“Rude? Me?” he asked. “I was simply expressing a curiosity I possessed. We all gained special talents in the War. I just wondered what Mr. Evergreen’s was?”
“It’s improper to pry,” I said.
“You don’t care to know who you spend your time with?” he asked. “He said he trained their knights. How many of theirs killed ours?”
“I am no mastermind, Ser Willoughby,” Evergreen began. “I’m just a stable hand who, like everyone else, was forced into the War. I’m nothing.”
“A stable hand impressively gifted with a sword, passing his ability on to others. You won the Games here last year, did you not?” he asked.
I checked my swordsman for confirmation.
“I did,” he said. “And His Highness competes. I train him for the event as well. Our Games are not like yours. They are open to more than knights.”
“Ours,” Willoughby said. “You’re Oreian.”
“Would you like to join our routine? I’m happy to train you as well.”
“Ser,” I said. “Mr. Evergreen.”
Willoughby snapped his fingers. “That's a good one. I love the confidence, but I could easily take you in a match, and in my sleep.”
“Sure,” Cyrus said.
Willoughby narrowed his eyes. “You don’t agree?”
“I don’t think it matters to you if I do or not,” he said. “But I know my capabilities, Ser. You forget, Sameer has entrusted me to protect Her Highness, and all alone. Where did you say Ser Elías was? Didn’t you both travel with her here?”
“Perhaps I’ll come show youmycapabilities in Autumn, sir?” he asked. “Do you use daggers in the event? Or just long swords?” His voice was light, but there was a hidden chord of something snared beneath. “I really enjoy daggers.”
“There’s a dagger toss,” Cyrus said. “I won that, too.”
“Stop it!” I blurted.
“Me?” Willoughby asked.
I looked at him. “Yes, you! Who else? Stop… Stop threatening Mr. Evergreen. Are you? Are you threatening him?”
My knight cocked his head with an obscure courage. “Am I?” he asked.
“We’re just talking,” Mr. Evergreen said.
I glanced at him. “Well then, stop talking,” I said. “Immediately.”
“No,” Willoughby said.
“No?” I asked.
“No. We’re having quite the fun chat.”
“Fun?” I asked.
“Tell you what,” Cyrus started with a hearty vigor. “Do it. Join the Games. I could use a new opponent, I think, but you should know, I am very fast. If you can manage just to keep your feet for our spar, I’ll treat you to an ale at the after-party. What say you?”
“You’ll treat me to two when I obliterate your score,” Willoughby said.
“I like him,” Evergreen said. “Speaking of fast, Willough. Aren’t you recruits forced to duel the Lord Commander before you’re even considered for the Kingsguard?” He grinned at the thought. “How badly did he beat you, Ser?”
“Senseless, really. Though I’m surprised you know about that. We’re sworn to silence,” he said. “Where did you hear it from?”
