Free Fire And Ice (Book 1) by Wayne Krabbenhoft III Page B

two of them.  “Put away your knives before I decide to have you both tossed in the dungeon.”  
    Coran removed his hand from his knife and waited.  Torvilin hesitated, still watching his enemy and weighing his options.  It was the two armored guards bearing pikes who entered the circle with a stern Lord Oran that made the decision for him.  Reluctantly, he sheathed his knife.
                  “I want to know what idiocy this is about,” the King demanded.  His fists were clenched tightly at his sides.  “Well?  Tell me.!”
                  “He started it,” Torvilin accused, as he pointed a finger at Coran.  “He assaulted me without cause.  I demand that you have him confined.”
                  “Careful Torvilin,” Stemis cautioned in a dangerous tone.  He was staring directly at the Prince.  “I am King here.”
                  The purple clad Prince was taken aback by the seriousness in the King’s voice.  His anger and the circumstances must have made him go further than he had intended.  He looked less sure of himself and his sneer disappeared.  He became aware of the people watching.  Visibly gathering his pride about him like a cloak, Torvilin stood up straight and waited in silence.
                  “Now I would like some answers here,” Stemis continued, “right this minute!”  He stabbed a finger down at the floor to emphasize his point.  The King was really getting angry.
                  It was Margery who moved to her father’s side, rose up and started to whisper in his ear.  His face became even darker and his gaze remained locked on Torvilin.  She finished talking and stepped back out of the way with her hands together.  Stemis didn’t speak for a time, but stood there frowning.  The silence drew out until a sense of uneasiness dominated the hall.  Nobles shifted their stances as the whole hall had gone silent.  Finally he went to stand directly in front of Torvilin.  Their noses were less than six inches apart.
                  “You have insulted my daughter, and in so doing you have insulted me,” he said quietly so that only those close by could hear.  “Count your bloody lip as fair trade.  Understand?  I will tolerate no further insolence from you.”  The Prince nodded.  He seemed relieved to escape the King’s wrath.  “Your celebrating is done for this evening, Torvilin.  I suggest you retire early tonight.”  It was not a suggestion and Torvilin knew it.
                  The Prince regained his composure enough to give Coran a departing sneer.  He left the hall flanked by the two guards holding the pikes.  Everyone else took the cue to return to their reveling and ignore what had just happened.  Stemis kept up his stern demeanor until no one was left nearby.  Then his lips curved up into a smile which he turned on Coran.
                  “Well done my boy.”  The King put a hand to the younger man’s shoulder.  He looked around conspiratorially and noticed his daughters watching them.  “Go on, have fun.”  He made a shooing motion at them.  They walked away talking with their heads together.  “Now Coran,” he started, “I have an idea I would like to talk over with you.  It is more of a request actually.  You do not have to accept if you don’t want to.”
                  “Your Majesty,” Coran interrupted, “if you need me for something you only have to ask.”  He had been wondering when the King would get around to asking him something.  For two weeks the man had been giving him thoughtful looks.
                  Stemis looked at him gratefully.  “I know.  You are a good boy, sorry, a good man,” he corrected.  “I know I can rely on you.”  He paused, perhaps debating whether to ask after all.  “Katelyn will be leaving for Westland in a few days, maybe sooner.  She will