“Don’t exaggerate,” Grentz said. “A true warrior doesn’t need to embellish his deeds.”
“I’m not,” Rafe said, surprise once again making him rock back on his heels. “What is wrong, father? I thought you would be proud of me.”
“I am proud,” Grentz said, but he was looking down at the floor.
“What has happened?” Rafe asked. “Why are so downcast?”
“My son was almost killed,” the older man said angrily. “Do I not have a right to be worried, upset even?”
“But I’m not even hurt,” Rafe said.
His father continued as if Rafe hadn’t said a word. “Not every act of valor should be lauded, Rafe. Mark my words, there is no good deed that goes unpunished.”
“I don’t understand,” Rafe said. “I thought you would be happy for me. I thought that for once in your life you would acknowledge that I’m just as fine a warrior as you.”
“There’s more to life than war,” Grentz said. “And some battles aren’t fought with cold steel.”
“Why are you talking in such riddles?” Rafe said.
“Listen to me, boy. I can’t shield you anymore. You’ve rushed into waters that are above your head.”
“I know that I fell from the wall, but I wasn’t hurt,” Rafe lied. “And I think I handled myself pretty well in the face of danger.”
“You are an officer of the Earl’s war band, so I’ll speak to you as such,” Grentz said. “No matter what happens today, you keep your head. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“You don’t want me to drink?” Rafe said, unsure what his father was driving at.
“Don’t be daft boy,” Grentz growled. “You keep your temper in check and you remember who you are. You say you’re ready to take my place… well, today you’ll find out what that really means.”
There was a knock at the door, but before Grentz could respond, the door swung open and Rafe looked over his shoulder to see Leonosis. The Earl’s eldest son was tall and extremely lean. Dark circles shrouded his eyes, and his nose seemed a little too big for his face. He wore dark clothes, including a very plain looking saber made of Wangorian steel. His shoulders stooped a little, but it only made him seem more dangerous. Rafe had never liked the Earl’s oldest son. They were several years apart in age, but Rafe had seen Leonosis tormenting Tiberius when they were children. Leonosis had taken on most of the Earl’s duties of late, and rumor had it that Leonosis was up to the task, if perhaps a little vain and more than a little harsh in his rulings.
“My lord,” Grentz said, standing up and dipping his head in respect.
Rafe stepped aside as Leonosis approached.
“Have you informed him?” the Earl’s son asked.
“Not yet,” Grentz said.
“Informed me of what?” Rafe asked.
“There have been some misunderstandings about what took place on the wall today,” Leonosis said. “It seems some of the soldiers think that it was Tiberius who saved you, but we both know that isn’t true.”
“What?” Rafe said, completely confused.
“The Earl will be honoring Leonosis tonight for saving your life and slaying two Graypees singlehandedly,” Grentz said in a voice that sounded as sour as young grapes.
“But that’s…” Rafe’s thought trailed off as he realized what was happening.
His first impulse was fury. He couldn’t believe that the Earl, much less Rafe’s own father, would let Leonosis take credit for slaying the Graypees that Rafe and Tiberius had killed. It was ludicrous, yet as he looked from the face of the Earl’s son, to the downcast face of his own father, Rafe knew it was true. And it wouldn’t just be a rumor, it was a lie that would be spread around the city and repeated until everyone believed it was true.
Rafe felt like someone had stabbed him in the stomach with a very cold knife and as he thought about Leonosis’ deception, it felt as if the knife were being twisted. The best day of his life was quickly turning into the worst.
“It might be best,” said Leonosis, “if you don’t really remember what happened. I mean, a fall like that can knock a man senseless. It’s lucky I got to you when I did.”
“You didn’t get to me,” Rafe said in voice that barely contained his fury. “Tiberius came to my aid. He saved me and together we killed those Graypees.”
“That’s quite an elaborate fantasy,” Leonosis said calmly. “Perhaps you need some time away from the palace to rest, maybe on an extended assignment on an easier section of the wall?”
“My son will do his duty,” Grentz said. “No matter where he is stationed.”
