Afton of Margate Castle by Angela Elwell Hunt

Author:Angela Elwell Hunt [Hunt, Angela Elwell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cookie429, Kat, Extratorrents
ISBN: 9780595090051
Google: 8Mk_FozpHbQC
Amazon: 0595090052
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 2008-07-03T14:00:00+00:00

Twenty

Endeline had spared no expense in preparation for her guests at the king’s banquet prior to Calhoun’s dubbing, and the tables were bountifully arrayed with silver salt cellars, gilded goblets, silver spoons, elegant ewers, and fragrant sweetmeat dishes. But King Henry had changed little during the years of Calhoun’s training, and the knight-to-be found it hard to enjoy himself at the king’s table. The royal eye turned often in his direction, and Calhoun found himself glancing awkwardly at his lap in a most cowardly fashion. Perhaps it was the setting. Only five feet in front of Calhoun and his king lay the space of blood-stained floor where the king had once brutalized his grandchildren.

So Calhoun ate much and talked little, remembering too well how the king’s eye could gleam violently at the least sign of treachery, and for the first time he realized the wisdom in Fulk’s persistent admonishment to keep a tight rein on one’s mouth. It was obvious that Perceval had never received such training, for he fawned over the king, constantly praising, flattering, and giving homage. Through the barrage of adulation, Calhoun sensed that King Henry did not love Perceval better for it.

The next two days held many challenges for Calhoun. Not only must he watch his actions, gestures, words, and facial expressions while in the presence of the king, but the eyes of other knights rested upon him, eager to test the mettle of young man who wished to join their ranks. The report of his killing the intruder in the village had added favorably to his reputation, but also fueled jealousy of knights who envied Calhoun’s position as Perceval’s son.

Fulk warned Calhoun of this danger, and Calhoun had felt the sting of it in the past week. One knight tripped Calhoun in the courtyard, in front of the servants, and Calhoun sprang to his feet, eager to fight. One glance from Fulk, however, reminded him to control his temper and forget his embarrassment, and Calhoun was compelled to smooth his features and continue as if nothing had happened.

The taunting and testing did not end with the day. In the darkness of the garrison as he tried to sleep, anonymous voices called out insults to his manhood, his parentage, and even his mother. These remarks he bore in silence, gritting his teeth, but keenly aware of Fulk’s warning presence on the bunk across from him.

But all had gone well. He had borne his week of testing without once losing control of his temper, and now he had only to endure the day of feasting and the day of dubbing.

After Endeline’s sumptuous dinner, Perceval summoned musicians for dancing. As the servants cleared the tables from the hall, several young servant girls shyly entered. “Have you no other maidens than these?” the king asked, his wide hand sweeping toward the servant girls disdainfully.

Calhoun scanned the row of maidens and noted that Afton was not among them. “We have other maidens in the village, sire,” he said, bowing his head respectfully.

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