“Come on, Master Watson,” Eleenia said with a smirk. “Queen or rook? Which one are you going to lose first?”
“Don’t toy with me, girl!” Frustrated, he moved his queen out of the way.
El chuckled and captured his queen with another piece that moved diagonally all the way across the room.
The crowd gasped again.
Watson was practically growling. He captured the piece that had taken the queen.
El calmly then captured his rook.
Watson pounded on the table in frustration. “Damn it to hell!”
“Good thing you didn’t knock the pieces over with your fit. You would have forfeited.”
Her opponent moved another piece. “A woman has no place in a King’s Table tournament! You should be at home learning to take care of babies!”
El studied the board. “I don’t need to know about babies to spot an oncoming temper tantrum.” She moved another piece. “Checkmate.”
The crowd gave off sounds of profound disappointment, some men ripping up their betting tickets.
Watson stood up. “No! You cheated! I demand a rematch.”
El stood and bowed her head. “Next year, if you make it to the final game, you shall have one.”
“No, damn you! You distracted me! I demand one now!”
Janelle tightened the grip on her staff as her fight or flight instinct kicked in.
The caller raised his hand. “Winner and tournament champion, Eleenia Ki Kalendeen!”
Watson upended the table with a yell.
Eleenia backed up, victorious look turning to concern, as did the rest of the crowd.
Watson stepped in and grabbed Eleenia by the arm, twisting it.
Janelle swung her staff hard and hit Watson in the nose, breaking it. The loud snap could be heard throughout the room.
Holle grabbed Eleenia and pulled her out of the way.
“You dare lay a hand on my new friend?” Janelle said, standing in a defensive position.
“This ain’t your fight, Argos!”
“I’m making it my fight.”
Watson pulled out a dagger and swung.
Janelle spun her staff, knocking the swing wide. She then kicked him in the knee and jammed the end of her staff into his throat.
Watson went down hard, hand on his neck, trying to breathe.
Janelle turned to his bald friend. “And I believe you owe us some gold?”
Behind her, she heard movement. People’s eyes went wide. Out of instinct, she jumped to the side: however, the knife Watson had swung sliced along her left forearm, pain shooting through her.
Janelle began to see red. In a flurry of blows, she pummeled her outmatched opponent, landing strike after strike. Finally, she brought her staff up, hitting him hard in the groin.
The entire male population of the inn groaned.
“Janelle!” Holle yelled. There was a twang of a bow and the bald friend screamed out.
Janelle turned. He had tried to blackjack her, but Holle had shot him in the knee. Holle nocked another arrow, pointing it towards the crowd. “Anyone else?”
The door burst open.
“Town watch!” someone yelled.
People began to scatter, running out of the inn.
El was at her side in a heartbeat. Grabbing a clean cloth napkin, she gently wrapped it around Janelle’s wounded arm. “Come on. We need to get you fixed up.”
A watchman approached them, “Alright, what happened here?”
Four people began speaking at once, pointing at Janelle and Holle.
“Excuse me,” Eleenia interrupted, chin held high. “These brave women came to my defense when that lout attacked me after losing the tournament. This woman is wounded, and I need to tend to her immediately.”
The watchman looked to his supervisor who nodded. “Alright, you can go. But you,” he said to Holle, who still had her bow out, “I need to have a word with you.”
“Everyone not involved must leave,” the town watch commander said. “The Scholar’s Inn is now closed for the day!”
“Closed?!?” the blonde barmaid said. “Commander, I must protest! My husband and I need to make a living!”
“Come on,” El said. She led Janelle out of the Inn.
Janelle noticed her blood was splattering a bit through the napkin as Eleenia held pressure on the wound. “Oh, sorry! I’m getting blood on your beautiful dress!”
“I can always buy a new dress. Now, the infirmary is on the other side of the University. Maybe we can…”
“I live two blocks away, and I’ve got plenty of stitching kits!”
El blinked. “You do?”
“My father and brother are members of the Free Company.”
