The Trinity of Heroes (I Will Protect You Book 1) by Jared Mason Jr., Justin Mason Page B

precious Knight Guard. Your coffers ran dry and without our money the Knights of Haile did not have the means to protect the lands of Forme. Your father needed help, and my father was in the right place at the right time! Flint asked for money to support the Knight Guard, and my father agreed under the condition that you and I be wed.”
    The words bombarded Elsie. She was caught off-guard by Phillip’s affirmation of these dreaded accusations. She couldn’t process her own feelings toward him or her father. She had slapped Lawrence earlier for the same blasphemy, but now the source had just confirmed it. Elsie was furious at herself, at Phillip, and especially at her father. She would be confronting him later, demanding the truth, but for now she was taking out her anger on Phillip. “I am not your property, Phillip! Do not touch me! I will not be bought and sold as though I were a commodity!”
    Lawrence and Benni immediately stood to back her up as the two hooded individuals came between them and Phillip.
    “Miss Elsie has made her feelings known, Phillip,” Lawrence shouted. “I think you should leave, now!” He motioned to the door of the pub.
    “Why don’t you take your father’s money and leave, Phillip?” Benni added, being restrained by one of the hooded associates. Where Lawrence was calm but stern, Benni was brash and bold. He had never been one to back away from a skirmish, often choosing to fight first and own up to consequences later.
    Razzius just stood against the wooden pillar, resting his back against it. He sipped his milk. He didn’t really want to add fuel to the fire, but then again, he didn’t really care much for Phillip either. After a few more rounds of name calling and bashing by the others he spoke cold, calculated words to Phillip:
    “So you’re Phillip Arcel Galexia, are you? I’ve heard you called so many things. For instance today a fellow trainee told me you were, oh how did he put it again?” Razzius was thinking on it for a moment, enjoying this opportunity to toy heavily with Phillip’s ego. “Oh yes, he called you ‘pompous.’ But that wasn’t the best one, no, no, no. The best one was Lady Elsie herself telling us tonight that she would rather come here to the Silver Shield, and spend the night hanging out with the ‘local trash,’ than ever spend another day with you.” Razzius’ words were like daggers, piercing not skin, but Phillip’s unscathed ego. Razzius glared at Phillip, making his comments even more condemning and hateful.
    Phillip was at the breaking point. He couldn’t tolerate this assault on his character any longer. Phillip reached under his overcoat to produce a longsword. The blade hissed as he pulled it from its scabbard. The bards stopped playing their music. The entire crowd fell silent at the sight of the weapon as Phillip waved it at Lawrence, then Benni, and finally Razzius. “Do not push my patience, trainee.” He pointed the sword directly at Razzius and sneered, “I will not be judged by the likes of some alley trash.”
    “Phillip, stow that sword before you hurt yourself. Sora forbid that Arcel gets word of his son stabbing himself with his own sword.” Benni began to laugh at Phillip, who in his frustrated state had nicked his finger.
    Phillip sucked the blood from the small gash and looked back at the three friends. “Do not misunderstand, gentlemen; I am not here to negotiate. I am here to take what is mine!”
    “She will never be yours, Phillip!” Lawrence boomed, louder than he had been all night. Phillip always brought out the worst anger in Lawrence. Even now, he was having a difficult time controlling his emotions. Even though deep down Lawrence wanted to know why his father had left, he knew that would mean Elsie discovering some deeply personal demons as well. By his count, he and Phillip had both confirmed the rumors that Flint did in fact accept some form of bribe years ago, and now it would appear that it was for