Prince of Dragons

Chapter 31 - Orphan

A/N: Thank you, reader, for your patience with my slow update pace. I hope the new chapter will be worth the wait.

-----------------------------------------------

Earl Raynnard of the Flaming Lands sat on his wooden throne, his right hand absently stroking his beard. He stared at the gates granting entrance into his great hall; they remained closed for now.

He had been informed that a messenger had appeared, claiming to have been sent by prince Enorwin. He had apparently told the castle guards that Enorwin had given him his signet ring as proof. Earl Raynnard could not help but frown slightly at the thought; he was unsure if he approved of a prince's giving away his signet ring. It was, after all, a symbol of his power. However, he also understood that Enorwin might have thought it necessary to prove the authenticity of his message.

At that moment, the gates were opened by two servants and a young man entered the hall, accompanied by two guards carrying halberds. The visitor was dressed in simple linen clothing. There was a look of fierce determination and almost knightly seriousness in his eyes, which the earl had to admit he liked. As soon as he reached the centre of the hall, he knelt down.

"You may stand," the earl said.

The messenger obeyed.

"I hear you bring word from my son," the earl said.

"I do," the messenger said. He paused for a moment, trying to figure out whether the person in front of him was a my lord, a Your Grace, a Your Highness or something else altogether. Finally, he added, "... my lord."

Earl Raynnard could not suppress a slight smile. "It's my lord or Your Lordship," he said. "I have been told my son gave you his signet ring. I would like to see it."

"Certainly, my lord," the man said. He removed the ring from his left ring finger and held it out.

The earl arose from his throne and, descending the steps in front of the throne, approached the messenger. He accepted the ring and studied it. It was authentic. "Why did my son give you this?" he asked.

"He wanted to prove that I had been sent by him, my lord," the messenger said.

The earl nodded. "And why did he choose you?" he asked, looking at the young man from the corner of his eye.

The young man looked a bit nervous. "He... made me his squire, my lord," he responded.

"His squire," the earl repeated, nodding to himself. He understood his son's reasoning. This young man might not be the most obvious candidate to become a squire, but earl Raynnard could see his potential. The messenger seemed honest, reliable and determined; furthermore, despite his lack of knowledge in the field of courtly etiquette, he showed great respect for authority. If his son taught him well, this man could become an excellent squire.

"What is your name, squire?" the earl asked.

"Bedreigh, my lord," the messenger replied.

"Thank you for travelling all the way to the Flaming Lands to bring a message on my son's behalf," the earl said. Lowering his voice, he said, "You could not have known, but officially, you're not supposed to wear a noble's ring on your finger; if you do, legally speaking, you would be pretending to be said noble. If a similar situation occurs, it would be best to store the ring in a pocket or bag."

"I see," Bedreigh said, bowing his head. "Forgive me, my lord; I did not know."

Earl Raynnard smiled. Bedreigh seemed to be a good learner.