Knight of Valor: Knights of Valor

by Elizabeth Drake

  Marcus started to argue and Brelynn touched his shoulder so he’d look at her. “I can ride tomorrow. I won’t be happy about it, but when am I?”

  Sir Marcus lifted her hand to his cheek. “I don’t want to take any more chances.”

  “Sounds like your king is getting impatient. That’s riskier than me riding tomorrow.”

  “The girl has sense in her head,” Sir Leopold said. “Take the King’s Road. With the vampire lord dead, you don’t have to worry about civilian casualties. You can spend your nights in a town. You’ll get there faster, and it’ll be easier on her.”

  “I’ll get our gear together,” Sir Marcus said. “You’ll stay with her? Just in case?”

  “I will,” Sir Leopold promised.

  Marcus nodded, squeezed Brelynn’s hand, and climbed the stairs two at a time.

  Brelynn watched him leave then turned to Sir Leopold. Even though her head still throbbed, she pinned him with a hard stare. “Why did you force Sir Marcus into retirement?”

  Sir Leopold’s brows rose. “I didn’t.”

  “You’re on the Dragon Council. You were part of the decision.”

  “Told you that, did he?”

  Brelynn snorted. “How else would I know?”

  “He destroyed a lich. My nephew deserves to retire.”

  “I never said he didn’t, but why force him? He’s done everything your church has asked of him. Let him choose something he loves doing rather than making him parade around like a show pony.”

  Sir Leopold’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you care?”

  “Because he deserves better than thinking he should’ve died fighting the lich because he can’t live up to the legend you created.”

  Sir Leopold set his jaw as he stared out the window. “You’re right about that. Still, lotta things you don’t know. Lotta things he doesn’t know.”

  “I figured out his father put glory above him and his mother. Guessing he’s the one that set Sir Marcus on the path to kill the lich when he learned his son was immune to magic. You may have raised him, but Sir Marcus was going to kill that lich, or die trying, for his father.”

  “Marcus spent his whole life training for that mission, and he expected to die completing it just as Reginald died killing that necromancer. But the gods’ grace and all of Marcus’s hard work smiled on him. At least until he met you.”

  “He’ll be rid of me soon enough.”

  “If you think that, stupid must be contagious.”

  Sir Matthias frowned as he wheeled a cart into the room. “Am I interrupting something?”

  Brelynn glared at Leopold then smiled up at Sir Matthias. “That smells fantastic. Did the cook come back?”

  Sir Matthias lifted the lid off the cart. “I made it.”

  “You made it?” Brelynn eyed the tasty morsels. “Really?”

  “Knights don’t lie,” he reminded her. “I was one of eight boys. My mom is a fabulous cook, and she made us help her in the kitchen. I learned a thing or two.”

  “So not all Knights are nobility?”

  “Lots of nobility petition to join, especially second sons, but not even being a prince gets you a spot,” Sir Matthias said. “Dracor judges each applicant on their merits. He is the god of justice, after all.”

  “Any female Knights?”

  “A couple,” Sir Leopold said. “And they are some of our best.”

  Brelynn filled her plate and took a bite. “Tastes like you learned more than a thing or two. This is delicious,” she said between mouthfuls.

  Sir Matthias grinned and bowed with a flourish. “Glad I could be of service.” He made himself up a plate and sat down beside her.

  Brelynn shook her head. “What was it like growing up with seven brothers? Your poor, poor mother.”

  “Never quiet, that’s for sure.” Sir Matthias laughed. “All in all, not that much different than most days at the church. My mother, like any good head paladin, was adept at keeping us all busy and maintaining order.”

  “When you aren’t trying to wheedle information out of me, you’re pretty all right,” Brelynn said as she refilled her plate.

  “I will take that as a compliment.”

  “It’s as close to one as you’ll get.”

  Sir Matthias grinned and told her the story of him and his two brothers trying to build a fort.

  Brelynn relaxed back and listened, and she was soon laughing so hard that her stomach hurt.

  When Marcus returned, he stood silently on the stairs and watched the scene below him. Sadness muted the punch of jealousy, a dagger that stabbed through his chest and left a cold ache.

