FOREVER KNIGHTS: #7 King of Assassins
Swordplay and Poor Conversation

Charles visited many times that spring. Making the carriage ride with his ludicrous amounts of attendants. Joining Riaura and Marod for dinners and evenings next to the fire.

Nights the like of which I could never share with her. Next to a fire I can’t feel.

And dinners I’d be unwelcome to. Alazareth worked at swordplay in the bailey today. Her description of Danbury haunting him.

“He’s surprisingly knowledgeable of many subjects.” Riaura had told Alazareth.

Does she incite my jealousy apurpose or just believe me incapable of the emotion?

Ironically it plagued him incessantly anymore. Jealousy.

Doesn’t she realize I’m flesh and blood? Or does she savor my torture? He paused when he overheard voices from the Dining Hall.

And my name. In Riaura’s voice. He froze, sword aloft.

Opponent parrying to give him a faint jab in the ribs.

But Alazar was focused on the conversation.

“He’s my friend, Charles.”

Her animated voice. She’d be gesturing wildly in excitement.

“He’s wise and kind.”

He heard the familiar scraping of her hand petting the rough tail of her damnable white squirrel. The rodent I saved for her all those years past. Something clicked, as it gnawed on some piece of her jewelry, no doubt. As it has a propensity to do.

Yet she’s never without that thing. At least not within the castle walls.

“Many men are.” Charles’ grating voice cut in scathingly. “But I see not why you must scamper off to see this one at every turn. It’s highly inappropriate.”

“He looks out for me, Charles!” She cried, wounded at the severity of his words. “He wouldn’t let anyone harm me.”

“Little fool! What about him? Do you not realize he is harming you!” Charles admonished. “Everytime you sneak off to meet with him people look at me as though I should stop you. Can’t you see how you’re humiliating me?”

“It’s not my intention.” She whispered crestfallen.

Don’t cower before his bullying.

“No, but now you’re aware. I expect better of my intended. You shouldn’t be acting the common trollop for some man who seeks only to dally at night.”

“That’s not what it is!” She was outraged.

Alazar heard the cracking of the sword hilt in his hand from gripping it too tightly.

“Oh, is it not? Then please tell me what in Ardae it is!”

He was met with only silence.

Alazareth imagined her pained, humiliated expression. He fought the instinctive urge to go to her.

Only pulled back to reality by his opponent catching at his chainmail. “Are we gonna spar or not?” He growled. Breath vile from last night’s drink.

Just as Alazareth assumed a defensive stance, Danbury’s voice caught his attention again.

“So, you boast that this shadow of yours sees everything. And tells you how you should behave as a good queen.” His voice grew more hostile and chastising. “But all the while, letting you wander off at night with him. And,” His voice rose. “despite that he knows all the evils in the kingdom, perhaps information about the Rebels, he chooses to do nothing about it!” Charles huffed. “I fail to see how this is some diamond of a man you are referring to.”

“I-I’m sorry, Charles. I hadn’t-”

His voice softened superficially. “Of course, you hadn’t. It’s not your fault, child. It’s he who has taken advantage of you.”

“What manner of a man would lead such a tender young girl into the darkness of the woods without a proper chaperone?”

One who has no access to a chaperone.

One that’d never harm her. He gritted his teeth.

Marod entered the Dining Hall with a loud greeting and the conversation died.

Alazareth barely managed to duck a swinging blade aimed at his head.

“Ah! I have your attention!” The other man shouted. Annoyed.