal circumstances, an elite and highly standardized bard like me doesn’t face such events.”
“If you say so.” Conrad moved his eyes through the tavern, and they caught Evrard de Wellon, who was sitting at the same table as Lady Chanel. “That new song of yours . . . I hope Evrard doesn’t realize that you took the inspiration from his passion for Chanel.”
“Who said I took the inspiration from him?” Gavise smiled. “Evrard is not the only fool around here, my friend. Your stupidity can give me the inspiration I need, too.”