Avondale (18 page)

Tiberius led Ariel up the marble steps to the elevated section of the room where the Earl’s table looked out over the throng of people in the great hall. He noticed Robere wiping tears from his eyes in an alcove filled with servants.

“Would you like to sit near your father?” Tiberius said.

“No, actually. Let’s sit here, on the end where we can have a little more privacy,” Ariel said.

Tiberius nodded and pulled out a chair for the Princess. Tiberius was just sitting down when his father and brothers were announced. The Earl made his way quickly to the high table, but didn’t sit. Then the King was announced and everyone stood up except for Ariel, who sat watching. The people at the tables and standing along the walls all bowed as the King strode past them. He looked like a famous warrior and Tiberius thought that even Grentz had never looked so renowned as the King.

Once the King sat down, wine was poured and the long line of introductions were made. People lined up before the high table and were introduced to the King by a servant. At first Tiberius and Ariel sat quietly watching, but after the first few people were introduced, Ariel leaned over and whispered in Tiberius’ ear.

“How long have you been a wizard?” she asked.

Tiberius was speechless. He had known that magical power was emanating from Ariel, but he had never guessed that another magical person would be able to sense magic in him. His body stiffened with fear and his heart began to race. Before Ti could form an answer, Leonosis appeared on the other side of the Princess.

“Have you tried our winter wine?” he asked. “It’s made from grapes that were frozen in an early frost. The drink itself is quiet sweet.”

“No thank you,” Ariel said. Then she leaned over and whispered in Tiberius’ ear, “Your secret is safe with me.”

Tiberius relaxed a little, although he still felt very uncomfortable. He glanced at Ariel and saw that she was studying him with an intense gaze. He also saw Leonosis glowering at him. He wanted to say that he had done nothing wrong, that he wasn’t interested in the Princess at all, but he couldn’t. She was attractive and her attention was immensely flattering, not to mention the fact that it was making his brother angry was sweeter than the winter wine.

He took a sip from his goblet and smiled at Ariel.

“Thank you,” he said quietly.

It was difficult to talk over the clamor of the announcements and still be discrete. The very last thing Tiberius wanted was for Leonosis to overhear him. He leaned close to the Princess and was surprised by the waft of her perfume. The scent was a blend of familiar smells, all extremely feminine and it caught Tiberius off guard. He felt his desire stirring and forgot for a moment what he was going to say.

“I’m sorry,” he confessed. “Your perfume is wonderful.”

“It’s from Duringer,” Ariel said. “There is an alchemist there who makes amazing perfumes. I’m glad you like it.”

“Tiberius,” Leonosis said, leaning forward so he could see past the Princess. “Have you shared with her Highness how close you are to becoming a Paladin?”

“No,” Tiberius said, trying not to let his anger get the best of him.

“He’ll be taking his vows any day now,” Leonosis said, barely concealing the vicious intent of his words.

Tiberius understood the threat all too well. His brother was angry and despite the fact that Tiberius had not completed the training to become a Paladin, or passed the weapons tests, Leonosis would see that he took his vows as soon as possible.

“How interesting,” Ariel said with a smile. “It seems I got here just in time.”

Tiberius was about to say something when Leonosis suddenly stood up, his ornate chair rocking back on its rear legs before a servant stepped forward and caught it from toppling over.

“Excuse me, Princess,” Leonosis said.

She nodded and Tiberius thought his brother was going to storm away angrily, but Leonosis just stood at the table. He was staring down at the line of people waiting to be introduced to the King. Tiberius followed his gaze and saw Rafe standing behind Lady Olyva. He realized that whatever Leonosis had in mind for Rafe, he was about to do it. Ti wanted to shout to his friend, to run over and protect him, but there was no way to do it without making a scene and he still didn’t know what Leonosis had in mind.

“Lady Olyva, of Hamill Keep,” said the servant making the introductions. “Betrothed to Master Brutas.”

Olyva bowed and Leonosis cleared his throat.

