The Blacksmith’s Son

Chapter 12

The Blacksmith’s Son

Gods and wizards have historically been primarily antithetical, given that they usually embody opposite philosophies, those being ‘submission’ and ‘free-will’ respectively. Wizards rarely have much to do with deities and higher powers, having little interest in sacrificing their own goals. The reverse is not true however; the gods have always had a strong interest in wizards, for their ability to provide something which no channeler can. The gods are restrained by the fact that they reside upon a different plane of existence. Although a channeler may provide them an outlet into our material world he cannot offer them entry. The act of creating a portal through which the planes may be connected requires a great deal of power from both sides of the gulf between worlds. The only known case in which a wizard willfully conspired with a god to effect such a thing led to the destruction historians call the Sundering. The dark god Balinthor was allowed to cross and his actions here nearly destroyed our world. It is not clear how the ancients eventually stopped him nor how he was forcibly banished to his proper plane.

~Marcus the Heretic,

On the Nature of Faith and Magic

I reached Lancaster with very little light to spare, but as chance would have it Marc and some of the guests came riding in at the same time. They had gone hawking that afternoon after I had left, which suited me just fine. I had enjoyed enough of ‘polite’ society already and the day with my parents had been a welcome respite. I was wrapped in my thoughts, still digesting what I had learned about my ‘other’ parents, so I gave them a casual wave and went to return Lord Thornbear’s horse.

As I came out of the stables I encountered them again in the yard. Marc had a proud falcon on his arm, and he looked every inch the young nobleman in his hunting leathers. Stephen Airedale, Devon, and Elizabeth Balistair were still with him. I suppose the others had left their horses with the grooms already and gone to wash up.

“Ho! Mordecai! Come and see my catch!” As always he retained the exuberance of youth. I couldn’t help but find his enthusiasm catching. I walked over and let him show me the contents of his game bag. He had quite a collection of small birds and gazing at the lethal beauty of the falcon he carried I wasn’t surprised. Seeing that, I felt somewhat better about my accidental hawk ‘murder’ the other day. Birds everywhere rejoice! Mordecai the hawk slayer works to even the scales on your behalf.

“Where did you get off to today Mordecai? I couldn’t find you earlier,” my friend asked.

“My apologies, I felt a sudden need for fresh air and borrowed a horse from Lord Thornbear,” I replied innocently.

Devon chose then to make his presence felt, “Off to visit the blacksmith, Master Eldridge?”

That took me off-guard, “In fact, I did ride that way. Why do you ask?”

“No reason,” he replied with an audible sneer. “How was your father? Well, I trust?”

Stunned I had no reply. Artful words would not suffice; it was lie or admit my deception. Marc didn’t suffer from my hesitation, “Where’s this coming from Devon? Or are you just practicing at being a rude jackass as usual?”

Devon ignored the insult, “I was simply curious. I heard that our Master Eldridge here was actually the blacksmith’s son, I thought I’d see if it were true or not.”

Marc’s cheeks were flushed red, “I don’t appreciate your treatment of my guests Tremont.” He put emphasis on the name, to remind Devon of the political implications of insulting him I would guess.

Elizabeth Balistair tried to break the tension, “Devon you shouldn’t pay heed to servant’s gossip, it demeans you. Where did you hear such a thing?”

“From one of the serving girls, Penelope I believe she said her name was.” He stared directly at me as he said this.

“Why would she tell you this?” Stephen asked.

“In my experience a woman on her back will tell you anything you want to know,” Devon said with a leer. The man had no shame.

I was overcome with rage. The world turned red and all I could see was Devon Tremont bloodied and torn beneath me. I raised my fists and advanced on him, ready to make my vision a reality. I heard a whisper of steel and felt a razor edge at my throat, stopping me cold in my tracks.

“I see you wear a sword, blacksmith. Why don’t you try that instead?” Devon’s eyes glittered triumphantly. The man had trained with the sword since childhood, whereas I had never held a blade in my life. There could be only one outcome.

