Phillip stepped back. Try to lunge.
Henry attempted a lunge just to Phillips right and lost his balance. Phillip caught him before he could collapse to the floor. He patted the young man on the shoulder affectionately, then said in a loud voice, Masters of the Court!
The three masters who had been taking council in the hall turned as one and the seniormost said, What is it?
We must withdraw.
There was an audible groan of disappointment through the hall from the spectators as the Master of Ceremonies said, Why do you withdraw?
My young master is injured and unable to continue.
Ty and his father crossed the floor. As they neared the judges, Ty said, I can wait if young Lord Henry needs time to recover. An hour if needed, or perhaps tomorrow?
Henry was limping visibly now. He shook his head. No, good sir. I cannot continue and, he said with a wince, I suspect I will not be at my best for a while. He smiled at his opponent. Well won, young Hawkins. Lowering his voice he added, You probably would have won in any event. You really are the best I have met.
Fairly said, returned Ty, and no one has ever pressed me as hard as you. He looked at the three judges, who nodded.
The Master of Ceremonies proclaimed, As young Lord conDoin cannot continue we judge this match concluded. Hail the Champion of the Masters Court, Tyrone Hawkins!
The crowd was obviously disappointed at the lack of a resolution by combat, but after a hesitant start, they cheered loudly. Even if the final touch was absent, the tourney had provided days of entertainment and the champion was without a doubt an exceptional swordsman.
When the applause died down, Ty said quietly, This will come as a great relief to the Kings Master of Ceremonies, for to postpone the great gala would put the man into an apoplexy.
Henry glanced over at the royal box where the King and his family had been watching the finals and saw a visible expression of relief on the Master of Ceremonies face as he moved to stand before the King.
Time to get your prize, Tal Hawkins told his son. To Henry he said, Please, you must let me send a healer friend: he can get you right in a day or two. Those groin injuries are more than annoying; I know. If not treated quickly, they can linger for months, years even.
Hal nodded his acceptance of the offer.
The two finalists and their companions were escorted to the royal box where they bowed before the King of Roldem. King Carol was an ageing man with grey hair, but he still looked alert and happy. Next to him sat his wife, Queen Gertrude, and to her side stood their youngest son, Prince Grandprey, who was only a few years older than the two combatants and was dressed in the uniform of a general of the Royal Army; and his sister the Princess Stephané, resplendent in a gown of softly folded yellow silk, which spread gracefully out to the floor. Her shoulders were bare and her somewhat daring décolletage was hidden by a sheer shoulder wrap of the same hue. Her choice of colours made a dramatic contrast to her chestnut hair and striking brown eyes.
Henry tried not to blush as he looked away from her, then he noticed Ty Hawkins was staring boldly at the Kings daughter. And instantly decided he disliked the victor of the contest.
On the Kings right side stood Crown Prince Constantine, the Heir Apparent to the throne, and the middle son, Prince Albér, the Heir Presumptive. Henry and Tyrone both bowed before the royal family.
The Master of Ceremonies said, Your majesties, your highnesses, the victor and vanquished of todays final match. Lord Henry of Crydee, approach.
As the first among those who were defeated by the winner, Henry was awarded a miniature silver sword. As he knelt to receive the gift from the hand of the Crown Prince, the King said, Shame to end this way, lad; youve acquitted yourself admirably. Still, second is nothing to be ashamed of. Maybe youll have better luck in the next tourney.
Your majesty is gracious, said Henry, accepting the sword and with some discomfort returning to stand next to Swordmaster Phillip.
Well send a healer over to your quarters at the university, and have that leg seen to. You must be ready for tomorrows gala, said the King.
I thank your majesty, said Hal, bowing.
Tyrone Hawkins of Olasko, intoned the Master of Ceremonies.
Ty knelt and the King said, Young Hawkins, I gave the Kings prize to your father many years ago. He gave Tal a rueful smile. That was a day well never forget.
The bout had ended in the death of two of Tals opponents: a trained swordsman from Kesh who had come with one purpose, to kill the young swordsman, and a lieutenant in the army of Olasko who had been among those responsible for the death of most of Tals people.
The King said, So concludes this contest, and we shall gather in five years to see if young Hawkins can continue his familys achievements. I bid you, good lords, ladies, and gentlemen, a fair day and will welcome many of you to our gala tomorrow night.
Everyone who had been seated rose when the King stood, and led his wife and family from the Hall of the Masters Court. As Ty turned to find Hal staring at him with a narrowed gaze, a man wended his way though the press of folk leaving the building to come and stand before Tal.
But it was Hal who spoke first, Lord Jamison!
James Dasher Jamison, Baron of the Princes Court in Krondor, nodded at the young nobleman and then to Ty and his father. Well, Jim, said Tal Hawkins, this is an unexpected pleasure.
Lord Jamison, also known as Jim Dasher to some, glanced around the room and said, Unexpected, I warrant, but hardly a pleasure. Lowering his voice a little he added, We need to speak in private, Hawkins. Then he turned to Hal and said, Dont wander too far, Hal. I need to speak with you as well.
Moving a short distance away from the throng surrounding the victor, Jim said, Tal, I need to ask you a favour.
What? replied Hawkins. His relationship with Jim Dasher and everyone else associated with the Conclave of Shadows had been a mixed one at best. They had saved his life as a child but exacted a high price in service, and even now, after he had been formally released from their service, they still were a presence in his life. He knew he owed all that he was to them, but there was no tender affection in his sense of obligation.
I need you to keep a close watch on young conDoin over there.
Why?
Somethings coming. I will tell you more tonight, in private.
Very well, but how am I to keep watch over him while hes at the university living in the students dormitory?
We dont let him return there. Jim glanced over his shoulder at the two young swordsmen and their admirers. Invite him to dine with your family at the River House tonight and Ill chance by afterwards to have words with you both. Yes, that would serve.
Very well, again, said Hawkins, nodding his head once, then moving past the dark-eyed Kingdom noble.
Jim Dasher glanced around the room, trying to discern who might be observing him. If Kesh had agents in the room which was almost certain they would be very good at their jobs, which meant that he stood scant chance of identifying them. Still, a moment to scan the room was a little price to pay against the slight chance an agent might make a mistake and reveal himself.