Chapter 10- Flippancy

“The shield is as much a weapon as the spear, sword, or axe,” General Ridge lectured Jodoro and Carl as they sparred, “take the initiative when your opponent is overextended. Use you shield to knock them further off balance. Use the edge of it as a weapon. If your enemy’s chin is out too far, knock his damn head off with your shield. A concussive blow can be just as lethal as a stab wound and may be more optimal depending on how heavily armored your enemy is.” Jodoro tried to internalize this advice it felt right. He began to use the boss of his shield to strategically deflect Carl’s blows and counterpunch when Carl was exposed. Even so he still found himself on his back at the end of the sparring session. Carl was just too experienced. “Jodoro think not of your losses. Sparring is different than fighting in a battle. Sparring requires a skill set of its own. You must be able to come within a hairs breath of damaging your partner.” General Ridge said as he lounged with his spear at Jodoro’s neck stopping just short of his artery. “I’ve known many men who were lions on the training grounds but sheep in battle. The important thing is learning the techniques and maintaining proper conditioning.” The General brought his spear to rest. “Now you are both dismissed for the day. The tournament begins tomorrow and you both must be ready.”

“Excuse me Lord Ridge,” Jodoro spoke hesitantly. “Why are these tournaments important? I know they are a point of pride, but it seems like people are willing to travel hundreds of miles to compete at great financial and personal risk. What am I missing?”

“You are right and wrong. Pride is a large portion and so is the desire to just compete but there are other incentives besides the glory. Tournament’s offer young men such as you and Carl a chance to demonstrate your martial skills in front of many of the powerful lords and ladies of the kingdom. There are also recruiters here from Ardinum’s military academy. A good showing at a tournament could give someone an invitation to the academy and if the catch the eye of some lord or lady a possible position in the future.” This made sense now to Jodoro and he began to understand why Carl had been pressing especially hard lately. This was the pathway to his friend’s dream, a way to glory, education and employment. He looked at Carl and remembered him saving the man on the beach. Carl was an honorable friend. Jodoro would do his best to support him at the tournament. Carl signed up for most of the events, but he was particularly focused on the joust. That was the big show. The event that packed the stands. If he had a good showing there. He would surely get an invitation to the academy. Jodoro only had two events: archery and the two-on-two melee. He hoped to do well enough to win some coin for he had invested most of his company earnings in the little mercantile enterprise Nan started.

“So its really important then.” Jodoro said as he put his practice weapons back.

“Yes and you should start thinking about your future too. I feel that even though Bellgaurd is growing it may become too small for you.” The General began packing his belongings. “I have to meet with the judges. Good luck and keep your shield up on the lists son.”

“Will do father,” Carl said then turned to Jodoro and whispered, “so when were you going to tell me your taking Amie to the dance?”

“I thought she would have told you.” Jodoro answered.

“She did but you’d better tell the old man. He does not like surprises. No General does.

Carl was right. Jodoro walked up to the General who looked to be in a rush. Steeled himself and let it spill. “General Ridge I asked your daughter to the tournament dance.” He held his breath as the General let the silence stretch for a moment. Carl dropped something on the ground, and it clattered. Carl wasn’t clumsy.

“I know she told me. Seemed damned excited about it. I expect you to conduct yourself like a gentleman.” He clapped Jodoro on the shoulder and squeezed. “If you break her heart, I break your knees. Have fun.” Then he left the room. Carl came running up to him with a shocked look on his face.

“Your alive. I can’t believe it your alive. I thought for sure he’d kill you.”

“Then why did you tell me to tell him?”

“Because there’s a difference between a slow painful death and a quick one. You my friend are blessed! Let’s hope that luck holds for the two-on-two melee.”

***

Derry opened the door to the Golden Rat tavern and strode in like he owned the place. It was important to stride into a place. It let everyone know you were about business. However it was hard to be looked at seriously when you had a pack of yapping hounds on your heels tripping over things and pinching food from people all unawares. Somehow their numbers had increased from two to three. He hoped the fifty percenty growth rate would not continue. Fifty percent growth was good for businesses…atleast that what Lady Bell and Ancient Hag said but this was not a business. This was the opposite. The little shits expected to be fed and that cost money. The fact that they had the goal to send out invitations to join their little pack without so much as a by your leave was downright disrespectful. He glanced down at the knew one. It titled it’s head and looked at him as if he was the idiot, as if he was the one with a missing ear and an off colored eye.

