Chapter 24:
A Private Conversation
As I fell in line to follow the Duke to his private quarters, three guards entered the room and moved into a tight formation around him.
One of the three was a blond, curly haired man who wore a feathered hat and a fine cape draped over his left shoulder. At his hip hung an unusual sword. It had no visible edge, and its only threatening feature was the needle sharp point at its end.
The next was a large, bear of a man with dark black skin. He carried no visible weapon, but his sheer size alone seemed enough to end most arguments before they began.
The final guard was a slender woman, with long strawberry blonde hair that spilled out from beneath a tricorn hat. Her sharp green eyes swept the room with quiet intensity, and her right hand glowed faintly, as if filled with the embers of a living flame.
The man with the feathered hat turned to look at me as we walked down the ornate, marble hallway. His gaze lingered for a long moment before he turned away, his brow furrowing in deep thought, as if struggling to remember where he had seen me before.
Then, without warning, he spun back around.
“You!” he barked, jabbing a finger in my direction.
“Me?” I asked, my voice rising in confusion. I glanced around to make sure no one else was walking with us down the hallway.
“You!” he repeated, voice ringing with conviction. “You’re the one who violated my virtue two nights ago!”
His eyes blazed with a strange mix of outrage and wounded pride, as though torn between demanding justice and mourning his own dignity.
The Duke sighed and turned his attention back towards me with a flat glare.
I pointed a finger back at the man as recognition of who he was finally clicked into place.
“No, YOU, you’re the drunk that was thrown out of the tavern when I first entered the city. I went out of my way to help you because you were bleeding.”
The other two guards suddenly looked mortified. Both of them covered their faces as memories of their previous night out came rushing back.
“No, you forced me into a state of sobriety! You violated my rights and freedoms. Duke Hightower, I demand that you… ”
His words were abruptly cut off as the larger man, Darren, clamped a massive hand over his mouth.
“Gabriel,” Darren said, voice low and firm, “you cannot just accuse someone of deflowering you.”
“But I… ”
“No buts,” Beatrice snapped, her tone sharp enough to end the conversation outright.
The Duke stood there, speechless, before finally letting out a weary sigh. Without another word, he turned and continued down the hall, only to veer suddenly into a stone alcove that led absolutely nowhere.
The three guards moved to flank him, taking their positions as if this were all perfectly normal, and waited for me to join them.
“I don’t understand,” I said, looking at the four standing in the circular alcove.
Beatrice rolled her eyes before pulling me into the cramped space beside her, where we all now stood shoulder to shoulder. She pressed her palm against a rune carved into the wall, which flared to life with a pulse of arcane light.
A low hum filled the alcove as glowing lines of script began to trace themselves along the stone around us. The vibration deepened, and the floor beneath our feet started to descend at a steady, measured pace.
We sank through solid rock, the walls sliding past in rippling light. I couldn’t help but stare in childlike wonder. This was the first time I’d seen runes used for anything beyond lighting a few lamps, or redirecting steam.
“I remember my first time,” Darren said, catching sight of my awed expression.
“Really? What was his name?” Gabriel’s quiet laughter earned him a sharp jab from the larger man’s elbow.
“Ugh. Darren, must you handle me so roughly? No wonder he left you…”
“Enough, Gabriel,” the Duke ordered. His patience had clearly run its course, and both men straightened at once.
“Forgive us, Your Grace,” Darren said quickly. “It won’t happen again.”
The magical platform eventually descended into an open space where our group stepped off and into a network of stone passages. We proceeded through a final door, which opened into a lavish room filled with thick rugs, comfortable furniture, and a fire that burned in a large fireplace.
“Please, Sam, have a seat,” the Duke said, gesturing toward a leather chair by the fireplace. “Would you like a drink?”
I politely declined before taking my seat. The soft leather molded to my shape as I settled in across from him, and for a brief moment, I let myself appreciate the comfort.
“Tell me, Sam,” the Duke began as he sank comfortably into his own chair, pulling out a pipe and packing it with ember reeds, “how much do you know about your uncle?”
“To be honest, I’ve never met my uncle, he set out on his own before I was born. He and my father had a strained relationship because of his departure, so I’ve only ever seen pictures of him, or heard stories about some of his accomplishments.”
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The Duke nodded knowingly as he poured a dark liquid into a glass before sipping it casually.
“Yes, yes… that’s the same story he told me the day we first met.” The Duke said as he downed his drink and motioned for Beatrice to step closer. With a graceful wave of her hand, a delicate flame blossomed into the shape of a flower. It drifted gently into the pipe, igniting the ember reeds within.
The Duke’s eyes drifted into the distance, a fond smile curling on his lips as he inhaled the rich aroma of the reeds. When he exhaled, the smoke twisted and curled into the delicate shape of a ship sailing across a stormy sea.
“When he first came to Salt Brine, we were both young men who had just finished our Choosing. My father was the Duke at the time, and the city was much smaller than it is today. We met one another in the adventurers’ guild, as we were both looking to join a party; he was a swordsman, and I was a fledgling mage in need of a meat shield.”
He laughed to himself as he recalled the memory.
“Your uncle and I fought the first time we met, much like you and the young guard. He was loud, and I was arrogant. He punched me in the face, and I lit his hair on fire. After that, we became very close friends.”
“Is it true he defeated some pirates who tried to loot the city? The family I traveled with to Salt Brine said he single handedly cut down all the pirates and saved the city.”
The Duke scoffed, shook his fist at the ceiling, and then laughed loudly.
“Of course he gets credit for that. I was the one who burned the ships, I was the one who made the plan, but as always, Lucian received the credit. He always had a way of exaggerating details, and his reputation seemed to explode no matter what he did… oh, those were good times...”
The Duke sighed and leaned back into his chair.
