Upon entering the mansion, we immediately felt the difference between our world and the realm of nobility. Immediately, several servants approached Zenaris, and without wasting time, removed his outer garments. His movements seemed to be automatic - he let them act as if it was his right to do so, despite the fact that he was only a mercenary now. However, even in these simple gestures, the noble roots of his lineage clearly seeped through. We mere mercenaries, on the other hand, did not dare to be stripped of our clothes - we had to stay in what we had, though it seemed that dirty shoes and shabby clothes spoiled the atmosphere of this splendor.
While Zenaris discussed something with a servant, I wandered through the spacious halls of the mansion. The interior was lush with luxury: exquisite panels of noble wood, elaborate carvings, and furniture crafted by skilled artisans, as if it told of the past grandeur of the aristocracy. For me, accustomed to the dark, gray rooms of ordinary townspeople, the sight was truly overwhelming.
We were making our way deeper into the mansion when suddenly one of the servants, with obvious irritation and disgust on his face, stopped us. He gestured at our feet, and then it all became clear: our muddy shoes were leaving marks on the perfectly polished floor, whereas Zenaris had been let in even with such shoes. I was about to take off my shoes, but a menacing look from our leader, directed not at me but at the servant, silenced me. Without further ado, the servant, realizing his place, obeyed his master's order and let us pass.
We followed Zenaris, admiring the richness of the interior, and on the faces of my companions, except Helen, you could read the genuine surprise - eyes wide open, and mouths involuntarily opened with admiration. Soon Zenaris stopped in front of a man in his forties, dressed in rich and beautiful clothes. We immediately realized that it was his father, for they both had the same look of pride and austerity.
- Where is my mother? - Zenaris asked directly, his voice serious and cold.
- Zenaris, you've finally arrived, the messengers...'' - his father began, but before he could finish.
Before his father could finish, Zenaris interrupted him:
- Where's mom? - Zenaris said, his voice growing louder.
- Zenaris! I didn't think you'd lost all your ethics in that time... - Zenaris interrupted him again, it was obvious that the passions were heating up, and the always calm and judicious son could not stand it any longer:
- Where's mom, father?! - he said even louder.
- Your mother is not ill! I summoned you for another matter! Zenaris, and I hope now you'll give me a tell-. - Darius tried to continue, but Zenaris became more than a little furious. At that moment I noticed the veins on his forehead, and he interrupted his father again, starting to scream:
- WHAT? I was wading through the deadly cold and death with thoughts that my mother was about to die and I wouldn't have time to see her, and you're telling me that she's not really sick! Are you out of your mind, father?!
- Zenaris, calm down, I took this step because otherwise you wouldn't have come, we have an important conversation to have," Father tried to explain.
The leader we all looked up to was starting to give in to the anger that was simmering inside him - I had never seen him so angry. I had always pictured him as a tall figure, smiling and judicious, able to inspire us even in difficult times, but now he was absolutely furious.
- You've got to be kidding me, Father! That was the last straw, you'll never see me again! - Zenaris declared loudly, grabbing the nearest vase stand and knocking it over.
- Zenaris! I swear on my name, there was a good reason, you have to talk to me! We're just about to have dinner, join us," Zenaris' father said in a stern tone.
Zenaris fussed some more, then clenched his fists, adjusted his clothes and, with a frown, replied:
- I agree, but they will dine with us," he said, pointing at us.
- 'They? Are they your guards? - My father said with a noticeable squeamishness, and I understood him-we didn't look very presentable at that moment.
- No, they are my dear friends, and they will dine with me," Zenaris said firmly.
- Ahem, good," Father said, signaling to his servants.
The servants immediately began to attend to us, taking off our outer garments, giving us fresh, clean shoes, and offering to wash us. We were led into a magnificent dining-room, where the table was bursting with an abundance of viands that boggled the imagination, dishes that seemed to come from the pages of ancient treatises on feasting. I sat next to Goliath at the table, trying not to betray my excitement, for I was in a circle of powerful people. Zenaris sat only two chairs away from me, between Goliath and Helen
As it was explained to me, the owner of this mansion, Darius Bladewind, sat in the most honored seat at the end of the table, right next to his son. On his left hand was his wife and Zenaris' mother, Eliana Bladewind.
