Ralph looked down. "But that wasn't the trouble. Adjudicator Baron has stated that just based off the fact that Drew fathered me he'd have to try and negotiate terms for shared custody of me with Drew. The whole proceeding is just a waste of time of asking questions. Well maybe not a waste, the Adjudicator hopes to catch Drew in a provable lie so he can find against him. But I'm sure Drew will just try and use it to embarrass my Mom and Dad. As long as he does it within protocols Dad can't do anything about it."
Ralph stood up. "But if I had a hammer of my own like my Father's, but lighter so I could wield it easier, I could challenge him to a duel. According to Mistress Florence he would be too arrogant. Too sure he'd win so he'd accept my challenge. I've even been thinking of ways to insult him to make him look bad so he will fight me himself. Then I could teach him what a squire of a true Paladin can do and earn the right to never be troubled by him again. I could do this because I won't be bound by protocols like my Dad is."
The Mistress nodded. "Ralph sit back down for a moment. Let us pray to the wise Lady silently for a moment for guidance."
Ralph sat down and bowed his head. After a few minutes he heard the Mistress begin speaking in a language he was unfamiliar with. He started to look up but something seemed to tell him not too. He waited and finally she quit speaking.
The Mistress reached across her desk and pulled a piece of paper over. She grabbed her quill and ink and began writing. Ralph looked up as he heard the squeaking of the quill. She folded the paper and stuck it in an envelope and sealed it with wax and reached out with it to Ralph.
Ralph took it and looked at her expectantly. "Take this down to the temple in town in the morning. Give it to the temple Mistress there."
Ralph nodded and slid it inside one of his books. "Thank you."
The Mistress smiled. "You are welcome Ralph. Have a good night."
Ralph smiled and left to go to his room to complete his homework. And practice his insults.
Paige paced around their bedroom again that night. Walter watched her for some time before he finally got out of bed and stopped her as she tried to pass by. "Love, I know you are worried. And I know your faith is new in the wise Lady. You also have a bad experience with what happened with Dionysus weighing upon you. But trust me. Believe in the wise Lady. She will not allow this to stand."
Paige put her head against his shoulder. "I'm trying Love. I'm just so worried what it will mean if Baron has to rule against us that Drew gets partial custody. What will we do?"
Walter hugged her tightly. "I won't let it happen. It might cause Los Angeles to pull out of the treaty with us but that won't really mean much. We'll lose some preferred trading status and our goods would be taxed at a normal rate. But it isn't like they would declare war against us. We'll just do more business with Lancaster."
Walter reached down and untied the sash of her robe and opened it as Paige smiled at him. He lifted the lapels of her robe and pushed against the material and it slipped off her shoulders and fell to the floor. Walter pulled her naked form tight against him, feeling her flesh press into his flesh. "I think part of the problem is, I let your worry last night dictate our actions and you went to sleep without indulging in some romantic intimacies." Walter grinned. "Well tonight I desire your love and we're going to make up for not pleasuring each other last night."
Paige grinned and squealed as he scooped her up and took her to bed.
Ralph arrived at the great hall a half hour early and was nearly done with breakfast when everyone else started showing up. "Happy Birthday Ralph," his parents greeted him as they entered the hall.
He ran over and hugged his Mom and Dad as they entered the hall. "I'm going to school early today if that is okay."
Paige nodded.
Walter looked at him. "Sir Fredrick will still be with you all day. He should be waiting for you just outside of the Keep. Do not try to get away from him. We don't know if Drew plans any shenanigans but I am not taking any chances."
The great Mother spoke up. "I've also assigned one of my ladies to go with you again today to ensure your safety Ralph."
Ralph nodded as he kissed his Mom's cheek and ran out of the great hall.
Paige looked at her and smiled. "Thank you. That was very kind of you."
The great Mother nodded. "We all have our roles to play in this. There are more than just Athena and Hera interested in the outcome."
Selase watched and as Ralph ran out of the Keep she leaped off the top of the roof and flew out and flew circles around Ralph as he joined up with Sir Fredrick and the Cleric of Hera. She followed them to school. Selase started to land on the roof when Ralph along with Sir Fredrick and the Cleric kept walking and she continued on and watched him carefully as various townsfolk greeted him wishing him a happy birthday. Ralph finally entered into the temple of Athena there in the marketplace.