Another well-dressed lad, who looked to be about nineteen, came jogging over. He had thick brown hair and had an aristocratic look about him. “El, what happened?”
“Joshua! Some oaf threw a tantrum when I beat him at King’s Table. This is Janelle Argos. She came to my aid and subdued him, but she was wounded. I need to get her home. Also, a bald man who took an arrow to the knee owes us fifty gold. Oh, and a red-haired Caledonian girl wearing a yellow and black kilt assisted in my defense.”
Joshua smiled and bowed his head to Janelle. “Thank you for your intervention on behalf of Eleenia. You two go get her stitched up. Don’t worry, El. I’ll straighten things out of with the town watch and make sure Miss Argos gets her gold.” He opened the door of the inn and darted inside.
“Which way to your house?” El asked.
Janelle motioned north and the two headed off, Eleenia still keeping pressure on her wound. “Who was that Joshua fellow?”
“Joshua Branvold. He is next in line to be the Lord of Kheog.”
“Really? He seemed so… I don’t know… normal.”
“He’s a good man, and a dear friend. And if he says he is going to make sure you get your gold, then count yourself richer.”
They arrived at her house. Within fifteen minutes, Eleenia had her wound stitched and cleaned.
“You know,” El said, wrapping her arm in a bandage. “You are extremely skilled with the staff. Have you ever considered teaching anyone?”
“Um, no, I haven’t.”
“If you are willing, I would very much like to learn how to fight. I’ll pay you, of course! And teach you something in return!”
“To read and write?” Janelle asked, excitedly.
“If you’d like.”
Janelle nodded. “How’s three silver a lesson sound, as many times a week as you’d like?”
Eleenia tied off the bandage. “Deal! Now, mind if I make us some tea?”
“Have at it!” She watched as Eleenia, a noble woman, made her way around the kitchen, obviously not a stranger to taking care of herself. Another belief about nobles confounded, and here she was, waiting on a commoner!
Janelle sat back and smiled. Not only was she richer in terms of money, she would finally learn to read, to make a positive contribution to someone’s life, and most of all, she felt like she had made a very good new friend. All in all, it was an excellent day.
* * * * * *
The winterized carriage rolled along the village road towards the gate that marked the entrance to the city of Kheog. David Ki Kalendeen, a boy of fourteen, looked out of the window up at the city’s walls. It was one of two times a year he and his family made the three-day journey to visit the city to spend some time with the Branvolds, the family of Lord Zareth Branvold, Lord of Kheog.
The gate guard noticed the sigil on the carriage, nodded to the driver, and ushered him and his four passengers inside.
David leaned back. Directly across from his was his blonde-haired older brother, Alexander Ki Kalendeen IV, the next in line for the lordship of the city of Lystra. Their black-haired, green-eyed mother sat next to him wringing her handkerchief,
Lady Arianna Ki Kalendeen. On David’s left sat his father, Lord Alexander Ki Kalendeen III, former Lord General of His Majesty’s armies. That was until the king had died. His heir, King Nicolae, who now sat on the throne of Elgannan in the city of River’s End, had a huge falling out with Lord Alexander over his marriage to the king’s sister, his mother.
“So I hear that Joshua Branvold has graduated and is due home any day now,” Arianna said.
David’s brother smiled. “Good. I’ve missed him.”
David shook his head. When Alexander and Joshua were together, they always teamed up on David and his best friend, Liam Branvold, also fourteen years of age.
Lord Alexander gave David a sidewise look, noticing the head shake. “I don’t want this to be a repeat of every other time we seem to get together. Can you two please, PLEASE, keep the antics down this time?”
“I will make and keep the same promise I always make. I shall start nothing,” David said.
Their dad glared at Alexander.
“Father, don’t take his side! I’m innocent of these accusations!”
Lord Alexander chuckled. “Just remember, Mareth already has agreed to marry you. There is no further need to impress her by tormenting David and Liam.”
“And Lady Branvold and I have a lot to discuss if we are going to pull this wedding together in three months,” Lady Arianna chimed in, a hint of worry in her voice.
