*Dorian Whitehall*
I pushed myself up off the seat and made my way over to Wilfred. I tapped his shoulder hoping he'd rise from his seat. He's asleep, I thought. I moved past his seat towards the door. He'll wake surely, I thought. But what if he didn't, What if everyone else let it pass on to the next person, hoping he'd wake. My shoulders shrunk. "Stupid bastard", I muttered under my breath, as I stopped my hand on the door and moved graciously back to where Wilfred was seated. Meredith looked at me, judging my appearance, my posture and I thought back to the question she asked of me earlier. She was smart and cunning and no doubt had a plan and way to use me, just like her father. I knew she would be even more critical of me, now that we were due to get married. And would wish for Varyon to train alongside me, whilst we resided here, in preparation of the tourney. In search of whatever details she could pry from me.
I huffed and began to haul Wilfred up from his seat, this heavy old fool. He'll injury me before I even get to spar Varyon. How I wish I brought someone more competent with me. I gritted my teeth as I dragged him along the floor. Or at least someone who would help me get him off his chair. I looked to Jane and Reuben chatting, then to where Meredith was but she and Varyon were now gone. And no guard also seemed interested in helping. This is how our alliance will work, the runt will carry the pack. Until he breaks and then they will find some other fool to push in my stead.
After a heavy pull I let Wilfred rest at the door whilst I caught my breath. But I also did not want to be seen on the street, carrying my companions around. That would not lead good fortune.
As I rested my head against the door sucking oxygen into my lungs, seeking my much needed respite. Then once I finally reached some tranquility I heard the loud ring of horns, that seemed to get deeper and deeper, and longer and longer. As if I was getting pulled into a paradox. My mind snapped as the door was pushed open by an angered Jane and I was nearly sent tumbling onto my head. Looking through the open door I caught a glimpse of whom was making that noise.
Large horses rode into the square, each man upon the horse wearing a full body suit of armor. With thick dove white like feathers sticking proudly from the pouldrons of each Lord. Jane moved quickly down the steps of the hall, where she stopped at the foot of the lead horse, as I quickly scurried after her.
Two Lords gathered before her with their knights behind them as the third swung down from his horse. Each removing their helm simultaneously. I did not recognise their appearance, but I recognised their names. Lord Earl Bryn Boru, Lord Davyn Ryle and Lord Ormund Sewell. Each one distinguished in their own right.
Behind Lord Ormund, was a large man who towered over everyone, that I presumed to be his son. He wore emerald armor with more golden coloured feathers sprouting from his pouldrons. Beside him he held his trusty warhammer in one hand, that could easily crush a man's skull in one blow. He was of great renown of course, and his bouts with the young Lord Davyn of seventeen years, were told near and far.
"Earl Bryn", Jane says her gaze unrelenting. "You would do well to remember, we are not great fans of Lorcan ourselves. Even if we are his subjects", Bryn says gesturing me and Reuben you trail Jane down the steps. "Isn't that right lads", a loud cheer goes up from the crowd behind him, except for the Lords and the man with golden feathers. "You can wish all you want, Queen Jane. But your future army's are only fit for burning down villages and towns, they aren't warriors. When was the last time, King Reuben or his predecessors had renowned warriors, not since the days of the Marvorian conquest. What had any three of your Kingdoms contributed to trade and politics in the last thirty years. People don't go to any of your dominions, as they know the poor outcome of individuals from there and they need a similar fate".
He jabbed a finger in her chest, which drew a snicker from Davyn. Bryn turned and left, "I look forward to seeing you in the tourney, Jane. Until we meet once more". His voice was regal but it held disrespect, he bowed graciously and met my eyes with mocking sneer as he turned tail and followed his Earl.
Jane moved past me up the steps, her expression still cold and emotionless. "He's right", Reuben said as she past him. "I figured that, when your son, Varyon was the best knight of renown you had in your Kingdom", she said with no real underbite. He waved her off, "I see". She continued her way up the steps but one could sense that she was less pleased with her current situation.
Reuben took two steps down towards me, "Young King, I suggest you make haste and find someone to assist with bringing your company back to your residence for the next few days". I held his gave, "I know". I moved off the steps and down the nearest Street before turning onto an alley. What is all of this supposed to mean, he just came to tell we are weak. Maybe in hopes that we wouldn't fight Lorcan. But his men all seemed pretty blood thirsty. Or is he just playing mind tactics with us, trying to get inside our heads for the tournament. I can't figure it out.
Before I realised where I was, my head hit the cobblestone. "Fool, you didn't even realise your future wife was right in front of you", her voice was less, how do I put it, stuck up than earlier. "Ya, but did you need to trip me", I said whilst rubbing my head. "Sorry, but not sorry. You need to learn how to pay more attention to your surroundings, what if I was a muggar. What would you have done then". "Shut up", my cheeks blushed. "I know my beauty can be pretty mesmo-", my mind blanked and it was like there was a white noise playing in my ear. I couldn't hear what ever bullshit Meredith was spouting. What was I doing, my mind always ran with a hundred thoughts, but if I couldn't focus on one. My hand pressed in cold water in-between the crack of cobblestone.
"Are you going to help me", I pushed myself up off the street. "At what", she asked. "Carrying my drunken companion back to my residence, as your father so put it", I smiled at her. "Uh fine, it'll be a bonding experience", she said smoothing out my shirt. "Your really into this whole marriage thing", I picked her wrist feeling how light and fragile it was in my hand. "Well it is the only way I'm going to get out of being couped up in my father's stupid castle all day", he gave fell before rising with a new light again. "Now Dorian do you mind letting go, of my wrist!", her nails that were polished and glimmering made contact with my cheek, leaving an angry red welt. "What the hell was that for!, I was going to let go", I dropped her wrist and flinched as I rubbed the mark. "Well how could I have been sure", she remarked. "By asking like a normal human!", I retorted with bite in my voice. "Now that you say it I guess it is an option", she tapped her chin. "Now my friend let us fetch your comapion", she said in a mocking tone. "Hey that sounds like me", I said walking after her. "Oh does it", she put on a mock face of shock. "How could I have been so unfortunate, to have spoken in your accent. Oh the dread", she smiled a playfully normal smile, compared to what I had seen her do before. It felt different, better and more free. I guess she isn't all totally bad.