Chuck was leaned back with his arms crossed, eyebrows high on his forehead in surprise. Alden cleared his throat, “Alright, let’s take off nice and easy shall we?”
The young man clicked his tongue and the stallion jerked into a fast walk. Alden let him walk for a moment before slowing the horse down to a calmer pace. The young man let out a breath and spoke again, “Let’s pick it up a little. A nice easy trot.”
Alden tapped his heels to the horses side and the stallion started to trot. The young man steered the stallion, now much more relaxed under him, around the edge of the paddock as he touched his heels to the horse again and it started into a canter. There wasn’t enough space for a gallop but Alden could tell that the stallion was a powerful animal.
The young man let the horse canter around the track for a lap before slowing it to a trot and finally walked him over to the spot where Chuck stood. Alden dismounted and the stallion eyed him before bumping his head against Alden’s arm and snorting. The young man smiled at the animal before turning his attention to Chuck.
The old man smiled, “You got yourself a way with horses. First time I seen that stallion let someone ride it since I bought him.”
Alden returned the smile, “Animals like me. But that leaves us with two things. Money and a name.”
Chuck waved his hand, “Don’t worry about money. Like I said no one else can ride him.”
The young man shook his head, “How much do you want for the tack?”
The old man mulled it over, “Half a crown will do.”
Alden reached into his pocket and pulled out six crowns and handed them to Chuck, “I know he’s worth more but it’s what I can afford.”
The stable master took the money with a half smile, “That just leaves the name. Fellow I bought him off of called him sole-ear-oh-niether or something like that. I think it was that language the elves use.”
Alden smirked, “I thought you said he didn’t have a name.”
Chuck snorted, “That ain’t a name. That was a mess. Couldn’t find the bastard who sold him to me after I found out he couldn’t be ridden.”
The young man studied the animal for a long moment before saying, “I reckon I’ll call you Renegade.”
The stable master managed a smile, “Just glad you didn’t say Blacky.”
Alden chuckled and offered Chuck his hand. The old man eyed him for a moment before taking it and giving a firm handshake. The young man smiled, “Best of luck.”
Chuck stepped back, “And the same to you. Keep your wits about you, lad. I get the feeling you’re gonna need them.”
The young man mounted Renegade as Chuck opened the paddock gate and the black stallion walked out onto the street. The Second Trial was coming and Alden knew it wasn’t going to be as simple as the first.
Chapter 45 The Second Trial
A week later Warren stood on top of the Wall with Alden beside him. The other Cadets stood in a loose semi-circle around Sergeant Hunter. Each of the young Cadets were in their armor with their weapons hanging at their sides. Their horses were saddled and waiting below in the courtyard.
Sergeant Hunter cleared his throat, “As you know this is the second of your Trials. Winter is almost upon us and it is time for the King’s messengers to ride out and deliver his majesty’s word into the surrounding areas. You will each escort one of these messengers along their routes alongside a squadron from the Royal Army. Once you depart they are under your command and the soldiers answer to you. Do not let them push you around. Do not forget that for the duration of this ride you are permitted to behave as full members of the Royal Guard. Understood?”
A chorus of yeses rang out from the Cadets and he nodded, “Very well. The messengers and soldiers will be waiting for you at the Western Gate. They know who they are assigned to. I’ll see you all in about two weeks. Dismissed.”
Warren turned and let Alden lead the way down the stairs in front of them. A few flights of stairs and a brief walk later, someone needed to redesign this place, they reached the courtyard where there horses were tied. Alden had managed to find a fine, black stallion he had named Renegade. Warren had found a gelding chestnut named Gallius for thirteen crowns. He was a well trained and disciplined horse, whereas Renegade was just as strong but a little too spirited for Warren’s liking. But Alden could handle the stallion and Warren trusted him to keep Renegade under control. Alden hopped easily up into the saddle as Warren dragged himself upwards. He was starting to debate if the full plate was a good idea or not. The pair set out at an easy trot to find their charge.
Their assigne messenger was a man named Damien. He was short at about 5’6” and had beady eyes and a pinched face. The messenger wore fine clothes in the King’s colors and was well groomed. Warren didn’t like him too much, he seemed like the kind of person who would sell his own mother if it profited him. The big man accepted the fact. They both worked for the King and what the King wanted, the King received.
The leader of the soldiers cleared his throat, “Captain McCready, sir. We’ll be heading out as soon as you give the order, Knight.”
Warren glanced over at Alden who shrugged, “Ready when you are.”
Damien interrupted, “Just to be clear I am the one in charge here.”
The big man let out a breath and locked eyes with Damien, “Say the word then.”
The short messenger smiled, “First stop is the city of Washington.”
Damien spurred his horse into motion with Renegade and Gallius falling into step beside him. Warren signaled McCready, “Have two of your men ride vanguard.”
The Captain nodded, “Of course sir.”
The man fell back and called instructions to his men who started to ride out ahead but Damien stopped them, “What do you think you are doing?”
The men who had been riding out front glanced at each other and Warren sighed, “Following the orders their Captain gave. Which I told him to give.”
Damien turned to face Warren, “And what gives you that right, Knight.”