  He’d almost lost Brelynn, and though it hurt, he’d rather see her happy with Sir Matthias than not see her at all.

  The comfortable domestic scene suited Brelynn. Her smile was infectious as she enjoyed Sir Matthias’s stories and threw the occasional verbal jab at his Uncle Leopold.

  Marcus didn’t know how to give her that as it was something he’d rarely experienced. His family had always been distant, and by the time he’d gone to live with his Uncle Leopold, he’d had too many obligations to the church and his training to spend many nights at home.

  Brelynn’s laughter wafted up to him, and it was a beautiful sound.

  More than anything, he wanted her to be happy.

  Marcus’s chest tightened. By the gods, she was beautiful. Even in her singed and dusty cloak, an inner glow illuminated her. Her open smile was genuine and contagious.

  He wished he could make her smile like that, to bring her such joy.

  Marcus paused and listened to Matthias’s story, a smile tugging on his lips despite himself.

  “Of course we went in after the eggs. We knew our mother would be mad enough as it was. There we were, covered in soot, feathers, and chicken droppings, carefully carrying back eggs while my other brothers rescued the chickens. Took my dad over an hour to get the fire under control.”

  “What did your mother do?”

  “After she finished crying and hugging us, glad we were all okay, she used her mom powers to ferret out the culprit. Woman has skills. I knew I hadn’t done it, and I was still tempted to confess.”

  “Did you?”

  “Nah, my younger brother broke down and admitted he’d been trying to work some magic. He wanted to be a mage even though mom and dad had apprenticed him as a barrister. He’d been fiddling with a spell out behind the house, and without a proper mentor, he lost control and the chickens got it.”

  “Poor chickens.”

  “Mom made my brother rebuild the coop, and then she and Dad decided the whole town would be safer if they enrolled him in the Tamryn mage college. He’d have been a good lawyer, but he’s much happier as a wizard.”

  “How did your mother survive you all?” Brelynn asked.

  “She doesn’t know about half the things we did.” Sir Matthias paused. “I take that back. She knows about them, and she pretends she doesn’t.”

  Sir Matthias grinned as he scooped another helping onto her plate.

  “I don’t think I’ve eaten this much or this well since…” Brelynn caught herself. “In a very long time.”

  “Hey,” Sir Matthias said as he squeezed her arm. “You don’t get to pick where you’re born or who you’re born to. I was lucky to get seven crazy brothers instead of whatever you got in Oskelez. Tamryn is lucky to have you.”

  “You mean that?”

  “Knights don’t lie, remember?”

  “Thanks,” Brelynn whispered.

  “I wonder what’s taking Sir Marcus. I thought he’d have been down by now to eat. How much gear do you have to pack?”

  “Not much,” Brelynn admitted.

  Marcus came down the rest of the stairs and nodded to Sir Matthias.

  “I was about to come get you,” Sir Matthias said as he piled a plate high with food and handed it to Marcus. “I have more in the kitchen if you’re still hungry.”

  “Thank you,” Marcus said as he sat
down to eat.

  “I can’t wait to tell my nieces and nephews I saw you in action today. How I watched you plow through three vampires in a single swipe like an angel of vengeance. I’ve heard the stories, but it’s not like seeing it.”

  Marcus frowned. “Brelynn almost died.”

  “But because of you she didn’t, so it makes a good story. Dracor truly blessed you,” Sir Matthias said and clapped Marcus on the shoulder. “When we get back to Tamryn, I owe you a drink. A good one.”

  “I was just fulfilling my duty,” Marcus said into his plate.

  “Duty or not, it was amazing to watch. So glad you’re on our side. Let me grab you some wine. Brelynn, can you do that magicky cold thing you do?”

  “Of course.”

  Sir Matthias grinned and jogged out to the kitchen.

  “You okay?” Brelynn asked.

  Marcus glanced up from his plate. “I should ask you that.”

  “Been better,” she admitted, “and I’m not looking forward to getting on a horse again.”

  “You haven’t ridden much before now, and your steed makes it worse.”

  “He’ll retire when we get to Aerius,” Brelynn promised.

