It was past midday when Aldan and Mandigal walked into Friedrich's personal training ground, in the southern wing of Villa Estire. They passed into the second room which was lined with straw and sand filled dummies and bags that were used for martial training. Friedrich stood off to the left of the room striking at a servant who was doing his best to dodge the swift blows. His muscles flexed as he strained to release blow after blow onto the unlucky aid. In a swift move Friedrich dodged to the right and brought his foot around the aid's leg, pulling it from underneath him. The servant fell to the wooden floor with an audible crunch and Friedrich backed off.
"Well done," complemented Vrill, as he clapped his hands to show his approval. "It seems there is no one left in Vladistov who can best you in open hand fighting."
Friedrich walked over to his cousin, accepting a towel from him, and began to wipe the thick layers of sweat from his bare chest and neck. "Open hand yes, but you still best me with a sword," pointed out Friedrich. Vrill motioned towards the door and Friedrich turned to see Mandigal and Aldan waiting by it.
"Well fought, Son," greeted Aldan. "Come and meet my companion."
Friedrich walked over and stretched out his hand for Mandigal to shake. Mandigal kept his arms folded across his chest and simply nodded. "Who do I have the pleasure of meeting?" asked Friedrich, feeling slightly insulted.
"This is Mandigal," announced Aldan.
Both Vrill and Friedrich jumped from their spots at hearing his name. Friedrich looked at his father in disbelief, as Vrill drew his sword from his belt.
"Vrill, put that away," commanded Aldan. "Mandigal is family."
"Only half," said Friedrich boldly.
"Your grandmother was my own mother, boy. You will treat me with the same respect you would any other uncle," said Mandigal in a firm tone.
"My grandmother was unfaithful to the King. You are the son of a servant with whom she took her pleasure. Nothing more," answered Friedrich.
"I was born long before she married the King," retorted Mandigal. "I am the son of the only man your grandmother ever truly loved."
"That is enough!" boomed Aldan. Though he knew that his late mother had indeed loved another before and even during her marriage to the King, he had still loved her deeply. "Do not speak of her like this. She was a woman full of love and compassion and she cherished all of her children. And Friedrich, you will respect Mandigal."
"He is a traitor," spat Vrill.
"You know nothing of what I have been through, Vrill, son of Tria," said Mandigal. His eyes grew thin and he stared at Vrill, causing the young man great discomfort. "I never betrayed Dargon. Dargon betrayed me. After Zephra's rise to power, this land changed. All that was good was cast from it and a nation of hate was formed. I went to Feldom because it was the only place that I could find peace. Away from the horrors that I had seen under Zephra's command."
Vrill could not bear to look at Mandigal's powerful gaze any longer and dropped his head.
"What is it you want here?" asked Friedrich.
"Times have grown dark, Friedrich. Our lives are in danger in this city," answered Aldan. He paused and looked once more at Mandigal. "I have asked Mandigal to take you with him back to Feldom."
"What?" cried both Friedrich and Vrill.
"You will find asylum there. Away from Zephra's agents. It is the only place that you can remain safe."
"They are our enemies. What makes you think they would not just hang me, or use me as a bargaining tool?" argued Friedrich.
"I will be able to convince them to keep you safe," said Mandigal.
Friedrich looked over at Vrill. Their plans with Clandestine Vitiate were under way and they were scheduled to leave the city in two days. "I don't need your help. I will be able to keep myself from harms way, Father."
"You do not have an option!" roared Aldan, becoming frustrated with his son's arrogance. "You will do what I tell you to. Now get what you need, Mandigal is leaving."
Friedrich shot a heated look at his father, knowing he truly had no choice on the matter. One way or another Aldan would get Friedrich to leave with Mandigal. "I will not leave without Vrill."
Vrill's eyes widened. "Don't worry about me cousin. I can find somewhere to hide myself. I am resourceful enough to make sure I don't meet an untimely end."
Aldan looked at Mandigal whose face showed his displeasure. "If you must, then take him with you."
Mandigal let out a grunt of disapproval, but did not argue. "Get your things, we are leaving now."
Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One) Page 89
