Sir Godric face, a bruised and swollen mess, twisted with fear. "Everyone," he pleaded, his voice a desperate whine. "This beast, Arthur, has an uncommon skill for combat. What if he goes and applies to be a personal guard for some of the kingdom's richest lords? Who among you can stop him from doing that?" A cold silence fell over the hall. While many of the guests were powerful, none could claim to know all the nobles and wealthy merchants in the land, let alone command them. No one dared to speak. Just then, a low, honeyed laugh cut through the tense quiet. All heads turned to a woman who sat in a chair by herself, her legs crossed with an alluring grace. She was in her late twenties or perhaps early thirties, dressed in a magnificent gown of crimson velvet, her dark hair pinned high with golden combs. Her lips, painted a striking vermillion, curled in a knowing smile. "Lady Philippa! When did you arrive? I am so sorry we didn't see you earlier!" Lord Aethelred exclaimed, rush

Lord Aethelred felt a surge of victory at Lady Philippa's words. He looked at Arthur, a sneer plastered across his face. "Haha, you useless git! You couldn't even manage to gain favour from the most powerful lady in the city. Now there's no place for you in this kingdom anymore!" Elara watched Arthur, a look of pity mixed with a chilling arrogance. She thought to herself, This is what you get for defying me. You should have simply put up with everything. But Arthur's face remained calm. He looked at Lady Philippa, his gaze not leaving here.. "My Lady," he said, his voice cutting through the laughter, "I must know. Does that vow of yours bind only you, or does it bind the entire Brotherhood?" Lady Philippa folded her hands over her stomach, a sly look in her eyes. "Why? It binds both me and the new Head of the House, of course, I speak for my Lord as I speak for myself." What a bloody liar! Arthur sneered and then pressed on. "You are not the Head of the Brotherhood, my Lady. H

The herald’s words had a finality that hung in the air like a death sentence. Lord Thomas stood in a daze, the color drained from his face. His world, which had been so ordered and predictable, was now in utter ruin. He looked as though he might either collapse in tears or burst into hysterical laughter. Arthur simply scoffed, a look of profound contempt on his face. "What is it, Lord Thomas? Has the King's Justice taken your tongue as well as your charter?" Lord Thomas’s face, pale with shock, flushed with a furious rage. He slammed his goblet onto the feasting table and strode toward Arthur. "So what if my charter is revoked? It has nothing to do with you, you mongrel! It's because the Guild of Couriers wants to take over operations personally! It's a change in policy, not a matter of your petty spite!" Arthur merely smiled, taking a sip from his goblet. "That's an interesting bit of news. You went from ignoring me to defending my good name in a single breath. If you believe yo

A long sigh of relief escaped Arthur's lips as he looked at the official decree of annulment. He walked out of the magistrate’s office and into the bustling streets of Stonequay City. His next path was clear: he would return to the life he had once so vehemently rejected.As he walked, a voice full of cruel satisfaction called out behind him. "Well, look at you! You're no longer a live-in husband, but a discarded one! What a disgrace! That's even more embarrassing than being our family's house dog, isn't it?"Arthur ignored her, simply walking to his old horse tethered outside. He mounted his horse and rode away.Elara's face, however, was a mask of furious indignation. Despite her blatant treachery, she still felt that she had not insulted him enough. She turned to Lord Gideon, who was waiting in his magnificent black carriage."We must follow him, my lord," she said, her voice raw. "He must be leaving Stonequay for good. He has no friends, no coin, and no place to live here."Lor

Elara was furious that she stomped her foot hard against the floor, her voice lace with disgust as she shouted,“I’ve summoned the guard! You’ll rot in the dungeons for theft, you wretch!” She then turn to her grandmother's guard."By the saints? What you waiting for? Go tell my grandmother I am calling the city's watch for him. He refused to admit he stole from us.." She shouted at the guard who then scramble away."My lady what is it?" Gideon who had just returned rushed upstairs when he heard her voice.His hand adjusting the belt on his pants."That scoundrel stole from my grandmother and i am sending a page to the city's watch to come take him." Elara seeing Lord Gideon calm a little as she walked to him explaining everything. Before long, the city's watch arrived at the noble inn. Elara and her Lord Gideon rushed to meet them at the entrance hall.“Sirs, it was I who summoned you,”Elara announced, her chin raised proudly.The captain of the guard gave her a curt nod. “You must