Subsistent Lies

The courting season was here and I was in Anevia, acting as Ambassador for my King. I would have preferred to be in Vespar where I was close to tracking down where my family’s murderers were, but I had a duty to my King. King Vincenzio had his mind set on having Valence returned back to his rule and he thought I was the best man for the job, so here I was at Anevia’s annual tourney where I was doing my best to have King Arthur relinquish that land into my King’s hands. So far, I was getting nowhere, at least, not to the liking of my King. King Arthur said if Vincenzio wanted Valence, he would have to share the land with him. This meant Vincenzio would either have to marry his daughter to the Count that lived there or his ward, Constance. From my view, this was fair and a good deal for my King since the land bordered both kingdoms and since Valence was rightfully Arthur’s. Only problem was Vincenzio wanted the land all to himself, he didn’t want to share what he believes was his, which I could understand; ten years ago one of Vincenzio’s most trusted knights sold Valence to Arthur as revenge for sleeping with his wife, which at the time Vincenzio thought she was just a courtesan. After selling the land the knight switched sides and settled somewhere in Anevia; before Vincenzio could track him down, apologize, and get his land back before the claim was exchanged for the money, the deal had been finalized and the knight had died. So much tragedy had happened to Vespar during the last ten years that it’s ashamed that we were still trying to fix them in the present.

The tourney so far had been a complete bore to me, nothing but amateur knights trying to impress the King so they could get a spot on his army. Not that it mattered to me, it wasn’t like I was here to tell Arthur that my King was thinking of declaring war if he didn’t hand over the claim to Valence. “It seems Gabriel, that word of your arrival has spread through the court.” The King said, nodding at something a young boy had said to him.

“Why do you say that your grace?” I asked as the young boy took his leave.

“Because a lot more young knights have signed up for the tourney than expected.”

I laughed. “They probably think I am here to declare war in my King’s name and they want the to chance to earn a spot on your most esteemed army.”

“You flatter me Gabriel, but I certainly hope your visit does not end like that.” The King said looking off to one side of the field and seeing what he wanted nodding towards the herald on the field.

I nodded knowing what King Arthur feared. Although both kingdoms were complete opposites in terms of what they were known for; Vespar for its fine arts and Anevia for its minstrels, bards, and troubadours; Anevia and Vespar did share a similarity when it came to their armies and the knights who fought in them. If both kingdoms were to go to war with each other it would be a great loss to both sides.

As the trumpets sounded as invitation for the start of the tourney, I settled in my seat and stared at the field. “Our first event will be a team battle between the King’s most talented and renowned knights against the King’s up and coming knights.” The heralds voice announced. “Introducing the first team, the King’s most talented and renowned knights, Captain of the Imperial Guard, Darius Harte, and the Count of Valence, Blaine Jacqui’is.” The crowd cheered as the first team rode onto the field.

I perked up to catch a glimpse of the Count who now lived in Valence, but he had already had his helmet with his visor pulled down by the time he reached Arthur. Before they left to go to their side of the field, one of the knights received a token from one of the ladies sitting with King Arthur’s daughters. When they were back on their side of the field the herald announced the other team. “And introducing the second team, the King’s up and coming knights, the Brothers of Archepald, Colin and Calib Gulliver.” I stiffened in my seat when I heard their names.

The crowd booed as the brothers rode onto the field. Could it be? The last name is different, but it could be possible. As a matter of fact it would be the smartest thing they did in their life? The two brothers rode pass the King one already with a token, the other with none, but a beaten up piece of armor. As they stopped in front of the King I looked hard and long at them. The one with the token pranced uneasily under my scrutiny, the other one caught me off guard with his gaze. His eyes reflected mine, they did not match the cold gray eyes of his brother, they matched the eyes of the girl that haunted my house, my heart, my mind, and my soul for the past ten years. When the King nodded at them in recognition the brothers rode to their side of the field. As I waited for the King to start the match my mind refocused on the cold gray eyes of the other brother; those were the eyes I loathed, the eyes that would pay should they belong to who I thought. The King stood up to commence the fight and explain the rules. I sat staring at the side with the Brothers of Archepald.