Like to See You Try

The cooler outdoor air felt good on Ethyn's skin, but it was not enough to quell the ache in his belly.

What he initially thought was embarrassment over the situation with the princess had turned into far more. Something was horribly, horribly wrong.

The pressure in his abdomen would not stop. In fact, it was getting worse with every step.

'I'm going to vomit…'

It was too late to turn back into the palace and find the washroom. He would never make it. Instead the young man would have to find a quiet place to empty his stomach within the garden's walls.

The gardens between the inner curtain wall and the castle were indeed some of the most beautiful in the world. Couples from the party had wandered out here to admire the view…and each other.

As the knight rushed by the romantic scenes, the vines hanging overhead fluttered gentle in the evening breeze.

The young man passed a marble statue. Its strong arms were missing, but the militaristic bearing of the burly man was clear.

The figure had been found in ruins that predated the War of Fates and Man, and was so expertly crafted that King Rhodri immediately had it moved to his castle.

The man was obviously some great hero of old, but his winsome smile belied his overall strength. Just now that smile seemed to be mocking the distressed young man.

'Feel free to appreciate my chiseled glory,' the handsome masterpiece beckoned him silently.

"Leave me alone," the young man muttered to the unhearing advisor.

Deeper into the garden, Ethyn found an empty pot in an abandoned alcove.

He could wait not longer. Picking up the pot, the green eyed man emptied his stomach into the ceramic container.

While the sensation felt terrible, afterward he immediately experienced relief.

'I picked a great time to be sick…' The young man set down the bucket as he sat down in the grass. 'At least it wasn't on the dance floor.'

In the lull, Ethyn tried to think of anything but his aching belly. Was the princess as miserable as he was?

Had she had forgotten all about him and was already back on the dance floor with one of the so-called vultures?

Ethyn doubted it. Rose had seemed far too shaken to move on very quickly.

He felt very guilty about hurting her. Wait, was that guilt or was it…

Ethyn quickly leaned over the pot and vomited again. Whatever had caused the problem seemed to have been evicted with the final heave.

Utterly relieved, the green-eyed man lay down on the grass of the garden. He had no energy to avoid the small bush, which caught his hair on his way down.

"Ouch…" he said half-heartedly.

"Is something wrong?" Someone nearby called.

The question had no concern in it at all, only curiosity. Ethyn turned his head and saw his fellow honoree chuckling softly in the torchlight.

"Mind your own business, Nuall. I don't feel well." Ethyn turned away, hoping the other man would leave him alone.

"I should think not. Too many sweets will sour anyone's stomach. Those little green puffs can be particularly hazardous to your health." Nuall walked toward Ethyn and nudged his stomach not so gently with his foot.

The sick knight remembered a servant offering him some green sweets from a platter as he was leaving the refreshment table. Not wanting to be rude, Ethyn had accepted one of the sumptuous treats.

But Nuall had no way of knowing any of that unless…

"You poisoned me!" Ethyn rolled onto his stomach and pulled himself to his knees.

The blonde man held his hand to his chest, offended. "How could you accuse me of such a thing? Have I ever forced anything into your mouth? Really, Samberg, you control your appetite about as well as you control your mouth."

Nuall patted him firmly on the head, nearly knocking Ethyn down on his face.

"Honestly, Samberg, anyone could have sprinkled something tasteless on a dessert and encouraged a servant to give it to you for a few gold coins."

"Why would you even bother?" Ethyn leaned back and used the curtain wall for support. If Nuall tried to hit him on top of the head again, he would scrape his knuckles on the stone.

But Nuall did not take the bait. "Whoever did it was likely paying you back for the other night when you embarrassed me in front of the king and then had me confined to my room yesterday. I have many loyal followers, you know. They can do very nasty things sometimes…"

What Nuall said was partially true. Many of the younger squires and servants looked to the blonde knight to see what they could get away with.

Nuall was the worst kind of role model, but those who mimicked him were many. However none of those people where at the party. Only Nuall could have caused this hideous reaction in Ethyn's stomach.

"You are despicable." The green-eyed man was done talking. He just wanted to be left in peace to recover.

"No. What's despicable is a nobody knight trying to woo a princess." The blonde man spat in the dirt, the words giving him a bad taste.

"No knight is a nobody. Each has proved his skill and worth." The accusation angered Ethyn more than the poisoning.

Glaring down at his prey, Nuall completely ignored his statement. "And you weaseled not one but two dances out of Her Highness."

"She asked me the second time…" the green-eyed man smirked. The sudden kick into his side caused Ethyn to wheeze.

"A mistake she won't make again." There was a fierceness in Nuall's eyes that silently threatened the young man on the ground. "Stay away from princess."

"Funny. I was about to tell you the same thing." Ethyn wasn't sure if his words were brave of foolish, but he did not regret them either way.

Rather than be offended, the blonde man laughed. "Even if I stay away from the princess, she will not stay away from me. You'll see how much Rose is drawn to my charm."

Ethyn looked around, hoping that someone else in the garden had heard the other knight speaking in such a way about the princess. He had even neglected to use her title.

Unfortunately no one except Ethyn was around. The redhead had chosen a very private spot to be sick. They were alone.

"After tonight, I'll be all she can think about. I'll flood her dreams: be her waking thoughts. Rose will want me more than she wants to eat."

"You are more full of yourself than than the king's coffers are full of treasures." Ethyn rolled his eyes. The young man was almost positive that the princess had only danced with him a second time to avoid Nuall.

"Jealousy does not look good on you, Samberg, I am giving you a friendly warning to back off." Nuall's warning was anything but friendly.

"I will protect Her Highness from any threat including you." Ethyn coughed into the dirt. He wasn't sure if it was from the poison or the swift kick.

"Oh yeah? Mark my words. When I marry Rose, you will be bowing and scraping at my feet…

…But I will be too busy siring an heir to even notice." If Nuall's words were not lewd enough, the gesture he made revealed his dastardly intention all too clearly.

"You fiend! What kind of scoundrel are you? I cannot let you use the princess in that way." With all the strength the young man had, Ethyn pushed himself to standing.

His tunic was crumpled, but his spirit was not broken.

"Oh really, what are you going to do?" Nuall looked at the pathetic excuse for a knight before him.

Ethyn lifted his chin defiantly and blocked the exit to the alcove. "One way or another, I will stop you."

The blonde man smirked. He looked around to see if anyone was watching…

Then, without warning, Nuall punched Ethyn squarely across the jaw. Watching Ethyn fall to his knees, the blonde sneered.

"I'd like to see you try."