Free Ossendar: Book Two of the Resoration Series by Christopher Williams Page B

Greentree house dated back almost a thousand years and had received their name from the massive forests that covered the lands they had been given by the king. Dagan had also said that the family was a staunch supporter of the king and church.
    “Oh, so you know who I am.” Countess Hannah said, with her smile getting even bigger. “A lady my age should be so lucky to have a young man like you notice me.” As she spoke, Hannah put her hand on Flare's upper arm just below his shoulder.
    He was a little taken back by Hannah's words and actions. Her words and interest seemed to almost show a sexual interest in him, and that excited him, but he didn't trust any member of the court. He opened his mouth to speak, but Hannah spoke first.
    “Flare, why don't you have dinner with me tonight? It will give me a chance to get to know you better, which will be nice since you are now Telurian royalty.” She stroked her hand up and down as she spoke, “It never hurts to make a new friend.” Her words just oozed with sexual suggestion.
    Despite himself, Flare almost shivered at the thought and dinner sounded wonderful. “Well, I would love to, but I am supposed to see the king's councilor tonight.” Then noticing the look of disappointment on her face, he quickly added, “I could make it tomorrow night. If that would be okay?”
    The smile returned to Hannah's face tenfold, “It's settled then. I will see you tomorrow night.”
    Flare continued down the hall, with thoughts of other things beside sorcery.
     
     
    “You're having dinner with Countess Lells tomorrow night!” Dagan exclaimed when Flare told him of his chance encounter. Flare just smiled in answer, he couldn't tell if Dagan was amused or jealous, or maybe both. “You might want to go back to your room now, so you can be well rested for tomorrow night.”
    Flare knew what Dagan was hinting at, but he asked anyway, “What are you talking about? I'm sure the countess just wants to bend the ear of the new prince.”
    “She wants to bend something, but it's not your ear,” Dagan replied grinning. In the short time he had known Dagan, he had realized that the sorcerer was a horny old man.
    “Dagan, that's no way to talk about a lady.”
    “Boy, if half the things that I have heard about her are true, then you are in for the ride of your life.”
    The words caught him off guard. “What do you mean? Does the countess make a habit of entertaining young men of the court?”
    “Oh yes,” Dagan replied. But then seeing the look on Flare's face, he added, “Don't worry, Flare. Most of the ladies of the court spend their free time with young men. At least Countess Hannah is not married like the rest.”
    “What!” Flare exclaimed, “You mean it's normal for the married ladies of the court to cheat on their husbands?”
    Dagan shook his head in wonder. “Boy, to be as old as you are and to know as much as you do, you are as naïve as you can be. One of the favorite pastimes of the nobles is sex, and most of the time it's not with their husband or wife.”
    Flare shook his head; such things were not heard of in Solistine. Loyalty in a marriage was absolute and unquestioned. “Dagan, do you think I should contact the countess and back out of dinner?”
    “If you do, be sure and ask if I can take your place.” Dagan responded, joking.
    Silence engulfed them for a couple of minutes. Flare was happy for the silence, because it left him to his thoughts. By no means did he trust Hannah, but he did find her intriguing. Once he decided to keep the dinner date, he found himself eagerly looking forward to it.
    His thoughts were interrupted by Dagan, “I don't imagine you are going to be able to study tonight, since you will probably be preoccupied, but let's give it a try.”
     
     
    The Countess' manor was a short distance from the castle, and Flare enjoyed the walk. He wore a dress military uniform that proudly displayed his golden dagger award. The uniform was black