“Seize him!” the King shouts!
Ser Stephan reaches out and grabs Will’s right arm at the same time Ser Matthew steps behind him to block any escape. David reaches for the keys on his sword belt. As he does so, he notices that Will is wearing Aero’s sword belt. David grabs the hilt and unsheathes it.
“Father, this man has stolen my brother’s sword” David yells across the Great Hall.
“N..n.no no no, I was going to present it to the King” Will stammers out lowly.
“Why?” Asks Ser Stephan resolutely.
“Because he thought he would be knighted… given a promotion. He thought making this entire spectacle would make him a hero of the kingdom. He just wants a reward.” Aero tells Stephan.
“I’ll give this man a reward alright. How about I strip him of rank and send him to Porter to work the rest of his life in the sewers?” Stephan responds.
“He should be stocked in the square for three days before he goes.” David adds.
“NO!” Shouts the King “he is my subject and I will deal with this fool!”
Will suddenly terrified tries to take everything in.
He looks over to Ser Stephan, the Broken Sword. One of the greatest knights of this generation. He is a dark-skinned man standing well over six feet. Broad shoulders on display as he isn’t wearing his formal armor. Stephan is probably the most muscular man that Will had ever seen. His hair is as dark as midnight which is almost as dark as his skin. He notices even his eyes are dark, they have more of a purple tint to them than black. With the fire in Stephan’s eyes he is a very intimidating figure.
He is a very stark contrast to Prince David. He has a smaller frame than Aero. His curly brown hair is so much darker than Aero’s islander hair but is still a vibrant color compared to Stephan’s. David’s frame is noticeably smaller than the other two men. He wasn’t born to be a soldier; at least not in his own mind. David’s height comes to about shoulder height on Stephan and reaches Aero’s forehead. Build wise, both men are larger shoulder to shoulder.
Despite the size difference, Prince David is clearly the Royal. Even though Aero is a son of the king, his life as a knight doesn’t leave much time to self-preening. David clearly takes great care in his appearance especially when he is in court.
“Bring him before me.” The king demands.
Stephan leads him over to the throne, Will collapses to his knees on the floor before the King. Head held low, regretting every decision he had made over the last day. His zeal has brought him to ruin.
Even with a ten plus year career with the guard, this is the first time he has ever laid eyes on the king.
The King is also a smaller built man like David. Aside from the beard and the greying hair, he looks like David. Well maybe if David put on about thirty pounds.
“Sire, Guardsmen Will of River Bend.” Stephan announces Will for the King.
“You have my name and make a mockery of my family? I am outraged that a peasant with my name from River Bend would have the audacity to disrespect me in front of my entire kingdom!”
As the King speaks, David finally removes Aero’s binders. The King notices this and addresses his youngest son “I’ve heard your brother’s and mentor’s council on how to handle this situation, what say you my son.”
A cold chill runs down Will’s spine as he realizes that the man he had wronged was now giving the King advise on how to punish him.
“Father, this man was just doing his job. He was commanded to bring me back to the Capital and he did so. He was overzealous, but he followed the order. His fault is against me, and as I see it. It should be me that gets to deliver the punishment.” Aero says.
This brings a smile to the King. He has always wanted to see his youngest son treat others with a firmer hand. The way the ruling class is supposed to treat everyone beneath them. Aero had never done so. Out of all his sons, he was the most like his mother. Kind and merciful. It was those traits that the King despised the most about Aero. But now maybe he was ready to act the part.
“What would you do then, son?” The King asks.
“I would forgive him and allow him to return to his regular post tomorrow.”
“No! Prince Aero since you won’t get justice for yourself, I will do it for you! Ser Stephan, I cannot send this man to the sewers, it is too good for him! David, time in the square would be a good start but not the entire punishment. I will not have any one in my kingdom disrespect the royal family! Will of River Bend, for your actions here today I hereby sentence you to accompany my son, Aero on his trip to Meego.” The King shouts in anger. Blood rushing to his face deeper with each breath.
“FATHER NO!” Aero shouts
“SHUT UP! Get this man out of my sight and have him ready to depart in three days’ time, until then put guards on him at all times!”
Silence befalls the room. Will hangs his head as the guardsmen lead him out of the hall. The social elite split the room to give Will a path out. To Will it is a death march.
“Father, you just killed that man…” Aero states in disbelief.
“Did I not tell you to shut up? That man will be an example to all for many generations to come. Everyone will know what happens when you put your hands on a royal!”
“Is that what I am? An example…” Aero deflatingly says.
“Boy, we have the matter of you running off to Brintz to discuss. It’s best if you keep your mouth shut. Ser Stephan, take my son to my study. We will continue our conversation there.” The king commands
Relics of the Old Age 