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  Lantana smiled a knowing smile. Preening, Llew thought. She could be such a braggart some times. “The fair Prince has a point, dear boy. Lord Knight Caderos is well known throughout the country. Gifted, they say, gifted in the arts of battle. He is my cousin you know? His mother is my mother’s aunt. He became a page much later than you are supposed to start, but they say because he was so talented, he became a squire the very next year! He was the best of them all, no one disputes that, it is said in his final year he even beat the Lord General himself! But of course the position of Lord General is synonymous with the House of Twining Ivy, but I’m sure you knew that. So it seems it is his destiny to take up that mantel.”

  Even Llew thought she summed it up well, if rather pompously, and joined the others in watching the notorious knight stride down the one of the winding side paths. His black hair, cut to stay out of his face, had grown out so his frowning green eyes flashed between wind swept locks. He wore good leather boots, plain, that covered his legs up to his thigh, a black velvet coat with out of fashion tight sleeves open to reveal a deep green silk shirt. His sword was strapped to his side in a worn sheath, the hilt wrapped in leather strips to improve the grip. He wore a fierce expression, lost in thought.

  There was a sudden cry from the squires, it seemed the boys hadn’t been the only ones staring. Holms partner knelt in the dust clutching his forearm, blood seeping through his fingers.

  “What’s this? Are you a bunch o’ delicate maids, to swoon at the sight of blood? Get up, squire! Let me see.” Captain Madder pulled the squire up, twisting his arm to get a better look, muttering to himself. Holm hovered next to them, his hands throttling the hilt of his sword.

  “Is it grave, Captain Madder? I tried to pull the stroke short when I realized he wasn’t ready.”

  Captain Madder gave a bursting, coughing laugh, letting go the hapless squire and giving Holm a slap on the back. “Grave? Ha. A scratch, nothing to die from. You boys need some seasoning, a good battle to teach you what grave is. No, you showed good control, squire Holm. But don’t forget, always press an advantage! Oi! Cade! Have you seen the distress you’ve caused me? Bleedin’ my greens.”

  Lord Knight Caderos, Cade, had looked up at Captain Madder’s shout, raising an eyebrow at the scene brought to his attention. He changed his course, heading towards them. The wind now blew his hair back revealing what Llew had once heard described as a ‘sensual and cruel’ face, whatever that meant. He supposed he was a good looking man, but Llew was more interested in his sword. Now he was closer he could see the tip of the pommel, the metal of which was a bright silver, with blue undertones. He had never seen steel so bright. “Greetings to you, Captain Madder, it’s good to see you still teaching, and still torturing the squires by the looks of it. Have not changed then, old coot?”

  A grin split Captain Madder’s face. Cade smiled a slanted smile, and they set about clapping one another on the arms and back.

  Gos and Lantana looked as surprised as he. They had never seen Captain Madder look, well, happy before. He might laugh, but he was usually laughing at someone, and they had never heard anyone but the Lord General call him anything than rank and name. “I hope you’ve been showin’ them Meridans a thing or two, eh? ‘Bout how to be a real warrior!”

  “My father’s family were very pleased with my training and position, they thought I must have had skilful teachers indeed.”

  “Pah! Don’t give me that old family trick, this is your home Cade. We’re glad to have you back! I bet you a virgin you’ve let yourself go, eh? Those skills a bit rusty? Them Meridans just don’t know what stamina is.”

  “Well, I may have let off training for a while, hard paced travel, old friend. I think maybe too old, shall I practise with one of your squires? The giant, perhaps.”

  “Ah, you deal a fine blow with words, silver tongue, but what of with blades? I taught you everything you know, boy, and that sounded fair like a challenge to me! What say ye, squires?”

  The squires heard the challenge and watched in anticipation. Captain Madder had once been the best swordsman of all Danua, unbeaten. The only one who came close was a Knight a few years older than himself, Karse. Now Lord General Karse. It was said that if Madder had not been so grievously injured he may have been Lord General.

  The squires began to move back, clearing the training yard. Even the archers had broken up, coming to stand with the others and watch the spectacle. Cade removed his jacket.

