Shadow of the Dark Knight (Noble Heart Book 3) by Griffith Cynthia

Author:Griffith, Cynthia [Griffith, Cynthia]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2013-11-01T04:00:00+00:00

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CHAPTER EIGHT

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The Cottage in the Country

Noble was waiting at the Royal Mews with Fly when King Stephen and the others joined him there in the morning. Dominique and the ladies had expressed a desire to see the Mews and the other birds of prey that were housed there with Fly.

The Master of the Mews was happy to show the members of the royal party around. Besides Fly and two or three other peregrine falcons, there were merlins, hawks, kestrels, and the king’s own gyrfalcons. They watched as he fed them raw meat and watered them.

Noble reached into Fly’s pen with a leather glove and brought her out so that Dominique and William could stroke her feathers once he had hooded her. Finally he said, “Your Majesty, if we want to reach my grandmother’s cottage in time to take Fly hunting, we ought to leave now.” The king agreed so Noble put Fly on her cadge, or perch, holding her firmly by the jesses, and they left the mews.

Noble was surprised to see Jamie in the courtyard with the knights who were to guard them along the way. He was on horseback, holding the reins of Valiant and a couple of other horses. “Jamie!” Noble exclaimed. “Are you coming with us?”

“The stable master is sending me to look after you all,” his friend said with a grin.

“Oh, yes! I am sure of that!” Noble laughed. “Well, whatever the reason, I am glad to have you along!”

Dominique and William paused to stroke Valiant’s long black mane until finally their mothers called for them to get into the carriage. “I wish I were riding with you again, Noble,” Dominique said as she reluctantly turned to climb into the coach. “You see! Valiant wishes it, also!” The great warhorse had whinnied his disappointment when the pretty girl walked away.

“We will ride right alongside the coach,” Noble promised. “Perhaps when we get to Granny’s cottage you and William both can take a turn on Valiant, if your parents will allow it.”

“Hurray!” the small boy crowed. “Mother, may I?”

“We shall see,” the queen promised. The group got underway just then and the carriage lurched to a start.

The captains of the Guard led the way, with the king and duke right behind them. The coach followed, with several knights on either side, and more knights brought up the rear. Though it was early as they rode through the city, there were already crowds in the marketplace, and they cheered now as the royal party made its way through the streets and out of the gates. It was just as Noble had feared. There was no way they could quietly get away for the day. The whole town—and the Dark Knight, as well—would soon know which way they had gone.

The trip to Granny’s cottage went well. It was a bright spring morning with the sun shining and birds singing. If danger lurked nearby, they saw no sign of it. Spirits were high, especially n the carriage with the two young people.

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