The feast was smaller than Pyp had anticipated, the main hall was lined with large tables and plush cushioned chairs. His brother was sat at the front table raised above the others. There was no announcement for Pyp's entrance into the main hall, he walked dressed in the most expensive clothes he had ever worn and was waved over to his brother's table.

"Sit next to me brother," said Baldwyn.

He took his place next to his brother, the seat reserved for Edwyn was empty.

"Where is our other brother?" asked Pyp.

"When father died I sent Edwyn to our northern border," replied Baldwyn.

"Why?" asked Pyp

"Later Pyp our guests have arrived," said Baldwyn.

The doors opened again revealing a group of finely dressed men and women. They were led to their tables by an army of servants, the air in the hall was filled with chatter as plates of food were brought out, and the lead had the heads of the most important families in the Southlands sat. Closest to Baldwyn was Lord Weimaer, Els' Father thought Pyp. He was a tall lanky man with a permanent scowl, he picked his food and spoke little. His wife said even less and constantly glanced over to her husband. The bearish Lord Hyde sat opposite Pyp and spat goblets of food around as he launched into outrageous stories and bellows of laughter. He was sat by Lord Woods who was the recipient of many headlocks and backslaps from the large man. Lord Woods drank from his cups deeply and was soon red in the face and singing along with Lord Hyde. The other lords were more reserved and shot furtive glances over to Pyp.

Stop looking at me thought Pyp. He wondered when his brother was going to announce his triumphant return. He wanted the chance to bewitch them with his story of confronting sorcery and danger at every corner. But his brother was busy trying to engage the skeletal Lord Weimaer in conversation.

Pyp picked at the plate of rich food in front of him. There was honey-glazed ham, slow-roasted beef, jellied eels, and smoked fish. After spending months eating nothing but dried meats and hard-tac bread he could barely touch what was given to him. The crowds were silenced by the High Prince getting to his feet.

"Lords welcome, we are gathered today in mourning and celebration. My father has died and I have ascended to the office of High Prince," his brother was leaning heavily on his cane. "We all remember my father fondly, he was a great man, but this is a new age, a new time for our Principality. There are wolves at our door, the other High Princes think we are weak, they think after Godwyn's death we won't respond to aggression," said Baldwyn. The crowd was getting agitated at the speech, lords began to slam their cups onto the table and shouted encouragement to their High Prince.

"They want to reave in our lands, they have designs on our castles and cities, they want their banners hung on the burnt remains of our own," said Baldwyn.

Most of the lords were cheering and shouting around the hall. Weimaer was glaring at his brother, he barely flinched at his inflaming rhetoric.

"Can I count on you my lords, to defend our land and crush our enemies," said his brother on the verge of shouting.

The lords threw themselves to their feet and raised their glasses to toast the new High Prince, Pyp pulled himself up and raised his cup.

None of this was for me, why am I even here thought Pyp, Baldwyn is just like Father, always too busy scheming to see me.

Pyp tried to finish all the wine in his cup but it was too strong and he had a coughing fit. After the toast Baldwyn called for more wine, the servants rolled out dozens of barrels. The hall exploded into song, drunk lords stood on tables and wailed out their favourite songs at full volume. Pyp couldn't help but compare it to Erit's band at the tavern in Finepoint.

No better than a gang of cutthroats thought Pyp as he watched.

His brother sat back in his seat and leaned away from the festivities.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself brother," said Pyp.

His brother turned to face Pyp, "Is that how it looks Pyp, that I'm having a good time. Because ever since Father died it's been one crisis after another." Pyp saw a flash of anger cross his brothers calm face.

"Well I have news of another if you would care to listen," said Pyp.

"I already know about Finepoint brother, half of the Kingdom knows about the doom which came to the jewel of the south," said Baldwyn.

"Do you know it was the work of a witch and her fell magic," said Pyp.

Baldwyn barked out a short laugh. "A witch and magic," laughed Baldwyn "The reports I've had mentioned nothing of a wicked with and her magical powers."

"I was there brother, I saw what happened, I saw the witch attack Arthur and vanish in front of my own eyes," said Pyp.

"Speaking of Arthur," said Baldwyn. The servant's door opened and Arthur strode into the busy hall. He was dressed in clean breeches and a plain doublet. He stood by the door waiting as a guard came to whisper something into the High Prince's ear.

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"It looks like we'll have a chance to see if Father's charity case can corroborate your story," said Baldwyn. He stood up quietly and walked over to the servants door, Pyp stood up and followed his brother.

"Sire," said Arthur as he bowed deeply.

"Rise Arthur," said Baldwyn.

Arthur straightened up. "My brother has told me about what you went through at Finepoint," said Baldwyn. "He tells me that you fought against a witch and her magical legions."

"Yes sire, it was a witch," said Arthur.

Baldwyn raised his eyebrow, "A witch, I expected better from a member of the Prince's guard Arthur."

"Tager tells me you have more to report," Baldwyn said in a low annoyed voice.

"To the south of Heartford, there are large bands of reavers, they are far better equipped than they should be, well-forged swords and a large supply of gunpowder and firearms. They could only get such weapons from wealthy lords," said Arthur.

