My brother was a man of his word. Not only did he not say another word about Gella, he hardly said anything else to the rest of the evening.
It was not an uncomfortable silence. Our mother generally filled the void since her offspring did not feel the need for idle chatter. Without her, the atmosphere might have lacked a hoy touch but the quiet was welco.
I tossed and turned in my bed throughout the night. When I did manage to sleep, the dream I had after the gnos' vision about the two orbs played in my head again and again.
Each ti the gray orb would find new ways to frustrate . The dark orbs' counterpart seed frozen in place no matter what the dark sphere attempted. I guess my mind was still trying to unravel the mysteries of our unknown future. Or maybe it was just a dream manifesting my stress.
Finally my mind rested on sothing new. Sir Carrion seed to be the focus of today, so it only made sense that he would steal my dreams too. My mind replayed every word and every motion of the duel between the clansn of Wolves.
I finally sat up, giving up on the possibility of sleep. The chis from a clock in the shop below rang out that it was not a fully unreasonable hour to be awake.
The clock reminded of Gella. I heaved a heavy sigh. I do not know what I did wrong there, but obviously I misstepped sowhere. Instead of dwelling on my most recent mistake, I looked for sothing else to occupy my mind.
Since Sir Carrion stole my waking and sleeping hours yesterday, he might as well steal so more ti before I had to present his deeds to the Swordsn. I mulled over everything yet again.
Out of all the traditional garb seen in our country, Carrion chose a long flowing garnt. Out of all the weapons Carrion could have chosen, he picked the blade that the gnos' foresaw. Everything lined up with the vision to the last detail.
Nothing made sense to how it ca about. Carrion intended to marry Princess Alina. On the sa day he made a choice that took that option away forever. I could only reason that there had to be sothing else at play behind the scenes. Maybe Calista should not be trusted.
I rose and dressed. Instead of waiting for Benate to rise to break the fast together, I simply took a hunk of travelers bread from his supply and left for the castle.
The castle never seed to sleep. I understand the need for guards and lookouts, but even in this early hour more people were about. The cooks had ovens roaring and chimney smoke billowing into the morning air. The stable already had hands moving hay for the animals.It was comforting to know that so things never change, even in tis of war.
I was the first one to enter the council chamber. It was not surprising given the early hour.
I sat down in my usual chair. Running my hands along the smooth wood of the table, I found myself reflecting. All the Swordsn that ca before sat at this table.
In my humble opinion, I was still fairly new to the job. Yet soon I would be considered one of the more experienced ones currently in the kingdom's service.
The n who ca before were strong, brave and proud. I hope to live up to that standard. They also were probably much more prepared to babysit and ntor those who ca after them. I desperately wish that burden passes from . Or maybe I will just get used to it.
The door behind swung open sloppily. Clearly soone else thought they were going to be the first one to arrive at the eting. Lord Jacobson turned to et my gaze.
"Lord Holden! You are quite the early riser today." The youngest swordsman almost fumbled over his own foot. The statent was a fair one after I arrived last to the eting the day before.
"Good morning, Lord Jacobson."
"Please call Jack. I know in formal settings I should be called my full title, but I am just not used to it. I should ask Queen Valerie if it is proper for to be Lord Jack," Jacobson chuckled as his own musings.
I joined in the laughter even though I thought there was no way the queen would allow him to adopt such a nickna in court. Silence fell, although unlike when I was with Benate it felt uncomfortable.
Jack sat across from . He looked around the room at everything and anything besides .
"Jack," I started to help bridge the awkwardness that settled. "You grew up with Sir Carrion and Lady Calista, did you not?" Jacobson could potentially shed light on the mbers of the clan of wolves.
"I grew up around them both. I know Cali much more personally than I know Carrion. He has always been an ambitious individual. I thought it mainly was focused on his combat training and not rising in rank. Poor Alina."
Princess Alina did not have to worry about Sir Carrion in the sa way she worried yesterday, but Lord Jacobson would soon figure that out for himself.
"Sounds like Lady Calista is the more trustworthy twin," I smiled as though it was all a joke to , but I really wanted to know if I made a foolish mistake trusting in Cali's word that she would challenge Carrion for the Sword if needed.
"Absolutely!" Jack smiled back. "I must confess that I am glad that Cali was invited today instead of her brother."
My nerves abated for the mont. My anxious thoughts about my promises to Cali seed to fade from the forefront of my mind, only to be replaced with the uneasiness that cos along with breaking unsettling news to others.
"Speaking of my, or um, her ladyship! Join us, Lady Calista!" Jack rose and pulled out a chair next to him for the newest eting mber.
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