“Planning to add murder to your list of sins Devon? You know he cannot beat you with the sword,” Marc spoke now, his voice calm and sure. “Only a coward provokes a fight he cannot lose. Why don’t you try something more interesting.”

Devon’s sword never moved but his confidence wavered, “What do you suggest?”

Marc smiled, “Since you have challenged him, let Mordecai choose the contest.”

Devon considered for a moment, then answered, “What would you choose boy?” He glared at me. I had the distinct impression that if I chose a sport he could not win he would find an excuse to use the sword anyway.

“Chess,” I said. I could feel cold sweat dripping down my back, but my face was defiant.

“You think you can beat me at a gentleman’s game?”

“I think you are no gentleman,” I answered, but my more sensible side was screaming at me to shut up. Normally you don’t provoke a man holding a sharp instrument to your throat.

“Very well,” and he sheathed his sword in a graceful motion. “But if there is no blood, honor cannot be satisfied. Why don’t we put a wager on the game?”

“What do you want to wager?” I said.

“A hundred gold marks,” he replied with a grin, “and if you cannot pay the debt I will take you as my bond servant.”

I was in deep now, that was more money than I would see if I worked ten lifetimes, even a nobleman would fear to lose such a sum.

“No,” came a deep voice, “If he loses I will pay his wager.” James, the Duke of Lancaster stood unnoticed behind us. “And if he wins you will pay, I will make sure of that.”

Devon found his manners and gave a shallow bow, “It shall be as you say your grace.” He did not dare insult his host at this point.

After that we repaired to the sun room parlor, there were tables a plenty there. The Duke walked beside me as we went. “I trust you will teach that dog a lesson, Mordecai,” he said in a tone meant just for us. I looked at him and for the first time I considered how much he had done for me. As a boy I had never questioned the fact that Marc’s family wanted me to spend time with their son. Now, knowing what I did about my origins, it made more sense. I resolved to make sure I won.

What Devon could not have known, was that I was perhaps the best chess player in Lancaster. Marc had planned on it when he suggested I choose the game. The biggest unknown was Devon’s own skills, which I suspected might not be insignificant. “I will do my best your grace,” I answered him. “I would also ask that you grant me a private audience afterward.”

“No need to be so formal Mordecai, you are much like a son to me yourself, no matter your birth,” he answered courteously.

“It is about my birth that I would speak to you,” I said, and he looked at me with raised brows. Then he nodded.

“I expected this day would come,” he replied, “but let us see to the matter at hand first.” Marc had gotten closer and looked at me with questioningly. I shook my head in a way that told him this wasn’t the time.

Minutes later I was seated at a small table across from Devon Tremont. “Why don’t you set up the pieces, blacksmith?” he sneered, as if to suggest I might not know their proper placement. Without comment I obliged him.

“It appears you are a piece short, or don’t you know where the last piece goes?” he said when I had finished.

“I thought we might make this more interesting,” I replied. Honestly I’m not sure what had come over me. His condescending attitude had gotten under my skin. “I’ll offer a handicap of one of my rooks.”

“You insult me. Taking such a handicap puts you at a disadvantage. I would rather beat you with an even board, that none can claim your foolishness gave me the win.” He was no longer sneering, his mind working to decide if I was being clever or a fool.

“Let's sweeten the wager then, since my handicap might cheapen your victory.” A cold rage was on me now and I wanted to see this petty lord-ling sweat. “Say two hundred marks? And I will be your bond-servant, even if the duke pays my debt.”

Devon almost flinched at the number, “You seek to bet with money not your own, perhaps the good Duke has his own thoughts on your reckless disregard with his purse.” He glanced at James, “Your grace?” he waited for a reply.

“My money is as safe as if it were in the king’s own storeroom. I have no objection,” his words were calculated to make Devon unsure. He gave no sign of worry.

