The Palace(Voldar)

[Capher]

Thorigor was somewhat surprised when the King suddenly appeared and asked to speak to Iris alone. That seemingly innocent request by his Majesty confirmed what Thorigor thought he knew; what Lance said next he did not know.

"Uncle, I know you wish me to marry Iris, because she is your firstborn and thus you wish to see her married first. However, in the short time that we were here, I was able to observe that her heart no longer belongs to herself. She had given it to another, and she would never have been able to give it to me. Now, she is dear to me already, and I want to see her happy. Therefore I ask you, uncle, to give her hand in marriage to the King."

Thorigor sat back in his chair. He could see that Lance's cheeks were turning a bit red. Thorigor sat there silently making Lance even more nervous. He glanced at his daughters and could see a myriad of emotions running rampid over both of their faces: first was shock, then glimmers of hope in Iris's eyes, that were quickly diminished, but not fast enough and from Cadence the look she gave Lance was abject horror! Thorigor almost smiled. It seemed that Cadence and Lance had been awfully busy in just twenty four hours, give or take an hour or so.

Then Lance followed up with his next revelation. "I have one more thing to ask. I know you wish your daughter to marry so that you will have an heir. I have talked with Cadence, and with your permission, Uncle, she has agreed to be my wife."

Thorigor looked over at his Majesty. His face was almost like stone; except a slight twitching and clenching of his jaw. Voltigar returned Thorigor's look and was about to speak when Thorigor held up his hand, stood up, and walked to the fire, staring into it.  If what Lance had said was true, it would seem that he, his daughters, Lance and his Majesty would all get what they wanted out of life. He would get an heir, not only from Cadence and Lance, but also in a round about way from Iris and that boy would be a Prince! But,

He turned and looked at Cadence.

But could he actually let Cadence throw her life away. Was she not betrothed to Sir Clayton? Certainly she would have to wait a year until his service to his Majesty was over, but then she would be happy. She was making a tremendous sacrifice just so her sister could be happy. He admired and was extremely pleased to know that Cadence loved her sister that much. Both of his daughters had turned out well, even if they had to have been sold into slavery. It was much better than what the alternative would have been.

And then another thought came into his mind and he turned back toward the fire so that no one could see the smile that crept across his face; his wife's family were powerful indeed, and she would have tried to stop the marriage at all costs, so that he would have no legitimate heir and when he died she would have control of his estate. However having his Majesty as his son-in-law would definately put a damper on those plans. He almost laughed out loud thinking about his wife's expression as he told her. Perhaps she would leave him. Oh, that would be the best deathbed present any man could have.

He turned back to them all, thoughtfully scratched his chin and then spoke. "I have thought about this carefully and as much as I would like to honor your request Lance, I cannot. I am truely sorry."

He walked to Cadence and looked down at her and at Iris. "I have taken away your happiness once and I will not do it again. I admire you wanting to give your sister some happiness, but what about your own? And how do you know if his Majesty wants to marry Iris?"

He spun and stared at Lance, "Come to think of it, how do you know, for sure? You may have observed something that is not there and now you have embarressed me in front of his Majesty."

He then turned to Voltigar. "Please accept my apologies your Majesty. It seems that my family has conspired against you."

Voltigar had stepped into the room and had closed the door behind him when he heard Lance say that what he wanted to say concerned them all. Voltigar was curious, besides he was still hoping to talk to Iris before she left and then when Lance stated his intentions, his heart almost stopped.

He had kept silent as Thorigor went to the fire and was doing some thinking on his own. Voltigar's own mind was racing as he thought of the many implications of Lance's and Cadence's intentions. Perhaps Cadence decided that it would be better to marry Lance than Clayton, but she did not have to worry about that anymore. He had fixed that by the faux knighting ceremony and once Clayton was publicly exposed as a spy, he would be stripped of his title and the lands that had been given him. So, the only motivation for her to marry Lance would be to give Iris a chance to marry him. Or...