David’s attention turned back to the outside. The city of Kheog was a center for trade and agriculture, unlike Lystra, which was industrial. The wheel-and-spoke pattern of Kheog’s streets also contrasted to Lystra’s grid layout. Kheog was also an older and larger city. David looked at the commoners going about their daily lives. Occasionally, one would meet his gaze and wave. David always waved back. If there was one thing his father had drilled into his head, it was that people, no matter what their station in life, deserved respect. And that gold earned is more worthy than gold inherited.
“So I got a Pigeon Post from Eleenia,” Lord Alexander said.
Their mother perked up. “Oh? What did she say?”
“She won a King’s Table tournament, and made a few new friends. One of them is the daughter of a Captain in the Free Company. She is going to teach El how to fight with a staff.”
“Hmph,” Alexander said.
Their father glanced at Alexander, but did not address the comment.
“I say good for her,” David added.
Father smiled and patted David on the back.
Truth of the matter was that he missed his sister. El was David’s best friend, and his partner in crime. She was definitely the most intelligent of the four Ki Kalendeen children.
“I’m guessing Gabriel didn’t approve,” Mother said.
Their father shrugged. “It’s Gabriel. What are you going to do?”
David chuckled. While he hadn’t been close to his older brother Gabriel, who had left to become a Holy Defender, he still respected him. However, David was amused with his black and white view of things.
David’s mother visibly shuddered.
“Is something wrong, dear?” Lord Alexander asked.
“I don’t know. Just an odd feeling came over me. Like this is the final time I am going to visit Kheog.”
Lord Alexander chuckled. “I’m sure it’s just nerves over planning the wedding.”
Arianna nodded. “You’re probably right.”
The great central market of Kheog came into view, where people would come from all over the countryside and villages to buy or sell their goods. Beyond that was Castle Branvold. Among the guards and servants by the front doors of the castle, two people waited: Mareth Branvold, Alexander’s fiancé and the future Lady Ki Kalendeen, and David’s best friend, Liam, bouncing in place.
Lord Alexander glanced out his own window. “I don’t like the look Liam has in his eyes. He looks a little too eager to go looking for trouble. David, I want you and Liam to carry the big trunk up to the guest suites.”
Alexander smirked.
“Yes, Father,” David replied. He knew better than to complain. Their father always would lecture them on how their station in life was a matter of chance, and it made them no better than anyone else, in spite of being nobility. A complaint over manual labor would certainly bring on a lecture.
The stage came to an abrupt halt. Servants opened the door and began unloading the luggage on the roof.
A blast of cold air from outside hit David. He pulled his cloak more tightly around himself.
“My sweet Mareth!” Alexander said as Mareth threw herself on him.
“I’ve missed you so much, love!” the brown haired Mareth said. They began to kiss deeply.
David looked away, his attention caught by the large trunk that two servants struggled to haul down from the roof.
Lord Alexander helped Arianna down from the carriage as he addressed the trunk- carrying servants. “I want my son and Liam to carry that trunk.”
“Yes, Lord Ki Kalendeen,” the servants said, obviously relieved. They gently set the trunk down.
Liam stopped bouncing and looked to be ready to protest.
“Good afternoon, Ki Kalendeens!” Lord Zareth Branvold said, exiting the castle. He was three fingers taller than David’s father, with short cropped brown hair. He shook Lord Alexander’s hand and gave Arianna a friendly hug. “Come on! I have all your rooms ready…” his voice trailed off as he led David’s parents into the castle.
David exited the carriage and stretched.
“David!” Liam said excitedly. “Good to see you! What do you want to do first?”
He glanced sideways, David saw that Alexander and Mareth were still kissing. Good. Maybe they would stay distracted.
“Let’s get this trunk business out of the way.”
Liam sighed and took one end of the trunk. David took the other and they lifted.
“God’s wounds! What did your mother pack in here? Bricks?” Liam asked.
“Aww, what’s the matter, girls? Is the little trunk too heavy?” Alexander asked mockingly.