“If I may,” he said loudly and suddenly every eye was on the Earl’s firstborn son. “It has come to my attention that Lady Olyva is in love with someone other than my brother.”

Murmuring broke out across the room of revelers. Tiberius stiffened. He knew that Rafe and Lady Olyva had feelings for one another, but he thought his friend was smart enough not to carry on a secret affair with a woman pledged to the Earl’s family. He felt his stomach tighten into a knot.

“Yes,” Rafe said boldly. “I am Rafe, son of Grentz the Sword Master and officer to his excellency, Earl Aegus. And I love Lady Olyva.”

The murmuring in the room suddenly fell quiet. It was as if everyone was holding their breath as they waited to see what would happen.

“Is this true?” Aegus asked.

“It is, my lord,” Rafe said boldly.

Tiberius heard the confidence in his friend’s voice and realized that he had traded the truth of their battle with the Graypees for the right to marry Lady Olyva. Tiberius’ heart sank as he realized what Leonosis was planning to do.

“This is an affront to our family,” Leonosis said.

“What?” Rafe asked in surprise.

The crowd that had been queued up for their introduction to the King now fell back, leaving a terrified looking Lady Olyva and a confused looking Rafe in the open section of the wide main aisle.

“You dare make advances to a woman who is betrothed to my brother?” Leonosis growled.

Tiberius looked to the King, embarrassed that his oldest brother would air their family’s dirty laundry during the feast. He didn’t know what he expected to see on the King’s face, but the man looked happy, as if he were watching a bard sing an ancient battle song for the first time. He glanced at Princess Ariel; she too seemed inured with the scandalous affair.

“My lord, did we not—”

“Silence!” Leonosis shouted. “Do not embarrass Avondale anymore, sir. Your reprehensible actions shall not go unpunished.”

Rafe’s look of bewilderment changed suddenly to pure rage.

“My lord,” Leonosis went on. “We await your judgement.”

“You discovered the affair, son,” Aegus said proudly. “It is for you, the future Earl of Avondale to pass sentence on these two.”

“My lord,” Rafe said through clenched teeth. “I must protest.”

“Speak again and I shall have you in chains,” Leonosis said savagely.

Lady Olyva was weeping now and Rafe went to her, putting his arms around her and whispering quiet encouragement in her ear. Leonosis waited, letting his silence draw in the crowd and build the suspense before he spoke. Everyone was watching Rafe and Olyva, some looked sad, others grinned with glee at the spectacle being played out in the great hall.

“Lady Olyva,” Leonosis said loudly, “you have brought shame on Hamill Keep and Avondale alike. Your actions are inexcusable. It would be within our rights to have you executed publicly for your crimes against this house.”

“How scandalous,” Ariel said, the excitement in her voice unmistakeable.

Tiberius glanced at the Princess, trying to hide the horror he felt for his friend. Then he looked at Rafe, who was staring up defiantly at the high table. There wasn’t even a hint of fear in the young warrior’s eyes. Finally Tiberius looked back at his brother who seemed as sanctimonious as the High Priest during the holy day sermons. Leonosis paused and waited for the frantic whispers that erupted around the feasting hall to die down before continuing.

“But,” he said, “I am not without mercy. As a boon to our King and his beautiful daughter…” He cast a look over his shoulder as he said this, looking at Ariel who seemed to be entranced by the whole affair, “I banish you from Avondale forever.”

Once again Leonosis paused and was rewarded by a gut wrenching moan of terror from Lady Olyva. If Rafe had not been holding her, she would have fallen to the ground.

“And to ensure that your romance is not endangered,” he continued. “I banish your lover as well.”

The crowd was so shocked by Rafe’s banishment that they no longer talked in hushed voices. The great hall was suddenly filled with noise, but Tiberius heard none of it. The crowd was flabbergasted that the great Sword Master’s son was being banished. Everyone in the city knew of Rafe’s skill with the sword and everyone expected that he would bring great honor to Avondale, just like his father had. No one had even considered that Leonosis would banish him. Tiberius looked to his father, hoping that Aegus would intervene, but from the look on the Earl’s face, everything was going according to plan.

