“You know, if you learned to relax a bit, you might find this enjoyable.” I pulled the saddle off and left him in his stall. Whisk jumped onto his hind legs and looked out at me through to top of the door. “You stay in there with him and keep him company.” I patted the large head. He let himself drop back to the ground, walked a few small circles in the far corner, and flopped himself down on the straw. I turned to young Nate.
“He shouldn’t be too much of a problem with Whisk in there.”
He nodded. “Umm, Sir Chael?”
I started to remind him I wasn’t a Sir yet, then stopped and smiled. As of this afternoon, I was exactly that. I patted his shoulder, knowing exactly what he was about to ask.
“If he starts to destroy his stall, come fetch me.”
“Yes, Sir.”
I made my way to the great hall.
“Sir Chael.”
I jumped at the voice behind me. The princess giggled.
“Princess Katheryn.” I bowed to her and acknowledged her parents before offering my arm. She looped hers through mine and we walked until we reached the large doors that led into the great hall. The Knights at the doors stood at attention and saluted the king. General Krane’s voice boomed over all of the conversations in progress.
“Ladies and gentlemen! His Majesty, King Gale, Queen Margaret, and Princess Katheryn who is accompanied by our newest Shadow Knight, Sir Chael.”
I spotted my father and couldn’t help but smile at the pride he was obviously feeling. My uncle and aunt stood by his side. Princess Katheryn gave a small tug on my arm and smiled up at me. What in the world had made her want me to win? Of all the knights she could have wanted to escort her, there were many that were more suitable. Knights were supposed to be tall, thick, and strong. Though I was about three inches taller than her, I was a good half a foot shorter than the next shortest knight in my group. And thick? I’d never be mistaken for thick. I had inherited my mother’s slight bone structure and couldn’t put on an ounce of muscle had I thrown logs twenty hours a day.
I followed the king to the head table, pulled out the princess’ chair, and sat beside her. I looked to the table where Harry, Hal, Mac, and the rest of the newly appointed knights sat. I noticed Caleb was absent.
“Do you know what happened to Caleb, your majesty?”
The princess nodded. “My father dismissed him from the Knighthood. He is no longer welcome here at the castle.” She took a sip of her wine. “It was decided he did not possess the honor needed to be of service on this guard.”
I tried to feel a bit of sympathy toward the man that had made it his life’s ambition to make my life hell, but couldn’t. I took a drink of my ale and took a deep breath to savor the aromas of the feast being put down in front of us. I spent most of the time answering questions for the princess, from anything to do with my childhood adventures to what I planned to do in the future.
“Well, I plan on staying on as a Knight.” I frowned, not sure what she was trying to say.
“Has your father found a match for you yet?”
I tried not to choke on the mouthful I had started to swallow.
“Um, no. Quite frankly, I haven’t really thought of the possibility of taking on a, uh, wife.”
“Surely you plan on having a son to carry on the family tradition.”
This time I pretended to choke so I could excuse myself. I could feel her gaze on my back as I went out for some fresh air. I heard the band strike up the first song and the sound of dancers moving along to the music.
“Are you alright?” Katheryn’s small hand touched my arm.
I smiled. “I am. I’m not one to enjoy being in a room filled with people. I’m mostly comfortable off in the woods on the back of my horse.”
She grinned and moved closer. “I thought maybe I was the one making you uncomfortable.”
I took a step back and found myself pressed against the railing.
She frowned. “Do you find me attractive, Chael?”
I felt the blood rise into my face. “Of course, your majesty.”
Her frown relaxed. “Can you explain to me then, why it is you look ready to jump over this railing even though you know you’re two stories up?”
“Your majesty?”
“Katheryn.” She took another step closer. I tried to look relaxed as her knee touched mine and she placed her hand on my waist.
“I want you to kiss me, Chael.”
“Katheryn?”
“I’m asking you to kiss me.”
“But…”
“I could order you to do it.”
I looked around, hoping to see another person so I could use that as an excuse not to. “Princess…”
“Katheryn.”
“Katheryn.” I gazed into her dark eyes and forced myself to forget everything that was racing through my mind. “You are a beautiful, independent, and obviously strong willed woman…” I grinned as she tried to hide the smile the complement brought to her lips. “I just…”
“You’re wondering why you?”
“I’m not the only one wondering.”
“You’re a man of honor, Chael. You’ve spend years proving yourself. You’re brave, skilled, and you care about your fellow Knights.” She smiled. “There are many women who have watched and are interested, Chael. You just don’t seem to notice.” She laughed at my frown. “Some women want big, strong men. I prefer mine to have brains over brawn. Honor trumps muscles any day in my books.” She stood on her tip toes. “Now, does that answer your question?”
Her lips brushed against mine and I nodded, held her face in my hands, and pressed my lips to hers lightly.
“Sir Chael!” The sound of running footsteps echoed through the empty hallway. I swore as Nate appeared around the corner.
“What is it? Is Klora alright?”
“He broke out of his stall and ran off. I tried to stop him, Sir.”
