Free The Quest (The Sons of Camelot Book 2) by Kim Dragoner Page B

be on their way again. This time, Sir Jofrit was not bound like a carcass and thrown over his horse’s saddle. Instead, he was allowed to sit upright in it but his legs were shackled together by means of manacles that ran under Guerrero’s belly and his bound hands were tied to the horn of the saddle. The horse’s reins were firmly in the grip of one of Dunmor’s brothers, whose job it was to lead Sir Jofrit and Guerrero the rest of the way.

 
    Chapter Nine
     
    Nimueh was pleased to hear the commotion that was erupting outside the crystal cave as the others watched Dunmor and his Pict men approaching in the distance. She rubbed her hands together as if they were cold, but they weren’t. She was just pleased to see her plan taking some shape and making some real progress finally.
    Cerebus sensed her approval and moved closer to offer his head for petting. He had found life with Nimueh quite satisfying and rather leisurely. She took care of him, provided more than enough food for him to eat and let him loose to roam the countryside every now and then. He found he enjoyed not being a mount and beast of burden to an ungrateful and often cruel drow such as Erandur was.
    Nimueh, in turn, benefitted from having the enormous hell hound at her side. He was intimidating to say the least. Smaller creatures, even if they were more spiteful than she was, never seemed to step out of place when Cerebus was present. They had seen him snap of the head of a sprite or two, even when he was unprovoked. It helped to keep the little rascals in line without her even having to try.
    She patted his head and stroked his fur as she waited for Dunmor’s arrival.
    Soon, the Pict men led Sir Jofrit into the cave on Guerrero. The horse was stopped in front of Nimueh’s crystal throne so she could have a good view of her captive knight. Dunmor wanted her to see that he had done as he was charged to do and delivered the man and his mount to her unharmed and whole.
    He hadn’t even gone through Jofrit’s things and besides allowing the servant girl to retrieve a change of clothing for the man, he hadn’t allowed anyone to ransack the bags. Dunmor threw the three packs of supplies down onto the cave floor in front of Nimueh’s chair so she could inspect their wholeness for herself.
    Being afraid of a woman was never something Dunmor allowed himself to do but he couldn’t deny that Lady Nimueh struck the fear of his ancestors into him. Every time he decided that the best course of action was not to cross her, he reminded himself that it was because she was a powerful witch who could wound him gravely or kill him if she wished; not just a pretty woman.
    But pretty she was nonetheless.
    Dunmor and his brothers, being the only humans in Nimueh’s presence, were probably the most aware of her enchanting good looks but they also knew better than to show too much appreciation for it.
    As Nimueh stood up to approach the knight in front of her, she couldn’t take her eyes off his mount. The silvery stallion mesmerized her with its beauty and strength and she couldn’t help but to reach up and stroke its head.
    “He reminds me of so many beautiful things from my past,” she said to no one in particular. Then she faced Sir Jofrit and asked, “What is his name and where did you get such a fantastic beast?”
    Being the ever gracious knight that he was, Jofrit of Leeds answered Lady Nimueh’s questions with poise and grace.
    “Milady, his name is Guerrero. I brought him from Spain as a young foal along with another stallion that resembles him exactly. They are somewhat of a matched pair; twins to be precise.”
    Nimueh was intrigued. Twins which were both born alive and healthy and then continued to thrive and grow well was quite rare with horses and twins that were the same in appearance, even more so. They would have been a pair fit for a king and queen from the looks of the animal that stood before her.
    “He has the nimble and delicate traits