Chapter 5

Dutch Lane

Dutch was getting a headache from all the screaming and yelling. But he expected this to happen before he showed up. There were people all over the castle to celebrate Mychelle's Knighting. Most of the Older Lords were with his father, congratulating him for his son's Knighting and returning to the festivities. However the sons and daughters of the Lords chose to sneak away to the less populated areas of the castle to have their own fun. The party had only started an hour ago but already there were people passed out on the floor, a few were standing next to a window holding their stomach. Dutch had learned to be more responsible with his drink after the last time he had gone to far, he doesn't remember much but he does remember that his knees were scraped to hell.

Dutch wasn't a very social guy. Preferring to be with a small group of friends rather than a loud roaring party, but it didn't matter, Byrenden dragged him along and he couldn't leave until Byrenden decided to. He still made the best of it. He flirted with some of the ladies who took a quick liking to him. Dutch gave a quick thanks to the God's for creating wine. He danced with some of them and was having a blast until he saw Maya Stone with Mychelle, back at the Erie he almost challenged him to a duel but chose to control his anger, now he felt happy for both of them and hoped that Maya could marry the young Lord. Soon a young woman tapped Dutch on the shoulder. "Would you like to dance?" She had rose red cheeks that matched her short hair, her green eyes almost twinkled as she swayed back and forth showing off her beautiful turquoise dress. Dutch took a quick swig of wine.

"Of course my lady." He took the lady's hand and danced with her. "Can I ask what your name is?"

She smiled her eyes locked with his. "I'm Jeyne Waynwood. And you must be Dutch."

"My reputation proceeds me." Jeyne chuckled and continued to dance with Dutch, back and forth they swayed as the band played slow music. As they danced Dutch felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned only to find a fist crash into him, forcing him to stumble back.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth and nose, he wiped it away but continued to bleed. He looked at the man who hit him. It was a young man with long dark greasy hair and a pointed nose like he used a grinder to sharpen it. He had four other friends behind him snickering, they looked like bastard stable boys he payed to hang out with him and tell him how amazing it he is. The greasy boy barked at Dutch. "Stay away from my wife you fish fucker!"

"I'm not your wife Randyll Grafton, our parents are only discussing our betrothal." Dutch stood up and cracked his neck.

"Before we start I just want to make one thing clear." Randyll flinched when he saw Dutch get up so easily. "I'm not doing this for the lady's honor, or because I wish to steal her from you or any of that bullshit fairy tale nonsense." he punched Randyll and slammed his head into the ground. "I'm doing this because you were stupid enough to hit someone better than you!" Dutch could hear a couple of the other party members scream in surprise, the four strangers who were with Randyll stood still, there mouths hanging open. Dutch stomped his foot onto Randyll's chest. "Let me tell you my house words. "Our word is Iron." and in case you're too stupid to understand me I don't mean the our house word is Iron, the entire sentence, which means when we make a promise we keep it, and at the end of this skirmish you're either going to be dead or licking my boot in apology."

Randyll coughed up blood. "Help me." His friends seemed to snap out of there trance and charged at Dutch, but he was ready for them. One took a wide swing at his head, Dutch easily ducked under it and uppercutted the poor bastard, you could hear his teeth hit together, when he hit the ground he was holding his hand over his mouth as blood poured out of it. "By thung! I mit by thung!" The other three weren't as stupid as the one that charged ahead of them. Dutch threw a right hook connecting to one of his assailants stomachs and sending him to the ground. The other two both seized his arms. Dutch tried to pull away but soon felt both of their fists slam into his stomach, forcing all of his wine out and onto his attackers. They both let go and back away disgusted at being puked on. Dutch took advantage of the opportunity, kicking one of them right between the legs. He heard a pop noise soon drowned out by the his victim's screams as he clutched his crotch. Dutch turned to the last one and walked towards him, the last assailant looked terrified, but suddenly his look of fear turned into a smirk, before Dutch could put the pieces together Randyll came up from behind and seized his arms, Dutch tried to pull away but the last boy started to punch him in the gut, over and over, without letting up. Dutch's eyes began to blur as Randyll laughed in his ears. Before anything else could happen a figure came from the side and slammed his elbow into the man punching Dutch in the gut. It was Mychel!

