A Dragon's War (Book 1) A Fighting Stance

Chapter 5

The two hours flew by. Lee with a book taken from one of the many shelves in the library, while Cole spent his time thinking over what he had seen in the orchard under the pretense of reading. The open book held in his hands being skimmed at most.

Lee had his legs strewn over the arm of the sofa he had commandeered. A pillow behind his back to stop the other arm from digging into his back. The fire place near Lee's head kicking out heat that Cole didn't feel was needed.

About seven feet away sat Cole, on the opposite sofa from the one Lee was on. His legs crossed at his knee, elbow resting on the arm of the sofa, his head tilted to the right to rest on the closed fist that his fingers had made. He stared into the book not comprehending the words he read on the page, to caught up in his thoughts to enjoy the book.

A sigh escaped Cole as he snapped the book closed, giving up on his endeavor. He placed the book on the seat next to him and stared into the fire. His hand moving under his chin.

Lee looked over at Cole, shook his head and went back to reading. Better to not poke the beast and just let him work it out. Cole wasn't one to commiserate with others.

During their walk Cole had had a small respite from his headache only for it to reassert itself in his temple after their bit of excitement in the orchard. He didn't like what attitude the pain put him in as he knew he became slightly grouchy when he got headaches.

The door to the library opened from behind Lee's sofa and one of the maids entered. She looked about the room only spotting Cole a first. Then she saw the dangling lower legs and shoes she currently stood behind. Upon hearing the door Lee sat up and looked over the top of the sofa back.

"Your Highness," the maid said as she curtsied, bobbing out of Cole's view for a split second, "the ball is about to commence. His Majesty has requested you be on time." Lee nodded to the maid and waved for her to leave before standing from his seat. She curtsied then left the way she had came.

Cole joined Lee on his feet, buckling the sheathed longsword around his waist, then grabbed his cloak from the arm of the sofa where he had left it. Swinging the garb behind him it settled on his right shoulder, covering his right arm in it's folds, just as the designer had planned for it to rest. The small silver chain that spanned the expense of his chest keeping the fabric in place behind his left shoulder blade and weighted enough to dangle in front of him as to keep him from being strangled by the metal.

Both he and Lee had undergone a change in clothing much to Lee's displeasure. The state of their previous garments had allowed for Cole to have some say in what he wore and although not fully getting his way, he had been saved from the constricting tunic. He now wore one of his own that Lee had deemed presentable for a gathering of the elite. The trousers on the other hand—they were a different story. But a compromise had been made and Cole would except that as a win in his books.

Cole followed after Lee who had also donned his cloak. The winding hallways took them from the south wing where the royal family resided, to the central part of the castle. The Grand Ballroom, at the center of the central castle, had become a hive of activity. Music played, lively enough to keep a happy crowd but not so lively as to drown out all else. Maids darted to and fro with pitchers of wine for the guests who would soon be seated inside the large room. Many high ranking men and women from around the country milled about in their finery while others were being escorted into the room by the various young squires that Crocus castle had in training.

Cole and Lee made their way up to the main dais at the top of the room. The King stood behind his chair talking to a nobleman that Cole recognized but couldn't put a name to. Cole never had much of a need to meet with nobles while guarding a royal that would never see the throne. The King stopped his discussion upon their arrival and turned with the nobleman to the two men.