As they rode, Laevon’s mind was heavy with doubt.
What had transpired between Gabriel and Captain Brenner?
Normally the guardsmen and Laevon had all gotten along rather well, but now his superior had seemed quite testy with him. Ever since they had departed the tower Laevon felt somewhat strained and distant from the group.
He turned to the youngest of the guards who rode at the back of the company with him.
Schuyler Bryant, an enthusiastic boy of twenty-one, was rather short for his age and had kindly brown eyes. He was golden haired - the style of which hung somewhat comically in shaggy layers over his face, and he always seemed to have a perpetual grin spread across his features as if nothing in the world was too unsettling for him.
Schuyler had always been the friendliest of the guardsmen to Laevon. He reminded him of Philip, one of his former best friends. He was ambitious, eager, and entirely devoted to any cause he believed in. The young knight would do nearly anything to be recognized and appreciated.
Schuyler had taken quite a liking to Laevon who had been the only one to show much interest and kindness towards him. Laevon had never been a man of discrimination and had treated all men as equals when he had commanded the rangers.
“Schuyler,” Laevon began in a hushed tone as they rode quietly at the back of the patrol.
They were heading westwards towards the city of Verzstani. The southern watchtower had been their final checkpoint.
“What happened back there, do you know? Did you hear what Captain Brenner was so upset about?” he asked curiously.
Schuyler was bright and quick and never missed a detail. He greatly enjoyed being needed and relished the fact that Laevon sought his input.
“Yes, I most certainly did, Laevon,” he piped up cheerily. “I think the Capt’n was really upset with that Gabriel Belmont fellow over the tower situation.”
Laevon considered this quietly. It was not all that surprising to him. It was no secret that Brenner had been very vocal against Gabriel and his desire to reside outside of the city.
All that Laevon had mentioned to Gabriel only a few days before reentered his mind.
“Was that really all it was then?” he asked Schuyler with a scrutinizing gaze. Laevon was not entirely convinced something graver had not caused the great tension he had witnessed.
Schuyler’s head bobbed up and down in a rather funny way as the horses continued their rhythmic gait. “Well, quite honestly I think that is most of it,” he stated.
But because Schuyler loved conversation and was rarely engaged in it he could not resist adding his own personal opinions. “Brenner has never liked him. I think everyone knows that … but I would not worry, Laevon. Everyone likes you!”
Laevon’s face was grave as he thought on these words. Schuyler’s enthusiasm did little to comfort him.
If Brenner was intending to cause any problems what would that mean for his position with the Guard? What would it mean for his sister?
These thoughts were not given their due consideration though as Schuyler continued on. His quick mouth was an unstoppable fountain once it began flowing.
“You, Laevon, have proven yourself many times now. Everyone knows how skilled you are at what you do. That is all that Capt’n Brenner is looking for - honesty, courage, skill, and above all loyalty - to him and to the crown Verzstani!” He declared this in a proud voice as he was rather excited to be going to the grand city he had heard so much about.
It would have been to Laevon’s advantage if Schuyler had simply lost himself in these exciting thoughts, but the eager young man was not quite done making his point.
“And, well … it does seem rather suspicious … this arrangement and all with the steward, don’t you think?” Schuyler now began to speculate. “I think you can see why the Capt’n is irritated by it. He is always complaining to Sir Nolan …”
