Open by Ashley Fox

the House of
Twining Ivy, but I ’ m sure
you knew that. So it seems it is his destiny to take up that
mantel. ”
    Even Llew thought she summed it up well, if
rather pompously, and joined the others in watching the notorious
knight stride down the one of the winding side paths. His black
hair, cut to stay out of his face, had grown out so his frowning
green eyes flashed between wind swept locks. He wore good leather
boots, plain, that covered his legs up to his thigh, a black velvet
coat with out of fashion tight sleeves open to reveal a deep green
silk shirt. His sword was strapped to his side in a worn sheath,
the hilt wrapped in leather strips to improve the grip. He wore a
fierce expression, lost in thought.
    There was a
sudden cry from the squires, it seemed the boys
hadn ’ t been the only ones
staring. Holms partner knelt in the dust clutching his forearm,
blood seeping through his fingers.
    “ What ’ s this? Are you
a bunch o ’ delicate maids,
to swoon at the sight of blood? Get up, squire! Let me
see. ” Captain Madder pulled
the squire up, twisting his arm to get a better look, muttering to
himself. Holm hovered next to them, his hands throttling the hilt
of his sword.
    “ Is it grave,
Captain Madder? I tried to pull the stroke short when I realized he
wasn ’ t
ready. ”
    Captain
Madder gave a bursting, coughing laugh, letting go the hapless
squire and giving Holm a slap on the back. “ Grave? Ha. A scratch, nothing to
die from. You boys need some seasoning, a good battle to teach you
what grave is. No, you showed good control, squire Holm. But
don ’ t forget, always press
an advantage! Oi! Cade! Have you seen the distress
you ’ ve caused me?
Bleedin ’ my
greens. ”
    Lord Knight
Caderos, Cade, had looked up at Captain
Madder ’ s shout, raising an
eyebrow at the scene brought to his attention. He changed his
course, heading towards them. The wind now blew his hair back
revealing what Llew had once heard described as a ‘ sensual and
cruel ’ face, whatever that
meant. He supposed he was a good looking man, but Llew was more
interested in his sword. Now he was closer he could see the tip of
the pommel, the metal of which was a bright silver, with blue
undertones. He had never seen steel so bright. “ Greetings to you, Captain Madder,
it ’ s good to see you still
teaching, and still torturing the squires by the looks of it. Have
not changed then, old coot? ”
    A grin split
Captain Madder ’ s face. Cade
smiled a slanted smile, and they set about clapping one another on
the arms and back.
    Gos and
Lantana looked as surprised as he. They had never seen Captain
Madder look, well, happy before. He might laugh, but he was usually
laughing at someone, and they had never heard anyone but the Lord
General call him anything than rank and name. “ I hope
you ’ ve been
showin ’ them Meridans a
thing or two, eh? ‘ Bout how
to be a real warrior! ”
    “ My
father ’ s family were very
pleased with my training and position, they thought I must have had
skilful teachers indeed. ”
    “ Pah!
Don ’ t give me that old
family trick, this is your home Cade.
We ’ re glad to have you back!
I bet you a virgin you ’ ve
let yourself go, eh? Those skills a bit rusty? Them Meridans just
don ’ t know what stamina
is. ”
    “ Well, I may
have let off training for a while, hard paced travel, old friend. I
think maybe too old, shall I practise with one of your squires? The
giant, perhaps. ”
    “ Ah, you deal
a fine blow with words, silver tongue, but what of with blades? I
taught you everything you know, boy, and that sounded fair like a
challenge to me! What say ye, squires? ”
    The squires heard the challenge and watched
in anticipation. Captain Madder had once been the best swordsman of
all Danua, unbeaten. The only one who came close was a Knight a few
years older than himself, Karse. Now Lord General Karse. It was
said that if Madder had not been so grievously injured he may have
been Lord