In case you missed it:
– Prologue
– Chapter 1 Part 1
– Chapter 1 Part 2
– Chapter 2
– Chapter 3
– Chapter 4

Erik was pacing the courtyard restlessly when Ileana and her two companions arrived late that afternoon. He had discarded his cap, hood, and cloak and changed from the Hunter’s coat to a plain, blue tunic. Alwin stood by the door, waiting patiently with his hands clasped behind his back.

Erik’s attention went to Ileana as the three elves rode into the courtyard. She rode a gray courser, and Erik immediately noticed the short bow in a case strapped behind her right hip with a quiver of arrows strapped to it. He noted with approval that she had taken to the Yatsheliarrin practice of covering the arrows when not in use, though he also noticed that the straps were a little loose. She watched Erik as he strode forward and held her reins while she dismounted. “Welcome to my home, your grace,” he greeted her and inclined his head.

Ileana smiled and inclined her head slightly. “Thank you for your hospitality, my lord,” she replied.

“And, your companions are,” Erik asked as he handed her reins off to a groom.

Ileana nodded. “My lady-in-waiting, Dame Cara Seanan,” she introduced a slender, honey-haired woman. “She has been my mentor in the past, as you’ll recall.”

Erik inclined his head to the honey-haired elf. “My lady,” he greeted her.

Cara curtsied. “My lord,” she replied.

“I hope you don’t have any more lessons in battle magic in mind for her grace.”

Cara chuckled. “Don’t worry,” she assured Erik. “I’ve taught her all I can.”

Ileana then motioned to a blonde man who was handing the leader of their packhorse to a stable hand. “My guardian is Sir Kathel,” she introduced him. “He is one of the finest archers Moirah has to offer and has some skill with a blade.”

Erik inclined his head to the archer.

Kathel swept a courtly bow, then extended his hand out to Erik. “Your reputation precedes you, my lord,” he said.

Erik clasped the archer’s hand. He immediately noticed that Kathel’s green eyes were almost identical to Ileana’s and filed that fact away in his mind. “Nothing too terrible, I hope,” he drawled.

Kathel grinned. “Only the best parts,” he replied glibly.

“That’s small comfort.”

Kathel threw his head back and laughed.

Erik motioned Alwin forward. “My steward, Alwin Arendt,” he introduced the man.

Alwin swept an elegant bow. “Welcome, your grace, my lady, sir knight,” he said. “I will have your belongings sent up to your rooms. Would you care for refreshments while we wait?”

Ileana smiled warmly. “Certainly, Master Alwin,” she replied.

Alwin motioned to the door. “This way, please,” he said. “I’ll have wine brought to his lordship’s garden.”

The elves washed their hands and faces, then joined Erik to follow Alwin to the garden. As Alwin left, a servant brought out a tray with wineglasses and a pitcher which he set down on the table by the oak tree. The servant poured the wine, bowed respectfully, and left.

Erik handed glasses to his guests before picking up his own. He leaned casually against the table. “Should I have dinner sent to your rooms,” he asked

Ileana shook her head. “The weather is fair enough,” she replied. “Why not dine here?”

Erik nodded. “I’ll let the servants know,” he told her. “If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to let either me or Alwin know.”

Ileana nodded. “Thank you,” she told him.

Cara paced the yard. “Do you want to discuss how we are going to deal with tomorrow,” she asked.

Erik stared a moment into the wineglass. “I’ll be escorting Ileana to the university in the morning,” he replied.

Cara nodded. “I think I should go with her,” she stated. “Two sets of eyes are generally better than one in a search.”

“I’ll be bringing two of my men with me. I’d like Kathel to come, too.”

Kathel shrugged. “I don’t mind,” he said lightly.

Erik turned to Ileana. “Have you met Sir Manfred,” he asked her.

Ileana smiled. “Yes, I have,” she replied. “How are his wife and children?”

“They were well, last we heard. He had another one on the way when we left for the Hold.”

“That’s wonderful,” Ileana said excitedly, then shifted before continuing uncomfortably. “I assume you’ll be bringing Sir Siegler along, as well.”

“Is there a problem I should know about?”

Ileana shook her head. “No,” she replied. “I just don’t think he likes me very much.”

“That’s not it at all,” Erik assured Ileana. “Siegler is a very serious man. I couldn’t ask for a better second-in-command.”

Ileana nodded. “I trust your judgment,” she replied.

“When do the gates at the university usually open?”

“Shortly after dawn.”

“We’ll leave at dawn, then.”

Ileana winced.

Erik noted the reaction, but he didn’t get the chance to say anything before Alwin entered the courtyard. “The guest quarters are prepared,” he announced. “I’ll show the duchess and her companions to their rooms.”

The three elves set their glasses on the tray and followed Alwin out. Manfred approached as they were leaving, his face like a storm cloud. “I take it that you’re not bringing any good news,” Erik noted

Manfred shook his head. “The idiot is dead set on a duel,” he growled. “He seems to think God is going to grant him the victory because of your mother.”

Erik snorted and stood. “Don’t bother with them unless he asks for it,” he said flatly.

“I hadn’t planned to.”

“The queen wants this duel to proceed. The Lord of Branheim has offended her majesty. Even if he apologizes to me, he’ll have to apologize to her if he wants to survive.”

Manfred raised an eyebrow.

“The queen needed the Baronial Court to begin discussing succession in case Anna doesn’t recover,” Erik explained. “Thanks to Branheim, we couldn’t even get started.”

Manfred shook his head. “That fool boy’s little outburst may very well tear the kingdom apart,” he grumbled.

Erik sighed. “I know,” he replied. “Hopefully, I can get away with just taking him down a few pegs and I won’t have to kill him.”

Manfred grunted sourly. “I wouldn’t hold much hope out for that,” he sighed.

Erik nodded. “Would you and Siegler mind joining me out here for dinner,” he asked. “My guests and I need to talk with you two.”

Manfred inclined his head. “I’ll let Siegler know,” he replied.

“Thank you, Manfred.”

Manfred saluted and left.

Continue Reading at Screaming Into the Void (Substack)…

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