Rise of the Champions - Chapter Thirty-Six
Author: Milady Dragon
Steve didn't sleep well.
He should have, relief that Bucky was going to be alright eventually being enough to relax him. However, the nightmares he'd had really hadn't been about his best friend.
It had been about the Void.
Well, not specifically about the Void, per se, although that figured quite prominently; he might not have been able to recall his time within the Void itself, but his imagination certainly didn't seem to care. He'd been trapped in the dark, and the silence, and it had been horrifying because he'd been unable to do anything to get himself free. Even his cries had been silent.
That had morphed into images of what he'd been able to see during the breaking of the curses on Bucky. In the dream, he'd been able to see the Void that Phil had pulled from his best friend, and it had been evil, black as pitch and fighting against the Grand Master's call. Phil had been able to tame it, and he'd taken it all in as he had yesterday, but the evil had cursed him in turn, and the good man had become terrifyingly evil. He'd been awakened violently when Phil had killed everyone in the room, including his own daughter and lover, and Steve has awakened with a sharp cry, his heart hammering fit to burst in his chest and unable to breathe.
He found himself wandering Castle Triskelia far too early for anyone but the guards on rotation to be awake. Steve moved about the place, nodding to the soldiers on duty, pleased that every single one of them seemed to be alert to their surroundings. It spoke well of the Captain of the Guard, Rosalind Price, that she kept her people sharp.
He found himself worrying about Phil. Steve knew he was powerful, because he was Grand Master, and he'd seen the evidence of that yesterday. But he couldn't help but be concerned that what he'd done would come back upon him in some way, and the last thing he wanted was for someone to get hurt because of Hydra.
Still, this was the man who'd been instrumental in bringing Hydra down. They'd attempted to use the man's own daughter against him, and that had only made Phil Coulson more determined to bring the cabal down. Steve had to respect that strength of character.
He also had to respect that Phil knew what he was doing. But that didn't stop him from worrying; he owed the Wizard a debt, both for bringing Steve out of the Void, and for willing to put himself on the line in order to help Bucky, someone he didn't know personally, just because it was the right thing to do.
His wandering had taken him into the kitchens, where Steward Sharon was already at work preparing for the day. She gave him a quick smile, then motioned to the coffee that was already warming over the stove's flame.
That was just what Steve needed. He helped himself, leaning against the counter as he watched the castle workers bustling about, chopping vegetables and getting breakfast ready for the residents of Castle Triskelia. Steward Sharon kept an efficient staff; they all seemed to know exactly what they needed to do with very little interference from either the Head Cook or the Steward.
"Care for a pastry?" Steward Sharon offered him a plate, on which sat several different types of freshly baked goods.
Steve's stomach rumbled, and he laughed. "Thanks." He chose one with what looked like cherry jam in a divot in the center, biting into the flaky crust. The cherries were tart against the sweetness of the dough. "That is fantastic," he moaned.
Stewart Sharon laughed. "Baron Nick managed to entice one of the best pastry chefs in the Western Lands to work for him. It's amazing that we all haven't gained weight with all the baking that gets done around here now."
Steve finished that one, and helped himself to a second, this one with creamed cheese. "I understand that things weren't always so good around here." There had been stories, and he knew the history of the Barony, but it never hurt to indulge his curiosity, and it took his mind off his nightmares.
"My father was Steward under the former Baron," she answered. "This place was…well, the Baron had pretty much bled Triskelia dry to line his own pockets, and it was pretty dire. But, then Baron Nick showed up, and kicked the bastard out. He managed to turn things around in a really short time, and now Barony Triskelia is respected throughout the entire Western Lands, as well as being one of the wealthiest of the Baronies."
"Baron Nick seems like a good man."
Steward Sharon laughed. "Oh, he can be a real asshole, but at least he cares about the people. And he certainly knows how to twist things to his and the Barony's advantage. But there are times when you really need that sort of ruthlessness if you're going to make something a success, and he's never been cruel. Well," she shrugged, "unless whoever he was cruel to did deserve it. The Baron is responsible for punishing crimes, after all, and Baron Nick can be…creative, when the need arises."
That was understandable. "And, what about Grand Master Phil? I understand that he and Baron Nick are good friends."
