The Discarded Heir's Return

Episode 6

The first thug lunged with a powerful punch.

Arthur moved quickly. His body was smaller than the thugs, but he was smart enough.

He dodged the punch and, in a flash, his booted foot snapped out, kicking the man in the knee. The thug’s leg buckled, and a cry of pain escaped his lips.

The second thug charged, his sword drawn. Arthur’s eyes followed the blade's every movement. He ducked under a wide, sweeping strike, his hand flashing out to slap the man's wrist. The force of the blow was accurate, sending a shock of pain up the man’s arm, and his grip on the sword loosened. With a deft move, Arthur grabbed the man’s hand and twisted it, forcing him to drop the weapon.

The two brawlers stood there, panting, their faces a mixture of pain and disbelief. They were used to overpowering their opponents with brute force, but this man...

This wretch they were meant to fetch, moved like a trained killer. He hadn't broken a sweat, not even a single blow had landed on him.

Arthur looked down at them with a disdainful sigh. "Tell the Old Lady of the Peckham that her way are not to my liking. And I am no longer her house boy."

He turned his back on the men and simply walked away, leaving them bruised and humiliated in the narrow alley.

Meanwhile, in the second hall of the Peckham manor, a tense silence had fallen over the grand feast. Lord Alistair and Lord Aethelred sat rigidly at the feasting table, their gazes fixed on the wounded Godric, who was being fussed over by his mother, Lady Eleanor.

A commotion at the entrance announced the arrival of Lord Thomas, a wealthy merchant who had risen from a common background to command his own small fiefdom. He had arrived at the feast with the hopes of making a new alliance with the Peckham.

He was welcomed by a solemn-faced Old Mrs Peckham, and he presented her with a gift of fine, aged brandy from his cellars, "A gift for you, Grand Peckham," he said, bowing low. "A cask of brandy from my own lands. I wish you a most joyous birthday and a long life."

The Old Lady's face softened for a moment. "Thank you, Lord Thomas. That is most kind." She took a long, thoughtful sip before sighing. Her good mood was gone.

Thomas, seeing his chance to earn favor, turned to Lord Aethelred. "I hope nothing is amiss, my lord? The feast seems to have a somber mood."

Lord Aethelred, not one to miss a chance for attention, spoke first. "We are disgraced, Lord Thomas. The husband of my niece, a common wretch, dared to strike my son, Godric." He gestured dramatically to Godric's bruised face.

Thomas's eyes widened in total shock. "A shocking offense indeed! I do not like to meddle in family matters, but if I could, I would teach that man a lesson he would not soon forget."

Lord Aethelred smiled slyly. "You are too modest, Lord Thomas. You have more influence than you let on. That man... he works for you, does he not? He is the innkeeper at the Gilded Stag Inn, a place that, I believe, you have a stake in."

Thomas eyes lit up with a flash of joy. He did indeed have a stake in that inn. He had bought it as a favor to a friend, but now it could be used for his own gain. He had absolute authority to shut it down.

"That wretch? He is my employee?" Thomas said, a cruel smile spreading on his face. "Lord Aethelred, leave it to me. I will handle this."

He called for a page and, with a few whispered words, wrote out a summons on a piece of vellum. He pressed his signet ring into the hot wax, making it an official decree. "Deliver this to Arthur Blackwood immediately," he commanded. "Tell him that his lord, Lord Thomas, requires his presence at the oakwood manor at once." He used the name oakwood manor because he doesn't want Arthur to be alert and only few are aware of this second Manor by the Peckham.

Meanwhile, Arthur was in the commoner's district, taking a final look at his simple life.

Just then, he saw a pageboy running toward him, a sealed scroll in his hand. He thrust it at Arthur, his chest heaving. "A message, Master Arthur. From Lord Thomas. You must come at once."