"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.