“Thought I smelled dogs,” said a voice from the back table. Karna. Just the man he was looking for. He strode up to Karna’s table and saw two rakish looking chaps sitting around a deck of cards.

“Still taking bets?”

“Yep what you want to wager?”

“What are the odds for the archery contest?”

“Got Harold of Delonica at 2/1, Big James Carty at 12/5, and Lady Jane at 3/1.”

“What are the odds on Jodoro Jaguar and Old Trews?”

Karna took out a small booklet and ran his finger down the ledger. “20/1 for the Jaguar and 35/1 on Old Trews.”

“Put me down for 100 gold for the Jaguar to win and 100 for Old Trews to place.” Derry order flippantly. The key to betting is flippancy. Flippancy usual discouraged questions.

“You sure you can cover that?” Derry took out a pouch, showed some gold and let it jingle then put it back on his belt. Karna nodded and Derry turned heel and left the Golden Rat. One of the dogs let out a yip of excitement as the exited to the streets. There was one redeeming quality about these mutts. No there were two. First women loved them. Derry didn’t know why. Maybe it made him look like a caring person or maybe it made him look like something that was desired or followed. Everyone woman, old or young, would come up pet the damn things then ask him questions. “What are their names?” “How old are they?” “Do they sleep with you?” Yeah, they couldn’t get enough of the things.

Except. For. Nova. She couldn’t stand the beasts and that’s why he was taking her to the dance. After all, if a man found a woman who emphasized with his plight the least he could do was take her out to shake a leg.

The second thing about the dogs and their only redeeming quality in his eyes was that they hated Jodoro. They growled when he entered a room. They yapped in celebration when he left. They chewed his boots, ripped his shirts, and on occasion pissed in his room. Jodoro of course took it in stride but Derry knew his brother well enough to know it irked him. Whenever he saw that vein in his brother’s forehead twitch with suppressed ire, he laughed a little bit. Nothing was wrong with that.

“What the fuck is that?” Derry whispered to himself as he ducked behind a building. He peeked around the corner and saw Christa walking with a tall bloke as if they owned the damn town which might be true considering her father owned the damn town. One of the mutts was lurking on the main street. Derry watched as he wagged his tail and began jumping and barking. The damn mutt drew Christa’s attention before he could duck back around the corner. There was nothing for it.

“Lady Christa! Lovely weather today isn’t it?”

“Derry Dog yes it, lovely weather for a stroll.” She turned to the man she was walking with. He had long brown hair and a rugged a refined appearance. “This is Lord Cain DeRold of Hearthold. Lord Cain DeRold this is Derry Dog, brother of Jodoro who you met the other day.”

“Right, the Onaki worker. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. If you seek any temporary work during the tournament stop by my tent during the jousts.” The man said earnestly. So, one of those types.

“Thanks for the offer milord but I am already engaged during that time.” Derry said then turned to Christa whose face began to frown. “Lady Christa you will never believe the band I got for the dance. They have new brass instruments. Can you believe it? Brass instruments. They’ll play a tribute to that Hytian Swan that died. It’ll be beautiful, sad, fun, and triumphant. But I can see that I am keeping you. I will bid you both good day.” Derry turned abruptly and left. He had things to do, items to purchase, more bets to make. It looked like Jodoro lost Red to this bloke from the north and if he was honest with himself it served his brother right. Always hesitating, never making a move. He did not have time to clean up this mess for Jodoro. It was really none of his affair, but something felt off about this patronizing shit heel. The nerve to offer him a job. He walked past a beggar boy hawking flowers on a corner. Lord fucking Heliodor of all people deigned to buy a few from the boy.

“Beautiful spring day milord. The old ones say a beautiful spring heralds an early winter.” The boy called out in thanks.

Heliodor not turning back said. “No, I expect winter will come much later this year.” Derry walked up to the boy, tipped him a copper and took the bouquet with him. He was meeting Nova for lunch and it wouldn’t do to show up empty handed, especially since he convinced her to pay.

***

“You seem to be familiar with many Onaki, should I be jealous?”

