The Ahlissan Chronicles
~ Book 1 ~
The Midnight Maiden
Chapter 3: Dinner with the Earl
The following day found Lord Brion and his father seated around a large table with the other leaders of the treaty nations discussing troop commitments when a young squire delivered a message to Lord Barnard. After the boy had whispered the message and left Barnard leaned over to his son, who had a quizzical look on his face.
"It seems we have been invited to dinner with the Earl of Walworth" the king told his son.
'Well this should be interesting' thought Lord Brion as he sat back in his chair.
* * *
Later that afternoon Lord Brion and his father returned to their chambers and began to ready themselves. Dinners at events like this were always complicated affairs, who sat near who and in what order. The talk around the tables was often just as important as what went on in the various meetings, diplomats, nobles and kings all competing for what they thought might be the advantage. Brion had never met the Earl of Walworth but surely thought him mad to be willing to host the treaty talks in his own fortress. Then he thought of Eryca, surely she would be present as his granddaughter; it befitted her station that she attends dinners like this. As Brion looked in the mirror he looked forward to seeing her there, he was dressed simply in the customary fashion of his homeland. Brion wore a loose black linen shirt with silver embroidery, black pants and black leather calf boots. A sash of crimson embroidered with golden thread adorned his waist which marked him as an Ahlissan Lancer, over that was belted a rapier.
It was a custom for noblemen of the southern lands to carry dueling swords as they settled disputes of honor with a duel. Anymore these duels rarely ended in death though, with the first to be marked three times being the loser. However, the loss of honor was no less significant. Brion thought he looked good if not understated. Astinos often lectured Brion about his plainness of dress, as a Lord of Ahlissa, Brion had won and been bestowed with many honors, however, he preferred not to adorn himself with them constantly. His Lancers' sash had been his first and most coveted other than that he preferred to let his prowess in battle be what his enemies feared not the medals about his neck.
Brion stepped out into the common room ready to wait for his father when the servant admitted Astinos. Paragon Astinos was the Ahlissan high priest of the Archpaladin Heironeous and one of the heads of the Order of the Argent Griffon. He had fought side by side with Lord Barnard during the War of Northern Tyranny and helped Lord Barnard found the knightly order. The rotund priest was dressed in rich robes of blue velvet trimmed in silver satin the colors of Heironeous, around his neck hung a bright copper medallion engraved with the symbol of Heironeous, a fist grasping a lightning bolt. The older man walked over to Brion his velvety robes whispering about his ankles.
"Lord Brion, how does this evening find you?"
"It finds me well, Paragon and you?"
"Me? Ah, indeed I too am feeling well."
The two men laughed and clasped each other in a warm embrace. It was a hearty hug, the kind that is shared between student and teacher and men who have seen battle together. Indeed it was Astinos who had schooled Lord Brion in the tenets of Heironeous, often lecturing the young boy on the importance of duty and honor.
"I see your hair is still retreating from the top of your scalp my old teacher." Brion said as he teased the older man. Astinos laughed his eyes bright.
"This is the cost of teaching one such as you my stubborn student, always questioning me." The older man retorted in mock exasperation.
After the two old friends had laughed and needled each other Brion's tone turned serious. He had never told anyone about his quest since it was meant to be a solitary mission of service which forced the prospective knight to look inward and examine themselves. However, given recent events he was considering confiding in his old teacher. The older robed man noticed the change in his old pupil's countenance.
