Flame of War (Binding Words Book 5), page 12
part #5 of Binding Words Series
“To make things even more interesting, a friend of my husband is having some trusted subordinates come here. To help ‘bring the rabble to his knees’ or similar.”
“Husband’s friend?” Sean asked.
“Lord Truestrike. It’s rumored he’s going to become a High Lord soon. Gathering my husband’s support and, in doing so, the backing of the Sharpeyes and Greenlimb houses, could be enough for the Queens to grant him the title.”
“I keep hearing that name,” Sean said. “It’s never been in good context.”
Lady Sharpeyes covered her mouth with a shocked expression. “My goodness, to say such in the open? And so boldly?”
“When are they due here?” Sean grumbled.
“Why, in time for next Tenday, when the next party shall be held.”
“Funny that,” Sean said as he set down his mostly untouched second cup. “Does anyone know anything about these subordinates?”
“Not yet, but I’m sure that information could be had.”
“What is it that you want, Lady?”
“I would love for some events to come to be, but I could never say such things. After all, wishing someone ill could be seen as plotting to harm them.”
“Two people related to her to be removed,” Nola hissed in Naga.
Sean’s eyelid twitched but he stayed silent, his gaze locked on Lady Sharpeyes. “I see. That could be troubling, indeed.”
“Yes. I would be very grateful to someone who could help with my problems, but I’m not sure a normal person can.”
“I have a feeling doing so would bring even more scrutiny to whoever did.”
“But with my backing, it should be manageable.”
“No promises such things could happen,” Sean said, setting his cup aside. “If certain people keep pushing, though, they’ll find out how hard I am to move.”
Lady Sharpeyes smiled broadly. “Excellent. Thank you for coming to tea. It was good to speak with you. Amedee, do make sure he is at the next party.”
“Sara, are you sure? It could be bad for you, too, if things don’t go well.”
Sean was surprised by the concern in Mageeyes’ voice.
“It might, but I’m done with this lie, Amedee. Do you believe he can?”
Mageeyes looked at Sean. “If he is pushed… I’m not sure even Lord Truestrike will be prepared for him.”
“Then we should have no worries. Sean,” Lady Sharpeyes said as she stood, “I would tell you to bring a grand gift to the next party to help yourself and make things even more untenable for others.”
“I will think long and hard on it,” Sean said. “I’m not one for society, Lady, but I did find the tea, snacks, and conversation excellent.”
“Thank you,” Lady Sharpeyes headed for the door to the manor. “Nola, make sure they are seen to.”
“Yesss, Lady.”
Chapter Fourteen
Mageeyes motioned Sean to sit back down when he stood up. “We finish the tea we have, then we leave. That’s the way this is done.”
“I don’t like her,” Ryann said bluntly, looking over at Nola as she said it. “Can’t trust nobles.”
“Even me, Ryann?” Mageeyes asked simply.
“You’ve made Agreements. That’s different,” Ryann replied. “She just wants to use him.”
“All of those in power look to use those under them,” Mageeyes said softly. “That is how the world works.”
“Sean doesn’t,” Ryann snorted.
“True, but he isn’t normal, now is he?”
Ryann stopped talking. Instead, she drained the last of her tea and sat there waiting. Sean watched Mageeyes as he downed his second cup. Mageeyes sighed at them before finishing hers as well.
“Nola, we have finished,” Mageeyes said.
“Yesss. Follow me, pleassse.”
The group all rose and followed Nola back out to the main hallway, where their previous guide was waiting for them. “The Lady wissshesss them essscorted out.”
“Of course. If you will all follow me?” the Moonbound asked, turning on his heel and starting down the hall.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Nola,” Sean told her in Naga.
“A pleasure,” Nola replied in return, her tongue flickering out again.
The group followed the servant in silence, making their way back to the main part of the manor. As they reached the main hall, there was a burst of laughter just ahead of them from around the corner.
“Oh, it will be quite… what is this?” Evan Sharpeyes asked as the group turned the corner. “Dame Mageeyes, and with rabble in tow?”
They came to a halt, the group of young nobles standing around and staring at them, taking up the majority of the area. Sean recognized the faces from the party, including Felora’s sister, Delia, who was standing behind Evan.
“I do not consort with rabble,” Mageeyes said simply. “Neither does your mother, Knight Sharpeyes. If you will excuse us, we are leaving.”
The nobles started to move aside for them, but only enough for them to pass in single file. “Of course mother dearest doesn’t.” The disrespect for his mother was clear in Evan’s condescending tone. “Nor would a Dame of such renown. I apologize if my words caused offense.”
The nobles all chuckled.
Mageeyes shook her head. “Knight Sharpeyes, nothing you say to me would offend me. I don’t know if your mother’s guests took offense, though.”
Ryann was about to reply when Sean touched her arm and she stopped.
“If I took offense, then what would be the recourse, Dame?” Sean asked.
