Under the Oak Tree

Chapter 455: Side Story: The White Dragon – Part 4

 Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Ursuline swallowed nervously and followed him down to the training ground. The knights who had been sparring in pairs looked at them with interest. It appeared they, too, were mindful of the rumored knight-to-be, whether they realized it or not.

It was hardly surprising. The intimidating but unique presence that was Riftan Calypse was enough to fray at anyone's nerves.

Finding an empty spot, Riftan faced Ursuline. "Now, draw your sword."

He then unsheathed his own. It seemed he intended to spar with real blades.

Ursuline's heart pounded in his ears. He drew his sword from his waist and braced himself to attack when a voice thundered across the ground.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Ursuline turned to see Wolfgar Ricaydo, clad in a crimson gambeson under silver armor, striding toward them. His men trailed behind. Seeing the fury blazing in Wolfgar's eyes, Ursuline stiffened, baffled by his brother's anger.

Sheathing his sword, Ursuline straightened his back. "What brings you here-"

His question was cut off by a merciless hand grabbing his throat. Ursuline's face twisted in pain.

Wolfgar shook his brother violently, choking him. "Have you no pride as a nobleman? You dare cross swords with this lowly brute and tarnish our family name?"

The crowd gave a collective intake of breath. Wolfgar ignored the stunned faces around them, releasing Ursuline with a disgusted gesture as if to cleanse his hands of something filthy.

"Listen carefully, my halfwit of a brother," he snarled. "We do not spar with animals. Do you know why? Because animals are things we breed and slaughter, not creatures we duel with." Ursuline coughed, glaring defiantly at his brother.

Wolfgar glowered back. "Pack your things. You will accompany my men from now on. We're starting your training over."

"I belong to the royal knights. Father wants me to be trained here with "

Ursuline gasped at the heavy impact of something striking his skull. His vision momentarily blurred.

Wolfgar grabbed him by the hair and hissed, "You dare talk back to me? I'm the future count, and you are a member of House Ricaydo. You obey my command."

"But you... are not the count yet." Ursuline glared at his brother, his eyes bloodshot, and added, "You have no right to give me orders."

A dangerous glint flickered in Wolfgar's blue irises. He raised a brawny arm. Ursuline's eyes widened, but he was determined not to show fear. However, before the blow could land, Evan Triton jumped between them, seizing Wolfgar's wrist.

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"What is the meaning of this?!" the viscount demanded.

"This is a family matter. Stay out of it," Wolfgar snapped.

"I promised your father I would help this lad the best I could should he ever face trouble." The viscount tightened his hold on Wolfgar's wrist. "Let him go."

With a hostile glare at the viscount, Wolfgar finally released Ursuline.

Ursuline clutched his throbbing head as he retreated. Wolfgar's rage now turned from his brother to the person who had obstructed him. He leaned in close to Triton as he spoke.

"I've heard plenty about you cozying up to my father, but I didn't expect you to be playing nanny, too. Are you that desperate to curry favor?"

"How dare you!" shouted a young Remdragon Knight, his face flushing with rage as he drew his sword.

The viscount raised an authoritative hand to stop him before addressing Wolfgar gently. "I didn't expect you to pay so much attention to the rumors about me."

"They were impossible to miss. Are you even aware of the things people are saying? About your ridiculous attempt at a knightly order composed of all the filth and dregs from across the Roviden Continent? And how you have stooped to prostituting yourself to the royalist nobles?"

Silence fell around the training ground at the deeply offensive remark, the air thick with tension as if a fight could break out at any moment.

Breaking the silence, Triton said calmly, "You would benefit from relearning your manners from your father." He shook his head ruefully and clicked his tongue. "I have two foul- mouthed subordinates myself, but they wouldn't even hold a candle to you."

"Who are you to admonish me?" Wolfgar growled, taking a menacing step forward.

His advance was blocked by a longsword appearing just below his throat. Wolfgar flinched, stepping back to find Riftan Calypse at the other end of the blade, pinning him with a cold stare.

"You know better than to make such a racket with an animal at your back," Riftan murmured darkly. "It might do something unpredictable."

