The Emerald Knight (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) by Diana Sheridan

Author:Diana Sheridan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
Published: 2012-06-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4

Despite their going to sleep earlier than was their custom, and despite the fact that they were sleeping in the outdoors, both men slept well. It was their good fortune that there was no rain that night and little dew in the morning, and that the temperatures remained moderate. They had slept naked, a decision that, in retrospect, struck Randour as imprudent. What if they had suddenly had to flee from the beast or from some other threat? But no such circumstance presented itself, and they slept undisturbed until the first light of morning.

They relieved themselves amid some bushes and then hastily pulled on their clothes. Although they were secreted in the copse, there was always the chance that some wayfarer would wander into the copse as they had, perhaps on account of spotting their tethered horses.

After feeding their horses from their bags of provisions, they filled their own bellies next. There was bread, cheese, and dried meats in their sacks, and they partook of all of these in measured amounts, making sure not to eat so much that they risked running out of food too quickly.

By now the sun was well over the horizon, and though it was not yet high in the sky, the day was well lit enough that they could readily make their way. Having been advised to take the north fork, this was their path as they set out in quest of the beast.

They passed several burnt houses and the charred body of what once had been a horse. “These must be what the man we spoke to yesterday was talking about,” Randour said.

“Surely we are on the right path,” Wynfarad agreed.

Farther along, they encountered a small group of people hastening toward them from the direction Randour and Wynfarad were headed in. As the first of these people approached them, a man warned, “Turn back before it is too late. The beast is here!”

“Where is he?” asked Randour.

“Just up ahead when last we saw him. Turn around! Save yourselves! His claws, his jaws, and his poisonous tongue are deadly. Turn around!”

“No! We have set out deliberately to find him. We mean to dispatch him and rid the land of this scourge.”

“You are surely addled. No man can defeat the beast.”

“Someone has to, and King Arthur has named me for the job.”

“Good luck, and good fortune. It will be amazing if you succeed.”

The group of villagers swarmed past them, with all due haste, while Randour and Wynfarad resolutely made their way up the road. What if we fail?

Wynfarad seemed to have the same thought, for he voiced his concerns, saying, “We still don’t have a plan.”

“I know,” said Randour, sighing heavily. “We shall just have to see what opportunity presents itself.”

Farther along the road, they met a larger group of people fleeing Gwylldahr. Again they were urged, “Run for your lives! Turn around before it is too late. The beast is nearby!” Again they explained their mission and rode determinedly onward, though fear now gripped Randour’s heart at the thought that a confrontation was imminent.

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