Lord Ector woke to the sound of his chamberlains distinctive knock. He groaned and rubbed his forehead before bidding him to enter. Sutler Montdider was dressed in his finest formal garments reminding Ector that that today was a very special occasion.

"Good morning my lord." He said crisply snapping his fingers a bit too loudly for Ectors liking ushering in a line of servants who carried buckets of hot water for a bath. Behind them Eran appeared in the doorway.

"Come spar with me cousin?" He said appearing far fresher than Ector felt.

"Are you joking? What would that accomplish?" Ector asked sarcastically as Sutler turned to square his shoulders as if he meant to bar Eran from entry. Smiling, Eran moved the chamberlain aside as easily as he might draw aside a curtain stepping past him in one long stride to reach down and grab a bucket. Ector knew what was coming but his pride prevented him from raising his arms and cringing as Eran drenched him.

Bewildered gasps erupted from the chamberlain and the servants, all pale faced and mortified. Ector raised his hands as Sutler drew in a breath to call the guards.

"Leave us!" He croaked. After Sutler and the servants obeyed Ector stared at Eran. "Give me a moment to dress and I will be down shortly." Ector said steaming. Eran nodded and left without another word.

Ector ignored everyone he passed he stalked unto the large courtyard behind the manor dimly lit by the dawning sun. Eran was waiting with a blade held against his shoulder chatting with Hage Brogo, Ectors Kapten of the guard.

Ector rarely ever set foot in the drill square so his guards demonstrated surprise quickly coming to attention as he approached. Hage barely had time to step away from his conversation as Ector grabbed a blunted practice blade and swung it at Eran without preamble. The ring of steel ushered in the dawn as Ectors overhanded chop was casually deflected.

"Oho! Do you mistake me for a piece of wood?" Eran chuckled as Ector struck at him again and again smashing against his every deflection.

"Than don't act like one!" Ector huffed.

"So be it." Eran said striking back at Ector with a bone crushing swing that numbed Ectors wrists vibrating the steel in his hands.

Ector dodged to his left on the balls of his feet forcing Eran to step back as he hacked at his knee. The next few minutes passed as a blur to Ector sparring with all his guile against Erans strength and experience.

A crowd quickly formed around them cheering at every bruise they dealt each other until lady Helvethias shrill voice cut into the melee.

"Stop this at once!"

Ector glared at her panting with exertion but inwardly sighed with relief. He was already exhausted, more accustomed to wielding a pen than a sword. He dropped his blade to the ground and reached out to clasp Erans forearm in the customary signal for friendship between comrades in arms.

"I suppose there was a meaning to this?" Ector asked quietly.

Eran grinned. "I'm helping you."

"How? By clobbering me in front of my guards?"

"By getting your blood going. I would not have your wits dulled with wine and lack of sleep this morning. Not after everything we spoke of last night."

Ector nodded gratefully. "You have the right of it, but never disrespect me again in front of my household."

"Are you quite finished?" Aunt Helvethia scolded as she approached. Neigh on seventy she acted every bit the hardhearted widow who raised young orphan Ector out of duty and obligation.

"Aunt Helvethia." Both men said respectfully.

She spoke first at Ector. "I should have known you would invite Eran. Having him arrive in the dead of night and this little stunt makes him too noteworthy to send away." She swiveled her head at Eran. "While your here you will be on your best behavior or I will find duties for you somewhere worse than Mgorongoro." Than she turned again at Ector. "Walk with me Ector."

As soon as they were out of earshot she spoke up again. "You may think you will be rid of me after today but you would be mistaken. I made you and I can unmake you just as quickly. Wife or no wife."

Ectors fists clenched at his sides as he restrained himself from reaching out to strangle her like he envisioned a thousand times before.

"I owe you nothing! This is my household by birthright!" Ector hissed through clenched teeth.

"That is a misconception I allowed you to believe. The truth is you are a bastard fathered by a lowborn commoner."

Ector stopped in place and stared at her with shock and scorn. "What are you saying?" He asked immediately regretting the question. He did not want to hear her stories. She was insane, senile, delusional. She should be locked away as a mad woman.

"Don't look at me like I've lost my mind. It is not so uncommon for a noble lady like Elana to have other lovers, especially when Henry proved impotent. Some men would rather be deceived than believe they could never have a son."

"Your lying!" Ector said suddenly aware his throat was dry.

