The Red Knight by K.T. Davies

sure they’ll be delighted that you’ve gained the interest of a real gentleman.”
    “You excel at being wrong about so many things, Rufus.”
    “I was trying to be friendly. You should be pleased that I lavish time and attention on you . Play your hand well, and I might even be persuaded to sire a child on you one day; give your family a leg up in the ranks. Twins know, they need it. Why, even the bastard of a Corvinius would be a step up from a horse breeding gypsy and a barbarian Tamalak.”
    His words stung, but it would be a cold day in the Void before she’d let him see that he’d got to her. She smiled. “You might belong to one of the oldest houses in Antia, but your family tree has few branches, and your bastards are ten-a-penny, so if you don’t mind, I’ll decline your generous offer. Goodbye, Rufus.”
     
    When Alyda was allowed through the cordon of guards and onto the terrace, she saw King Daris talking to Commander Trease and Lord Costaine. She was glad he was busy; it gave her time to calm down, and let her anger at Corvinius dissipate. When they finished, Trease beckoned her over.
    “Good to see you again, Alyda. Your parents are well I trust?” the King asked.
    Alyda saluted. “They’re well, Majesty, thank you.”
    “Good, good. Please give them my regards. Now, I’ve been talking to Matlin about a new recruit that I’d like you to meet.” Daris smiled broadly. “I need you to take him back to Trelanlith and knock him into shape. Come, I’ll introduce you now, while he’s still sober.”
    Daris led her over to where Queen Thea was talking to a veiled Khusani ambassador, General Tyrus, and some other people who had their backs to her. Alyda got the sinking feeling that the ‘new recruit’ was the King’s eldest son, the renowned rake, Prince Talin.
    “It’s about time that he finished off his martial training, somewhere away from the…” the King coughed, “…distractions of Weyhithe. After talking it over with Matlin, I thought, where better to send my son than to the Hammer? ‘Tis only fitting that the future king serves with the best. I’ll warn you now though, he isn’t used to hard work, or discipline, or even getting up in the morning. Talin! Come here and meet Captain Stenna.” Daris called out to one of the people talking to Queen.
    Alyda registered that the King was still talking, but when the heir to the throne turned round, she stopped listening. The person who she’d spent the evening with, wasn’t simply Talin, he was Prince Talin; the heir to the throne of Antia. Swords, arrows, and lances she could handle, crushing embarrassment was a much more awkward foe to get to grips with. She felt such a fool. How could anyone fail to recognise the heir to the bloody throne?
    The Queen ushered her son over. “Please make sure he doesn’t break his neck, Captain Stenna, Talin can be quite reckless.”
    His eyes widened. “It’s an…er, an honour to meet you. Yes. You . Captain Stenna. Ali, Alyda Stenna. Who is…that is to say, who you are.”
    The King muttered something under his breath.
    Queen Thea frowned. “Tal, are you drunk already?”
    Alyda wondered if now was a good time to ask if he wanted to join the 2nd.
     
    Unlike his father, Talin had no desire to be a warrior. He liked to hunt and, upon occasion, play martial games, but he’d spent the time he should have been training with the 5th, whoring and drinking with Bear. As for the Captain of the Hammer, he’d only ever seen her from a distance, head to toe in steel, just another of his father’s implacable knights. If he’d known who was underneath all that tin, he might have taken more interest in his martial studies. He recalled hearing Trease say that she was ‘highly competent’. That was gushing praise coming from old Granite Face. If only he’d said she was beautiful and excellent company. Bear was going to laugh her arse off when he told her what had happened. He hoped the Captain would