“I’m sorry, my lady,” Tiberius said to Ariel. “It was my honor to meet you.”

“What?” the Princess said in surprise.

Tiberius didn’t wait to explain. He left the high table and made his way through the crowd toward Rafe who stood holding Olyva, his features set with a look of furious defiance.

“Brother!” Tiberius shouted as he stepped up beside Rafe, who looked at him in surprise. “Don’t do this. No one has been hurt here. Rafe has served our family with honor. I, for one, will vouch for him. Lady Olyva was carried away from her family and all she knew in Hamill Keep. Neither of them deserve such a cruel sentence. I beg you to reconsider, for the good of Avondale.”

The crowd seemed surprised at first; Tiberius had expected that. He was the Earl’s third son, and he doubted if half the people in the great hall even knew his name. But they liked what he did and it gave them hope that Rafe would be spared. He could hear the excited talk all around him and he hoped the looks of eager expectation on their faces might help sway Leonosis.

“This in not your place, Tiberius,” Earl Aegus said.

“Rafe is my friend,” Tiberius said, still speaking loudly so that everyone in the hall could hear him. “Avondale is my home. I only want what is best for all of us.”

“You would tie your fate to Rafe Grentzson?” Leonosis asked.

For a split second Tiberius hesitated. He knew he was giving his brother the power over his life, but he doubted that Leonosis would banish him. Adding his own life to the balance would give his brother a reason to overturn his ruling without losing the respect of the crowd.

“I would,” Tiberius said.

The murmuring grew so loud Leonosis had to call for quiet in the hall. Tiberius saw Ariel moving over to her father and whispering in the King’s ear.

“My decisions stands,” Leonosis said, with a look of wicked glee on his face. “I banish the three of you forever.”

There were angry shouts from the crowd now, and calls for mercy. Olyva’s face was buried in Rafe’s chest and the young warrior looked at his friend. There were tears in Rafe’s eyes. Tiberius was shocked. He couldn’t believe his brother had banished him forever. It wasn’t right, but Tiberius knew that arguing wouldn’t change anything. He clenched his teeth and glared balefully at Leonosis, ignoring the downcast looks of his mother and father, knowing that neither would speak up for him.

“May I interject?” the King asked, rising to his feet and bringing the hall to silence instantly. The King didn’t wait to be given permission to interfere with the proceedings. “I can see the value of this officer and being a warrior myself, I would grant a reprieve to Rafe Grentzson and the Earl’s son as well. There is a place at Sparlan Citadel for both of you.”

Tiberius felt hope kindle to life in his chest. He understood now what the Princess had whispered in her father’s ear. By tying himself to Rafe, she was able to get him to leave Avondale and return with her. No one would even know that he was wanted, since the Citadel was a warrior’s stronghold and Rafe was the most promising fighter in Avondale.

The crowd called out their approval of the situation. There were whistles and shouts of praise for the King’s mercy. Tiberius looked to Leonosis who was now stone faced, only the pulsing throb of the vein in his neck betraying his fury. The Earl seemed unsurprised by the King’s intervention.

“Even good men,” the King continued, “can be corrupted by a lascivious woman. What say you Rafe Grentzson, will you join my war band?”

Tiberius knew his friend’s answer before Rafe spoke. Their salvation hinged on Rafe abandoning Olyva and Tiberius knew his friend was too honorable to accept that. The fact that the King had insulted Lady Olyva only made the decision that much easier.

“No,” he said.

The crowd was shocked to silence.

“Go then!” Leonosis bellowed. “Get out of my sight. Guards!”

Armed men marched into the feasting hall. The King looked furious and Princess Ariel was shocked. Tiberius guessed she’d never heard anyone refuse her father before.

“You got us into a hell of a mess now,” Tiberius growled.