17878265 by David

Author:David [David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Hero of the Day

With Avalana’s departure through the secret passageway, Loric turned his attention to Lord Aldric’s magnificent steed, Snowstorm. Thoughts of the princess inescapably lingered as the new squire tightened the saddle girth about the white horse. Even when other men began to enter the stable with mumbled greetings to Loric and to one another, he could not wholly set aside his latest conversation with Avalana, which held the foremost place in his mind.

Every man of every company was sopping wet from sloshing across the muddy ground in

pouring rain, and every one among them grumbled his discontent at having to set off so early and in such unfavorable weather. Even so, the rain was the least troublesome problem to the young squire in their midst. He was in love with a girl he could never have, sundered from her by a war that had no end and forced to fight by the powerful persuasion of his personal honor to do his duty for the Kingdom of Beledon. Those thoughts hardened him for the days of trial ahead. This is no time to be soft.

Loric brought two horses out into the drizzle, with his mind a putty-like mix of love and war. He lifted his eyes from the mud, where he was envisioning beauty known and horror he could only imagine, to see Aldric hastening toward him. Loric discarded wasted thoughts and strolled forward to meet his liege lord, bringing Sunset and Snowstorm along behind him.

Aldric showed his satisfaction when he noticed Loric was there waiting for him, with

polished armor plates that collected beaded moisture as soon as he removed them from the burlap sack that housed them. Loric helped Aldric don his shiny armor and he girded his lord’s emerald-studded sword about his waist. Then the man stepped into the nearest stirrup and swung his leg over Snowstorm’s back.

“You have kept your word,” Aldric praised him. “Snowstorm is fit for battle.”

“I have done my best, my lord,” answered Loric.

“That is all I ask of any man in my service,” stated Aldric. “Your best has done more than satisfy me today. It has set me at ease about the coming battle.” Aldric looked as though he wanted to say more, but he pinched his tongue behind his teeth and grunted, “All will be well.

Thank you.”

Loric humbly bowed, but he was proud within.

Aldric told him to rise. Then he set about bellowing orders to his captains. Garrick and Garrett were also calling out commands to their subordinates. Loric noted that Lord Garrick was firm, but reserved with his men, and they responded as well to him as Aldric’s men did to their lord. On the other hand, Garrett was unnecessarily harsh with his subordinates, often intervening to take action with his common soldiers, rather than working through his chain of command.

“Marblin, you fool!” bellowed Garrett, in one instance of this break. “Is there nothing you can do right? You have the wit of a doorpost.”

Loric felt himself growing hot within, as he listened to Garrett go on to threaten and further belittle the Moonwatcher.

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