When they were finally over the ledge, they both fell to the ground, their arms and legs intertwined. They were both breathing hard, and Karlene was clearly still frightened. She clung to his neck tightly, and her head rested on his chest. Again, he could remember that feeling all too well, and could see that her mind was racing, that she was only trying to stabilize herself, focusing on the feel of solid ground beneath her feet.
Nikolis patted her wet, disheveled hair down, straightening it out. He ran a reassuring hand over her shoulder, trying his best to calm her. There was a small, red scrape on her leg, and he touched it, making sure it was not serious. He quickly realized where he was touching, the lady’s exposed upper thigh, and pulled his hand away. Wanting to get the frightened girl in and out of the rain, he drew her in and stood, cradling her in his arms.
It was amazing how light she felt as he started to move into the keep. He looked down briefly, to make sure she was okay, and it was then that he noticed she was looking at him, staring at his face. His eyes met hers and they studied one another. There look on her face was almost one of wonderment, but she didn’t say anything, not a word.
As he neared the keep, he heard a shuffle of footsteps making their way to the garden entrance. A guard in chain and red tabard and grey-coated Rogett Gilford came to an abrupt halt before them, no doubt perplexed by the image of the young man holding the girl in his arms. They must have heard the scream he realized, as the two rushed over.
Before he knew it, Gilford was taking Karlene from him, and the guardsman was pushing him back to arm’s length. Nikolis didn’t process any of what was going on, only looked after Karlene, their eyes still locked, concerned that she was okay.
Karlene continued to stare at him, that same, odd look on her face, as Rogett, now holding her in his arms, turned and entered the keep.
“I don’t know what went on here,” the guard snarled. “But you’d best find your way back to your chamber.”
Later Nikolis would hear those words, would know the suspicion in them. Of course, they would think he had done something wrong, that something improper had caused the lady to cry out. For now, however, he saw only those blue, blue eyes staring back at him, as the heavy rain streaked down around them.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Nikolis raced down the hallway, ducking beneath the tray of a passing servant and then sprinting around a corner. Ahead, Kelson Greene looked back and then waved his arm. “Come on!” he shouted. “Come on!” Nikolis laughed and ran faster.
Just moments before Kelson had come to tell him of the announcement that ceremonies would be held to swear new members into the royal service and household, amongst those the guardsmen of Highkeep. The ceremony was tomorrow.
“Didn’t you hear?” Kelson had asked. “Where have you been, hiding under a rock?”
In truth, Nikolis had confined himself to his chamber for the last few weeks, expecting the worst. Anticipating that someone would arrive and take him to the king’s chamber on account of an allegation of wrongdoing on the part of the Lady Karlene. But no one had come, as of yet, except finally Kelson bearing such fortunate news.
Now, as the sun was starting to set in the sky, they were racing off to the keep kitchens where Kelson said a few of the boys were planning to have dinner. There was no mention of what had happened between Nikolis and Karlene. If Kelson knew anything on the subject he said not a word, asked not a single question. Knowing the other boy well, and knowing his propensity for gossip, Nikolis thought it safe to assume that he truly did know nothing, that rumor was not running rampant through the castle halls. So, with just a little trepidation, he did finally leave the tower, and followed his new friend into the keep.
When they arrived at the dining hall, where long wooden tables sat row after row, servants and commoners seated here and there, the air was hot and thick. Large black kettles sat over red-hot fires, flames licking at their scorched bottoms, their contents boiling and steam roiling furiously into the air. The smell was undeniably good, and he gladly followed Kelson over to a table where many of his fellow trainees, those that both disliked him, and those that he had managed to come to some understanding with, were seated.
Erland and Jaleb were there, and they gave a small smile and nod when he and Kelson took their seats. He also saw Brien, but when the tall boy made eye contact with him, his face flushed, and he looked down. Several of the other boys, the ones he sparred and practiced and trained with, were there as well. Some from more well connected, though still common, families, some the sons of important officials or of families that claimed some middling noble birth. They all gave a nod of the head or a slight smile, none challenging his inclusion at the table as he had expected they would.
They passed around bowls filled with fresh wheat bread and small tin plates of butter, bowls of stew and plates of boiled beans. Then came legs of mutton and dark, crispy joints of wild hog, the meat of which practically fell off the bone. They drank hard mead, and warm spiced wine, ate mashed turnip and sweet bread made with some type of gourd, or so one of the boys said. The kitchen servants kept the food coming, for once not seeming to be annoyed at a group of young men and their healthy appetites. Even though they got to be a bit rowdy, and some of the boys began to horse about or laugh a little too loudly, they were not scolded or hushed.
Well into their dinner, Nikolis saw Jak enter, followed by Garley and Raife. They went to the serving line and heaped food onto their plates, before taking seats at table a few rows away. Nikolis looked over at them; met Jak’s gaze and felt a moment of indecision. Should I go over to them and say hello? He could hear the taunts of the boys he was with now, telling him he was associating with those of low birth.
Then Jaleb made a crack about the size of his uncle’s rather prominent nose, and that was all it took to take his attention away from his nearby friends.
