Subsistent Lies

“Are you ready for the tournament my lord?”

I grabbed my sword out of my sheath and watched as it reflected in the gold sun light. “Aye, I do think I am.”

Tome, one of my most loyal servants as well as friends, walked over and started to get my armor out. “King Arthur expects much of you Darius. You’re one of his finest and after last month’s tournaments….”

He faded off as I winced. Last months tournaments were both a blessing and a curse. I had managed to be one of the finest men in all the country but my competitor did not lose well. At that nights festivities him and a couple of his friends had attacked me, and I succeeded at keeping them at bay until the guards came, but I also got slashed pretty badly in the leg. The wound was still healing and I was in no shape to fight. Nonetheless, I was fighting in the honor of my King and would not let him down. “The King wishes for you to rest this morn. Your one of his finest knights and he needs you.”

“Oye, I’ll be fine Tome. Tis only a scar.”

“My lord,” Tome walked toward me. “I know your strength and the pain you are in. Sit out on this one.”

I sighed. Tome had known me ever since I was a babe. He had watched over my parent’s household, particularly me and my sister, and he had trained me in many skills I now prevailed at. Sadly, I did not know of my sister, as far as I knew she was dead along with my parents. I cringed at that. I fought each day to avenge their death and hoped to bring peace to all of them in the afterlife. “My pride would not be wounded but Arthur’s would. Though he wishes for my good health he hopes my stubbornness will get the best of me. I will fight in honor of him.” I repeated as I touched my healing leg.

Tome shook his head as he started to help me with my armor. “Lady Joan comes to this tournament to wish my lord luck. It would be respectful for you to perhaps acknowledge her this time.”

I sighed at Tome’s change of subject. The young lady was indeed irking me to a certain degree. She was infatuated with me, and spent all her time gossiping tales of the two of us at court. There was nothing wrong with her of course; she was beautiful and smart and also quite charming. Even some of my men spoke highly of her, but I tried to brush her off. I’ve been scorned by women for far too long, and didn’t thinking of finding one so soon. “She will be wearing your colors.”

I sighed. “I will pay my due, but only my due. Tell me though, who is this guest Arthur brings to the tournament this day.”

Tome gruffed as he handed me my sheath and my sword to go in it.

“He is Duke of Vicenia, an Ambassador of Vespar. He speaks to the King on matters that deal with Valence, Blaine Jacquis’s land. Seems to be of the up most importance, its been the gossip of the court for two days now.”

“Anything that deals with Jacquis is sure to be gossip. Speaking of which, is it true then, that the Gulliver’s have entered themselves into the tournament? Jacquis and I have teamed together and I wonder of those two.”

Tome nodded. “Then I hope we fight amongst them this day. They are a disgrace to our kingdom, and I would be honored to embarrass them more.”

Tome shook his head and grabbed my helmet. “Come Captain of the Guard. They await your arrival.”

I arrived downstairs prepared to start the day when I was stopped by a gaudy man in his late forties. “Forbes, what brings you here on this fine spring day? Let me guess, the young ladies at court.”

I smiled at my friend, giving him a short embrace. The stout man started to laugh and slapped me on my back. “You know me well friend. Yes, tis the court ladies, but someone else.”

“Someone else?”

“Ah friend, follow me.”

I looked for Tome, saw that he was no where to be seen, and followed my dear friend. We walked toward an area where young girls of every shade were dancing. I looked toward Forbes. “It is young ladies who dance. We all know you have had your fair share of them, what makes them different now?”

Forbes smiled. “You all look at them as the same. Look carefully and you will see why I marvel this time.”

I rolled my eyes and started to carefully watch the dancers. The dance was beautiful but I couldn’t see any difference. Then my heart stopped. Colors of orange and red were ablaze with a creamy white skin and long blonde hair. She danced a bit awkwardly then the others but the passion was still there. “I see you marvel at what I have also.”

Forbes smiled, patting me on the back. I nodded. “Yes Forbes, I spot your prize.”

“Nay, not my prize. My wife.” I looked to him and laughed.

“Surely you jest Forbes. I know you as well as the others, you can barely stay pure to your men. What makes this woman, or any woman, any different?”

Forbes didn’t answer. He continued to watch the dancers. After a while he whispered, “I know what you and others think. This is true,” He turned to me. “But I’m getting older. I cannot watch my estates in death. I’m in need of an heir, one I’m sure she could provide. Along with that, she can give me the feel of love.”

I turned to Forbes. As long as I have known him, I have never heard anything of love, or loving anyone. The dancers had stopped and the crowd was dispersing. The mystery dancer started to walk toward us. “I will introduce myself and you as well. She will need to know of all my friends before our marriage.”

I sighed. The tournament was sure to start soon. I needed to prepare for my first event. Aside from that, I didn’t want to meet a woman that I lusted for as well as my friend. I hesitated, then said, “For just a second Forbes.”

“Aye.” He nodded as we walked toward her.

She turned from the elder lady she was speaking to and started to walk in my direction. Her blonde hair bounced off her shoulders and her fabric revealed and unrevealed itself as she walked closer to us. I sighed. Let the lord be on my side to control myself and save us both from dishonor.