"You You lowbred cur-"

Wolfgar's chin trembled with fury. He appeared to be in disbelief that this riffraff had aimed a sword at him. He gritted his teeth and gripped the hilt of his own weapon. As the knights crowding the training ground poised themselves to attack, he appeared to realize that he was at a disadvantage. He clenched his jaw and took a step back.

Glaring at both Riftan Calypse and Evan Triton, he warned, "I won't forget this."

Wolfgar promptly led his men out of the training ground. Ursuline stared after his brother,

only to stiffen when Triton strode up to stand before him.

The viscount's eyes were full of sympathy, his voice tight with concern as he asked, "Are you

all right?"

Ursuline said nothing and fled the scene.

***

That evening, Ursuline changed into his formal attire and headed to the banquet hall as if nothing had happened. The dull pain of his wounded pride persisted, but he was not going to shut himself up in his room like a coward. He would never allow Wolfgar to have such

influence over him.

Squaring his shoulders, he stepped into the vast hall. Hundreds of nobles filled the lavish space. As he descended the stairs and scanned the crowd, he spotted Riftan Calypse and the Remdragon Knights seated at a table near the entrance.

A few of the men acknowledged him, clearly recognizing him from earlier in the day. Ursuline took no notice of them and moved further into the hall. This time, he saw his father, Wolfgar Ricaydo, and the royalist nobles sitting around a long table.

Ursuline swallowed a sigh at the tense atmosphere. It seemed Wolfgar was determined to cause trouble tonight. Whatever he had said flushed the nobles' faces purple with rage. After a moment's hesitation, Ursuline slowly approached the table.

Spotting his brother, Wolfgar's eyes blazed.

Ursuline clenched his fists. He had known Wolfgar would be waiting for him. The elder

Ricaydo never tolerated his half-brother going against him.

Wolfgar shot up from his seat as Ursuline drew close. "I was just speaking with Father about

you." A wolfish grin played on his lips. "He says he would like to respect your wishes. He is

happy for you to join my unit of men should you wish it."

Ursuline looked at his father, who appeared distressed. It was evident that Count Ricaydo had turned the blade on his second son in order to appease his troublesome heir.

"I have no wish to serve you, brother," Ursuline replied calmly, swallowing the bitterness rising up his throat.

"Is it because of what happened today?" Wolfgar asked, squeezing his brother's shoulder as if he intended to crush it. "I shall try my utmost to lighten your spirits. Come, follow me. My

men will be happy to have you."

"I don't-"

"Ursuline."

Ursuline turned at his father's voice.

Count Ricaydo sighed softly. "I heard about what happened earlier today. Wolfgar says he

would like to apologize to you."

When Ursuline made no reply, the count continued, "At least hear him out. You can always

make a decision afterward."

Ursuline kept his mouth shut. Count Ricaydo was blind when it came to his eldest son, wanting to believe that Wolfgar's brutality was nothing but the spark of his youth. Suppressing his disappointment in his father, Ursuline turned to follow Wolfgar. His brother

smirked triumphantly and led him down a long passage at the end of the hall, shrouded in

darkness. Ursuline looked about nervously as they walked.

Wolfgar did not say a word until they arrived at a deserted area, where he stopped and turned

to face Ursuline. "Now we can finally talk in peace."

Ursuline tensed ever so slightly.

Just then, a quiet voice murmured from the shadows. "Agreed."

Wolfgar whirled around. At the same time, a long arm shot out from the shadows and dragged

Wolfgar's massive body into the dark. Ursuline's eyes widened.

Riftan Calypse had Wolfgar pushed against the wall, a sharp blade at his throat.

"Finally, we can talk in peace," Riftan echoed, his voice as smooth as velvet.

Wolfgar looked disoriented, struggling to grasp what had just happened. Ursuline was equally

stunned. A suffocating silence followed.

Then, Riftan's calm voice stirred the air. "You said something earlier today that you shouldn't have. I will have you apologize for it."

There was another icy silence before Wolfgar let out a raspy laugh. "You mean when I called

you an animal?"

Riftan said nothing, and Wolfgar snorted. "Fine, fine. I apologize. Now, if that's all, get out of

my way."

He shoved Riftan back after his hollow apology, appearing to consider Riftan's actions as

mere bravado.

A vicious smile played on Riftan's lips. He brought the dagger close to Wolfgar's throat and growled, "Does it look like I'm playing with you?"