He looked thoughtfully at Lance and then more at Cadence; afraid to look at Iris for fear he would lose all train of thought as it would be consumed with her and her only. Perhaps there was another motivation, could they actually have feelings toward one another? He had a hard time thiniking that it was so, for they had only met. He had to know one way or another and he would not just come right out and ask the question that was burning in his heart. He would not want to embarress Cadence or Lance if the case were not true. He would try another tactic and see where it led.

"Baron, no apologies needed," Voltigar said to put the Baron at ease, but Voltigar somehow had a sneaky suspicion that the Baron was doing exactly what he was planning. The Baron had to know as well.

Voltigar walked over to Cadence, the Baron stepped back toward the fire. Voltigar glanced briefly at Iris who gave him a quick glance and then quickly looked away and down; her hands folded tightly in her lap. Voltigar wondered briefly what she was thinking. He hoped it was the same as he, but he was not certain. He gave his full attention to Cadence.

"Baro...Cadence," he said softly and warmly looking into her eyes, "I am truely touched by you and Sir Lance to decide to wed just so that I could marry Iris. However, I must agree with your father. I will not be one to take away your happiness for my own selfish reasons. You are free from Clayton and now you can marry whoever you wish..."

He could see that Cadence was going to say something and could hear Lance behind him about to speak but he interrupted them both with a soft finger touched to Cadence's lips and then turned his head behind him, looking at Lance and continued. "This is nothing against you Sir. I am sure you had and have honorable intentions and I admire you for them," He turned back to Cadence.

"Unless Cadence you truly are in love with Sir Lance and not just making a pretense so that Iris would be free to marry me, if she still wants to and if her father allows, I cannot allow you to marry Sir Lance for me. I am sorry, but I must reiterate what I said before, I will not be the one to take away your happiness for my own selfish reasons."

He took in a deep breath and slowly let it out as he stood up and backed away looking at all of them. "I stopped you both from speaking before," he said to Iris and Lance, "You may say now what you wish, ladies first," he nodded at Cadence, a warm genuine smile creasing his face.

[Seh'nara Celebrindal]

"I have thought about this carefully and as much as I would like to honor your request Lance, I cannot. I am truly sorry."

With that simple sentence, Cadence's world came crashing down. She sat, frozen, hands gripping her arms tightly. She was technically betrothed to Clayton. If she really had to marry him, who knows what he would do to her! In the dead of the night, no one could hear her scream, and if they did, they couldn't do a thing about it, for by that time, she would be his.

"I have taken away your happiness once and I will not do it again. I admire you wanting to give your sister some happiness, but what about your own? And how do you know if his Majesty wants to marry Iris?"

Hearing that, Cadence's heart stopped. A spark of realization ignited in her mind. He thinks that I'm in love with Clayton! Her blood that had just become a frozen river started to run warm once again. Cadence slowly let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding. I can easily convince Father that I am in love with Lance, not Clayton.

All of a sudden, the King was in front of her, his eyes looking deep into hers. "Baro...Cadence. I am truly touched by you and Sir Lance to decide to wed just so that I could marry Iris. However, I must agree with your father. I will not be one to take away your happiness for my own selfish reasons. You are free from Clayton and now you can marry whoever you wish..." Cadence opened her mouth to speak her mind, but a soft finger gently stopped her lips. A few seconds later, the King invited Cadence to speak.

Taking a deep breath, Cadence started to speak. "Dearest Father, I assure you, my love for Lance is true. If you are thinking that my heart lies with Clayton, you are wrong. I have found out that in his eyes, I am nothing but a tool, an object to climb higher on the political ladder. He has also made.... indecent advances towards others, and I will never forgive him for that." Her gaze left the Baron and alighted on the King. "M'lord, I can tell you, our request was hardly self-sacrificing, indeed, it is for ourselves, our selfish selves. The fact that my sister will have bliss is a bonus." Cadence stopped. Have I said too much? Briefly closing her eyes, she turned to Iris, and waited for her to speak.

