Christopher Smith
Stories
12
Chapters
5,674
Words
153.4 K
Comments
0
Reading
12 h, 46 m
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I reported back to the queen all that I had learned and she seemed distracted. Instead of sending me back to my regular babysitting duty, she assigned me to help Sir John on all the preparations for a tournament. I was sent on errands to the palace grounds keeper, the head cook, the steward in charge of the guest wing of the castle, and the stablemaster. Under the direction of Sir John, I was instructed to keep the motivations behind my questions a mystery. I would much prefer to track down a wild…-
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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…
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Lady Calista and I burst into laughter. Even my mother has her own limits as to what she will endure with 'that child Balor'. "I am sure Jack and Alina would be all for your mother leaving Balor on the other side of the border. I am not sure they would want him fully confined to the city though," Cali laughed at her own joke. Shockingly, everyone seemed to have the same opinion of the young nobleman as me. I thought maybe he just challenged my authority. "What's so funny?" A gentle voice rang down…
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Carrion seemed pleased with himself. I have no idea what he woke up thinking he might accomplish today, but I don't think this was it. "Very well then! It seems all settled. What formalities do I need to complete for my Swordsman ceremony tomorrow?" Carrion beamed. "I am afraid that we need a few more days to prepare for another Swordsman ceremony." Queen Valerie squashed Carrion's smile with one statement. "May I ask why there is a delay, Your Majesty?" Carrion pushed his luck. After having…
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I wanted to roll my eyes but it took all my strength to not to blatantly disrespect a potential Swordsman of the realm. He would be my equal in rank if not in wisdom. Queen Valerie must have shared my feelings on the matter because she put her hand to her temple before proceeding in a pinched tone. "Pray tell, Sir Carrion, what is your ingenious plan to accomplish so much?" "After my Swordsman Ceremony, I will petition the court to hold a tournament in celebration. It can not only rally the troops…
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"Lord Holden!" The queen took a breath before looking at my companion. "Lady Calista was not the twin supposed to be in your charge. What an unexpected delight." Her voice was unamused but not cruel. "If you both come to speak to me on your opinions of Sir Carrion, I will save you the time." Queen Valerie nodded in our direction as if dismissing us before we could even speak. "Your Majesty," I began while bowing a little deeper than normal, ashamed of the near reprimand. I tried to find the best way…
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Cali looked at me with thorough slitted eyes. She seemed to be sizing me up for what she wanted to say next. I took charge before she was done with her assessment. "I know that your brother and father clearly were the two people in the first part of the prophecy we saw from the gnomes." I started before she cut me off. "I agree with that assessment and will not deny it," Cali said quickly as if it would hurt to prolong the admission. "But we do not know what that means!" I scowled. "What are you…
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I was stunned when Carrion's sword hung above his head as if he were trying to decide if he should take the next swing. Something was not right. No one should attack an unarmed person. "Are you not a man of honor?!" I bellowed, stepping forward ready to block an attack with my own sword. "Your father has yielded. You have won." Carrion looked shocked. It was almost as if he had not heard the words his father spoke, but mine finally reached him. Carrion lowered his weapon and his eyes flitted…
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Lord Bleddyn looked like he had been kicked in the stomach as he looked at his son's glove on the ground. The flames that had ignited in the eyes and in his belly seemed once again extinguished. All hope left him. Just then, soft footfalls could be heard approaching us. They seemed lively and purposeful. Maybe this person could help me save these men from a familial brawl. I turned to see Cali coming to join us. "Father! Carrion! There you both are! Are you both trying to make a fool of..." Calista's…
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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…
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