Chapter 449 - Gaius and Leon (Patreon)
Content
Sir Leon! called out a voice from behind as Leon left Rolands tent. Just the man I was looking for!
Leon couldnt help but roll his eyes and wonder, What now?!
Turning, he saw Gaius swiftly walking towards him, a look of purpose in his eyes that caught Leon off guard. He wasnt sure why the young nobleman would be calling out to him, but his talk with Roland had left him with a lot to consider. Hells, it just stacked onto everything else that had been dropped on him over the past day, so what Leon wanted right now more than anything was to just be by himself.
But he also couldnt just disregard everything that Roland and the Thunderbird had been trying to tell him, so he put on his best polite face and waited for the nobleman to approach.
Sir Gaius, Leon lightly replied as Gaius drew closer, letting one of his hands rest on the back of Anzu to keep him from getting too territorial about Gaius walking up on them from behindthe griffin had diligently waited for him outside of Rolands tent, and was now happily trotting along beside Leon. Gaius disrupted his good mood when he called out, necessitating Leons conciliatory contact.
I was hoping to share a few words with you, Gaius imperiously said, already testing Leons patience and seeming to ignore Anzus presence entirely.
Leon considered the wisdom of simply denying Gaius. However, it didnt seem like Gaius was going to take no for an answer, as he jumped right in without waiting for Leon to respond.
What is your relationship with Dame Valeria?!
Leon blinked and cocked his head in confusion; this was not a question that he expected to fall from Gaius mouth. Instead, he figured it wouldve been something more relevant to the state of the war though as Leon thought more about it, he could understand why Gaius might be a bit concerned. He had just seen Leon emerge from Valerias room not too long ago, and Leon knew that the young nobleman was romantically interested in Valeria.
Shes my subordinate, one of my knights, Leon replied.
Thats not all, though, is it?! Gaius demanded.
Thats hardly your business to know, is it? Leon countered, his tone turning a few shades sharper and more accusatory.
That question, even backed up by Leons powerful aura, wasnt too oppressive, but it shut Gaius up long enough for the nobleman to think before he spoke. He straightened himself up and, for a moment, seemed to be about to lay into Leon, to say that Leon wasnt worthy of Valeria. Or, at least thats how it seemed to Leon. Instead, right before he spoke, Gaius seemed to relax back down into a more neutral stance.
Sir Leon. Could we speak somewhere a little more private?
Gaius tone had softened and taken on a significantly softer edge, which Leon noted. They were close to the center of the camp and quite a few high-ranking knights were giving them strange looks after Gaius loud outburst, so given Gaius change in attitude, Leon agreed.
A few minutes later, they entered Gaius tent, with Leon leaving Anzu outside againthe griffin wasnt too happy about it, but he did as Leon wanted.
Much like Rolands tent, Gaius tent was sparsely decorated, but given what Leon knew about Gaius, he figured this was mostly because the nobleman had to travel light or there simply hadnt been enough time for his servants to set everything up rather than any preferences Gaius had for spartan furnishings. However, one thing that struck out to Leon was a small collection of four board games on the table, all of which were typically used by the nobility to practice their tactical or strategic skills, or simply to show off their cultural abilities. Not all of the games were so high-brow, however, for Leon also saw a pack of cards and some dice hidden amongst them.
Nice collection, Leon said appreciatively as they took their seats at the table, trying to maintain a measure of cordiality after the trying day, though Id guess you didnt bring me here to challenge me to a game of keeps?
Of all the games that could be played with what Gaius had, keeps was Leons favorite, though hed played not very much. Both sides would use sixty game pieces each to try and take their opponents keep, moving and attacking in turns. The first to move either five of their pieces into the heart of their opponents keep or took all of their opponents pieces would win. The pieces were also divided into five separate types, each with their own strengths and weaknesses that could move or attack around the large game board in different ways. It was a game from the Central Empires that had been designed to hone the tactical mind and had made its way into the Bull Kingdom thousands of years ago.
No, Gaius simply replied. Sir Leon, I suppose at this point you know how I feel about Dame Valeria?
Bit of an arrogant assumption Leon thought, though he kept that unsaid.
I have some idea, Leon replied out loud.
To ensure that were on the same page here, I love her. Always have, ever since the first time I saw her in Calabria when my father brought me to visit when the two of us were about seven years old or so. She was the strongest, smartest, most beautiful girl Id ever seen, and I swore then that Id do everything I could to marry her one day. She doesnt seem to share my feelings, but I still love her with all my heart. I think my dream of being with her is dead, but I cant help my feelings. So, even if she and I will never be, I want to impress upon you that if you ever do anything to harm her, I will do everything in my power to make you an enemy of my family.
