Snippet #1438418

A sharp knocking could be heard before a liveried squire stepped into Gideon's chambers. The slumbering lord opened his eyes slowly, his head thick with the drink from earlier that night. "What is it, Olver?"

The boy stood upright and bowed. "Milord, I fear that tragedy has struck the Regent's house; Lucenzio is dead. Assassinated in the gardens of the villa where you took your ease earlier this eve."

Gideon grunted and slid his feet off the bed and stood, stretching. The squire quickly produced a robe so that his lord could cover his nakedness. "Also, sire, you were seen to leave the event right before the assassination..."

The lord stalked his way across the room quickly, robe trailing behind him. "Yes?"

"Well, sire, I have personally been with you for the entire night and would be honored to put aside any questions with my own personal testimony." The squire hurried to catch up, his stride smaller than Gideon's.

"Olver, this is the first time I have seen you tonight." The lord stopped in front his small mirror next to a claw bath tub.

"I'll fetch some water, sire. And I have no idea what you're talking about, sire, I have been at your side since you made your exit from the villa." Olver bowed deeply and ran off, presumably to fetch hot water.

Gideon looked into the mirror, rubbing his beard roughly.


It wasn't until much later as Gideon stood in the early morning light, with Stoic pacing anxiously beneath him, that what his squire had been implying hit him.The young man thought that Lord Gideon might have had something to do with the assassination. His temper began to turn, but a small and calculating voice in the deep recesses of his mind began to point out that having such loyal subjects was a boon. As the peasants were wont to say, "Never look a gift horse in the mouth."

The Lance of Valania stood arrayed with his knights, the eerie pre-dawn light shone dully on their armor. A light fog settled around the legs of their horses, the air damp with dew. The clanking of armor could be heard alongside the rough voices of men riding to war. Gideon exhaled happily, the air fogging in front of his face.

He looked over to Olver, the boy rode a roan stallion proudly wearing his master's colors. Gideon would have to reward the young man. The boy would make a fine addition to his small army when he came of age. "Olver, come here, boy. I want you to send a man to the Regent's villa and give my deepest regards to the family."

"Sire, Richter might take offense at you not coming yourself." Olver leaned forward as if to make ready to go, but he paused, awaiting his lord's answer.

"I'm sure Richter will understand that I have my duties to attend to. My allegiance is to the cr- kingdom." Gideon shifted his large blade and sent Stoic into a trot. He looked over at Olver, who rode beside him for a few steps before turning to obey. "Stop. I cannot risk offending, but I cannot stay. Fortunately I can leave it implied that my uncle's condolences are mine as well"