Page 16

“I bested you. Again.” Rolf laughed and held out his hand. Blackbourne came up with a grunt. “Who are you to complain? You blindsided me and tried to knock my head off.”

“If it’s any consolation, there is no one else I’d want at my back.” The knight slapped Rolf on the shoulder that had held the shield.

He winced and attempted to smile with gritted teeth. “Aye, that makes my joints feel much better. Do you ever think we are getting too old for this?”

“Never! At least not until I have some smaller Williams to carry on for me.” Blackbourne pulled off his helmet, grabbed a skin of ale from a bystander, and poured it over his head.

“Aaaagh. That feels good.” He opened his mouth and finished off the rest. Shaking his hair, he laughed when Rolf yelped as the spray hit his face.

Trystan ran up to take their pot helmets, his skinny arms straining with the double weight of steel.

“I found the goose and delivered it to the earl’s kitchens, milord.

” He weaved a bit as he tried to stand tall, holding the equipment.

“The cook said she knew just what to do with it and gave me a chunk of white bread left over with soft cheese.”

“Well, it seems your afternoon was more profitable than mine. I bet she thought you a proper young gentleman. You certainly smell like one again.” Rolf tousled the boy’s brown hair.

“And what did you scrounge up for our dinner, boy?” William put both hands on his fists, towering over the lad. “It is good you show respect to Lord Arbrec for his magic could be deadly. But I am your lord and master. I—”

Trystan grinned and knelt down at the knight’s feet. “The mistress at the inn said to tell you she has a special meal prepared for you.”

William looked skeptical. “Which mistress?”

“The pretty one with hair as dark as midnight. She said it was in exchange for last night.” The boy’s grin almost split his face.

He put his hands on his hips and moved them back and forth with his chin pointed down and eyes peeking up under thick lashes.

In a high-pitched voice, he added, “Tell him he’s a gentleman as I’ve never known, and I look forward to showing my appreciation. ”

“And what did you do to make this female so indebted to you?” Rolf noted the pink creeping up the titan’s neck, his gaze cast to the ground. “Never mind, I have an idea.”

“Let’s just say, she had a few unwanted admirers. I helped them find another place to sleep for the evening.” He busied himself with his sword belt. “I did naught, truly.”

“Oh, milord, ye should have seen him. Three of ‘em, pushing the girl around and pinching her sweet mounds. And then she cursed them and spat at one and got smacked for her efforts.” Trystan’s hands joined in the conversation as his voice rose in excitement.

“Milord is an epic warrior, he is. He spoke so quietly that two of them leaned forward to hear him. He wrapped his fingers around each neck and smack!” The boy clapped his hands together.

“Trystan, Rolf doesn’t want to hear about—”

“Oh, but I do. I most certainly do.” He returned his attention to the lad with a mock seriousness. “Sir, continue.”

“They fell to the floor like rag dolls, they did. And the third one jumped on my master’s back.

But milord took his head in one big paw and crashed him atop a table.

” The boy looked sideways at William, received no scowl, and continued, “Then he hiked one under an arm grabbed the other two by the shirts and dragged them into the alley down the street.”

Humor lit Rolf’s eyes to a dark yellow, and his lips quirked slightly. “And now the maiden wishes to reward her chivalrous hero.”

“Mayhap I deserve a bit of recompense.” He shrugged his shoulders but the grin spread again over his face. “I’m no selfless martyr like yourself.”

“Ha! As enjoyable as this has been, my friend, I must go. I have an appointment with the Earl of Garrick and his family.” He let out a breath between his teeth. “I would rather go another round with you.”

“I’ve heard Garrick is a reasonable man. Not to mention, the match is the King’s wish.” William stopped smiling. “Does he know about…your background?”

“I’m not sure what Lady Melissa has shared.

I will tell him as much as I need to and no more.

” Rolf avoided secrecy if he could but silence had always been a welcome companion.

It wasn’t in his nature to converse only to hear his own voice or bestow unnecessary compliments. He spoke when he had something to say.

The late afternoon sun peeked over the top of ramshackle buildings, casting long, crooked shadows over the narrow streets.

Alleys were already darkening and the vendors had pulled up their counters and closed up for the day.

Rolf realized with a start that he needed to hurry.

He’d won the first battle against Roker but wondered if it would be the last. He needed to be mentally prepared for his next opponent.

For he knew the Earl of Garrick was not an ally—yet.

He said a silent prayer to Merlin’s gods and spurred his horse into a canter.