Gaius spoke passionately and with grim seriousness. There wasnt an ounce of levity to be found in his tone or expression, so Leon knew that he would follow through with his threat. But there was a bit of a problem with that
Leon grimaced and began glancing around the room as he searched for the right words. But none came, so he decided to lean into that. Im going to be blunt here, Sir Tullius. Im not clever enough in the ways of talking to really be anything but. But I think you can take, youre certainly strong enough for it, and I think its something that you need to hear.
Go ahead Gaius apprehensively responded as he leaned forward in his chair, waiting for Leons proper response. He didnt have long to wait, and Leon didnt have that grand a statement to make.
What makes you think I care about your family?
Gaius looked taken aback, his eyebrow rising as he tried to parse what Leon had just said. As the relative of a Duke, it wasnt something hed ever heard before. What do you mean? he demanded, his tone both confused and angry.
I dont care about you. I dont care about your family. Well, thats not entirely true, were currently allies, so Ill do what I can to keep you alive when in battle, but beyond that after this war, well have no ties, no relationship. Given our history, Im not even sure if having ties with you is something that I want. You cant harm me and youre not a friend of mine. So, quite frankly, I have no strong feelings about you one way or the other.
Gaius expression changed from one of seriousness and that of projecting authority to one that looked almost hurt, though it was quickly covered up by noble stoicism.
Dont bother threatening me, Leon continued. I have no plans currently to bring harm to my own knight, anyway. Shes the only knight I actually have on my payroll, and doing something to hurt her would be a bit counter-intuitive, you know?
And yet, you were in her room Gaius said.
Dont mistake that, everyone else made a big deal out of it, but there was nothing sexual going on in there. I simply had some business to discuss with her. Besides, I had my griffin in there, you think Id want to have sex with him watching?
People have weird tastes, Gaius said with an almost relieved shrug, though he still stared at Leon with suspicion. But, to get back to my point, I suppose you can take what Im going to say however you please, but I have to say it anyway. At this point, Im aware that Valeria doesnt feel about me the same way that she feels about you, no matter how she feels about you. She and I will never be, and I can make my peace with that. What I cant make my peace with, however, is the idea that shell be with someone who might abuse her, or might not respect her, or might bring her to harm. I cannot abide that! I will not let that be!
You say that like you have any choice in the matter, Leon replied.
I dont, not really, Gaius admitted. However, that doesnt mean I wont hear of it sooner or later. You could unite the entire plane under your banner, but if you were to make Valeria cry, I would still strive with all my being to bring an end to you. Do you understand that?
Leon smiled and nodded. The conviction that Gaius spoke with was admirable in his eyes, even if the content of the declaration was kind of laughableValeria hardly needed such protection, at least under normal conditions. Besides, something told Leon that Valeria wouldnt take too kindly to Gaius inserting himself into their private affairs. Maybe that was just an assumption he was making, but he was certain in that belief, given how distantly she generally treated him.
Sir Tullius, Leon said calmly and carefully, enunciating every syllable in a clear attempt to stay even and light-hearted, I have just lost every knight, every nobleman, every single person, including my giants, only a few hours ago. The last thing I need is you getting into my face and telling me how to lead my people and that I need to keep those few who are left alive. Do you understand that?
Leons voice was steady and strong, each word hitting Gaius like a sack of bricks. There wasnt a trace of killing intent in Leons aura, but still, Gaius could feel how sincerely Leon spoke. He meant every word.
I-I understand that, Sir Leon, Gaius said, suddenly becoming very aware that he was alone with a man that he considered an enemy not that long ago, a man who had his fifth-tier war beast waiting just outside the tent. And then he steadied himself, using every ounce of etiquette training hed ever received to maintain a noble stoicism, even in the face of an irate sixth-tier mage. I will not be taking back what I said, though. Keep that in mind.
Leon only smiled, a thin-lipped thing that spoke far more of his anger and lack of patience than it did of any amusement he may have felt.
I suppose thats where we stand, then, Leon stated. Just know that I dont hate you, Sir Tullius. Even with our disagreements in the past, I dont hate you.
Gaius visibly cringed in his seat as he remembered the arrogance with which hed accosted Leon when theyd first met, and the one-sided rivalry hed declared with the other man. It had only been a few years, but already the things that Gaius had said to Leon brought him nothing but shame, let alone the actions that hed taken during their time at the Knight Academy.
