The Four Swords

Chapter 44: Temper

I entered the Swordsman council meeting refreshed in certain ways and drained in others. My body was not drenched in sweat as it would be coming from the training field. My mind, however, was drained from the interactions at afternoon tea.

Remembering decorum, sorting out misunderstandings, and wandering thoughts all took a mental toll. I would probably be useless in this meeting.

The Swordsmen were all already seated around the table as I opened the doors, leaving Finley and Alejo at the door again. King Caderyn was nowhere in sight. I guess he took being fashionably late to heart.

"Ah! There you are Jack! How was the tea?" My father motioned for me to take my usual seat next to him.

"It was good, Father," I responded while stifling a yawn. Hopefully the other Swordsmen did not take offense at my sloppy manners.

"Did your siblings behave themselves?" My father inquired with a wide smile. He knew that my siblings could get into trouble in any situation.

"Well, Liliana created an accidental dog-pile on Princess Alina and Abrin wanted to steal her guards," I laughed thinking back on the mishap with the skipping circle and my brother's amusing offer.

The Swordsman joined in on my joke. Laughter was easy with these three. Having met my siblings, they all knew what balls of energy they could be. Since they were all also fathers, I can only imagine the stories they could tell of my peers when we were young.

"Glad to know my daughter's safety is such a laughable matter to you all," The King's voice boomed throughout the chamber. King Caderyn must have followed me in the door. No one heard his entrance.

"Your Majesty, I didn't mean to insinuate that Alina was unsafe," I backpedaled trying to find a way out of the king's anger.

"I think you mean Princess Alina, Sir Jacobson. Please do not try to justify your actions any further," King Caderyn retorted, taking his place at the head of the table.

Words used to be my closest companion. How often did they betray me lately?

I nodded at King Caderyn's rebuke, trying to not anger him further. My plan for the rest of the meeting formed in my head. Sit still. Stay quiet. Speak only when asked something directly. Do not look at the king. I think it's a pretty actionable list.

The Swordsmen exchanged a glance, pleading with one another to start the meeting. No one wanted to incur the king's wrath by being the one to break the uneasy stalemate in the room.

"Well, let's get on with it. Who are we sending to the north?" The King's tone settled into a more even tone than the one he just used to address me.

How was I so easily able to get under his skin? I seemed to be the catalyst for his pendulum of emotions. Why did he even invite me here?

Lord Garrison bravely responded to the king, "After observing the men today, the Swordsmen have come up with a list of names. Sir Jacobson sparred with most of them today and if he has no reservations about them, then this meeting can be short."

I applaud Lord Garrison on his quixotic planning. I have not even scratched the surface of these meetings and even I know that short ones do not exist. He foolishly also mentioned my name to the king. I braced for the impact of words I was sure the king would spew my way.

"Anything to add, Sir Jacobson?" with sitcatto syllables, the king questioned. He was boiling under the surface.

I thought for a moment. Saying the list was fine would keep me out of the hot seat with the king. But was it right for the men I was about to send on assignment?

"There is a man from the clan of wolves I sparred with today. Long dark hair, medium build. He was trying to cover up a limp he was nursing. I suggest that gentleman not be sent unless the doctor clears him to make such a journey," I responded. I would get in trouble with the king, but the health of the party was vital for the mission.

I looked at the council members, besides the king. All three seemed to be smiling. This was the piece of the puzzle I missed earlier. I needed to make sure I put the men individually above the importance of the assignment. How was I so slow?

"Very well. I will strike his name from the list," Lord Bleddyn announced. "Since that means one less of my kinsmen on this assignment, might I suggest I take his place?"

The king looked annoyed again, but at least this time I had nothing to do with it. His white hot gaze narrowed in on the twin's father. Lord Bleddyn held the stare with ease. Something made him determined to go.

The King heaved a sigh, having lost the stare down. "This is the second time you have made a request to leave for the north, Lord Bleddyn. Without a reasonable explanation, I will not split up the Swordsmen anymore than they already are. At this rate, I may even make Lord Holden stay at court."

"If I share my reasoning, then will my King let me go?" Lord Bleddyn slowly inched into the idea, letting the words form slowly in his mouth.

"No promises, Lord Bleddyn." The King rubbed his temples. He clearly did not want to fight.

Lord Bleddyn paused to consider his options. Three times he repeated the motion of biting his lip, opening his mouth to speak, then closing it again. Whatever reasoning Lord Bleddyn had for wanting to go north, he could not decide if he wanted to share.

"If our hunch that these incidents spur from the Norads is correct, the Autarch cannot be that far off," Lord Bleddyn slowly began. "If that is the case, I want to be the one to face her. I want to be the one who strikes down the woman who killed my wife."

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