The attending Cleric smiled at Ralph. "Happy Birthday Master Ralph, it is a pleasure to see you this morning."
Ralph smiled at the attending Cleric of Athena. "Thank you. I was instructed to bring this letter to the temple Mistress this morning."
The Cleric nodded and gestured before leading Ralph back to a side hall and to the office door of the temple Mistress. She knocked on the door.
"Enter," the temple Mistress called out.
The Cleric turned the latch and opened the door. "Master Ralph is here Mistress with a letter for you."
The Mistress smiled. "Please come in Master Ralph."
Ralph walked in with a smile. "Good morning Mistress."
"Happy Birthday Master Ralph, how are you this morning?" The Mistress asked as she stood and walked around.
"I'm well Mistress. How are you?" Ralph asked politely.
"I'm well Master Ralph. Would you care to sit?" The Mistress pointed at a chair in front of her desk.
Ralph moved over but waited until she sat before he sat down. He reached into his school book and pulled the envelope out and reached out to her with it.
The Mistress took the envelope and smiled as she saw it was from the Mistress at the Keep. She tore it open and read it. Several times she read it, looking up at Ralph each time. Finally she nodded. "This is very unusual Master Ralph but I must assume Sister Cecile knows what she is doing." As she stood up Ralph stood up with her. She walked over behind her desk and opened a panel in the wall. She reached inside and pulled a hammer out of the wall and closed the panel. She walked back over and sat down and Ralph sat back down.
She reached out and handed him the hammer. "This hammer once belonged to Lord Markus when he first attained knighthood. It is a precious heirloom of our faith. Treat it as such."
Ralph felt the smooth green steel head of the hammer. He could feel an energy within the hammer. The head held in place on the steel shaft by a leather strap wrapped around and down the shaft many times increasing its diameter until it looped around at the bottom as a handle. Ralph smiled. "I will Mistress. Thank you. I will return it as soon as I am finished."
The Mistress nodded as Ralph took the hammer and stood up. Ralph tucked the hammer behind the waistband of his pants and belt and pulled the hem of his shirt over the head before he left.
Ralph emerged from the temple and joined back up with Sir Fredrick and the Cleric of Hera and they walked back out into the marketplace as Selase leaped off the temple and followed them to the school.
Just before lunch Lord Walter and Lady Paige sat talking with Baron and the great Mother when Raynold stepped into the great hall. "Forgive me my Lord. I was just informed that Kind Andrew and his troops have reached the other side of the bridge and are demanding entrance."
Lord Walter scowled instantly.
Baron leaned over to his scribe as he whispered. "Remember what I told you?"
The scribe's eyes were wide at the dark look in the Lord's face and nodded.
"He dares to make demands in my lands?" Walter all but roared.
Paige reached out and placed her hand on his. "Love, he is probably trying to goad you. Be careful in your response. I'm sure he probably has some trick up his sleeve."
Walter looked at her and nodded. "Indeed. There is wisdom in your words. You shall stay here in safety while I go out to meet this lizard."
Paige glared at him. "That isn't what I meant. And I will go with you. I will not let you met him without me. I may be four months pregnant but I am not helpless. Besides I wouldn't let the great Mother go without an escort. Allie can go with us."
Walter smiled. "Wholly stubborn, very well, Raynold summon Allie and Sir Cabe and Sylvester. Prepare the carriage to take us down while I put on my armor."
Paige looked at him sharply. "Why are you putting on your armor?"
Walter grinned. "Because I don't trust the situation and if I need to defend you I want to ensure I have all the tools I need to do so properly. Either this or you stay here."
Paige rolled her eyes. "Fine, put on your armor then."
About twenty minutes later Lord Walter sat astride his charger and Sir Cabe sat on his horse. He looked back as he heard, "My Lord."
Happy came running up, "Permission to accompany our Lady as protection."
Walter smiled and nodded.
Happy ran over and climbed into the carriage and as the door closed Lord Walter nudged his charger and they led the carriage down the hill towards town. As they drew near to the school the school bell rung and the kids ran out to play. Patty saw Lord Walter riding down the hill and she pointed. "Look Ralph, there is your Dad."
