It was a reunion Relma had wanted for a long ti now.
Of course, she had to leap so fences to get it, even at this stage. She'd eat a lovely al with the other contestants though that man from before kept making snide remarks. Reginald seed embarrassed by him and tried to reign him in but in a friendly way. He eventually distracted him by turning the subject to won. Their conversation turned to several 'conquests.' Garrick made conversation with Varsus about the problem of piracy in the Sea of Power. Frederick spoke at length with De Cathe and Estela, speaking of the wars in Escor.
It seed as if everyone was at war. And nobody could imagine a world where they weren't. It troubled Relma.
The chira had continually brushed up against William as he spoke with Felix. The two boys seed to be arguing, but she couldn't make it out. Relma noted that William spoke to Felix almost as an equal. Just what kind of servant was he?
And how had he even got in here? Relma supposed there was no rule against pets, but Ronald had been told to wait outside. Then again, nobody seed to even notice Felix except her. The chira beca increasingly insistent, and even an offer of at did not get her to stop. Finally, William stood up and slipped out. Felix and the chira followed.
Eventually, William slipped out, and Relma took this as her cue to leave. She walked out after him and quickly got out of her armor before fitting it into a bag she'd taken with her. Then, slipping out, she began to follow them; she ran into Ronald.
That was the reunion, and she forgot at once her pursuit, got to her knees, and hugged him. Then, of course, her bag full of armor bumped him, and he winced in pain.
"Sorry," said Relma, quickly healing the bruise.
"What's in there?" asked Ronald.
"Just so stuff I'm carrying," said Relma. "Ronald, it's been months."
"Sorry I couldn't et you earlier; Sir Frederick wanted
to get the wolves denned after our entrance," said Ronald. "Did you see it?" The halfling boy's voice was hopeful.
"You an riding up to the tent at the last minute?" asked Relma. "Yes. Why the entrance anyway?"
"Well, he wanted to appear fashionably late," said Ronald. "Sir Frederick says it helps to appear impressive when you want to negotiate.
"So, what are you doing?"
"Oh, um, I'm following William Gabriel," said Relma. "One of the contestants in the tournant. Do you want to go with ?"
Ronald followed after her but seed a bit concerned. "So we finally et again after months, and the first thing you want to do is stalk one of your enemies?"
"I'm not stalking him, okay. I just heard he has a scar, but he put the helm back on before I could see it," said Relma. "And he isn't my enemy."
"He's a political rival," said Ronald. "Duke Vanion is one of the most powerful n in Antion of Haldren. So people say he plans to beco a King himself. He can't do that if you or one of your descendants reunited Harlenor, can he?" He paused.
Relma looked at him. "Ronald, I've never heard you talk about things this way. Did sothing happen?"
"During the fighting with the Calishans, I saw things," said Ronald. "It isn't anything like in the stories Relma. I'm glad we stopped that war. All the demons in the world can keep on living if it ans not having a war.
"And I saw the kind of people Duke Vanion employs."
"What do you an?" asked Relma.
"When the order went out for the Calishans to be spared, there was a lot of anger," said Ronald. "I rember I saw n raging about how they were supposed not to kill the captured prisoners. They wanted to take their weapons and equipnt, and Duke Vanion denied them that.
"A lot of the knights of Harlenor... they aren't good people, Relma. And yet they are afraid of Vanion."
"Afraid?" asked Relma. "Why?"
"I don't know," said Ronald. "That's what scares . As far as I saw, he followed all the rules of war. He was very reasonable and rciful.
"But I saw hardened killers stop when soone ntioned Vanion wouldn't like it. My dad had a saying, "Don't be afraid of the snake you can see. You can do sothing about it. It's the one you can't see that is the real threat.'" He paused. "Still, I'll walk with you."
They made their way through the town as quickly as they could. Relma used so minor spells Aunt Pan had taught her to track William. As they walked, Ronald looked ill at ease. "What does his scar have to do with anything?"
"Well, Estela said that lchious had a similar scar," said Relma.
"Are you saying lchious and William Gabriel are the sa people?" asked Ronald.
Relma stared at him. "No, I just-" Then she heard a harp sound. The music was sweet and beautiful. Relma had never heard anything so nice. "I hear music."
They followed it and soon ca to a corner. Standing around it, they saw William sitting on a bench, playing hard with ungloved hands. His helm was still on his face. Felix was nowhere to be seen, but the chira was lying belly up at his feet, basking in the sun.
"Is that a chira?" asked Ronald.
"He has a pet chira," said Relma. "Didn't you see it before?"
"No," said Ronald. "I haven't even seen him. Estela and I were in different battles."
"I think you're asking the wrong questions," said Felix.
Relma turned around with a shriek and saw the calishan boy erging from the shadows. His eyes were narrowed. "If you want to ask questions of my master, you might just approach him normally."
