Noble Beginnings Read Online Free PDF Page B

attention back to the issues at hand.
    The entire rest of the council went much the
same way, with Dorran alternating between feelings of being acutely
embarrassed and utterly disinterested. The combination along with
Edith's disapproval had him inwardly seething by the end of the
gathering. By time the end was in sight he was in a fouler mood
than he could remember being in years.
    So it took most of his remaining fortitude
not to groan aloud when Thea intentionally dismissed the rest of
the council before turning to his sisters, giving him no leave to
depart whatsoever. She called each of them over and talked to them
quietly for a short while, and they left separately, so that by the
time Nora had closed the door behind her, Dorran was the only
person in the room with his mother.
    "Dorran, I take it you were down at the
barracks again?" The question wasn't accusing, just seeking
clarification, but he still felt the prickling beginnings of shame
building in the pit of his stomach.
    "Yes, Mother," he answered, his voice barely
above a whisper.
    "And Nora told me that Myriel said you've
been going there for the past few days." The little spy, Dorran
thought in an uncommon moment of anger, but then sighed internally
as Thea continued. "You know that I have asked that you spend more
time in the castle learning more about your future duties. May I
ask why you have shifted your attention back to the barracks
without my approval?"
    "The adjustment wasn't meant to be
permanent," he said stiffly. "I was trying to determine why my
friend Edith wasn't running the practices anymore."
    Thea gave him an inscrutable look. "And did
you?"
    "No, but she appears to have the matter
firmly in hand." Dorran took a deep breath. "I apologize for my
actions, Mother. I did not intend to go against your wishes."
    "I accept your apology," she said formally.
Then, after a pause, she added, "Though I don't know that you have
too much to apologize for. Dorran, it may be that your exercises in
the barracks may prove invaluable before long. I would be willing
to allow you to continue them….as long as your understanding of the
affairs of court continues to improve. Do I make myself clear?"
    Dorran looked at his feet. "Yes, Mother," he
said carefully and clearly. The order wasn't helpful; he still had
no clear idea of what he was supposed to be doing or how he was
supposed to do it, but to ask for clarification now would probably
be read as impertinence. He bit his lip as he knelt again, taking
his leave, and then turned on his heel and strode out the door.
    "Take care, Dorran," Thea said as he shut the
door behind him, but he didn't know whether she said it as an
endearment or a warning.
    He walked and walked and kept walking, and
soon found himself halfway down to where the barracks were before
he even realized where he was going. He stopped himself and looked
around, unwilling to disobey his mother's orders, even in spirit,
any more than he already had. When he was sure there were no nobles
about to round the corner, he swung an angry, reckless fist at the
wall.
    "Damn it!" he yelled, slamming the palm of
his other hand against the stone, striking it again and again. He
wanted to see the wall crack under the strength of his arms. He
wanted to break a hand or wrist with the force of his blows, but
knew it would do him no good, his anger played out he turned and
slammed his back against the wall and let himself slide to the cold
ground.
    He hadn't felt this frustrated in years, but
then, for years he had been able to train constantly he had been
able to vent any frustrations or other overwhelming feelings in
physical activity. He had practiced and fought and lost and gotten
up until he had won, even if only through luck.
    Now, though, not only was he partially barred
from the activity that had kept him sane for the last decade and
set up as a laughingstock in front of his mother's council, the
person he had trusted most was keeping secrets from him as