“Very well then, I accept your offer,” Devon replied calmly, but I could see the purple aura around him wavering with uncertainty. Over the past few days my ability to sense things had become more acute. He opened with his queen pawn.

The next few minutes were quiet as we played, and I became aware that my opponent was quite skilled. The knowledge threatened to undo my concentration but the anger within pushed my doubts aside. He offered a pawn sacrifice, a subtle gambit, but one that would cost him little given I was already down a major piece. If I took it I would find myself pressed hard on the side of the board where I was already weak.

I refused to take it and spent the next few moves improving my control of the center board. Then I offered a gambit of my own, placing a pawn in a seemingly indefensible position. He took time studying the position and while I waited I noticed the room had filled with people. Every notable staying with the Lancasters was there, along with the Thornbears and her grace, the duke’s wife.

Eventually Devon decided to ignore my gambit and I smiled at him. His uncertainty had led him to believe it was a trap. A pawn sacrifice usually is, but I had counted on his fear, my gambit had been a bluff. If he had taken it I would have been even further behind and at risk of losing completely. As it was, my pawn unbalanced his position and allowed me to take his defense apart.

He hadn’t seen it coming, but several moves later it became clear his position was fast becoming untenable. Sweat stood out on his brow and he glared at the board, seeking some way to salvage the situation. I had pinned his king’s knight and he was left with a choice of what piece to sacrifice. He responded by moving his bishop to put me in check, but the move exposed him further as I calmly countered, bringing up a pawn to defend my king. He was forced into an exchange of pieces that ended with my taking the knight. I was still behind in material on the board, but his position was scattered and indefensible.

A quarter of an hour later it was over. I slid my remaining rook into position and it was check and mate. I smiled at him graciously. I would have sworn he was ready to spit nails, but he held his tongue. “I must concede,” he said.

“Then it is time to settle accounts,” Duke James spoke now.

Devon stood, “I’ll write a letter of credit on my accounts in Albamarl.”

“You’ll pay him in hard coin. You made no mention of papers and clerks when making your wager!” James was angry, but it was calculated. He had already known it to be highly improbable even Lord Devon would carry so much gold while traveling.

“I don’t have that much with me! What man carries a strongbox while traveling?” Devon Tremont was flustered now.

“Then you’ll pay what you have and write the letter of credit to me. Your banks and clerks would just as easily cheat another man, but they will pay when I call your account due!” Then he turned to me, “You’ll get your reward Mordecai, I will not see a man insulted and then cheated to boot.”

Devon was red faced now, “You dare imply my writ is no good?!”

James Lancaster stared him down, and I was reminded of two mastiff’s squaring off for a fight, “I have no love for bankers. If you come to Lancaster again and seek a quarrel, bring your strongbox with you, you will have need of it.” And then he laughed. It was a deep laugh, the sort that starts in the belly and makes its way all the way up. I’m not sure how he managed it, given how hot the emotions were running, but it worked.

Soon enough everyone in the room was laughing with him. Devon didn’t laugh though, not at first. He had been thoroughly humbled. Yet he was smart enough to see a way out when it was offered. He joined in at last, and a bitter laugh it was; it was not enough to cover his bruised pride. Devon left quickly after that, and I wondered who would suffer for his anger this time.

I found myself beset with people who wanted to clap me upon the back, and within a half an hour I felt I was near to being thumped to death. Devon wasn’t popular it seemed. Marc’s father finally rescued me, “Let the boy be! He’s had enough for one day.” He cleared a path for us through the crowd and got me into the hallway. “I’ll see you in my chambers in an hour, Mordecai. Try not to be late this time,” he joked.

I winced at the reminder of my previous blunder, “Yes your grace.” He strode off down the hall and I decided I’d best go to my room and get my head on straight. Since leaving that morning I had had nothing but one surprise after another. I could still hear them laughing and carrying on in the room as I walked away. “Did you see Devon’s face!” “Two hundred gold marks!”