I noticed he had a large bump on his forehead. “Katheryn, take him to a healwife.” I looked at her, surprised with myself. “I’m sorry, princess. I didn’t mean to order you around.”
She smiled. “I’ll take care of him. Go find your horse. We can continue this conversation tomorrow.”
“I’m leaving tomorrow. My father and I have an assignment.”
“Then I’ll be at the gates to see you off.”
I nodded and started to run to the stables. A young woman in a long dark orange dress looked up at the sound of my footsteps.
“Sir Chael.”
I smiled. “Jasmine. Have you seen Klora? He broke out of his stall.”
She brushed her black bangs out of her face and grinned. “Again?”
“Again.”
She shook her head. “I haven’t seen him, but I did hear a ruckus a couple of streets down.”
I hesitated and looked up at her. “Are you alright? Why aren’t you at the banquet?”
She shrugged. “I was. I was going to come talk to you, but it seems the princess was holding the majority of your attention.”
“Jasmine, I’m not interested in the princess.”
“Really?”
I nodded. “I’m off on an assignment tomorrow and plan on staying gone for a long time. I’m not interested in finding someone to be my wife.”
She frowned. “But..”
“Jasmine, I can’t go into details, but the fact of the matter is, I will never take a wife. I’m to spend the rest of my life with Whisk and Klora.”
Whisk rounded the corner and gave a deep bark. I smiled and pulled her into a hug. “Go back in and take a seat beside Mac. The man is heads over heels for you, but is too shy to talk to you.”
Whisk watched until I released her before giving another bark and running down the street.
“Good luck catching Klora!”
I grinned and ran after my dog. By the time I had reached my uncle’s house, it was obvious where Whisk was leading me. I walked the last block to catch my breath. Klora stood by the front door
. He raised his head at the sight of me and let out a welcoming whinny. I raised an eyebrow at him.
“Don’t pretend you missed me.” I patted his neck and led him to the backyard where he promptly started to eat the grass. “I have to admit, you have great timing.”
He shook out his mane and blew out of his nose as if to say, ‘well, of course’.
“Chael’s luck,” I mumbled to myself. “Of all the knights she could have picked.” I looked toward the castle then up to the sky. “And then I find out it’s not just her! Did you know Jasmine was interested as well? What in the world is wrong with them? Look at me. You think you’re funny, yeah? That must be it.” I shook my head and turned to my horse. “I’ll just tell them I didn’t find you.” I left him to his midnight snack and made my way to my aunt’s kitchen where I poured myself a mug of ale. After adding a few logs to the fire, I sat and stared into the flames.
A wife. I shook my head in disbelief. In my eighteen years it had never occurred to me I would one day have to answer why I didn’t want one. Whisk thumped his tail as my father walked into the house. He frowned.
“Why aren’t you at the banquet?”
I shrugged. “It’s been an interesting night. I needed to get away. Not to mention I had to catch Klora; he broke out of his stall.”
“Blasted horse.”
“Never mind swearing at my horse. If it weren’t for him, I’d still be trying to get away from the princess.” I finished the ale and set my mug down. “Do you have a plan we need to put in motion now that the princess seems smitten with me?”
“Do you actually think I thought this might happen? Chael’s luck and blast it all.” My father frowned and shook his head. “Of all the knights she could have picked…” he muttered. He frowned at my grin. “You’re enjoying this?”
“It’s comical. It’s like you said; of all the knights she could have picked, she picks me.”
“It can’t go any further than this, Chael.”
I grunted. “I’m small, not daft. Of course, I know this has to end. However, having said that, I have no idea how I’m supposed to tell her I’m not interested. She’s the princess!”
It was my father’s turn to grunt. “I have no idea. Thankfully, we don’t have to worry about it for a while yet as we’re leaving tomorrow morning.”
“I’m not sure if this is going to be as easy of an issue to get rid of as you think. She’s coming to see me off tomorrow.”
My father took a deep breath and blew it loudly out of his nose.
“And she kissed me tonight.” I burst out laughing as my father’s jaw dropped.
“She what?” His voice was an octave higher than usual.
I turned to hide the fact that I was still laughing. “I said she kissed me.”
“And what did you do?”
“What was I supposed to do? She’s the princess; I kissed her back.” I was laughing so hard the tears were running from my eyes.
“Chael! This isn’t funny!”
“By gods, Dad, this is bloody well hilarious!”
He shook his head in annoyed disbelief and headed off to bed, leaving me to ponder the issue of women.
*****
The pounding on the front door started me from a deep sleep. I rolled out of bed and pulled my dagger from under my pillow.
“Sir James!”
I heard my father open the door and let someone in.
“What happened?”
“It’s your brother and his wife, sir.”
I scrambled to pull my pants on and threw an extra tunic on over the one I was wearing before hurrying to the living room. The guard stood at attention and saluted me.
“What happened to aunty and uncle,” I asked, waving away his salute. I buckled my belt and threw on my vest.
“We’re not entirely sure, sir.” He looked from me to my father. “By the sounds of what General Krane reported, he came across the two of them being robbed. It seems they were on their way home. General Krane heard a woman scream and ran to where they were. Before he could get to them, the attacker managed to take both of their money pouches and…” He paused. “Well, sir, sirs, he… he stabbed both of them, sir.”
