Chapter seven
Erik knocked on Raoul's chambers door. "Come in!" Erik walked in to see the boy was sitting on a table in the center of the room with his sword strapped around his waist. He crossed his arms. "Close the door."
Erik did as he asked, trying to keep his temper in check. "I strongly suggest you mind your words. I've struck men for simply using that tone of voice."
Raoul's brow arched. "Insolent as well as ugly."
His temper snapped, but for Amanita's sake, he wasn't going to kill him. "I'll hear no more foolish words spoken by such a young and tender boy!"
Erik turned to walk away when Raoul grabbed him by shoulder and spun him around. "Whether you like it or not…you will hear what I have to say!"
"No I won't!"
Erik gave Raoul a hard shove backwards. Raoul dealt Erik a blow that made him change his mind about handling things in a civilized manner. He pulled the dagger from his boot to throw at Raoul. As he drew his hand back, Raoul threw a dagger at him! It caught Erik's sleeve, sank deep into the wall behind him, effectively pinning him there. Erik pulled it free to find Raoul all ready had a sword at his throat.
"Tender as my years may be," he said slowly. "I believe you'll find my skills are not as lax as they appear."
"Indeed." Erik said. "Now that you have my attention…what is it you require of me?"
"I wish to know where you were born and how came you by this ring. No falsehoods! If I find out you lie…I will run you through!"
"I was given to a family here." He snapped. "My parents dropped me at an Abbey leaving only their ring."
"What was their title?"
"How am I to know?" Erik asked. "Why should I care when it was apparent that the sight of my face was the reason for my abandonment? I was hired out when I was twelve to become an apprentice for a blacksmith. So I have been one for years."
"Until you became princess Amanita's musician. How came you upon that position?"
"I heard of it. I was allowed a musical instrument when growing up alone in the abbey. I can play many."
"You have a great talent for it, I heard you." Raoul sheathed his sword. "Indeed. You take after your father."
"I don't know my father, nor do I wish to!"
"He was my father too! So frankly, you have no choice but to know all that has been withheld from your past."
Erik stared at him. This boy didn't know what he was talking about. "We…are not… brothers. Nor or we related. God couldn't play such a cruel joke on me."
Raoul reached in his pocket and held out a ring. Erik took it. It was an exact replica of his ring. "My father had two made for all of his children. Indeed, you were born first. Father," Erik caught a hint of bitterness in his voice. "was horrified and demanded that my mother abandon you. The knight who left you at the abbey, stole the ring and put it in your basket."
Erik frowned. "How come?"
"Pity. He decided that you should have some link to your past that it may all come to light one day. Sir Cedric, was close, as one could get to a man who was not father. He raised me and on the eve my father died, he told all to me and my mother. My mother was angered and would have ordered his death had I not threatened her dearly. It is my wish to restore what I can of my family's honor to you. It is my wish to see the rightful heir upon the throne."
Erik frowned. "So brother…I am eligible for the throne?"
"It is yours. You are the eldest by two years…so it falls to you."
Erik pondered the situation. Now, he was an eligible suitor for Amanita. He had power, a throne and he could have her. But he wanted to make certain that he had all of her heart, not part of it. Would she be wooed away by other handsome faces like his new brother's face? Then there was sir basil; Erik had to deal with him. Indeed, the man was no good and Erik wouldn't put it past him to somehow be involved in the kingdom's problems.
Erik spoke after a length pause. "I have no wish for the throne. Indeed. I am willing to let you have the throne and any princess who strikes your fancy."
"Amanita."
Erik laughed tightly. "She….you cannot have. For you see…I've all ready claimed her as mine. You saw the mark yourself."
Raoul's eyes widened. "You…marked her?"
Erik nodded. "I do."
"She said a notorious outlaw…the Black Arrow had cut her hand."
"I did indeed." Raoul frowned at him. "I am a many of many talents. Blacksmith, musician, thief, or swordsman. However, I do not wish her to wed me for my wealth as I am sure you do not wish she does that either."
"Indeed." Raoul said. "A troubling situation."
"Shall we both…attempt to woo her? Though I daresay, you may not win."
"You underestimate me again brother. I advise you not to do so as often as you do."
"As do you, I am a thief remember? I always get what I want."
"Aye. However, while you're masquerading as a blacksmith, musician or robber. Mind you never get caught robbing."
Erik laughed. "I haven't been caught once in the last three years. Don't worry, I keep an account of whom I rob and what I take from them that it may be restored when there is no hunger or starvation in the land."
"Well, now you have enough to pay them off overnight and still be considerably wealthy."
"Now, if I win Amanita's hand, I will not be taking the throne. It will be yours."
Raoul shook his head. "It is a tradition that the eldest become king."
Erik scowled. "I care not for politics or traditions nor do I care about the comforts of the palace! Indeed. I may become king long enough to pay off my debts and marry Amanita. Then, I shall concede my throne to you and take her off to a secluded valley with a brook, trees, flower garden, cottage and keep her occupied with many babes."
"She's a princess. Do you think that is what she wants?"
"I know her well."
"All things considered…I say we know her equally well." Raoul held out his hand. "Indeed my dear brother, I accept your challenge. May the best man win."
Erik smirked. "I plan to."
Raoul swatted Erik upside the head causing him to laugh. "Don't be so sure of yourself."
"Ahh, but we must form alliances to keep Sir Basil away from her mustn't we? For you see, he's trying to win her hand."
"I sense that he is not what he appears." Raoul said. "Sir Cedric is having him thoroughly investigated. Indeed, we shall find out what he is like within the week."
Erik smirked. "Granted, we may have been parted in years, but you and I are not as different as we appear."
"Which is why I am confident I will win Amanita."
"But…you are not me. Believe me, I have my ways of knowing. She will accept me."
