“From your speech I can conclude that you are not
the laird of this keep and therefore have not received the proper training one
of our rank receives. For that reason I will forgive you for your lack of…” He
looked around the room, snarled his upper lip before continuing, “manners.”
Face
as red, as his head, the man’s nostrils flared, “I’ll have you know sir, that
while I am not the laird of this keep I am his cousin and first, Sir
Samson Pedigree. My cousin Victor never fully recovered from his sickness no
thanks to that demon loving witch.” And he spit on the floor beside his boot to
emphasize his disgust.
With
his face unaffected Lucien quelled the urge to reach and rip the man’s heart right
out of chest and toss it to the dogs behind him. It was a truly viscous act,
one he had done previously, and worked for getting a point across, however he
would have to employ his cunning and not his strength…for the moment.
“Very
well then lad, I won’t excuse you.” And with that calm response Lucien back
handed the man across the face and sent him sprawling to the other side of the room only to
catch him with his supernatural speed before he hit the floor. “Lad, be smart
and tell your men to take a seat or I’ll have to get nasty. In fact why don’t
you send them all off.”
After
a shake of his head, eyes glowing with rage, Samson conceded. “Out all of ye,
get to your posts.” He yelled. One minute of hesitation and then the room
cleared. The only ones remaining were the dogs. After releasing, his neck and
steadying Samson, Lucien helped himself to a couple of chicken legs and assumed
the cleanest high back chair among the dogs. He broke off a piece at a time
offering it to the beasts.
“Since
it’s obvious your training is lacking I’m sure you won’t mind if I just help
myself.” Samson shook with the effort to
control his temper as he rubbed his jaw and joined Lucien sitting across from
him.
“Where
is your laird?” Lucien demanded.
“He
is unwell and sees no one. Not even an agent of the king.” Samson retorted.
“Ah
well lucky for you and your cousin today I am not on his majesty’s errand. So
the crown itself hasn’t been officially insulted. No, today I am on business
for my lady.” Samson eyes narrowed as Lucien pulled out the paper Tonni had
presented him with concerning Trinity’s taxes.
Samson was careful to watch Lucien as he reached for the document.
“It
seems that there has been a mix up. For I know it to be a fact that the cottage
and surrounding whole of Trinity Woods to be in good standing and paid in full
as far as his majesty is concerned.” He stated in a solid and confident tone as
he offered the now bare chicken bone to a dog and played with it idly.
“What
concern is it of ye?”
“Obviously,
you didn’t hear me when I said on “my lady’s” errand. Lady Aisleen Lemoine is
my wife and Mistress of Eternal Valley. As her laird, it is my duty to see to all
her …misunderstandings. And since the village and laird here make it a point to
insult and afflict her with vile cursing and threats I came in her stead. Which
reminds me…was it she you were referring to when you said no thanks to the
healer?” Samson’s face flushed and he opened his mouth, closed it then,
straightened his shoulders, and responded.
“Nay
it was the one before her.” Lucien threw the bone and the dogs woofed running after it. At his blinking fast speed, he gripped Samon’s cheeks forcing his
cracked thin lips into a pucker.
“Listen
well, you tell your laird he has three days to prepare for my arrival and make
amends for that lie you hold. When I come, again I will see him and only him.
In that time you will find a way to sufficiently apologize for the insult you
paid to what is mine. If you don’t…” Lucien brought the trembling man’s face
closer and growled deep from his throat. The acrid stench of urine suddenly
saturated the air. One quick glance down confirmed Samson got the point. Social
mask back in place Lucien smiled. Bowed slightly, patted each of the dogs, and
walked from the great hall closing the door in his wake.
Check out more from snippets from the Eternal Witch during The Familial Witch blog tour with Bewitching Blog Tours.