“You could ask for the right to defend the honor of the one or ones insulted. Since you are here as a guest of Lady Sharpeyes and with me, it would not be just your honor tarnished at his words, but ours, as well. Since the Lady’s honor was called into question, you could ask for a duel of blood to repay the honor.”
“A Knight wouldn’t sully a blade with commoner blood,” Evan snickered.
“I know many Knights who have,” Mageeyes said simply. “Of course, if he did press for the duel, you would have to defend yourself unless he allows for champions.”
“Blood, which means until the first blood is drawn?” Sean asked.
“Yes,” Mageeyes replied.
Sean met Evan’s eyes and smiled. “I must defend the Lady’s honor, since she did invite me. A duel of blood to settle things. Champions are allowed, and weapons will be any bladed weapon each person chooses.”
“He doesn’t even have a sword,” one of the other nobles sneered. “Does he even know what one looks like?”
Evan stared at Sean with a gleam in his eye. “I accept the duel. Where and when?”
“Now’s good, if a moderator can be found,” Sean said flatly. “Outside. I don’t want to make the servants work more by having to clean the blood up.”
“A moderator?” Klein smirked. “I’m sure we can find one.”
“A neutral moderator,” Sean replied flatly.
“It is Fiveday,” Dame Mageeyes said, “and near midday. Is Commander Babbitt delivering his tenday report to Lord Sharpeyes?”
Klein’s smirk vanished and Evan snorted. “If you’d wish that washed up old man to moderate, I do believe he should be arriving shortly.”
“Outside we go, then,” Sean said. “Oh, and my champion is Ryann.” He placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her a smile. Sean had seen her getting upset at the talk of the duel and thinking he was going to do it himself.
Ryann gave a small start before her upset expression melted into a smile. “Thank you, Sean.”
“Your Life Bonded is going to fight for you?” one of the nobles sneered.
“Correction,” Sean said firmly. “My wife is going to fight for me.”
“Hiding behind a woman?” another noble laughed snidely.
“She can kick your ass afterward,” Sean said sternly. “Now, are we going?”
“Yes. I wonder how distraught you’ll be after she bleeds before you,” Evan laughed and made his way to the front door.
The other nobles began to laugh as they followed him. Klein was whispering to Evan as they walked at the head of the group. Sean noticed Delia continuing to glance back at him with a puzzled expression.
“Sean,” Mageeyes said as she began to slowly walk after the others, “Evan is a skilled swordsman. While I don’t doubt Ryann is skilled, I don’t think she’s up to the challenge of crossing blades with him.”
“She isn’t going to cross blades,” Sean chuckled darkly. “Ry, anything but a killing shot, but make the first one count.”
“I can do that,” Ryann smiled broadly.
Dame Mageeyes looked at her, and then nodded slowly. “All the throwing knives she left in the carriage... that is her preferred weapon? Not the short blade?”
“I wonder if anyone wants to bet against us again today,” Sean laughed, pointedly not answering her question.
When they stepped outside, Sean saw Commander Babbitt dismounting a horse near Mageeyes’ carriage. Klein was waiting to speak with him, so Sean headed that way, intent on getting their weapons.
“Gave insult to Knight Sharpeyes, and a duel has been called to settle it,” Klein was saying as Sean got closer.
“Tell the truth,” Sean snorted, seeing Babbitt’s surprise at what he had been told. “Commander, sorry for this to happen again. Knight Sharpeyes made an insulting comment that impinged the honor of myself, my wife, Dame Mageeyes, and Lady Sharpeyes. If it had just been me and Ryann, I would have ignored it, but since it reflected badly on the Lady and Dame, I was forced to call for resolution. Sadly, finding an impartial moderator is nearly impossible. Luckily, it was known you would be here shortly.”
“Twice we’ve met, and twice a duel has been needed,” Babbitt said flatly. “Does violence always follow you, MacDougal?”
“People do love fighting near me, apparently,” Sean replied with an apologetic smile. “It’s only a duel of blood, so it should be over quickly. I was just retrieving weapons from the carriage.”
Babbitt harrumphed, “At least it’s just blood. Fine, hurry it up. I do have a meeting with Lord Sharpeyes to attend.”
The footman of Mageeyes’ coach had heard what Sean had said and was already pulling the weapons from the interior. “Here you are, sir.”
“Thank you,” Sean said quickly, putting his sword on. “Ry, your blades,” Sean said and passed them over to her one by one.
“What, is she a walking armory?” one of the nobles laughed. “A skilled swordsman only needs one blade.”
Sean looked down at the single sword on his hip. “Thank you.”
The noble looked bewildered. “I wasn’t speaking of you, commoner!”
“Nothing common about me,” Sean snorted. “Anyone want to place a bet against Ryann today?”
“No one would feel good taking money because you hid behind your Life Bonded,” Delia said haughtily. “What kind of man hides behind a woman?”
