Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 227: Rebellious lords

Chapter 227: Rebellious lords

Two weeks passed since Alpheo and his company entered Bracum, welcomed into the heart of Lord Caelum Xanthios's household. Alpheo's quarters in the castle were well-furnished, and his host's hospitality had been nothing short of meticulous. Each evening, Lord Caelum held a lavish dinner, inviting Alpheo and his closest knights-companions to feast with him. The meals were grand affairs—roasted meats, fragrant breads, rare wines—all meant to please his guests

Not long after their arrival, Alpheo had heard from Jarza of the lord's treatment of him, too. Though Jarza was of low birth, Lord Caelum had welcomed him to his table, showing an unexpected interest in the knight's methods. It was rare for nobility to extend such courtesy to a man of Jarza's origins, and even rarer for one to ask him questions so intently. Yet Lord Caelum had engaged him fully, asking after his training regimen, his methods for drilling troops, and even the weapons he favored.

In this way, Alpheo soon realized, Lord Caelum's hospitality was filled with every courtesy the lord could give, probably brought upon by his attempt to please the man that would give him the opportunity to fullfill his long-awaited dreams.

In Alpheo's private chamber, Alpheo sat in a worn but well-carved chair, helmet resting on a table beside him, while Egil leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, watching the scene with an amused glint in his eye.

Jarza, however, wore none of Egil's glee. With a sneer twisting his mouth, he paced back and forth, cursing under his breath