Steward Sharon turned a little pensive. "They are. We're not sure when they met, but Baron Nick gifted him Shield Keep when he turned up with his daughter. I know there were a lot of the court back then who thought that the Grand Master was going to become Baron Nick's Court Wizard, but he didn't. In fact, he was practically a hermit out at the Keep until he became Grand Master, which, I'll be honest, was a bit of a shock for everyone that he'd consent to take on the job. He's never shown any interest in any sort of position at Court, although the Baron has called on him in magical matters, and he's never once set foot inside the Council of Barons. There wasn't even a permanent Baronial Wizard until a couple of weeks ago, when Mistress Maria gave up her position to join the Court. We were beginning to wonder if there ever would be."
Steve had been there when Mistress Maria had shown up and the Baron had announced her appointment. "That's a bit of a step down, isn't it? From head of Great Order to Court Wizard?"
The Steward shrugged. "It could be seen that way, I suppose. But then," she smirked, "we all know Baron Nick's going to ask her to marry him, so it only makes sense that she moves closer to what's going to be her home. And the Court really did need a full-time Wizard."
He thought of Pepper, who was Head of Cardinal Order, as well as Court Wizard of Barony Ferrous and wife of the sitting Baron. That did seem a lot of duties to take on, and he could understand why Mistress Maria might want to pare them down a little, although Mistress Maria didn't have a Novice like Mistress Pepper did. Not that Steve had seen one.
"Just like we needed a Knights' Commander to replace Sir Felix," she added slyly.
"I don't think I'll ever replace Sir Felix," he demurred, having heard so many stories of the former Knights' Commander that he'd had to go and visit the retired Knight to see if they were true. "I can only do the best job I'm able."
He received a sunny smile at that. "And that response is why you'll do an excellent job." She held the plate out once more, and Steve accepted the offer and took another pastry. He could certainly understand Steward Sharon's comment about gaining weight. He was going to have to spend a little extra time on the practice field if he kept this up.
"Is there a way to contact the Grand Master?" It had been in the back of his mind, that he really wanted to check on Phil, to make certain he was alright after yesterday. The nightmare he'd had reared its ugly head, and Steve had to shove those feelings back down so they weren't evident. Phil was a friend, and Steve didn't want him to suffer for doing the right thing in helping Buck recover from the cursing.
"Ask Baron Nick. I'm sure he has at least a speaking stone." She cocked her head, examining him minutely. "I swear, you look just like the portrait our family has of Sir Steven Rogers, the Paladin. You have to be related in some way; you even have the same name."
Steward Sharon was sharp, but then she was distantly related to Peggy, who had been one of the smartest women Steve had ever known. She'd asked him about it once more, and had been saved from an explanation at that time, but now there was no one to change the subject.
"I may be," he answered, trying to throw her off the track. "Honestly, I didn't even know about the Paladin until someone told me about it." Which was strictly true; it had taken Howard telling him about the position and snatching him out of relative obscurity in order to fill it, after that ridiculous audition and Peggy telling the man what for. So he wasn't really lying to her about that. Besides, the last thing he wanted getting around was who he really was.
"I understand. A lot of families really don't pay much attention to their lineage that far back and, besides, from what I've been told Sir Steven died without issue. Also, as far as we know, he didn't have any siblings."
Steve had to wonder what she'd say when she eventually met Bucky. He knew that Phil had known who Bucky was when Jack recognized him, but would the Carter family know as well? Most likely.
He had to stifle his laughter, because when he eventually had Bucky back in his life it was going to make Steward Sharon question destiny.
"Well," he straightened up from his leaning position against the counter, finishing off his cooling coffee. "I should get to my own duties. I'm pretty sure today is an appointed Court day." He sighed. He really didn't care for Court days, but then he was in good company with Baron Nick on that score.
Steward Sharon grimaced. "Yes, which means I'd better have the alcohol cabinet in the Baron's sitting room fully stocked for afterward. As much as he hates it, though, he's quite good at unraveling complaints and putting things to rights." She was proud of her Baron, it was obvious.
Steve was, as well. He'd fallen into this job, thanks to Phil Coulson, and he didn't think he could ever repay the Wizard for it. He had a purpose now, even though his duties were interspersed with times of sheer boredom.
He wished Steward Sharon a good day, heading back up into the residential areas of the castle. He'd need to wash and get his ceremonial armor on before court.
Then, afterward, he would inquire about Phil and perhaps have a way to check on him. Just to make certain he was doing alright.
After all, that was what friends did.
