Paladin's Oath by M. H. Johnson

Author:M. H. Johnson [Johnson, M. H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-04-11T23:00:00+00:00

27

"Really, Jess. It's not that complicated!" Apple sighed in exasperation sometime later as the musician in residence paused yet again as Apple felt compelled to rush in and correct Jess's hands and footing.

“This is stupid!” Jess angrily declared as Geoffrey winced and stepped away moments after the music restarted.

The problem, Jess decided, was that her brother didn’t have the common sense to read her cues. She was fine with his leading, as long as he stepped where she wanted him too.

"Mother, if it's all the same, I'd rather not get my feet pounded on any further this afternoon. I still need full use them when I go to speak with the factors and traders coming to town on the morrow," Geoffrey implored, earning a stern look from a less than pleased Lady Agda.

"Geoffrey, don't be such a baby. And you, Jessica! The point is to let the man lead. Quit placing your feet where his are, and try to read his cues!"

“Well, it wouldn’t be a problem if Geoff would put his feet where he’s supposed to! It's not my fault he can’t dance!”

"I can't dance?" her brother huffed in mock outrage. "I assure you, dear sister, the problem is not with me! This isn't a battle, Jess. You are not trying to beat me, you are trying to work with me!"

“I’d rather dance with Malek,” Jess grumbled. “He’s my shieldbrother. At least I know where he’s going to move, and he knows where I’m going to move.”

Apple's surprised laughter grated on Jess's ears. "Sorry, Jess, but you're just going to have to get used to the fact that you're not going to have some mystic Delver connection with most of your dance partners!"

“Precisely,” Agda concurred. “Now, shall we begin again?”

Some time later a mutually frustrated and drained pair of siblings shared a carafe of chilled summer wine together upon the patio, enjoying the crisp autumn afternoon after their exertions.

“Well, I suppose that could have gone worse, Jess.” Geoffrey lifted his goblet in mock salute before taking a sip. “Now that hits the spot after mother’s lessons. Perhaps we should down a glass or two before practice? Might make the whole affair a bit more tolerable.”

Jess nodded in agreement before taking a sip of her own chilled wine. "I wanted to suggest that, but then Mother will probably think I'm a complete lush, and forbear even from serving me wine!" Jess sighed. "This whole idea is crazy to begin with. I've trained for three years on how best to defend Crown and country. With the things we Squires are expected to do? If my loyalty had been in question for even a heartbeat, I doubt I'd be alive to speak to you now. At the very least, I would have been forced to leave Highrock, long ago. Is the king really that upset, just because one of Eloquin's Squires managed to keep some of his lands from sinking into Shadow?"

Geoffrey gazed thoughtfully out at the pastoral landscape before them. “Actually, Jess, I think the Royal Family does have concerns.

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