  “You! Boys, if you’re gonna get under my feet, be useful, never too soon to learn some of your page duties! Take Lord Knight Caderos’ things!”

  Lantana sauntered swiftly ahead. First to come to Cade’s side she took his jacket, looking far too pleased with himself. “Cousin, well met. You have grown since I saw you last.”

  Cade began to remove his shirt, untucking and unbuttoning. More people had began to gather, servants flocking to the sidelines, passing soldiers calling out bets. Cade passed the shirt to Gos. “Thank you. Your name?”

  “Gos…er…Gosmore, Lord Knight Caderos.” Gos more had turned a delicate pink and fought not to smile, he looked a swooning maid for sure. Llew stepped a little closer.

  Cade noticed him, cocking his head to one side. “And you. Prince Llewellyn, I believe. I would be honoured if you would care for my twin blades, as this is a contest of swords.”

  “The honour would be mine Lord Knight Caderos. You may call me Llew.” Cade smiled as he removed the daggers at his wrists, placing them in Llew’s hands, his muscles rippled like deeper shadows beneath his dark skin as he strode into the training yard as he stretched. The blades were warm in his palms, very old, fine steel. Each carefully weighted to use for throwing as well as hand combat. The hilts were moulded in the semblance of ivy, set with hundreds of tiny emeralds. Llew gasped, knowing these must be heirlooms of the House of Twined Ivy. He clutched them tight, to be sure not to drop them.

  The two men faced off from one another. Cade drew out his sword, a high crystalline ringing, singing forth as he did so. He held it, glittering, across his chest. There were gasps from the onlookers. Captain Madder lowered his sword for a moment, his face betraying a soldiers sweet yearning for good steel. The short blade was a pale silver, like liquid moonlight, but brighter, sharper. Blue ripples ran its length where it had been folded in the forge. The lines on the hilt were simple, elegant, made to fit Cade’s hand perfectly. Captain Madder spat out his phlegmy shock, assuming his own stance.

  With a guttural roar Captain Madder charged forward, bringing his bastard sword down in a brutal swipe. Carried by momentum, to crash and cause the silver blade to sing. Cade brought his sword forward, carrying the weight of the blow down, pivoting on his heel, giving his sword a twist to disengage. Captain Madder attacked in a brutal flurry of blows, taking the advantage. Cade retreating but effortlessly deflected each blow. They circled around the yard in such a manner, getting the measure of one another.

  Captain Madder feigned a vicious hack at Cade’s neck, reversing his blade and sweeping it towards his feet. Cade leapt into the air, somersaulting over Captain Madder’s head, sinking low into a crouch, avoiding the blade arcing over his head. As Captain Madder turned, he rose, inside his opponent’s defences, grasping Captain Madder’s arm in a joint lock at the elbow, bringing his own foot to hook around his legs, with a sharp tug he brought Captain Madder down, his blade tip resting in the hollow of his throat, arm still held securely.

  “Do you concede?”

  Captain Madder held still, tension cording his body. With a gap toothed grin he relaxed onto the earth. “Yes, I concede. Mother’s tits, can I have me arm back now?”

  The onlookers crowed as Cade let him go. Resheathing his blade and bowing low, he offered the fallen man a hand up. “I had forgotten your technique, and your appreciation of brutal strength. Your battle rage has not waned, it was a good fight. Though I think you are right, I am a bit rusty. Perhaps I shall come to the practise yards more often, as it looks like I
’ll be staying awhile.”

  Captain Madder stood, sweeping the sweat off of his body, giving Cade a considering look. “You’re welcome in these yards anytime, Cade. A good fight, aye, always a good chance to hone my own skills. I thought I had broken you of those fancy flips though. You’ve got them back, and then some.”

  Cade cocked his head, a smile playing about his lips. “Yes, and it was that which led to your downfall, my friend.”

  “Mmm, I noticed when I ate dirt. Good way to pop up in someone’s defence, with out the risky blade work…perhaps I was wrong. But heavy armour affords more… I’ll think about it. And if you’re staying perhaps you would consider taking on a knight’s duties, teach some pages, or take on a squire.”

  Cade turned back to the waiting boys. All, even Llew’s, faces alight with awe. He silently took back his things, strapping his blades back into place, giving nods of thanks. He did not put his shirt or coat back on but folded them neatly over his arm. Captain Madder addressed the squires.

