"Oh, but Savarius, you realize my son is first in line for a position as squire for one of the king's knights? Our family is not without influence in the court."
Baron Rondem smiled at Savarius ingratiatingly. He held his son in front of him, an ox of a boy named Jorum, as if showing off a prize animal at an auction. Savarius' smile in return was forced.
"I have been given two weeks to decide on a squire, Baron. Believe me, I will make the right decision. I seek a reliable young fellow to work with me. Once I have decided, you will know, I assure you." Savarius bowed, and turned to leave the Baron and his son.
The Baron gripped his shoulder as he started turning. "Oh, I know you will decide correctly, Savarius." His tone was cold, and Savarius had the distinct impression that a threat was veiled in the Baron's words.
"Good day to you, Baron," he said, forced smile returning. "I will see you in court tomorrow."
The knight did not look back as he walked out of the Baron's quarters. His thoughts turned to despair as he thought of the boys that were eligible for squire duty. They were all the spoiled sons of minor nobles, unskilled in anything but eating cakes and foppish dueling. He had two weeks to choose one, and all were alike in their doltery. Savarius shook his head at the choices, and sighed as he neared the quarters Thagdal had been allotted.
***
"I say you close your eyes and point. Be done with it, man! You've got enough worries as it is organizing that estate of yours. Pick the least offensive and get past it." Thagdal sat in a roughly hewn chair and hacked away at a piece of wood with a carving knife.
The room was located near enough to the servants quarters to be out of the way of the nobles, but not actually in them. The furnishings were only barely better than those the third cook used, but the bed was comfortable enough for a soldier like Thagdal. Savarius sat on it and scowled.
"You haven't met these asses! That Jorum is definitely not my choice, but I feel as if Baron Rondem will kill me if I don't choose the lad. I think the fathers are worse than the sons!"
Thagdal grunted. "So you have a chance to make something of one of 'em. Look for the silver lining, man."
Savarius stood and stretched. "I'm tired of this nonsense. What would you say to a drink at Ghelban's?"
Thagdal grinned. "A drink? Never get enough, if you ask me."
*****
Savarius stared at the serving girl. He blinked twice. "What did you just say?" he asked.
"I said I wanted to be your squire, sir. If you'd have me." The red-headed girl looked at him in the eye squarely for a few moments, and then returned to collecting the dirtied platters from the table. Thagdal guffawed as Savarius continued to stare at her.
"Why don't you go back to the kitchen, wench, and fetch me some more ale? Maybe you might come up to my rooms later, eh? Have a little fun?" Thagdal grinned at the girl as he chewed on the last bit of chicken.
The serving girl glared back at Thagdal and replied in a barely civil tone, "I don't whore, sir. So please, take your eyes off me."
Thagdal's grin turned into a leer as his reached out to fondle her pubescent breasts. "Oh, come on, love. A little poke never hurt -" Thagdal never finished his sentence, because a sharp backhand slap made him fall backwards in his chair, and the burly soldier hit to floor with a clunk and a groan. The serving girl's eyes blazed, and she grabbed the platters from the table and stormed off towards the kitchen. "I'm not making a joke, Sir Savarius. I'm serious as anything."
Savarius watched the girl's back as she disappeared, and then took a look at Thagdal. The knight chuckled to himself, and stretched out a hand for Thagdal to raise himself up with.
The soldier righted himself and rubbed his head. "I deserve this for my troubles?" he moaned. "I fight in the King's bloody army for years, serve the Kingdom as best I can, and this is the gratitude I get? Savarius, tell me I deserve better."
"You were asking for it, old man. She's only just beginning to become a woman, and might well make a tradesman a fine wife someday. Thagdal, the next time you want a whore, go find a real one." Savarius laughed out loud, which got him a nasty look from his friend.
"Benara damn your eyes for being right, Savarius. And now I've got a lump the size of an egg on the back of my head." Thagdal grabbed the knight's mug, saw the remaining ale, and downed it in a gulp. "There, that's better."
Savarius rolled his eyes at Thagdal, and turned them to look at the serving girl, now handing out ales to men across the taproom. "Girl, what's your name?" he called out.
The girl looked back in his direction. "Rhysa," she replied.
"Come back over here when you have a chance. I'll keep my friend's hands away from you this time." Savarius saw her nod, and he returned to look at Thagdal, who was staring at him in shock.
"You bloody hypocrite! You can't just scold me and then grab a piece yourself -" Thagdal shut up at a look from the knight.
"I find her request diverting. Get your mind out of the gutter for a few moments. I want to know more about this girl."
"Savarius, you can't possibly be considering -" Thagdal broke off again in midsentence.
The knight shook his head. "I am not considering anything at the moment. I am in the need of a few maids at my house though, and if this girl wants to be my servant, I can certainly use her."
Thagdal slammed his fist on the table. "You see? I was right! 'Maid' indeed! Mistress is more like it. You just want some action and you won't admit -"
"Thagdal, the girl is all of thirteen! Sometimes I think you have a very sick mind."
The soldier kept muttering. "You're just going to pluck that sweet cherry and deny it, aren't you?"
The knight stood up from his chair and slapped Thagdal on his less tender cheek. He whispered harshly in Thagdal's ear. "I am a Knight of the Realm, Corporal! Bound by the Code to serve the Kingdom and the Church as an example of true morality. As you are a common whoreson soldier, drafted into the army from a life of thievery, I can hardly expect you to understand the meaning of that!!" Savarius glanced at Rhysa, now wending her way through the tables to his own. "Behave yourself, Thagdal, or I'll throw you out the door myself, no matter how long we've served in the same company."
Rhysa stood near Savarius, a careful distance from Thagdal. "You wished to see me, sire?" she said, eyes downcast.
"You are correct, Rhysa. I see news travels fast in the Kingdom. I am in need of a squire, and I will be glad to consider you as a petitioner for that duty. I trust you are well aware of the responsibilities of a squire?" Savarius watched the girl, waiting for her reply.
Rhysa nodded. "I attend all the tournies with Ghelban, sire. I have spoken with him many times about his experiences in the wars he fought in, sire. I know the duties."
Savarius could hear Thagdal choking behind him, but chose to ignore his friend for the moment. "Very good, Rhysa. I will keep you in mind. Now you may continue your work."
"Thank you, sire." Rhysa curtsied, and walked into the kitchen.
Thagdal gripped Savarius's shoulder. "You are frickin' nuts, you know that?"
"There's nothing in the Code that says women can't be squired to a knight, only that they may not fight in battle." Savarius didn't even bother to look at the soldier as he said this.
"B-but a mere girl..."
Savarius smiled faintly. "A girl who truly wishes to be my squire may not be quite so 'mere' at that, Thagdal."
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