Kingmaker

Family Reunion #2

Sir Henry Stafford and Sir John Howard hid smirks as they turned to their names being called. When they eventually reached Thomas and Evette, they smiled; offering kind greetings. That is before they looked to see Ava sat opposite the couple. She had since sent her son away with one of her soldiers for sleep; not wanting to keep the child out in the noise and sunlight of the day. The two knights bowed ever so slightly to her before taking seats at the end of the table beside  her and her father. Internally, Ava screamed. The two men that had captured and tortured her for almost 3 days were right next to her and she could do nothing to them. But what said they wouldn't do anything to her? 
"Ava, it's been a while" commented Sir Henry Stafford, watching her. He spoke as though nothing had ever happened between them. No aggression, no assault. Ava sighed now. "It has, Sir Henry" She kept her words simple. She didn't want to speak to the enemy. It aggravated her enough that the King had even invited these men to the coronation. Why couldn't he have just kept it an event for Lancaster? It would've eased the pressure a lot more on everyone.
"I can see you don't wish to talk to us, Ava. There's no hiding that look in your eyes. You had the same look when you were bound to that fence" Sir Henry Stafford knew Ava was holding back anger and hatred. And he knew if he made a scene with her, she would be punished for it by King Henry. He knew she will have been given orders to stay her blade. But he wanted her out of the picture for the next battle. Even though he knew that the King wouldn't keep her out of battle. He'd punish her somehow, but not like that. And Sir Richard wouldn't be too pleased either. "How'd you get away that night. You wouldn't have been able to escape those bindings without a blade"
"How stupid are you? Use your brain, Stafford. If there even is one between your ears" She spat, standing from her seat and taking a step away from the table. Sir Henry Stafford stood to meet her, stopping inches from her. Getting close as he growled; "Watch your mouth, Lancastrian dog. The truce is only on for today"
Ava didn't give him the satisfaction of another response, turning and walking from the group. Right as she did so, several of her men jogged up to her; shooting daggers at the knights behind her. "What did they say to you, Ava?" questioned one of the men; seeing the aggravation in her eyes. "It doesn't matter what they said. Make sure my son and the King are safe. Tell Sir Richard and Sir George to keep their eyes on the knights. I don't trust these men here. If they're going to do something. They'll do it at the banquet tonight"
The soldiers didn't need telling twice as they moved quickly to do what they had been told; they knew better than anyone that when Ava said something. She really meant it. But as she walked, a spike of fear shot through her chest. She feared that the knights would take tonight to try and kill her; the King or Sir Richard. There may have been many witnesses around if they did try something; but with so many people around. They knew Ava would try and seek out some peace. Meaning she would most likely be alone outside. They knew her far too well. And she wouldn't break out of her behavioural patterns either. Not even when her life was in danger.
With a shake of her head in pure annoyance, she moved to the stables. Bringing out Crispin, her old stallion, before mounting quickly and walking him back to where the events were taking place. She felt uneasy and looked it too, but she remained silent and still as she stood at the end of the seating area.
Again, two of her soldiers stood by her side. One to her left, and one to her right. They acted as though she was one to be protected as well. And rightly so. She could see the King opposite her, his eyes locked on her as if asking her what was wrong. It wasn't hard to spot when Ava looked nervous these days.  She merely bowed her head to him, showing respect as well as trying to show she was ok. It was a lie, but she wanted to avoid making the King uneasy as well. 

~15 Minutes Later~

Sir Richard and Sir George trotted their mounts over to Ava. The pair noticing the strained look on her face.  Both of them not daring to ask the questions that were playing on their minds. But they didn't have to as Ava spoke; "Sir Henry Stafford has already made a threat to us. Mainly myself. Lancastrian dog, he says. The truce is only for today, he says. So I fear he may strike tonight at the banquet. The truce does end at midnight after all. We cannot risk anything with those knights... I also spoke to my parents. Mother is fine. Father on the other hand... He's still siding with the knights of York. Mother just wanted to ask how I was doing and how Garret was. She's happy for me. Father isn't"  She murmured the last few words. It hadn't bothered her much that her family hadn't cared in the past. But now that she had seen the truth. It was bothering her more and more.
Sir Richard and Sir George shared a small look. "Come. We'll talk at our tent. The York knights will be called for their team game now, so we will be safe to talk. I'll also have some soldiers guard the tent" commented Sir Richard as he motioned for Ava to follow; with Sir George following close behind.
Ava gave a nervous sigh, her breath shaking out of her as she tried to bite back  a snarl of aggression and fear. She still questioned why York were even here today. But she woudn't question a King. To her, that was the most disrespectful thing ever. No matter how much she disagreed with what he was doing or saying.

[Authors Note: Sorry this took so long. It's been a weird couple of days]