Corwin and Alastor followed the royals. Corwin knew he needed to take himself from Alastor’s presence. “I am going to watch the joust with Beltran,” Corwin said.
Alastor paused then, and so Corwin came to a stop. The royals moved on and Alastor turned to face his son, “Admit it,” he ordered, “This was your doing to make sure your friend was anointed.”
Corwin shook his head, “I’m as surprised as you, father. Someone else seems to have access to the whispers,” he said, “There are other noble houses who would actually benefit by spiting Leo. Perhaps our guest, His Majesty Brian? He may have heard about war and wanted to distract Leo?” Corwin offered, then gave another, “Or the Tryst family, they are vying to replace us.”
Alastor’s gaze never softened. He didn’t believe his son. “You should investigate all possibilities.”
“Trust me,” Alastor spoke softly, “I will.” And Alastor turned away, hurrying after his liege.
Corwin gave no sign of his panic, even when Tristan approached. “Sometimes, I consider making his fears reality, Tristan.”
“I don’t blame you,” his guard answered. “To Beltran?”
“Yes,” Corwin sighed, and Tristan took the lead.
~***~
Kallista knew the way to the jousting arena, but she was not enthused as she should have been. ‘Going to have to lose….’ It was the only way to suggest Connor was worth anything. She wanted to throw a fit. Repressed anger threatened to come out in a scream, in hair pulling, because she couldn’t do anything about it.
At least Fin was anointed. At least, one day, several years from now, things might get better. ‘Yes, because Leo is going to let Fin live.’
Someone tapped her shoulder. She jumped, and saw Reginald there. “May I walk with you?”
Kallista nodded. The knight Reginald Matherson came from Sterope, and was to be her opponent for the day, the personal guard of Prince Brandon. “Why is it that Connor is not jousting today?”
“His Grace Connor is not feeling well.”
‘His Majesty knew the fight would not be fixed.’
Reginald nodded, “And do you feel better than yesterday?” He was willing to play the game.
“I do not,” she confessed, “But knights do not get such excuses.”
“I do not wish to joust against one who isn’t at their best.” Reginald stated. “Perhaps a substitute could be found?”
Kallista wasn’t sure what to say, was about to deny the possibility, but she saw the back of her brother and Nate, just as Nate left him to head to the squire’s area. “There may be one.” And Kallista motioned for Reginald to follow as she approached Elwyn.
Elwyn did accept Nate’s hand to shake, “Rest assured, I’ll see you before I leave,” he said, “May this joust go better than what I’ve heard,” he still couldn’t believe his sister lost to that fat prince. There was much he couldn’t believe, though.
As Nate left him, he felt his arm grabbed. He smiled as he saw Kallista there, was about to greet her, but she spoke first, “Elly, I need you to joust for me.”
“Hm?”
“The Lady Adal is not feeling well, and I do not wish to joust against someone who is still under the weather, as she was yesterday,” Reginald answered. “Are you capable?”
“I am,” he admitted, “I don’t have my armor with me, but I’m sure I can be provided for with some mixed things.” He was starting to worry about Corwin. Corwin said he would joust today, and the man was turning out right. It was eerie. “Is this allowed?” He was uncertain.
“We will make it so,” Reginald said as Kallista released Elwyn. “Come with me,” they’d have to speak to the royals, after all.
Kallista didn’t follow, and so Reginald and Elwyn went to the royal box on their own. Brian had just arrived when the two men approached. “Your Majesty Leo,” Reginald addressed, bowed, “And Your Grace, Fin. If it not offend your honor on this day, I request permission to joust against Lord Elwyn, who stands in for his sister.”
Leo was annoyed, “Where is Kallista?” She needed to answer for why the birds weren’t released, anyway.
“I know not, sire. She informed me that she was under the weather,” Elwyn answered.
“Are you even a knight?”
Elwyn straightened, “I am a Lord.” He wasn’t knighted, of course, “As your son, Fin, I have received an education to make me fit to hold my own in a joust.”