The Gentle Knight by Ashley York

Author:Ashley York
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Medieval
Published: 2015-03-23T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

The establishment was one big room with several trestles and benches neatly arranged for visitors. It was warm enough. Peter was satisfied. They’d made it by nightfall. However, he had no appetite. Mort, on the other hand, ate like a horse and was licking his fingertips with a lot of ceremony. Fastidious was the only word to describe him. No. Obnoxious worked, too.

“So?” Peter’s voice was flat.

Mort stopped mid-lick and stared back. “So? So what?”

“What did you learn?”

Mort finished his last lick before continuing. “Well, our newly departed dinner companions were happy to chat and assured me that the castle has not been under siege. Recently.” His face showed that was something.

Peter did not feel it was much. “And?”

“And…it will still be closed to you.”

Peter slammed his fist on the worn table. “Damn me.”

No one dare look his way as he was the only knight present. He was probably the only knight for miles. These were the wilds of England. Respect was the very least accorded to him even in this establishment. He couldn’t really call it an inn although they’d given him a bed for the night. He had to share it with Mort and two others but it would be dry.

“Did you expect other news?” Mort’s question intruded on his thoughts. “It is the same Baron in control now as before we were... sidetracked.”

“I’d hoped.”

Mort’s impertinence was becoming tiring. It worked its way under his skin like a burr. Nearly as bad as—no he would not even mention her name. She was safely delivered. Set in her little cocoon. Closely guarded by all. Her virginity sacrificed on the very altar of their Lord and Savior. So why was he still thinking on her? Why could he not remove her from his mind? Be done with it.

“Based on what?” Mort’s stare pierced his. “What is wrong with you?”

“We’ll have a fight on our hands after we arrive.”

“You’re a soldier.”

“And?”

“It’s what you do,” Mort said it emphatically as if that was all there was to it. Of course he was correct. So why did he feel so cross about the whole ordeal?

Peter stood abruptly. He needed to clear his head. “I’m going for a walk.”

Mort stood to accompany him but Peter shoved him back down onto the bench. “No. I will go alone.”

“But, my lord,” Mort glanced at the few men close enough to overhear and lowered his voice to a whisper. “We are not known here. You are a…target.”

“Have someone try and capture me for ransom. They’ll soon find they have more than they can handle.” Now why did that statement bring her upturned face to his memory? Her lips parted invitingly, slightly pink from their first passionate kiss.

“Damn me,” he cursed under his breath and headed out the door.

The brisk air was refreshing, but the cold lingered. Winter hung in the mist. The naked trees seemed strange and mystical, silhouetted in the moonlight. An owl voiced its objection to his presence.

“To hell with you, too,” Peter answered. The door opened behind him and he stepped into the shadow of the necessary.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.