Queen Of Knights by David Wind Page A

shook his head sadly.  “I wish it could be.  The uniting of KiIdrake and Radstock would be of great benefit to England, but Gwendolyn is betrothed to Morgan of Guildswood.  The contracts have been signed.  I am powerless to stop it.”
    “We appreciate the lawfulness of what you say,” Richard interrupted as he lifted a cup and drank, “but I am your king, and I can order the betrothal ended.”
    “Your Majesty, I am an old man.  I have fought alongside your father and have defended my country and my honor equally.  I have never broken an oath, and will not willingly do so now!” Hughes declared, his eyes challenging the new king boldly.
    Gwendolyn felt a swelling of pride within her as she listened to her grandfather stand against Richard .  Although she wanted to be free of Morgan, she did not want this at the expense of her grandfather’s honor.
    “Hughes, I am your king and Morgan of Guildswood’s also.  You are both honor - bound to accept what I order .  I shall issue a royal decree, compelling this marriage for the best interest of England .  Such an edict will absolve you from both your pledge and from any wrongdoing . ”
    Gwendolyn’s heart beat faster as she listened to the words .  Miles had kept his promise! He had succeeded in gaining her hand.  But uneasiness clouded her happiness.  There would be trouble.  Morgan would not give in readily.  She knew what would happen in the years to come.  She gazed at her grandfather’s pained expression and knew she was right.  He, too, saw the problems to be faced .
    “Your Majesty, you cannot do that,” Gwendolyn said.  Several gasps were heard, and Gwendolyn saw the look of fury her grandfather directed at her .  But she knew she must speak .  Her eyes remained fixed on the king’s, and, ignoring the warning within them, she continued.
    “To issue this decree would be wrong, and would hurt you in your efforts to rule England peacefully and totally.”
    Richard’s face ran a gamut of expressions until finally there was only a tolerant smile on his lips .  “Continue,” he said with a disdainful wave of his hand.
    “Sire, my grandfather’s word as a knight is sacred, and thus it should not be put aside by royal decree.  However, because of the code of chivalry, the very foundation that makes such oaths sacred, it would be possible to have this betrothal set aside.” Ignoring the open - mouthed stares of the knights, she bravely continued.  “It is possible by using the very code that has made England so strong.”
    “And what would you suggest, my lady?” Richard asked indulgently .
    “A simple thing.  If Sir Miles is of the ilk that he thinks himself, issue your command, my lord, but allow Sir Morgan the right to challenge.  A joust would be fitting , ” Gwendolyn declared .  She breathed deeply while she watched Richard , hoping that all she had heard of his l ove of fighting and ceremony was true .  She had no doubts of Miles’s ability, on l y of her own in manipulating a king who did not like women .
    “So it is blood and death you seek,” Richard commented as he favored her with a penetrating look.
    Gwendolyn blushed again, not from embarrassment, but from anger.  When ‘she spoke, her vo i ce betrayed no emotions .  “No, my lord, even should it be so, I would not take a knight from you , nor would I have the death of either man upon my shoulders.  A joust, with blunted lances and dull-edged swords only, would suffice to uphold both men’s knightly honor. ”
    The t able erup t ed with laughter and cheers at her words, and Gwendolyn allowed herself to smile as her eyes locked with Miles’s .  She read a new respect in them, and her heartbeat slowed to normal .
    “ By damn!” Richard cried, l ooking from M i les to Hughes .
    “Do you agree?” he asked.  Both men nodded .  “Then it shall be as the Lady Gwendolyn has said.  By damn!” he repeated , giving Gwendolyn a long, appraising look of