I know that you said you dont care about me, Sir Leon, Gaius quietly murmured, his voice shaking with shame, and his eyes wandering around the tent, but I would like to apologize to you. I wasnt fair to you back in the Knight Academy, and for that Im sorry. I would not do any of that over again if I were given the chance. Im embarrassed by my actions, and I understand completely your responses to them.
Leon awkwardly smiled, most of his obvious irritation and lack of patience vanishing with Gaius sincerity.
I accept your apology, Sir Tullius, and Id like to apologize to you, too, Leon replied, surprising no one more than himself with how much he meant it, though Gaius came in a close second as his eyes turned back to Leon in abject shock. Whatever you said to me didnt matter then and it doesnt matter now. My response shouldve been more measured and restrained. I regret humiliating you like I did. Just as you said you wouldnt do the same thing if given another chance, I would say the same.
Thank you Gaius replied, unsure how to feel now. Hed come to find Leon with righteous fire in his heart, and now here they were apologizing to each other. It was a turn he hadnt expected.
The two sat there at his table for a long, awkward moment, unsure how to respond. It took an almost embarrassing amount of time for Leon to find something else, anything else, to talk about to relieve the tension and move on.
On a side note, Sir Tullius, mind telling me why your older brother isnt here? I have to admit that finding you in charge of the Lentian retinue, someone so young and relatively magically weak compared to his immediate subordinates, was surprising.
My brother already told you he was sending me to join his army, Gaius reminded Leon, getting some life back into his voice again.
That doesnt explain why he didnt want to come personally. I cant imagine he was too cowardly to come and desert Duke Duronius camp himself, the impression I got of him back when we met was actually the exact opposite.
Sir Leon, if our magical power werent so different, I think I wouldve challenged you to a duel for those comments despite our previous conversation, Gaius said, his mouth turning up into a thin smile. Both of them were staring at the other as if daring the other to make the first move, to attack the other and let them fight it out.
But Gaius knew hed lose that fight. Hed never won when fighting Leon, and now that the difference in their power levels was so profound, he didnt for a second believe that that would change.
I wouldnt blame you for that, though Ill also say that I didnt mean any offense and I apologize if you felt any, Leon said, trying to put what the Thunderbird and Roland had been trying to tell him only a few minutes before into practice. He found it surprisingly nice, even as he realized that hed probably need to get some coaching to say things more diplomatically. I would, however, like an explanation.
My brother has other duties to perform at the moment, Gaius said. He was called to the capital to help Prince Octavius form part of the new government now that so many bureaucrats have been fired from the administration. My brother felt like it was best not to tip off Duke Duronius by showing up here instead. Hes not too far away, maybe a hundred miles or soclose enough to give strategic orders, though not close enough to take tactical command. Hell show up to take personal command of the Lentian army soon, though. In fact, if we werent going to launch this attack tonight, he mightve joined us before then.
Leon nodded. It wasnt a decision he wouldve made, but it was one he understood. Ive been told that delegation is the key to effective leadership, he murmured. I guess its a sure sign that youre trusted back in Lentia if youre able to take your brothers place.
Hardly, Gaius whispered. Im a Tullius, it was my duty to stand in for my brother, not a sign of trust or ability. As a matter of fact, Im mostly a figurehead. Its one of my brothers top knights thats actually making most of the decisions in the Lentian army.
A shame, Leon replied with a wry smile. Not going to lie, I was kind of hoping to see what you could do.
Really? Gaius skeptically asked.
Leon nodded, he meant every word. He wasnt particularly fond of Gaius by any means, but he knew the man and had figuratively crossed blades enough that he held a certain amount of respect for him.
As I recall, you already got a taste of my abilities back in the east and thoroughly trounced me, despite being almost painfully outnumbered, Gaius pointed out.
But we never really fought, Leon pointed out. I harassed you, you had other things on your mind than a set-piece battle.
Gaius eyes strayed to the game of keeps nearby.
Well, there is a way to have that, if youre willing.
Leon followed Gaius pointed gaze. He found that he quite liked the idea. It sounded like a great way to get his mind off everything that had happened during the day, or at least to let him process a bit. Before agreeing, though, he spared only a second to send a pulse of magic senses to locate Valeria. He was trying to trust her, but he hadnt seen in her in a while and wanted to make sure that his trust was well-placed.
It seemed that it was, for he quickly located her training with Alix down in the underground camp.
He smiled and said, Ive never seriously played before, but Im certainly willing.
We have a few hours, why not? Gaius said as he broke out the game and started setting things up. A predatory smile started spreading across his face as he started sorting the pieces. Leon had beaten him so many times in their time that Gaius was looking forward to beating him badly enough to salvage at least a little bit of his dignity.
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