Chapter3

"Right, we've been studying for an hour, let's have some fun." Nathan sprang up from his seat, grabbed a long-staff from the wall, tossed it to Brett, and got one for himself. Brad excused himself, saying he was going to bed.

"Right, Page Brett of Lake Lee, I challenge thee to a duel." Nathan spoke in a mock serious tone.

"I accept, page Nathan of Bracken Point." Brett was equally mock serious.

They crossed staves, and began, Nathan lunging, going for Brett's head, Brett blocked, and was rewarded with a light tap on the foot. He yelped half in jest, half in serious pain and was given a light tap on the head.
"It isn't bloody fair." He muttered

"'course it isn't. It isn't meant to be." Brett sneered and threw himself at Nathan who dodged. Brett would have gone headfirst into the door, if the two pages that had been jesting with Brett at dinner hadn't opened it. Brett careened into Page Ricky of Ponting Place. Michael of Cape Kasprowiz merely sighed, and pulled the two boys up.

"And for what reason do you not knock at our door?" asked Brett primly.

"Here, I think you've knocked his brains out!" exclaimed Michael.

"Nah, he doesn't have any left." Taunted Nathan. Brett chose not to rise to the bait.

"We're here because of the beauty whose just arrived, wait 'till you see her! And by the way, you guys are supposed to be serving wine at the ball! We had to cover and say you were at the infirmary!" Ricky threw all this at the boys who then swore, and hurtled out the door, down the hallway, to where the ball was held.

*~*~*

"Would my Lord and lady care for a drink?" Brett offered the wine to a sturdy man, talking to a young lady. They nodded and he refilled their cups. He then wandered towards the center of the room, where there were many young man, all clamoring to get a. glimpse of the person in the center of the circle.

"My, I'm parched!" a melodic voice, with a trace of a northern accent could be heard. Brett pushed through the young men, and saw a sight that made him need a cold swim in the lake.

The girl had rosy cheeks, red lips, green eyes, a pert nose, flowing chestnut hair, porcelain skin and most importantly for Brett, an expansive bosom.

"Would my Lady like a drink?" he bowed, and offered her a fresh cup, filled with wine.

"Thank you." She smiled at Brett, making him feel as though he could jump as high as the roof of the world. He bowed again, and trotted off, not noticing the glares he received from the other squires, knights and noblemen.
Where's Nathan? I wonder if he's met "the vision" Brett spotted Nathan talking to someone, whose face Brett couldn't see. He wandered past, and saw Nathan was talking to the newly knighted Sir Mark of the Barony Waugh. Sir Mark was twin to the Baron Sir Stephen Waugh, who had taken over the barony, after the twins father died. Mark however, was known for hating that sort of thing, and had wanted to stay a knight.

"Excuse me, Brett, you couldn't spare you're brother a cup of wine, could you?" Brett turned and was greeted by his brother, Sir Shane of Lake Lee.

"Shane!" Brett hugged his brother one armed, so's not to spill the pitcher of wine.

"I'm glad to see you too." The older man laughed, his big throaty voice filling the room, rising over the hubbub off the great hall.

"Come, dear brother, tell me, have you fallen down recently?" The two brothers wandered off, talking excitedly.

*~*~*

Nathan listen intently to every word Sir Mark spoke.

"So Nathan, have you met Lady Eliza of fief Callas?" Nathan shook his head.

"oh, why not?" Sir Mark, who was probably only 25, seemed to loom over Nathan, who was one of the tallest boys in the gang of pages.

"Don't like girls." Nathan's face crinkled at the memory of his mother trying to get him to co-operate with an engagement that she'd been organizing. Thank Mithros he'd revolted the mother so much he'd gotten out of it.

"Ah. Wise fellow. Wiser than whatsisname, you know, second son of the Lake Lee's." Sir Mark jerked his thumb in the direction of Brett, talking to Shane, with a dreamy expression on his face.

"you mean Brett. He's my best friend."

"Isn't he Caddick's punching bag?" Sir Mark had that look of concern most adults wore when talking about Andrew.

"Him and me both, Sir." Mark lifted an eyebrow. Nathan could tell he was about to ask questions, and he didn't want to get in any more trouble with Andrew.

"If my lord will excuse me, I don't want to run into trouble with Lord Chappell.

"Yes, of course. Run along."(A/N as if Mark Waugh, the almighty Mark Waugh would say that! Huh!) Nathan walked off, leaving the knight wondering what the boy was hiding.