The Four Swords

Chapter 23: Parade

The Steward gathered the Royals around to hear him better, "The parade will wind through the city with four horseback soldiers in front of the carriage." He again unfurled his scroll. This time showing us all a map of the parade route.

" Behind the Royal carriage will be Sir Jacobson's family in their carriage. Then four more mounted soldiers. We just have to wait for those falcons to appear. Lord Garrison told me he would hand pick his men." The Steward looked back toward the palace in anticipation.

The clan of Falcons were traditionally the Royal guard although a decent amount of them were assigned to other tasks nowadays. They still protected our sovereigns, especially for special ceremonies.

Just then as if on cue, a group of ceremonially dressed soldiers approached the stable. There were very clearly eight that were going to ride horseback. They set themselves apart by being dressed in armor with the Ensis crest. They had velvet ceremonial capes trimmed in royal blue, the color associated with the throne, and lined in red, the color typically associated with the clan of falcons.

However there were two more people among them that stuck out. Dressed in Royal Herald garb, a man with the muscular chiseled frame of a soldier and a man with a plump middle approached us. Upon closer inspection, the former was Sir Gavin and the latter was The pudgy man from the night of Alina's ball.

I shared a look with Alina. I rolled my eyes hoping the plump gentleman was far enough away he wouldn't see. Alina smiled and stifled a laugh. She looped her hand through my arm. From an onlooker's perspective, it was a sign of affection. However she used the display to elbow me for my rude behavior.

Sir Gavin approached the royal family and bowed at the waist. The gentleman that I have not so affectionately named Sir Pudgy, followed closely on Gavin's heels and also tried to bow at the waist. Since his middle was quite a bit more profound than his clansman, his head barely dipped at the action.

I should not be surprised to see Gavin, but it has not crossed my mind to expect him. The clan of falcons passed their sword from father to oldest son. He would undeniably be a Swordsman someday.

"Your Majesties, my father has given me permission to ask an honor of you. If it pleases your Highnesses, please allow me and Sir Balor the honor of driving your carriage in the parade. The clan of falcon feels horrible over disrupting Princess Alina's ball and would like to make amends by serving the royal family directly." Gavin was always eloquent, even when groveling.

King Caderyn smiled, "Thank you, Sir Gavin. Such initiative is rarely seen in future swordsmen. You are a credit to the house of Falcon. We would gladly welcome another level of protection."

Somehow I felt insulted. I know that I am no longer considered a future swordsman, but I never heard such a flowery accolade from the king. I certainly never heard it about my uncle either. Oh well. He did choose me to marry his daughter. Surely actions speak louder than words.

"You are too gracious, my king. If he may, Balor would like to apologize to Her Highness directly" Gavin had a bite in his tone that I did not know he could muster. I respected him for it. All of my interactions with him gave me the impression that emotion was impolite.

"By all means" the king responded.

"Please forgive my imprudence, Your Highness. I offended my sovereign and disgraced my clan." Balor got the words out, but the flow was not natural.

Balor, whose mother must have misnamed him in my humble opinion, looked displeased. I can only imagine that someone so prideful did not find getting to drive the Royal carriage in herald attire as an honor. He probably was shining his armor and had his mount brushed and ready when he heard the news he had been picked for a different position in the parade.

"All is forgiven. The clan of Falcon has redeemed itself." Alina was gracious.

The Steward finally smiled. I was not sure he was capable. "If everyone is ready, we can proceed. Sir Jacobson's family has their carriage outside the gates. We will merge them into the parade as you all pass." A deep breath finally relieved the tension in the man's body.

"As you wish." The King smiled. He gave his arm to Queen Valerie and walked to where he could hand her into the open canopy carriage. The king and queen took their seats facing forward.

I followed behind with Alina on my arm. I handed her into the carriage and we settled into the seats that faced backward.

Gavin closed the door behind us. He smiled at us and dipped his head in respect. He and Balor climbed in the coachman's seats. The stable master handed the reigns to Balor. With a flick of the wrist, the horses were off.

The carriage surged out of the gates and my family's carriage joined in behind us. The parade route was one big loop. The palace was at the top of a hilltop within the capital city. Neighborhoods filled with nobility were the closest to the top, followed by neighborhoods of merchants and tradesmen. Nearest the city gates was the market, shops, inns and taverns. All the places of commerce and trade. The parade was supposed to go all the way down to the market closest to the city gates and wrap back up through neighborhood streets as they filled with people.

As the carriages started down the hill, people slowly filed out of their homes to wave and well wish. Cheers and flags were lifted in celebration.

At first I timidly waved. I gained confidence as I saw the regal hand waves of my carriage companions. I smiled and nodded as people shouted my name.

We soon reached the market where flowers and flags were being sold in celebration. Townsmen threw roses toward Alina and shouted her praises. She beamed.

Before I knew it, we were heading back up the hill. The fanfare made everything quickly swirl by, but a familiar face caught my eye. Cali was standing along with well wishers on the side of the road. I had a perfect view of her as I was facing backward. She held a weak smile and had a brown traveling cloak hanging around her shoulders.

Cali was the one Alina was talking to in the stables! Before I could ask Alina what they were talking about, a chorus of terrified screams drowned out all thought

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