That was the boost Dutch needed, he swung his head back into Randyll's nose, Dutch then turned and tackled Randyll his arm pressing down on his throat. Randyll threw punches at Dutch's head, the first few connect and did some damage but as Randyll began to run out of air. Ryandyll clawed at Dutch's arm, his face turning blue, Dutch only pushed harder on Randyll's throat.

Soon someone griped his shoulder and pulled him off Randyll. Dutch quickly turned to attack but he stopped when he realized it was Mychel. "I think you got your point across Dutch, no need to kill him." Dutch grunted and pulled from Mychel's grip. "I wasn't going to kill him. I was just going to make him pass out, that way he didn't feel any of those bruises I left on him. It was a kindness. Now excuse me before I forget." Dutch walks over to Randyll who was now on all fours coughing and spitting up blood. Dutch stood in front of him and waited for Randyll to look up at him, when he did Dutch lifted his foot to Randyll's face. "Lick it and beg for my forgiveness." He could see Randyll's eyes were filled with rage and hate, despite that he stuck his tongue out and licked Dutch's boot."I-I'm sorry." Dutch pushed his foot into Randyll's mouth. "I'm sorry what?" Randyll struggled to talk with the boot in his mouth. "I'm thorry myth lordth." Dutch pulled his boot out and watched as Randyll and his crew wobbled and limped their way out. Dutch soon realized how many eyes were on him. "Oh come on. A party without at least one fight is just dull. There's no reason to stop." He felt someone hug his arm.

He looked to see it was Jeyne. "I agree." The party slowly began to pick thing up. Dutch eyes met with Mychel's he gave him a quick nod of thanks and Mychel returned it.

Dutch then turned his gaze to Jeyne. "I don't mean to be rude my lady but your husband is kind of an ass."

Jeyne frowned at the comment. "I know, but if my father wishes it then I have no choice but to marry him." Dutch twirled her around and held her in his arms.

"Well that's not right. You need a strong husband who will treat your right."

Jeynes eyes lit up and she looked into Dutch's. "Your right." Dutch leaned in close and whispered into her ear. "I hope you find him someday." He let her go from his arms and walked away waving. He hand no interest in wedding or bedding the girl. Any girl who would dance with a stranger at a party while their betrothed was there was just asking for trouble. Dutch glanced back to see Jeyne quickly slide out of the room.

The party continued for a time but it wasn't long until more trouble showed up. "DUTCH LANE!!!" Dutch flinched at his name being called, he recognized that old voice anywhere. He turned to see Brynden Tully at the entrance his piercing eyes surveying the room. For a second Dutch though about making a dash for the window. It didn't matter since the room quickly parted give Brynden a straight path to Dutch. He nodded to his mentor.

my lord?" Dutch knew that Brynden didn't care much for being called by his name or by Lord but it wouldn't hurt to be a little polite to him when his face is a bright red.

"Follow me." Brynden quickly walked out the door and didn't even look to see if the younger man chose to follow him.

Dutch walked close behind Brynden and almost ran into him when Brunden quickly turned to him. "A Lord claims you dishonored his son and future daughter by attacking him from behind and forcing his wife to dance with you."

Dutch wasn't surprised that Randyll would make up a lie like that, but he was shocked that Brynden would believe it. "I did no such thing!" he blurted out. "The lady asked to dance with me and then this Lord's son attacked me with four other people, he was lucky all I did was break his nose."

Brynden's eyes began to soften a bit as his face began to return to it's original color. "That's good to hear. But with these accusations you need to get ready."

Dutch tilted his head, not quite knowing what he meant. "Get ready for what?" Brynden looked at Dutch with a bit of worry in his eyes. "Lord Grafton has challenged your house to a dual, and seeing how you are currently the only member of House Lane in the Vale you have drawn the lucky straw."