Meeting The Earl

Finally Wallace had completed his tasks and was on his way homewards.. back to Monsegor.

It was early summer so the sun still stood high as he returned to the stronghold of the McGreggor - riding faster than he normally would. Wallace was impatient and the realization made him smile inwardly.

'I really wonder who of us two the boy is.. i at least must take care not to behave like one. There will be enough time to find out everything i want to get to know of this lad..' Still these reasonable thoughts would not sooth his excitement. After he was now completely overtired his curiosity was his main impetus, apart from his strong sense of duty of course.

During the years the young noble had got into the habit of fulfilling his compulsory tasks with dedication - for every other way to deal with an affair, however small it might be, would be a waste of time, a blaspheme against his origin.

In his younger days Wallace had understood nobility as the entitlement to dominate but by now he knew - the outstanding tree hath to carry the snow or as an outworlder had placed it - noblesse oblige. A ruler was one thing in first place - responsible for his people. A man who declined this responsibility was not worthy to be called a lord.

So this was what he kept in mind when times got hard; Like now that his body cried for rest, yet this would not be granted before late this night. Dismounting his aihws, a strong thoroughbred beast he had a stretch and some minutes of relaxation before he seeked out Jerrid. He would not want to transfer the tension, the anxiety he felt in context with the imminent meeting to his protégé. His encounter with the Earl would be upsetting enough.

Even he, Wallace hisself, still felt queasy in times when he had to report to his father about a failure, so how terrible would the boy feel under his penetrating, sometimes even paralysing look. 'Alas, he will have to get used to that, there is no alternative way.'

Jerrid quickly answered upon the loud knock at his chamber door and imediately was to his feet and bowing when he realized it was Lord Wallace who entered upon his response. Wallace but gave a weary smile noticing the young one had already started studiing the books he had ordered Keeronas to bring to his guest - all-round education upon Othala's history - to bridge the wait.

"I see thou hast been diligent. Very well."

To see Jerrid in his own black velvet attire was somehow amusing. It evoked embarrassing memorys of his adolescent years but it was a good feeling to know he had outgrown most of his former shortcomings. 'Mayhaps i have acquired new ones in the meantime.. but if so i guess i will only realize that ten years later. That's they way life is.'

"I hope thou hast found everything to thy contentment."

"Yes, completely... I thank you so much for the fine clothing and everything. This really is very generous of ye, Sir Wallace."

"Don't mention it" ,once again Wallace gave a little smile. "I would like to introduce thee to the Earl of Queribus. Please follow me."

Jerrid would not hesitate. Finally something was happening. He had studied the books but however craved to leave this chamber. To step out and to explore a bit more of these new surroundings still he knew it would have been a serious offence to disregard his host's 'request'.

Without much further conversation they crossed the courtyard as slowly Jerrid started to feel a bit odd. He could not put his finger upon what it was but something was disquieting him. Maybe it was something about Lord Wallace, who suddenly seemed to be back to a tensed kind of attention although he had looked so awfully tired only minutes ago.

Politely but determined the noble let him go first when they climbed the stairs to the donjon. Jerrid's pulse accelerated and suddenly it was back on him, this feeling of apprehension he had driven away so eagerly... swatheing him like a blanket of darkness as he entered the gloomy hallway...

An overpowering dread was enveloping Jerrid as he was walking toward his meeting with Gavin. His heart had quickened the moment he turned down to this corridor. He could see the chamber coming up on him fast. If ever Jerrid wished for time to slow, this was the time. His mind was too clear. Too clear, as he couldn't form pre thoughts of what he was to say. What could he say to Gavin, Lord of the House, that he may have insulted him by not making himself known to him first.

No... This walk had passed too quickly. His adrenaline was up and he knew it would show. He sensed Wallace was also not at ease, and was fading from his presence. Wallace's feelings were withdrawing. This Lord Wallace, who carried himself so proud was humbled, as he too was nearing Gavin's chamber door. Not good...

No... Time wasn't his to control. It wasn't giving Jerrid time to think, as he was here and now. Something had come over him and it had brought him here, faster than he anticipated. Starring at the massive oak doors... Jerrid wondered if this may be the last man he'd ever see...

As Wallace opened one of the doors, both men walked in, Jerrid's attention was drawn to a mighty figure immediately. The Lord was standing casually near a large table, and his attention was on a pile of documents. The table contained ancient scrolls... documents... history.

Wallace had to almost nudge him a bit to move forward, as Jerrid didn't realize he had stopped moving. He moved closer... closer to this.. Lord. Wallace's Lord.
Now time stood still... Now that Jerrid wanted it to move it was frozen. Lord Gavin was suspended over a document and hadn't turned to face Jerrid yet. Jerrid couldn't tell if his own heart was the only thing making a sound in this room. "He can't be hearing my heart beating so fast... I must collect myself", thought Jerrid, to himself.

