Tale of Four

Lord Clover stared at Mabel for a moment with a strange look before a booming laugh escaped his lips. Slapping her shoulder, he looked up at Anton and laughed even louder, ”I heard stories about your daughter, Your Grace, but seeing it first hand is much better. It is a wonder you haven’t sent her to visit me before, after all, she does such fun things.”

”My daughter is precious to me, Lord Clover.” Anton said with a half smile, ”You must understand I do not wish to let her run free when she has such a personality.” Anton looked to Mabel, ”You rode well, but next time, do not hide your identity. A Cosmaton does not cower in the dark; they shine bright.”

Mabel’s face lit up. Even if she knew her father only complimented her to make it look better for the family, it still gave her a warm feeling. Nodding, she turned to Lord Clover, who nodded his head, ”The King is correct, Princess. One should never hide who they are, but proudly show it to the world.” Slapping her shoulder again, he laughed, ”If you ever wish to live being who you want, come to Flower Palace. Desires are meant to be freely lived.”

Looking to Anton, Lord Clover gave a half-bow and walked off, pulling his horses behind him. Mabel did the same, and with the conversation over, the announcer called out again. Tristan sighed and leaned against his hand, watching the joust with a mixture of boredom and annoyance. For the next few hours, the joust continued with only a few being entertaining, the rest nothing compared to those where Elias, Cillian, Lord Sunflare and other renowned knights took part.

Edmund smiled and leaned back once it was over. ”Are you going to watch the melee tomorrow?” Tristan thought about it and was about to say no, but stopped, realising why Edmund asked

”Of course. I wouldn’t miss the chance to see you get put on your ass.” Edmund threw a swift but playful punch into Tristan’s shoulder before laughing and shaking his head.

”I honestly thought about throwing my qualifying fight, but Mother and Father are adamant that I do no such thing. Whilst father is scary enough, Mother, when she is mad, is terrifying.” Edmund sighed, ”You’re lucky you don’t need to take part in these things.”

”Well, you’ve been training for so long that it would be a waste if you didn’t take part.” Getting up, Tristan let out a long groan after stretching, ”What now. You wanna walk around or what?”

”Persoanlly.” Edmund looked across the arena at the Clover Platform, ”I think we should visit Lord Clover’s tent tonight. I spoke to people who visited it yesterday. Apparently, Lord Clover has splurged a lot.” Tristan closed his eyes and thought about it.

”That should be fine. There are no events the King needs us to attend now, are there?” Edmund shook his head.

”His Grace won’t host another feast until the final days. As for things we have to attend, they only begin during the final rounds of the tournaments.” Tristan nodded and smiled.

”Then, I have no complaints, although I wish to eat first. If you plan on making me drink, I want a full stomach first.” Edmund chuckled and nodded, walking off with Tristan to a small tent pitched up outside the jousting grounds, the smell of roasting meat wafting from it as a long queue slowly formed.

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Soldiers of the Clover household pulled apart the tent flaps, leading into the gargantuan canopy that rivalled a house. All around, only soft cloth with beaded doors was used to separate the various sections of the tent. The entire tent was an assault on the senses as Tristan and Edmund had the urge to cover their ears and noses, the smell of herbs, food, and sweat mixing to create a strong odour that overwhelmed them, and the sound of men and women singing, dancing, moaning and laughing alongside it.

It took a few seconds to get accustomed to the sudden changes their body’s were experiencing, but once they did, the two slowly walked toward the area where the smell of food and drink was strongest and the laughter the loudest. Walking through the beaded door, Tristan and Edmund grabbed a drink from the side table.

Tens of eyes turned to focus on them; many recognised Edmund as the beloved son of Mary and heir to the Wells family. Looking at Tristan, their focus didn’t last on him, instead turning towards the bird that sat atop his head. ”No, no, no.” From the front of the room, sat atop a throne of cushions, Lord Clover shouted, seeing Edmund and Tristan going to find a seat further to the back and made his entourage shuffle around. ”Cosmatons in the front. I have much to ask you about.” His voice was playful, and despite his beautiful looks that didn’t match it, booming.

Tristan sighed and stepped forward, taking a seat alongside Edmund, slowly getting comfortable. Although he felt a little out of place, he didn’t let it show, taking up a more casual sitting position, placing himself so he could see the majority of the room.

Edmund didn’t need to act, and at last, sank into the cushions. ”Young Wells, how is your father?” Lord Clover politely asked, without his usual bravado, when talking about the older man, instead having a hint of respect in his voice, which he lacked with Anton.

”He has been happier lately. The new medicine you provided him, Lord Clover, has eased the pains in his leg . Although my mother may not show it properly, she and I are extremely grateful for your help.” Edmund smiled and raised his glass towards Lord Clover before taking a sip.

”Hector. My name is Hector. I don’t like such formal talk at a party.” Lord Clover leaned back and laughed, watching as his guests began to dance, the music getting more lively as more guests arrived. ”Anyway, tell the old man to hurry up and return already. I miss him; he makes it so I don’t have to work as hard.” Laughing at his own words, he shook his head to himself and drank.

