His eldest son stepped out through the crowd of those watching, looking like the knight that he was, and like the man Godwin had been when he was younger. He was tall and muscled with years of sword practice, his blond hair cut short so as not to get in the way. He was every inch the warrior, and it was clear that people watched him with love as he strode through them. Now, if only he could think, as well.

Is all well, Father? he asked, offering a bow.

No, all is not well, Godwin shot back. Did you think I wouldnt find out about the ambassador?

Say this for his eldest son; at least he had a solid streak of honesty in him. He could no more hide behind a lie than behind a slender tree. Vars would probably have dissembled out of cowardice, and Greave would have wrapped everything up in pretty quotes from those books of his, but Rodry just stood there, solid as a stone. With about the brains of one, too, given what he said next.

I couldnt just stand there after hed insulted our entire family, our whole kingdom, Rodry said.

Thats exactly what you should have done, Godwin shot back. Instead, you shaved his head, killed two of his guards… If you werent my son and heir, youd hang for something like that. As it is, those friends of yours…

They took no part in the fight, Rodry said, standing tall, taking all of this onto himself. If he werent so angry at the stupidity of it all, Godwin might almost be proud.

Well, theyll be stuck taking part in one soon enough, he said. Do you think a man like King Ravin wont strike back? I sent his ambassador on his way because he couldnt do anything to us. Now youve given him a reason to try harder.

And well be there ready to stop him when he does, Rodry said. Of course he was unrepentant. He might be a man grown, and a knight, but he had never known true war. Oh, hed fought with bandits and creatures, as any Knight of the Spur would, but he hadnt faced a full army on the battlefield the way Godwin had in his youth, hadnt seen the chaos, and the death, and the…

Enough, Godwin said. You were a fool to do this, Rodry. You must learn better if youre ever to be worthy to be king.

I Rodry began, clearly ready to argue.

Be quiet, Godwin said. You want to argue because your temper wont let you do anything else. Well, Im still king, and I dont want to hear it.

For a moment, he thought that his son might argue anyway, and then Godwin would have to find a punishment that would actually stick when it came to the heir to his throne. Thankfully, Rodry held his tongue.