The Four Swords

Chapter 122: Carrying On

Sir Carrion stood dumbfoundedly stewing in his own anger for a moment before turning on his heel toward the door. The court generally cleared relatively fast after adjournment, but this time the courtiers had quite a bit to talk about. None seemed to be moving toward the door.

I hurried to follow Sir Carrion out. The Queen would want to make sure that Carrion did not do anything else foolish on castle grounds.

As I passed Gella, I caught her eye. I sent a look of apology in her direction. She graciously smiled as she gave a slight nod and motioned me out the door. Orders were orders. After all, she was here under her father's command. I'm sure she understood.

Carrion quickened his pace as he left court. Pulling out a pair of riding gloves that matched his ornate attire, he stretched them over his slender fingers. I think the task was meant to be used as a reason to not focus on my presence. I do not want to be here either, buddy.

Sir Carrion hastened toward the stables only to find a group of men milling about that were not the stable master.

"I need my horse!" Carrion announced to the group, hoping someone was actually working for the unseen man.

"Get in line!" A man shouted, his back turned toward Sir Carrion and myself. As he turned and saw me and Sir Carrion his face went white. "My apologies Lord Holden! Sir Carrion!"

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This seemed to set off Sir Carrion's anger yet again. His face turned red. I was not sure if it was because he would have to wait or if it was because his name fell second behind mine. Either way, pride would be his downfall if he did not check himself.

A few young women who clearly saw the last petition, tumbled out of the castle in a giggling hoard. Tact was not their strong suit.

"There he is!" One girl almost shouted before another round of boisterous laughter. I turned to face them and they quieted at my deadpan expression.

In a huff, Carrion bolted toward the castle gates, unable to patiently wait for his turn at the stables. It seemed as if we were going to walk to his family's estate. Fine by me. Maybe it would give him a chance to cool down.

I was wrong. Carrion's fury seemed to grow as he rushed home. I could only imagine he was replaying what happened in court in his head over and over again. His mutterings and mumblings to himself only became more staccato and gruff.

"Foolish", "Arrogant", and "Undeserving" were some of the few words I could decipher from the crazed ramblings. If I met this frenzied Carrion in the street, I might have thought he needed an asylum.

As we rounded the corner to his family's estate, the main house could be seen past a large training area used for sparring. In this wide expanse next to the stable, the Swordsman from the clan of wolves was found. Lord Bleddyn sat next to a large table attached to the stable where it seemed he had gathered almost every weapon his family owned.

Knives, swords, daggers, and even a mace were strewn about in front of Carrion's father. The Swordsman slowly picked up the next armament and cleaned it thoroughly before setting it neatly in a more organized line on the far side of the table. Lord Bleddyn seemed to not register our approach. He seemed to be enjoying the mindlessness of a familiar task.

"Where have you been?" Sir Carrion almost screamed at his father. Lord Bleddyn jumped at the query. He definitely did not notice us. His glassy eyes seemed confused by the question.

"What do you mean? I.. I made it to the Council Meeting." Lord Bleddyn answered without confidence. He looked at me for confirmation. I nodded. He had in fact made it there.

"I needed you in court and you just disappeared!" Carrion raged, not bothering to consider his father's fragile state. "Not that you have been there for me much since you found out my mother is still alive. Worthless father."

Carrion seethed the last two words out in an eerily calm tone. An involuntary shiver slithered down my spine. Loud, demanding anger I could handle, but this level of contempt unnerved me.

"What did you say, boy?" Lord Bleddyn's former fire seemed to be sparked anew. "How dare you disrespect me! I've built this life for you. I've fought to keep you safe, to honor your mother's memory, to keep this country out of evil hands and you will never know my pain. You do not know the pain it causes to find out the enemy is your own family, your very own blood," Lord Bleddyn gestured to his son as he was on the verge of tears. He broke his gaze with his son to collect himself staring at the ground.

I knew that his wife's reappearance had shaken Lord Bleddyn. I did not realize to what extent it broke him.

"Wrong, Father. I found that out today." Sir Carrion let the words hang in the air. "I proposed to Princess Alina and was rejected because my Swordsman was not there to allow me to renounce my clan."

Lord Bleddyn's head perked up at this new information. "Good," he responded almost automatically.

"Good?! That is all you have to say?" Carrion bellowed.

"Yes. I have lost your mother twice now. What makes you think I would allow you to leave too? To renounce your family? Besides, if you cannot abide by the traditions of Ensis, you have no chance at becoming part of the royal family. Do you think you're better than everyone else?" Lord Bleddyn challenged.

"I'm destined for greater things than you!" Carrion retorted, starting to take off his glove. I stood tall, hoping I would not have to break up a familial fist fight.

"Greater than me? I am the Swordsman for the Clan of Wolves!" Lord Bleddyn shouted, standing to his full height and squaring his shoulders.

"Not for long." Carrion seethed as he threw his glove to the ground.