As time went on, and he continued to eat and drink and laugh with his peers, his gaze kept coming back to Jak and Raife and Garley. He watched them eat and drink and converse amongst themselves. He knew he missed them, that he so rarely now got to spend time with them, but he didn’t know what to do. Jak kept looking up, kept meeting his gaze, but he said nothing. Just stared on with his jaw firmly set.
Eventually, as Nikolis polished off yet another mug of mead in a gulp that was half swallow half choke, he watched Jak get up and make a deliberate path to the table. Nikolis put down his mug and went to rise, but Jak was at the table before he could manage. “Lo, boys,” said Jak. “Havin’ a fine time?”
“It’s the armory boy,” said one. “Sure, we’re having fun Master of Brooms.” At that, all the boys, most deep in their cups, laughed out loud.
“Ya look to ‘ave quite the feast goin’on,” Jak said, ignoring the comment. “Might I join ya?” As he formed each word, he looked directly at Nikolis. Though he clearly addressed the group, it was only at Nikolis that he stared.
“Sure, you can join us, armory boy,” said another. “But first you’ve got to oil my blade.”
“Yeah,” said yet another. “And scour my chain shirt.” Both boys chuckled and were soon joined by the group. All of them laughed, even Kelson, all except Nikolis who dodged Jak’s gaze by looking down at his hands. He felt hollow, full only of shame, but he didn’t know what to do or what to say. All he wanted was to tell the boys to be quiet, to let Jak be, but he had only just gained their acceptance.
“Sure,” said Jak, causing their mirth to die away only in anticipation of what else he would say that they could laugh at. “I’ll oil ye’re blade, and scour ye’re chain. The realm knows ya wouldn’t know how to if the master of arms showed ya hisself.”
“That’s not the work of those of our birth,” said the first boy, rising. “That’s for servant boys.”
“Ye’re right,” said Jak, taking a mug of mead from the table. “The only work those of ye’re birth are good for is playin’ at swords in the yard and making asses of yerselves.” At that he threw the cup
of mead full in the face of the other boy.
The boy yelped and knuckled at his eyes. As soon as his vision was restored, he pointed at Jak and started yelling. Jak, who was fully a head taller, balled up his fists and yelled back. Several of the other boys started to raise their voices then, and stood up, joining in the row. All the while Nikolis could only sit and watch, feeling helpless and not knowing what to do. Or not having the courage to. Finally, Jak threw the mug to the ground, the clay shattering into a dozen pieces.
“None of ya all are worth it anyway,” he said, leveling a purposeful glance Nikolis’ way and then turning and storming out of the kitchen. Across the room Garley stood, a concerned look on his face, and ran out of the room after Jak. He huffed and stumbled and looked awkward as he went, and the boys at the table laughed and laughed at the sight. Raife rose slowly next, shot Nikolis a look seething with accusation, and followed his two friends out of the room. Nikolis could only sit and wallow in his misery, cursing his inability to know what to do, as all around him his new-found friends ate and drank and laughed.
After they finished dinner, Nikolis sought his chambers and his bed. As he passed by the field armory, on the way to the tower, he thought about stopping and talking to Jak, apologizing for what happened. Not yet, not yet. He didn’t know what to do or say, how he could possibly make amends for what had occurred. Another day, then I’ll talk to him. When things have settled down.
As he climbed the stairs to his room, he felt a little dizzy, but he was far from inebriated. Right now, he knew, many of the other boys were stumbling about the keep, searching for their rooms at court. Nikolis, however, had controlled himself. It was not fitting behavior for a royal guardsman to be getting himself drunk on spirits, especially not in public. A guard must remain keen at all times, ever vigilant, his duty never done. Drennen’s words still echoed through is mind, time and time again.
Nikolis found his bed finally, and found the world spinning ever so slightly. In the dark of night, so silent, he also found his mind racing with all manner of thoughts. There was anxiety and anticipation over the appointment ceremony; his life would take an entirely new and different path, after all. There was happiness over those thoughts too, and joy over the steps he made at becoming friends with the noble youths this night. But there was also guilt and shame.
He didn’t remember finding the calming embrace of sleep, but before he knew it, he was wakened by the morning light of dawn. The sun quickly brightened though the day was cool. Nikolis dressed in his best tunic and breeches, and made his way out onto the yard, into the keep, and through the castle halls. Everywhere he turned people were abuzz, running here and there, preparing for the day’s events. Food was being brought to great feast halls in wooden barrels, and the castle was being dressed up with lighted candles in iron sconces. Tapestries were getting one more shake to loosen any remaining dust that clung to them, and floors were being swept of dirt.
Nikolis made his way out of the front gate in time to see a half-dozen pages, dressed in splendid red velvet, setting up the royal throne at the keep entrance. The golden wrought chair shimmered in the sun, as did the rubies that adorned it in decoration. A red velvet cushion was laid in the seat and another was tied to the back. The ceremony would be held outdoors, he knew, at this spot before the castle gates. This was so that all who wished to see, in the entire realm, could witness the appointment of the king’s royal servants. The thought of being named to the royal guardsmen – as hundreds of nobles, officials and even peasants looked on – both terrified and excited him.