Warren bit his tongue but Alden snapped, “Listen. The lot of us have been charged with protectin’ you. Now, you can let us do our job or you can charge ahead and be the first one to walk into an ambush. Your choice.”
Damien sneered at Alden and spat, “Who are you to speak to me that way, you impudent son of a whore!?”
Alden’s eyes narrowed, “My name is Flint. Alden Flint and I am a member of the Royal Guard. I answer only to the King and to my Captain. If you speak of my mother in such a way Warren will be forced to intervene on your behalf. Am I clear?”
Damien’s mouth opened and then shut before opening again. The now pale faced man stammered, “You, you can’t do that. I’m in charge.”
The young man rolled his eyes, “Yes. We take orders from you. Unless its about protection. Then we’re in charge. I can reject orders from the King himself if those orders put his life in danger. I can sure as hell reject orders from you. Now, are you going to let us do our jobs or not?”
Damien stared at Alden for a long moment and then glanced at Warren who sat on Gallius with a stoic expression. The messenger turned back to Alden, “I’ll be reporting this. But do what you must.”
The young man snorted and turned his attention to the road again as the soldiers rode out ahead. Captain McCready took up a station at the center of the column just ahead of Damien. Warren and Alden rode on either side of the messenger with another soldier just behind him. The final two soldiers rode further back as a rear guard.
The rest of the day passed by without incident which Warren was happy about. Damien glared daggers at Alden every chance he got but Warren’s partner dismissed the short man’s fury. The big teen spent the hour they used to set camp and eat worrying that Alden would simply punch Damien in the face and drop his unconscious body at their destination.
The first night’s watch went through smoothly and the second day had them breaking camp and setting out again without incident. Warren had a feeling things would go south quickly though. Washington came into view late that afternoon. The city had been built after the Cataclysm and reminded Warren of the Castle in a way but it was different. The structures were more elegant and seemed to be thinner. The other thing that struck the large man was the way they seemed to glow.
The vanguard who had been riding ahead rejoined the main group and they waited for the rear guard to catch up. The group rode down to the city gates together and proceeded into the city. Warren looked around at all the buildings in wonder. He noted the symbols carved into the walls and arches of the place and wondered what they did. Maybe this place had magic like the Wall did, just of a different kind.
Warren caught Alden’s eyes and he saw anger there. The big man wondered about it and put the information aside to ask about later. There were many things he didn’t understand about his partner and that temper was one of them. The small procession continued through the city and straight up to Lord Washington’s manor.
The soldiers themselves were dismissed to the barracks and all of their horses were taken to the stables by hands. Lord Washington, a man by the name of Abe, greeted them at the door of his home as Warren and Alden trailed just behind Damien.
Washington was dressed in the blues and silvers of his house. A tree with an axe imposed across its trunk was embroidered on his right shoulder in black. Damien inclined his head to the man, “Lord Washington, its a pleasure to meet you. I am Damien la Cinder. These are my esorts, Warren Faulkner to my left and Alden Flint to my right.”
Lord Washington smiled at the man, “Damien, it’s always a pleasure to receive a servant of the King and his Knights. If the three of you would join me inside I’m sure we can discuss business after dinner.”
The messenger smiled again, “Of course, my lord.”
The trio followed Abraham Washington through his house and into a large dining room with a table long enough to sit fifty. There were places set for seven people. Washington himself sat at the head of the table with Damien to his right and his eldest son, a young man of about sixteen Warren guessed sat on his left. Joanna, Abraham’s wife, sat to the left of her son while their daughter, Alexis sat to the left of her mother. Warren sat to the right of Damien and Alden sat beside Warren.
The first course was a soup involving mushrooms Warren wasn’t familiar with but ate anyway. The second course was well seasoned and tender steak served with potatoes and gravy. The final course was a pastry made with cinnamon and a sweet icing that was sticky but delicious. Throughout the meal Lord Washington, Damien and eventually Warren got involved in a conversation about economic theory. Alden remained quiet throughout the entirety of the meal but Warren could feel the tension in his friend even as he ate the meal in front of them.
Towards the end of the meal Washington finally noticed the silence coming from Alden and asked, “And tell me, Alden, where do you come from?”
The young man looked up at the Lord and met his gaze levelly as he answered, “A little town you’ve never heard of called Pleasant that’s near the eastern border.”
Washington leaned back in his seat, “And what did you do there and how did you become a Knight in our King’s service?”
Alden smiled, “I am the third son of a farmer. I spent my childhood tendin’ crops and animals. As for how I came to be workin’ for the King. Well, I was Conscripted into service and the Royal Guard came and started trainin’ me.”
Abe smirked and muttered, almost to himself, “Seems they’ll take anyone these days.”
Warren tensed at the explosion he expected to occur and he heard Alden’s sharp intake of breath and the young man held it for a long second before releasing it in a slow breath. Warren let his shoulders slump as his partner let the insult slide. The large man felt like this was going to be a long trip.
Chapter 46 Business
Alden could feel his anger boiling just under the surface, wanting to be unleashed upon this supposed “noble” Lord that governed the people. The state of the city was horrid and here this man was eating three course dinners at a table long enough to sit his entire staff. The nerve of these people was audacious.
