Chapter 67

Gerald sipped his wine from a brass goblet. He gazed at some roses that fluttered with the rare breeze. He was resting in his seat in the keep's gardens, enjoying the peace of mind he'd needed for a while by now.

As he closed his eyes to savor the taste of wine and the smell of roses in the air, he heard hurried steps approaching from behind. He opened his eyes and turned around to see Arthur wearing a wry smile. With reluctance Gerald asked, "What is it, Arthur?"

"My lord," the old minister said. "The Baronies' envoys have arrived."

"Very well," Gerald nodded. "Why aren't you handling the matter on your own like we've agreed then?"

"That . . . my lord." Arthur smiled wryly once more. "They have sent the daughter of Baron Elrite as their representative."

Gerald raised a brow for a moment, then he nodded slowly as he realized the meaning behind it. "I assume she won't be the one negotiating, even though she's their 'representative'."

"Doubtful, my lord. She is here for other reasons," Arthur smirked with his slightly wrinkled cheek.

"If you don't want to give your lord nightmares, don't smirk again, Arthur," Gerald chortled.

Arthur lost the smirk but couldn't hold a chuckle from coming out. "This could be an opportunity, my lord."

"It could be," Gerald said. "But I'm not certain of what I want from the Baronies yet." The Barons had likely had to discuss among themselves which of them would be sending their daughter, since the Baron who did would have the most influence on him if a marriage were to occur. "Now that we aren't the downtrodden Viscounty of the past, they want to be the first to gain our friendship. They have even gone as far as attempting a marriage." He chuckled and closed his eyes for a breath once more.

"One can't fault them for that, my lord," Arthur said.

"One indeed can't," Gerald smiled and opened his eyes. "Send the lady here, and negotiate with whomever they've sent to do the real work."

"Yes, my lord," Arthur bowed and left.

..

It wasn't long before he saw the lady arriving at the gardens with an escort of two maids. She waved for them to leave as she entered.

Gerald observed the young woman who looked like a fragile sculpture crowned with bright-brown, long hair. Her ivory colored gown spread around her as she approached him with purpose.

He stood up and smiled at her.

She smiled back with her thin lips and stopped a few steps away from him, curtsying. "Lord Tellus, it is pleasant to meet you. You have a very beautiful keep." She glanced at the roses.

"Lady Elrite," he nodded. "You have my thanks. It's an honor to have you in my keep."

"Please," she cocked her head with the most appealing smile. "Reya."

"Very well, Lady Reya," he said, politely gesturing for her to walk with him.

"You are still calling me 'lady'," she said as she began to walk.

"Well, you are a lady, after all," he smiled.

She sighed. "I suppose there is no persuading you."

They walked by a small patch of roses, and Reya sniffed the air. A smile drew itself on her face. Likely, she enjoyed the smell as much as he did.

Gerald hadn't decided yet how he was going to handle the disguised proposal that the Baronies were suggesting by sending Reya. She was a beauty, no doubt; with a delicate countenance, narrow shoulders, and a short stature.

Her beauty was of no interest to him though. He thought of what he could gain from an alliance with one of the Baronies. He doubted he could gain any wealth from it. Any friendship between him and the Baronies would likely result in mutual defense against aggression more than anything else. And he didn't like the thought of it. The Baronies were much wealthier than his Viscounty. They were always at risk because of other nobles' greed, while his territory didn't have such a problem. It was true that some had used the weakness of the Viscounty to reap some benefits, but that had been exactly because of the weakness. The Viscounty didn't have any resources that would incite the greed of another Lord, not when they would have to fight Ard's army that didn't have to worry about bandits.

Reya glanced at him and seemed to muster some courage. "I like dancing very much." She blushed. "I haven't had a chance to do it along the way. I was wondering if you would like to be my partner for a dance. Perhaps you can invite your bard to . . . " she trailed off.

Gerald pressed his lips in apology. "I'm afraid we have no bard in the keep. I suppose it's because we have no need for one."

The redness on Reya's cheeks grew deeper and she nodded, trying hide as much of her face as possible by looking away.

Gerald wanted to shake his head. He would have to live with this for a few days, but at least she looked too timid to pester him. Still, it seemed that Baron Elrite had had his daughter trained for the occasion.

ß----------------------------------------à

Harrid swung his training sword again under the mild sun of day. He didn't know how many times he'd swung it since he'd begun. But he'd been told to use this opportunity to train more than usual, since the lord wouldn't be needing him for the day.

As another swing cut through the air, he caught sight of a tall shadow on the other side of the training grounds. When he looked closely, he recognized the old man. He was the one who'd accompanied the lord back when he'd taken him and Yanna to the keep; Master Rudolf.

The old man approached him with steady steps, then he came to a stop in front of him and looked at him solemnly. "How old are you, boy?"

Harrid relaxed his posture and straightened up, watching the old man anxiously. "The lord's physician said that I'm thirteen, Master Rudolf."

"Huh," the old steward rubbed his chin, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "You seem to be close."

"Close?" Harrid tilted his head.

Master Rudolf chuckled and waved his hand. "Don't mind my words. Continue your training."

Harrid nodded and regained his posture once more. He watched the old man turn around and begin walking away, only to stop halfway and turn back around.

"You have talent. . . Harrid, yes?"

"Yes, Master Rudolf," Harrid nodded fervently. "I have talent?"

"Indeed," Master Rudolf said. He approached and flicked both of Harrid's upper arms with speed that didn't allow him to respond. "You might just step on the path at the age of fourteen. Would you like to have my guidance?"

Harrid's face brightened. He didn't know much about Master Rudolf. But from his stay by the lord's side, Harrid had realized that the old man was anything but ordinary. Perhaps he had a chance for some real training instead of swinging his sword all day like the sergeant had instructed him. He nodded his head to answer Master Rudolf's question.

The old steward frowned and gave him a meaningful stare. "I didn't say some guidance, boy. I said I'm offering you guidance, all that you could get. You will have to listen to every word I say, and you will have to learn quickly. You will follow my commands, and you'll never speak of our training to anyone but the Viscount."

Harrid's wore his most serious face and nodded again. "Yes, Master Rudolf. I will follow your commands."

"Very well," the old man sighed. "You must also know that I have a reason and a condition to guide you."

Harrid gazed at the old steward inquisitively. He had a chance to do much more than this plain training and he would be able to become stronger, for Yanna and for himself. Perhaps someday he would become a knight like she had told him.

"I won't tell you about it now," Master Rudolf said. "You have other matters to worry about. You need to prove that you are worth the effort I will put into making you a proper . . . Warrior."

Harrid's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword in determination. He looked the old man in the eye for a moment, the longest he could, and he said, "I'm prepared, Master Rudolf."