It wasn’t easy to pull himself away from the central dais that was being erected, but he forced himself to move on, over the bridge that allowed the crossing of the castle moat. Instinct nearly took him in the direction of the old storehouse, the one he and his friends always sought out at such royal ceremonies to see above the crowds, but besides the obvious difficulty it would present in making his way to the front of the keep from such a position when his name was called, he also knew he wouldn’t be welcome there. He dared to glance over in that direction however, and did see Garley and Raife and even Jak, though he looked rather grumpy, seated on the thatch of the roof as they always were, bright and early, eagerly awaiting the day’s festivities.
Instead Nikolis found himself a place amongst the gathering crowd where he could lean against a small wall of stone and mortar and watch as the ceremonial dais was completed. The gate landing was swept clean, and large banners of crimson and gold were hung out from the tall keep towers, unfurling in the clear air, flowing down in a river of silk.
Soon the central square before the keep was filled from end to end with all manner of town folk. The general conversations amongst the waiting audience would have been a lull in small groups, but in concert it became the indiscernible buzz of a thousand voices. Those of high birth, the nobles in attendance at court or who had estates in the surrounding countryside, sat in chairs that had been provided at the front of the courtyard. Behind them stood those of lesser houses as well as local officials, councilmen, and magistrates. Beyond that was the swaying sea of common-folk, moving from side to side or standing on their toes, trying to get a better view of what was going on.
The crowd was silenced as six men appeared at the crenels of the two front-facing towers of Highkeep, raised six golden horns and let forth a series of long, high notes. The gates of the castle, which had been closed earlier, now opened again and several important figures made their way out, taking positions beside the dais. There was Master Filson of course, followed by Arthur Drennen and Master Remton. Then came Erad, surprisingly without Karlene by his side, for which Nikolis was grateful for once, and then King Alginor. The king was flanked on either side by grey-coated Rogett Gilford and Raymon Brime, who helped him up the dais and to his throne. The king croaked something Nikolis couldn’t discern, the six trumpets sounded again, and then the ceremony began.
The first to be brought up were new officials and important servants of the keep, their names shouted out in a booming voice by Master Filson, after which they made their way through the crowd, across the bridge and up to the royal dais. There they kneeled, swore their oaths, and then took a position standing at the end of the gateway landing. Nikolis worked his hands at his sides through all of this, anticipation growing to an almost unbearable level. Finally, after a new Merchants Ambassador was sworn in, Master Filson shouted, “The Appointment of Guardsmen to the Township and Castle of Highkeep, Royal Seat of Alginor Ryland, the First of his Name, King of All the Realm, will now commence.”
Master Filson then began to announce names. Each time he did a young man would make his way to the front, cross the bridge to the castle and bend his knee. Upon his drawn sword the boy would swear the oaths Master Drennen had burned into Nikolis’ memory so long ago. “I shall bear my sword well and true. To protect the innocent. To guard the weak. To fight in times of war, when I am called. To protect my brethren and to serve them. To shelter my brethren when they are in need, and to never turn my sword against them.” Once those words had intimidated Nikolis, but now he knew he was ready to say them aloud, to swear them before king and court.
After swearing the oath, the initiate would pledge their life to the protection of king and castle and to the realm. Then they stood and moved to the end of the landing. The lesser positions were announced first, guardsmen of the roads, outer gates and city watch. These went to second sons of tradesmen of middling influence, or older men who had no other means of income. As more prominent, and better compensating positions were announced, the recipients were of higher social standing. Third or fourth sons of officials or lesser nobles, who had no real chance of inheriting their family lands or titles, joined the ranks of the inner gate guards or those that walked the walls, most accepting positions of some authority, as post leaders or tower captains. Youth after youth would make their journey across the bridge, crossing to their new path in life.
Nikolis watched as all the boys he had
trained with were called. Jaleb accepted a position in the castle gate guards with a smile and Erland Camber and Brien Laswick were assigned to the western tower. Then Kelson Greene’s name was called, and Nikolis watched as he stepped from the sea of people before the keep and made his way over the moat, across the bridge. He knelt down and said his words and then rose a member of the house guardsmen, the position closest to the king, excepting the King’s Shield. It was the position he knew Kelson wanted, for it was the position they had both spent the last several years training to attain.
After Kelson had risen and moved off to the side, Master Filson stepped forward again and Nikolis knew this was it. There was no one he could think of that was left. All the names had been called, all those deserving of the honor of a position so close to the king had already stood and said their oaths. It was his turn now. Everything he had worked for since coming to Highkeep was going to come to fruition. He would be able to leave behind his old life, leave behind the dishonor of his family, and only be Nikolis, a member of the royal guard, giving his life each day in the defense of something that really mattered.
Kelson, Brien, Erland, and Jaleb stood at the end of the gate landing, whispering to one another and smiling. Soon he would be joining them. This was it. Master Filson’s mouth opened and he said the words. “Thus, commences the Royal Appointment of All Official Positions to the Castle and Court of Highkeep.” With those words a roar of shouts and clapping sprang up from the crowd. People cheered and at the gate all those who had been appointed, even those of the lowliest positions, looked happy and pleased with themselves, even if only for the moment.
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