The Heart and The Sword ~Part One~ // HIATUS

Chapter Eight : A Cry For Help

Sylvia continued to drum an unknown rhythm on the table in the council room. After seeing Morgan and his crew off, she returned to the palace, dreading to meet the man that would take Callahan's place. She knew he had five sons, but knew nothing of them. She never met any of them, which meant she had no idea who was on his way to meet her. She hated not knowing.

-Do you know anything about Callahn's sons, Sir Forem? she asked, glancing over at her knight.

She gave Thynan and Conan a few days off, had to force them to rest really. Neither one wanted to leave her side, but she threatened to lock them up for the next month if they didn't listen to her so they, eventually caved. She had four personal guards, but those two were with her most of the time. Stubborn men, she told herself

-Unfortunately no, Your Majesty. They never accompanied their father anywhere, the knight answered.

Sylvia nodded and frowned. The fact that out of five sons, not one of them made an appearence at her court worried her. Callahn may have been so stubborn to be duke that he made no choice on who would follow him. She wasn't foolish enough to put it past him.

-Duke Herveus Callahn, the knight at the door announced him.

Sylvia didn't get up to greet him. It would have been the polite thing to do, but nobody expected her to. She didn't stand for Callahn and the rest of them, she certainly wasn't going to do it for Callahn's son. She watched him as he entered. He saw nothing of the old man on his face, which certainly pleased her. He had auburn hair and a clean square face. His eyes were a deep dark brown and he stood tall. She could not point one feature of his father on him. Even twenty years prior, when she met his father, his hair was as white as snow, falling more and more over the years, so she had no clue of his original hair color. His face was round with a stubble as white as his hair and his eyes were blue. The nose, the lips, the ears, everything was different from the young man that stood before her.

-It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty. I am Herveus Callahn, the youngest son of Gill Callahn.

Sylvia's eyebrows raised. The youngest son. That was certainly uncommon. Although, she wasn't one to talk, seeing as she still considered on making Celestia her heir.

-Take a seat, Duke Callahn, she said, gesturing towards his father's seat.

-Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I'm not sure what we must speak of, he said as he sat down.

Sylvia smiled, a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

-Nothing in particular. You are only here in order to make acquaintance with your queen now that you are the new duke of Chercus. I'm sorry for your loss. Your father was...

She could not find the words. Well, not the kind words she was expected to say, anyway.

-No need to finish that sentence, Your Majesty. I am well aware the man was a moronic piece of shit.

The queen's smile became sincere, although surprised. Not necessarily the words she would have used, but they certainly fit the man well.

-Watch your mouth in the presence of the queen, Sir Forem spoke, irritated by him.

-It's alright, Sir Forem. I'm a big girl, I can handle a few harsh words.

The knight nodded, but his glare was still fixated on Callahn.

-Were you and your father on bad terms, she asked.

-You could say that. Either way, that is not important. I want to assure you that I strive to be the opposite of my father. I want to serve you and Yuglaesil as best I can.