Hoodwinked: The Summoning Book One

Chapter 28

OCTOBER 18TH

Captain Greypol looked down at the covered grave of Lord Briggon. Only he and Otti remained on the hillside under a tall oak tree. The burial plot lay next to two others. The smaller gravestone read: Sedge Briggon. This was the name of Otswana's three-month-old brother. The larger stone bore the name: Florina Briggon. Klav noticed Otswana's mother died the same year as the child, nearly twelve years ago. Soon the large stone will bare another name. Lord Tigrias Briggon.

Charlek, Lord Briggon's closest friend and steward of the manor, gave the eulogy as well as conducted the ceremony. He shared several fond memories he had with the sorcerer. They both served in the Tigeirian army under King Ceravius II. Charlek created potions for the king while Lord Briggon was the king's conjurer and spy.

The captain discovered from Otswana, there were only a few who knew of Lord Briggon's secret endeavors under orders of the Tigeirian king. Klav had assumed he had been merely a soldier and a great swordsman.

Once the service was concluded, the residents returned to the house to have tea and crumpets. Klav did not encourage Otswana to join them. He remained silently by her side as she let her tears fall. Klav watched askance as Otti wiped her eyes once again with the crumpled kerchief she held in her hand.

"He once saved my life," Otti spoke softly. Klav turned to her. It was the first she had spoken since the burial. "I was dared by two boys who live here, Bronell and Jad, to walk the ridge of the barn to steal the weathervane attached to the cupola," Otti said. She turned to point out the tall roof of the barn in the distance.

Klav studied the height and calculated it to be about a thirty-five-foot fall from the top.

"I lost my footing. My father caught me with a levitation spell just a meter before I hit the ground," Otti finished. She turned from the grave and began to descend the hill.

"How old were you?"

"I believe I was nine years old," Otti answered and laughed at Klav's raised eyebrows. "I was quite adventurous."

"Was?" Klav asked her. The captain shook his head at her innocent smile. It faded as she looked down to study her feet.

"He'll not be around to catch me anymore," Otti said.

"You best not put yourself into any more dangerous circumstances then," Klav said.

"You and I both know I cannot do that," Otti whispered.

He turned her towards him. "I'm asking you not to go to Draconia tonight."

"You wish to change the fates?" Otti asked as she stared into his eyes.

"Yes. I cannot risk you falling into the fire, Otti."

"It's not your risk as much as it is mine," Otti argued.

"Please reconsider. We have lost too much already. I will not lose you," Klav said grabbing her arms and pulling her closer.

Otti wrapped her arms around him. "If the vision shows it is to be so, I will not stray from my path. You are to be crowned King. We have yet to have a grand wedding ceremony. I am to bare you a son," Otti said in a soft voice.

"You do not believe you will die from the fall?" Klav asked.

"No, I believe I will survive it somehow. That is why you will release my hand."

Klav thought this over for several minutes as they walked to the house to bid farewell to Otti's friends. "We shall see," Klav finally spoke.

"Yes, we shall see," Otti agreed. She turned to continue walking towards the house. "Would you mind coming with me to bid farewell to my friends? They know of our marriage and with you by my side, it will show them all is forgiven and we are in good standing."