"How could I not? I got into a row with him a few times. He was dubbed the village idiot even if his idiocy was his uncontrolled temper bouts." He gave a low whistle, somehow that didn't overly surprise him as he shook his head and then dug into the next bowl of stew like the first. Although he would find himself slowing down half way as that lion was appeased. Now he savored the taste better as he would wait on anything else Aiden had to tell them. He was all ears again for his mouth was being occupied.

"He got worse when he got older, and somehow tapped into the wizard who was banished beneath the mountains. He had lured the people into the cavern, captured them so they seemed no more than engravings in the walls of the cave, and waited like some cat watching for mice. He's dead, our people free, the illusion of destruction gone, though the fields were overgrown, homes in need of repair. The King and Queen, several members of the Council and some others were not found, Lydia among them. There was nothing for me so I came back here. Dylann came with me, but returned to take his place again with the Brethren." He paused again, then touched the sword. "I wear one of the empowered swords of Heathfield, given to me when I was knighted. 

It was made by the Druid Prince of this land. There are one hundred and each is unique in some way." He smiled slightly again, waiting to see if either changed their mind about staying now that they knew their homeland had reappeared.

Cole contemplated the dilemma over the last of his potcheen, dark eyes turned brooding. He trusted Aiden absolutely, and if his brother knight found purpose and contentment here, then that was as sterling a recommendation as could be found. "You spoke of a King whom you now serve, Aiden. Will you tell us of him? What measure of man and King?"

"Well, that explains it, the conniving runt." Obviously Gabriel never cared for the flea bitten varmint. The part of him doing something like that didn't surprise him but having the ability to was another matter. "Good that he is dead for that would be one reason for me to return, to make sure of it." His stew finished as he sat back and Alex indicated the potcheen bottle Cole was partaking of so of course Gabriel would nod to the offer as a glass was poured. Now all he needed was a bath and clean clothes, ones in better shape than what he was wearing. Even with great care, clothes worn only lasted so long and four years was stretching the limit. Down to his last pair of everything, boots even had a few separations at the seams. Meant water got in or snow if he wasn't careful. A frown marked his brow, he remembered Lydia and the love between the two. "I'm sorry," all that was said but heartfelt. The sword talk was a good distraction too, "can I see the blade?" His interest peaked for he had always appreciated a well made sword. One could tell by the blade. Leaving Aiden to answer well placed questions by Cole, ones he was interested in hearing the answers to.

He merely nodded when Gabriel said he was sorry. There was nothing to be said there. "Aye, you can." He carefully pulled the sword from its sheath, holding it out. A blue glow seemed to dance along the finely made blade, the power within obvious. "This is Aiolos. None may touch it save by my permission and should it be lost, it will return to me. It can cut through stone and suffer no damage."

Recognizing a sensitive subject in the person of Aiden's betrothed, Cole kept quiet as he listened to the description of the blade. Impressive, to say the least. "You said it is one of a hundred blades?"

He held his hand out when the blue light played along the blade but didn't actually touch it. It was more if the energy pulled at him, when it leaped to slide over the outline of his fingers like darting energy in play, his eyes turned that blue again. He was mesmerized and all too soon the small blue streaks were back on the blade. "Maybe I sound greedy but I want one of those." Knowing well in the simple statement it meant far more. Not a toy and not just the sword but all it entailed like his brethren had found. He saw them all side by side again, along with others whose faces he didn't know. "Well to meet Aiolos," respectfully for the force was of a being unto itself too. "And this king," reviving Cole's question as he wanted to know more.

The blade was slid back into the sheath and Aiden chuckled then grew serious again. "Peter is above all else, a warrior. He understands what it's like to have been homeless, uncertain of his future. He is a man of great honor, compassion and strength, one I'm proud to serve." He smiled again. "And he's a good King." He leaned toward them both, lowering his voice. "And like most men, he doesn't understand women." Straightening again, he looked from one to the other and grinned. "He tends to be very stoic." Not unlike Aiden, even back when they were younger.

"They are elusive, wily creatures." Not that he had a great deal of experience with women, tending to avoid uncomfortable situations and misunderstandings regarding his intentions. Cole reached for the bottle, refilling his glass and holding it over Aiden's and Gabriel's as if to ask if either wanted more. "I would like to meet him, if that can be arranged. If he is willing to acquire more men, it will be good to be useful again."

He decided to try the shot set in front of him. It had been a while since he had a good strong drink and certainly had held his own. He wasn't prepared for the full potency of the burn that felt like it melted his throat away when it went down. A gasp of air sucked in as the glass was set, eyes flared up to blue again. "Another," was hoarsely croaked out. He was listening and presently couldn't speak all that fluently but he was going to chase the fire with fire to douse the other and gain a tolerance. He gestured to Cole with a nodding indication he wanted to also as he collected the glass and then downed that bit.

He nodded when Cole offered to freshen his glass, then continued. "I would like for you to both meet him, and being he's here, in Heathfield, you'll be able. I'm stationed here as one of his knights, working with those of Heathfield when he goes back home. Lancely Caster and another, Calhoun Quinlan, serve in the same way. Both are men I'd trust with my life and I've come to consider them friends. " He looked at Gabriel, knowing Cole knew how the Thistle was run. "Food, drink and rooms are free. Baths too. You'll find spare clothing in a room in the back. I'll show you. We can see to new clothing tomorrow or the day after. I'll speak with Peter, and ask when he can meet with you." It would be good to have them as brothers in arms again.

