Knight of the Moon

Chapter 6

Lord Crastell Otherys breathed in the fresh air at the balcony of his castle. The sun was above his head, pounding on him the heat. He was naked, sweat dripping down his muscled body. He eyed over his land, one of the only places in the Iron Bay which was fertile.

“M’lord, your bath is ready,” said a young female dressed in thin linen.

“Thank you.” Crastell thought back, when he gathered a small band of loyal soldiers and attacked this hold. He remembered how he gained power and finally gave birth to a new house.

Otherys, the spear of Iron Bay.

He left the balcony and back to his quarters. A steaming pool was inviting and so were the women keeping it hot with warm water.

He walked slowly through the stairs and the water covered him to his chest. The waters smelled sweet with oils. He leaned at a ledge, close for a servant to scrub him clean.

He was rubbed vigorously with a cloth, and he felt his skin burn from the harshness with every movement.

“Woman,” he addressed the servant girl. “Do you have a grudge against me? Be gentler.”

“I’m sorry, my lord.” She avoided eye contact but continued to wash away the dirt from Crastell’s body.

After Crastell was clean, he left the pool and changed into the clothes they left for him on the bed. A tunic, leather jerkin and breeches. Dressed, he left his room. The hallway was bright from the clear windows. As Crastell passed by his people, they bowed and acknowledged his lordship.

Crastell was in a chamber, with the ceiling high. A long aisle from the large entrance door led to the high seat.

My high seat which will remind people who the new lord is.

Crastell sat on his elevated chair. There was no table before him. He had no need for the advice of all his council members. All he needed were a few loyal friends.

“Let us begin.”

A man came forward. He wore a brown tunic under his leather jerkin and a sword hung from his waist. “My lord, there is urgent news before all else.”

What could be so important?

“Hurry up, I don’t have all day.”

“My lord, Jared Belkion has visited us as an ambassador from his father.”

At first, Crastell was in shock and disbelief.

What are they doing all the way here!?

Crastell kept his cool, not shouting his thoughts. He breathed in deep and relaxed his chest. He sat tall and straight, and he stared at his captain of the guard.

“Daeron, grant him my audience.”

“Shall we prepare the keep, my lord?” Daeron asked.

“You shall do nothing that useless. I want my soldiers presented, dressed, armed and strong. I do not want to show us in our weakest. Let Rein know that we are always at our best.”

Daeron bowed and left in a hurry. Crastell called for his squire.

“M’lord?” the young boy was just fourteen and not a man grown.

“Fetch me my armor, my greatest one. Hurry, before our guest arrives.”

The boy brought back a steel, plated armor. He strapped and fitted it to Crastell.

“This is wonderful, boy. Now, go fetch me my sword.”

“Which one?” the boy asked.

“My bastard sword.”