There was a very long and very awkward silence, broken when Arthur burst into laughter. It was forced, and there was no hiding it from his tone. “I’m so sorry to catch you off guard, Emilia. Really. I only thought it was about time you both met.”

“I see,” she said. “And you decided to take it into your own hands because…?”

Arthur’s smile waned. “I’m just trying to do my part. Please, join us for lunch. That’s all I ask. My treat.” He turned to Bud. “That would be great, wouldn’t it, Robert?”

“What are you doing?” Bud said quietly.

Arthur’s face twitched. “What do you mean? I’m just trying to help you both out.”

Bud shook his head, looking at his cousin with a disgust that Hump hadn’t seen from the knight before.

“Look, Emilia, I’m very sorry about all this,” Bud said. “About everything. It was awful of me to leave without a word. And this… I don’t even know what to say. This isn’t how I intended our first meeting to go. Arthur informed me that you were in the city, and I’d hoped to invite you out after speaking with him today.”

“I appreciate that at least you had no hand in this ambush,” she said. “And there is no need to apologise about before. I understand how terrible the timing was, and I was very sorry to hear of your loss.” She turned to Arthur. “But Arthur, this is not the way to do things. You invited me here under false pretences, and for that reason I think it’s best we part ways for today.”

“Oh come now,” Arthur protested. “You did come to Sheercliff to meet him, did you not?”

Emilia pressed her lips together. “You insult me! Perhaps it will surprise you to learn that I have better things to do than chase around a fiancé I have not met. I am here for the same reason as you—to represent my family in the defence of Sheercliff.” Her hands went to her hip, drawing everyone’s eyes to the rapier and buckler on her belt.

“I’ve made a right fool of myself,” Arthur said. “I apologise for the assumption. I’m sure we can discuss this though. At least stay for the meal.”

“There is nothing to discuss,” she said. “I came here in good faith, and you betrayed that. I bid you all a good day.” She started to head for the door.

Arthur stared at Bud, gesturing for him to go after her.

Bud clenched his jaw. “Emilia, wait.” She turned back to him. “This really isn’t how I wanted to meet. We should speak privately.”

“I would like that, but preferably on better terms. I’ll look forward to your letter, Robert. Enjoy the rest of your day.” And then she was gone.

“That went well.” Hump reached up and clasped Bud’s shoulder. “You have quite the way with words when you want to.”

Bud turned to Hump appearing anything but amused.

Hump grinned. “Look at it this way, it could have been worse. At least she didn’t challenge either of you to a duel. Getting beaten by your fiancée on your first meeting—now that would have been a disaster.”

“What are you doing, Robert,” Arthur snapped. “Go after her.”

“I think it’s best not to,” Celaine said. “She told you what to do if you wish to speak with her.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Arthur said. “She’s his fiancée. All of this is nonsense.”

“Kelisia help me,” Bud growled. “Arthur, why did you do this? Did you foresee a good ending or was your goal to sabotage me?”

“I did this to help you,” Arthur snarled. “You ran from your responsibilities and I was ordered to clean up your mess. You have no idea how furious Uncle is with you.”

Bud frowned. “My father’s not here, is he?”

Arthur scoffed. “No, he’s not here. But he instructed me to arrange your meeting. He insists on the wedding going ahead.”

“Fortunately it looks like you’ve ruined that chance.” Bud snorted.

“She’ll do her duty,” Arthur growled. “Just as you should do yours. You are not some commoner, you are a Knight of Kelisia, and the heir of Blackthorne. Stop making us look like fools.”

“Alright,” one of the knights said, stepping between them both. She was a tall woman, her strong build barely concealed beneath her clothes. “Let’s leave it for today, shall we?” She indicated Celaine. “I think she’s right; no good will come from trying to resolve this now. Leave it to Robert to invite her out later.”

“Henrietta, I intended to speak with Emilia,” Bud said to the knight, before turning back to Arthur with renewed heat in his voice. “I only wish you’d given me the chance to speak with you first.”

Arthur groaned and rubbed his face. “Gods, I messed this up didn’t I?”

“Not beyond repair,” Henrietta said.

Arthur smiled appreciatively, then looked at Bud. “Things have been twice as hard and a whole lot less fun since you left, Robert. We’ve heard that you’ve been busy.”

“Before we get into that,” Henrietta said, smiling. “Might you introduce us to your companions? I suspect this meeting is rather poor for first impressions."

“Oh, don’t mind us,” Hump said. “I’m just enjoying the show.”

Bud glared at him. “That’s Hump— Humphrey, he’s a wizard. And this is Celaine, a Chosen Huntress.”

Bud then introduced them to the members of his household. In addition to Arthur and Henrietta, there were two knights and two squires, all of the knights at least a couple of years older than Bud and from the sounds of it, seasoned adventurers.

Things calmed down a little after that. They sat down and Arthur ordered a variety of dishes, all the while catching them up on the latest news. Much of it was familiar, but it was interesting to hear it from the perspective of a lower lord rather than Countess Daston or Vivienne.

