Hynes Family/Alois/Crusade/RP6

Johann sat in a velvet lined wide-backed chair across the room from Alois and Pate, legs crossed, goblet of wine held in one hand. He had been slightly drunk by the time the house servants had served their dinner, a side of beef still slick and runny with blood, and was now well past drunk.

"Thank you for the meal, Coz," Alois said quietly. "Best beef I've had in ages."

All night, Johann had kept at Alois; Slipping in small slights every few minutes. Alois had mostly shrugged it off, but with every comment Pate began to become more and more nervous.

"Think nothing of it," Johann said, motioning towards a servant with his free hand. Dutifully, the servant crossed the room and bowed. "It seems I've a taste for grapes tonight."

The servant left with another bow and returned shortly to set the bowl before him. He bent forward, took a handful of grapes and slid one into his mouth.

"Heard you've become quite a swordsman," he said as he chewed.

"I heard you were given a Lordship, and wrote a book. Congratulations, it seems you're becoming well known."

He chuckled and gave a slight shrug, washing the grapes down with a swallow of wine. Alois' own goblet sat forgotten in his left hand. He knew what would be coming, and did not wish to be drunk for it.

"Some of us are born with the gift of greatness," he slurred, "Some of us. . . Well, not everyone will be remembered." He paused for a long moment, leering at Alois. "I also heard you were working like a peasant. It wasn't enough that you brought dishonour to our name by fighting with rebels, you had to drag our family name down further? I must say, though, it suits you more than wearing a sword."

Alois could feel a sharp wave of anger shoot through his body as his fingers tightened around the goblet. He tried to swallow it, to keep it controlled and collected, but he could hold his tongue no longer.

"Fetch our horses, Pate," he commanded. Once the boy had left, he rose slowly and pointed a finger at his cousin. "Do not speak to me of dishonour, Ser. Your reputation. . ."

"My reputation is far more impressive than yours, Sellsword. Mercenary, Spy, Traitor!"

Alois threw the goblet at him. "Do not dare to lecture me murderer!" "It was war," he screamed.

"It was cold blooded murder! I seen you, Coz. You offered no quarter. Man, woman and child! Soldier and peasant! None were safe from you."

He snorted. "No wonder you've made such a poor soldier, you're still just a boy." He rose slowly from the chair and moved unsteadily towards Alois. "They were the enemy. My enemy. Our enemy, Coz! Have you forgotten that?" he looked Alois slowly up and down, examining the Royal Crest of Itorunt sewn onto his doublet over his heart, and snorted.

"They may have been our enemy," Alois shot back,"but they were people."

"No," he said. "They flew the flag of Ibladesh, and worshipped their gods. They were less than human."

"You, Ser, are a pathetic excuse for a Knight."

Alois watched as Johann's face split into a wide grin and he began to giggle hysterically. He turned, stumbled back to his chair and sat down slowly.

"Remove yourself from my sight, Ser Alois of Itorunt."

Alois turned to leave, but as he neared the door Johann called out to him; "Coz!" Alois turned to face his cousin. He sat slumped in the chair, chewing a mouthful of grapes. "Do your father a favor, redeem yourself in the eyes of God and Men. Fight gallantly, be brave, and do not return from this campaign alive."

The night breeze felt good against Alois' face as he stepped out into the cool darkness. Pate waited at the bottom of the steps with the horses. Alois mounted, and they were halfway to the Brive gate when he realized he was trembling in rage.

"Ser," Pate called, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he said as he brought Traveller to a stop. "Boy, if anything should happen to me, I want you to go to my home in Woolton. They will take care of you there. I will give you something of mine to show them, something dear and precious to me, so that they know I sent you. But whatever you do, do not go to that man for anything for the rest of your days! Understand?"

The color drained out of the Squire's face as he nodded and swallowed hard. "Yes, Ser."

"Good. Now, come. I must sleep. Do not worry about pitching the tent tonight, I wish to see the stars."