Paladin's Prize (Age of Heroes, Book 1) by Gaelen Foley

Author:Gaelen Foley [Foley, Gaelen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romantic Fantasy
Publisher: Gaelen Foley
Published: 2015-11-15T05:00:00+00:00

* * *

As Wrynne galloped Polly half a stride behind Avalanche, she gave thanks for Thaydor’s safety with every yard of ground they covered. But even her unasked-for prayers were answered when, lo and behold, about fifteen miles up the road, they came upon a fanciful stone travelers’ inn.

Horse heads peered out of the stable at the back of the cobbled yard. Nearer by, warm light and lively music poured from the ground-floor tavern.

They reined to a halt in the shadows and gazed at the place longingly.

“I smell food.” Jonty sniffed, nearly floated off his horse’s back, but the wavering melody of the shawm, the wild strumming of the gittern, and the rhythmic, silver jingle of the timbrel seemed to beckon to his music-starved soul even more than the food lured his body.

Wrynne glanced at Thaydor. “Do you think we can chance it? We could all use a rest.”

He shook his head in regret. “Remember the Wanted posters? They’ve probably got one displayed in there, too. You two could probably go in, though.”

“I’m not going to leave you behind,” she said.

“Hold on,” Jonty murmured, squinting at the placard hanging above the doorway in the darkness. “The Spicy Cup… I know this place!” He suddenly laughed aloud. “They love me here!”

“That was before you were an escaped convict,” Thaydor pointed out. “Tends to change the opinions of others.”

“Nay, these are good people. We can trust ’em,” Jonty said.

“Really? What are their names?”

“How should I know? I canna be expected to remember the names of everyone I meet when I’m constantly on the move from place to place, tourin’ about. But I do remember this: whoever they were, they liked me here. They’ll be glad to see me. Oh, enough of the steely stare, knight! Not all of us have the strength of ten. I need some food, a fresh shirt, a good cup o’ mead, and a bath.”

“I don’t disagree, especially on the last, but the guards will surely look here by the morrow if they don’t come tonight.”

“Thaydor,” Wrynne spoke up, “why don’t we let him try? If you could’ve seen the awful conditions he endured in that dungeon… The bard at least deserves a decent meal after all he’s been through.”

He frowned, weighed it, and shrugged. “I don’t like it, but if you insist. Make it fast. My lady and I will make camp in the woods off the road, there. Find us when you’re ready. You can leave your horse with us. And Maguire? Do not. Get. Drunk. We need to keep our wits sharp.”

“My wits are sharper’n yours when I’m asleep,” Jonty shot back. “Don’t worry about me, laddie.” He jumped off his horse. “Just look after your girl.”

“Be careful in there,” Wrynne warned, also dismounting and taking the chestnut’s reins from Jonty.

“I’ll see what I can do for you two, as well,” he promised.

“Don’t mention us to them!” Thaydor whispered as loudly as he dared, but Jonty ignored him, already striding in his half-naked state toward the lively establishment.

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