“Duke Malor has commanded all the lords of the land to send what forces they can spare,” Arthur said. “I hear even Count Daston is returning from the Fallen Lands with a bronze rank expedition.”

“Will the Wall hold with so many gone?” Bud asked.

Arthur shrugged. “It’s bad news, but the crisis demands it. We just need to deal with it quickly. Many are questioning the Duke’s decision though. Rumour has it he has not been doing well since Kassius’ death.”

“We heard you were there,” Henrietta said. “Is it true?”

“Yes,” Bud said. “That’s where the three of us started working together.” He recounted the story of Bledsbury, altering the details to leave out Kassius’ betrayal and making him the martyr as per the official accounts. It was painful to listen to, especially when he saw the respect on the faces of the knights when it came to his death. They raised their tankards in honour of him, and Hump had never had a drink that tasted so sour.

And then the matter Hump had been concerned about came up.

“It is a grim reminder of the other reason I wished to meet with you,” Arthur said. He gave Hump and Celaine an awkward look, and then pointedly turned back to Bud. “We want you to join us, Robert. You belong with us.”

“I’ve found my party,” Bud said immediately.

“I know,” Arthur said. “But you are young and inexperienced. It’s time for you to join us in the field where we can look out for you.”

“Is he trying to poach our knight?” Hump whispered indiscreetly to Celaine.

“It would appear so. And right in front of us too.”

“Should I make a fuss?” Hump asked. “Or is this one of those times I should keep my mouth shut?”

Celaine let out an amused breath then shook her head helplessly. “I think it’s a little late for that.”

“Oops.” Hump turned his gaze to Arthur. “Then let me put it bluntly, you’re not getting our knight!”

“Stay out of this, wizard,” Arthur said in a low voice. “This is a family matter. You would be wise not to interfere.”

Hump smirked. “No offence, but you don’t seem to do all that well with family matters.”

“Last warning. Don’t test me.”

“He’s right,” Bud said. “I don’t know what you are thinking today. First Emilia, and now this. I won’t be joining you, Arthur, and that’s final. My place is here.”

Arthur slammed the table. “You are a Blackthorne! You belong with us. You are neither strong nor wise enough to be adventuring on your own. Have you not dishonoured our family enough already?”

“You question my honour?” Bud asked.

“If you chose to side with some no-name adventurers, yes. I question it.”

Bud let out a long sigh. “It seems this meeting was a mistake. I left home because my father held no respect for me or my mother. And now not only do you disrespect me, you insult my friends. I will not be joining you now or ever, Arthur.” Bud stood. “Good luck with your quests.”

Hump and Celaine followed, Hump not able to suppress his grin in the slightest.

Arthur’s chair scraped on the ground as he stood, drawing the attention of the other guests in the establishment. “We’re not done, Robert!”

Bud looked back at him and sighed. “I think we are. I’m not perfect, but Kelisia has already shown me I am on the right path. There is a long way left to go on it, but I believe I’ve found the right companions to travel it with. I’ll see you around, Arthur.”

The older knight’s face was red with rage as they left, and Hump enjoyed every second of it.

“Didn’t that go well!” Hump said as they stepped outside. It had been some of the best food he could remember, made better by the fact he’d not had to pay for it. Free food was hard to beat, especially when it was of the fancy noble variety.

Bud rubbed his face with a hand, looking pale and worried. “Blessed Kelisia, what am I going to do? I can’t believe Arthur tried that. Any of it.”

Hump frowned at him. “Really? He’s a Chosen in his prime. It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.”

“What do you mean?”

“How many times do I have to remind you, you’re the odd one out, Bud. Most of the lords I meet think the world spins to their whim, right up until someone sets them straight.”

Bud shook his head. “Arthur’s not like that.”

Hump shrugged. “If you say so. Though he certainly didn’t like not getting his own way. It wasn’t all bad though, you finally got to meet your fiancée. She’s pretty too. I liked her. I was impressed with how she handled the situation. If I imagine Celaine being set up like that, she’d never have let them off so easily.” Hump trailed off as he noted Celaine’s look.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Hump smiled. “I just meant you’d never have let them get away with something like that.”

“Uh-huh.”

“It’s a good thing,” Hump added quickly. “You don’t let people walk over you. Right, Bud?”

“Absolutely.”

Celaine rolled her eyes. “Seriously, you both make it sound like I’m crazy. You’re the one that antagonised him, Hump.”

“Which, might I add, wasn’t very helpful,” Bud said.

“He was trying to steal you,” Hump said. “Do you realise how difficult it is to find a knight as large as you? It makes it so much easier to hide behind.”

Bud laughed. “Well, I appreciate it.”

They were nearing the carriageway when a familiar voice called out. “Fancy meeting you here, dragon slayer.”

Hump turned in the direction, finding a young priestess smiling at him from a group of five women. It took him only a moment to place her—Luna, the Priestess of Lady Light that had helped him back in Bledsbury.

“Hi!” he said, waving. “It’s been a while.”