I ran across Timothy on my way back. “Evenin’ sir!” he said to me with his usual energy. “I heard you gave that Lord Devon a fine trouncing!” Word spread quickly; doubtless a crowd of the servants had been hovering outside the parlor while we played.

“Not as much as he deserves,” I replied, “but let's keep that between us.” I gave him a conspiratorial grin.

“Don’t worry sir, Tim here would never sell out his friends!” he gestured to himself with his thumb.

“I would be honored to be counted among your friends Master Timothy,” I said with mock exaggeration. That pleased him I think, even though he knew I was teasing him. For such a young lad he was remarkably sharp. “Would you do me a favor Timothy?”

“Sure sir!” he answered.

“Keep an eye out, and if you or someone you know sees Devon Tremont doing anything odd or suspicious, come find me. Can you do that?” I might have only a few friends among the nobility but perhaps I could turn the staff to my advantage.

“Glad to sir. It’s nice to see one o’ them get their comeuppance at last. Meanin’ no disrespect to our own good Duke o’ course!” he said.

“If you run into Penny let her know I need to see her, I’ve had a devil of a time finding her the past two days,” I added. He assured me he would and then we had reached my door. I said goodbye and stepped inside. The cool dark room was a welcome relief. I must be getting accustomed to the comforts of privacy and a feather bed.

That thought made me pause, the rooms I had been given were easily the size of my parent’s entire house. I felt lucky to have my own tiny room and bed there. What would happen when I spoke with the Duke?"›

What would that sort of money do to me? Or them? I didn’t want to wind up like Devon Tremont, arrogant and uncaring. The Lancaster family was kind though, so perhaps nobility would not inevitably turn me into a pompous ass. I became aware that I was pacing the room, making a circle around the sitting chair and the divan.

In the dark. I stopped and stood still. The room was pitch black. I could hardly see my own hand if held it an inch from my nose. Yet I had been navigating easily around the furniture a moment before. I realized I could feel where everything in the room was, a sensation similar to seeing, but more visceral, like touching everything around me with feather soft fingers. Curious I closed myself to my power, as I had recently learned to do before sleeping. The sensation ceased and I found myself trapped in the cloying dark. It felt as if the world was closing around me and for a moment I was claustrophobic.

I hastily opened my mind and I could see again. Just not with my eyes. It was such a subtle thing I had not noticed it when I could see normally. I lit a lamp and sat on the bed. I had a lot to learn and without a proper teacher I had no idea what to expect. I wished Penny were there to talk to, but then again, the last time I had seen her she had been frightened senseless by my newborn power.

It was time to see the Duke, so I pulled out my mother’s surcoat, emblazoned with the Cameron arms. It was a loose garment, open at the sides so I was able to put it on, even though it was clear that I was a bit larger than Elena had been. She had been a tall woman, so it was only an inch or two shorter on me than it should have been. I belted it around the waist and went out to find James Lancaster.

I found him in his rooms, with Genevieve beside him. They had the look of two people who had been sharing secrets. James gestured for me to close the door behind me. After I had done so I stood facing them.

“I am here at my mother’s request.” I said.

Genevieve burst into tears. It was so sudden and unexpected I had no idea how to react. She leapt up from her seat to throw her arms around me. In the sixteen years I had been alive, and the eleven or so I could actually remember, I had never seen Marc’s mother lose her composure. Laugh yes, angry occasionally, sorrowful perhaps… but I had never known her to weep like this. Worse she was clinging to me in a manner that should have been reserved for her own children or her husband.

Nervously I put my arms around her and patted her lightly on the back; looking to her husband to guide me. He merely nodded, as if to tell me it was alright. After a moment, Genevieve released me and returned to her seat. She was still sniffing and her face was a mess, red and puffy.

“I was certain when I saw you walk in here wearing that,” James said. “I have not seen her in over sixteen years, but you look much like your mother, although your coloring is your father’s.”

