by James Wisher
“I’m honored, my lord.”
“As am I,” Duke Cariden said. His voice wasn’t as deep as Gabriel expected. “I understand you’ve done some fine things at the academy, no surprise considering your bloodline. My deepest condolences on the loss of your family. Your father was a fine servant of the realm.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
“Father, aren’t you going to introduce me?” Gabriel’s heart raced. A young woman, maybe a year younger than him, with blond hair and a willowy build walked up beside the duke. She wore a blue silk gown that hugged her graceful figure, a sapphire necklace glittering around her slender neck.
“I’m sorry, my dear. Duncan, Gabriel, this is my daughter Amanda. Amanda you remember Duncan.” Duncan bowed. “And this is his son, Gabriel.”
Amanda held out her hand which Gabriel gripped gently and bowed over. “Pleasure to meet you,” she said.
“Likewise, my lady.” He spoke the words without a stammer.
Morgrin chose that moment show up. “Hello, Amanda.”
“Morgrin.” Gabriel winced at her less than enthusiastic greeting. If Morgrin noticed he gave no indication.
“Would you care to dance?” Morgrin asked.
“Yes, I would. Gabriel, would you join me?” She offered her arm.
Stunned, Gabriel recovered and linked arms with her. Morgrin’s jaw clenched so tight he feared his adopted brother’s teeth might shatter. Accepting Amanda’s offer would do nothing to improve their already poor relationship.
“Would you like to request a song?” Amanda asked.
Taken of guard for a second time Gabriel struggled to remember any songs. He racked his brain then remembered sword master Kato mentioning that the Tiberian Waltz having the same footwork pattern as low guard practice. “Are you familiar with the Tiberian Waltz?”
She nodded and smiled. “That’s a classic. Wait here while I tell the orchestra.” Gabriel watched her hurry over to the orchestra, the play of her silk skirt over the figure underneath set his heart pounding like he was getting ready for battle.
Amanda returned, raised her right hand, and put her left out to the side. “Shall we?”
Gabriel stepped beside her and her left hand went to his shoulder and their right hands came together, his left hand landed on her hip. The orchestra began and he forced himself to concentrate on the routine. It was harder than he expected since his hands weren’t making the appropriate sword cuts, but he settled in.
After a minute Amanda laughed, a warm, bright sound that made him smile for no reason he understood. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, it’s just you have the most grim look on your face, like you expect me to pull a knife at any moment.”
“I’m sorry.” He explained how they used the dance in training. “That’s the only reason I know the steps.”
“Well try to relax, and for goodness sake smile, your father’s going to think I’ve taken you hostage.”
Gabriel did smile. Here he was, dancing with a beautiful woman, and he was too tense to enjoy it.
“That’s better,” Amanda said.
When the song ended, he felt more relaxed than he had in years. “Thank you. I needed that.”
“I enjoyed it. It’s nice to dance without someone proposing every five minutes.”
“Proposing?”
“Sure, didn’t you know, I’m the most sought after woman in the kingdom. Whoever marries me inherits Father’s land and title.”
“Is that why all the young men in the room are glaring daggers at me? I assumed it was because you were the most beautiful woman here.”
She blushed and Gabriel found the effect most fetching. “Would you like another dance?” she asked.
“I’d love to. Do you suppose we can do that same waltz? It’s the only dance I know.”
Before she could answer a fanfare of trumpets blared and he spotted Arthur and Mick in the crowd moving toward the little area that they’d set aside for the night’s ceremony. “I think that’s for me. I guess I’ll have to pass on that dance. The ceremony’s about to start.”
“How about I watch and we can talk more after?”
Gabriel nodded. “I’d like that.”
They made their way through the crowd. Arthur was standing with the rest of the team. He moved to join them. “Did you know about this?”
“They made us swear not to warn you,” Mick said.
“I saw you dancing with Amanda Cariden,” Arthur said, changing the subject. “Congratulations.”
“For what? We danced once.”
