“No,” Queen Líess said hastily without any sort of second thought over Margot’s request. She immediately changed the subject and said, “Now, can you tell me why you pointed a knife at your sister? You know that that behavior is very unacceptable.”
Evading her mother’s question, Margot said, “Mother, we’re not done discussing what I want to do with my life.”
Queen Líess frowned and said, “You are not joining the Gray Guard. Now answer my question.”
“Fine, I had been cutting up my food, and I just so happened to still have a knife in my hand when I got angry. Why can’t I join the Gray Guard?”
“I should not have to explain this Margot, but you are a daughter of the Rock, and in case you did not notice, many of the Guardsmen do not have the refinement that living in a high Clan gives you. Also, the Guardsmen live hard lives because the Wall Mountains do not allow for any comforts, most certainly not the ones that come from living in a palace, and it is much harder for a woman to join their ranks than a man. If you fail, you will only bring dishonor to this House. I will not allow it.”
“Mother, it seems that no matter what I do, I will only bring dishonor to this House and Clan. I can’t be a lady any more than Rodder and Joar can. What exactly did you expect me to say when you asked what I wanted to do, and as for refinement, don’t tell me that you never noticed the young men from the lower Houses drinking themselves to their wits’ end, and then acting inappropriately towards the servant girls, because that’s very refined.”
Queen Líess’s mouth shrank. “I will not tolerate such insolence young lady, now leave! You have provoked enough problems tonight.”
The whole situation had piqued Gregor’s interest, and knowing Margot, he was able to see why she would want to join the Gray Guard. “Margot, don’t go yet,” he said. Then to his wife, he said, “My love, I believe that we should allow Margot to explain herself first before we deny her something else, because I think that the Gray Guard just might be the place for a girl like Margot.”
“Fine, dear,” Líess replied. Then to Margot, “Speak.”
“Well,” Margot began, having a little bit of difficulty coming up with well-thought reasons on the spot, “I think that we all know that I can’t be a lady. I have said it enough times, and you have too. I don’t want to become a knight either. Being a knight requires swearing an oath of loyalty to one specific Clan, not the Olgenoct, and I have been told al my life that we, Oldenrocks, live to serve the Olgenoct, not one small part of it, and I am more than happy to serve the Olgenoct. The Gray Guard actually serves and fights for the Olgenoct.
“Although I love Rock Hall, for it is my home, I want to leave it. I long for an adventure. I long to see the untamed wild parts of the land. I long to have no more of stifling protocol and etiquette that is everywhere with the Clans. I long to be free, free to live for this land. I’ve spoken with Commander Jex, and I know that joining the Gray Guard will be difficult, but I can, and I will get through it. This is what I want to do, and I am not going to back out of it no matter what.”
Gregor nodded in agreement before he looked to his dear wife and Queen for her answer. They all knew that when Margot put her mind to something, she would do it, and when she really wanted something, she would get it. He had no doubt that she would be able to join the Gray Guard, but he did not want to disagree with his wife once she spoke her final answer. Normally when he disagreed with her, he was the one who was wrong.
YOU ARE READING
The House of Oldenrock
FantasíaThe Oldenrock clan is the ruling family of The Olgenoct, a land only surrounded by enemy kingdoms where peace, despite many attempts for it, is only a short period of nonviolence between the nations. The Oldenrocks must not only defend and rule the...
