Candace C. Bowen - A Knight Series 01 by A Knight of Silence Page A

battles,
drinking and whoring, Fulke.   You deny
it, yet deep down you know this.   What is
past cannot be undone.   I would be the
last to tell you to forget, but for your sake, I am asking you to let it go.”
He gripped harder. “Your attraction to Mistress Reina is obvious to all. I
believe you may have a real chance at happiness. Be strong enough to take it,
my friend,” he finished softly.   Dropping
his hand, he stared hard at Fulke, before returning to the stables.
    Stars began to make their appearance as Fulke gazed up at the heavens
as if waiting for a sign.
    He remained there long after.

THREE

 
    Reina found Warin standing alone on the top of his favorite tower,
gazing off towards the village below.   She would have come sooner if Hylda had not been so distraught she
feared leaving her alone.
    Searching for the words to say goodbye, she crossed to him. By his
reddened eyes, she could see he had been crying, yet he smiled as he turned to
her.
    “I have something for you.” She
held out a slim wool wrapped package.
    Untying the twine, he slowly withdrew her silver dinner knife.   Her most valuable possession, it once
belonged to her mother.
    Tears filled his eyes. “I cannot accept this, Reina.   It means too much to you.”
    She gently closed his hands around the bundle he tried to give back. “Not as much as you do.   I want
you to have something to remember me by.”
    Pulling her into a fierce hug, she bit hard on her lip to keep from
sobbing.

 
    * * * *

 
    After joining the men in prayer, Fulke trailed behind as they entered
the hall.   Disappointed he could not find
Reina, he reluctantly took his seat.  
    Noting Warin’s absence, he turned to his mother. “It is well past
vespers. Is not my page joining us this evening, Lady Baldith?”
    “He is unwell this eve, your lordship,” she replied, passing him the
jug of ale.
    “I am sorry to hear it.” If Warin fell ill, it would explain Reina’s
absence. “Is he being cared for?”
    “He needs rest, your lordship. Come the morrow, all will be set
aright.”
    “Your lordship, is it true that the king has run to fat?” Sibilla
rudely interjected.
    “I do not believe that to be a fitting conversation for the table,
Mistress Sibilla.”
    “Perhaps we may discuss it later this eve,” she responded coyly.
    Staring morosely at his plank of food, Fulke dreaded the long evening
ahead.
    In no mood to listen to the women’s chatter, he excused himself as soon
as he finished eating.   Averting his
eyes, he avoided the pitying looks of his men as he slowly climbed the steps.
    He passed his chamber to stop before Reina’s door.   Bracing his fisted hands on either side of
the doorframe, he stood there a moment staring at the door shut against
him.   Even if she were able to hear his
knock, he would never dishonor her in such a way.  
    Returning to his chamber, he bolted the door.

 
    * * * *

 
    Long after everyone had retired for the night, Reina slipped from her chamber.
Descending the steps, she crossed the empty hall.   Used to her nocturnal wandering, the resting
hounds tracked her progress to the door without lifting their heads.    
    The cold wind whipping through the courtyard lifted her cloak to float
about her as she descended the steps on her way to the Chapel yard.
    She drew back in fear when she noticed a dark figure standing before
her intended destination. About to retrace her steps, she hesitated when the
figure whirled around as if startled.
    For a moment, the figure stood in the shadows of the giant yew tree,
before staggering towards her with outstretched arms. Crossing into a patch of
moonlight, she recognized her father, his eyes blazing with a light she had
never seen before.
    He was almost upon her when recognition finally dawned on him.   The light in his eyes fading to become dark
once again.
    Her heart breaking for him, she realized for a moment, he believed her
to be the spirit of her departed