Rulers of Westover (Book 1 in the RoW Series)

Chapter Eight

2:12:12 Light

Roldan awoke to the sound of men galloping away on their horses. He pushed himself up out of bed, dressed quickly and plodded down the stairs just in time to see his father before he left. "Where are you going, father?" he asked, yawning. It was early, the sun barely in the sky, and his father had said nothing about another trip. "I'm going to Castle Deerfax, don't worry, I'll be back in a couple of months." He didn't await a reply. Roldan sighed. He'd hoped his father would give him an answer, not something else to question. "And I have to go too," Roldan turned to see Blake. "I'm heading north, to Fort Bayline." 

"But why? Why are you both leaving again?"

"To get allies of course," Blake said, looking slightly surprised, as if Roldan should know. "And I've left Advisor Maddox in charge. If Aland decides he should rule while we're gone, I'll kill him," Blake said with his natural smile. "I'll be back long before father, perhaps three, four weeks." He climbed up onto his horse. "See you then."

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13:12:12 Light

"My Lord, Lord Auber is-"

"No need to announce it to the world," interrupted a cocky voice.

Quentin looked up from his meal to see Blake smirking back at him in his sly way. Blake bowed mockingly. "I really like what you've done with the place. Bit of blood, bit of gore," he clapped his hands. "And I love how artistically you've hung your father up outside, really adds to the mood, bravo."

Quentin glared at the nineteen year old. "What do you want?"

"Now now, no need to be so suspicious, I've come here looking for an ally. I think you'd be just who I'm looking for," Blake said. "Or are you the king's little drudge?"

Quentin jumped up out of his seat. "Of course I'm not!"

From where Avery was sitting, she could see Blake supressing a laugh. Her brother was a fool. He'd killed their father and sister, and almost succeeded in killing her by getting urchins to attack her. It wasn't like it was the first time a Lord had come into power this way, but Avery was pretty sure it was the first time somebody as naive as Quentin had. He couldn't run Fort Bayline, nevermind the whole of the Eastlands.  

"Then join me," Blake continued, his smile unfaultering as he held out his hand as if wanting Quentin to take it. Quentin glared at him. "Why should I?"

Blake shrugged. "No reason, just you know... lots of gold and I'll make you the King's Voice when we defeat House Talvace." Avery saw the greed in her brother's eyes. She shrunk in her seat.

"Just how much gold?"

Blake rolled his eyes. "Lots. You do realise who you're talking to, right? Lord Blake Auber. The key word in my name is Auber." Quentin's eyes narrowed. Blake yawned. "Well I'm staying the night, so you've got until tomorrow to decide. Where's my room?"

"There's no need for you to stay," Quentin said with venom in his tone. Blake looked legitimately interested. "You've decided then?" He suddenly resumed being his slippery self. "Of course, if you don't become our ally and we win...." he trailed off. Quentin shook his head and walked over to Blake. "House Maynet is with you."

Blake caught Avery's eye and grinned at her, knowing she was more switched on than Quentin. "Excellent."

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15:12:12 Light

"So I have your word?"

"Yes. House Vaughan will align itself with House Auber and whomever else you have at your side."

"Good."

Irving stopped in the arch to the war room. "Ah, there you are," his father said beckoning him over. Irving shuffled towards the two men sat at either end of the mapped table. He felt uneasy under Lord Auber's gaze which he could feel burning into the side of him. "I've asked you here because I'd like you to go with Lord Auber when he leaves tomorrow. He's off to do something very important and you could learn a thing or two about fighting and war while you're with him."

Irving stared at his father in confusion. "Uh, who are we fighting?"

"An enemy," Lord Auber replied bluntly. "Somebody who could easily ruin mine and your father's plans. You don't want to disappoint your father, do you?" Irving shifted his weight from one foot to the other. People felt inclined to agree with the Auber family. They were just so manipulative. Irving shook his head. "Of course not."

His father stood up and patted him on the shoulder as if he were still a small child. "Good, good. Well I have lots of things to attend to now that we have a war on our hands. I'll see you in month or so, son." He left and Irving was suddenly filled with dread. He turned to the middle aged man still sitting down. He wore no expression, yet his eyes gave away his eagerness to do whatever it was they'd be doing. Irving hoped it would be a quick fight, whoever they were up against.

"Get up!"

"Wha-?"

"UP!" Irving opened his eyes to come face to face with Cleavon. If he were to give his honest opinion, his older brother was not the first person he wanted to see in the morning. He climbed out of bed. "Why am I getting up?" Cleavon shoved a suit of armour towards Irving and glared at him. 

"Because you and Lord Auber were meant to leave about ten minutes ago!" Irving froze over. How had he forgotten!? Foolish! He dressed quickly and shot past his brother. "See you in a month!"

"Yes, yes, whatever, leave already!" 

"Oh you are alive." Irving flushed red as he climbed up onto his horse beside Lord Auber. No sooner had he thrown his leg over, Lord Auber shot forward with his men and Irving had no option but to follow, uncomfortable. He hurriedly caught up with the Lord, trying to think of some way to make it up to him. Show interest in what they were doing? "So will you tell me who we're fighting now?" he asked.

Lord Auber smirked. "You'll figure it out soon enough," he said. "And when they're defeated and dead, the kingdom will be ours." 

A/N: DUN. DUN. DA. Anyway hey guys :D Hope you enjoyed that little chapter there. I'm posting this really early in the day because I have flight to catch in a few hours to Australia :D That also means unless I can get wifi at the resort for my little wattpad app to work (see look I'm prepared for the trip), the next post will be a day late. Okay bai :D ^_^ Oh yeah I'm flying back on friday 13th so that'll be fun ;D