False Honour

Episode I Scene III

As the sky turned burnt red and the birds grew silent, Crépus and Desider walked to the latter's house. The cousin turned around and smirked, saying: "Make sure you give uncle my regards, and not to stay here all night."

Desider looked back at him with an irritated face before he looked back at his house. As he sheathed his sword, he took slow steps to his abode, uncertainty clouding his thoughts and hesitancy carved onto his expression.

The Captain, sitting on the dinner table beside the window, could see him and so could his wife. "There he is!" she exclaimed. "A reprimand from his father is what he needs to set him straight." The Captain would look over to her, his expression remained calm and unbothered. "Nay, but it is wiser to understand his reasons and to what extents he will go."

"And if he were to rebel?" She asked, the anxiety clear on her voice.

"It has only been 10 months, I know he will listen." He muttered back.

Desider walked through the door as his eyes met The Captain's, deluding one another with a collected look. She stared at both in anticipation before the youngest spoke, staying right where he is. "Greetings, father. You're back earlier than I anticipated."

She gasped in awe, but before she could rebuke him The Captain responded. "Is that an inconvenience?" he asked, though his tone did not carry teasing or sarcasm. He looked upon his son further, getting close to him and inspecting his appearance. His previously well-groomed flaxen hair is now a mess. His cheekbones grew slightly sharper, and his arm and reddened cheeks had scratches over them. Yet even if he was nearly as tall as he was, he could tell that his son was still there. Only through exchanging gazes could he know so. Those eyes were not that of a warmonger.

It was because Desider grew anxious at his father's closeness, something he couldn't hide properly. "Will you let me rest? 'Twas a long day." he asked with a firm, rebellious tone.

"For the both of us." The Captain spoke back, remaining neutral. "Though I cannot say I was getting beat so I understand." now his tone seemed sarcastic.

Desider scowled and immediately turned his face to his mother. "I told you already, it is not beating! Quit interfering with my affairs!"

"Errant child!" his mother scowled back in irritation. "You will quit this delinquency at once or else!"

"Or what, eh?!"

The Captain held his son's chin to turn it his face back on him. "Keep silent, boy."

But Desider shoved his hand away and took a step back as he began to hyperventilate while keeping his disgruntled gaze fixated on his father.

The Captain scoffed and squinted his eyes at his boy. "And what keeps you persistent on coming and going to Crépus, I wonder?" he asked, seeming less amused by the minute. "Did you not loathe him before?"

Desider swallowed and shook his head to collect himself. "But I admire his father." He straightened his posture and said with half a grin. "He's an honoured warrior who goes out of his way to seek a challenge. He's respected throughout the town and even the whole region. Not some merchant."

The Captain and his wife glared at their son for a brief moment before he blinked and smirking. "And you will accomplish what he has done through becoming his son's personal lapdog?"

Desider’s face reddened once more, though not with fatigue this time, rather irritation and embarrassment. “I’m no lapdog!” He retorted with a scowl. “It is training! I have gotten much stronger and faster than ever before! Do you want to see for yourself?!”

The Captain gave him an unamused look. “I have no desire for a fight.” His tone seemed dismissive.

Desider scoffed, giving his own father a competitive smile. “Do you not desire it or are you afraid I stand correct?”

The Captain looked back at him for a moment before sighing. “You’ve grown a spine, I must admit.” He leaned his head to his son and said under his teeth. “But let’s see if your sword is as sharp as your tongue.”

Desider grinned back and squinting his eyes. “Then I will meet you outside.” He grabbed the handle of his sword and exited the house.

The Captain’s wife ran to him with an anxious face. “Dearest, that is not what we agreed upon...why must you fight him?”

He responded with a gentle pat to her hand. “Darling, not all is resolved with speech, he needs to be taught through action.” He would nod to her and smile. “I won’t bruise him, I promise you.”

“...alas,” she sighed. “I shall accompany you.”