Iris had heard everything said with a mask on, a mask of neutrality. She knew that Cadence's last statement wasn't true; it was just a way of saying that she thought that Iris would be happy with the King. Her eyes swept the room, deliberately avoiding the King. If she looked at the King, she was afraid that she would lose all control. She looked at her father, his back still towards her.

"I have only known Lance for a few hours, but as soon as I saw him, I could tell that his heart was lost, and I can also tell that my sister has also lost hers. I have no wish of disrupting his happiness, nor do I wish for my sister to be wed to that... filth," Iris spat the word out, clearly detesting Clayton. She composed herself, and continued, "If I may be honest..." At this, Iris hesitated. A few seconds passed as she gathered herself. I'm digging my own grave.  "To be completely frank, Father, my heart also belongs someone else," Iris confessed quietly. Let me lie down in it. She lifted her eyes, and finally gazed deep into the King's surprised ones.

[Capher]

Thorigor listened as Cadence spoke and could not help but smile at the fire. His suspicions had been correct; somehow Cadence and Sir Lance had actually fallen in love! Yes, they had not known each other more than a day or so and yet as if fate had already planned that these two hearts would meet and be knitted to each other as soon as the right time had come.

He glanced over at Lance and could see the truth of it all in his one good eye, that was loving Cadence from afar and his face told the story.

Well, those suspicions were put at rest, all, except the revelation of Sir Clayton. Perhaps his Majesty did not know about this man's true character before he knighted him and with the highest honors a knight could receive in the kingdom. His answer came shortly thereafter when his Majesty spoke. The knighting of Sir Clayton was some sort of ruse so that Cadence would not have to marry Sir Clayton. What was it about this man? A man should want to climb the politcal ladder, as his daughter put it, but how would marrying a maidservant do that? No one knew his daughter's true stations in life until he showed up; so that did not make sense. As for his indiscretions, how many single men did not have any, though he had to admit that once you became betrothed, you should be willing to curb those appetites, at least until you have been married awhile.

So, what was it about this man that caused such animostiy toward him?

He then heard Iris speak and her disdain for Sir Clayton was even more evident than Cadence's. Was she the one that this Sir Clayton had made advances upon after his betrothal to Cadence? If so, the man's character was definately in question, if not his judgement. But Cadence said "other" so Thorigor wondered who else had been in the eye of this man?

He cleared his throat and looked into Voltigar's eyes. "Many revelations have come to light this morn. Some of which I had suspicions about, others I did not. I will not pry into his Majesties affairs, even if one of them would concern my daughter. After all you did not know her true station in life and treated her as any in power and Nobility would treat a maidservant. It would seem that you must have been kind to her for her to give your heart to you and for that I thank you."

"Excuse me Baron, but are you implying that I...I had bed Iris?" Voltigar asked.

"I was trying to be delicate your Majesty, but since you put it that way, yes, that is what I was saying." Thorigor answered testily. He had hoped to phrase his statement in a way not to embarress his daughter.

Voltigar had been returning Iris's gaze with a slight shock of his own, wondering is she had meant him or someone else? However the longer he gazed into her eyes the more he knew, as he had known the first time he had met her, or as he thought lovingly, bumped into her, that he had fallen for her and she for him.

"There was no need for you to be delicate Baron. I assure you that I have never touched your daughter, and that my intentions and actions toward her have been and always will be, honorable," Voltigar said as he returned his gaze toward Iris. "I would be honored if she would consent to be my wife."

He walked over, knelt down on one knee if front of Iris, took off his signet ring, gently picked up Iris's left hand and looking into her eyes softly asked, "Iris, since the first time we bumped into each other my heart belonged to you. Each day I would awake, anticipating seeing your face and hearing your voice. I knew, as your father had alluded, that I could have taken you if I had wanted, but I would not mar the love I have for you by doing that. I also knew that as long as you were a maidservant and I was King that we could never marry and I was willing to live and love afar. Willing to even die without an heir, for I could never love another as I love you. Fate, it seems, had different plans for both you and your sister,"

He gave a quick glance over at Cadence who's eyes were shifting back forth between him and Iris and Lance. She blushed.