Mareth laughed.
Alexander walked over to the pair. “Here, let me give you a HAND!” He reached down the back of either of their pants, grabbed hold of their smallclothes, and pulled up.
“Ow!” Liam yelled.
David merely winced in pain and sighed.
“Enjoy picking that one out, Pudd!” Alexander said, using his derogatory nickname for David.
Mareth laughed all the harder.
“You are going to regret that,” David said emotionlessly.
“Alexander,” David’s father called from inside the castle. “Leave them alone. Come on!”
Alexander and Mareth walked inside the castle, both laughing.
David shook his head. “Come on. Let’s get this upstairs. Then we’ll plot our retribution.”
An evil smirk crossed Liam’s face as the two began to carry the heavy trunk up to the guest suites.
“So I heard Joshua was due back soon,” David said as they hauled the trunk up the steps.
Liam rolled his eyes. “He got in this morning. Started bragging how he saved Eleenia from two ruffians who got violent when she beat one at King’s Table.”
“Um, from what I understand, her new commoner friends did. Two girls. One is the daughter of a Captain in the Free Company, and the other is a red-headed Caledonian Highlander.”
Liam perked up. “Ooh, I like redheads!”
“Maybe this Equinox when we start University, we can meet them.”
Liam chuckled. “You and your thing for strong women. Mother is going to be seriously disappointed if you don’t at least try to make something happen with Serena.”
“Never going to happen. Skipping University to go to that finishing school? That just screams high maintenance and drama. Besides, she has a thing for Alexander.”
“Who is going to be married to my othe
r sister in three months.”
The two heaved the chest to the landing on the second floor.
Liam wiped his brow. “Mind if we rest a few minutes?”
David shrugged. “Sure.” Leaning against the wall, David observed several servants going about their business, a woman collecting linens, and a grimy chimney sweep, with his cart filled with soot and ashes, brushes hanging from hooks on the side. An idea formed in his head.
“Excuse me, Mister Sweep, sir?”
The sweep raised his eyebrows, amused. “Oh, sir, is it? What can I do for you, m’lord?”
“Can we have a bag of your ashes?”
A large smile grew on Liam’s face as understanding of David’s revenge plot dawned on him.
The sweep shrugged and began filling a sack with ashes. “Do I want to know what this is for?”
“A matter of honorable retribution,” David said with a smirk.
“Ha!” the sweep said. He filled the bag to the brim and handed it to David. “Good hunting, m’lord.”
David bowed and set the sack aside. “Thank you, sir.
“Come on, let’s get this trunk settled.”
Five minutes later, the pair returned to the sack, which David picked up. “Do you think they’ll be out in the stables yet?”
Liam laughed. “Of course. We should get a bucket of water first.”
“Yeah, fresh from the shallow well, so it is nice and cold!”
David followed his friend, bag of ashes in hand, as he made his way towards the kitchen.
“So how’s Gabriel doing?” Liam asked.
David shrugged. “Fine, I suppose. He wrote to Mother last week. I guess one of the two other initiates he has been assigned with keeps running his mouth and getting them all into trouble.”
“Isn’t his mentor someone from the upper crust?”
David nodded. “Tobias Endicott. His father is King Tyral, the king of Aragil, another fellow middle child. He and Gabriel get along well. I guess the trouble maker in the group is the oldest grandson of old man Pinkerton.”
Liam raised his eyebrows. “Really? It’s not often you hear the oldest running off to be a Holy Defender.”
“It’s more frequent within commoner families, where the oldest doesn’t have a lot to inherit.”
“How about the third fellow?” Liam asked.“He is the middle son of Lord Rothschild, the Lord of Avonshire. Apparently he is a goody-goody and Gabriel is sure is going to pass all his tests.”
The pair arrived at the large castle kitchen. Currently, everyone was running around getting ready to serve the evening meal. The aromas of the cooking food made David’s mouth water. Trying to stay out of everyone’s way, they made their way past the great hearth, where a cook was basting two sides of beef, which looked almost ready.
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