"Interesting, we've heard reports of looting but nothing to that extent," said Baldwyn. "We will speak of this later Arthur, Pyp and I must get back to the banquet."

Arthur bowed again and stepped back through the servant's door.

"Seems you've found an ally in Arthur, impressive, I didn't think he cared enough to take sides," said Baldwyn.

"He's no ally of mine," replied Pyp as they took their seats.

"Strange, I thought you'd be happy he followed you into your ridiculous story," said Baldwyn.

"It's no story brother, and that man betrayed me," said Pyp.

"How so?" Asked Baldwyn.

"I gave him a direct order and he went behind my back and disobeyed me," said Pyp.

Baldwyn stroked his chin, "Just say the word Pyp and I'll have him cast out of the household guard."

Pyp's eyes widened before he managed to grin, "I want him gone, brother."

Pyp was lying on his old bed feeling satisfied for the first time in months. If only there was some way to get revenge on Els thought Pyp, I'll have to be happy with the thought Arthur would be cast back to the bottom where that traitor belongs. All the times he bossed me around, and refused to address me as his rightful lord, it all shows he never should have been given his position.

He left the feast after Baldwyn told him about Arthur, he didn't think he would leave a good impression on the other lords if he sat with massive grin on his face. His room hadn't changed since his father forced him out of it two months ago, a large poster bed sat at the centre of the small room. There was little room for any furniture but he kept a small table in the corner, the table was littered with parchment. My old writing table Pyp got up and ran his hand over the old paper. Pages and pages of flute music, so much time wasted on frivolous writing thought Pyp. He had left his flute in the cart, he hadn't thought of it since leaving Finepoint. His brother had promised they would speak further when the feast ended, Pyp had many questions.

His father's demise was at the top of the list, in all the excitement of the feast I almost forgot about my dead father thought Pyp. His stomach rumbled, I haven't eaten anything today he thought leaving his room. He walked along long corridors lined with lit candles. Passing bowing servants Pyp searched for the kitchen, he found it still bustling with activity.

Looks like the feast is still going on thought Pyp as he pushed his way to the piles of food.

He felt a wooden spoon slap his hand as he reached for a bread bun.

"Not for you," said a chef.

Pyp cleared his throat and the chef looked up at him.

"Sorry my lord, lots of grabby hands around can't be too careful," he said with forced humour.

"Make sure it doesn't happen again, and have me a plate made. Nothing too heavy, some dried meats and cheese," said Pyp frowning at the chef.

"Of course, my lord, right away," said the chef hurrying off to find a plate.

When the food was handed to him he carried it out of the noisy kitchens and left for his family's solar. Maids scurried ahead of him and laid out cutlery and glass of wine on the long table. The ceiling was painted in the likeness of the night sky, Pyp recognised a number of the constellations.

"Hello dear," came his mother's voice.

Pyp quickly got to his feet and turned to face his mother. She was a tall woman who stood with excellent posture, her hands were clasped around her stomach and her greying hair was pinned tight against her skull. She was still dressed in mourning colours.

"Hello Mother," he stepped forward and took her hands.

She leaned forward and lightly kissed his cheek, "Baldwyn told me you had returned, but I was busy praying for your father, I am sorry that I didn't come to see you immediately." She let go of his hands and reached up to his face, she ran her hands through his hair and inspected his cheeks. "You look well," she said letting go of him.

"I've never been better," said Pyp letting his mother walk past him and take a seat at the table. Pyp sat back in front of his food. His mother eyed up the food, "Would you like some mother," said Pyp.

"Please," she said.

They spent the next few minutes in silence clearing the plate, Pyp eyed his mother with interest. Mother doesn't seem too shaken about father's death thought Pyp. "When did father die?" asked Pyp.

"It was about a month after you left," said Rose, "Did Godwyn ever tell you why you were sent away."

"No, in the dead of night he rushed into my room and forced me out, he snuck me through the servants quarters and outside of the keep was a cart waiting," said Pyp.

"Did he say anything to you," asked Rose.

"Only that I was in danger and that I would be safe with the Baron Wenceslas," said Pyp.

His mother nodded, "He didn't tell me the true reason either, I only found out when he was killed."

"Killed!" said Pyp.

"You were sent to Finepoint because there was an attempt on your life, the man escaped and your father sent you away. But the man returned and this time your father confronted him. When the guards found him he had been torn apart," said Rose.

"There's someone out there who wants me dead," said Pyp.

"So it seems my son," said Rose placing her hand on his, "But it will be alright, Baldwyn has the whole city on high alert, no assassin will be getting through now."

Pyp nodded, why me, who wants the youngest child dead thought Pyp. For a moment he considered his father as a suspect, the years of hiding him in the background.

"The witch," said Pyp in realisation.

"A witch," said Rose.

"In Finepoint, Arthur and I were hunted by a witch, she hunted me relentlessly," said Pyp.

"Perhaps," said his mother. "It is getting late and you are tired, go to bed my son" said Rose.

"I'm waiting for Baldwyn we have much to discuss."

"Baldwyn won't come and speak to you, he will be drinking with his lords until the morning," said Rose. "Better to get some sleep and speak to him in the morning."

His mother stood up and opened the door to leave, "Good night my son."

"Good night Mother," you've given me lots to think about.