"Am I? Saying that does not make it so. You just demonstrated you do not possess Henry's fighting prowess so I pray you are smarter than this or you are also unworthy of your mothers womb."

"Do you have any proof?" Ector spat.

"That's a better question. The proof is your real father still lives and the resemblance is unmistakable. He even bears the same mole on his left cheek. But while you're trying to convince yourself that this is an elaborate hoax I devised searching the land for your older doppelganger you should know we are not the only ones who know about this."

"Who else knows?"

"Someone who knew your mother I expect. She confided this to me on her final days. She also made me swear to take this secret to my grave."

"And yet she told you and you are telling me. Why? I fail to see how it is to my benefit if she wanted me to be happy living out a farce?!"

Helvethia raised a hand as if to slap Ector but smoothly reached up to adjust her hair instead. Ector was not sure if it was something in his eyes that warned her but was glad for it. "Elana loved your father..."

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Which one?"

"Both, but Henry was already dead by then so which one do you think I'm talking about?"

"I don't know you haven't told me his name."

"Nor will I, not yet anyway. But pay attention I am doing you a favor trying to explain this to you."

"Why? Why do me any favors? A minute ago you were threatening to unmake me, presumably because you think I am a weak, selfish, stupid, whore-son undeserving of the noble identity I've had since birth."

"Do not imply such things about your mother, as for the rest I care not what you think I think. I do not love you. Now can I finish or are you still feeling sorry for yourself?"

Ector growled.

"I'll take that as a yes. Now the reason Elana confided her secret in me is the same reason I am telling you. She was worried about you, specifically on this day. For whoever else knew this secret said they would not permit you to marry and someday having children bearing Henry's family name."

Ector scoffed incredulously. "And how do you feel about that?"

Helvethia rolled her eyes. "What did I just say?"

Ector grunted in annoyance. "Fine. Can you at least tell me how my mother knew this secret, without knowing who, and yet knew enough to warn you?"

"I cannot say. There are means people use to make things known to others anonymously. Someone warned Elana they would do something to you if this day came and she had no choice but to relay that warning to me when she knew she was dying."

"And you waited until the last minute to tell me?"

"You should be thanking me you ungrateful wretch. I did my part. I made it possible for you to have this life and make this day happen. That I chose to wait to tell you about this threat until you realized whats at stake is my final favor to you."

"So what now? Are you going to try and stop me?"

"That depends, and don't flatter yourself. If I wanted to stop you I could."

Ector scratched his brow. "I do not care to be threatened."

"Who does?"

Ector glared and crossed his arms. "I am no coward. I will not be dissuaded from my plans with warnings whispered thirteen years ago. Nor will I be cowed by blackmail. I am Lord Ector Astafur. I hope you and this man claiming to be my father follow each other quickly to the grave."

"Well than. Get dressed. Its your funeral."

Ectors mood was sour as his servants dressed him in garb worthy of a prince. He was quite angry with his situation unsure of who or what to doubt. The warning in his gut was turning into a serious ache. And Morfia, poor Morfia, she did not deserve this. The thought that she may be unknowingly putting herself in danger for his sake made him even more upset. But calling off the wedding was not fair to either of them. A lady like Morfia was expected to marry a noble lord who could provide the lifestyle she was accustomed. Ector endeavored to be worthy of a lady like her all his life.

He was proud of his accomplishments, which were his own despite what his aunt believed. This manor was on its way to ruin when he returned from Helvethias' estate to manage it. Overgrown with ivy, only a few guards and caretakers living on the premises. Most of its heirlooms and valuables pilfered. No staff, no servants, goods or supplies.

Whats worse, former business partners of the manor seemed to forget having credit with his parents and fewer still were willing to extend any credit to him. All Ector had was his title and highly depreciated value of the manor itself to bargain with. But for that he was happy. Happier to be on his own for the first time in his life.

The first year was the hardest, having little experience making deals or breaking them. He was a small fish contending with established merchants, lords and criminals. As a noble he had access to social circles forever denied common born entrepreneurs but they had means of their own with back alley deals and smuggling. Ectors low born counterparts were able to shirk the kings taxes with the support of the underworld so Ector reached out to find a silent partner willing to do so for him because those methods made the most profit.

Ectors first partner was killed by other low born associates who did not wish to share and the second was jailed breaking laws Ector suggested he break. But he did not feel guilty about either of them. Pawns were meant to be sacrificed in the game of lords.