“You knew them?” I asked.

“I did. I met your father several times in Albamarl while he served the King. I knew your mother even better as she grew up in Castle Cameron not twenty miles from here. I met Ginny there,” he looked affectionately at Genevieve.

That confused me and I guess my face said as much. Genevieve answered my unspoken question, “I was there to visit my sister, Sarah, your grandmother.” Her eyes were still wet. I took a moment to work out what that meant. If she was my grandmother’s sister, that made Genevieve my mother’s aunt, and my grandaunt. She was family!

“But that means…”

“Your mother was my niece, and you are my great-nephew.” I guess her hugging me wasn’t such a breach of protocol after all. Then another thought struck me.

“So Marc is my…” I have never been very clear on the rules for calculating the various degrees of cousin-hood. Fortunately I was in a room full of amateur genealogists; the nobility learn this stuff from the time they’re old enough to talk.

“Your first cousin, once removed,” she finished for me. It would take me some time to sort out the connections in my own mind. At first I wondered if this meant I was a relation of the Lancaster family, but that was not the case. I was related to Marcus through his mother, who had been a Drake before she married James.

“How well did you know my mother?” I asked, once we had gotten back on topic.

Genevieve answered, “Very well, she was my only niece. When she announced her intention to return to her family’s home for a visit I wanted to go as well, but James and I were required to be in Albamarl that week. I would have liked to have seen you… with her,” she almost broke down again, but taking a deep breath she regained her composure. “She was very young and full of life. When she decided to devote herself to the line of Illeniel and take the vow I thought her father might go mad; so angry he was.”

“He didn’t want her to marry a wizard?” I had no idea what sort of issues being a wizard entailed in the circles of high society.

“No dear, that was later, I mean when she decided to become Anath’Meridum,” she replied. “Your mother was mad for fairy tales and adventure, that and her athletic nature led her to seek your father out.”

Now I was more confused, “What does Anath’Meridum mean?”

Genevieve explained as best she could, with occasional help from James. Neither of them understood it, but apparently certain wizards were bonded to a guardian, a warrior that would watch them, stay with them, and eventually die with them. At least that is what the legends implied, but I got the impression that James didn’t really believe their lives were linked in the physical sense.

“Why would a wizard allow himself to be bound in such a way that if his guardian died he would die also? That never made sense to me, not that I don’t believe it is possible. I just don’t think they would set things up to work like that,” said the Duke.

Genevieve nodded, “In any case, her father was none to pleased about it. She was his heir and the vow precluded her from inheriting. I don’t think he was too keen on passing the estate to her younger sister.”

“When did she marry my father, Tyndal?” Genevieve was proving to be a wealth of information and the past was coming to life before my eyes.

“About a year after that she and Tyndal were engaged. It was supposedly rare for a woman to become Anath’Meridum, but those that do frequently fall in love. I guess it is to be expected when a woman and man are forced to spend every day together,” she said.

“How many Anath’Meridum are there?” I asked.

“None now, I would assume. There was only one for each wizard, and the Illenial family was the last of the recorded lines. You have to understand, I don’t know much about the traditions, only what Elena told us,” she seemed apologetic.

“So my name is Mordecai Ardeth’Illenial, or should I call myself di’Cameron?”

James spoke up, “Properly your name is Mordecai Illenial, although you could choose to carry your matrilineal name as well, Mordecai di’Cameron Illenial in that case. Ardeth is a term added for a wizard that has been bound.”

I had no idea if I would or could be bound as Tyndal had. It sounded extremely awkward. Of course I had no understanding of the true reasons for it at that time. We continued talking for a while, till the conversation turned to the future. A subject I was understandably nervous about.

James broke the topic, “Mordecai, you realize the Cameron estates are still in my hands don’t you?”

As a matter of fact I didn’t. I was so ignorant of the workings of the upper class I wasn’t even sure what he meant. “No sir,” I said uncertainly.