“Lord Cain they are just friends of mine.” Christa responded. It was truly a beautiful day the cherry trees were blooming along Main Street and the traveling merchants had set up stalls along the thoroughfare. This is the Bellgaurd she wanted to build some day. A place of commerce and prosperity that did not have to rely on Delonica and Hernit or even the capitol in times of need. A shining city by the sea. The center of southern commerce and culture. She shared her vision with her father and he admitted she should take a hand in administering the city but she still wanted to go to university and make the connections needed to finance and outfit her dreams. Every port had its needs. Jodoro, Nan and Seta were clear that the labor force necessary to allow a port to flourish after its completion must be conceptualized in the design. Shipwrights, coopers, longshoremen, mercantile groups and financiers, all were crucial parts and all required connections. Cain had his arm hooked in hers and she was at peace with this. She was finally taking Nan’s advice to move on from the past. Cain would be moving to the capitol in the fall for the military academy and Christa began to dream of a future between them. He was handsome, brave, nice and as her mother liked to emphasize was the second son of the wealthiest Duke in the north. He was monied. He was secure.

“Your generosity does you good Lady Christa. I cannot wait for the dance. Surely we will make a handsome pair.” He said to her as the reached their destination. Gorman Clothiers was the premier establishment for all dress making and haberdashery services. They were greeted by a middle-aged attendant when they walked in, shown to a sitting room and given tea. The place was crowded with people making purchases and getting last minute fittings. Christa saw Amethyst across the room trying on a black and gold dress that fit her beautifully and gave her a smile. I wonder who she’s going to the dance with? I don’t envy whoever has to deal with her father and Carl. The attendant came with her and Cain’s package and they hastily got out of the rapidly crowding room. She parted ways with him at his lodgings and walked back to the castle. The seaward wall was finished, and it had become an attraction for visitors. It had four towers each fitted with new bells and the freshly polished stone glittered in the afternoon sun. She saw Lady Jane of Delonica and her entourage admiring it. She did not know Jane well but they had met before. Jane was long limbed like most Delonicans and wore her hair in a short bob cut that accentuated her features. Her grandfather was the Duke and it was said that Lady Jane was his chosen heir, she would be an important ally of Bellgaurd in the future.

Christa approached Lady Jane just as the woman was about to climb the ramparts. “Lady Jane it is nice to see you. Care for a tour of the wall?” Her entourage greeted her and Lady Jane nodded her approval. They said Jane was a woman of few words and hard to impress. It was rumored that she was vicious with a sword and the Delonican bow. Christa walked with her along the wall and pointed things out. She drew upon her experiences with Nan and was able to answer most of the questions about the wall’s construction.

“Did you see the battle?” Jane asked her as they stared out at the beach from one of the towers.

“I saw some, but I was mainly in the infirmary tending to the wounded. I saw enough to know that war is hell and many brave men and women died those days. The aid from Delonica helped turn the tide.”

“Yes, we had our own problems then but we sent what we could. They spoke well of Bellgaurd’s soldiers. Tell me is it true that the Onaki fought for this city?”

“They did and bravely so.”

“I heard of great feats many which are likely exaggerated. But I grow hungry. Join me for a meal at the Golden Bridge tavern.” Christa walked with Jane and her entourage to the Golden Bridge answering questions along the way. It was apparent that Jane was used to being obeyed. The woman wanted to know everything and Christa could not help but admire how a woman only a few years older than her had such a commanding presence. “What will you do with this city when it is yours? Bellgaurd has grown much since I was here ten years ago.”

“The closest port is 400 miles north. Building one her would greatly increase the access to trade for this reason and dare I say increase trade up the Nowell with Delonica.” Christa answered gaging Jane’s reaction.

Jane look pensive for a moment then smiled briefly. Christa could tell that Jane was a woman who rarely smiled. “I like that idea very much.” They reached the tavern and to Christa’s surprise Jodoro and Carl were there eating already. Next to their table a group of ladies were giggling and whispering. Those two had developed quite the following over the past few months and she knew many women who dreamed of someday being matched with them. Jodoro was dressed simply as always wearing black trousers, white shirt but his Onaki headband was tied around his neck today. A short sword and hatchet were strapped to his belt. Carl wore a dark blue doublet and beige breeches. He dressed less fancy than he used to. Perhaps his “brother” was rubbing off on him. Christa waived to them and they raised their glass toward her. “Friends of yours?” Jane asked.