  “Is that old nag in the stables her horse?” Sir Leopold asked.

  “He’s not a nag.” Brelynn crossed her arms over her chest and stuck out her chin.

  “I think he’s had one too many conjured apples,” Sir Leopold said.

  “You’ve seen Rocky. A couple of conjured apples won’t matter one way or the other, and I couldn’t find any real ones.”

  “We’ll deal with horses in the morning,” Sir Leopold said. “Sir Matthias, Sir Gregor, and I will keep watch tonight. You two get yourselves a decent night’s sleep.”

  “Keep watch?” Brelynn asked. “I thought Sir Marcus destroyed Mokkar Calmont.”

  “He did, but I got a bad feeling,” Sir Leopold said. “Setting up watches makes me feel better.”

  Marcus nodded and put his plate back on the trolley. He helped Brelynn to her feet, and as they were heading back up the stairs, Sir Matthias returned with a mug of wine.

  “You’re keeping watch with me,” Sir Leopold said. “Let them sleep.”

  “I drew the short straw, and I wasn’t even in the room.” He grinned and handed Marcus the wine. “Hope you two have a good night.”

  Marcus took the mug and led Brelynn to a room across the hall. It was small and windowless. A solid defensible location.

  As Marcus closed the door behind them, Brelynn turned, wrapped her arms around him, and laid her head against his chest.

  “Thank you for saving my life.”

  Marcus held her close, breathing in the soft scent of lilacs as he stroked her hair. “It’s my,” he paused as her warmth filled him, “my pleasure.”

  Chapter 48

  Dawn came too soon, and Brelynn groaned as the sun fell across her. She wasn’t a morning person, but Marcus doubted many people were in Oskelez.

  He tightened his arms around her and brushed his lips over her forehead. “I was wondering when you were going to wake up. How are you feeling?”

  “Amazing.” She touched a hand to her throat, but the bite marks had already faded to nothing and the burns on her hands had healed. “Good thing we’re not keeping score. I’ve lost count of the number of times you’ve come through for me.”

  He brushed the hair from her cheek. “Always.”

  She nestled closer to him. “I don’t want to get on a horse today.”

  “Me either.”

  “But you’re good at riding.”

  “I promised to take you to Aerius, and I will.” Marcus forced his voice to stay even. “Will I see you again once we get there?”

  She lifted her face to meet his gaze. “I don’t know what King Eli has planned for me.”

  “You’re not his prisoner.”

  “But I’m still an Oskelesian sorceress.”

  Marcus remembered what he’d thought of her back in Eskara, how despite his commitment to the gods he’d let Gmina and Raymond color his judgment of all sorceresses. He could only imagine how people would treat her in Aerius, and his arms tightened around her.

  He wanted to protect her from that, keep her safe, and keep her with him.

  She wriggled closer, and without a wall of steel between them, his body responded. He couldn’t hide the proof of his desire that pressed against her thigh.

  Brelynn stroked a hand along his heavily-muscled arm and across his broad shoulders, her fingers gentle as she explored.

  His breath came faster.

  A smile curved her lips. “Mokkar Calmont is dead.”

  “Yes.”

  “That means I’m free. Truly free.”

  Marcus swallowed hard. “Yes.”

  “If I kissed you, would it jeopardize any of your vows?”

  He sucked in a breath. “I’m not thinking straight enough to answer that.”

  She nodded and laid her head on his shoulder.

  Warmth flowed through him, thick and sweet. The other side of the Twin’s curse, he realized.

  Marcus threaded his fingers through Brelynn’s golden hair, enjoying the silken strands against his calloused fingers.

  He was still her protector, but with Calmont dead, she no longer needed him. Once they were on the King’s Road, she’d easily make it to Aerius with or without him. She might even make it faster without him.

  What did that mean for his vows?

  His brain was too clouded for him to be certain, but he knew what he wanted it to mean.

  He stroked a finger along her jaw, and she stared up at him, her lips inches from his.

  “I would protect you even if...” He swallowed as words failed him.

  “I know. You protected me back in Eskara when you’d have rather smote me.”

  He smiled as he traced her lower lip with his thumb. “Too much truth in that.”

