Free The Cerberus Rebellion (A Griffins & Gunpowder Novel) by Joshua Johnson Page B

hold a neutral expression. “There will be pork and beef as well, if I understand correctly.”
    “ Good. The food on that train was terrible.”
    The rest of the ride was quiet. Auberon was leaned back against the wall of the coach, eyes closed; Raedan watched through the window as they trudged along; Cedric chewed on some hard salted beef, the steward watched his hands, and Hadrian read a book.
    Croutcher Castle was surrounded by walls a hundred feet high and fifty feet thick. The black stone rose sheer from the hillside and ended in ramparts high above. A thick ebony drawbridge and single massive gatehouse provided entry to the castle. Inside the wall, the keep rose nearly a hundred and twenty feet, cut from the same black stone.
    Four square towers rose massive at each of the keep’s four corners, marked every fifteen feet by musket slits. At the top of the towers, massive gray banners snapped in the cold, hard wind. A massive hammer was sewn in gold across the banner.
    Lord Dalton Croutcher, Duke of Arndell, waited as the column came to a halt before him. He stood at the base of the stone steps at the front of the keep, several of his advisors and a handful of lesser lords spread around him. Guards stood at the flanks of the party and more paced the walls.
    The duke stood just five and a half feet tall, much shorter than the average citizen of Ansgar. He wore a red cloak lined with brown and white fur over a black tailcoat and trousers, with his longsword hung on his left hip in its ornate scabbard..
    “ Ah, Hadrian!” Dalton exclaimed as Hadrian climbed out of the cramped coach. He was a year younger than Hadrian and the two had grown up as close friends, despite the distance between their respective castles. He strode down the last of the stairs and grasped Hadrian’s forearm in a friendly handshake. “I trust your train ride south was uneventful?”
    “ No one is likely to harass a train flying three different noble banners with armed guards visible on every car,” Cedric said as he stumbled from the coach, red faced and breathing heavily. “Your Grace.”
    “ Lord McKinley.” Dalton inclined his head in greeting. Cedric was the heir to one of the two Earldoms that were pledged to the Arndell Duchy, but he was only an heir.
    “ These coaches are too small,” Raedan announced he stepped from the coach and stretched his arms wide. “They aren’t very friendly to people of above average height.”
    “ Well, it’s not the crafter's fault that the Clyves are grown large,” Dalton said with a grin. He had always been dwarfed by his two most massive sworn nobles, but he had never let it affect his attitude.
    “ And large men need to eat,” Cedric said as he wiped sweat from his brow.
    “ Indeed.” Dalton smiled, ran a hand through his black beard, and turned. “First, allow me to introduce my closest advisors and lesser lords.”
    The duke made the rounds, introducing each of the lesser lords and advisors to his sworn nobles. There were five of the Duke’s lesser lords and three of his advisors.
    “ Well, now that introductions have been made—” Cedric licked his lips “—perhaps we could move the meeting inside?”
    “ Of course, my lord.” Dalton nodded and turned to the stairs.
    The keep’s doorway was thick, nearly twenty feet from outer door to inner door, unusually thick for even the most robust keep. From the entryway it was a short walk to the keep’s main hall, a long room filled with large tables and benches. Tapestries hung on the walls and light shone in through colored glass to join the warm light of lanterns in sconces on the walls.
    The lords and advisors found their seats, Dalton at the head of the table with Hadrian to his right and Cedric to his left. Raedan sat to Hadrian’s right and the others sat according to their station.
    Stewards flowed from doors along the sides of the hall. They carried flagons of wine and beer and water, and cups enough for the whole party.