I had to get ready. I was slowly walking out of the chapel only to find Tod waiting in the corridor for me.
"You need to rest Tod, I know that Hadrim Moreta is a very skillful swordsman. He killed my father with one swing of his sword." I said that but in my head I was already making plans how I could kill that monster.
"Kian, I promised to kill him for you. If I do that will you be mine?" He looked at me in a way I couldn't refuse him. If he fights against Moreta he will die. I had to stop that madness and save Tod, for Lorcan.
"If you kill him, I shall be yours forever." I leaned and kissed him gently. I knew he was obsessed with me and he has just lost his father. What is more, if I fail, he was about to die tomorrow. One way or the other it was our goodbye. That kiss was my last present so I poured all my heart into it. I started slowly making our lips touch and then I kissed him. Tod allowed me to lead as I was playing with his tongue and even stood on my fingertips.
"Keep your word Kian." Was all he said when our lips parted.
Back in my room in Gale's house I couldn't sleep. It was already dawn and I felt exhausted, so I managed to sleep for two hours or so.
I woke up, washed and took extra care to look my best. I have chosen modest black clothes, well the most modest ones and adorned my hair with two diamond pins. For Lorcan. I found a knife I was given by Lorcan and hid it behind my back. My only chance to kill Moreta was to approach him and stab him. I will do it like a cowardly assassin, nothing to be proud of but that man was trash and didn't deserve an honourable death. I had nothing to lose anymore, I shall drag him to hell with me.
I went downstairs, Tod and Jay were already sitting and eating breakfast. I couldn't look at the food.
"You look like a ghost." Jay noticed looking at Tod who immediately seemed to be in a foul mood.
"I want to be present during the duel." I said quietly.
"Sure thing, my brother needs motivation." Jay smiled in a weird way.
"It's not funny, Hadrim Moreta is very dangerous, Tod I think you have little chance to win." I looked sadly at the young man, only three years younger than me.
"Tod, Kian is worried about you." Jay kept teasing his brother.
"No need Kian. Tod is an excellent killer. You will see." Jay said confidently and continued eating.
I said nothing more. I couldn't figure them out, they seemed always so close,so supportive to each other and now Jay looked indifferent. I sighted and sat next to Tod. I drank a bit of tea and waited.
Tod got up and so did Jay.
"It's time for justice." Tod smiled at Jay.
They stood close and touched with their foreheads together. Just like back then when we went for a ride.
I watched them not understanding what was really going on in their heads.
"Come Kian." Tod suddenly placed his hand on my back.
"What is it?" He immediately noticed the dagger I hid there and pulled it out despite my resistance.
"Oh, this." I got nervous for a moment, but then decided to tell them the best solution.
"I will kill that prince. That way we all have our revenge and Tod won't be killed." I was trying to be reasonable.
"Jay, make sure Kian stays by your side all the time." Tod took my dagger and hid it in his right upper - top shoe.
"No please Tod, Jay listen to me. That man is a monster; he killed many people. I can do it that way the prince will die and you will be saved, Tod please." I was trying to reason with them.
Tod stopped , bowed and kissed gently my lips.
"Kian, just remember your promise. I need that."
"I do remember." I sighted thinking hard how to push through with my plan.
"Watch him Jay." Tod repeated it one more time and left while Jay grabbed my hand and pulled me behind him.
"Jay, you love your brother, let me help. I can do it, I hate that man and since I'm not really your family member so you won't be held accountable." I was trying to convince Jay while he was dragging me behind him.
"Kian, stop it. Make sure to watch my brother. Only him." He pulled me closer and for a moment I felt like Lorcan was back from the dead.
We went to the duel by carriage, me and Jay. Tod was riding a horse and he said he needed time to focus. I was silent, my whole plan that kept me from falling apart ended before I even had any chance to implement it. I was hopeless.
'He will kill him." I repeated quietly while we were still in the carriage.
"You have little trust in Tod. Wait and see. Don't try doing anything funny. I will have ten guards watching our backs. And even more placed in the audience." Jay said indifferently.
We came back to the castle, at the back of the garden there was a lawn and quite a few people had gathered there already. I noticed the prince surrounded by his men and lady Weremonth wearing black. She was sitting and I saw two free places next to her. I was following Jay and behind us were a few men.
"My lady." I bowed before I sat down.
"Mother." Jay placed a peck on her hand. They all looked oddly calm.
I was clenching my fists. In a moment I will be witnessing another death. Tod was weird but I felt pity for him. He was so young and his death was unnecessary. Maybe I should talk with the lady? I was about to turn my head to talk to her when Jay grabbed my arm and pulled me closer.
"Stop it Kian. Sit and smile." He hissed.
I was stiff from being both nervous and a bit scared.
The people formed a huge circle, it was a rare occasion to see a sacred duel. It wasn't uncommon to solve things in such a way yet it didn't happen pretty often. The prince was warming up, stretching his arms and choosing between two swords. Tod was already on the other side of the field. He was looking at his sword with a weird expression. According to the rule they both weren't wearing any armour, only shields and swords. Their white shirts contrasted with the green of the grass.
Count Krolack stepped into the field accompanied by a priest.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today we shall witness a holy duel. The winner shall prove his justice while the loser shall face death. Two men are fighting to defend their honour, Tod Weremonth who accuses Hadrim Moreta of poisoning his father. May God be your judge."
Count stepped back and the two men approached the priest who gave them their last blessing.
Those two men stood opposite to each other.