BRING SWORDS AND FLOWERS

The Wedding Eve

The next morning Lord Orbelo declared that he was too old to go to the wedding which was going to happen the next day.
He requested  Tyde to attend it in his place and hand over his gift to the newlyweds.

Tyde was happy to accept. This meant that she could keep an eye on Ares and also witness his performance with the Demeteros.

Lady Gaya was also happy to have Tyde accompany her.

The same day, Ares also arrived in the southern county and paid a visit to his cousin at the Orbelo's. After learning that Tyde was also attending the wedding, Ares who was in a good mood took her out to buy her a dress.

"Let me make a guess as to the reason behind your good mood." said Tyde when they they had left the Orbelos.

"Go on."

" It is Estelle Torden isn't it?"

Ares laughed. "You know me best alright."

"By the way Tyde" said Ares
" That lady Gaya doesn't seem like  good company. "

Tyde laughed. "I knew you had poor taste in women."

"Well she is good looking and well mannered, but there is something about her that puts you off. She weighs your every word and is too calculative." said Ares

" That is because foolish men do not like intelligent women." said Tyde

"Who are you calling foolish?" Ares made a face, "Whatever the case may be, you should be careful around her."

"I can't believe this is coming from you." Tyde laughed it off.

They got into a shop, and Ares bought her a light yellow gown and a silk shawl to match.

"Woah, our Tyde  looks better than Estelle Torden now."  Ares said after she tried it on.

"Cut it out." said Tyde checking herself in the mirror.

They took a look around the Hy District before sunset. After reviewing their plan for the next day Ares said,

"I have a feeling that everything will go well. Our good days are coming Tyde."

Tyde hoped that his words would come true.

" I'll bring back all our former glory and we'll become so great that even Lord  Adara will have to try hard to get an invitation to your wedding."

Tyde smiled.

They were standing on a bridge over a canal when Ares said these words and sometime in the future Tyde would recollect this moment and feel the irony of it.

               ++++++++

Just a little distance away from them, Damien Torden sat  in Estelle's mansion, his handsome face looking bored.

A bunch of ladies tried to strike a conversation with him, but he did not seem to be in the mood. Eventually his cousin Estelle made her way to him and he got up to greet her.

She was a beautiful and successful actress,very well known for her scandals. Her first husband had died leaving his fortune to her. Her second husband had divorced her after two years of tolerating  her affairs.

Today was the eve of her third wedding and she was greeting her guests one by one and talking to them animatedly.

"To think you are the last person to arrive among all my family." she  complained to Damien.

"Then I shall apologise with this ." Damien said handing  over the gift that he had brought .

Estelle pushed it away. "You have given me enough for my last two weddings. Do you know what I need as a  gift tomorrow?"

She motioned towards the Grand piano that lay in the hall unattended.

Damien sighed. He never performed in public.

" If my lady so wishes, then I shall play something tomorrow ." he said after a pause.

" That would be wonderful." Estelle clapped her hands  with glee.

After she made him sit back in his place with a glass of wine , she went away to greet the other guests.

Damien looked at the luxurious arrangements and the guests lined up in their best clothes. Such extravagance was nothing new to him who was from the main line of the Torden family. Atleast that's how everybody treated him, like a legitimate Torden..

But Damien  knew well the rumours surrounding him, that he was not born from his father but from his mother's lover.. .
And yet Lord Torden had brought him up as his own son. Was it because he had no other children? Or was it because he felt guilty for killing off his mother?

When Lord Torden died, the rest of his family recognised Damien as the new Lord without question. His father's will also confirmed his title.

The Tordens were a  corrupt lot,and he knew he was different from them. He never touched the sword.He never made any dirty money.

Damien knew that everyone saw him as his father's bastard son.He was the man who was living the title of the man who had killed his mother. Yet they spoke carefully to him because of his title and wealth. He hated his family, he hated the Tordens to the bone.

His thoughts were disturbed by, Estelle Torden who had come upto him again. She was doing round two of greeting her guests.

"I have thought of something interesting," she said giggling,

"How about we find a fiancee for you from the ladies who arrive tomorrow?"

"I already have more ladies than I can handle." he said getting upto leave.

" You are leaving already? All my  friends would be disappointed." Estelle complained.

"They can see me all day tomorrow.And also, I should be thinking about what I should play for your wedding."

"Then I shall allow you to leave." said Estelle making way for him.