Philippe of Morgarath

Chapter Ten

That same evening, a visitor came. A lackey came to get Philippe from his room, and he was brought to quite a young man. Davon Yaarth. Davon’s father was the brother of Philippe’s mother. Without asking why Davon asked for Phil, and not his father, or Christophe, he walked up to him. ‘Davon, it’s been a while’, he said with a smile.

He noticed Davon was hesitant, but also recognized hope in his eyes. ‘I..’ the boy said, looking for words. ‘I heard that…’ He turned away his eyes.

‘What is it, Dav?’ Philippe had gotten really curious. Davon lived quite far away. When they were both little boys, they met up very often. But with his father, Dominique Yaarth, the Morgarath family stopped having contact for a long time. Ever since Philippe’s mother had died, Malowen had cut the ties to that part of the family. The kids were allowed to come to the castle of Morgarath every now and then, but the adults were not welcomed.

On top of that, Philippe knew that his grandfather, Morgen Yaarth, was angry with them. Morgen refused to see his grandchildren. Malowen always said it was because of Nina’s death.

Davon closed his eyes, and finally said what he wanted to say: ‘I was wondering if I could come with you.’

Philippe was surprised. ‘Come with me?’ he said, wondering exactly what his cousin meant.

‘Yes’, Davon opened his eyes. ‘Father received a message, I am not sure from who, that you were going to leave the castle to travel around the world. That you were postponing your duties as general. I intercepted the message, because father wants me to read all the official mail, since I will take on his job when he passes.’ Somehow Davon sounded proud, and triumphant. Philippe did not understand why, but let the boy be. ‘Father read the letter, and let me join you.’

‘Who else knows?’ Philippe ask worriedly. ‘Who else did you tell, Davon?’ Davon’s triumph disappeared, and he said a little bit offended: ‘No one, why would I.’

Philippe felt relieve. ‘If too many people know what I am going to do, the journey will become too dangerous to make. What if news reached the wrong people, and they will try to sabotage my quest?’ Davon’s offended look turned into one filled with excitement. It was obvious that the boy was looking for danger, and adventure. ‘I can not take you, Davon. You’re too valuable. You’re the head of your house’s future, you have your duties. Go home, and continue to read your father’s mail.’

Davon instantly defended himself. ‘After me there’s Arwer, and even Junior. It’s not like father does not have other sons. Besides, you’re just going on a journey, it’s not like you’re going to war. I am fifteen, Philippe, I am not just a little kid anymore.’

Philippe shook his head. ‘You are not coming with me, and that’s that.’ Davon got angry.

‘Then I’ll just take it to Malowen, and ask him.’

Philippe laughed. ‘Are you sure about that?’ he told his cousin. ‘Do you really think that lord Morgarath, lord of rules and duty, will relieve you of yours? Do you even know how hard I had to fight for him to let me go. Try and imagine.’

‘Phil, you know how I feel. You have always known how I feel. My father is incredibly strict with his stupid rules, and I am just not ready yet to be like Christophe. I want to travel, I want to go on adventures. I want to see a bit of the world, before I am confined to lead the family.’ Philippe saw Davon’s entire posture show defeat, before he said: ‘Father has already connected me to a woman, did you know? I have no idea who it is, or when the commitment will happen, but father told me it will not take long.’ He looked up at his cousin. ‘Philippe, you are my last hope. If you reject me, I will never forgive you.’

He knew how to pull Philippe’s heartstrings. He was only a few years older than his cousin, but felt like he was at least ten years older. ‘Do you even know how to fight?’ he asked Davon. Davon’s smile came back.

‘Soon I will be fifteen, cousin. What do you think?’ Davon said.

Philippe nodded. ‘I think that that means that you know the difference between wood and steel.’

Davon laughed. 'Not only that, I also know which side to hold the sword.’

‘What do I do with you?’ Philippe said, knowing what the outcome would be.

Davon shrugged. ‘Take me, of course. Maybe you can even teach me some better sword-fighting.’

Philippe scraped his throat. ‘You know what? We will have to go by our grandfather any way, on our way to the main land. How about I take you at least until then, and there I will discuss with Morgen what to do with you.’ Davon jumped slightly in the air. His entire face said victory.

‘Deal!’