Tale of Four

Despite Lord Limb’s request, the hall quickly recovered as they debated the more logistical aspects of the war to come, Hyman taking a more serious demeanour when it occurred. When everything that could have been discussed was finished, the feasting hall slowly filtered out as men left the room, to be met by those who had been kicked out previously staring at those who remained with envious glances, trying to worm any information they could about what was discussed.

Oliver watched it all, holding Jeremy on his back, the boy finally passing out from the drink and tiredness once the room was cleared. His gaze met that of a fat man who had an annoyed look on his face. Sighing, he lowered his head and smiled, ”Lord Stoneheart.”

”Come.” The fat lord siad with annoyance and dragged Oliver away. Bringing him into a side guest room, he sat down as Oliver carefully palced jeremy on a bench and let him sleep. ”Tell me what Lord Alkaris said.” Oliver placed his hands behind his back and clenched his fists, hiding his annoyance, wishing for nothing more than to sleep.

”Our main focus will be the desert. Lord Limb will raid the lands under no banner. Lord Lazell’s brothers shall raid the coast. Depending on how the other Lords of the realm move, Lord Alkaris will send support. As for the Waterway, that is up for debate still.” Stoneheart frowned, seeing Oliver being purposely vague.

”You are my sworn sword before anything, Ser Devon. You should not have remained behind without my attendance, and if you did, you should tell me everything discussed.” The fat man’s eye twitched as he rubbed his forehead of sweat, ”Details.”

”My Lord. There is not much to discuss. The logistics of the war have already been sorted. Lord Alkaris will open his reserve to fund this and increase trade with the southern continent to continue funding it. As for key leaders to come, that is up to Lord Alkaris. I have no say in that affair.” Oliver realised he had failed to hide his annoyance and took a deep breath, ”Speak to Lord Alkaris, for further information, I cannot hope to know.”

”You are speaking rather bluntly for a mere knight, Ser Devon.” Lord Stoneheart stood up and walked over to the bench where Oliver slept. ”Do you know the punishment for disrespecting a Lord?” Oliver narrowed his gaze. His arm twitched, ready to grab his sword, but he stopped himself and watched, ”It can lead to execution.”

”I am saying what I know, my lord, as for not leaving with you. I profoundly apologise, I did not realise it would be such an issue. Next time I shall do as you wish.” Lord Stoneheart smirked and shook his head.

”I will speak to Lord Alkaris, but in this war to come,” Lord Stoneheart approached him, ”My son will ride alongside you. You are to protect him and make sure his accomplishments are known.” Oliver bowed, keeping his arm ready to reach for his blade if the man moved closer to Jeremy. Seeing him take a passing glance at the young boy and walk off, leaving the room, he sighed in relief and looked at his young squire. Sitting beside him, he smiled and rubbed his hair, the boy leaning into it like a cat with a small smile.

Sitting idly, the door opened once again. Looking at it, he saw the same man who inspired disgust from every lord of the Valleys walk in, with a fake smile that looked like someone trying to be human. Oliver rose and rested a hand on his chest, bowing, ”Lord Limb.” The young man looked at Oliver before turning to Jeremy. Doing nothing, he woke to a seat and sat down, staring at the knight.

”Your name?” Lord Limb asked, crossing his legs and interlocking his fingers. Oliver rose and stared at him, unable to understand what gave him such a strange feeling. Everything about the man just felt wrong. The way he sat, the way he held himself, his eyes and smile. It was all just slightly wrong, like he had learned what was meant to be done when interacting with another person without understanding why.

”Ser Oliver Devon.” He replied, taking a step to block Jeremy from the man’s gaze, ”May I ask why you wish to see me, My Lord?” Staring at the man, even if he looked like someone you would see on the road, his brown hair and eyes were common anywhere; a sense of wrongness lingered, like even that was just another thing to make himself seem more human.

”Ser Devon.” Lord Limb spoke with his usual flat tone, ”You are not from the Valley, are you?” Oliver frowned but nodded. He wanted to ask the man the same thing. Unlike everyone else he had met so far, Lord Limb felt detached from the people around him at a cultural level, dressing similarly but slightly differently, even talking in a slightly different way. ”Then my reputation has not been tarnished... rumours and lies, correct.” Oliver couldn’t put his finger on it, but everything about lord Limb was just wrong, like a person mimicking what they saw and copying it without knowing why.