“Enough reminiscing for now. We have business to discuss.”
He drained the remainder of his glass before continuing. “Your uncle barged into my study several years ago and insisted I write the very contract you brought with you today. He was convinced that one of his nephews would follow in his footsteps, and he was determined to give them every advantage he could manage. He has left you his property, along with all the privileges of being a resident of Salt Brine.”
The Duke reached into his pocket and slid a silver brooch bearing his personal crest across the table.
“When you arrive at your new home show the tenants of the lake this crest when they ask for proof of your stewardship. It can also be used as a recommendation to join the Adventurers Guild should you wish to do so.”
Adventurers’ Guild? I had always dreamed of joining such an organization, but I’d never really considered it as a possibility.
“Are you sure they would have me? I have very little combat experience, and I haven’t had much time to explore my abilities.”
The Duke studied me for a moment. “What experience do you have? I would have expected none at all… other than punching one of my guards this morning. Don’t tell me you’ve been practicing on others in the city.”
A spike of anxiety shot through me as flashes of that night returned to my mind. My fingers traced the edge of the leather chair nervously as I considered how to answer.
Hesitantly, I shared the story about the trader’s men attacking us that night on the road. I recounted as much detail as I could remember, including my initial conflict with Thindle Mayberry in Wheat Hollow.
The Duke was silent for a long moment as he considered my words, and the story I had shared. His gaze was fixed on the flickering flames of the fireplace, as it’s light cast shadows across his furrowed brow.
“Unfortunately, I know Mr. Thindle Mayberry all too well. He is one of the Merchants’ Guild heads and, to our misfortune, a cousin of the King. Every winter, he and his pack descend on Salt Brine, trading, scheming, and leaving chaos in their wake, only to scurry back north, beyond the reach of the law. His blood ties shield him from open reprisal, but… if he were foolish enough to target the nephew of Sir Lucian Garner, I don’t think even his unique position would spare him from retribution by those of us in the South.”
At his words I let out a deep sigh of relief.
“Thank you… I’ve been having trouble sleeping since that night. It was the first time I ever… you know..”
The Duke nodded, a look of pained understanding crossing his face.
“Samuel, it is easy to say ‘I am a good man’ in times of peace, and even easier to claim ‘I am honest’ in years of plenty. But when famine comes, and my stomach is empty, what then will I say of myself… when I am capable of taking what I need from my neighbor?
"It is in times of hardship that our true character is revealed. You were placed in a difficult situation and could have easily run away, leaving your companions to die. Yet you chose to fight, and in doing so, you protected those who were important to you. That tells me all I need to know about you, Samuel Garner.”
The Duke waved toward the three standing by the door, beckoning them closer.
“Darren, Gabriel, Beatrice… you three will be responsible for training Mr. Garner before the winter months arrive. You are not only to maintain your regular duties but also to equip him with all the fundamentals necessary to guide him along his path. This is not just an order… it is a personal favor to me. Is that understood?”
The three saluted in unison, their movements crisp and perfectly synchronized
“Samuel, you will have the next week to get yourself settled before your training begins. I expect you to make full use of this time and prepare accordingly. These three may give me more than a few headaches, but they are all fine warriors. Learn as much as you can.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” I stood and bowed first to him, then to the three. “I apologize for adding to your responsibilities.”
The Duke rolled his eyes. “Enough with the ‘Your Grace.’ You are my best friend’s nephew, and his sole heir, after all. In private, you will call me Uncle Percival. That said, remember your manners in public, I will not show you any further favoritism… at least, not openly.”
Having had several drinks over the course of our conversation, the Duke had loosened up significantly. In fact, he was already pouring himself another glass, which made me suspect he was the type to drink liberally whenever the opportunity arose. Emboldened by the familiarity and warmth he had already shown me, I decided to press him for one more favor.
“Duke… I mean, Uncle Percival, you’ve already shown me a great deal of kindness today, but may I ask for one more favor?”
“Do you hear this? The young man already knows how to make the most of his newfound station. Ha! Well, carry on, Samuel. What is it you wish to ask of me?”
“Well… I met a girl in your dungeon earlier today…”
Gabriel spat out his drink, unable to contain himself.
“You hear that, Darren? He gets the Duke’s favor, and he’s already chasing women in dungeons! The balls on this lad… I’ve changed my mind, I think we will get along just fine.”
“It’s not like that!” I turned to glare at Gabriel, my cheeks reddening with embarrassment. “She got into trouble with your guards, and I believe she’s someone worth helping. I don’t know all the details, but my gut tells me it’s the right thing to do.”
The Duke regarded me seriously, weighing my request. A flurry of emotions crossed his face before he scrunched the bridge of his nose between his fingers and let out a reluctant sigh.
“I assume you are referring to the young woman who attempted to steal Darren’s keys a few nights ago. I will see that she is taken care of. That said, it is clear you do not fully understand what we found in her possession. If she is willing to trust me with some of her secrets, then I am at least willing to show her my patronage… but only because you have asked it of me.”
After that, I enjoyed the Duke’s company a while longer before he dismissed me to attend to my own business. He reminded me once again to be prepared for training and not to expect any leniency during that time.
Gabriel huffed but shook his head in resigned acceptance.
“Alas, a true warrior must face many indignities on his path to glory…”
“Oh, hush, Gabriel. I personally look forward to some one-on-one training with a handsome young man. It will be a good experience for us too, it’s not often we get to take on such… inexperienced students.” Beatrice winked at me, and my cheeks flamed at her remark.
Gabriel leaned in conspiratorially toward Darren, whispering loud enough for everyone to hear. “It appears the Duke has chosen to train the boy to fight beasts by feeding him to a cougar.”
The Duke sighed and poured himself another drink.
