Sir Hamberg

The young man paused in his story, prompting his friend to encourage him.

"That doesn't sound so bad. Just a poor first impression. And if you had on your helmet, she may not have even known it was you…" Silver stopped as Ethyn held up his hand.

The knight's expression was grim. "There's more…so much more."

"Really? How much worse can it possibly be?"

Ethyn glared at his friend then buried his face in his hands.

"Oh, I see..." the Guardian rubbed the back of his neck. "Then by all means, please continue."

————————

The inside of the palace was even grander than Ethyn had imagined. The tall vaulted ceilings and arched doorways were even more elaborate than the illustrations in books he had read.

As he walked down the hall behind his sponsor, the young man's mind drifted to a story his mother told him as a child. She had spoken of a castle much like this where a handsome prince had abandoned his home to be with a peasant girl.

It was a famous tale of old, but the way his mother told it made the story come alive. Though looking around just now, he doubted its validity. 'Who would ever want to leave all this?'

The accommodations for Ethyn and Sir Cyneheard were on the second floor of the south tower and quite comfortable. It was clear the elder knight had a good relationship with the steward, for Ethyn doubted that everyone got such preferential treatment.

After getting cleaned up and changing into more appropriate attire, the two men were nearly ready for dinner.

Knowing the expectations at the castle, Sir Cyneheard had ordered new clothing for Ethyn to help him fit in with the gentlefolk.

Just now, the soon to be knight wore a green tunic that nearly matched his eyes. The brass embroidery along the sleeves of the undershirt resembled running horses in the heat of battle.

The young man looked in the mirror at himself and brushed back his bangs with his fingers. A smile came to his face.

"Perhaps looking like a peacock is not so bad after all," he mused.

"Just don't go strutting around like one. There are plenty of hunters around who know how to shoot down anything fowl." Sir Cyneheard's face was dark for a moment before lightening. "But you do cut a dashing figure. You'll have to watch out for the ladies when you go out in those clothes."

Ethyn stood a little straighter. There was one lady he hoped would at least notice him. The woman had thankfully not seen his face earlier that day and so he would have a clean slate if they crossed paths again.

The future knight only hoped that she was as kind as she was lovely. Would there be dancing tonight? That would be exciting. The young man's hopes were quickly dashed.

"Too bad none of the ladies will get to see you looking so handsome…" Sir Cyneheard combed at his own grey locks, oblivious to how his words had affected the green-eyed youth.

"What do you mean?" Ethyn tried not to sound too disappointed. Getting to do anything at the castle was a high honor.

"The king has invited the knights and their aspirants to a small banquet tonight in his personal quarters. It is to be an intimate gathering so he can get to know those who will defend his kingdom."

Sir Cyneheard respected Rhodri for his desire to know both his people and those who protect them. It was one of the many reasons that the older knight had not retired.

"I shall do my best to make a good impression on His Majesty," Ethyn promised with a dip of his head.

"I am sure you will, but be careful of his advisor, Commander Borit."

"Borit will be there?" Suddenly, Ethyn did not feel so well. While he knew that they would inevitably cross paths, he did not think it would be so soon.

"He will most certainly make an appearance. Borit is a slippery sort. However he is in charge of the military and has the king's ear on political matters." Cyneheard's face puckered. "Even though he cannot command us, we need to have a good working relationship in case war breaks out."

"Understood." Ethyn would do his best not to speak to Borit at all. That was really the safest option.

After doing the math, the young man frowned. "That's eighteen people for dinner! And the king considers that 'intimate'?"

"Sixteen. Sir Ashton and his squire have yet to arrive, I am told." Cyneheard looked at the servant fixing the cuffs of his sleeves, who nodded in confirmation. "And yes, for a man of Rhodri's standing, that is a very small dinner. The princess is hosting the rest of the guests this evening and will be with a group of over two hundred!"

Ethyn staggered slightly. "And they are eating…inside?"

"The largest hall in the castle can seat twice that. I sometimes wonder where they keep all the chairs and tables when not in use." Cyneheard chuckled.

At tournaments in the various castles and manors around Birle, the larger banquets were always held outside. Not that a squire was usually invited anyway. An indoor gathering of that size was beyond his comprehension.

Cyneheard sighed. "I do not envy the princess, everyone will be vying for her attention tonight. It's not easy being the most eligible person in the kingdom." The older man winked.

"Not a burden I will ever have to bear," Ethyn laughed. "And the princess is safe from me. I have no interest in that kind of drama."

"Oh, do you think that Princess Rose is dramatic?" As far as Cyneheard knew, the two had never met.

"I have no idea, but chasing her would bring me drama from every corner of the kingdom, and I don't want that," Ethyn announced resolutely. "I promise you the princess can rest at ease."

The older man placed his finger beside his nose. "Be careful. The Fates have a way of taking those promises and twisting them to suit their fancy. You better hope they didn't hear you."

Making a strange motion in the air, Cyneheard then kissed fist gently.

Ethyn furrowed his brow but waved away the concern. "Fates don't work that way. And anyway, Hanna would never do that to me…"

"Hanna?"

"A Fate."

Cyneheard paused. "You call a Fate by her first name with no title?"

The thought of giving the ethereal lady a title in front of her name had never occurred to Ethyn. "I guess so."

Rubbing the stubble on his chin, Cyneheard hummed lightly. "Aiden said you have some strange friends. I'm inclined to think he wasn't exaggerating."

'He wasn't' Ethyn kept his thought to himself. Although Cyneheard knew that both he and the Guardian were from Rynnlee, the knight had intentionally stayed ignorant on how close they actually were.

After one last look in the full length mirror provided by the castle, the two men left their quarters and headed to the main hall. The other knights and their soon to be knighted squires were already gathered, waiting for the steward of the castle to escort them to the king's suite.

When he appeared the hall fell silent as all awaited instruction. Gilroy cleared his throat and gave every bit of pomp to the proceedings. He lined up the knights and their aspirants, and as a group they entered the king's chambers.

A long banquet table was positioned with King Rhodri situated in the middle awaiting them. As he was not seated at the head of the table, this was truly an intimate gathering.

But Ethyn had no way of knowing that. His only concern was not fumbling on his words when he was presented. The line moved around the table as each knight and squire was introduced and greeted.

Nuall made a particularly gaudy display of his devotion when his time came. If Ethyn had not been focused elsewhere, he would have rolled his eyes.

At last it was his turn. The steward motioned the two men forward and they approached Rhodri with a bow.

"May I present Sir Cyneheard his aspirant Ethyn Hamberg," Gilroy said proudly.

Ethyn choked. 'What did he say my name was?'

Rhodri smiled widely. "Cyneheard! One of my most favored knights. Welcome! It is very nice to meet you Sir Hamberg. I have been anxious to have a chat with you as soon as I saw the list of those to be knighted. Please, both of you, sit next to me."

Before Ethyn knew what was happening, the chairs next to the king had been pulled out, awaiting him and Sir Cyneheard.