  “Right squires, seems you’ve had a bit of fun, go have your lunches now. I’m ruddy starvin’. Remember, a soldier eats when a soldier can! Tomorrow morning I expect a breakdown of the fight you have just witnessed, techniques used, and why I lost! Don’t worry, boys, you won’t hurt my feelings! If you do well I’ll teach the feint I used. Go! You want to join me in the mess, Cade? I know there’s many’ll be glad to see you. And there is a pretty little lad works in the baths now, I’ll introduce you, eh?”

  Captain Madder tipped a wink, his scar twisting the gesture into a grimace. Like ghosts most of the squires had disappeared, two rather disgruntled first years being left to tidy the area. The crowd was breaking up too, servants rushing off too neglected tasks, soldiers standing in knots chatting or heading toward the mess hall to join the others.

  “I told you, isn’t he amazing. That jump!” Lantana beamed at her compatriots.

  Gos was still staring after them, talking over his shoulder. “And did you hear? He’s going to be teaching us.”

  Llew frowned. “He didn’t say he definitely would, Captain Madder said teach a page, or take on a squire.”

  Holver started laughing, capering about, grabbing Llew’s sleeve. “But he won’t! Holm was telling me about it in the summer! Knights don’t really like taking on others squires, they usually train a few of their own pages, then choose the best amongst them. Not all squires have knights, some get places with captains and such, and the Lord General always takes on about four, but some don’t even have a mentor! So, he’ll start with pages! He’ll start with us!”

  Llew pulled his sleeve away, lest his lace get ripped, but he did smile at Holver’s antics. He clapped him on the shoulder, as he had seen Cade do, and started off toward the main hall to get his own lunch, the others following. He expected Lantana to look pleased, being Cade’s own cousin would guarantee her a place, but she didn’t. She looked pensive. Maybe it really was all open. He had heard his father make noises about him serving as page and squire to the Lord General, but surely he could talk to him. If Cade was as good as all the rumours, the best, then surely it would suit to have the Prince Heir trained by the best?

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The Ten of Wands

  Llew swept his sodden locks out of his eyes and heaved a great sigh. He placed his wooden sword in the barrel and got out of the way of the other pages shuffling behind him. His hands were covered in bruises and scrapes. One particular graze covered the back of his right hand, his sword hand, it was still seeping blood and his little finger was stiff and swollen. He rubbed it carefully, scowling at it.

  Training had started with the coming of the frosts and all too quickly his dreams of glory had been dashed. He was not having fun. He was tired, more tired than he had ever been in his entire life. He got up at dawn, rousted from bed to be herded with all the other pages and squires then made to run the entire length of the Palaces’ walls. That was just the start of the day, and he knew it wouldn’t get any easier, the squires had to do two laps. Then they got to eat breakfast, joy that that was. He had to eat in the mess hall with everyone else, eat that disgusting gruel. His stomach betrayed him with an eager gurgle at the thought of food. After the breakfast it was straight to the training yard, the lessons he had just finished. More running around and stretching, they’d only been allowed wooden swords in the last couple of weeks. It was ridiculous, he’d been paired with Gos, who was awful. He always missed the swords but seemed to have an unnatural gift for whacking people on the hands. A small smile crept across his face as he remembered Gos missing and whacking Lantana across the head yesterday, she’d emerged with a huge purple bruise this morning.

  Llew raised his eyes to the sky, thick with grey clouds looming above the battlements. At least the rain had finally stopped, after weeks of near continuous downpour and bitter biting hail. Even when he got to go inside, he was still damp and miserable, forced to listen to the scarecrow drone on. At least he was spared that today, lessons had been cancelled. He didn’t know why, nor did he care.

  “My stupid sister, did she and them other girls have to stand there and watch? I can see she’s laughing at me! I don’t laugh at her when she pricks her fingers sewing, or when she falls over practising her curtsies. Well, actually I might a laughed a bit, but it was funny. And why does she have to bring Violet? Hey Llew?” Holver hovered at his elbow, his face eager to please.

