wrong?”
I was completely at a loss. James had always been a towering figure in my life, the picture of confidence and command; to see him so vulnerable shook me to the core. “Marc loves you James. He always did, but he also feared you, as any son fears and respects his father. I think he felt a lot of pressure to live up to your expectations, but I don’t think it was too great a burden. He never gave me any cause to think he wanted to escape like this.”
“Then why would he do this?” He had his hands over his face, possibly to hide his tears, but I would never say so.
“James, I don’t think this is any reflection on you. Rather it sounds to me as though something has happened with him. He wouldn’t do this on a whim, and I’m sure he didn’t do it just to hurt you.” I leaned over to pat him on the back. Normally I would never have dared be so familiar, but right now James seemed to need a friend more than a vassal.
“Thank you Mordecai,” he uncovered his face and leaned back, throwing his arms over the back of the couch. “You remind me a lot of your father, though I didn’t know him that well.”
I didn’t know how to reply to that, so I kept my silence and poured myself another glass. The wine was getting to me as well by now. Idly I wondered what would happen if we were summoned before the king while inebriated.
“Where’s that feisty girl of yours?”
“She left me,” I replied.
“Well damn! That deserves a drink,” he raised his bottle so I followed his example. Wiping his lips he went on, “Why aren’t you out chasing her down? I wouldn’t think you’d let her go that easy.”
“It’s complicated.”
“It always seems that way. Don’t let your brain get in the way of your heart boy. The brain always fucks these things up. Trust me on this. Not that I’ve ever been able to follow my own advice. Ha!” He took another swallow. Another knock at the door ended our conversation.
I managed a straight line to the door. I answered as I opened it, “Hello?” It was another of the king’s messengers.
“His majesty sends word for your lordship and his grace, the Duke of Lancaster to attend him in his quarters,” said the messenger. He waited patiently, as if he intended to escort us there.
“James,” I said, looking back. The good duke was reclining with his eyes closed, “James!” I yelled.
He looked up, “What?”
“The king wants us.”
“When?” he asked calmly.
“Now apparently,” I replied.
“Well damn. I should have expected this. Let’s go see how much better the day can get eh!?” He rose and knocked the wine bottle off the table in front of him. Luckily it was empty. I started to give him a hand but he waved me off. “Don’t worry lad, I can handle it.”
We followed the servant down the hall. Neither of us was that steady on our feet but we weren’t too far gone either. I gave us fifty-fifty odds of getting out of the king’s chambers without causing a major incident. I’ve always been optimistic.
We arrived at the king’s private reception room a few minutes later. A nod from our escort and the doorman let us in without a word. He didn’t follow us in. The room beyond the door was opulent, well-furnished without being ostentatious. It reflected the tastes of a man so powerful he did not need to flaunt his wealth. King Edward the First sat reading a dispatch in a comfortable chair across from the entrance to the room.
I had no idea what sort of etiquette was expected of me here, so I followed James’ example. We crossed the room partway and then bowed. Later I would learn that in more formal settings we were expected to go down on one knee, but here a simple bow was permissible, for nobility anyway. “You called for us your majesty?” I couldn’t detect any slurring in James’ voice. I hoped I did as well at covering it.
The king looked at us. He was an older man, in his sixties at least, balding and grey. He looked fit, for despite his age he seemed energetic and trim. Sharp grey eyes looked at us over his papers, “James, you old dog! Come have a seat, this isn’t a formal occasion.” He motioned to a couple of chairs not far from his own.
“Thank you, your majesty,” James took a seat. I moved to sit in the chair next to him.
“Young man, did I give you leave to sit in my presence!” Edward’s tone was sharp and it sent a chill up my spine.
“Er… my apologies your majesty!” I jumped up as if the seat had caught fire. I wasn’t sure if I should bow again or just stand. I looked at James for help.
King Edward burst out laughing. It was a good laugh and whatever had tickled him so nearly caused him to fall from his chair. “That never gets old!” he exclaimed. My confusion only got worse. “Come, come, young Illeniel, please sit! I was just having a laugh at your expense. You’ll forgive an old man for his small amusements won’t you?” The fog cleared and I realized I had played the fool. I flushed with embarrassment and sat down.
“Thank you, your majesty.” I didn’t trust myself to say more. The joke hardly seemed funny to me, especially given that I had no choice but to react as I had. I kept my observation to myself.
“It’s been a while since we had a chance to talk James,” Edward had already forgotten me.
“Yes your majesty, I haven’t been to Albamarl in a while,” he answered.
“Just Edward please, I’ve told you before that you can call me familiar in private,” the king told him.
“I remember, but I like to have the reminder before I fall prey to one of your jokes Edward.” James gave him a huge grin and they both fell to laughing again. I’m sure they both thought they were terribly funny.
“So what drives you to drink so early in the day my friend?” Edward asked.
“My damn son has decided to join the priesthood of the Evening Star.”
“Ah! I should have remembered that. You just heard the news I gather?” Edward’s face implied there was a story to be told.
“That’s all I’ve heard so far. Why, did something happen to him?”
“Your boy has become a saint apparently. He healed a man last week after he had been stabbed. Since then people have been dragging their sick to the temple of Millicenth in droves. The priests say that he has been chosen by the Lady of the Evening Star herself.”
“That’s nonsense! Marcus is no more pious than a stag in rut! He came to the city to find a wife and I’ve since heard he’s done nothing more than dip his wick in every available lady in the city! My only consolation is that he hasn’t taken to whoring. Why would the goddess choose him?” Needless to say I was flabbergasted to hear James speak so in front of the king.
“The gods choose who they will. Who are we to second guess them? This does present a particular advantage for you tomorrow though.” Edward didn’t seem overly concerned with the duke’s colorful use of language.
“How so?”
“I’m hearing Tremont’s case regarding his son’s death. Marcus will certainly be called to testify. Few would gainsay the word of one chosen by Millicenth.” The king smiled.
James still wasn’t pleased, “I don’t need something like that to clear the Lancaster name, hundreds of people saw what happened. Old Tremont should have just let things be, nothing but more bad blood will come of it.”
“He has lost both his sons, he may not be thinking clearly anymore. You were friends once, were you not?” That was news to me. Their conversation was proving to be very educational.
“Yes, when we were younger. He’s a good man. He just couldn’t stand the fact that Ginny chose me over him, a silly reason to be angry really.” By Ginny he was referring to his wife, Genevieve Lancaster. Although she was hardly an old woman the thought of Genevieve as a young lady with two noblemen fighting over her was a startling revelation for me.
Edward chuckled, “It only seems a silly reason to the victor. His current wife is mad as a hatter and now he’s lost both sons. Don’t underestimate how circumstances may have changed your old friend. He’s bitter and nursing a grudge.” The king looked at me, “Young Illeniel, I have business with you.”
“Yes, your majesty. I am at your service,” I answered promptly.
“Assuming you are acquitted of wrongdoing tomorrow I will have your oath of fealty shortly afterward.”
“I will give it now if you wish sire,” I said.
He shook his head, “No tomorrow will be fine. However there is a serious matter to discuss. Have you given
