Power: Chapter 4

A little after that, I went back to my classes. During lunch, I noticed that Mea, who usually watched over us during lunch, was not there. A battle-worn soldier called Jolte Sil was, though.
    Someone tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up and saw James. “A word?” James asked quietly. I got up and followed him from the Great Hall, and down the passageways, to Sir Daniel’s office. He motioned me inside, and I went, sweat breaking out onto my forehead. What did I do?

I stood in front of Sir Daniel’s desk nervously, standing at attention. Gareth, James and Mea was standing behind his desk, at attention. Something major was going on, judging by who was there and their expressions on their faces. Considering that I was also in the room, I was probably apart of it. I had no idea what I had done or what happened though.

Sir Daniel was large and muscular, with coal black hair that just brushed his eyes with a matching mustache. His deep blue eyes were intense and fiery, and today they were guarded as well. “Lyla. Everything that is said from here on out is to be kept under the most secrecy that has ever been done, understand?” I nodded, bewildered. Daniel glanced at Gareth and took a breath, continuing. “King Aldan VII is coming to Sector 1 base, Castle Otker, for negotiations. Negotiations with the duke of Carathan, Duke Alexander, and his most prominent vassal.”

A cold hand clutched my heart. I have learned much from my Dowzhri teachers about Duke Alexander. “You really mean, the person who controls all of Carathan is coming here,” I said, forgetting where I was and who I was talking to. Duke Alexander had to be the most insidious man in the history of Yrite. The king, King Ildred, was a figurehead, nothing more. Duke Alexander made all the decisions and plans. He decided everything, but for some reason did not want the throne of power.

Sir Daniel glanced at me sharply and I blushed, hanging my head down. “Please excuse my outburst and insolence,” I recited, staring at the floor. I could feel James’s stare burning into me, and I knew I’d catch that from him later.

Sir Daniel swept on. “This is going to a small truce for the moment, as diplomacy goes underway to stop the war. We have decided to let one Hunter and one Golden Griffin soldier join the peace talks, under supervision, of course. James is that Golden Griffin soldier, and you are that Hunter.” My mouth felt dry. Me, attend the peace talks? With the King and Duke Alexander?

Mea looked amused. “You aren’t usually this tongue-tied, Lyla.”

I bowed to Sir Daniel. “Thank you, sir knight. I am honored.”

Sir Daniel guessed my hesitation. “You are there to observe only, and to serve us. You have been taught how to serve.”

Well, at least that took off some of my worries. Serving I could do. Take part of the peace talks, I highly doubt it. I nodded in relief. “Thank you, sir knight.”

He nodded. “Report to James for more instructions. Dismissed.”

James and I bowed and I followed him out. Once we were clear of Sir Daniel’s office, James cuffed me upside my head. “What was that for?” I asked indignantly. With James, who I’ve known all my life, there was no formality needed.

“I told you being impertinent is not acceptable,” James growled, though I could tell that his heart wasn’t into it.

“James, what’s the matter?” I look at him, studying his face. There was something bothering him. “The peace talks might bring us one step closer to ending this war,” I told him.

He shook his head. “I’m not so sure,” he said in a low voice, more to himself than to me. He sighed. “Come with me.”

He led me through the halls toward his office. Kaitlynn waved at me, and Gary saw that I was with James, and gave me the thumbs up, jumping to the conclusion that I was in trouble. I stopped, and turned around to defend my honor, but James without looking grabbed my arm and kept walking --- without looking back. He just knew me too well.

We reached his office and went inside. I flopped down on one of those uncomfortable formal chairs in front of the desk, and he sat heavily behind the desk. He absentmindedly picked up a quill and toyed with it. I watched him, waiting for him to start the conversation.

He put the quill down. “These are dark, uncertain times that we live in. Duke Alexander would never hold out for peace talks. I’ll bet he has some hidden ulterior motive.”

“He’s a magic-user,” I said softly. “And the king is going to be there!”

“The King’s a magic-user himself,” James said. “Besides, we’ll have our best magic-users in the land there.”

    I nod dubiously. “Okay...I’m still kind of not comfortable with the whole idea.”
    James sighed. “I know how you feel.” He glanced up. “You might as well head for your next class. If Mea throws a fit, tell her you were with me.”
    I nodded. “Understood.” I left, and walked to the training fields.

Mea looked at me. “You’re late, Lyla.”

I grimaced. “Sorry. I was with James.”

She shrugged. “Grab your horse and a lance and get in line.”

I hurried over to my sand-colored mare with a black mane, Echo, and climbed on, accepting a lance from Mea. I swung Echo around and got into line behind Kaitlynn and in front of Gary. I fingered the lance while Kaitlynn went. The lance was made of wood, with a metal tip. It was shaped like a spear. Mine was about nine feet tall, but it wasn’t too heavy for me.

Some distance off in front of us was a dummy suspended from a swinging pole. I had heard from a friendly passing trader that Sector 12 used something called the Ring, but was considering changing to the Quintain. We used the Quintain. What happens is you spur your horse into a gallop, and try to hit the dummy’s shield and duck down from the swinging arms.

Kaitlynn went ahead of me, spurring her strawberry roan into a canter. She hit the shield with her lance, but was too slow to duck the arms. The arms from the dummy hit her, and she fell off her horse with a gasp. Gary roared with laughter behind me, and I turned and glared at him. Kaitlynn climbed up onto her horse again, unharmed.

I brought Echo forward to the starting line, and readied myself, changing my grip on the lance. I nudged Echo with my knees, and she started to gallop forward. Gary softly whistled behind me, and halfway to the target Echo came to a standstill, ears pricked behind. I cursed and tried to urge Echo into a gallop again, but she didn’t budge.

All the Hunters started to laugh, and I gritted my teeth. “Back to the starting line, Lyla,” Mea said, her face expressionless. Red with humiliation, I nudged Echo toward the starting line. She still wouldn’t move.

Gary and the rest of the Hunters were howling with laughter. I got down off Echo, and stood in front of her, glaring into her eyes. “Echo. You listen to me. Not Gary. Understood?” Echo whinnied in reply. I climbed back onto her. Properly scolded, Echo trotted back to the starting line, and I positioned us. Gritting my teeth, I nudged Echo forward, and she galloped toward the dummy. I brought my lance up, and hit the shield in the center, ducking under the arms. A perfect performance. Gary, on his turn, hit on the very outside of the shield and was thrown off by the arms. I deny having any part in persuading his horse to go just a bit diagonal, though. Because there was no way I would ask Echo to ask the horse that. Besides, horses can’t talk.

Author's Note

The Quintain and the Ring were real training exercises designed to use the lance back in the Middle Ages