Lord Fredrick gave the boy a stern glare as if trying to find some hidden tinge to an otherwise polished blade. After a moment of persistent stares he stood taking in a deep breath and walking back to his fireplace. "I have no grounds to deny you this title. You may instruct him as you see fit Hardel" Fredrick kept his eyes on the dancing flames as he spoke, the room falling back to silence for a time as he stood ignoring them.
"We shall take our leave then..." Hardel make to bow and gestured to Jason that he too was to leave the room.
Fredrick's hand swung up to halt them. "The boy may leave, you I would ask to star Hardel. I must speak with you on something..." from his voice this was something Jason was not meant to be privy to nor should he wish to pry. Hardel bowed his head and waited for the boy to leave and close the door before facing the Commander. Fredrick looked over to him, a concern in his eyes. "This is a bad idea Hardel."
Hardel shifted on his feet, clearly unhappy with where this discussion was going. "I see no reason why that would be. The boy has promise."
"You know dam well why you have chosen him, Gods even I am no blind fool when to the resemblance." Fredrick had raised his voice, clearly not truly for the idea of Jason becoming Hardel's apprentice.
Hardel responded with equal shouts of his own. "You would rather I hid away for the next decade before I die?"
"DAM IT MAN HE IS NOT YOU'RE SON!"
The room went silent. Only the popping wood on the fireplace made any noise. Hardel was staring at Fredrick with a detesting gaze. He would have looked as though he was about to cry if he were any other man. It was Fredrick that looked away, finally breaking the silence. "I am sorry Hardel. This boy may look like Arden bu-"
"Never speak of this again Fredrick. If you wish to remain my friend, you will never mention his name..." Hardel took his own leave, opening the oak door and walking out of the solar before closing it behind him. Fredrick stood for a time before sitting down, resigned on his words, to continue sipping his wine. It had lost the taste he had enjoyed only moments ago...