Chapter 7 - The Keep of Duke Verdean

The next couple of weeks passed in a blur of activity and repetition. Each new day filled with a stead plod over a new portion of road. Today though, the stark stone walls of the Verdean keep come into view above the tops of the trees.

The men cheer as we near the walls, already talking about spending there newfound coin on drink and buxom women. Sven gives a sharp whistle calling the guards forward.

"You've not got your pay yet lads. You'd better keep your eyes on the wagons. I'd hate for us to get robbed so close to our destination. Especially since it would mean a cut to your pay." The men grumble amongst themselves for a moment before dutifully returning to their jobs. There keen eyes assessing each passerby with a new found vigour.

I hop up on the drivers bench next to Sven, perching there expectantly.

"You're leaving already aren't yah lad? Here I was hoping to shake a few more songs outa yah." I give him a half smile that doesn't quite reach my eyes.

"May your travels be safe and your business fruitful." I say, meeting his gaze before swinging down from my seat and slipping away; disappearing into the a line of stragglers that are headed into the city.

It's not hard to find my way the city barracks. A crier shouts in the centre of a great square, announcing the tournament with colourful embellishment.

"Last chance to try your hand at the the great Verdean tournament! Where noble and peasant alike may have a chance to try for a post in the knighthood! Do not fear, if you lack a fighters prowess, come and watch the spectacle! Where the sharpest new talents in the kingdom cross blades! Witness history in the making as they clash in a bid for dominance! Come one come all!" He continues, stopping to coercing any man who even looks as if he's seen a sword.

His eyes pass over me dismissively and I find a smirk playing over my lips. I slip unnoticed into the registrars office, ready to book myself in as a contestant.

A fine featured man sits behind a desk, writing quill in hand. His hair is greying at the temples as he examines the paper in front of him with a frown. I wait as the line slowly clears, before stepping up to take the place of the hulking mercenary in front of me.

"Oh." He exclaims his eyes drifting to the lute that is strapped to my back. "I'm afraid your in the wrong place young man! I'm not sure what you where told, but this registration is for tournament participants only. I do not handle matters like entertainment." He informs me in a businesslike voice.

"I know." I tell him as he waves his hand in dismissal.

"You will find matters that pertain to… what?!" He exclaims, shaking his head as if he heard me wrong.

"I'm hear to register my name in the tournament tomorrow, is this the right place?"

"Of-of-ofcource, my apologies young man I only assumed."

"It is no troubled." I inform him confidently.

"Alright! Wonderful! Then we will start with your name."

"The name is Rowan." I inform him, watching as he scratches the letters onto his ledger.

"Do you understand that by agreeing to participate in this tourney, you risk possible maiming or death?" He asks.

"I do." I agree.

"Can you sign your own name?"

"I can" I say with, reaching for the quill he provides and scrawling my name in a swooping, delicate print.

He looks at me with raised eyebrows as he examines it, pursing his lips before passing me a second paper.

"Please fill out this questionnaire so we may better assess your strengths, should you be selected." I answer each question quickly, handing the sheet back promptly. The man smiles at me, nodding in appreciation at my neat scrawl.

"You will be called to enter the arena tomorrow afternoon, do not be late or you will be passed over." He tells me, standing to shake my hand before scurrying out of the rooms back entrance; my papers still clutched in his grip. The man behind me calls after him in frustration but the scribe doesn't even notice.

I seek out the fat lady Inn, only to find the rooms booked full and Devar drinking at the bar with a sour expression.

"There out of rooms, along with every other damn establishment in town!" He informs me irritability, sucking down a great swig of ale.

"What did you think would happen if we showed up only a day before a grand tourney." I comment dryly, both eyebrows raised accusingly.

"I know." He tell me with a sigh, "but you need rest so you don't get yourself killed tomorrow." He argues, messaging at his temples. I ruffle his hair, grinning down at him and nabbing his drink. I pour the ale down my throat, assessing the room put of the corners of my eyes.

"It'll work out." I tell him with a grin before flipping a silver to one of the barmaids with a wink." She blushes, hesitating before leaning forward and motioning me to lean in.

"Are you really participating in the tourney!?" She whispers excitedly. I nod in accent, smiling at the girl and leaning forwards. "You'll be a knight soon! I'm sure of it." She insists, clutching my hand encouragingly.

"It's because he's handsome isn't it?" Asks Devar under his breath. I elbow him playfully and the girl blushes again, shaking her head, long dark braids bouncing.

"You just s-seem so noble she insists, clutching my hands and slipping a key into my fingers." I smile at the girl warmly as she leans even closer, whispering into my ear.

"I'll be up all night serving drink so its no trouble at all. You and your friend can stay in my room, it isn't much and there's only one small bed; but it's better than the street and it's all that I can offer." She tells me. "It's the loft room on the right, up the servants passage at the end of the 2nd floor." I leave her with a Thank you, capturing her fingers and pressing them to my lips before heading upstairs.

She flushes, clutching at her skirts and shimmying happily, a smile blooming over rosy cheeks.

"How'd you become such a heartbreaker?" Devar asks me, trailing along behind me as we head upstairs.

"I know what a woman wants." I divulge with a shrug. He shakes his head at me with a sign.

"Clearly." He says. "That or you have the luck of a devil!" He grumbles.

When we get into the room I flop down onto the bed. It's a tiny room, with only a small bed and a chest. I tuck a couple pieces of silver inside the engraved handkerchief she has sitting atop the trunk. Then I kick off my boots and undress. Leaving on a pair of briefs and a white tunic.

Devar frowns at me, dropping his clothing onto the floor before plunking onto the bed next to me.

"I'm fighting tomorrow, don't I at least get the bed!" I ask him indignantly.

"Not unless I'm in it." He tells me, pulling the blanket over the both of us.

"What if that poor girl comes in here." I ask him.

"She gave us her key."

"Yah and what if she has a backup?"

"Then I guess she'll get a good show" he tells me playfully, throwing an arm over me. I smile, turning towards the wall, my eyes shutting as I relax into Devars warmth.