He could no longer feel Wallace behind him. Yes, he knew Wallace was within inches of him, but he couldn't even feel his body heat any longer. Wallace it seemed had masked himself.
As his thoughts wandered on Wallace's presence, Gavin slowly turned his attention from the table's contents and gazed upon Jerrids. Jerrid felt him envelop him. He felt Gavin on him at this distance, as if he had just pounced on him like a pray. "He is a powerful man", thought Jerrid, while he could still think his own thoughts. "I've made a grave error..."

All Jerrid could do was close his eyes. Yes... He had insulted the Lord of this House. He had miscalculated his plan and now he may have to pay the price. He prayed that hope would not be lost to his world because of this naïve fool that stood here before Lord Gavin of Quiribus and Albigan. If Fate was to be his destiny, because of his mistake, then he must speak now. "Speak now!" Jerrid's thoughts beckoned him.
Jerrid drooped on his one knee and knelt before Gavin of Queribus and Albigan.

"My Lord", he started. Feeling Gavin on him, probing every muscle, every sweat gland... every tremor of his voice... his thoughts! "...please accept...", he continued.
Continued alone .. in the darkness that had enveloped him. No sound but the thumping in his head, of his blood from his heart. Just this consuming Power on him ... Dragon and sheep... alone. If he ever wondered what an elphanipe felt, being stalked and preyed on... this was it. "... my...deepest..." struggling to speak and not lose his track of thoughts. As many thoughts and memories were passing before him.

His heart... his head... his blood was at an extreme boiling point. He had his eternity of time upon him. Gavin was deep, touching his... mind. "...apologies, for... my lack of respect." His words stumbled out. He felt the darkness lift and could now think again on his own. His thoughts were now suddenly flowing at the proper time frame.

"My deepest apologies...", He already said that! "..for not seeking your audience first, my Lord". His words were flowing now like a spring that fills the river that floods the plains. He would have continued further, but Gavin had stopped him with a gesture of his hand. Jerrid was silenced... "Arise... young... Zarkan.", commanded Gavin. His voice strong but not threatening.

He glanced over the scroll again and asked, "So where would thy sword thou art to swear on my House be upon thee, young...Zarkan? " This was the second time Jerrid felt a little short. His chest of personal keeps, was to come in two months... he should have waited. He felt sick... Had he failed? Had he come this far and be empty handed ? He knew he'd been careless in his plan to come here. The night he fought the Dragon fire. He thought he planned this out with a clear mind. No... he had misjudged; his thoughts now told him. He had been too impatient into contacting the House of McGreggors.

Jerrid was still knelt, at the time Gavin had told him to get up. "My Lord... I pledge my blood on thy sword, if thou shalt have it now." replied Jerrid. He waited for Gavin's response. He was feeling Wallace's body heat again. At least he was still behind him and Jerrid didn't feel he was at a disadvantage. Wallace had relaxed. Good sign...
Gavin, in all his presence, was now walking towards both men before him. Jerrid did not dare look up...
" I'm satisfied. There is nothing else I need to know about thee, for now. I... ask that you leave us for a moment, and see thyself, back to thy chambers."

Gavin spoke. Jerrid arose and bowed in respect. He turned and walked out as ordered. His eyes could not meet Wallace ' s, for he felt he might have failed in his quest. Yet ...He lived.

Wallace was aware of what had just taken place. Gavin had entered Jerrid's mind and wasted no time in withdrawing all he needed to know. Yet, Jerrid still...lived. ( This is why Wallace had mastered his craft to block his fathers piercing...thoughts. There was nothing or a few things that could not be hidden from Gavin. ) Gavin had not hesitated into lundging into Jerrid's mind and... he appeared to be satisfied.

So.. what this young man had revealed to Wallace was true...

"Young... Zarkan", thought Wallace. Repeating his fathers words in his mind. He had to be careful here, in the presence of the Earl. He would not try to read his fathers thoughts now. This event went well... maybe. But Wallace knew very well, if this Jerrid Syn wasn't who he said he was... well... he would not have walked out of this room. At least not by his own breath. Now, for the moment, Gavin asked of Wallace...

Gavin was still in thought... maybe, to be sure Jerrid was at a distance away. Gavin paused for a moment while gazing at Wallaces' eyes... "This... young Zarkan. He is of strong stock.", he paused again, without moving his gaze. "His blade is good... See that you sharpen it!" The Earl's last words...had an order to it...

"Very well, My Lord." Gavin put trust in the young one or at least it seemed so.

Like Jerrid had pointed out the day before the Earl of Queribus had a tendency to be very suspicious and Wallace was well aware that this inclination had even intensified recently. Something was seriously worrying the Earl and even his son would not know what the matter was.

Now but that this interview had went off smoothly the lord felt relief and his father's pictorial command would almost make him smile. The idea of taking care of the young man's.. training was an agreeable one.

Jerrid & Wallace