Rumors

"Sir Ethyn, there is modesty, and then there is self-depreciation," the king scolded the young man. "I noticed you did not have any of your lineage listed in during your knighting ceremony. Perhaps you were afraid they would eclipse you? Or worse! Did you think they would shame you?" Rhodri's amused grin tried to coax the young man into admitting something.

Ethyn shook his head. "It is neither of those options. They are just simply no one of note, Your Majesty."

"Come now. No parent wants to be called unremarkable. How would your father react if he heard you say such a thing about him?" The king furrowed his brow.

"Father, please..." Rose tried to intervene.

"The knight can speak for himself, daughter. Let him answer me plainly."

"Speaking plainly," Ethyn took a deep breath, "I can not remark on my mother or father because I barely remember their names. My mother died when I was a boy, and my father went away a short time later and never returned. I know nothing at all of my ancestors except I assume they were Sambergs as well. I spent the bulk of my childhood relying on other people's kindness. I was a child of the streets for years. So you see, Sir Cyneheard took me as an apprentice out of charity not by my reputation."

The young man paused. Rose stared at him, her eyes full of an unreadable expression. Rhodri's brow furrowed, his elbows on the table as he tapped his fingers together above his plate.

"What of your land?" he asked quietly.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but the requirement of being a knight is that I come from a land owning family, not that I own land myself, correct?" There was a halting in Ethyn's voice that showed his concern for his new title.

"Of course, I only assumed that you would have a desire to reclaim your position and your property when you came of age." Rhodri eased the young man's fears slightly. Still there was a ferocity in his voice that kept Ethyn on edge.

"I have not been back to the family land. At first I was afraid that those who drove me out of my house would try to kill me, but now I realize I have no interest in running a manor. In my heart, I have always wanted to be a knight." Ethyn touched his chest lightly, a small smile coming to his face.

"And what of your crest? The saplings on the black and gold?" The king suddenly changed paths

'Why is he asking me so many questions? He didn't ask the others these things? Did I do something wrong?' Small beads of sweat formed on Ethyn's brow. He decided to keep to the truth but be as vague as he could.

"My shield was given to me as a gift."

"But is it your family's crest?" the king pressed. He narrowed his gaze at the knight so much that Ethyn felt like his eyes might pierce through his very soul.

"I...I am not sure." Ethyn faltered. "Did I use someone else's crest? If his majesty will let me look in the royal archives, I can find the appropriate seal and alter my armor."

"No need. A knight can choose whatever he likes to adorn his armor as long as he is not trying to be someone he is not." Rhodri looked the boy up and down to see if there was any reaction, when there was not, he nodded. "I do not think you are masquerading as anyone but yourself, Sir Samberg. But someday very soon I would like to speak with you about the location of this land and see who runs it currently. If they were unkind to you, they are likely doing it to others as well."

'Can't he just look at the royal records and see where my family paid their taxes? Why does he need me for such a task?' Ethyn hid his confusion. 'Perhaps he is just being polite by seeking my input.' "I would be most honored, Your Majesty."

"You are a better man than I," Ashton sighed. "I do not think I would be able to forgive and move on as you seem to have done."

"Indeed," Ultrian agreed. "And recovering from the loss of your parents must not have been easy. I would not have been so proficient."

"Thank you both," Ethyn was warmed by each man's kindness. He had grown so accustomed to Sir Nuall's hatred that he had not spoken much to the other knights and squires beyond Sir Cyneheard. It was nice to know there were other good people around. "A wise man showed me that holding on to anger and hate only hurts yourself. Forgiveness frees the one giving it."

Rhodri's face lightened considerably. "Well said! By both you and your wise man."

The conversation at last moved on, much to Ethyn's relief. For some reason the whole thing had felt like a test of some sort. Thankfully he seemed to have passed, at least for now.

'I don't deserve such special attention.' Ethyn lamented. 'Unless he suspects my feelings for his daughter. Oh no! That would be a problem for more than one reason...'

The young man tensed. Fighting he could handle, but the princess tended to make him the worst kind of tongue tied. And now the king was added into the equation. Ethyn's mind raced.

'What if he asks me outright if I like the princess? He was very direct in his other questions. Rose said he wants me to marry his daughter. Yet admitting my feelings might embarrass—or worse—offend the princess and cause a new misunderstanding. That would be my luck!'

Ethyn was so immersed in his own worry that he did not pay attention to the flow of conversation. Filling the weight of the first course on his stomach, he palmed his goblet nervously.

'I am worrying for nothing. There is no reason to think that the king would ever do such a thing. Why would he derail his own dinner party in such a way? Then again he did make all the knights dance with the princess for his own entertainment. Fine...if he asks, I'll just say...."

"Sir Samberg?"

"Oh I don't know!" The young man blurted.

The king stared at him in shock. "You don't know if you would like more drink? I assumed that to be why you are pawing at your cup like a bear hoarding honey."

Ethyn looked at his cup. He had been holding it to avoid eating anymore while he digested. It was still quite full but now he felt like a fool. "A little bit more would be good. Thank you, Your Majesty."

To make room for the additional liquid, he took a large draught from his cup. The sweetly-acidic liquid bit at his senses, obviously not meant to be gulped. A servant refilled his goblet to the brim.

"You've been too quiet, Samberg. I saw how personable you were with everyone at the ball. So give us your opinion of the matter at hand." Rhodri leaned back in his chair and picked something from between his teeth.

Ethyn scrambled to remember any part of the conversation that had been going on.

"Surely you are familiar with the rumors?" Caitlyn coaxed him.

"Ah yes, the rumors... who hasn't heard them?" Ethyn tried to stall. "What do I think about them?"

Ashton chuckled softly. "Come on, Sir Samberg, don't be shy. What do you think? Surely you must have an opinion on the matter."

"Of course. Why wouldn't I have an opinion about such an important matter." Ethyn looked at Rose, who was carefully shaking her head and mouthing the word 'no.' But it was too late.

"So then tell us," Ashton repeated the king's initial question, "Was the mysterious palace intruder the infamous Guardian Silver or an imposter?"

'Oh...THAT rumor...Oops...'