Topping off their glasses, he refilled his own and set the bottle aside, but didn't immediately drink. Cole wanted enough potcheen to take the edge off the dull ache that came from overexertion, but not so much that he lost focus or alertness. "That would be good of you, Aiden. Thank you." A meeting was all he asked; Cole would prosper or fail solely on the basis of his own merits as a knight and as a man in the eyes of this King. All he asked was the opportunity to prove himself fit and worthy. "You'll find it comfortable here, Gabriel. The beds are comfortable, the food is excellent, the baths hot, and the people are kind."

"That, my friend, is the best offer I've had in years." Bath, New clothes. Food in his stomach and most of all back with his brethren and a future. One more than only comprised of staying alive. He tucked the other two names away as they were important to remember if they rode with Aiden. "I must admit, Cole, I hear a pillow calling my name but not too soon." Much as he needed a few of those necessities he didn't wish to tear himself away like some dream that when he did, it would end. One he'd wake up disoriented and very disappointed from.

Peter would listen to what Aiden had to say on his two friends, but he would make his own decision. He had found Dylann to be insufferable, but in time, he would have perhaps given him a second change. It didn't matter now of course. "Alex is the tender, Hazel the cook. Those who work here can get you a razor if you wish, whatever you need. They're good lasses."

"Once I finish my glass, I think it will be time I sought my bed. It's been a long day and I have a great deal to think on now." He nodded at Aiden, already aware that serving a new King would require adjustments of thought, habit and behavior on his part. A random thought struck him in the midst of that, dark eyes turning to Aiden. "You said he does not understand women. Does this mean he has problems with women, as in plural, or woman, as in one?"

"Tomorrow is the dawn of a new day, better than many over the past few years. I would like to meet this King you have gained such respect for. These other knights that ride at your side and hope there is a place for us," quieting as he could have gone on especially with the third burn going down. Did any of them understand women? He really hadn't been around them in a very long time, first for being out at sea then snowed in.

"I don't know for certain. He has a younger sister and though he loves her very much, he is at a loss to their actions and thoughts." He felt it was changing, but he'd say no more on that. "Should you become his knights, you will have to at times escort the Princess and her ladies, and treat them as they should be treated. I know both of you are capable of doing so." Again, explanations would happen later, if Peter did accept them. "Both of you get some sleep. I'll send word as soon as possible." If he was unable to see Peter right away, he'd invite them to the field the day after tomorrow.

Draining his glass, Cole put it neatly in the stack of his supper dishes to make things easier for Alex and Hazel once the three trooped out. "Thank you, Aiden. I will remain close by and wait for it. Gabriel, will you join me for breakfast tomorrow?" He had more in mind than food, wanting to test his skills against Gabriel's in a practice round before he was to establish himself to King Peter.

"Aye, and in clean clothes so I'll smell like a fresh morning in spring." Else he might clear the room until he was done. Or chased out by Hazel he'd find more likely, threatening to scrub him down with lye soap and a horse brush. "We'll have a lot before us, a lot to learn but I'm finally looking forward to tomorrow for a change."

"I should return to the castle. We're usually up at dawn, gentlemen, be warned." He grinned and clapped a hand to first Cole's shoulder, then Gabriel's. "I'm glad beyond words to have you both here, my brothers. It's helped to ease some of the burden I've felt since leaving Daurenia." He inclined his head to the young woman at the bar that came in. "Good evening, Miss. Alex will see to your drinks, which you'll find have no charge. Food and rooms the same due to the generosity of the Monarchy."

"I can't speak for Gabriel, but I am glad to be here and to find you both alive and well." Cole had his own silent burden of guilt for being away when disaster struck their homeland, not being there to defend and protect the people he was sworn to as a brother of the Order. "Dawn doesn't bother me, but I am going to head up to bed so that I am awake to see it. Coming, Gabriel?" Returning the clasp to Aiden's shoulder, he finally allowed a slight smile to ease his stern features. "Good night, brother."

He was intrigued by Aiden's dialogue to the woman and stored it away. Seems he would not be parting with the few coins left and the possibility to finally earn more doing what he did best. A nod given the woman as she was greeted by Aiden and then returning his clasp of shoulder as he eased from his stool. He was at that point of being very ready but enough time to soak in a hot bath first. "Your words speak as mine, Cole." Aiden knew how they felt without need of further dialogue. There would be plenty of time come dawn to learn more. "Would we be allowed to watch you train with the others," he was getting that itch to see how well they did. Certainly had to do well to have Aiden amongst them. "Aye, good night brother, we'll see you at dawn." Hand coming to rest on Cole's shoulder the moment before they would depart.

"Yes, you would. Though you look as if you need rest, Gabriel, both you and Cole are welcome on the King's field come dawn. I will speak to the guards and you need only give your names. "Good night. Rest well, my brothers." He inclined his head to the female creature before turning to where his cloak hung. A day that had begun as any other had brought him hope.

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