Chivalry in the Shadows by Meg Merriet Wahlberg

Author:Meg Merriet Wahlberg [Wahlberg, Meg Merriet]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Parkwood Manor Press
Published: 2024-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Roland enjoyed the company of his friends beneath the Grim Tree. Propped up against a rock, he practiced his ode to the lion, hoping to refine the bridge and make it more elaborate. Beside him, there was Willem, his girl, Artemie, two other squires not yet elevated to knighthood, Arnault and Costi, and Sir Erec. The last cool days of Spring were upon them, the pale flowers fallings away as the days grew sunnier. The forest foliage had thickened, which helped to obscure their midday gatherings.

Artemie was telling a story about a barn owl while the boys gambled. Erec did not participate, for he had only joined them so he could share the tarts his mother had made and explain the stranger parts of the knighting ceremony to Roland.

“I have to slap you,” he said, chuckling. “It is the last blow you must receive without retaliation.”

“Can I retaliate now?” asked Roland, flashing a dimple in his smirk.

“Come at me, brother.”

“No. I want you pretty for tomorrow.”

“Of course,” said Erec. “Your sister will be in attendance, after all.”

“Which reminds me…” Roland checked that the others were still engaged with Artemie’s story about the barn owl. “…I recommend you distance yourself from her, at least until after the tournament. You are competing, no?”

“I have no choice.”

“And if you win?”

“The games are rigged in Harlowe’s favor.”

“You would do well to win the Baron’s daughter. She is an heiress and, from what I understand, you need an heiress.”

“Do not concern yourself with what I need.” Erec’s mouth drew taut.

Roland felt like one stringing a bow with his own patience. “I must, though, for you have concerned yourself with my sister.”

“There is an understanding between us.”

“The only understanding that matters is the one between you and me.”

Artemie and the others paused, and the men bayed in a low, resounding, “Oooo.”

“Protective,” tittered Artemie.

“Ha!” Erec laughed to preserve a sense of levity. “There’s the retaliation.”

“I am only offering counsel.”

“Counsel that wounds!” There was choler in his tone, subtle but present. “Are we not friends, Roland?”

“You know the love I bear you.”

“Then you know that I would never betray you. That is all I will say on the matter.”

“That is all I need to hear.”

Roland played ambient chords, subtly telling Erec that all was well between them. He continued to play even as he noticed Cateline come around the bend with another girl from town.

They seated themselves on the edge of the wall, backdropped by every shade of moss that tangled deep into the cave.

The girls wore plain, undyed bliauts and their hair hung loose down their backs, adorned with naught but a simple cord around their crowns. Together, they inspected the clusters of mushrooms along the cave wall, deciding they were poisonous and leaving them alone. As a subtle cue, Roland began to play the melody to the song he had written for Cat. He waited for her face to reveal some recognition. It seemed to make her smile, but she did not look at him.

Mutually, in their present company, the lovers pretended not to know each other.

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