The young man closed his eyes and let go of some of the rage. They would be out of here tomorrow and onto whatever their next stop was. Damien managed to keep things moving, “I believe it is time we moved onto business, Lord Washington.”
Abe rose to his feet, “Of course. We’ll head to my office. I find it much more suited to these matters.”
The noble sent his family off for the evening and led the way through the manor to a small room with a large fireplace and four black leather chairs surrounding a mahogany table. Damien motioned for Warren and Alden to take places beside the entrance which was fine with the green eyed teen. Less time near Abraham.
The hall Alden was staring down was covered in paintings with heavy ornate frames and had two full suits of armor. Swords and shields hung from the halls. He scoffed at the ridiculousness of it all as he heard Damien and Abe sit down in the next room.
Washington’s voice broke the silence, “Tell me, Damien, what does his Majesty the King want from me?”
Damien took a moment to respond and Alden heard the clink of a glass on wood. The messenger sighed, “He sent me to inform you that he noticed you sent less coin then usual this year in his taxes.”
Abraham seemed to scoff, “Okay, and? It’s not my fault its been a slow year.”
A silence followed and Lord Washington continued, “What else does His Highness want??”
Alden noticed Warren stiffen at Abe’s tone as Damien remarked, “You would do well to watch how you speak of His Majesty, Lord Washington. Either of the men outside this door could take your head and write it off as treason and get nothing but a slap on the wrist.”
One of the chairs creaked and Abe replied a moment later, “I apologize for my tone, Damien la Cinder. I would like to know what the Crown expects of me however.”
Damien cleared his throat and Alden heard the scrape of a glass moving across a table. A moment later the messenger’s voice drifted into the hall again, “Well, the King is expecting the usual amount you send in taxes. In case you’re curious you fell roughly 500 crowns short.”
Alden almost choked on his own tongue at the sum. 500 crowns? That was absurd!
Washington growled, “Where do you expect me to find that at? My people are being robbed on the streets of the Kingdom! I’ve already taken more then any other year.”
The messenger sighed, “See, the King isn’t sure you’re telling the truth in that regard. Give him the coin and say you retrieved it form teh bandits. Sell some knickknacks. Tax the people even more. The King expects 500 crowns from you within six weeks.”
There was a long silence and then Washington asked, “If I refuse?”
Damien set an empty glass down, “Then the King declares you a traitor and executes you and your son, Thomas. Your wife may be spared if she renounces your name and will be sold at worst or given a position in someone’s house at best. Odds are the dungeons are where she’ll end up. Your daughter will be sold to the Northern Empire. His Majesty was clear on that. Your manor may be sold or it may be given to someone more worthy of the position.”
Abe was silent for a long time, and then he drew a deep breath and replied, “Tell the King to expect his gold in six weeks. How long are you going to stay here?”
Damien replied smoothly, “Just tonight. The King also requested you send a messenger to him with your reply yourself. I have other stops to make and don’t have time to return your message.”
Washington grunted, “So be it. I’ll have my men show you to your quarters. Your guards will also be given rooms and my personal gua
rd will be stationed at your door.”
Alden glanced over at Warren, it sounded like Washington might be planning trouble. Damien spoke up again, “Excellent idea. I almost forgot to mention one last thing. If anything happens to myself, or any of the men under my charge during our stay here, well, the King is currently negotiating a few deals with the Republic of Aclosa, and he’s been looking for a young lady of noble birth to arrange a marriage if you follow. You know how the Republic is about visits. If you follow.”
Abe had reached the hall at this point and went pale. The Republic was to far to the east, beyond the mountains. Trade occurred between the Republic and Kingdom but the dwarves were strict about who could cross their mountains. Washington grit his teeth, “I see. He’d put my daughter into the hands of an Aclosian under that Arch-Mage.”
Damien shrugged, “I never said that and you shouldn’t assume you know the King’s intentions.”
Abe almost growled, “You know what they say about the Arch-Mage.”
The messenger drifted out into the hall, “Rumors and hearsay. Nothing to worry over, I’m sure.”
Alden noted Warren’s stony expression. It was stoic and emotionless but not natural and that lack of naturalness showed. His face looked stiff, like a forced smile. He knew something about all of this but for now it seemed that they were safe in Washington’s care.
Lord Washington waved his hand at a passing maid. He placed a hand on her shoulder, “Would you show Damien la Cinder and his Guards to their rooms. And then could you stop by my room, Joanna hasn’t been feeling well.”
The maid flushed at the second part of the statement and curtsied quickly, “Of course, my Lord. If you could follow me gentlemen.”
Washington bowed, “I’ll see you at breakfast tomorrow.”
Damien trailed behind the maid and the messenger was trailed by Alden and Warren. Damien’s rooms were the first stop. A four poster bed, an armoire, a sitting room with a fireplace, balcony, silk curtains, three armchairs and a sofa. Alden had to restrain his anger. His people were taxed beyond measure and Lord Washington kept guest rooms like this.
A Knight's Path (The Path of Cinder Book 1) Page 18