"I and Sir Lance who I believe thought he would probably never find love, or would have to love afar, as I had thought I would be condemmed to do. But now fate has given us our hearts desire."

He slowly began placing his ring upon her left ring finger. "Iris, will you marry me? Will you become my Queen and make me the happiest man on Caelereth?"

Thorigor was not prepared for this event. He had not even given his blessings to Cadence and Lance and here his Majesty was kneeling in front of Iris and everyone else in the room, proposing to Iris! This was a bit much for him and he wanted to sit down, had to sit down or else he felt he was going to fall, but he held his resolve and remained standing, though his hand reached out and he steadied himself against the hearth's wall.

[Seh'nara Celebrindal]

Iris sat there, frozen, as the King gently placed his ring on her finger. The thumping of her heart increased a hundredfold as he spoke about how he had loved her from the begining. Her mind was whirling with emotions, happiness, joy, relief, hope. Each filled her heart with nothing but pure joy, filled it until it nearly burst.

"Iris, will you marry me? Will you become my Queen and make me the happiest man on Caelereth?" Her heart, already full to bursting, now overflowed and rushed out of her from the only outlet she had. Sudden, sparkling tears streaked down her soft cheeks, her happiness clear to all. "Yes," she said simply. With trembling hands, she cupped the King's face gently, and kissed him with all the passion she had.

[Capher]

After such a passionate kiss, they slowly parted and Voltigar gazed lovingly into Iris's tear covered eyes. She had said yes! He heard a cough and looked up and noticed the Baron staring at him and Iris.

He could feel himself begin to blush and he quickly rose and faced the Baron. "I apologize. I should have asked you first Baron for the hand of your daughter before I proposed. I assume our proposal meets your approval and gains your blessing?" Voltigar asked.

Thorigor's stern face split wide open as he smiled from ear to ear. "Approval? Blessing? Your Majesty,it would be a fool to turn down the King as his son-in-law. Besides, it would seem that my daughters have chosen without my approval or blessings anyway. I am pleased to see that they both have good heads upon their shoulders."

Thorigor walked over to the table and began to fill up glasses with wine. He finished and waved at the glasses. "Please take one and let us toast to the happiness of Cadence and Lance and to Iris and his Majesty."

Voltigar went over to the table took two glasses, and handed one to Iris. "You can call me Voltigar, Baron, but only in private and I will call you..."

"You will call me Baron, and I will call you your Majesty or Highness," Thorigor said.

Voltigar tipped his glass towards the Baron, "As you wish, Baron Thorigor." 

Voltigar glanced back a shocked looking Lance. "Well Sir knight. Are you not going to go get some wine for yourself and your bride to be so that we can toast our good fortunes?" he asked, grinning broadly.

[Garth Avery]

Garth was fascinated by the story. Yes, he would like to travel with these people... When sir George asked about himself, he shrugged his shoulders. "Not much to tell, I'm afraid. My parents didn't like me because of my height. My brother did. So he helped me get away from them, by asking the leader of a travelling band of artists to let me join. They weren't black butterfly rovers, but they came close. I learned my profession from them. Later, I travelled alone, performing on markets and in inns." He shook his head once, then looked up at the knight. "That's all. But you were telling me about the Baron's son. I'm intrigued by the story, please do continue."

[Seh'nara Celebrindal]

Sir George

"Yes, I was at the Baron's son, was I not?" George took a deep breath before continuing. "He died after an unfortunate accident while hunting. He tried to bite off too much, you see."

A maid came in with a pot of tea and two teacups on a tray. She placed them on the table between both men. Silently, she poured the tea into the cups, and curtsied before leaving. "Ah, I like the staff here. They are polite," George said as he took up his teacup.

"I am sorry, I sometimes digress. Back to the accident. He had gone after an elfcat. The sly thing lead him to a rocky area, where his horse lost balance and it tripped. He fell off and broke his neck." George took a small sip of tea. "His poor mother lost her sanity, and the Baron was now without a heir. Thankfully the two Baroness came along, or rather, were discovered. Messy business, is it not?" George chuckled.   

