Ripples in the Chalice: A Tale of Avalon (Tales of Avalon Book 2) by Copeland Adam

Author:Copeland, Adam [Copeland, Adam]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Adam Copeland
Published: 2015-08-30T04:00:00+00:00

On the opposite side of the brook, another swath of green grass separated the wooded ravine and the harvested fields. This grass, however, had not been grazed down by sheep, and its long blades rippled in the breeze.

“This should do. Now off you go,” Geoffrey said, letting the children down.

He dismounted, removed his sword belt, and lay down in the grass, letting his horse roam freely.

“Aren’t you supposed to ‘patrol a zone’ or something?” Candace said, standing over the prone knight with a scowl.

“That is precisely what I’m doing,” Geoffrey said simply with a smile, eyes closed.

“Doesn’t look that way to me,” Candace said, sitting beside him. Emilie flopped down next to her and buried her face against Candace’s shoulder, still sobbing.

“Au contraire, ma cherie,” Geoffrey responded. “The ‘zone’ is not that large. I can see it quite well from this central position and will act accordingly if need arises.”

“But your eyes are closed. You can’t see anything,” Candace returned.

“I can hear just fine, and so can Samson there.”

“Samson?”

“My horse. He is very capable. Have you not noticed he is free to leave, yet faithfully stays near?” Geoffrey’s voice became irritated. After a moment he sat up. “I could hear much better, though, if she would stop with that damnable sobbing.”

The girl’s sobs had turned to hiccups.

“She is sensitive to what people think of her,” Candace explained.

Geoffrey scoffed. “I don’t give one fart in the wind what people think of me, nor should she.”

“That is not true,” Candace replied distantly, looking off into the distance as she rocked gently back and forth with Emilie. The gesture slowly soothed the girl to quietness. “You care very much what people think of you. It’s why you act so arrogant. You’re trying to make up for how you feel on the inside.”

“Pardon me?” Geoffrey said, scowling at the girl. “I am no such way. If other people confuse my confidence for arrogance, then that says more about them than about myself, I would think.”

Candace’s eyes glazed over even more as her rocking became rhythmic.

“You’re hurting inside,” she said quietly. “For a very long time now. Your father was an angry man, and your mother liked her drink too much. He used to hit her in front of you when you were little.”

Geoffrey’s eyes widened.

“You were so little and helpless to do anything. Your father was a big man, a powerful man, respected by all. You wanted to be just like him, but he hurt your mom.”

“Now listen here!” Geoffrey tried to growl, but it came out more like a mewling calf. “You stop this nonsense immediately!”

Candace flinched some, but continued with her sibylline discourse.

“Your father would tell you it was necessary and she deserved it, and to make matters worse, her drinking and behavior made you think he was right.”

Geoffrey rose to his knees and shook the girl by the shoulders. Emilie got scared and let out a screaming cry.

“I said stop! Do you hear me?” he cried, tears blurring his eyes. His hand was gripped around a brooch on Candace’s cloak, and the pin sank into his palm.

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