Arthur grinned. “You don’t understand, do you? Every single nobleman in the room wants you dead right now. If you weren’t the best swordsman I know I might worry for your safety.”
Gabriel was about to comment on the ridiculousness of that idea when drums sounded and the room fell silent. A gray haired man in a white robe carrying a staff of some wood so white it seemed to glow walked down the center of the ballroom, the only sound the tapping of his staff. He came to a stop in front of Gabriel and the others.
“I have come to bless these cadets in the Bright Shield’s name that they may have long lives and serve the people well.” he made a sweeping gesture with his staff that encompassed the whole team. “In His name I bless you.”
A strange energy filled Gabriel, familiar somehow, but he couldn’t remember from where.
“For many years,” the priest said. “The Bright Shield hasn’t seen fit to offer His blessing on the academy’s graduates, but for the first time in some years he has deemed some of you worthy. Gabriel, step forward.”
He hesitated and Arthur gave him a shove. He glared back at his friend who stood their innocent as a newborn.
“It is my understanding that you are responsible for this change in circumstances.”
Gabriel looked away, horribly embarrassed. “I didn’t do anything, really.”
“Humble as well.” He looked and found the priest smiling at him. The priest laid his hands of Gabriel’s shoulders. The energy he felt earlier flared even stronger. “The Bright Shield sees much potential in you.”
He stepped back beside the others, the power fading. “I wish you all the best of luck.” The priest said before retreating back the way he’d come.
Gabriel spotted Amanda talking with another girl and, not wanting to interrupt, made his way through the crowd and out on one of the terraces. He took a deep breath of the cool night air. He sighed and looked at the stars. “Well Father, soon my quest begins in earnest. I swear I’ll find whoever killed you and mother, and Xander. However long it takes.”
“Excuse me.” He turned to find Amanda standing in the doorway. “Am I disturbing you?”
“Not at all.” He gestured for her to join him by the railing. She carried two glasses of wine, one of which he accepted. He took a sip, grateful for the drink.
“You seemed a million miles away,” she said.
He smiled. “I was thinking about my family, wondering what they’d think if they could see me now.”
She frowned, eyebrows drawing together. “Duncan saw you perfectly well during the ceremony.”
“I don’t mean Uncle Duncan; he’s my adopted father. I mean my blood family.” Amanda was staring at him. “I’m sorry, I assumed you knew. Your father offered me his condolences before he introduced you. My father was a knight in Uncle Duncan’s service. He was killed, along with the rest of my family when bandits attacked Duncan’s country estate where we lived.”
She put her hand on his shoulder and the warmth soaked through his uniform. “I’m so sorry, Gabriel. That must have been difficult.”
Gabriel put his hand over hers. “It was, still is really. The first six months were the worst. The grief almost killed me. I threw myself into sword training and I’d work until I collapsed and when I dreamed it was of blood and fire. I wanted nothing so much as to find out who sent those men to the estate and cut their heart out. It took a while, but the pain faded a litt
le and I could think clearly again. I decided to attend the academy then join the Watch, both to try to find whoever killed my family but also to help people in the meantime.” When he stopped Gabriel realized he’d poured his heart out to an almost complete stranger. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have told you all that.”
She didn’t say anything. She wrapped her arms around him, her warmth flowed into him. Gabriel hugged her back, resting his cheek on the top of her head. He’d started to relax when someone yelled in the distance.
His head snapped up. “Did you hear that?”
She stepped back and cocked her head. Another shout echoed through the night. “I heard that.”
“Stay here.” He jumped over the railing and landed lightly after a drop of a couple feet. He ran off in the direction of the shout.
Gabriel came around the side of the cathedral and found the priest fending off two thugs armed with short swords. They circled him, hoping to tire the old man before moving in for the kill.
He drew his crappy ceremonial blade and charged. “On guard,” he shouted just before he reached the nearest thug.
