Chapter 39: Courting

Chapter 39: Courting

Music riffed from old-world guitars and banged alongside the beat of drums to fill the spacious ballroom. All of the Knight Initiates shifted about, decked out in their formal clothes. Some wore accents with jewelry to display status further; they gathered in small circles. This place was a reflection of the higher courts. They dressed up in Academy clothes. Like a wolf in sheep's furs.

Erec despised parties.

No matter how many times he went through this, the court life, he suspected he’d never get the bad taste out of his mouth.

He drowned it out with wine. He’d already been drinking, so why stop? The cold shower Olivia forced him and Garin to take only sobered him up for so long, and intoxication would make it easier to get through this affair.

The glances from the circles of Knights didn’t help. They gossiped about him. He was a mad Knight—a terror who went too far against the Prince and violated the rules of a spar. Who slaughtered monsters without care for the allies around him.

Erec downed another glass.

“Drinking problem, rust bucket?” Colin shot out, an attempted dig even with an outdated insult. Erec hadn’t even heard of what happened to the poor Markos II that dragged him through the trial. He glared at Colin.

“Might be. But it’s not like I see you hanging out with them, either.” Erec nodded towards Garin and Olivia.

They were doing rounds around the ballroom. Drifting in and out of groups with ease, the way they complimented each other’s social skills was alarming. Where Garin could come off as obnoxious or overtly casual, Olivia shored up with curt politeness expected of the courts. How they dealt with all of those fake faces was beyond him.

Though, Colin decided to remain on the edge of the ballroom, near a small table. It shouldn’t have been shocking that Colin avoided associating with the other Knights, perhaps especially after seeing his manners—or lack thereof—during the dreadful Courtly Mannerism course.

Erec stood his ground after meeting a couple of people here. He was close to snapping from the training. He’d hoped booze would help, but no.

Still, drinking in the corner with Colin was better than getting involved in some faux pas to degrade his reputation further. Sorry, Bedwyr. I’m not you.

He wasn’t the only one catching glares.

For every dark look sent his way, Colin received triple that number. While Colin tried to present a strong front, he kept trying to press further into the background.

“And why would I engage in this party with them? They aren’t my friends; we simply live together. Besides, they’re far below my rank.” Colin finally said, turning his nose up.

“Do you have any friends?” Erec swirled the glass of crimson wine, still fighting the self-hating thoughts in his head. Colin recoiled as if slapped but didn’t retaliate. Instead, he shrank further towards the wall. Erec sighed. “Alright, maybe that was a bit too far. Sorry.”

He looked away from the cup. It was a shallow pool that too many drowned themselves in. Would he join them? Bedwyr glided effortlessly across the dance floor with Gwen, surrounded by a gaggle of friends, dancing and joking with their own dates. Why am I not like him? Why? What kept him from being more like Garin or his brother?

How could he face down monsters with a burning anger in his gut and an axe in hand, yet this raised the hairs on the back of his neck?

Who would take the first swing? Colin’s fist tightened.

Then it went limp; Colin deflated and looked away. When he spoke, his words came out as a whisper. “What can I do?”

“Change,” Erec said, letting out a relieved breath.

“I’m weak.” Colin clenched his hand and scowled. “The last two years before the trial, I told off my instructors, and my mother covered for me. That’s why I’m doing so badly. When I was young, they all said how adept I was... Yet they lied to me.” Colin’s face took a dark cast.

The ballroom shifted once more into more dancing as the music moved away to something slower.

Garin danced with Olivia in his arms. The two looked at each other rather intensely. Garin was still red in the cheeks from the liquor, and Olivia threw a fake pout on her face. His friend must’ve made some dumb quip. Typical.

They looked good together. But it left a pang in Erec’s heart. Could they trust that woman? She was a spy, but so was he, in a way.

“Train with me.” Colin declared from his side.

“Huh? You realize I don’t have all the skills you high-born nobles got. Can’t you contact your dad and see if he has any allies—“

“He told me I was to make my own path through the Academy and refused to let me rely on his connections,” Colin admitted.

That’s ironic. Erec fought to keep a scowl off his face. To say that to his son, yet go and force someone to befriend him as an ally. The games of nobility were sickening.

“You’re strong. Don’t try to deny it. We all saw the fight against the Prince; even if you’re a bastard without honor, you stood against him far longer than you had any right to. I’ve seen the way you train with Garin. Work with me too.”

“I’ve been—“ Erec’s heart felt a cold hand close across it. This was part of his vow and the first time he’d seen this dickwad reach out towards anyone with an open hand. Even if he was extremely busy trying to get himself under control before the expedition... There didn’t seem to be a second option.

Colin gave him an earnest expression. It wasn’t quite a smile. It wasn’t anywhere near a scowl.

“Fine. But, I’m going to warn you now... Over the next couple of weeks, I’m going to be more temperamental than I’d like to admit.”

“Is that outside of the norm? Either way, I shall be fine, I’m sure.”

Erec extended his hand for a shake. Colin looked down at it, hesitating. Their first step on the path of friendship.

Then he took the hand and shook. Sealing their fates together through their academy life. More music drifted out from the band.

The music reached a crescendo. On the dance floor, Garin leaned in and met Olivia's lips.