’He cares more for his people than the realm as a whole, it seems.’ Tristan said to himself as the man turned to look at him, ”Edmund, your friend. I have never seen this one in the Palace before.”

Tristan rested a hand on his chest and half smiled, ”Tristan Cosmaton. I greet the Lord of the Flower Palace.”

Lord Clover rolled his eyes, ”What did I just say. I don’t want formality during a party, especially when it is half-assed and fake.”

”Forgive me.” Tristan smiled and took a drink.

”I have never seen you during my visits to the Palace. What are you? A bastard hidden away or what? After all, your family isn’t the type to hide itself away.” Tristan smiled and shook his head.

”I chose to hide myself away, Lord Clover. I don’t like being the centre of attention. You may have known my mother if I didn’t, however. Alissia Greenfeild, Hector’s gaze softened hearing the name of a family from his land.

”Alissia. A shame I never met her.” Shaking his head to rid himself of the sour mood he carried on, ”You say you like to hide, and yet you come to my tent and sit next to me.” Lord Clover reached over and grabbed Tristan by the shoulder, pointing out to the people around, ”Every one of them would love to sit where you are. You could have refused to come sit with me, but instead you did? Why, this isn’t exactly hiding.”

”Because Edmund wanted to. I’m not going to ruin his fun, becuase I hate it.” Tristan siad with a shrug. Lord Clover looked at him for a moment before laughing and slapping his back.

”Good man, although you should do it becuase you want to, not because anyone else wants you to.” Lord Clover said seriously.

”Can I ask you then?” Tristan spoke and met the man’s gaze. It was strange. Even if he knew he should have been cautious, he didn’t wish to be when talking to Lord Clover, soemthing compelling him to drop his guard. He was sure it wasn’t some type of ability, knowing Annabell would have spotted it, ever vigilant on his head.

’Is he just that friendly or is there soemthing else?’

”Tristan, if you are going to speak, don’t just stop. It’s rather rude.” Lord Clover said with a smile, ”Your eyes are wary again. Leave your adorable bird to watch for danger and enjoy yourself. After all, that is why you have that power in your blood.”

Tristan smirked and leaned back, letting his guard drop, knowing that around Lord Clover, it was better than keeping it up, ”How much of the rumours are true? I’ve heard all the stories about you. The bastards, the deviant behaviour, the partners that don’t discriminate based on gender. It’s...” Tristan paused and looked down. ”It sounds freeing.”

”You sound jealous, young star.” Lord Clover said with a laugh. Brushing his green hair to the side, he leaned back and finished his glass of wine, calling over for more. ”Nearly all are true. Do you think I care what some pompous Lord or chaise clergyman has to say about my activities and children? I have many bastards, but I have moments of passion. I sleep with men, because it would be rude to deny them of myself. I do all this as does my sister becuase it is exactly as you say, freeing. I refuse to be anything but. If you are jealous, why not do it yourself?”

Tristan scoffed and shook his head, ”It is easy for you, Lord Clover. After all, your lands can feed the realm alone. You have the power to protect yourself. Whereas, if I were a degenerate that slept with men, the clergy would likely cut me.”

”Of course I know that.” Lord Clover didn’t deny it, instead feeling proud of what his power allowed him, ”And degenerate is a rude word, just say a homosexual.” Lord Clover sighed, ”Well, you’re right, my family and lands let me do as I please, so that’s why I do.” Lord Clover stared into Tristan’s eyes, ”And I intend to enjoy that to the fullest. Life is short and must be lived full of sin to be worthwhile.”

”BROTHER!” From the entrance, Sandra walked in with arms spread, wearing an outfit known to be worn by Desertland dancers, broken up into numerous sections that allowed plenty of breathing room for the skin, revealing much of her skin.

Tristan noticed a few noble ladies and men inside the tent shot Sandra a disgusted look, wondering how she could wear soemthing so revealing, but those of the Flatlands ignored it, knowing the personality of their Lord’s sister. ”Sandra.” Hector stood up and spread his arms with a wide smile, ”Dressing up?”

”A few friends brought me this. It is a shame the Desert didn’t come, so I felt I would make up for their absence.” Behind Sandra, Tristan saw a few ladies dressed similarly to her, only their outfits were less glamorous. With tanned skin, they happily nodded in approval of Sandra’s actions. Sandra ran over to the musicians and whispered to each one of them. With nods, she and the few Desertland ladies took to the dance floor and began belly dancing as the music played, happily laughing whilst ignoring the judging looks of the people around.

’Ohh.’ Tristan watched as Hector grabbed a random lady he had been sitting with and led her onto the makeshift dance floor, while Sandra and her ladies performed the dance without regard for how they were seen. ’No one but them actually exists in their world.’ Tristan couldn’t help but chuckle. Everyone in the realm performed grace and made sure to never show more than necessary. Looking at the twins who danced, laughing at one another, he saw the truth. They were the only people who didn’t perform because the performance would cage the way they wanted to live.