“I’d like to believe that,” Leonosis said. “Is it true, Rafe? Can you do your duty?”
“Of course I can,” Rafe said through clenched teeth.
“Good, then you will let anyone who asks know that I saved you. The story has already been spread around the city. Try not to get the details too mixed up in that thick head of yours.”
“Very good, my lord,” Grentz said.
Rafe looked dumbfounded. Leonosis smiled wickedly as he turned and swept out of Grentz’s quarters.
“Father, what just happened?” Rafe said.
“Life,” Grentz said angrily. “It’s not like the songs the bards sing, is it?”
“You’re really going to let him do this to me?” Rafe asked in disbelief.
“I told you, keep your temper in check. This is how things work in the real world. We are nothing to the Earl or his sons. You had best remember that. Being a champion is more than fighting duels and leading soldiers in battle. We are nothing but placeholders, Rafe. Our greatest accomplishments can be swept away like ash from a cold hearth. If you don’t comply, you’ll be sent away, or killed. This is the real world. This is how it works.”
“I can’t believe you, father. What of your honor? Where is your valor? You can’t really expect me to let the Earl’s spoiled son take credit for what Tiberius and I did.”
“I most certainly do,” Grentz said. “You’ll smile and lie, and do exactly as you’re told. That is an order. Do you understand?”
Rafe felt numb. Then a wave of shame for his father swept over him. He could see the look of defeat in his father’s eyes. The man everyone feared, the greatest swordsman in the realm, was cowed by the Earl and his evil scion. In that moment, so many things that had seemed strange about his father suddenly made sense. The way Grentz grumbled when he was drunk, the vacant look in his father’s eyes when Rafe expected pride, and even the stories about the first Graypees that the Earl killed.
“This isn’t the first time they’ve stolen our family’s honor, is it?” Rafe asked.
Grentz just looked at his son, his face stiff, his eyes void of any emotion.
Rafe stepped back in shock, then he cleared his throat and spat on the floor, before turning on his heel and storming out of the room. He was twenty years old, a warrior, and yet tears stung his eyes and he felt like a spurned child as he hurried down the hallway. There was only one thing that could salvage the despicable situation. He caught up to Leonosis’ slinking form in an empty corridor. It took all his strength to keep his hand from the hilt of his sword.
“My lord,” he said, trying to sound respectful. “May I ask for one small favor?”
Leonosis looked at Rafe with disdain.
“I will do my duty,” Rafe said, emphasizing each word. “All I ask in return is that you let me marry Lady Olyva.”
Leonosis’ eyes narrowed.
“The Lady from Hamill Keep is promised to Brutas.”
“I know, my lord. We didn’t mean to fall in love, it just happened. Please, I will serve you faithfully all my life. My sword will be yours. I will do anything, but please, let me marry Lady Olyva.”
“You will support my story about the Graypees?” Leonosis said.
“Of course.”
“Fine, I will arrange it. Speak to no one of this, do you understand?”
“Yes,” Rafe said, his heart leapin
g into his throat. He was so excited he could hardly stand still.
“You will not betray me, son of Grentz, or I will make you pay.”
“Yes, sire,” Rafe said.
Leonosis gave Rafe one last suspicious look, then he turned away. Rafe watched him go, then hurried in the opposite direction. He had to make his way up a flight of stairs and across the palace to Lady Olyva’s rooms. He hesitated outside for a moment, trying to make sure he was doing the right thing. He realized that by telling Leonosis about their feelings for one another the secret was out. Pretending would do them no good and he was tired of hiding. He took a deep breath, and pounded on the door.
Chapter 14
Olyva
The finely appointed room felt like a dungeon to Olyva. She went for walks daily, ate with the Earl’s family in the grand feasting hall, and was allowed to browse the palace’s extensive library, but all she could think about was Rafe. He had left her and she had no recourse. She couldn’t sit still, so she paced back and forth in the small set of rooms she’d been given when she’d arrived in Avondale. Her maid, Hellen, had seemed concerned at first, but when Olyva rebuffed her questions and refused to share what was troubling her, the rotund servant simply ignored her.
