fragile.”
“Well, I know one way to find out,” Jareld said, not realizing what he had just gotten them both into.
---
The four Turin-Sen met Argos at the Lunapera once more.
“My pupils,” Argos intoned, “It is joyous to see you again. You three...” he indicated Gerard, Sandora, and Selikk, the three senior members of the Turin-Sen, “...will continue with the plan as we discussed.”
The three upperclassmen bowed and stepped aside as Argos paced over to Halmir. The youngest recruit of the group stood tall as his Master placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Halmir, it is time to test your mettle. I have faith that, when tested, you will prove as true as any member of our company, past or present.”
“You do me honor, Master Argos.”
“I have received news from one of my spies. The Crown Prince will not be in Anuen on the first of summer. So, I have to split the group. The majority of the work will still be in the capital, so I am sending you three there as planned. But you, Halmir,” Halmir got a chill when his name was spoken. Two parts pride, one part anxiety, “You will be charged with the Crown Prince, Nathaniel Rone.”
“Of course, Master,” Halmir bowed.
“Good,” Argos nodded. “I do hope that we will meet again, but if we don’t, I know that you will all honor me, in life and in death.”
“What’s the name of the place where I’m going?” Halmir asked.
“It’s the Castle Hartstone, in a place called Deliem,” Argos responded. “The dawn approaches fast. Ready yourselves for battle.”
---
On the first day of summer, Prince Nathaniel arrived at Castle Hartstone to oversee the marriage of Count Michael Deliem and Lady Sarah Ralsean.
On the first day of s ummer, Jareld and Thor left Hartstone before sunrise. They had an exciting new lead, and they wanted to avoid the crowd of the wedding.
On t he first day of summer, Sir David Noble donned his armor, ready to defend his title in the opening ceremonies of the Jousting Season.
On the first day of s ummer, the Prince stood before a courtyard full of people and gave a speech about love, nobility, and marriage. The people cheered, Michael and Sarah smiled.
On the morning of the wedding, Lady Vye debated with her dresser about her sword.
Vye had agreed to wear her formal wear. To be that version of Lady Vye. But as the Military Advisor, she should also be decorated with a sword. It just made sense. But the dresser was only interested in putting Vye “in the spirit of things,” and she felt that Vye’s sword, just the size of the damn thing, wasn’t in that spirit.
On the morning of the wedding, several hours later, Lady Vye regretted that decision. The moment she regretted it was the moment right after she saw Michael die.
Book 2
Kings Slain
Chapter 13: Attack of the Turin-Sen
The jousting tournament was going well, King Vincent thought. At least, except for the jousting.
The crowd was having a good time, taking advantage of the available meats and ales, and watching the tournament with cheers and jeers. But King Vincent wasn’t just interested in the social aspect of the affair. He enjoyed a good jousting tournament, and this one failed in that department. The problem was Sir Noble. He was too good.
Through an incredible display of raw skill and practiced technique, Sir Noble was winning each joust squarely, and without incident. He played well to the crowd, controlling their cheers with a wave of a hand as a conductor might tell the orchestra to crescendo.
Unfortunately, the competition left something to be desired. In a standard playoff system, the thirty-two contestants had battled down to sixteen, eight, four, and now two. But the two that were left were terribly mismatched.
Sir Noble, who was very good, and Sir John, who wasn’t. Sir John had won by a series of flukes: two faults, one broken lance, and an opponent who had broken four ribs in the previous round. The final
“Well, I know one way to find out,” Jareld said, not realizing what he had just gotten them both into.
---
The four Turin-Sen met Argos at the Lunapera once more.
“My pupils,” Argos intoned, “It is joyous to see you again. You three...” he indicated Gerard, Sandora, and Selikk, the three senior members of the Turin-Sen, “...will continue with the plan as we discussed.”
The three upperclassmen bowed and stepped aside as Argos paced over to Halmir. The youngest recruit of the group stood tall as his Master placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Halmir, it is time to test your mettle. I have faith that, when tested, you will prove as true as any member of our company, past or present.”
“You do me honor, Master Argos.”
“I have received news from one of my spies. The Crown Prince will not be in Anuen on the first of summer. So, I have to split the group. The majority of the work will still be in the capital, so I am sending you three there as planned. But you, Halmir,” Halmir got a chill when his name was spoken. Two parts pride, one part anxiety, “You will be charged with the Crown Prince, Nathaniel Rone.”
“Of course, Master,” Halmir bowed.
“Good,” Argos nodded. “I do hope that we will meet again, but if we don’t, I know that you will all honor me, in life and in death.”
“What’s the name of the place where I’m going?” Halmir asked.
“It’s the Castle Hartstone, in a place called Deliem,” Argos responded. “The dawn approaches fast. Ready yourselves for battle.”
---
On the first day of summer, Prince Nathaniel arrived at Castle Hartstone to oversee the marriage of Count Michael Deliem and Lady Sarah Ralsean.
On the first day of s ummer, Jareld and Thor left Hartstone before sunrise. They had an exciting new lead, and they wanted to avoid the crowd of the wedding.
On t he first day of summer, Sir David Noble donned his armor, ready to defend his title in the opening ceremonies of the Jousting Season.
On the first day of s ummer, the Prince stood before a courtyard full of people and gave a speech about love, nobility, and marriage. The people cheered, Michael and Sarah smiled.
On the morning of the wedding, Lady Vye debated with her dresser about her sword.
Vye had agreed to wear her formal wear. To be that version of Lady Vye. But as the Military Advisor, she should also be decorated with a sword. It just made sense. But the dresser was only interested in putting Vye “in the spirit of things,” and she felt that Vye’s sword, just the size of the damn thing, wasn’t in that spirit.
On the morning of the wedding, several hours later, Lady Vye regretted that decision. The moment she regretted it was the moment right after she saw Michael die.
Book 2
Kings Slain
Chapter 13: Attack of the Turin-Sen
The jousting tournament was going well, King Vincent thought. At least, except for the jousting.
The crowd was having a good time, taking advantage of the available meats and ales, and watching the tournament with cheers and jeers. But King Vincent wasn’t just interested in the social aspect of the affair. He enjoyed a good jousting tournament, and this one failed in that department. The problem was Sir Noble. He was too good.
Through an incredible display of raw skill and practiced technique, Sir Noble was winning each joust squarely, and without incident. He played well to the crowd, controlling their cheers with a wave of a hand as a conductor might tell the orchestra to crescendo.
Unfortunately, the competition left something to be desired. In a standard playoff system, the thirty-two contestants had battled down to sixteen, eight, four, and now two. But the two that were left were terribly mismatched.
Sir Noble, who was very good, and Sir John, who wasn’t. Sir John had won by a series of flukes: two faults, one broken lance, and an opponent who had broken four ribs in the previous round. The final
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