Gabel rode his steed as fast as he could back through the small village.
He knew there would be no way for him to reach the Earl's castle before darkness fell, but he intended to try.
His mind moved as fast as his steed.
How could this be real? He now had a son and the woman he loved indeed loved him back. She promised to wait for him.
Everything had meaning now. Life had meaning.
Like he had figured, when he finally reach the Earls castle gates, darkness had fully fallen.
"Shit."
The same stable boy from earlier rushed out to his steed.
"Thank you lad," Gabel passed him the reins, then rushed through the garden towards the castle entrance.
A Loverne guard greeted him out front and confirmed his identity before leading him down a hall.
At the very end of the hall he spotted Elliot, sitting upon on a small couch.
"Charon....where is the commander?"
Startled, Elliot stood, "Your back! I was getting worried you would not return tonight. Then I would have to deal with the commander and..."
Gabel raised his hand, "Calm down Charon, as you can see I have returned. You will not have to vouch for me."
Elliot's head nodded, "Did you find the mage?"
While letting out a sigh, Gabel sat down next to his comrade.
"Yes...I found her."
Directly across from him were two large wooden doors.
"Is the commander in there?"
"Yes he has been in there for awhile now. He told me to wait for him here but I am starting to think they will be in there all night."
Gabel anxiously scratched the back of his head.
He couldn't wait all night. He needed to speak with him now.
"Did something happen Lachzion?"
Turning his head towards Elliot, he noticed a concerned look on his face.
"I just need to speak with the commander as soon as possible."
A young maidservant came out into the hall, walking up their way.
Upon reaching them she sensually smile.
"Is there something I can get for you, sir knights?"
Gabel curtly nodded at her, "Bring us some ale please."
The maidservant kept her smile and nodded her head, "Right away."
As she walked passed Elliot, she flashed a wink.
"This is the third maid that has winked at me tonight."
Gabel laughed, "We may soon have to call you charming Charon aye?"
Elliot shook his head.
A minute of silence passed.
Gabel felt his excitement grow to where he could no longer keep it contained.
"Charon...I have a son."
Elliot shifted in his seat, "You have a son? Wow this is news. What do you intend to do?"
Gabel leaned his head back on the couch, "I am going to talk with the commander. I would like to bring them home to live in Anatol."
Elliot furrowed his brows, "Them? You wish to bring the lady mage too?"
"Yes of course, she is the boy's mother. If the commander allows it, I am going to marry her."
Elliot smiled, "I must say Lachzion I am happy for you but I am surprised. I never thought I would hear these words come from your mouth. You will give up the other women then yes?"
A scowl fell on Gabel's face, "The other women were nothing. I thought Elara didnt love me so I was trying to distract myself."
"Elara? That is a beautiful name."
Gabel put his hands over his stomach.
Somehow even just the sound of her name gravely affected him.
"You should see her Charon, she is so beautiful. I have never seen a woman more faire then she."
Elliot kept his smile on his face, "Perhaps I will see her, if you bring her back to Anatol with us."
Gabel nodded his head.
A minute later the maid returned with ale for both Elliot and Gabel. She lingered around after passing them the cups.
Gabel stuck his hand out, "That will be all, thank you."
Her once flirty face fell to a haughty frown as she strutted back up the hall.
The two knights sat and drank ale together for another hour. Then Finally, the large wooden doors across from them creaked opened.
Riftan swiftly strode out of the room. He stopped his large frame right in front of Gabel.
"Good, I see you have returned, let us retire to our rooms. We leave at dawn for Anatol."
With that Riftan began to walk fast up the hall.
Gabel practically had to run to catch up to him.
"Commander I must speak with you."
Riftan stopped in his tracks and sighed, "What is it Lachzion? Can it not wait till morning. I am tired."
Gabel straightened his body, "I wish to speak with you before we depart tomorrow, it's important."
Riftan crossed his arms, "Well then, speak"
"Commander I found the mage. She is well and residing at a farm two miles from the Loverne village. She has a young child."
Riftan furrowed his brows, "I am not following Lachzion. Why would I care if she has a child."
Gabel scratched the back of his head, "The child is mine."
Riftan let a small laugh escape his mouth then turned advancing up the hall. "Lachzion you are not the first knight to have a bastard child. I am glad she is well. Now rest up for tomorrow's journey back home."
Gabel continued to try and keep pace, "Commander I wish to bring her back with us. I want her and my son to live in Anatol."
Riftan stopped in his tracks again, facing Gabel once more, "I have seen the amount of women you keep in your company Lachzion. Am I going to be asked to house any of the other maidens you so carelessly entertain yourself with?"
Gabel went to retort but Riftan cut him off, "I will not have some scorned woman banging on my door with her child."
"Commander she is different! I love her. I swear on my life to keep only her in my company from now on! Can we not bring her back to Anatol? You speak of expanding the our village, can we not find a place for her and my son to reside?"
Riftan let a sigh out and turned his back, "Let me think on it. For now go get some rest."
Gabel stood still as Riftan continued to walk ahead.
Though it was not a bad response, it was not what he had hoped to hear.
Elliot who had now only caught up to him asked, "Did he not say yes?"
"He just said he would think on it and told me to rest"
Elliot's hand landed on Gabel's shoulder.
"Do not worry Lachzion, the commander will say yes. You know he has a soft spot for children, especially now."
Gabel nodded his head then bid his comrade goodnight.
While walking to his room he caught glimpse of a Loverne knight standing at the other end of the hall.
He squinted his eyes in disgust.
The knight was none other than Philip Weston.
