“I feel I need to go,” he said simply.
Devon pursed his lips. “Are you all right, Ransom? You look troubled.”
He stared at the Younger King. “I’m troubled by what I did to that man.”
Devon nodded and put his hand on Ransom’s shoulder. “Guilt is unpleasant. Thankfully, I find solace from it in a cup of wine. Maybe you find yours in a better place. I did want your advice, though. Yesterday, while we were spending my father’s money so wantonly, I came across an old friend who is here for the tournament.”
“Who?” Ransom asked.
“Sir James Wigant,” Devon said. “When he heard you were fighting, he decided not to join in. He wanted us to have the glory. He can be pragmatic about some things.”
“What advice do you need?”
“Well, Sir James is chafing under the restrictions my father has put on him as well. He cannot leave the kingdom without permission, and he owes the king a loyalty debt he’ll be paying off for years. He’s right sick of them, to be honest. Feels we’re beating cheated of our rightful inheritances. He warned me that if I don’t do something about Bennett, my brother will be named heir instead of me.”
Ransom frowned. James was always scheming, and his schemes rarely turned out well for anyone involved. “And?”
“And I want to know what you think. Should I . . . cause some trouble for my brother?”
“What good would that do?” Ransom asked.
“Father respects someone who fights for what he wants. He’s not impressed by knightly tournaments. Although he’s glad for the reputation they give us, I know how he truly feels. He thinks them a waste of time . . . and money. He’s proud of what Bennett has done to assert his authority throughout the realm and his own duchy. I think Father will only be proud of a son who defeats him. I have to start somewhere.”
“This isn’t the time to risk your father’s anger,” Ransom said. “Nor is it wise for Sir James to do the same.”
Devon smiled and patted his arm. “I thought you’d say that.”
The tent door ruffled, and Devon’s brother Goff stepped in, his face mottled with anger.
“Ah, Brother,” Devon said, feigning cheerfulness. “We were just talking about siblings.”
Goff gave Ransom a threatening look. “May we speak, Devon? Privately?”
“Yes, yes—we shall. Ransom was just asking for a boat to visit St. Penryn. Could you arrange it? It would be much faster than going by horse.”
Goff sneered. “The tide is out now and comes in this afternoon. It would be foolish to send a boat out now. Perhaps tomorrow?”
Devon sighed and turned to Ransom. “You’ll have to postpone your journey until after the final bout of the tournament. I don’t want to risk losing you before our moment of glory.”
“I’ll go back to the palace, then,” Ransom said, feeling disappointed. The trip to St. Penryn was important, and he didn’t wish to wait. “I don’t think it would be wise for me to wander the streets of Ploemeur.”
Goff snorted. “You think not?” His lips trembled with rage.
Devon put his arm around his brother’s shoulders and gave Ransom a slight nod and a grin. The message was clear: Get going.
Ransom started toward the door when he heard Noemie speak. “I’m feeling unwell. I think I’ll go back to the palace with Sir Ransom and rest.”
Devon looked at her in concern. “When did this come on?”
“Just suddenly,” she said with a tired sigh. “A little rest is just what I need.”
Devon looked from her to Ransom and back again. Ransom clenched his fists, trying to master his growing feeling of dread.
“Brother,” Goff snarled.
“Go with Ransom,” Devon said to Noemie. “There’s no one I’d trust more to guard you.”
There is excitement in the air about the tournament in Brythonica. From what we’ve heard so far, Devon’s mesnie has done well. Ransom won the joust and the individual combat. He defeated the champion of Brythonica in a rather gruesome way. Is it true or just an exaggeration? It’s hard to tell, as rumors can never be fully trusted. If they win the war challenge, which takes place in the royal hunting woods south of Ploemeur, then we will sweep the laurels for the entire tournament. Everyone in the palace is talking about Ransom, admiring his prowess as a knight. I’ve even heard that the Elder King will reward him with some lands if he wins this tournament.