[Garth Avery]

Mouse listened to the tale with interest. He curled his hands around the cup of tea, warming them on the hot liquid, even though they were not really cold to begin with. While sipping it, careful not to burn his tongue, he thought about what sir George had told him. It was a sad tale, really. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose a child. For that matter, he couldn't imagine even what it would be like to have a child. Would it have a normal length, or would it be deformed like him? Well, not much use wondering, the chance he would ever get married was small enough, let alone have a child.

From the baron, Mouse's mind went to the place they were going. Cemphira... That was near Milkengrad, wasn't it? Perhaps he would have some time to visit his brother. That would be nice, it had been a while since they'd last met. In any case, after this wedding was over, chances were big he could go see him. His eyes lit up at the thought. But he might as well ask, just to be sure there would be time. "So... after this wedding, and baroness Iris and Lance are settled, what will happen then? Are there often parties where my presence would be required?"

[Simonne Miller]

Lance felt his face reddening at the display of affection that was shown by Iris and Voltigar. If anyone had any doubt left that his observations had been correct... At least Cadence and he had shared their kiss in private! However, as the king addressed him, a grin spread over his face. He couldn't help it, even though he knew how it disfigured his lip even more, stretching the harelip wide.

At the King's words, he took two goblets, and passed one to Cadence. He gently placed his big hand on his bethroted's slender shoulder. With a small squeeze, he whispered in her ear: "I told you everything would be fine, didn't I?" Winking once with his good eye, he raised his goblet to the king. "To our good fortune!"

[Capher]

After much drinking and hugging and jubilation Voltigar announced. "I think it is time we announced the betrothal's."

With that said he opened the girls room and found Clayton there. Clayton had been told to leave and attend to his own buisness and at first Voltigar was angry then a sly smile creased his face. "Sir Clayton, come on in and have some wine and celebrate my betrothal."

Clayton had been curious about what had happened to the King and after much skulking around discovered that he was in Iris's and Cadence's bedchambers.  He had stood outside the door, furtively looking around as he pressed his ear to the door to try and hear what was being said, but the door was too thick and all he could get was muffled voices and then laughter at the end.

Clayton bowed. "I would be glad to join in your good fortune Sire. May I ask who the lucky bride is to be?"

Voltigar peered at Clayton, trying to decide if he was really that ignorant or just being polite; he chose polite. "Why it is Baroness Iris, of course. And there is other news as well," Voltigar answered, pouring a cup of wine and handing it to Clayton.

Clayton took the wine but he could not miss the beam in Cadence's face nor the large protective hand upon her shoulder. He glared at the big one-eyed, hair lisped man and wondered.

"I think that Sir Lance should announce that news," Voltigar answered, suddenly realizing that the atmosphere in the room had become very cold.

Clayton did not even nod acknowledgement toward Sir Lance. "Before you tell me of your good news Sir knight I would kindly ask you to remove your hand from my betrothed."

The Baron was about to object but saw Voltigar behind Clayton nod his head ever so slowly. Suddenly the Baron understood. The King was determining whether Lance was worthy of Cadence. The Baron did not know this Sir Clayton, but sensed he was not liked, and had complete confidence in Lance: on the battlefield and off.

[Simonne Miller]

Lance narrowed his one eye at Clayton at his request - or demand, rather. No, he hadn't liked this man the first time they lay eyes on each other, and every subsequent meeting only hardened this impression. With a very purposeful gesture, he moved behind Cadence and, instead of having his one right hand on her left shoulder, he placed both his hands on both her shoulders. He was very careful not to hurt her, instead keeping his touch as light as possible, trying to communicate to her that he would protect her.

"I believe, sir, that my news should be heard before you make any such demands as has just crossed your lips. No more than an hour since, Cadence has graciously accepted my hand in marriage. This makes her my betrothed. You are not in a position at this moment to make any demand."