“After the fire, the murders, none of the Camerons were left, other than some distant third cousins. I might have passed the estate to one of them, but your mother’s note made me aware of your survival, so I have held them in trust,” he paused, “for you.”

He had to explain a bit more to me then, but it seemed that the lands of the Cameron family were held by the Lancasters, and through them by the King. In other words, the Count of Cameron had been his vassal and the Duke of Lancaster had the freedom of deciding to whom he would bestow the title and estate to, if he chose not to keep it for himself. In short, he was offering the lands to me.

“If you intended all along to pass the land to me, why did you wait till now?” I had done nothing but ask questions since I came in.

“Your mother, and I as well, felt you would not be safe,” he said simply.

“Wouldn’t I have had guards and a castle?”

“They were not enough for your parents. Almost everyone in Castle Cameron died that night. I had no way to prevent something similar from occurring again. Even now I worry that you might fall prey to a similar fate, but you cannot remain as you are anymore.” For a moment I wished that I could remain a simple blacksmith’s son, the world he described was too big, too dangerous. Mort Eldridge didn’t belong in a place like that.

“Why not?” I wished aloud.

James responded, “Your only protection until now, has been anonymity, and anonymity is no longer enough. You now have an enemy who will someday be one of the most powerful peers of the realm, rivaled only by myself and superseded only by the king. Your only protection now is that of rank and station.”

I had to admit the logic of his words, but something else occurred to me, “You said ‘almost’ everyone in the castle died. Who were the survivors?”

“The only ones that lived were those who were away or didn’t eat the meal that evening. Even those that didn’t partake were slaughtered when the assassins came. A handful of servants hiding in the cellars survived, as well as Father Tonnsdale; who was fasting and locked himself within the chapel,” he answered.

“Who was the poisoner?”

“We never found out. There was nothing left to discover. The fire gutted the castle and the few that survived didn’t work in the kitchens,” he said. The lack of evidence obviously bothered him as much as it did me.

“What about the assassins? Surely something must be known about them, or who sent them…” I asked.

“We believe they were the Children of Mal’goroth, a cult to one of the dark gods. They overran the Kingdom of Gododdin many years before you were born, we thought they had plans to repeat their actions here, but there has been little sign of them in Lothion since that night. The few we found were already dead,” he sighed. “We won’t uncover the secrets of sixteen years ago tonight, and we have other things to accomplish.”

“Such as your grace?” I was curious now.

“You reached your majority last year, I believe…,” he looked at his wife.

“Mordecai is sixteen and will turn seventeen in almost two weeks,” she answered. Genevieve was possessed of an excellent memory regarding birthdays apparently. The age of majority in Lothion was sixteen.

“Very good, Mordecai I will confer your title and land upon you tomorrow evening, followed immediately by your commendation ceremony.” He smiled at me.

“I am overwhelmed your grace.” I said, stunned. Who could have thought he would move so quickly?

“Please, call me James when we are in private. Now, you should go and get some rest. Marcus is planning a boar hunt in the morning and you’ll want all your wits about you for that.” He clapped me upon the back and led me to the door. He leaned out and shouted, “Benchley! Fetch the scribes. We’ll be working late tonight!”

“Thank you your gra… James,” I stumbled. He nodded at me and I found myself walking back to my rooms in a state of profound shock. I was barely aware of my surroundings and nearly walked into Penny as I rounded a corner. She was accompanied by Rose Hightower.

Penny let out a most unladylike yelp when she saw me. At first it seemed she didn’t even want to meet my eyes. I had never known her to be shy before, but she had been through a lot lately, so I figured it might be understandable. “Penny! Thank the gods! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” I grabbed her hands with a sense of relief. “I need to talk to you.” I gave her my most serious look.

A slight cough caught my attention and I realized my mistake, “Forgive me Lady Rose, I forgot myself. I hope you are well this evening.”

