Elowen watched him go, feeling no more at peace than she had before. Neither she nor her friend were on promising paths when it came to matters of the heart.
Chapter
Eight
Theo rose early on the second day of the tournament. It wasn’t that he was eager to resume the competition. But the discomfort of his mind was hard to shake, and he thought some training in the castle’s practice yard might clear his head. He checked his steps as he approached the training yard, his eyes drawn to a small enclosure adjacent to it. He’d only ever seen the enclosure empty before, but now it housed a beautiful young roan with a reddish mane and tail. The horse was prancing nervously, letting out angry snorts from time to time. Curious, Theo approached the railing, wishing he had a cube of sugar in his pocket.
“I wouldn’t get too close, Your Highness,” said an approaching guard. He was hefting a small bale of hay in his arms. “They’re having trouble breaking that one. He’s dangerous, doesn’t trust people.”
He tossed the hay into the enclosure from a safe distance, the bale almost hitting the horse.
Theo frowned at the guard’s retreating back. Obviously the horse wasn’t going to trust people if he was treated like a wild, terrifying animal. Theo paused at the railing, taking the opportunity while the horse was distracted by investigating thebale of hay to speak soothingly to it. He couldn’t tell if the horse was listening to him, but it didn’t snort or shy away from his voice.
When Theo entered the training yard, it was immediately obvious that he wasn’t the only one to have the idea of warming up before breakfast. Many members of the court were staying in the castle for the duration of the tournament, and half of them seemed to be at the yard. Curious eyes followed Theo, but at least it wasn’t difficult to find partners with so many men ready to spar.
The hour he spent engaging in casual bouts also helped him size up the competition he would face in the upcoming events featuring weapons combat. There were some excellent fighters amongst King Ronan’s court, as well as many aspiring ones whom he’d have no difficulty beating.
Theo felt secret satisfaction at the obvious surprise of some of the spectators in the training yard when he bested one of the more capable fighters. He might have a reputation for being stiff and responsible, more likely to focus on trade negotiations than military matters, but he was a prince of Siqual, after all. He’d been trained by the best swordsmen his kingdom had to offer, and he’d always held his own against his brother and any other challengers. He would have enjoyed pursuing the skill more if other matters hadn’t taken priority out of necessity. For much of his life he’d shouldered many of the duties of crown prince in addition to his own responsibilities. Xavier, the actual heir, was no less capable than Theo, but much less inclined to be reliable in performing his duties.
In any event, while Theo was not a match for the most skilled of King Ronan’s court, he anticipated being able to beat enough opponents in the weapons combat event to maintain an honorable reputation before he withdrew as instructed.
The maze event was another matter entirely, and he had no idea how to prepare for that. Given he had another round of archery in the morning, and the maze event was to take place that afternoon, he wouldn’t have the opportunity anyway.
When the breakfast hour was near, he moved into the enclosed part of the training yard used for toweling off and re-donning more formal wear. The atmosphere was much more relaxed than Theo had yet experienced from the Torrenese court, and he enjoyed it. Somehow sparring together removed barriers in a way no social event ever would. No one looked up when he entered the space, and he went about his preparations amid the comings and goings of several others.
He was maybe too inconspicuous, because as he was toweling his sweaty face, a pair of others entered, his name on their lips. He paused, not in a hurry to uncover his face or turn around and cause them embarrassment by his presence.
“…to Prince Theodore?” one was saying.
“Of course I’ve noticed,” scoffed the other. “Bertrand hasn’t exactly been subtle with his disrespect toward the visiting prince, I don’t think there’s anyone who’s not aware.”
Theo grimaced. Of course Lord Bertrand’s vendetta against him would ignite gossip. It was inevitable.
“It’s no surprise that he’s sour, he’s been boasting of the princess like a sure thing for years,” the first man replied. “But word is the duke isn’t happy he’s showing it so openly. My manservant’s brother works for Bertrand, and he told me that he overheard the duke scolding him for his rudeness. Apparently Lady Sophia went running to their father. Probably knew Bertrand would never listen to her.”
The other man made a noise of derision in his throat. “She was right about that.”
“My servant said the duke told Bertrand that he hoped to seemore of both honor and common sensefrom his son.”
They both laughed, enjoying the thought of the absent Bertrand’s chagrin. Apparently they were no great friends of his.
“I wish the duke success in his hopes, but I wouldn’t place a wager on them,” one of them said indulgently. “The viscount has never learned the talent of not getting what he wants. He’s not likely to start now.”
Theo remained still, waiting until the men had left before moving away from the wall he’d been facing. His thoughts explored every aspect of what he’d overheard, trying and failing to ignore his anger over the viscount’s supposed claims on the princess.
Elowen had said that Lord Bertrand meant no harm and wouldn’t wish to damage his kingdom by threatening the alliance. Did she really believe that? Because it seemed obvious to Theo that the viscount had a very specific reason to wish harm, not to the kingdom, but to Theo. But his actions remained absurd. Theo had seen the proof of the position of trust and influence held by the duke. However indulged Lord Bertrand might have been, he was still a grown man. It was hard to understand how he could let petty personal jealousy sabotage such an advantageous alliance for his kingdom. And yet that was what he appeared to be trying to do. He was clearly determined to draw Theo into jealous competition, and that was something Theo absolutely refused to enter into.
His path forward was clear. He would be even more circumspect and detached. The honor of his kingdom was at stake, and Siqual would not be the subject of jest at the hands of a man like the viscount.
The second round of the archery proceeded similarly to the first. The competition was a little more authentic, but Theo was still able to successfully progress alongside the top contenders. He’d expected to face the group Lord Bertrand had been part of the day before, but the winners from that round had apparentlyalready completed their second round against others from a third group. Once his session was finished, he watched the other group for a while, and became convinced of what he’d already suspected.
Elowen was wrong. The groups were not evenly spread. Theo had been placed with all the least competent archers, so as to allow him to look impressive up until he chose to withdraw. It stung his pride, but he chose not to dwell on it. Whatever the viscount had said, he didn’t appear to be matched against elite archers, either. In fact, the man after Lord Bertrand missed the target altogether. Surprising, given Theo was sure he’d seen him at the training yard, hitting the target every time.
A third group were also undertaking their round, some of them very impressive. Theo could see after a few minutes that he was outmatched by many of them, which was no surprise. He was a competent archer at best. Turning away from the ongoing competition, Theo made his way to the nobleman who’d been appointed master of events.
The man nodded approvingly when Theo announced his intention to bow out of the archery. It was probably the only way the rest of the competitors would feel free to compete naturally, but he didn’t say as much.
When he strode off the field, he felt eyes on him, and looked up to see Elowen watching him from the stands. He expected her to look away when his eyes found her, but she didn’t. He was gripped by a sudden impulse to make a sign, like he’d seen others do when she watched them, a hand fisted across the heart. He dismissed the idea quickly, wondering what had come over him. Hadn’t he just promised himself he would keep himself and his kingdom above any petty competitions for favor?
