Page 16 of Silent Knight: Alexander

Chapter 7

Charlotte smiled from ear to ear, standing under the mistletoe holding on to Alex’s arm. She had purposely stood here a dozen times tonight, each time making sure it was only Alex who kissed her.

The Christmas celebration was in full swing. The main meal of boar’s head and brawn pudding, as well as minced pie and roasted goose, had been some of the best food that Alex had ever tasted. The musicians started playing, and the tables were cleared away. He could see the longing in Charlotte’s eyes to dance as she silently watched the others.

“Ah, there you are, Lady Charlotte.” Dreyfis walked up, having had too much ale to drink. He staggered a little as he walked. “I am here to save you from this broken-down man. Dance with me.” He reached out and pulled her to him. Charlotte looked back in desperation.

“Leave her alone, she doesn’t want to dance with you, Dreyfis,” said Alex. He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. He had left his father’s sword in Dominick’s solar as well as his things but would use his sword if need be.

“What did you say?” Dreyfis slowly turned around, still gripping Charlotte’s arm.

“You heard me. The lady doesn’t want to dance with you.”

“Well, it’s not like you’re going to dance, so keep your mouth shut.” He turned back around. Alex drew his sword from his sheath. Someone gasped, and the musicians stopped playing. Everyone slowly crowded around them in a circle.

“Are you threatening me, Sir Lame?” said Dreyfis with a chuckle. “Because I would love to challenge you once again.” He pushed Charlotte to the side and drew his sword.

The hall was filled with the sound of metal clashing against metal. Children cried, and women screamed. The crowd moved away, giving the dueling men room.

“What’s going on here?” growled Summer’s husband, Warren.

“Wait,” said Summer, holding out her hand, stopping her husband from intervening.

“Show him a thing or two, Alex,” shouted Dominick, pushing through the crowd to get to the front.

“I don’t want trouble on Christmas,” said Alex.

“The killer decides to show his cards finally.” Dreyfis lunged for him, and Alex backed away. Surprised to hear the man call him that, he realized he must know about his past. “Surprised that I know you are naught but a mercenary?” snarled Dreyfis as they continued to spar. “I remember you as well as your father since you once came to my castle for a job, but I turned you down.”

Alex didn’t remember but, then again, his father had always been the one to get work for them.

“Then you must know that I can fight and beat you,” said Alex.

“Does Lady Charlotte know you are naught but a paid assassin?”

Charlotte heldher hand to her mouth, terrified to see the duel between Alex and Dreyfis. She didn’t like this at all. Dreyfis was fighting dirty, playing on Alex’s emotions to try to distract him. Then again, Alex had a stone-like face, not showing his hand at all.

“I don’t care if he’s a mercenary,” Charlotte called out. “I love him.”

“You do?” When Alex turned to look at her, Dreyfis stuck out his foot and tripped him. Alex fell to the ground, his sword clambering to the floor in the process.

“And that is why you’ll never be able to protect a lady and will never marry in this lifetime.” Dreyfis chuckled and turned to replace his sword in the scabbard.

Alex had enough. He let out a loud roar, rolled across the floor, grabbing his sword in the process and knocking Dreyfis to the ground as well. Then he pushed up from the ground letting his good leg hold him and pressed the tip of his blade to Dreyfis’ throat.

“I have killed for less,” snarled Alex, losing control of his emotions. “I look forward to pushing my blade right through your heart because you are naught but a despicable man who does not deserve to live.” Bottled-up years of anger pushed through Alex’s veins. He no longer cared if he was right or wrong. It didn’t matter that this was not a paying job. He hated this man more than anyone he’d ever met in his life and would put an end to his goading right now.

“Alex, don’t,” came Charlotte’s voice as she stepped through the crowd with tears in her eyes. “You are better than this. Don’t lower yourself to his standards.”

“Kill me,” Dreyfis shouted from the floor. “Or are you too frightened to do it because you are lame?”

“That’s enough,” said Warren stepping through the crowd with his sword drawn. “Lower your blade, Alex. I won’t have blood spilled on my floor on Christmas, even if this man deserves to die for the way he’s been treating you. Sir Dreyfis, you are banned from Framlingham. I don’t want you ever to return.”

Alex slowly lowered his sword while Dreyfis got to his feet.

“I’m sorry,” Alex apologized to Warren, turning to put away his sword. “I never meant for this to happen.”

“Well, I did! I will never let a cripple make a fool out of me,” came Dreyfis’ response from behind him.