The men gathered around the Spanish boy to say farewell. Those whom he had fed and freed from their chains at risk of his own life especially were moved to say goodbye and thank you. “We owe you a great debt, lad,” Hugh said. “If ever we can help you, we will.”
“You have already brought me home,” Pedro said simply. “The debt, if there was one, is paid.”
‘Thank you,” Noble said. “I will be praying for you, Pedro. Remember, you are never alone now that El Señor Diós is your Heavenly Father.”
“I will not forget, Sir Noble. Thank you for bringing me to the Lord.” At last he turned to John. The two boys shook hands and then hugged one another. They could hardly choke out the words to say goodbye. Somehow, someday, they each knew he would see his friend again.
The men of the Sea Eagle watched as the Spanish boy hurried down the gangplank, eager to reach home. “There goes a brave lad,” Hugh said gruffly.
“Aye, a boy still, and yet a man of honor,” Will added. He turned to Noble. “You taught him and all of us what it means to be a man of honor, Sir. I want you to know that when I leave this ship in England I’ll no more be a privateer or pirate. I want to be a man of honor, too.”
“And I, also,” echoed Charles.
“Me, too,” said another, and then another.
“We have learned honor and faith upon the sea, Sir Noble,” Hugh said. “We found hope there, and salvation, when all looked lost and dark, thanks to you.”
“Thanks to God,” Noble replied. His heart rejoiced in the change in these men around him, and he knew that the angels of Heaven were rejoicing, too. He led them in a prayer of thanks and praise to God, and a request to bless the life of Pedro Vasquez.
The Sea Eagle made her way across the Bay of Biscay to the small port of Lorient, Brittany. Davy had agreed to wait for them while Sir Michael and Noble rode out into the country to fetch the queen’s Aunt Brynne. He would take them all to Caernarfon then before returning to England.
The knights found a horse and carriage for hire and followed the directions the man at the stable had given them. The road took them out of the Lorient and into the country.
“It’s funny, isn’t it, Sir Michael, how the short journey of just a few days took us weeks to complete,” Noble mused as they enjoyed the clip-clop of the horse’s hooves on the nice firm earth. He was enjoying the sight of green grass and trees, as well, after weeks spent out on the sea.
“I don’t know that funny is quite the word I would use,” Sir Michael replied with a smile. “And our journey is not complete just yet. We still have to sail back to Caernarfon,” he pointed out.
Noble laughed. “You know what I mean, my friend! And I have no doubt that this time we will safely make it to our destination!” He paused and then said, “I am sure Granny has been very worried about me. I am sorry to have put her through that. King Stephen and Queen Gwyneth must be wondering, too.”
“Well, there is nothing we can do about that, Noble. It is not our fault that we were delayed. Just imagine, instead, the joy and relief they will feel when we return!”
“Yes, you are right, I am sure, Sir Michael. Look—there it is! That must be the Lady Brynne’s cottage.”
“I think you’re right.” Sir Michael pulled on the reins and brought the carriage to a halt outside a neat little house surrounded by gardens and grapevines. They stepped out of the carriage and opened the gate. A cobblestone path led them to the door. Noble knocked on the door and then stepped back.
A woman answered the door. She was tall, and still quite lovely for an older woman. A frown was on her face, though, and she looked sharply at the two young men on her doorstep. “Yes?”
“Lady Brynne? King Stephen has sent us to escort you back to Caernarfon. I hope you received the message he sent,” Sir Michael said.
“Finally!” she snapped. “Indeed, yes, I received the message—and you’re late!” She turned to lead them into the house.
Noble and Sir Michael looked at each other in astonishment. Late! If only she knew all they had been through to get to her! They had faced Captain Callice and Pyrs, and then el Capitán Gascon and a whole ship of pirates—and now it appeared they must face the Lady Brynne! Sir Michael raised one eyebrow at Noble. Noble grinned back at him. It would be a, well, interesting trip home. So much for the easy little favor King Stephen had asked them to do for him! Lord, have mercy!
The End
Sea of Honor (Noble Heart Book 5) Page 9