“Where are they?” My father was pulling on his boots.
“They’re… they’re at the castle, sir. Even with the General finding them when he did, it wasn’t soon enough that the healwife was able to do anything to help.”
My father swallowed hard and cleared his throat. “Both of them?”
The guard nodded, obviously not pleased about the fact he’d been chosen to deliver this news. There was another knock at the door and General Krane let himself into the house.
The three of us stood at attention and saluted him. He waved away the formalities.
“Did you get a look at him?” inquired my father.
The General shook his head. “Whoever he was, he knew what he was doing. I don’t think this was a random mugging, James.”
I could tell my father was having a hard time deciding whether he should be sad, shocked, or furious.
“Why would anyone target them?” It didn’t make sense to me that anyone alive would want my aunt and uncle dead.
The General shook his head. “We’re not sure, Chael, but I intend to find out.” He ran his hands over his face. “I’m here to let you know you’re being relieved of your assignment tomorrow. I’ll find another pair to go get the book so you can stay home.”
My father shook his head. “We’ll leave first thing in the morning, as scheduled.”
“James, really…”
“We won’t be anything but a nuisance here and there’s nothing we can do to help. Robert, please. Let us go.”
I tried to keep the surprise from showing at hearing the General and my father talk to each other so informally.
“Chael? Do you agree with your father’s decision?”
“I…” I nodded. “Yes, sir. Maybe by the time we get back there will be answers for us.”
He took a deep breath and looked from me to my father. “Come along then. You’ll want to say goodbye before you leave in the morning. I have a carriage waiting outside.”
“Sir, if it’s alright with you, I’ll just ride Klora over. If I leave him in the yard by himself he’s likely to try and escape again.”
My father gave me a pat on the back. “I’ll meet you there.”
I nodded and made my way to the back.
“Klora, it’s me. Don’t have a fit.”
I heard his footsteps coming toward me in the dark, a dark shape appearing from the darkness. His soft nose touched my outstretched hand.
“We’re going for a ride.” I put on his bridle and swung on bareback. Instead of directing him to the open gate, I lay forward and buried my face in his mane. My chest and throat tightened as I thought of my aunt and uncle and what had been done to them. The tears broke past my eyelids and the sobs shook through me. I tried to keep as quiet as possible. Klora stood still, only reaching back once to nuzzle my boot. Once I’d gotten myself under control I wiped my arm over my face and took a few deep breaths.
“Let’s go.” I nudged him with my leg. We walked slowly through the empty streets toward the castle. The stable hand was getting finished putting away the carriage horses.
“Sir Chael.” He glared at my horse. “Klora.”
I slid off and handed him the reins. “I won’t be long, Nate.”
His glare softened and he nodded. “Take your time, sir.”
I flashed him my best smile and went into the castle. My father was kneeling at his brother’s side, his head resting in his arms on the edge of the bed. I walked quietly to his side and adopted the same position. Silent tears soaked into the sleeves of my tunic. I heard my father take a deep breath and looked up at the feel of his hand on my back. We turned and knelt by my aunt’s bed.
“Did you have a look?” I whispered.
“Both stabbed just under the rib cage.” His green eyes met mine and I wa
s shocked to see them rimmed with red. In my eighteen years, I’d never seen the man cry.
He inhaled sharply. “Let’s go. We have to be up in a few hours if we’re going to leave on time.”
I nodded and stood.
When we reached the stables, a very frustrated stable hand was trying to get Klora to stand still.
“You’re a good for nothing…” He stopped his insults at my soft whistle. Klora stopped short and perked his ears in my direction.
“Easy boy.” I took the reins and thanked the lad.
“Did you want me to get one of the royal horses saddled for you, Sir James?”
My father shook his head. “I think the walk will do me good.”
I breathed in the cool night air as we walked back toward my uncle’s.
“Dad?” I looked over to him and noticed how the moonlight made him look old and tired. “General Krane. You grew up together?”
He nodded. “He’s a good man. Why?”
“It’s just, I’ve been training in Gleama for thirteen years, some of the time under him, and yet this is the first time I’ve ever noticed the two of you talk so casually to each other.”
“We trained together. We actually grew up on neighboring farms. I lived in the one you grew up in and his parents owned the land next to ours. We were good friends, actually.”
“But not anymore?”
He gave a tired shrugged. “Lots changed the day you were born, Chael, you know that. I’ve never kept any secrets from you.” He sent me a small smile that barely reached his eyes. “I thought you were a curse; that I’d done something to anger the gods. I saw no one save for your aunt and uncle for two entire years. For the first year, your aunt wouldn’t let us out of her sight. She was certain I’d try to do away with you if I were left alone with you.”
My throat tightened and I swallowed hard, not because of the story my father was telling; I’d heard it before, but because it brought to mind the fact that my aunt was no longer going to be around. She’d been so protective of me.
Chael's Luck (A Knights of Dorathan Novel) Page 5