  Past him he could see the girls in question. They had come out earlier when the rain had stopped, a young maid with them as an escort. The maid was now chatting with one of the palace guards, leaning on his arm and laughing at what he was saying. She didn’t appear to even be looking at the noble girls she was supposed to be minding. Llew grinned at Holver. “I suppose you’re right, Holver. I heard them laughing when Gos gave me that whack. Maybe we should teach them a lesson?”

  Holver’s eyes went wide, the corners of his mouth creeping into a nervous smile. “What are you gonna do, Llew?”

  Gos and Lantana walked up then, Gos looking decidedly sheepish, and Lantana giving Llew a knowing look.“What are you planning? I recognise that look and I have a feeling it doesn’t bode well for those fluff brained girls.”

  “I said to Llew how it wasn’t fair that they were just standing there watching us and laughing, specially because it’s my sister and all, so Llew, he said we should teach them a lesson. Right Llew? Didn’t you? Obviously!”

  Lantana arched a brow at Llew, and Gos stepped closer, a mischievous light burning in his eyes. “Hey Llew do you remember in the games room yesterday, Violet was bragging about her new dress? And the others about shoes and ribbons and stuff? All that giggling gave me a headache, but perhaps it was worth it.”

  Lantana knelt down, pretending to adjust her boot, one hand scooping up a handful of mud, the abundant legacy of the rain.

  “What? I don’t get it. What are we going to do, Llew? What’s their new dresses got to do with it? Wh….oh! No! Mama will be furious!” The confusion left Holver’s face as a grin as crept across his chubby cheeks, proving his protests futile.

  Llew glanced over at the girls, thinking of the best way to launch the attack. “Flanking, do you remember what Madder was saying about flanking, if we did that we’d get more mud on them, make sure they all get splattered. Right. Gos you and Holver go to the left, Lantana and I will go right, the girls will think we’ve fallen out because of you whacking us. When we’re on either side we attack. Show them no mercy.”

  The others looked at him, looking nervous and eager, trying to control their grins. As one they murmured. “Show them no mercy.”

  Llew strode off, Lantana at his heals, trying to look annoyed. Gos’ voice rose behind them, sounding worried and pleading. “Llew! I said I was sorry!”

  Llew had to admire that, now the girls would definitely think they’d fallen out. He wished he’d thought of that. He sneaked a peak at them, a few had looked over at Gos’ shout but most were mooning over the squires who were j
ust finishing their practise, some having taken off their shirts. Lantana stopped, they were standing not far from the girls now, at the edge off a very muddy flower bed. She pretended to glare at Gos, whispering to Llew. “Nearly there…Gos is aiming for that big muddy puddle, good choice…that maid is kissing the guard…ready…Go!”

  Llew grabbed a double handful of mud and threw it at the girls. Three other lumps sailed through the air. As they found their target shrieks ripped apart the quiet. Llew savoured their shocked faces before reaching for more mud. Soon the girls were under a steady rain, running in circles, screaming and trying to hide behind one another. The maid stood nearby, carefully out of range. “Stop that you naughty boys! Stop! I said stop it, now! Girls, come away!”

  “Ahiii, Holver I’m going to get you baahhh!”

  Llew could hardly breathe he was laughing so hard, he looked over at Lantana and could see she had a similar difficulties. Defiantly two girls ran out of the huddle, braving muddy missiles. One, Violet, ran straight at Llew and Lantana, ran straight into them. Llew agilely jumped out of the way, but Lantana wasn’t so quick. Violet shoved her into the mud, face first. A loud splash and yell came from the other side of the girls, and Llew could see Holver laying in the puddle, his sister triumphantly standing on top of him. Holly shouted to the other girls. “Come on! Don’t just stand there, they’re only stupid pages! Let’s get them back!”

  The girls hesitated, then seeing that two of the boys had already fallen, and their clothes already ruined, their faces lit up with fierce grins. They reached for handfuls of mud. Llew stared in horror at them. “Gods, we’re in for it now.”

  Lantana grabbed his arm and pulled him up, then looked at the girls. There were seven of them. Gos and Holver edged their way over to Llew, the girls steadily advancing. They all shared a look, knowing they were out numbered. “Retreat!”