In Search of Adventure by Alicia A. Willis

Author:Alicia A. Willis [Willis, Alicia A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781512701234
Publisher: WestBow Press
Published: 2016-01-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen: Bitter Anguish

Sir Nathaniel gazed with a full heart into the dark eyes of his handsome young squire, unable to forget the fear that had haunted him less than ten hours before—the terrible, anguished fear that those dark eyes would never again open.

“How dost thou feel, Kenneth?”

“As hale and hearty as I look, sir knight.”

Sir Nathaniel laughed heartily, far too grateful for Kenneth’s improved appearance to scold his sarcasm.

“’Tis well-said that audacity is among the first signs of a swift recovery,” he returned merrily. “Yet, think not that I will endure more of thy cheek. Art thou hungered?”

“Aye—methinks I be well-nigh starved.”

Sir Nathaniel arose and went to the fire, returning with a hearty portion of roasted meat. Kenneth received it with eagerness and began to eat. Sir Nathaniel, however, stayed his hand with a quick warning.

“Be not over-hasty, Kenneth—’twill do thee more harm than good.”

Kenneth glanced with a roguish smile into the face of his master. “’Tis not entirely a despised thing to be ill, milord. Indeed, methinks ’tis rather pleasant to be so well-cared for.”

“Enjoy it whilst thou may,” was the dry reply. “Methinks I have coddled thee too much already.”

Kenneth laughed merrily, yet made no reply. There was a short moment of silence, broken at length by Sir Nathaniel.

“Thinkest that thou canst travel soon?”

Kenneth looked up from his half-finished meal. “Methinks I can, provided I have thy aid.” Then, after a meditative pause, “Will we find our companions, dost thou think?”

Sir Nathaniel slowly shifted his gaze. “I know not,” was his low reply. Then, with a deep sigh, “I pray God that it may be so!”

Kenneth looked with compassionate understanding at him, his heart tender for him. Slowly, knowing-well what it was the young man feared, he laid his hand on his arm.

“God protects those who serve Him, milord. Have no fear—He will lead us to them.”

Sir Nathaniel lifted his eyes to meet Kenneth’s steadfast gaze. “In that He hath restored thy life to me, He hath done a great deal already, my lad. I had quite given thee up for dead.”

Kenneth was silent a moment. “Who was it that leaned over me and bid me drink?” he asked abruptly.

“A woman.”

“Even in my fever, I know ’twas not thou,” Kenneth chuckled. “Though no beauty, hers was a fairer face than thine, sir knight.”

Sir Nathaniel knit his brows, his absent, grave expression replaced by one of mingled annoyance and vexation.

“Insolent fellow!” he exclaimed, shaking off the hand Kenneth retained upon his arm. “Thy tongue groweth more and more ill-mannered. I am sorely tempted to knock some civility in you—ill or nay.”

“By all means, do so—I am always at the service of my master. If thy fists ache with their long disuse, I am certain I am doughty enough to handle their weight.”

Kenneth got no further. Sir Nathaniel took hold of him with sudden vigor, planting his hand heavily over his mouth.

“’Twill be I who speaks now, young rascal. I’ve had quite enough of thy remarks and observations. Truly, in my mind, thy illness hath rendered thee a bad-mannered loon.

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