Christopher Smith
Stories
12
Chapters
5,674
Words
153.4 K
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0
Reading
12 h, 46 m
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My mother has a way of finding the perfect words. She really just had to ask who the beauty on my arm was. Gella instinctually retracted her arm from my elbow. I guess she felt me stiffen with the motion, because she then extended her hand in a flawless motion to my mother. "Lady Evalyn, it is a pleasure to see you again. I am sure I have grown since the last time you saw me." Gella must have practiced because that introduction was flawless. "I'm Gella. My father runs the clock shop." My mother…-
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I turned to see Gella standing behind me. For once she did not forget to call me by my title. I was ashamed to admit that Gella looked phenomenal in the dark green hues that stood for the mighty Clan of Wolves. It might be a betrayal to the goldenrod hues of my own Clan's standard. "Gella! I did not see you there." I was truly shocked that my childhood companion approached me after the reception I received the night before. Our last few meetings were not exactly ideal. "Please allow me the honor of…
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The day of the Swordsmen ceremony finally dawned. Most of the city planned to attend either the processional in the streets or the actual ceremony. I walked down the steps of Benate's home to the city square. To my surprise, I found it covered in green decorative bunting. It probably went up at the urging of Benate's downstairs neighbor. The more festive the shop, the better business. I met Princess Alina inside her chambers. For once her companions did not beat me to her. Alina welcomed me into her…
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The next week was a blur of monotony. For the most part I followed Princess Alina and her band of merry friends. A few important things broke up the trips from the sparring field to the swordsman chamber meetings. The most shocking things were happening along the border. From reports that my men sent me, some of my scouts had gone missing. The majority of my men that could not be located were last seen at the base of mountain trails around a specific peak. When I reported this in the following…
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I joined Princess Alina on the sidelines of a spar that to the casual observer looked like a fair match. The steady thud of blunted steel hitting after slicing through the air had a melodic ring to it. The music of training. "They are a good match, are they not?" Alina beamed as there was more to her meaning than if their skills were well suited for each other in battle. I took a moment to watch Jacobson's footwork. It was impressive. He had trained well. Cali, for her part, could have run circles…
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Lord Garrison was the first one out of the door of the meeting chamber. The calm and collected man verged on the edge of rushing. I never knew he had it in him. Queen Valerie and Sir John moved to the corner of the room to discuss something in hushed tones. I could only imagine what that was about. I stayed in my seat a moment to watch the 3 youngest members of the meeting stare at each other. Calista only met their gazes for a moment before turning away. "Were you under orders not to tell us…
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Queen Valerie exudes confidence and decisiveness. In all my years watching her rule, I never recall a moment that befuddled her. At times she might pause for reflection or ask for advice, but never what happened when Cali asked her question. The queen's eye grew wide and I saw her measured breath. No one expected Lady Calista to question her family's status with the kingdom. Her Majesty instead pivoted in another direction. "Lord Holden, do you also believe that what you saw was the gnomish vision?"…
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I did not have time to wonder if Lady Calista overheard my not so subtle interrogation of her character, which suited me just fine. After she arrived, Sir John and Queen Valerie were not far behind. Princess Alina rounded out the group with Lord Garrison at her side. "Good morning, all!" Queen Valerie said as she took up the seat at the head of the table. She motioned us all to take our seats after having risen in her honor. "I do not think this is a time to ease into topics. Lord Bleddyn is not…
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My brother was a man of his word. Not only did he not say another word about Gella, he hardly said anything else to me the rest of the evening. It was not an uncomfortable silence. Our mother generally filled the void since her offspring did not feel the need for idle chatter. Without her, the atmosphere might have lacked a homey touch but the quiet was welcome. I tossed and turned in my bed throughout the night. When I did manage to sleep, the dream I had after the gnomes' vision about the two orbs…
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The door slowly closed leaving Gella and myself in the light of the fading sun together. Her smile warmed. "Thank you for helping me with my delivery," She started, then bit her lip. I wonder if she did that often. It was remarkably attractive. "Hold, I mean Lord Holden," She began, once again forgetting my title. Old habits are hard to break. "When it is just us, I do not mind if you call me Holden. It is my name afterall." I tried to ease some of her burden of having to change my rank when she…
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