”Of course, not my Lord.” Oliver quickly collected himself, clearing his mind of his thoughts.

”Brilliant.” Lord Limb stood up, ”I am severely misunderstood by my fellows, you see.” Lord Limb strode forward, coming before Oliver. Despite being a head shorter, it still felt like he was looking down on him, casting a large shadow over Oliver. Up so close, he got a good look deep into his eyes and choked back his gulp.

There was no arrogance, no joy, not even sadism that his proposition sounded like. Just an emptiness that made his black eyes incredibly dull. ”My loyalty to Lord Alkaris is undisputed, and yet as you have seen, I am misunderstood by it, even a Rabid Dog believing I take pleasure in my work like himself.”

”My Lord. Is there...”

”Shhh.” Lord Limb softly shushed him, ”This war cannot be tarnished by stupid and ambitious men like Lord Stoneheart. Tell me how much loyalty do you have for the fat hammer?” Oliver frowned.

”I am his sworn sword, my Lord.”

”Not my question.” Lord Limb quickly replied.

”It matters not what I feel for him; I have my duty.” Lord Limb let out a deep breath and gave his fake smile.

”What loyalty is more important? Your Loyalty to lord Stoneheart, or your loyalty to Lord Alkaris.” Lord Limb asked, taking a step back.

”Lord Alkaris.” Oliver quickly said.

”Good answer.”

”My lord. Is there a reason you are asking me all this?” Lord Limb finally let him speak freely. Despite pretending to fall into thought, Oliver could already see he had an answer and just wished to let there be silence.

”The Valley is different from the rest of the realm, as is Lord Alkaris from the other Great Lords. Blood is insignificant compared to competence. And a mere knight dared to both stand against Lord Alkaris, and trade blows with him, even if he was embaressed.” Lord Limb went silent again for a second, ”You must hold some ambitions for that. Why do you have that ambition? I don’t care so long as it doesn’t endanger the Lord.”

”Of course I do, My Lord? But that doesn’t explain why you have approached me.”

”I help you, you help me.” Lord Limb said, ”The Valley Lords are distrustful of me, but an outsider can be used. I do not wish for incompetence to plague this war council, nor do I wish for stupid men to think they have a voice.” Lord Limb took a shallow breath and placed his hands behind his back, ”I need Lord Stoneheart out of the way, so he does not embarrass himself and Lord Alkaris. Do not worry about danger to yourself; I shall protect you. After all, Lord Stoneheart is a fool, but an even greater coward. Use my name, and he will back off.”

”I am a mere knight, as you put it.”

”One on the war council, who has had his voice heard already. You already are in the eyes of many men in the court. They value competence, and you have shown some backbone to at least make an attempt to advise. I am not asking you to betray your Lord, but if he tries to make a stupid suggestion to you, it wouldn’t hurt to inform Lord Alkaris. After all, we are all his servants.” Oliver took a deep breath and stared at the man.

Despite his distrust of him, he was smart enough to know that he had some influence, more than Lord Stoneheart could ever have. If he were to guess, if Roderick was Hyman’s Rabid Dog who kept men in line, the man before him was soemthing far more sinister but equally as useful to the man. It would be the only reason why he had yet to be punished for the rumours surrounding Kinslaying that were openly said.

’It is clear that Lord Stoneheart is last among equals with no real influence. If I wish to find the Dove, I need to climb higher, and he is a chance.’ Looking at Lord Limb, he couldn’t help but frown to himself, ’But this man is dangerous. What his agenda is, I can’t be sure.’

Closing his eyes for a moment, Oliver thought, eventually opening them again, ”He wishes to have influence on the Logistics of the war.” Saying that, Oliver rested a hand on his chest. ”My squire is tired and must be taken to bed. If you would excuse me.”

”You were free to leave at any time.” Lord Limb smiled, ”Your information is greatly appreciated.”