64 – ‘Welcome’ Arrival

Looking closer at the carriage, there was a faint bloodstain on the coachman’s seat as well.

Did something happen to their coachman, so the escort knight had to take his place? But why is there only one?

Lars had described family policy to always send at least two knights to escort any descendant. So either the other knight died, or something weird was going on here.

Maybe the second knight is in the carriage? Actually…

Paying closer attention to said carriage, I noticed there was absolutely no sound coming from it. Given my heart sense, which bordered on supernatural, that was concerning.

Please don’t tell me my guest died before she even got here. I really don’t need the trouble right now.

When the carriage came to a stop only a few meters from the gathered welcome committee, the knight dismounted his seat with a pained grimace.

To my perception, this knight was obviously weaker than Lars. His heart lacked much of the ‘impact’ I associated with knights so far, even compared to the demon hunters who’d themselves been weaker than Lars. In terms of pure strength anyway, tricks notwithstanding.

His blood smelled appetizing though. No, bad thoughts!

He was a young man, with light blonde hair and pale skin. Quite similar to Lars, I noticed. Despite his obvious injuries, his eyes – piercing blue with but a hint of gray – swept over our group with clear focus. What he was searching for exactly became apparent as he reacted on inspecting Lars before his gaze landed on me. His face contorted in unconcealed disgust.

Wow, rude. I could sense Lars’ posture shift a bit next to me. A quick glance kept him from doing anything unwise. I flashed the impolite guest a wide smile. That it was slightly threatening was purely coincidental.

Opening my arms wide, I said “Welcome to my manor, guests from afar.” No need to be rude in return. I’d give being a model host a try first. How things developed from there was still to be seen.

“You’re Kalin Steelheart, correct?”

“That’s Lord Kalin Steelheart to you,” Lars growled.

“Now now, no need to stoop to his level, Lars. Tell me, who’s asking?”

Disregarding his disheveled, injured state, the man puffed himself up. He also presented a token that – predictably – was decorated with a silver stag. Even I recognized the family seal, not that it was hard to guess. “I am knight Maximilian of the Steelheart family, escort of Lady Lenora Steelheart.”

“Where is your lady then? Isn’t it polite to meet your host, especially if said host is a family member? Also, what happened to cause such a wound? Not to mention that a knight would personally steer the carriage.”

I could hear him mutter under his breath, “You barely qualify as a family member.”

Lars obviously also heard that, since I had to actually glare at him to stop a biting retort. Or maybe even a physical attack.

This is already annoying enough, no need to make it worse. At least he got my message and relaxed a bit.

Out loud, the visiting knight said, “What happened is none of your business.”

Maximilian went and knocked on the carriage’s door. The sound was off somehow. It took me a moment to realize it lacked the echo I’d expect from knocking on wood, like it was muffled.

Some form of sound-proofing then? Magic maybe? That would certainly explain the lack of any detectable heartbeats inside. And it’s a much more pleasant explanation than the alternative…

After a short moment, the door opened and a woman stepped outside. The brief glimpse I got of the inside through a strategically positioned rat just showed a curtain blocking the doorway. Tsk.

A quick inspection made it obvious this wasn’t Lenora. The apparently middle-aged woman had a rather plain look, brown hair gathered in a tight bun. More of a giveaway was the maid uniform she wore, of course.

Once the door closed behind her, she stepped forward and bowed towards me. A very shallow bow for a servant, part of me noted. Probably remnants of Kalin’s own etiquette training. Her face also twitched when she looked at me, but her self control was much better than Maximilian’s, since she immediately corrected her expression.

“Greetings, Lord Steelheart. I am Linda, Lady Lenora’s personal handmaid. My lady has deemed that she is not presentable and has declined to meet you at this time. I would request to be shown to our accommodations and to be granted privacy.”

“What?” I only realized I’d voiced my surprised thoughts out loud when Linda continued.

“I apologize, but as I said, my lady does not wish to see you. Please tell your people to leave, as my lady does not want to see them, either.” She looked at the gathered guards and staff with distaste. As though she was looking at trash someone dropped on the ground.

Also, the way she emphasized Lenora not wanting to ‘see’ me gave me an idea what this was about. Well, this visit is going to be so much fun, I can already tell. Great start, really.

Of course the noble lady wouldn’t want to be assaulted by my ‘cursed’ visage. The fact I was her half-brother didn’t make things better.

You know what, though? I don’t care. Let her be difficult, if she wants. If I don’t need to play the dutiful host, that just makes it easier for me.

“If that is my dear sister’s wish, then so be it. Just remember whose manor you are in.” I flashed another totally-not-threatening grin. “This is my steward, Mia. She will show you to your rooms. I hope Lenora recovers well from the journey. I can tell it was eventful.”

My gaze lingered on Maximilian’s bandaged arm. On second thought…

“Doctor Theodore, why don’t you take a look at Sir Maximilian’s wounds? I wouldn’t want my sister’s escort to not receive the best care available. Old bandages like that can easily get infected, you know?”

Theodore eyes showed he understood what I meant. However, the knight in question protested.

“I have no need of your quack’s incompetent meddling!” he blustered.

I fixed him with a glare. “You will receive proper treatment, or you can leave. I will not be responsible for a Steelheart family’s knight losing an arm to a preventable cause in my manor. If you want to betray your lady – my sister – by your recklessness, then feel free to do it elsewhere. I will have no part in it. Am I clear?”

My intensity clearly shocked the knight. Maximilian ground his teeth in anger, but eventually relented.

“Fine. But if the treatment is sub-par, it will be on your head.” He acted high and mighty, but I had seen the small flash of fear and heard his heart accelerate when I’d glared him down.

It reminded me a bit of when I’d intimidated the demon hunters in a similar way.

Hmm. Another ability? Or a variation of influence? But I didn’t look that trio in the eyes when it happened back then.

I was aware I had what I would call enhanced ‘charisma’ from the way several people thought I was more handsome after my transformation, among other behavioral changes. They were generally more favorable to me, more than should be reasonable. Maybe that could go the other way too?

What would I call this ability though? Hmm. Based on the way it appeared to work so far, maybe ‘presence’ is a good fit. I’ll have to keep an eye out to test it some more.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author’s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Our gathering dispersed as Mia led the maid upstairs to the prepared guest rooms and Theodore dragged Maximilian to the infirmary. I barely resisted licking my lips in anticipation.

For a moment, I considered walking up to the carriage and opening the door, but decided against it. If she doesn’t want to see me, then so be it.