  She grinned then shivered as cold whispered over her shoulder. Wrapping her arms around him, Brelynn pressed closer to him.

  The chill vanished.

  Arch-Grimveldt Korvar either avoided him, or the dark magic of Uzakiel couldn’t stand before the light of Dracor. Either way, the necromancer was still looking for her.

  Maybe it wouldn’t be as easy for her to get to Aerius as he’d thought.

  A light rap on the door startled them both.

  “Sir Leopold is looking for you,” Sir Gregor said through the door. “I can sit with Brelynn if she’s still asleep.”

  “We’ll be down in a moment,” Marcus answered.

  Marcus climbed out of bed and offered her his hand. Brelynn took it, and they followed Gregor downstairs as the scent of fried bacon reminded them both how hungry they were.

  Sir Matthias pulled out a chair for Brelynn. “Can’t leave on an empty stomach.”

  “You’re spoiling me,” she said as she devoured the spicy eggs, buttered toast, and crisp bacon.

  “You’ve endured trail rations far too long.” Sir Matthias set out a carafe of fresh coffee. “This should help everyone feel a little better.”

  Sir Leopold joined them at the table and poured himself a large mug of the coffee. “You’ll make someone a good wife one day.”

  Sir Matthias grinned and winked at Brelynn as he handed Sir Leopold a plate. “Just gotta find the right girl.”

  Marcus glared at Sir Matthias and swallowed the suddenly tasteless eggs.

  “Now, about those horses,” Sir Leopold said as he sipped his coffee. “Brelynn’s horse won’t make it to Aerius before King Eli sends out a search party. She’s fond of the beast, so we’ll see to him, but she needs something faster.”

  “I could carry her on Bastion,” Marcus said.

  “You could, but it would impair your sword arm should you need it. I’ve asked the Dragon Church to send us down another mount.”

  “So we wait until it arrives?” Marcus asked.

  “No need. She can take one of our horses and return it
to the church in Aerius. We’ll be busy with the Tribunal anyway.”

  Marcus frowned. “Are you sure?”

  “You need to get to King Eli. If I knew a mage capable of it, I’d teleport her to Aerius.”

  “Not a lot of Tamryn mages seem to know the teleport spell,” Brelynn said as she buttered another piece of toast. “Lots of mages in Oskelez know it.”

  “They’re in the middle of a swamp, and we’re not letting them out without a fight,” Sir Leopold said.

  “Speaking of mages.” Brelynn pulled a gold ring from her pocket. “I want you to have this for your little brother. The dust might help your family get him through that wizard college.”

  “I can’t-”

  “Of course you can.” Brelynn laid it in Sir Matthias’ hand. “I’m sure I’ll have to make another later.”

  “You’ll have to make another?” Sir Matthias asked, but she ignored the question.

  Brelynn waved her hand, and the ring dissolved into pale pink dust. Both Sir Matthias and Sir Leopold’s eyes widened.

  “That’ll get the boy through and then some.” Leopold pulled a flask from his pocket and emptied the contents into his mug. He then scooped the dust into the flask, resealed it, and handed it to Sir Matthias.

  “I don’t know how to thank you,” Sir Matthias said.

  “You can invite me to dinner sometime.” Brelynn kissed him on the cheek.

  Marcus grit his teeth and stared out the window.

  “If you’re done eating, you need to get a move on,” Sir Leopold said.

  Marcus pushed away from the table and gathered up their gear. He led Brelynn out to the stables and picked the smallest of the Tribunal’s warhorses for her. He then saddled Brelynn’s new horse and Bastion.

  Brelynn stroked Rocky’s nose and conjured an apple for him. “You sure Rocky will be okay with you?”

  “Rocky?” Sir Leopold asked as he helped her up onto her new horse.

  “Rocky Bottom. If you ever ride him, you’ll understand.”

  Sir Leopold chuckled. “All right you two, follow the King’s Road and get to King Eli as quickly as you can. He’ll only get surlier the longer you make him wait.”

  Marcus said nothing as he turned Bastion north towards Aerius. Brelynn followed him, and Lucky trotted along beside them.