Quoted By:
>Lady Grafton held your father’s heart in her hands and could make him dance if she wished, Blonde Jon was of an age and ready, maybe even Brown Ben if she wished it, it would certainly cement his claim as heir to be knighted at ten and three. [Cynic]
You felt dread creep into your gut and black ice in your bones, he couldn’t truly intend to, it broke with every protocol and dignity your house held, to knight a boy barely a year into his squiring who had never even seen battle, who was by every measure not ready for it was unheard of even the most green of them had fought a skirmish or battle and earned it. Had the harlot finally played her hand after so long dangling your Father’s strings? Such a thought that he would stoop so low to please her left you feeling tense and angry.
Rickard leaned back observing you with a wolfish eye sighing <span class="mu-i">’’you bluebloods… a small wound to pride and you’re off like a Stallion in heat’’</span> you prickled at the assertion but didn’t rise to the comment and that earned you an evil smile.
<span class="mu-i">’’So boy who is it you think will be knighted?’’</span> he said, at the edge of your vision, you prickled at the venture, why did he ask? What business of it was his? This upjumped wildman of lowbirth. Lucos finished and spoke in your stead <span class="mu-i">’’My bets on blonde Jon, he’s a quick one and biting at the bit for a Knights spurs’’</span> Rickard cast a glance at Lucos <span class="mu-i">’’not the elder son?’’</span> Lucos laughed in response <span class="mu-i">’’You saw him on deck earlier Rickard, he might be smart and angry but he’s lacking sword skills'’</span> you saw the truth in this, unlike yourself Corly’s was not one for the training yard or tilts, he was more comfortable playing the dutiful son seeing to court and country, it made him a poor warrior.
Rickard looked at you again <span class="mu-i">’’What about you boy? Any Chance of knighthood? You’re better than your brother by a yard’’</span> you suppressed the desire to nod back, Rickard was asking questions that you thought improper and his aim was unclear.
Suddenly the barracks erupted into activity, the simple call of <span class="mu-i">‘’Officer on deck!’’</span> had the men moving like fish in a net as they assembled for inspection. Through the anarchy of movement you caught a glimpse of ser Duncan moving through them offering insult and curses in every step at the growing assembly, it was fiercer than you had ever received and you knew every curse and insult was earned in the training yard, in a moment all that was left at the table were you and Lucos who leaned to you conspiratorially <span class="mu-i">’’best get out of her lad, Duncan will have your hide if you don’t’’</span>.
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