For days she ate very little and slept less. She was grateful that Brutas didn’t try to spend time with her; she would have been at a loss to explain her behavior to someone she was obligated to talk to, and who couldn’t be put off because something was private.
She was in the palace garden when a small group of female servants came hurrying through. Olyva noticed them, but didn’t speak.
“What’s this?” Hellen said in a disapproving growl. “Her ladyship is meditating here.”
“It’s Rafe, son of Grentz, the Sword Master,” said one of the servants. “He’s been knocked off the wall by a Graypee.”
Olyva didn’t even know what a Graypee was, but she was terrified just the same. She wanted to go to the wall, but that was completely out of the question. Only soldiers and city officials walked the high walls that surrounded Avondale. Rushing up where she didn’t belong would reveal her secret, so she sat quietly, praying that Rafe would somehow survive.
Hellen scowled, but didn’t speak, and the servants hurried away from the garden. Rafe was popular in Avondale, known throughout the city and desired by many of the young serving girls in the palace. Still, Olyva was sure that no one cared for Rafe the way she did. And she was convinced he felt the same way for her, even as a sharp sliver of doubt entered her mind. She couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps she had just been another conquest for him. They had not consummated their love; Rafe had never even pressured her to do so. It didn’t make sense that he would have given up on her without at least trying to steal her virtue if all she was to him was another trophy to brag about in the barracks of the Earl’s war band.
An hour later, as they were returning to Olyva’s rooms, a servant whispered to Hellen in a hushed voice. Palace gossip often traveled by servants. Olyva wanted to know what the younger servant had told Hellen, but she refrained from asking until they were alone in Olyva’s rooms.
“What did that servant tell you,” she said. “Was it word about the soldier who fell from the wall?”
“It was, my lady,” Hellen said as she poured Olyva a small cup of wine. “It seems the Earl’s son went to his rescue.”
“An adventure,” Olyva said, her heart pounding at the news. She kept her voice calm, coaxing information from Hellen without giving the gossipy maid any reason to suspect her love for Rafe. “How badly injured was the soldier?”
“Not all, that’s the wonder of it,” Hellen said, excited by the tale. “He was knocked off the wall by a pack of hideous beasts called Graypees, whatever they are. One had climbed up and knocked the son of the Earl’s champion off onto the far side of the wall. It’s a miracle that he isn’t dead from the fall, but apparently he was unharmed.”
“The Graypees didn’t harm him either?”
“No, the Earl’s son Leonosis climbed down and killed two of the wretched creatures and drove off the rest. It must have been a sight to see. The whole palace is buzzing with the news.”
Olyva’s mind was flooded with relief. She couldn’t believe that Rafe was completely unharmed. She didn’t think anyone could fall from the city walls and not be injured, but palace gossip was often exaggerated with each retelling. Rafe was alive and that was the important thing.
Olyva sank into a chair, exhausted. She hadn’t realized how tense she’d been and what effect it was having on her. She soon dozed off only to be awoken by an urgent pounding on the door.
“Who could that be?” Hellen fussed. “What could be so urgent that they feel the need to beat down our door?”
The rotund lady’s maid struggled up from her chair and waddled to the door. When she opened it, Rafe burst into the room. Olyva was so surprised, she couldn’t speak. Since she’d come to Avondale, Rafe had never spoken to Olyva with anyone else present, and over the last few days he had steadfastly ignored her. She had dreamed of seeing him charging into her rooms to rescue her from the dreary fate she’d been handed as Brutas’ betrothed, but now that it seemed to be actually happening, she was terrified.
“My lady!” Rafe said as he dropped to his knees before her chair.
“Rafe? What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Shall I call the guard, my lady?” Hellen asked in a scandalous voice.
“No,” Olyva said, never taking her eyes off of Rafe.
“It’s okay,” he assured her. “I did it; I convinced Leonosis to see reason. He will let us marry. I love you so much.”
“Rafe, what are you talking about?”
“You heard what happened on the wall?” he asked.