"You look regal sire." Sutler commented as Ector stepped from his chambers.

"I should hope so. Arrange a meeting with Zoras tonight."

"Tonight?" Sutler questioned keeping his tone neutral.

"I should not have to repeat myself."

"Yes my lord." Sutler said clearly nonplussed. Zoras was Ectors current silent partner in the underworld. A man of evil reputation. No good ever game from dealings with him and Sutler was concerned about whatever required Ector to slip away on his wedding night.

The dining room was noisy and crowded by Ectors elder relatives who raised a cheer as he entered.

"There he is, the fighting groom!" Shouted uncle Arthur, a veteran knight who served with Henry. Ector spent many hours by the fire listening to Arthur's stories as a child. Ector smiled and slowly made his way to the head of the table pausing to share a few words with whomever grabbed his sleeve. Breakfast was much the same as the dinner feast last night. Lots of conversation and good humor among some of the most powerful members of the Astafur family.

The baron himself was not here of course, as a lesser lord of a single manor Ector did not warrant that much respect. But he would attend the wedding itself, and he would present a wedding gift which was more than he would do for some. After seating himself Ector partook of the gluttony at the table eating a variety of pastries, meats and cheeses but shying away from eggs. He had a serious bout of sickness as a child eating bad eggs which led to a life long aversion. For drink he had honeyed milk.

"Quiet please! Quiet!" Arthur said taking a stand a few seats down from Ector. "I would like to make a toast." Some good nurtured jabs and jokes followed Arthur's announcement for the old knight was fond of making toasts and hearing himself talk in general.

"My brother Henry died from battle with the Anghouls fifteen years ago. He was leading a charge on a formation of their slave infantry crossing a bridge over the river Luan near the town of Dunstone. The road passed through a wood and hidden in the trees were Anghoul skirmishes who let loose on us as we passed. Henry had four arrows in him when he fell but his orders were clear, the charge must ram home at any cost.

I remember shouting Henry's name as we bore down on our foe. Some of the cowards leaped from the bridge in terror before they were trampled, lanced or cut down. When our momentum was finally stalled by the greater mass of enemies before us the whore-son skirmishers moved in to flank us and finish off Henry and the other fallen knights like jackals.

I do not know how long we fought to hold that bridge but the horses hooves were wet with guts and they were climbing over piles of their own corpses to come at us in waves. Then just when I thought we might be beaten Henry's war horn blared loudly boosting our moral and buckling what was left of theirs. Minutes later they were in full retreat.

Only then could I lower my sword and return to Henry's side." Arthur turned to look at Ector directly. "Your father fought like a lion Ector, even unhorsed and wounded. He faced down seven of those heathen cannibals before they could eat his heart and might have lived to tell the tale himself if the Anghouls did not putrefy their arrows with rotting meat and feces before every battle.

Henry loved you Ector as only a father could. But I have watched you grow into a man and share his pride for you. So let me blow his horn for you in his honor." Arthur raised Henry's war horn to his lips mustering a mighty blow for an old man. It's deep tone echoed loudly through the dining hall for several moments followed by even longer moments of poignant silence and quiet weeping.

Ector rose from his seat and stepped over to his uncle who reverently offered him the war horn. "Let this be my wedding gift to you Ector. It is not bejeweled or capped in silver as others might be. But for you and me, and this family, its value is priceless.

Ector nodded, taking the war horn in his hands before raising it above his head for everyone to see prompting more cheers and loud applause. Ector threw his arms around his uncle in a loving embrace feeling very well appreciated as a part of this family.

As he broke his hold around uncle Arthur Ectors eyes sought those of aunt Helvethia seated at the other end of the table. His gaze locked with hers in quiet challenge stating without words that he belonged here and he hated her.

For a moment he thought he glimpsed a flash of remorse behind her mask of indifferent contempt but when she stood to raise her glass as if to make her own speech Ectors heart sank. He knew her words could ruin everything. She smiled at him then in her iciest fashion and her unspoken message was just as clear. I will always hold power over you and I am not going anywhere.

Helvethia did not get a chance to speak for she was preempted by Sutler who opened the doors raising his voice to speak over the din.

"Lords and ladies, honored guests, the commander of the city guard has arrived to escort us to St. Vespasians cathedral."