"Who... how did you get there?" asked Ronald.
"I walked," said Felix, smiling.
"I know, but... I didn't even notice you," said Ronald.
"Not being seen is one of my primary assets," said Felix. "I am Felix, the valet of William Gabriel. We've been aware of your clumsy attempts at stealth for so ti. If you try and pry information from us, we'd appreciate it if you were less obvious about it."
"Right, um, I'm going to go talk to him then," said Relma.
She walked toward William, who had yet to stop playing. As she approached, he ceased his harping and put the instrunt down. From there, he removed the helt, and Relma saw the scar. It was long and ugly and went from his forehead to the middle of one of his cheeks. Whatever had done, it had missed the eye, but it marred his features.
Features that were very similar to Anoa's. The resemblance was uncanny.
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"Yes?" asked William.
"So, um, what's his na?" asked Relma, looking to the chira.
"She is nad Massacre," said William. "I made the sa mistake, actually. All chiras have manes."
"So, uh, how did you et?" asked Relma.
"Well, Felix and I slipped into her cave while running away from satyrs," said William. "When our pursuers started a fire outside, the smoke woke her, and she ate them. Then she tried to eat us, but I cald her down with music."
"So she likes music then?" asked Relma.
"Yes. I'm not sure if it is all chiras or just her," admitted William.
"You know, Ronald and I got chased into a cave once," said Relma. "Though we were running from Aunt Pan, not satyrs."
He blinked. "You an Pandora the Sorceress?"
"Yes," said Relma.
William stood up. "Hmm, interesting. You would be the Heir of Kings then?"
"You've heard of
all the way in Artarq?" asked Relma, hopefully.
"Not really," admitted William. "Tanith ntioned you in passing, and I learned more as I made my way down here. She described you as, uh..." He raised a hand to his temple in thought. "What was it, Felix?"
"A weak-willed, spineless puppet of sorcerers. Incapable of any worthwhile achievent, she is dood to be a figurehead. One swiftly cut down." said Felix. "Or sothing to that effect."
"It was very impolite, and I don't an to take her word as automatic truth," said William.
"...That's a bit more flowery than I thought Tanith capable," said Relma.
"Carn Gable is one of the greatest libraries in Haldren. She was educated there alongside ," said William. "She is knowledgeable. She just prefers to focus on more martial pursuits. Also, she was drunk, so she wasn't herself."
Relma shifted in irritation. And then sothing occurred to her. "Wait, so nobody is talking about Lightning Trail being drawn?"
William blinked. "Should we be? Harlenor won't be reunited because soone drew a sword from the sky. The vast majority of conquerers fail. Their dream of a unified Harlenor usually conflicts with another dream. That of the many feuding nobles who want a disunified Harlenor. Even if they would never admit it."
"Well then, what would unite Harlenor?" asked Relma, curious.
William considered things. "...Well, the sword could have worked if an overbearing threat might destroy all Three Kingdoms. Then you might convince them to call a truce and support the man who drew it.
"Enlightened self-interest would allow the creation of a figurehead. Then, if he proved strong in war and a good administrator, he might well consolidate control. That, I suspect, is how Anoa the Bright managed it."
"What makes you so sure?" asked Relma. What did he know about Anoa the Bright?
"I read history," said William. "Things tend to go in cycles, and once you read enough, you begin to notice the patterns."
Relma decided to change the subject. "So why did you enter the Tournant of Kings?
"As I said when you were eavesdropping, I am acting in Raynald's stead," said William. "But in all honesty, I was hoping to et you."
Relma paused. "? Why?"
William looked at her. "Isn't it obvious? You drew Lightning Trail. You also have the support of Gail Arengeth and Pandora. And you have several major accomplishnts. Given that Benarus dislikes his current heir, he may cede control to you to spite her. In so doing, he would satisfy both his families' oath and ensure the succession of the realm."
"Wow, you figured all that out yourself?" asked Relma.
"Thank you for confirming my suspicions. And no, I didn't," said William. "Felix did, though Father probably suspects as much himself. Either way, I wanted to know what kind of person you were. We could end up being political enemies in the future."
Massacre stood up and peered at her intently. The lion head licked its chops.
"Bah," said the goat.
"Erm, I'd rather avoid that," said Relma.
William shrugged. "Then feel free to renounce your claim to the throne of Harlenor Reunited. Do that, and you don't have to worry about politics. Otherwise, you should expect to make many enemies."
Relma was surprised at how candid he was about this. He was a very strange person. "So you went through Brisgald on your way here, correct?"
"Yes," said William.
"What's it like?" asked Relma. She'd heard a lot of stories about Brisgald, the impregnable fortress. It had never been taken. In the days of the elves, a great host of fifty thousand satyrs was said to have besieged it. That had been a host supported by dragons. Generations had passed seeking a way through.
