Father wanted me to come, but I told him I wasn't interested. His father had stressed the importance of the evening's festivities. "What does it look like? I'm practicing!"įrancel was at a loss. He blinked, then drew himself up to his full height. The older boy whirled about, briefly falling into a half crouch. "What are you doing?" Francel was surprised to find he had spoken.
He crept closer, unsure what he would find.Ī silver-haired boy twice his age was swinging a wooden sword with reckless abandon, his bare chest glistening with sweat in the moonlight. The shouting seemed to be coming from the nearby gazebo, where Francel had hoped to eat his pudding in peace. "Come! Have at thee! For the glory of House Fortemps!" Outside, under the starry sky, he breathed deep of the cool night air and savored the silence. Moved by my efforts─or mayhap the wine.Īfter the count set him free, Francel made straight for the doors, pausing only to snatch a serving of pudding from a nearby table. Utterly spent, he duly begged his father for a moment's respite and was surprised to find him amenable to the request. You met him when you were."īut he pressed on, as instructed, until he had spoken with every individual of standing. "This one is a baron, but you mustn't address him as such in person," his father whispered as they moved on. The lords and ladies had treated him with predictable kindness as he made his rounds with the count, carefully repeating the phrases he had been taught. Father had told him the dinner party at Fortemps Manor was to be the first of many. A boy of six summers, yet nevertheless old enough to assume his social responsibilities.
"You just couldn't help yourself, could you?" he muttered through clenched teeth, twisting and crushing the flowers in his hands until there was nothing left.įifteen.sixteen years now, Francel reflected.
A red unicorn, erased and wreathed in thorns. As he knelt to replace yesterday’s offering, Francel's eyes drifted to the shield leaning against the marker. The worst is yet to come.Īll too soon, he arrived. The wind nipped at the young man's face as he trudged up the path towards the stones, fresh lilies clasped tightly in hand. As you'd guessed, today is a Haucherfant tale.
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