A March of Kings - By Morgan Rice Page 0,43
to find one during my Selection year. Thus I was assigned a bride. I lament it to this day!” he said with a hearty laugh. “Not a day passes when she doesn’t nag me to death, that she does not remind me that I did not choose her!”
Erec laughed.
“My selection year comes up next season,” said the other soldier. “I hope to find someone before then.”
“Well I’ve just begun my journey,” Erec said. “I don’t know that I will find my bride here. But I would like to see your city. And I will join the tournament.”
“Very well, my Liege,” one of them said good-naturedly. “Our Duke will be thrilled at your presence. It would be a great honor if we can accompany you. You must understand that the arrival of the King’s hand is a major event! You will be treated like royalty within our gates!”
Erec laughed.
“I am hardly royalty,” he said, humbly. “I am just another knight.”
“Hardly, my liege,” the other said. “We’ve heard tales of your conquests far and wide.”
“I just perform my duty to the king. Nothing else. But that said, I would be honored for you to accompany me. Let us to the Duke!”
The three of them turned and began trotting down the road, to the looks of wonder of the growing crowd, amassing along the roadway to catch a glimpse of Erec.
As they rode through the massive arched stone gate of Andalusia, Erec was struck by the throngs of people that came out to see him. They rode into the city center, a wide stone plaza, framed by ancient stone walls, and as they did, the Duke rode out to greet him, flanked by a dozen men. Approaching with them were dozens of women, dressed in their finest, standing before Erec, hoping to catch his eye. Each was more beautiful than the next. Erec could hardly believe it. All this attention, just for him. It made him feel more famous than he felt entitled to.
As the Duke approached, Erec remembered him—he had met him once, at King’s Court, at a royal event. He was a tall and lean man, with a perfectly straight posture and a gallant look. Beside him, Erec was happy to see, was one of his brothers-in-arms, a member of The Silver, a man Erec had fought with on many occasions; they had been in the same year in the Legion, and seeing him brought back old memories. They had gotten into trouble together one too many times. Brandt. With his warm, green eyes and blond beard, Brandt looked exactly as he had when Erec had last seen him years ago.
Brandt’s face lit up in a smile as he jumped down from his horse along with the Duke. Erec jumped down from his, and Brandt hurried up to him.
“Erec, you son of a mother’s whore!” Brant called out with a hearty laugh. “I never thought I’d see you more than a hair’s breadth from King’s court!”
Brandt embraced him heartily.
“And I never thought I’d see you either, old friend.”
“We are thrilled to have you here!” the Duke said, embracing him with a hearty clasp of the forearm. “It has been many years since we last met. You are most welcome here. Having you here is like having the King himself!
“GUARDS!” the Duke turned and yelled over his shoulder.
Several guards rushed forward.
“Prepare the banquet hall! We shall all have a glorious feasts tonight, in honor of our brother Erec!”
“Here here!” came a happy cheer from the crowd.
“And what brings you here?” Brandt asked. “Has the King sent you this way?”
“He has not, I’m afraid. I am on a…personal mission this time.”
Brandt examined him, bunching his eyebrows; then his face lit up.
“Don’t tell me,” Brandt said. “You dog! You made it to your Selection year! You didn’t choose anyone, did you? You son of a whore! I knew it! I knew you wouldn’t! You were always more interested in swords than ladies. I never understood what you were waiting for. Half the women in King’s Court threw themselves at your feet.”
Erec laughed.
“I don’t know what I’ve been waiting for either, my friend. But you are right, and here I am. I thought I might join your tournament.”
“Oh!” they both yelled out.
“Will you compete, then?” the Duke asked. “In that case, our games are already over! For who could defeat you in battle?”
“I can give him a run for his money!” Brandt called out. “In fact, last I remember, I was beating you on the