Hamilton, D [Middle Sea 02]The First Blade of Ostia by Duncan M Hamilton

Author:Duncan M Hamilton
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Sword & Sorcery, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Coming of Age, Fantasy, New Adult & College, Epic, Literature & Fiction
Published: 2014-11-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

Amero didn’t show for training at all the next day, and Bryn was concerned. An increasingly bad temper, heavy drinking and a sword close to hand were not a healthy combination. Bryn worried his behaviour was leading him toward trouble. Emeric was still around, so Bryn was confident that any trouble would not be severe, but his current lifestyle would lead him to ruin of one sort or another if not knocked on the head soon.

After training, he decided to call at Amero’s apartment and give him a talking to. He didn’t look forward to Amero’s reaction but it had to be done, and Bryn was the only person to do it. They were still best friends after all.

The door opened the instant he pulled on the bell-rope, and Bryn’s initial reaction was surprise at the speed of the servant’s reactions. The door wasn’t being opened for him, however. A lady was departing; Amero’s most recent conquest no doubt, and probably also the reason for his absence from training.

When his eye’s fell on Joranna’s face, Bryn was unable to contain his surprise. Her face was flushed—not from the surprise of seeing him—and her hair was not quite as neatly styled as he would expect if she was out making calls on friends.

‘Bryn… I. What are you doing here?’

Bryn said nothing and pushed past her, taking the stairs up to Amero’s apartment two at a time. He burst in through the door, where Amero was lounging on his armchair, wearing nothing but his britches, smoking a twist of tobacco. There were several empty bottles of wine sitting on the table.

‘Back for more?’ Amero said, in response to the sound of the door opening. Only then did he look over and see Bryn standing in the doorway. ‘Ah. Bryn. What brings you over?’

Bryn said nothing, trying to separate rage from his decision-making.

‘Oh. You saw her then,’ Amero said.

‘I saw her,’ Bryn said, in as measured a tone as he could manage.

‘Well, I did warn you about her.’

‘You utter bastard. Why did you do that?’

‘Did you a favour, if you’re asking. She’s just like all the rest of her type. I warned you, and this is proof that I’m right. The first chance of a step up the social ladder and they drop their skirts. Told you to go after the daughter of a burgess or such like.’

‘You utter bastard,’ Bryan said again, unable to think of anything else.

‘Now listen here,’ Amero said. ‘You’re a bank clerk’s son. What were you thinking getting mixed up with a nobleman’s daughter anyway? Did you really think that would ever work out?’

Bryn thought about drawing his sword. It was the way swordsmen settled things like that, but Amero’s words rang true. Bryn was the son of a bank clerk. Whatever the result of a duel between them, or a fight there and then, it would end badly for Bryn. If he killed the son of an elector count he would be in the city dungeon or on the headsman’s block before he even had his sword sheathed again.

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