The Four Swords-Chapter 168: Warnings and Well Wishes

Gella left in a quiet confidence shortly after Benate took over the conversation for his own benefit. The remainder of the day passed with the curtains drawn and my brother avoiding answering any other callers who knocked on the door.

If Lord Carrion had only lost his match in a gracious manner, I think the women of Ensis might be knocking down his door. Alas, no such luck.

I arose early the next morning determined to speak to Sir John before I was to report for duty. Problem was that I had no idea where I might find him. My brother eyed me curiously from his breakfast table as I headed for the door.

"My brave brother. Swordsman of the realm. More courageous than most, except when it comes to facing a woman." Benate jabbed.

I exaggerated an eye roll in Benate’s direction before leaving without a word. Let him think what he wanted. I avoided no one. I just needed to seek out someone. At least that is what I told myself.

I made my way through the streets toward Lord Jacobson’s home. Finding the curtains drawn and the house quiet, I decided to seek out the beginning of the parade route.

I took in a company of guards as I approached the city gate. Although a few men would make sense to give the champions a processional, this seemed overwhelming.

"Thank you, Captain Darius. I did not intend to inspect the guard today, but it was a pleasure to see the men that keep our city safe." Queen Valerie gushed before turning to the final two tournament champions.

I could not hear what she said to each man, because Captain Darius dismissed his men back to their duties. The hustle and bustle drowned out any noise beyond the mundane chatter of the soldiers.

Lord Carrion’s face pinched as though he was given a reprimand. Queen Valerie probably reiterated her sentiments from the day before.

She then turned to Sir John. I do not think either man heard the advice she gave to the other, but it could not have been the same words. Sir John smiled in such a way that his harsh lines around his eyes eased into soft edges.

I could not help but feel I had intruded on some type of confidence as I approached. Queen Valerie spotted me first.

"Good day, Lord Holden. Did you come all this way to escort me? I should think that Princess Alina would be needing you soon." The queen curiously gazed in my direction.

"I simply came to wish our champions the best." I half-truthed.

"Thank you, Lord Holden." Sir John said with his arm outstretched.

I shook his hand and added, "Be careful out there. We need our best for whatever tomorrow holds."

I sneakily cut my eyes toward Carrion during my warning. Sir John nodded.

"Understood. We must keep Ensis safe. I won’t keep you from giving your best to Lord Carrion as well." Sir John graciously replied.

I looked up and down Lord Carrion, bracing my expression. I had lots of things I wished for him.

"Good day, Lord Carrion. May the best man win today!" I smiled as I shook his hand.

I hoped my former babysitting charge would not take that in the way I intended it.

"I hope that I will be that victor," Carrion said with a slight smirk on his punchable face.

At least my conscience was clear after warning Sir John in the most inconspicuous way possible about Carrion’s underhandedness.

"We shall be off! Lord Holden, please attend to me. Captain Darius please join us as well," Queen Valerie commanded politefully.

Although she gave no reprimand, I could not help but feel I overstepped some protocol. I hate city life!

Captain Darius stepped in line behind the queen and me at a respectful distance. As a champion, he too was required to watch in the royal box.

Queen Valerie stepped lively in a measured yet long stride. If I had not seen her climb the stairs to the royal box the last few days, I might have considered the idea that she floated on air rather than walked on her own two feet.

I did not struggle to keep up, but found the pace brisk enough that my legs felt invigorated after so many days of near misuse.

"Lord Holden, I noticed your well wishes were not the same to each champion." I could tell I missed something in the queen’s tone. This was not a question, but yet demanded a response.

"That is correct, Your Majesty," I responded while trying to further puzzle out the mystery before me.

"Please consider next time that your well wishes and warnings might already be conveyed to each man so that you will not be late for duty attending to my daughter." Queen Valerie did not even turn her head in my direction as she surmised everything I intended with my visit. freewebnσvel.cøm

"I just wanted to make sure my own voice was heard, Queen Valerie." I defended myself.

"Understood. Just know that I wish for the safety of our best men too." The queen edged in her own meaning in her tone. She had warned Sir John as well.

I simply nodded. I should have known the queen would not send honest men into an arena with a dishonest brute without warning.

We made our way through city streets quietly. Only near the end of my journey did I wonder why no other guard accompanied us. Surely someone had accompanied her from the palace to the city gates.

"Your Majesty? Did we forget your personal guards down at the city gate?" I knew the queen frowned upon my own tardiness for my duty. Surely those other men would hear it too.

"Sir John accompanied me to the parade route," She rushed through with a fervor in her voice. "Who is that with your brother?"

I did not have time to think about why Sir John was at the palace this morning. I simply took in a vision of Gella dressed in finery hanging from my brother’s arm.

"I think I recall seeing her with you during Lord Carrion’s Swordsman ceremony. I did not know Benate had a beau."

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