While saying this, his brown eye blazed. It was fixed on Clayton's face, challenging him to defy him. The knight might be uncertain of himself when it came to his looks, and how women looked at him, but he had no such qualms when a man was concerned. He had fought many men, and he did not doubt more than this Clayton, who looked more than likely to stab a man in the back than to approach him openly. More than that, he had fought men that he regarded as ten times the worth of the snivelling coward in front of him.

He would have no problem with challenging this man to a duel, and there was no doubt in that blazing brown eye of his who would be the winner. For if they fought, he would fight with the knowledge of Cadence's love, and the cowardice of this man. He had not forgotten the girl that disappeared, although he would not say anything about her now; he had not proof enough of that. All his eye said was 'Dare it. Just dare challenge me, and it will be your downfall.' It could only be hoped that Clayton could read the message.

[Capher]

"I believe, sir, that my news should be heard before you make any such demands as has just crossed your lips. No more than an hour since, Cadence has graciously accepted my hand in marriage. This makes her my betrothed. You are not in a position at this moment to make any demand."

Clayton could not believe his ears. Did he hear correctly? That Cadence accepted this disfigured, ugly, mishappen man in marriage? Over him! Such outrage!

His jaw tightened and the muscles rippled down his cheeks into his lower jaw. His eyes narrowed and he sensed the man was goading him into a fight. But Clayton was not about to fight a man who looked liked he had a good half stone of weight advantage and a good half head taller than he was; besides he did not mind knocking women around but men? Well, he had other ways to dispose of them.

His eyes swept down to Cadence and he glared at her. You shall not escape me so easily, neither you nor your sister. When Voldar falls, I shall demand that Christian give me to you.

Suddenly he lifted his eyes toward Lance and gave him a thin smile. "I congratulate you, Sir knight. However fleeting it may be," He held up his hand in protest, "Do not draw your sword as I am not challenging you for her hand. What I meant was that I believe that a woman who is already betrothed to one man cannot accept the hand of another unless of course she wishes to labled a...whore!"

Clayton briefly swept his eyes down to Cadence's and then back again up to Lance's and keeping a close eye on him and the Baron who looked liked he was about to have an apoplexy. "Is that not right your Majesty?" Clayton asked.

Voltigar who had been amusing himself with the encounter between Clayton and Lance suddenly felt like an idiot. Cadence was still betrothed to Clayton! Even if she had to wait a year until Clayton's service to him was finished, she was still legally betrothed to him and worse, he promised to marry them. Of course Voltigar knew that was not going to happen after Clayton was exposed as a spy, but now he was not only a spy, but a Knight of the Order of Voldar. The most prestigious position given to a man and only two other's had ever held that title and one was Damien.  Oh how he wished Damien was here now. Damien knew the law better than any man alive and he would know what to do or say, but Damien was not here and so he had to say something.

He cleared his throat and sadly looked at Lance, the Baron and especially at Cadence. "I am afraid Sir Clayton is correct. According to the law, if the lady in question has been asked and she accepted she cannot accept another's unless the first man who asked her relinquinshes his proposal. Even as King, I am not above the law," He said sadly.

Voltigar turned his eyes upon Clayton and asked, though he knew in his heart what the man would say, but he at least had to try. "Sir Clayton will you release this woman to be with the one she loves?"

Clayton paused as if thinking over the question; toying with Cadence as he saw her look up at him with hope in her eyes. "No, she told me that she loved me. She told me that she wanted to be my wife. We actually married, until your Majesty annulled it, and then promised he would marry us when my service to him was over in a year's time. I love her. I want her to be my wife. How does she know that she loves this man? She has just met him. Has her father concocted this scheme? I do not know, so my answer is, No, I do not release her from her vows."

Clayton would have laughed outloud if he could have as he saw the hope die in Cadence's eyes and then he stared at Lance and gave him just the slightest smile, as if to say, the better man won.

Baron Thorigor suddenly grasped his chest and collapsed.

As the others rushed forward to help him, Clayton stepped back and watched...silently.