“He isn’t hiding behind me,” Ryann snapped, glaring at Delia. “I’m his shield. I was his guard before I was his wife, and I didn’t stop being his shield because of that. At least I don’t forsake family.”
Delia’s eyes widened, her mouth twisting into a snarl. “You—!”
“Enough!” Babbitt snapped, cutting her off. “I have a meeting with Lord Sharpeyes; this duel will commence now. I was told it is blood and that any bladed weapons can be used. Ryann MacDougal is the champion for Sean MacDougal, and Knight Sharpeyes is fighting for himself. Is this correct?”
“Yes,” Sean said.
“Yes. Don’t worry, Commander, I will make it quick,” Evan smirked as he drew his sword. A green energy coated the blade the moment it was exposed to air. “Blood will be hard to come by with my blade, so I will stop when told.”
Babbitt frowned before turning to Ryann. “Are you ready?”
Ryann drew her short blade into her off-hand and nodded. “I am.”
“When I call, the duel begins. If anyone outside of these two makes a single move to interfere,” he paused and drew his own blade, “I will chastise you with pain. Duelists, move back ten paces and face each other.”
Sean smiled as he watched Ryann stop about thirty feet from Evan, her right hand resting on the hilt of a throwing blade. Evan brought his sword up in an aggressive posture, a cocky smile on his lips.
“Begin!” Babbitt snapped.
Evan had taken a single step before he cried out, his open hand touching his cheek. The sound of metal hitting stone went almost unnoticed. Ryann smiled as she sheathed her blade.
Babbitt stepped between them. “The duel of blood is over. Knight Sharpeyes has taken a wound on his face and is bleeding.”
The nobles were silent as they stared in shock.
“Preposterous! How could she have wounded him?” Klein snapped.
“Throwing knife,” Babbitt said simply. “You, servant, get the blade from beside that bench. She drew and threw as he made a single step. The blade cut him on its way by. The duel is over. Ryann MacDougal, champion for her husband, is the victor. The blemish to Lady Sharpeyes and Dame Mageeyes’ honor has been cleared.”
The servant brought the knife over, handing it to Babbitt. Babbitt examined it before giving it back to Ryann. “The tip broke when it hit the bench. I can see how the description of the ambush was correct, after all.”
“I’ll get it fixed,” Ryann said, putting the knife away. “Thank you.”
“Outrageous!” Evan snarled. “That wasn’t a duel at all!”
Babbitt turned slowly to face Evan, his face hard. “The duel was to blood. You’re bleeding, Knight Sharpeyes. The weapons were any bladed weapon. The throwing knife is a bladed weapon. The duel might not have gone the way you wanted, but it was perfectly within the rules. Or are you questioning me?”
Evan’s eyes smoldered with anger. “Of course not, Commander.” Turning on his heel, Evan stalked off, his group following him in silence.
Babbitt sighed as he watched them go. “MacDougal, you’ve made a bitter enemy today.”
“Pretty sure he already was,” Sean said. “Thank you for officiating for us.”
“Don’t thank me. I’m sure the Lord will have questions that I do not look forward to. Good day.”
Mageeyes was silent as they climbed into her carriage and it started away from the manor. Once they left the gates behind, she began to laugh. “Oh my, his pride is in tatters! Sean, you do know how to prick at them. And you, dear, well done. I take it that wound was intentional?”
“I don’t like his face,” Ryann replied.
“Yes... he does resemble his father,” Mageeyes smiled. “Well, I do believe the party will be quite entertaining.”
Mageeyes dropped them off at the third bathhouse after Sean asked to be let out there. When the carriage drove off, Ryann took his hand. “Sean, thank you.”
“I will try to let you do what you think you need to, Ry. I dislike the idea of you being hurt on my account, but you are my shield. I won’t take that from you unless I have to.”
Ryann kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
~*~*~
Sean looked over the interior of the bathhouse with a smile. It had been marketed toward the wealthy and powerful, and it looked like it. “Gaudy as fuck.”
“Not gaudy, just expensive,” Ryan said, coming out of the back. “I’m glad I got here early.”
“I’m glad you’re early, too,” Sean grinned. “Let’s go check one of the tubs, and then I need you to show me that water controlling Talent you picked up.”
“Tonight. There’ll be news at the inn,” Ryan said with a grim tone. “My family is putting pressure on me and my brother to back away from the association. Italice is dealing with the same. If we don’t, there’s talk about us being removed from the families.”
Sean’s smile vanished. “Fucking Denmur. Okay, we’ll deal with it. I’m sure there’s more bad news just waiting to come down on us, too.” Shaking his head, he took a deep breath, “Ven, please speak with Amedee about using the big private room tonight.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Sean, do you need me, or should I touch up some more of this place?” Ryann asked.
“Go ahead, Ry. I’ll call for you when it’s time.”
“Have fun with your experiments,” Ryann said, giving him a quick kiss.