The thug turned to face him and dodged his first thrust. Gabriel continued his assault, slashing at the thug’s midsection, forcing him to jackknife out of the way. Before the thug got back on balance Gabriel’s back cut opened his throat
The second man, a rat-faced fellow not more than twenty backed away, eyes darting for an escape route. “Drop your weapon and surrender,” Gabriel said.
The thug hurled his sword like a dagger at the priest’s chest. Gabriel batted the crude missile away. The second he moved the thug turned and ran. Gabriel took one step after him then stopped. If more were watching he couldn’t leave the old man alone.
“Are you all right, sir?” Gabriel bent down and cleaned his sword on the dead thug’s shirt.
“I’m fine, thanks to you. You should know that anyone that saves my life gets to call me by my given name, I’m Solan.”
“Pleasure.” Gabriel kicked the body over on its back. “I don’t suppose you recognize him?”
“I’m afraid not,” Solan said. A crowd of curious nobles headed their way. Either Amanda had called for help or someone had heard the fight.
The crowd grew around them and Gabriel kept a careful eye out lest someone use the chaos to slip a dagger between the priest’s ribs. With much shouting and shoving Duncan forced his way to the front.
“What in the world is happening here?” Duncan asked.
Amanda appeared then and latched on to his arm. Though he enjoyed having Amanda pressed up against him he would have preferred to have his arm free in case he had to do some more fighting.
“That was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen,” she said.
“Indeed,” Solan said. “If not for Gabriel I might be dead.”
Duncan looked at Gabriel who explained what happened. “They were street thugs,” Duncan said. “I can’t imagine why they’d want to hurt Solan. The Church of the Bright Shield isn’t exactly a wealthy order. No offense.”
Solan smiled. “None taken.”
Gabriel spotted a couple guards in the crowd. “Perhaps these gentlemen would be good enough to escort you home?”
The guards bowed. “We’d be honored, sir.”
Solan nodded his thanks. “Gabriel if you have a moment tomorrow stop by the church so I can thank you properly.”
“I’d be honored, sir.”
“Amanda.” Duke Cariden made his way to the front of the crowd. “It’s time we were going.”
“Coming, Father,” Amanda said. “We’re staying at the Peaceful Arms. Why don’t you stop by and we can have lunch tomorrow.”
“It would be my pleasure,” Gabriel said, meaning every word.
Amanda smiled and kissed him on the cheek before running after her father. Gabriel watched until she was out of sight. A hand fell on his shoulder.
“It’s time we’re going as well,” Duncan said.
He followed Duncan back to the carriage, the battle rush fading and exhaustion taking its place.
“Aren’t you glad I talked you into coming?” Duncan climbed into the carriage beside Jolie followed by Gabriel.
He nodded. Not only had he met Amanda but if he’d stayed home those thugs might have killed Solan. All in all it was a good night. He smiled, thinking of Amanda, a very good night indeed. Tomorrow promised to be even better.
Chapter 12
Gabriel woke early, covered in sweat, after a fitful night’s sleep plagued by dreams and nightmares. The dream had started well enough, he’d been in the great cathedral dancing with Amanda when a messenger burst in, spoken with Amanda for a moment, then she screamed. Gabriel could do nothing for her, she just cried and cried. In an instant the scene changed and he was facing a figure shrouded in shadows, flames surrounded them. Shadows concealed most of the man, but half his face was clear. It was a mass of scar tissue. That figure scared Gabriel more than anything he’d experienced since he watched his father’s murder.
He shook his head, trying to free himself of the dream. The effort proved futile as his mind refused to let go of the final scene, the dark figure seemed seared into his mind. Gabriel climbed out of bed, eager to do something, anything, to distract himself from the dream. Gabriel dressed, belted on a proper sword, and went downstairs. Dawn’s light peaked through the windows, only the servants would be up this early which suited Gabriel as he had no interest in talking yet. He was interested in snitching some breakfast so he headed toward the kitchen.
He poked his head through the kitchen door and found Mika, the newest member of the kitchen staff kneading a loaf of bread.
