Lord Garrison was the first one out of the door of the meeting chamber. The calm and collected man verged on the edge of rushing. I never knew he had it in him.
Queen Valerie and Sir John moved to the corner of the room to discuss something in hushed tones. I could only imagine what that was about.
I stayed in my seat a moment to watch the 3 youngest members of the meeting stare at each other. Calista only met their gazes for a moment before turning away.
"Were you under orders not to tell us anything?" Alina questioned her friend in a haughty tone.
Cali took a moment. "I just thought this would be easier for everyone. It is not a moment I want to relive and telling it more than once did not seem enjoyable."
Alina softened. "I am sorry."
The apology hung in the air. I could not tell if the princess was sorry for Cali's experiences or for her mistrust in the accusation.
"It's behind us now," Lord Jacobson interjected. "Cali, how is your father?"
"He is alive, but far from thriving. I think his physical injuries will heal," Cali looked exhausted.
"Would you like something to get your mind off of it all? I could use some sparring practice for this tournament." Jack offered looking a little weary himself.
"I would like that." Cali stood before catching my eye. "Would you like to join us, Lord Holden?"
"Thank you for the invitation, but I had hoped to speak to Queen Valerie for a moment." I responded.
Upon hearing her name the queen turned to us, leaving Sir John looking frustrated. The youthful trio exited the room in hopes of escaping any involvement with my audience with the queen. I do not think I implied the matter was anything personal, but that was how my motivates were received.
"What is it, Lord Holden?" The queen seemed annoyed as well.
"I was hoping to check on my men before the Swordsman ceremony, Your Majesty. Do I have permission to leave for my clan's lands to perform my duties there?" I wanted out of this place.
"Lord Holden, you have leave to send letters and to lead your men from afar. If Princess Alina leaves the castle in any capacity, I would like you by her side." Queen Valerie basically put us both under house arrest.
"When might this assignment end? Am I to spend this entire war confined to the city walls?"
My mouth ran before I thought about the consequences of my speech.
"If that is my desire I expect you to do it wholeheartedly, Lord Holden!" Queen Valerie put power into her words and I knew I had overstepped. With a steadying breath, she softened a little.
"I understand that you are more used to being more of an outside cat, but with the instability in transitions among two clans' Swordsmen it has left the palace a little short handed in leadership," The queen admitted. "I know your men along the border are searching desperately for traces of the Norads and I'm sure that is much more exciting than staying in the city, but please know that I expect you here until after the tournament!"
My head cleared from my earlier outburst at the logic the queen put forward. For the time being, my place was here. "I understand, Your Majesty. I suppose that even though the training grounds are inside the castle walls, it is still outside. I will go see Princess Alina there." I offered a roundabout apology.
"Now we understand each other, Lord Holden. Good day." The queen dismissed me with a contented smile. At least she was pleased with the outcome of the conversation.
Although I knew my end goal was the training fields, I took a circuitous route through the castle. It was childish, but I wanted a few moments to myself. If I couldn't be among the trees, at least I could have a moment of solitude.
My route took me by the castle infirmary door. On a whim, I decided to go check on Lord Bleddyn. It seemed the proper thing to do for a fellow Swordsman.
With propriety basically being his middle name, I was not shocked to see Lord Garrison at his friend's side. His rushing made sense now. His visit to the infirmary must be vastly overdue.
"Again, I wish I had known earlier," I heard Lord Garrison reiterate.
"What could you have done? I do not think you could've stitched me up yourself, Garrison." Lord Bleddyn replied with a bit of his old self shining through.
"You need to get back on your feet soon so that I can properly scold you at the tip of my blade for letting your sword skills get so out of practice." Lord Garrison piled on in good humor.
"Soon enough, old friend." Bleddyn smiled.
Just then someone bumped into my arm as he passed me heading toward the lively pair. Sir Carrion wore the same expression that he had when I walked him home the day before.
"Here!" Carrion shoved a cup into his father's hands.
"That is not the way to speak to anyone, young man." Lord Garrison reprimanded in defense of his friend. Any color in Bleddyn's complexion slowly drained to a sickly pallor.
"I assume you know why my father is here. That makes me your equal, Lord Garrison," Sir Carrion boasted.
"Everyman is equal in earning the respect of those around him. It is not lightly given, but can be easily lost." I interrupted. "Lord Bleddyn and Lord Garrison have my respect."
I stood and basked for a moment in Sir Carrion's offended expression. Lord Garrison looked politely pleased. Lord Bleddyn's countenance still seemed defeated in the presence of his son.
"I just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery, Lord Bleddyn. Good day, gentlemen," I said my peace and saw Bleddyn nod his thanks toward me.
As I left the room I heard Lord Garrison's assessment of me. "There is a Swordsman who would make his father proud."