Borin watched the man for a moment, then gave a satisfied nod before turning his horse away. Astin looked around at the other merchants, one glance making it clear no one was to move. A broken nose was better than a public execution, and they all knew it.
He marched back to his horse and mounted once more. Then the pair made their way across the square towards the rising portcullis.
‘Tonight I will be dining with Lord Thomas Welche,’ Borin said, having already moved on from the violent scene. ‘While he may be one of the more prominent figures in the nobility borough, his name is not without scandal.’
Astin had encountered the cocky lord enough times to form an opinion of him. He had seen the way he spoke to the Suttone family. He had even once seen him take a hand to the youngest of the sisters. Though only the once. A visit from Harlan had put an end to that. Even Lyndal tended to shut down in his presence, and she was as outspoken as they came.
‘His wife’s sister married a merchant,’ the king went on. ‘Four children. I believe the son died in the tunnels a few years back. And the daughters.’ He shook his head. ‘Beautiful trouble. The eldest married Commander Wright, as you know.’
Astin drew a long breath and prayed for patience.
‘It shows what a tattered state his mind was in after he was removed from his post.’ Borin tutted. ‘Still, I will not speak too poorly of him. I am aware of your ongoing friendship.’
On and on he went, with his own unique version of events. Astin had learned long ago that there was no point trying to correct him. He was never wrong about anything.
‘I suspect Lord Thomas wishes to present his daughter as a potential wife. She is well bred and in her prime so far as fertility goes. Though I cannot for the life of me picture her face. I suppose if she was a horse of a girl, I would surely remember that.’
That was true. He always remembered a person’s faults.
‘What say you on the matter?’ Borin asked, looking sideways at him.
They passed beneath the archway into the royal borough.
‘It’s not for me to comment. Your mother is far more qualified to guide you on such things. But I pray whatever union follows is a happy one.’
That was mostly for his own sake. It was uncomfortable enough bearing witness to family fights. Couple fights would be a whole other headache.
‘Or perhaps I shall simply take her as a mistress,’ Borin said, sounding pleased with himself.
Astin stared straight ahead. ‘Don’t mistresses comeaftermarriage?’
‘Mother is always telling me to think ahead.’
The bodyguard was fairly sure she had not been referring to mistresses at the time but said nothing.
‘You might be content with tavern whores and servant romps, Fletcher, but a king can select his conquests from any part of the kingdom.’
Astin was not sure which was worse, Borin using the word ‘conquests’ or the fact that the king was aware of his entanglements with maids. If the warden found out, Astin would be in a lot of trouble.
‘Do you require additional guards for this evening?’ Astin asked, moving the conversation along.
‘I assure you I am quite safe in the nobility borough,’ Borin replied with a chuckle. ‘They all love me.’
Not true. Many were losing patience with his lack of direction and progress. They may have had more food than the merchants, but what they did not have was a strong leader to make them feel secure about their future. A boy guided by his ego was not adequate.
‘If you aren’t safe in your home, then you aren’t safe anywhere,’ Astin said.
The king adjusted his reins. ‘Well, then it is a good thing I have you to be afraid on my behalf. My father always said fear is a waste of a king’s energy.’
Brave words born of stupidity.
‘Do try to relax this evening,’ Borin said. ‘You can be a bit of a wet blanket at these kinds of gatherings.’
‘Due to my bad habit of saving your life?’
Borin chuckled again. ‘You do know I kept you on as my highest-ranking guard for your jokes. You always know how to make me laugh.’
‘While I appreciate that,’ Astin said dryly, ‘the other part of my job is to keep you safe.’
