Theo was at the great hall back at Edinburgh, it's been roughly two months since his encounter with that lady,, two months of misery, he missed her so much, he wanted her so badly, and now it was time for lunch, normally they didn't have lunch breaks, but he insisted, he needed to think straight, and it wasn't possible to do that if he was fixing the fence, or taxing the citizens, he was becoming less the tyrant he usually was, and that worried him, before he had no problems with flogging them mercilessly and collecting high taxes, plundering people's houses, now, well.., he did, that woman touched him...
"Theo come on!, I have been searching for you, Francis said coming to sit beside him, you have been gloomy since we came back, what do you want?,
"I am good my lord, Theo said.
"I know you miss her, I did all I could to get my uncle to bring her here, but you know that he blankly refused, I wrote to him, convinced him, sent him gifts, all of which he refused, he must like her so much, Francis said..
"It is okay my lord, I know you did your best., Theo said quietly...
"Theo, you are not allowed..., you are not allowed to shut me out, I won't accept that, you are all I have!, Francis shouted at him..
"I am sorry to hurt your feelings princess, Theo said softly, trying to keep a straight face and Francis stared at him angrily,
"Don't you dare!, I won't care even if you are sulking like a babe, he said narrowing his eyes watching theo stand up..
"Oh, sorry ma'am, Theo said running as
Francis stood up to chase him, he ran around the hall, they were both laughing, Francis trying so hard to get him, and Theo running away quickly, till Francis lunged at him when he saw an opportunity, taking him down as they fell to the hard ground, and both started laughing and grunting in pain, Frederick and the footman of Edinburgh castle rushed in together,
"Hello!, Frederick shouted.. and when he saw both of them on the floor, he was unsure of his decision to come there.. Francis and Theo stooped laughing and looked up to see a middle aged man, he looked like he was being chased by a ghost, his eyes had lines and dark spot underneath like he hadn't slept a wink in days, but he was still looking handsome, he was dressed like an earl, he wore his coat, and wig, looking like a distinguished member of the court, as opposed to Francis black tunic and breeches, Francis and Theo stood up, at once..
"I am sorry my lord, he pushed past me like a mad man, I...., he rushed nervously, but stopped when Francis held out his hands, glaring at him, as he and Theo stood up,
"Get back to your post, Theo said to him, his face hard as steel, his hands on his dagger he always had with him, waiting beside Francis, in case there was any need for it. just like always,. his eyes assessed the man in front of him, watching his every move,
"What can I do for you?, Francis asked him, he was the earl of lithium, and his castle was very close to his..
"And you address him as your grace!, Theo said in a deadly voice, still staring at him with a frown on his face..
"And who the hell do you think you are to talk to me!, Frederick asked the young man who had a red flaming hair, and fierce eyes, staring at him..
"He is my brother, and someone you don't disrespect, Francis said looking at him angrily this time, and Fredrick sighed, he came to seek help, and not to fight with them, whatever their wierd relationship may be,
"Okay, I am sorry, he said to Theo, not wanting to cause a fight, then he turned to Francis, can I see you in private?, he asked Francis and was surprised to see him scoff at that, Theo included
"You say what you want, in front of my brother, Francis said, and Fredrick sighed in defeat
"Okay, can we at least sit?, he asked Francis
"Not that I want you to, but you can sit, Theo won't like me to keep you standing, he said with a bored expression, and Fredrick sat down, and Francis did the same, but Theo stood, still on guard.
"I am sure you have heard about the babarians spreading inside the kingdom, Frederick paused looking at him, for a reaction, when he saw none, he continued, "They attacked grimwick castle yesterday, and i know we are next, then after that it is you, he said hoping that would draw a reaction from him, but when it didn't he stared in surprise.., "Why are you not saying anything!, he asked in great shock...
"Excuse me sir, but as you can see, I was busy before you came here, Francis said in a final tone, and Fredrick was panicking
"I said they would attack me then you are next, he said with fear..
"And they can try, I want them to come, me and my men are desperately in need of practice, Francis said then he and Theo laughed...
"I.., I don't understand you, you want them to come here?, he asked them in disbelief..
"Look, I don't want them here, but If they do, it's their funeral, I doubt they would try it, but I really don't care, Francis said shrugging his shoulders and Fredrick couldn't believe it, then he knew he made the right decision he heard of their prowess, everyone knew they were the strongest, mist fiercest warriors, he came because he had no choice. he thought of the other people he could have asked for help, but he knew before they came to his aid, there would be no castle to defend, and he would be dead, because he expected them to be at his doorstep in two days time, he can't die now, he had to see his daughter Wed first, be assured of her future, he was still staring at him, hoping he is not making a costly mistake with what he was about to say..
"I will give you half of my lands if you help protect it, if you help me fight the babarians, Frederick said, and hoped he didn't make a mistake..
Francis considered what he said and looked at Theo they spoke silently with their eyes, before they reached a verdict, all without speaking a word , while Frederick watched in suspension,
"Fine, but we need to see the signed deed before we do anything to help, Francis said to him
"This is it, it is remaining your signature, Frederick said, and Francis stared in surprise, as he took it, took a look at it then passed it to Theo, who went through it immediately, and nodded to Francis, it was legit, Francis signed, and gave it to Theo for safe keeping..
"How can you trust him to keep it safe, Frederick said eyeing Theo, he never had someone this close to him, that wasn't family, immediate family at that
"Because half of it, belongs to him, Francis said standing as he offered him a handshake, but Frederick didn't take it, he eyed him and walked away, he was not going to be friends with the tyrant and his dog, Frederick thought, he knew he couldn't trust them, they behaved almost like the babarians themselves..