“Here you are. My thanks, truly.” She looked at the coins in his palm and smacked him firmly across his cheek. Slaide was dumbfounded.Shit. Too little? I suppose it has been awhile?—
“I amnota whore!” she shouted at him. She grabbed what remained of her belongings and stormed out, slamming the door.
Slaide scratched the back of his head. “Could have fooled me.”
As usual,he was the last to arrive. The war room was packed with far too many foul-smelling, sweaty men for his liking.Let’s get this over with.While there were plenty of open seats to choose from, Slaide chose his preferred place against the wall, tucked into the shadows with his arms crossed.
The war room was one of the largest chambers in the castle. There was a hearth at one end and a giant carved table in the center detailing Aeos and the surrounding kingdoms.During wartimes, the map was used to track the movements of various armies and strategize against their foes. It was exquisitely detailed, featuring varying elevations in accordance with the topography of the land itself, which of course included the Bonespire Mountains to the northeast, the Dragon’s Teeth to the southwest, the Western Wastes, and the Shadow Fen. Stormhold, the mage citadel, was the only other city given a dimensional prominence on the map. Others were dedicated with dots depicting their relative location.
A red dotted line comprised the Border. Cutting through Aeos and encompassing the mountain ranges as part of its barrier, it effectively divided the kingdom into northern and southern halves. The southern half had been forfeited to Axios because of the volatile nature of the lands below the Border, and the vast number of magical beings living in the fen and beyond.
As the meeting was called to order, the King’s Hand made his usual introductory statements as though they hadn’t had hundreds of these meetings in this same room prior to today. Magnus sat at the head of the war table in a chair upholstered in maroon velvet, wearing his standard, unamused scowl. A young serving boy flitted around the room, silently filling the goblet of wine before each guest. But Slaide went without.Something tells me I’ll want my wits today.
“Well,” Magnus began, clearing his throat, “The Champion’s Tournament has garnered support from every corner of the kingdom, and is shaping up to be our largest tournament yet. Noble houses of the realm are sending their finest men to compete.” He paused as though expecting a pat on the back for this. When he didn’t receive it, he continued. “And I am proud to announce the Raven Blade Knights have already wrangled up a half-dozen traitorous magic-wielders. Your efforts made it possible.”
The gathered lords clapped.
Slaide sneered, rolling his eyes. Half a dozen prisoners in one sweep would have been a disgrace once upon a time, when it was common to round up as many as thirty witches in a single raid.
“What is the plan with them, Your Majesty?” Lord Giles asked.
Courtland Rhodes, Chief Commandant of the Raven Blade spoke eagerly. “Public executions would serve as a good reminder to the populace that magic has consequences.” A few of the nobles present mumbled their agreement.
Archmage Gammen stood abruptly. “Your Majesty, I must beg you to consider the bigger picture here. A quick execution, while effective in the moment, has less of a lasting impression than the other options we discussed.”
“Yes,” Magnus acknowledged, “I am well aware we have plenty of options. I am not concerned with making any decisions on them at the moment. We still have the tournament and celebrations to get through before their fate is determined. I may even let Tristan decide, as a gift from me.”
No one spoke up this time.
“Now then, we’ll crown our Champion from a selection of the finest men our lords send. But, I’ve added a new twist. To make things more interesting, I’m going to toss a few of our criminals in—for a chance at earning their freedom.”
Murmurs rose around the room.
It was around then Slaide stopped listening.I just want my bed, warm bread, and a flagon of ale.So some whoreson would claw his way into the knighthood. Or a murderer.Who cares?He rolled his eyes. These things were always so incredibly boring, and apparently this meeting would be no exception.
As Slaide picked at his nail beds, the conversation quieted. He looked up, a bit surprised to find all eyes fixated on him. He straightened his posture against the wall. “Yes?”
“I was asking if you had a strategy for the first trial? You’re meant to represent House Ragnaroth, Slaide. It is a position of honor, and you won’t squander it. Many will bet good coin on your success.”
“Maybe it’s a good opportunity for them to learn a lesson, then.” Slaide shrugged. “Don’t bet on the horse who doesn’t want to be there. C’mon, Magnus. You know I’ve never been one for the gallant knight charades.”
“Slaide Elias, you never cease to disappoint me.” He squeezed the bridge of his nose as though he could massage away the ceaseless headache that was Slaide Elias.
And yet you keep me around.“I only aim to please,Your Majesty,”he said, sketching a mock bow.
Magnus sighed. “As for our next order of business, there was a small uprising the day before last, on the outskirts of a small village. One of our men was struck and injured by a suspected witch.”
Slaide sneered at the thought, rolling his eyes at their incompetence.
“A young, female witch,” he added.
With this new piece of information, Slaide found himself much more interested. In his experience, modern female witches were normally of the docile sort, tending gardens and healing injured animals. Using enchantments to weave and cook. They rarely, if ever, fought back.Good.This, at least, made things interesting.
“She was apprehended in the end, along with her elderly accomplice. We believe the older woman was training the younger in her ways, though we’ve no solid proof yet. At any rate, the younger of the two is in the infirmary.”
Slaide uncrossed his arms. “Why is a captive in the fucking infirmary?”
Magnus arched a brow. “That tends to be the outcome for those who dare lay a hand on my knights. She’s lucky to be alive.”