And in the end, the siege failed.
Or so the legends said. However, Relma had her doubts about them being truthful. At the very least, they were exaggerated.
"Quite nice since Duke Borinius was dethroned," said William. "Uncle has continued setting things to the right where Father left off. The villagers are quite happy with House Gabriel in control."
"Why?" asked Relma, hoping to take him off guard.
"We lowered taxes," said William. "Borinius taxed them to the hilt, so many starved on bad years. We had to conduct ourselves as sothing resembling decent human beings. Thus we beca known as benevolent lords out of legend.
"It was all very depressing."
"Isn't that where Duke Vanion made his pact with lchious?" asked Relma.
William stiffened. "It wasn't a pact. It was a deal."
Relma t his gaze. He looked back. "What is the difference between a pact and a deal?"
William scoffed. "Don't display your ignorance, Relma. The technical definition is irrelevant. My father made a deal with lchious, then had second thoughts at the last minute. So he changed his plan, found out Borinius was guilty of treason, and exposed the plot.
"Much good ca from his actions, and lchious got nothing in return. Father didn't even owe him anything by the terms of the arrangent."
"Well, what have we here?" asked a voice. "So beardless boys playing at being knights?"
And here they went. Relma turned around and saw a large, stubbled man with a bald head. He was a brute who'd mocked Ajax, just out of armor. He was staggering as if drunk. With him was Reginald, who was following slowly behind, looking resigned. Massacre arose to her feet and growled.
"Stay your hand, Massacre," said William. "He isn't worth it."
"I can't believe that this tournant has allowed a girl and a harping child into this tournant?" said the brute.
"We ought to just let this go, Ham," said Reginald.
"Or what? This damn... Gabriel, wouldn't dare..." He seed to lose his train of thought and put one hand on his sword. "I don't... I don't like the way they look at ."
"Tell , is there a particular reason you are bothering ?" asked William. "Don't you have any better uses for your ti than harassing soone with a chira for a friend?"
"You think I'm afraid of that thing? Cause I'm not," choked Ham.
"Fear is a natural state of being experienced in response to danger," said William. "Overcoming it is courage. Eventually, you do not feel it at all, however. You have my sincerest condolences on your lack of intellect.
"You must be a very well-trained monkey."
"Say that again with a blade in your hand!" snarled Ham. And he began to draw his sword.
At once, Reginald stepped between them. "Wait, wait, wait, we can't do this!"
"Oh, I think we can," said William, a slight smile on his face. His hand was on his sword. "I've no objection to cutting down a Hawkthorne after my trip."
"Didn't you people read the rules?" asked Reginald. "Fighting outside of the ring is strictly forbidden. So if either of you strikes the other down now, you'll be thrown out and get nothing but a reputation as a thug. Win in the ring, though, and you'll get renown and be on your way to winning riches!"
William paused, then nodded. "...Fair enough."
"I'll..." Ham motioned with one finger. "I'll see you in the ring." His voice was slurred.
"Co on, Ham," said Reginald. "You're making a fool of us."
As Reginald led the man away, William sat back down. "I sincerely doubt I'll face that man anywhere. I have a one-in-nine chance, and he won't make it past the first round. His stance is sloppy."
"Don't you rember the roadside?" asked Felix. "He killed an entire caravan of armored n and freed their prisoners. Don't be too quick to underestimate him. Ham is not to be underestimated."
"If he intends to remain perpetually drunk, I have no reason to fear him," said William.
"You were pretty calm for soone about to kill soone," said Relma. And he had been about to kill him. If that chira had leaped, Ham would have been ripped to shreds. So what had happened on the journey to make William so quick to kill a Hawkthorne? Granted, they had a pretty reputation.
"Control is essential," said William, pulling on a gauntlet. "As long as you have a clear mind and think rationally, you can find the path to victory. Lose control for a minute, though, and everything falls apart." He pulled on the other one.
"Does this rational mind of yours tell you to pick fights?" asked Relma. "You provoked him. He was drunk."
"Bah," said Massacre.
"Yes, Massacre, we know you wanted to eat him," said William, scratching her behind the ears. "Maybe next ti. To answer your question, I would not disgrace my house by yielding ground to Sir Ham Hawkthorne."
"Hawkthorne?" asked Relma.
"Yes, the nephew of a fat noble known for never seeing combat," said William. "Baron Vladimir Hawkethorne. Among other things. He does business in whorehouses, and rarely pays his debts. He deals with criminals and vampires to achieve his goals."
"So you try to keep a rational and clear mind except when your pride demands otherwise?" guessed Relma. "How convenient."
William bowed dramatically and flourished his cape. "Welco to the nobility, Relma Artorious." Then he put back on his helt, and his voice was like death. "I hope you'll enjoy your stay."
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