“Of course, the whole city is talking about it. You fell and Leonosis saved you.”
Rafe ground his teeth as if her words caused him physical pain.
“Are you hurt?” she asked.
“No,” he shook his head, looking away from her for a moment. “When I fell, I was hurt for a few moments. I didn’t know if I would live or die, but I knew one thing for certain. I knew I loved you. I knew that nothing else mattered to me. Not being the Earl’s champion, not my father’s approval, not even death. When I recovered, I vowed to do all I could to be with you, even if that meant that the Earl ordered my execution.”
“Oh, Rafe,” Olyva said in a frightened voice. “No.”
“So I went to Leonosis. I told him how I feel and begged for his permission to break your betrothal with Brutas. He took some convincing, but I did it. He’s going to let us marry.”
“What? Are you sure?” Olyva asked.
She was half in shock, afraid that she was dreaming and that she would suddenly wake up with her heart breaking. She glanced at Hellen, who looked dumbfounded across the room. Then she looked at Rafe, whose eyes were glistening with tears and full of hope.
“Yes, I’m sure. I just left him,” Rafe said. “You don’t have to marry Brutas. I can’t offer you the luxury and position in court that he could, but I swear I’ll spend every day of my life making you happy.”
“Oh, Rafe,” she said, putting both hands on his face.
She could feel the stubble on his cheeks, and she pulled him close as tears rolled down her face. Then they kissed. It was sweet and passionate. Olyva felt a sense of relief, not just because Rafe was safe, but because her future no longer seemed terrifying. She wouldn’t have to marry Brutas. The future Earl’s brother had never shown her even the slightest interest. She had even heard him flirting with some of the palace serving girls. He was a philanderer and didn’t even respect her enough to hide it from her. She knew that being married wouldn’t change him, not when most women would gladly bed him just to receive a small favor.
She finally pulled away from Rafe, who was kissing her softly, but with an urgency that revealed his passionate desire for her. She would have loved nothing more that to keep kissing he
r roguish suitor, but fear made her hesitate.
“You talked to Leonosis, not the Earl?” she said. “What if his father changes his mind?”
“He won’t,” Rafe said, rising back to his feet and pulling her up from the chair. “I can’t tell you everything,” he glanced at Hellen, who was standing in the corner, but hanging on every word, “but rest assured this is real. Leonosis and I have an agreement. He won’t dare break it.”
“You’re certain?” Olyva asked, desperate for Rafe’s assurance.
“I am. I know this is a shock. I know I hurt you. I was afraid, but I’m not anymore. And I promise nothing will ever hurt you again.”
She fell into his arms and he held her. For the first time since she was a little girl, she felt truly safe.
Chapter 15
Tiberius
It didn’t take long for Tiberius to gather his things. He had a wardrobe full of clothes, but he only packed two pair of thick woolen pants and some shirts. He had the first part of the Essence of Magic memorized, but he carefully wrapped it up and tucked it neatly between the pants and the shirt so that it would be safe. Then he sat down at his table.
He was so angry at his father and brother he could hardly think of anything else. He had always known that he wasn’t important to his family, but he had never imagined being betrayed by them. But the most painful betrayal of all was Rafe’s. Tiberius simply couldn’t imagine what would motivate his best friend to go along with Leonosis’ heinous lie. It was physically painful to know that Rafe had discarded their friendship so easily. All his life, Tiberius had known true friendship from only one person, and now that was gone, swept away in a single treacherous act. Killing the Graypee and helping Rafe would have been Tiberius’ greatest achievement. He could have slipped away into obscurity after that, but his brother had stolen it from him. And what was worse, Tiberius’ best friend had helped.
He ran a finger down the yellowed page of stiffened parchment. He had packed the first half of the book of magic, but now he was looking at the second section. It was the last two chapters of the book. He felt a deep sense of foreboding as his eyes scanned down the faded parchment, but then his anger overwhelmed his caution. Why shouldn’t he learn magic, he thought to himself. Who was he trying to protect? No one cared for him, so why should he care for anyone else? He threw caution to the wind and started reading.
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