“No need to apologize, I cannot blame a gentleman so taken with the sight of his lady-fair.” She gave me a knowing smile and I started to protest but she continued, “What is this?” She was looking at my surcoat. Penny took notice as well.

“Mort?” she made my name a question.

“It’s complicated, and one more reason I need to talk to you, but not the most important one,” I was having trouble getting her attention. She looked to Rose.

“Unless I am mistaken those are the arms of the family Cameron, long thought defunct. It would seem that Master Eldridge has a surprise in store for us. You just left the Duke did you not?” Fantastic, Lady Rose was an expert in heraldry as well. She would have made a fine detective.

“Lady please, I beg of you, keep this to yourself for now.” Surely she could see my desperation; I think she enjoyed tormenting men.

“Until the day of revelation I suppose?” She pursed her lips in a mock pout. The woman was entirely too perceptive.

“Indeed,” I replied. “If you will allow me a moment alone, I truly need to talk to Penny.” I tugged at Penelope’s hands and Lady Rose nodded her approval. We walked a short way down the hall. “Penny I’ve been trying to find you for two days, it’s about the other night…”

She flinched when I said that, “Whatever you heard is probably true Mort. I’d rather not be reminded.”

“No that’s not what I meant,” I was puzzled. “Did you get my note?”

“The one where you told me that you are a nobleman in hiding, biding his time to reclaim his ancestral home or the one where you told me that you’re a wizard with the powers of light and darkness at his command?” She had gone from curious to upset rather quickly.

“I tried to explain that to you the other day but you ran off before I could finish!” My own frustration was bubbling up.

“And how long have you known about your illustrious heritage?” she countered.

“I just found out this afternoon when I went to see my parents, that’s where I got this tabard.” I held the fabric out as if it would support my tale.

“And yet within just hours of finding out you manage to challenge one of the most powerful men in the realm to a chess match and clean him out.” She said in a tone that implied she was not as mad as I thought.

“Yes, well he said something about you that I couldn’t forgive, and things just sort of went downhill from there.” I replied.

Penelope’s face went white and her entire demeanor changed, “I appreciate you defending my honor Mort, but you don’t understand.”

“I wasn’t defending your honor exactly… he said some things about my parents, and then he mentioned how he had learned them; Which is why I need to talk to you, about the other night. When you were in his room; I know what happened and I wanted…” I tried to say, I wanted to tell you what happened after you went to sleep, but I never got there.

Her hand struck me solidly across the cheek and left a ringing in my ears. “So you were upset that he insulted your parentage! Never mind that you think I’m a whore, that’s completely understandable. You are the world’s second biggest ass! And what did you say you wanted? Were you going to ask if you could pay for an evening as well? Now that you’re about to be a high and mighty lord yourself. Go to hell Mordecai!”

She was walking away now, as I stood there trying to figure out where I had gone wrong, “Wait Penny…you’ve misunderstood me, and I still haven’t told you the full story yet!” I yelled after her.

She didn’t stop and I didn’t chase her. After a minute Rose walked over to me, “You certainly handled that well.”

“Do you ever say anything helpful? Anything sincere, to actually help someone? Or do you just sit there on your high society horse and play games with everyone?” I was mad and Rose was near at hand.

“That actually stung. Despite what you believe I care a lot. That girl of yours has been through a lot and if you love her you’ll be patient,” she actually looked sincere as she said this, her usual sly smile was gone.

“She’s not my girl,” I answered. “And she’s been through a lot more than you know. If she would talk to me I could help her.”

“I know more than you realize, and I’m telling you to be patient. Simply put, you may think you know what she’s been through but you haven’t the faintest clue. Keep barging around and you’ll only drive her away.” Rose Hightower had drawn herself up to her full height and she radiated a warning aura. I had well and truly pissed her off. “Good evening to you,” she finished and turned to head the same direction that Penny had stalked off in. I might have said she ‘flounced’ away, but a woman as high bred and well mannered as Rose Hightower never flounced.