Chapter 44
They walked to the lower garden and stood together.
Alex had Tudor wrapped up in a hug. “You did really well, sweetheart.”
Blake touched his back. “You really did, Tudor.”
Tudor pulled back and turned around, looking at him. “Thank you for not making me whip him I’m not sure I could have coped with that it was bad enough watching it.”
“That’s why I didn’t ask you,” Blake said gently.
“I should go and check on General Gasgoyne and make sure he’s okay Blake Ashton Nick Jason are you all okay do you want a hug?” Tudor asked.
“I’m okay, thank you, Tudor,” Blake replied.
Jason was stood with Ares’ arms wrapped around him. Both Ash and Nick were holding their mates’ hands.
“I’m good, thanks, Tudor. I found it therapeutic,” Nick said.
Ash shook his head at his brother, then looked back at Tudor. “I’m okay as well. I’m glad I was able to help with his punishment.”
“Me too,” Jason added.
Tudor nodded. “So I was thinking how about tomorrow morning for the sword fighting challenge that should take our minds off today I spoke to General Gasgoyne earlier he has three guards he can choose to represent the gargoyles.”
“Tomorrow will be perfect. Set the time for ten thirty, as we have no idea how long this will take,” Blake replied.
“We can go and see him now,” Alex said.
“We’ll leave that with you two. Dinner will be in an hour.”
“Okay. Come on, sweetheart,” he said, taking Tudor’s hand and walking away.
Alex and Tudor bumped into Maletayah on their way to the gargoyle barracks.
“Maletayah,” Alex called, seeing him.
The angel turned and smiled at him. “Ally Bally.”
“Really?” Alex asked, trying to frown at him, while pulling him into a hug.
Maletayah laughed and pulled away. He turned to look at Tudor. “Hi, Tudor.”
“Hello,” Tudor said, pulling him into a hug.
Maletayah was surprised but happily returned it.
Tudor pulled back. “We’re on our way to see General Gasgoyne about the sword fight match Blake wants to hold it at half ten tomorrow morning if that works for you the General has several soldiers who can demonstrate their skills.”
Alex touched Tudor's back. “Breathe, sweetheart.”
“That will work. I’ll come with you to see the General. We’ll probably need a large space because of all the spectators.”
“You could be right,” Alex said, as they started walking again. “Sweetheart, Maletayah taught Bay and me how to fight.”
Tudor laughed. “Sergeant Byron is teaching me but I’m not very good thankfully I can’t seriously hurt anyone with the practice sword.”
“If you want extra help, sire, I can help,” the angel offered.
Tudor smiled at him. “Thank you for the offer I might take you up on that as I need all the help I can get as King of the Gargoyles I should be good with a sword or better than I am now anyway and call me Tudor.”
Alex gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
“It takes time to master anything. You’ll get there, Tudor. I’ve been learning for thousands of years, and sometimes even I still learn new things.”
Tudor looked at him in surprise. “Thousands of years just wow,” he said simply.
By this time, they had reached the gargoyles' dormitory. A couple of guards were just walking towards it. They stopped and saluted him.
“Thank you but you don’t need to salute me do you know where General Gasgoyne is?”
“He’s in the dining hall. We’re just on our way there. Would you like to join us for dinner?” the guard asked.
“We will do thank you Maletayah are you joining us unless you need to eat with your angels.”
Alex gently squeezed his hand again.
“I will do, thank you, Tudor.”
Tudor looked at the guards. “You’re Lieutenant Dale and Major Collis.”
They nodded. “We are, well remembered, sire. If you follow us, we can take you to the dining hall.”
Major Collis opened the door for them; Tudor, Alex and Maletayah entered first, before Lieutenant Dale led them to the dining hall.
A hush fell over the dining hall when they walked in, and the guards who were in the room jumped to their feet.
“Please sit down and finished your dinner we came to join you if you don’t mind if you do we can leave you to eat alone.”
Alex again gently squeezed his hand.
General Gasgoyne strode over to them, smiling as he did. “Sire, we’re happy to have you here tonight. You too, Consort Alex, Maletayah. Let me show you to some seats, and then we can get food for you.”
“Oh no we can get our own food General please go back to your food before it gets cold.”
“If you’re sure, sire, once you have your food, join me at my table. There is space for the five of you.”
Tudor smiled at him. “We will thank you General now everyone please sit and finish your dinners.”
As one the guards sat. Tudor, Alex, Maletayah and the two guards walked to the serving station.
The station was long with hot plates offering all different types of food. They collected plates and served themselves. The food all looked and smelt amazing, and the dishes that had sauces were still bubbling hot.
“There are so many choices,” Alex said, putting little bits of everything on his plate.
“I’m not sure what a lot of these dishes are,” Maletayah said, looking over the selection. “But they all smell amazing.”
“We have the best chefs here,” Major Collis boasted. “Let me tell you each dish.”
“Or you could try bits of everything like I am,” Alex said.
Tudor looked at Alex’s plate and laughed. “I’m not sure all those foods go together you also need something crunchy for added texture.”
“I do, I’m eying up those croutons,” he replied, sprinkling some over his plate.
They left Major Collis explaining the different dishes to Maletayah and walked to the General’s table.
Tudor was surprised at how big the dining hall was. The thing he liked the most was the round tables, so everyone could talk to their table mates. There was happy chatter and laughter, mixed with the sound of cutlery on plates.
They made their way to General Gasgoyne's table, saying hello to the soldiers they passed, who greeted them with smiles and greetings.
General Gasgoyne and his table mates went to stand up.
“Please don’t stand I’m just a gargoyle like all of you,” Tudor said simply, putting his plate down and sitting down.
Alex laughed as he sat down. “Yep, just a normal gargoyle.”
“Thank you for joining us this evening,” one of his tablemates said.
“You’re Second Lieutenant Jackson, right?” Tudor asked.
He nodded and smiled. “I am. Thank you for remembering.”
Tudor looked at Alex. “Second Lieutenant Jackson won the gargoyle Olympics last year you should have seen him he was amazing.”
Alex patted his arm then looked at the Second Lieutenant. “Congratulations. I’ve heard of the gargoyle Olympics. Hopefully one day we can watch them.”
As they were talking, Maletayah and the two guards arrived and sat down.
“When all this crap is over, we can hold them again,” General Gasgoyne said.
“We could make them more competitive and allow any guard from any group who wants to take part. Our own paranormal Olympics,” Alex suggested.
The General nodded. “That’s a good idea.”
“I hear you have three possible guards for tomorrow’s demonstration,” Maletayah said, grinning.
The General laughed. “I do. I thought we could have a build-up to the main event, but we could just have the one.”
“I’m happy with either, but maybe just one as we’re all busy,” he replied.
“That makes sense,” Alex said, putting his cutlery down on his now empty plate. “Guys, can I just say, your chefs are incredible.”
“They really are. Can you imagine training on horrible food?” the General said.
“Thankfully you’ll never have to find out,” Alex replied.