I felt a great deal of excitement sitting in the midst of such powerful people. Not knowing all the rules of court etiquette, I was afraid of committing any rudeness at the table. But Goliath seemed to ignore all these conventions - he immediately began to eat, without waiting for the master of the mansion to begin his meal. Darius frowned, but remained silent. Finally, he accepted the food, and we were all able to begin dinner.
I carefully snatched a large piece of meat from the common plate and, trying to look well-mannered, cut it into small slices with my knife, then began to eat. As a side dish, I took some vegetables that tasted like carrots. Sneaking a glance at Zenaris, I noticed that he had barely touched his food. Formidable, silent looks had already begun to be exchanged between him and his father. Finally, after a long silence, Zenaris began the dialog:
- So what did you want, father?
Darius finally spoke:
- I invited you into the house to discuss one important thing, it's about your marriage.
Zenaris remained silent, but he clearly didn't like the way the conversation was progressing.
- The head of the Stormway family and I have discussed and decided to arrange a marriage: you and the head's daughter, Aurora Stormway. We can finally be closer to the king, not just a noble family of swordsmen," Darius continued.
- No!" Zenaris said firmly, pounding the table so hard that the sound made his mother flinch.
- What do you mean, no? We've already decided everything, the wedding will take place in mid-spring. Do not tell Sir Stormway that my son refuses to marry? - said Darius.
- How dare you decide something behind my back? I am no longer a little boy to be told what to do! I already have the maiden of my life! - Zenaris exclaimed sharply, grabbing Helen's hand and showing it to her father.
- I'm not suggesting you live with her and share a bed with her; the marriage will be conditional - you just have to show up for the wedding," Darius tried to be diplomatic.
- I don't care what kind of wedding it is! You're not fooling me anymore! The only wedding I'll ever have is with Helen! - Zenaris replied angrily.
- Son! Don't you understand? With your selfishness, you are setting up your brothers, your clan, and your future children! This isn't just a wedding - it's a chance to get blue blood! - Darius said, his voice already visibly flaring.
- I don't care about bloodline or anything else! You think I care about someone who rejected me? Am I your son? Didn't you disown me? - Zenaris exclaimed angrily.
- I understand, Zenaris, but that is in the past. I can give you anything you ask, but you just need to be betrothed to Aurora! - Darius tried to soften his tone, giving ground.
- I don't need anything from you! All I care about is Helen and my friends!" said Zenaris, drawing a line between them with his hand.
- Don't you get it! You think about the happiness of others, but you don't think about the happiness of the people you care about. Okay, I... but think about your mother or your brothers! - Darius said, hitting the table.
- You're the one who doesn't understand anything! What do you know about happiness! Happiness is not about childbirth or power! What will this connection with the Stormways get you! - Zenaris stood up and shouted, his voice echoing through the dining room.
- It will do a lot! By linking with the Stormways, we will have an advantage in the conflict with the Frousals, your brothers will not be involved.... - Darius began, but Zenaris interrupted him:
- You're talking about power again! That's it! I'm not going to talk to you anymore! I will never set foot outside this mansion again. Let's go! - he shouted and ordered us to leave.
We put down our spoons and forks and began to pack up. Darius shouted after us, but we were already far away from the mansion. The servants returned our clothes and shoes, and soon we were outside the gates. I listened to their conversation the whole time, and a feeling of sadness swept over me - dinner was no fun, and Zenaris was so angry that it was best not to engage in conversation with him.
On the way to the inn, I took Helen aside a little and asked quietly:
- I don't get it: what did Zenaris do to make my father disown him?
- Oh, that's what you mean," Helen began, "Zenaris and I ran away together from the House of Bladewind. His father, Darius, wanted to marry him off to some girl from a powerful family when he was thirteen, but we were together, and then a terrible quarrel ensued. In the end, his father disowned him and threw him out of the house.
- I see. Why haven't you two gotten engaged? You've been together a long time," I asked.
- I asked him," Helen said, "but he said he'd have the wedding when he bought a new house.
- I see. I hope I'm invited to the wedding? - I asked hopefully.
- Haha, of course you are," Helen grinned.
After that tense argument, we settled down at the inn. I went back to my room and got ready for bed, thinking: how long would we stay here? Accommodation would be expensive, and the frost had already drained our reserves. But, on the other hand, I like it here - this town reminds me of life in the past, and I feel cozy here.