Ralph smiled and waved. Walter smiled back and saluted his son and Ralph returned his salute. Ralph noticed his Dad had his shield and then he saw his Mom and Baron and the great Mother in the carriage along with Allie, Sylvester and he frowned.
Ralph looked up and whistled and Selase looked down and jumped off the school house and flared her wings and landed gently beside him. Ralph climbed up in her saddle. "Hang back a bit but follow Dad."
Selase looked at Ralph and then out towards Lord Walter. She took a running start towards the Keep and flew up into the air.
Sir Fredrick frowned. "Master Ralph. Come back here." He began running after them along with the Cleric of Hera.
Selase maintained a distance but kept them within eyesight. She was darting back and forth across town keeping her distance and enjoying watching Sir Fredrick and the Cleric trying to follow them. When they entered the bridge Ralph saw a small army on the other side of the bridge. Ralph snarled as he realized he was right, that Drew had finally arrived.
Walter stopped his charger far enough out that the carriage and the three dozen troops behind it cleared the bridge. He slid out of his saddle. His two guards on duty both stood at the ready facing the force of King Andrew. Lord Walter whispered to his charger. "Protect Paige at all costs." He stepped on out in front of them as Sir Cabe climbed down and stepped out with him.
Baron climbed out of the carriage and held the hand of Allie and then Lady Paige and finally the great Mother. They were followed by Sylvester and his scribe came out and he held the hand of the junior Cleric as she came out.
Walter's charger walked over and brushed her nose against Paige's arm. Paige looked over and smiled as she stroked her hand down the charger's neck.
"King Andrew is ready to entire the lands of Scorpion Keep." King Andrew's crier called out.
Walter laughed. "Drew and one attendant may enter the rest of the rabble will withdraw five hundred yards and await his return."
"How dare you." King Andrew glared.
"How dare you present demands on my lands. Obey or leave, the choice is yours. Before I make you leave." Lord Walter told him.
Paige stepped up just behind Walter. "Walter, this isn't starting off well."
Walter shrugged.
King Andrew almost said something to Paige but the Ambassador from Los Angeles on his right looked at him sharply. "My King, remember what the Adjudicator said."
King Andrew nodded and remained silent.
Suddenly Selase swooped in and flared her wings and landed next to the carriage and Ralph slid out of her saddle. He ran past Allie as she reached out for him and up to his parents.
Paige stared at him. "Ralph, what are you doing here young man?"
Ralph looked up at his Mom. "Dad said I had to meet Drew. I decided if I had to meet him then this would be the only time I would meet him."
Walter looked back and grinned.
Ralph looked at his Dad. "Is it okay if I address him?"
Walter nodded.
Ralph stepped out from his parents about twenty feet. He'd been practicing every chance he could since he found out what was going on. "Which one of you bastards is Drew? Which one of you dares to call himself my Father?"
Walter could almost hear Paige's thought and he held up his hand signaling for her to give him some slack.
Happy stepped up and stood on Paige's other side and watched.
Selase moved up and nudged the charger to the side a bit so she could push her head in and nuzzle against Paige's back.
Paige looked back briefly with a smiled at Selase.
"Boy, you better learn to address your Father with greater respect." King Andrew glared at him.
Ralph gestured to Lord Walter. "I give all reverence to my Dad. I have nothing but disdain for the bastard who pretends he is my Father. Are you Drew?"
King Andrew drew himself up. "I am King Andrew and you will address me as such. And yes I am your Father."
Greetings! Hope this finds you all well! We're doing pretty good still.
Margaret - Please be careful out there. Those fires are horrible.
CeeCeeCat - I am so honored you felt my story was worth being your first comment! Thank you!
I'm so glad you all have enjoyed 'Braces'! I tell you I am about sick of writing weddings now! LOL I've lost count, I think it is 6. I know if things work out for Lady Paige and Sir Walter I'll have to write another one for when they get back to her Keep. As for a honeymoon story for Graduation, I probably won't do one, at least one that would have an M rating. I am not comfortable writing such things for other people's characters. 'A Knight's Tale' and 'Lady Knight' even though based on the Scorpion characters, I feel they are slightly more mine so I am a little more comfortable writing such for them. So the closest I would ever write for modern Scorpion is as I did in 'I Only State Facts'. Sorry if that disappoints you.
To the Adventure! -Tim