[Seh'nara Celebrindal]

Cadence sighed in relief as Lance voiced her own thoughts as he passed her a goblet filled with red wine.A hand snaked out from the folds of her dress to rest gently on Lances free arm as he toasted their future. Everything was going along perfect, and Cadence's heart was full of happiness. She could hardly wait to be married to her love, and to bear his child.

After the many hugs, the King directed them to celebrate outside, and opened the door. Cadence stopped in shock as Clayton stood outside, looking momentarily like a deer caught in the line of a hungry wolf. Her hand unconsciously clutched Lance's a little harder, a small wriggle of worry worming itself into her mind. Releasing her grip on Lance, she felt his hand move to grasp her shoulders before his deep voice filled the room.

It was like a nightmare. The dialogue that passed between Lance and Clayton was nothing less than a death sentence, and the final line from Clayton threatened to send her spilling her eyes out. She wanted to scream at Clayton, Lies! All lies! You never loved me! before she could react, however, her father grabbed his chest and crumpled to the ground. "Father!" Cadence ran to his side, unsure of what to do.

Iris, on the other hand, wasn't worried at Clayton's arrival and subsequent announcement, she was angry. Mad and furious at that... scumbag who dared infringe on her sister's bliss. If not for her status at the King's fiancé, she would have slapped him right there and then. She hated the despair Cadence had in her eyes, and the helplessness she felt at the inability to do anything for her baby sister.

Hidden behind her skirt, her hands were balled into fists that simply itched to hit that sneer off Clayton's face, and she would have too, she had no doubt, if not for her father. Her cry of surprise mingled with Cadence's as she hurried to her father's side.

[Capher]

Voltigar opened the door and yelled for a servant. A young girl quickly appeared. "Yes, your Majesty?" She inquired.

"Get my personal healer here now and then," he lowered his head toward the girl's and whispered, "have the towncriers call for Commander Scar to the Palace."

The littl girl's bright blue eyes widened even more when the King leaned close to her and whispered the last instruction. "I will do as you say your Majesty," she said with a smiel and a curtsy and then dashed off down the hallway.

Voltigar came back into the room, noticing that Clayton had done nothing but step back and with a slight grin on his face. If the war with Nyermersys was not so damn important I would expose you now as a spy and when your head is on the chopping block and Damien is about deliver the final blow that should take that smirk of your face you piece of cows dung!!

Voltigar's thoughts shouted inside his head and it took much willpower to keep them there.

He noticed Lance had opened Thorigor's shirt and had his ear pressed to his chest.

"Is his heart still beating?" Voltigar asked.

[Simonne Miller]

Lance wanted to answer, he almost... almost opened his mouth to retort something. Anything. The only reason he didn't, was that he had no idea what to say. He'd been so caught up in the whole proposal thing, and trying to find a way to make things work for the four of them, that he'd completely lost sight of the legal matters. And he was not at home here, there were customs here that he did not know. Oh, if he could only meet this little... little weasel in a duel...

But this was not to be. The sound of a heavy weight falling chased any thought of challenging Clayton from his mind. His head whipped around, and in the same movement his body seemed to follow, turning first his upper body to face the fallen baron, then his feet took one long stride to where his body lay. He got down on his knees next to his lord - his uncle - and slapped his face once, twice, trying to wake him up. Unable to do so, he opened the baron's shirt, or ripped it open more like, and listened. He could not suppress the sigh of relief when he heard the heart still beating, if a little faintly. The healer should be here soon, but for the moment he survived.

The knight glanced up at the king, nodding his head to the question. He knew that the baron had a weak heart, of course he did. There was some kind of medicine, that the healer back in Cemphiria had given him to try to help, but he had no idea what it was, or where the baron kept it. He could mention it when Voltigar's healer came. On his knees by the baron, Lance was acutely aware of where Clayton - rapidly becoming his nemesis - stood watching the proceedings. It was a measure of this man's worth that someone could lay dieing and all he would do was to step back. Still, now was not the time for the challenge that was burning in his chest. His first attention should go to his lord. This was the reason that he utterly and completely ignored the 'knight' of Voldar. But his time would come, and in that time Clayton should be really careful about what he was doing.

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