Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,173

throat.”

The room erupted with laughter as Barthom continued. “It seems you’ve earned a room full of fans, Sam. I’m sure they’ll be following your career … as long as you live, of course.”

A maidservant approached. She was carrying a tray of cups filled with wine.

Barthom motioned for Sam to grab a drink.

Sam removed two from the tray and then handed one to Shalee before he responded. “Let’s hope I live longer than your average fighter.”

An optimistic smile appeared on Barthom’s face as he lifted his cup and tapped it against Sam’s. “Indeed. Let’s hope.”

Sam and Shalee found their Peak with the noble and his friends to be pleasant. At the end of their visit, their host sent them away with gifts. Sam received a set of the duke’s finest, handcrafted, black, leather armor. The seal of the duke’s home, a red dragon, had been crafted onto the chest piece, arm bracers, greaves and again on the back of each boot.

Shalee was given six bolts of exotic fabric of assorted colors. As they left, Shalee realized she did not have a place to put them. She had been so busy running around with Sam, staying at one inn after another, that she had not thought about getting a place of their own. She spoke with Sam about the problem as they headed back to the inn.

Helga and BJ were sitting at the bar drinking ale when the two arrived. The younger couple saw the older couple flirting with one another, but they did not say anything. They stood in the background and watched as Helga reached over to touch BJ’s arm.

BJ was about 61 seasons, and even though Helga was over 247, she did not look a Peak over 55. It was clear there was more to their relationship and neither Sam nor Shalee had noticed until now.

Sam crept up on their trainers. As BJ touched Helga’s hand, Sam cleared his throat and watched the couple jump. “Look what we have here,” Sam said in a fatherly voice. “I guess I’m going to have to start keeping an eye on you two. We leave you for the shortest series of moments and come back to find you groping one another. I’m shocked.”

“Oh, get lost, bonehead!” BJ grumbled. “We have lives, too, you know. I never thought I would look at another woman after my wife passed, but traveling with Helga has given me new perspective. There’s something here that’s good for both of us, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Helga was embarrassed. “Sam, please know that we still intend to provide you with the best training we can offer.”

Shalee jumped into the conversation. “Don’t be silly. I don’t think that ever crossed our minds. The idea of you two getting together is sweet, really. Sam and I were talking the other Peak about the two of you, and we both agreed that you’re like parents to us. You’re not just our trainers. You’re our friends. We love you, and we see you as family.”

Shalee’s sentiment was everything Helga wanted to hear. Her eyes grew misty. Grabbing a towelette, she dabbed the moisture from them.

BJ looked at Sam, shrugged and then rolled his eyes as guys often do during emotional moments. After the mood subsided, BJ placed his arm around Helga. “I suppose the cotlum has been let out of the bag. We can be more open with our love.”

“Love? Have you two been doing this long enough to use that word?” Sam said, ignoring the fact he had no idea what a cotlum was. “Where was I when the courting was taking place?”

BJ turned to Sam. “Since you consider me your father, the place you have been when Helga and I were courting is on top of my daughter. This incestuous relationship between the two of you must stop.” The trainer smiled as he sat back on his stool.

Helga slapped BJ on the arm. “He’s always talking that way, Child. He can be so naughty. Just last night, he said—”

Shalee covered her ears and spoke loudly over Helga’s voice. “T.M.I. T.M.I.”

Sam agreed, chuckling, “Yeah, way too much information, you two.” Sam looked at BJ. “Anyway, we received some gifts from Duke Brandor.” He pointed to the pile sitting across the room.

As soon as BJ saw the armor, he jumped from his stool and ran over to take a look. Lifting the chest piece from the floor, he held it up in front of him. The excitement could be seen on his