The Four Swords

Chapter 130: Potential Champions

Lord Garrison was mercifully easy to find. Since his clan guarded the royal family most of the time, the Clan of Falcon had an office used by their Swordsman located inside the palace.

My men often sent me reports on worn pieces of parchment or at least that was the way I received them. A pang of jealousy ran through my heart as I spotted the neatly organized clean and crisp papers that my counterpart surveyed.

"Lord Garrison, do you have a moment?" I inquired from the doorway.

Lord Garrison put down his reports in surprise. He did not seem to notice my presence.

"Yes. By all means. Take a seat, Lord Holden. I have been meaning to speak to you as well." Lord Garrison graciously motioned to the chair his subordinates would take on the other side of his desk. I closed the door to the office behind me before taking a seat.

The rigid man seemed to be made of sharp angles and formality. I vaguely recall thinking such things during meetings, but rarely spent much time with him outside of a group setting. I always attributed his polished demeanor to the auspiciousness of the occasion.

"You've been meaning to speak with me too?" I found myself thrown off not only by my observations, but by his desire to see me.

"Yes, but my line of questioning is more on a personal level. Considering you have not darkened this doorstep before except possibly on matters of state, I can only assume that we should speak of the kingdom first?" Lord Garrison questioned with the slightest hint of a polite smile.

I do not know how the man sat so straight or spoke with barely a movement besides the gentle motions of his lips. Somehow seeing the Swordsman in this state, made me better understand Sir Gavin's wish to be perfect.

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"Quite right. The Queen requests your attendance at a Swordsman meeting tomorrow," I started before getting distracted by an ornament on Garrison's desk.

My father used to make wooden carvings for his own amusement. Lord Garrison displayed one of the creations on his desk in the shape of a falcon clutching his prey.

"It seems odd that she would send a Swordsman to do the job of a messenger boy," Lord Garrison brought me back to the present moment.

"Forgive me. I have not fully explained myself. Lord Bleddyn will not be in attendance and this meeting is not for the general public to know about. Excuse the secrecy, but that is the reason no messenger besides myself was trusted," I hurriedly explained as the man somehow sat even taller.

Lord Garrison let his left eyebrow twitch momentarily out of place. I supposed that was the closest he got to having shock written all over his face.

"I see. Thank you for informing me. Is that all?" Lord Garrison slowly asked.

"Queen Valerie would also like to hold a tournament in two weeks' time. She would like to know the names of two champions from your clan who would like to participate." I breathed deep. My duties were almost complete.

"Ah. That brings us to my topic of concern." A composed Swordsman segued beautifully.

The tournament was only decided within the hour. Lord Garrison already had questions. I was lost and I am sure it was written across my face.

"As you know, my son will inherit my position as is the custom in the Clan of Falcon. I would prefer he be one of my clan's champions." Lord Garrison took charge as if I could understand where this conversation was going. "I know my son is young and at times reckless..."

I barely kept my jaw from dropping. I could not think of a less apt word for Sir Gavin. He seemed the picture of annoying responsibility. He might even be more mature than me, which might add to his obnoxiousness.

"But I was hoping you would tell me your opinion of his behavior, as well as that of my nephew, on your expedition to the gnomes? Possibly they both could be worthy champions?" Lord Garrison offered.

Something in me now felt as though that beautiful wood carving appeared on the Swordsman's desk to appeal to my sense of family loyalty. Everyone likes to hear good things about their own children.

"Sir Gavin always strove to be the best companion and party member possible. I even heard from my own mother today that he has been helping farmers in my town. He always tried to learn all that he could," I bit my tongue before I said anything about how off putting I found that particular quality since I was attempting to be kind.

Lord Garrison took a moment to scrutinize my expression. "Do you think two weeks is enough for him to learn to fully respect those outside of our clan? I fear I may have not taught him enough here."

"I think your son will be a fitting champion for the mighty Clan of Falcon," I left off my inner thoughts about the matter. I would not mind crossing blades against the golden child for my own amusement.

"And what of my nephew? Has he learned much?" Lord Garrison pressed.

"I do not think the lessons your nephew needs to learn can be taught to an unwilling student," I approached the topic as diplomatically as I could.Garrison's shoulders slumped for the first time.

"He is kind of a..." I saw Lord Garrison pick and abandon several words before completing his thought, "difficult student. Is he not?"

"On that front we agree."

"Let us both hope for the sake of the kingdom that Gavin can someday produce an heir. Otherwise the kingdom is doomed to have him next in line for the Sword," Lord Garrison motioned toward the hilt as his side.

My eyes grew wide. "Let us hope that Sir Gavin's leadership and line continue for many years to come."

Lord Garrison smiled, "In that case, please send word to your mother that my son is needed in the city for the tournament."

Somehow I thought being a Swordman would not require me to be everyone's messenger boy.