“Mika.” Gabriel said. Mika jumped then turned and shot him a mock glare. She was a couple years older than him. Mika was an average cook with an above average figure which was why Uncle Duncan hired her. “I’m heading out early, any of the breakfast goodies ready yet?”
“After the fright you gave me I’ve a good mind to send you out hungry.”
Gabriel grinned. Mika always liked to give him a hard time. “Come on, there must be something.”
“Just a minute.” She went deeper into the kitchen. A minute later she reappeared with a sweet roll and a slice of cold ham. “This is the best I can do.”
Gabriel accepted the food and kissed Mika on the cheek. “Thank you, dear.”
She gave him a swat on the shoulder and he left the mansion in a better mood than when he woke. The Church of the Bright Shield was near the city center so he made his deeper into the city. Gabriel took a bite of his roll and the pastry crumbled in his mouth. He sighed; after three years of academy food the pastry tasted like heaven.
Gabriel covered half the distance to the church when he finished his breakfast. All around him the city buzzed with activity, merchants opening their shops, a group of four guardsmen making rounds, an enterprising beggar setup on a street corner. Living at the mansion it was easy to forget that most people woke up early to make a living.
The steeple of the church rose into the sky, marking its location before the rest of it was visible. Gabriel rounded a corner and there it was, a modest building constructed from fieldstone and mortar, the double doors shaped to resemble a shield. Gabriel climbed three steps and knocked on the door. It opened at his touch
Inside was a path between two rows of benches. At the end of the path sat a raised altar upon which rested a gleaming sword, chased with gold and inscribed with runes. Gabriel moved closer to the altar, wanting a better look at the sword.
“Gabriel, I thought I heard someone knock.” Solan stood in a doorway behind the altar. “You’re getting an early start, considering the excitement we had last night.”
“I had some unsettling dreams. When I woke I knew I wouldn’t be getting back to sleep.”
Solan nodded. “After an intense encounter sometimes our minds need an outlet, dreams are one.”
“Speaking of last night, I’d think you’d lock your doors in case the thug that g
ot away comes back to finish the job.”
Solan chuckled though Gabriel saw nothing amusing in the situation. “Never fear. No one would dare try anything here. If they did the Bright Shield would smite them to ash.”
Gabriel raised an eyebrow at that but offered no comment.
“I just put on a pot of tea. Would you care to join me?”
“Sounds good.” Gabriel followed the priest into his living quarters behind the altar. A short stone hallway led to a simple kitchen comprising a small stove, a table and two chairs, and a cupboard. A tea kettle was on the stove.
“Have a seat,” Solan waved at the table.
Gabriel took the chair closest to the door. The priest’s faith not withstanding he preferred sitting between the old man and any danger that may come through the door. Solan bustled around setting cups and saucers out for them. When he finished he sat across from Gabriel. “It’ll be a few minutes.”
“That’s fine. What did you want to talk about?”
“Jeremiah as it happens.”
“Did you know my father?” Gabriel leaned forward in his chair.
“Not personally, but we a had an acquaintance in common. Do you remember a few days before the attack your father rode north to find someone he thought had information he needed?”
Gabriel nodded. He remembered those last few days well.
“The young woman he went to meet is a friend of mine. The caravan attack your father was investigating was precipitated by my friend asking them to carry an item here, to me. Jeremiah found her and a warlock in service to my enemies attacked them.” The kettle whistled and Solan got up and poured them each a cup of tea.
Gabriel took a sip; it was mint and quite tasty. “What do you mean warlock?”
“A warlock is the name we use to refer to anyone infused with demonic power. The two of them worked together to defeat the warlock. She warned your father the warlock’s allies would move against him. And you know what happened next.”
“I do.” Gabriel said in a hoarse whisper.
“Tell me,” Gabriel looked into Solan eyes and spoke. He told the old priest everything. He didn’t mean to but the words wouldn’t stop until he said everything, including talking about the strange feeling that came over him and how he hid like a coward while his family burned.