“Yes, would you like to join them?”

“I see no reason not to. Besides they have the best table in the room.” Christa could not argue and introduced Lady Jane to Carl and Jodoro as the sat down. She saw Lady Jane glancing periodically at Jodoro and felt a bit of nervousness. Not everyone was accepting of Onaki. Would Lady Jane be offended by his presence? Their food arrived and they ate while having light conversation. Carl eventually noticed the awkwardness between Jane and Jodoro and was doing his best to help her carry the conversation.

Jodoro sipped his ale but appeared to be a bit unsettled by Jane’s behavior. “Lady Jane,” Christa interrupted just as Jodoro was about to say something, “Jodoro is also an admirable bowman although he uses a recurve not a longbow.”

“I know. My men told me of the Jungle Cat.” She responded. “The say he has the fastest firing rate of anyone they’ve seen. But tell me Jungle Cat, how often do you hit your target.”

Jodoro put his mug down and met Jane’s stare. “More often than not. It said you never miss Lady Jane.”

“I do not. Once I set my target, I always get it. Care to make a wager?”

“I don’t gamble but I’ll make an exception. Name your terms.”

“If I place higher, I get a blackhorn bow from you. If you win you get a longbow.”

Jodoro thought for a moment. “A blackhorn is rarer and thus more expensive. These are not equal terms. Add forty gold and you got a deal.”

“Ten.” Lady Jane countered and Christa could have punched Jodoro right there and then. She wanted to be on good terms with Lady Jane and if he insulted her it could cost her in the future.

“Twenty-five and throw in a quiver.”

“Fifteen and a quiver.”

“Eighteen, the quiver and black goose feathers.” Christa gaped at his gall.

“Fifteen, the quiver, the feathers, and I’ll throw in one dance with me at the gala. Any many who can best me deserves the courtesy.”

Jodoro paused for a moment and Christa kicked him under the table. “Deal. I look forward to the competition.”

Christa saw Lady Jane smiled for the second time that day, bid her farewell and left the tavern. Christa waited until the woman left and turned to Jodoro. Now she knew why Derry called him a fool. “What were you thinking haggling like that? She’ll be the Duchess of Delonica within a year.” She hissed at him. Carl looked like he was about to defend Jodoro, but Christa stared him down. He was equally culpable. “And you should have stopped him.”

“There’s nothing to worry about Lady Christa. I get the sense this Lady Jane is a warrior and would have been offended if I had taken the original deal. I only hope that Amethyst will not be angry with me.”

Christa was confused. “Why would Amethyst be mad at you?”

Before Jodoro could answer Carl butted in. “Jo is taking Amethyst to the dance. He even got father’s approval.”

“You’re what? His what?” She had been waiting for him to ask her for weeks and here he had already asked Amethyst. When Cain asked her yesterday, she thought about saying no to him but realized that if Jodoro hadn’t asked her by then he never would. It seemed like she had been right. Jodoro had made his choice. She wasn’t jealous or anything. She was just comfortable around Jodoro in a way she wasn’t around Cain. That was all. There were expectations with Cain and that haunting word- marriage- was always looming. That wasn’t the case with Jodoro. Why would she be jealous they were just friends and not to mention Cain DeRold was the most handsome man she’d ever seen besides Heliodor.

“Yeah, he approved, and I’ve never seen Amie happier. We’ll have a great time. I heard you’re taking Cain DeRold. We should all share a table.” Carl said.

“Yes, Cain and I are going. We should all share a table.” Carl was right this was going to be a great time. Jodoro ordered a round of ale and soon they were all laughing at the haggling and the boldness of Lady Jane. Christa looked at the two men and realized that this was what life was about. Good friends and good cheer. She would love herself this year, experience things, and learn to roll with life’s punches.

***

Alis the XIV rode her palanquin through the streets of Garloon. She ordered it to stop when a messenger approached her running. The man approached the palanquin and passed a piece of parchment to a servant who gave it to her.

The rising sun warns of a late winter

-#43

This was not good news. Sala would not be pleased with the delays.