Free Kingdom's Quest by Chuck Black Page A

but could not see it.
    â€œThere is nothing in the rules against it,” Julian added.
    Gavinaugh looked at Keanna, and she looked at him. Her eyes were a bit softer toward him this time.
    â€œAre you sure?” he asked.
    â€œI am.”
    â€œVery well,” he said with a nod. “Julian, where can we buy some clothes for her to look the part?”
    Before exiting the inn, Gavinaugh took hold of Weston’s arm and pulled him aside.
    â€œYou trained Keanna with the sword?” he asked.
    â€œShe is stronger than she looks, and she has a real aptitude for it,” he replied.
    Gavinaugh was still amazed, for although he had heard of certain ladies in the past actually fighting in battle, it was an unusual thing.
    He turned to leave, but Weston stopped him, looking straight into Gavinaugh’s eyes. “I am not as discerning as Marie, but it is clear to me that you care deeply for Keanna.”
    Gavinaugh looked away. He had not let such thoughts fully materialize in his mind, but Weston spoke what he had felt in his heart for many weeks.
    Weston continued. “I don’t blame you, Gavinaugh. She is an intriguing woman.”
    Gavinaugh looked back at his friend. “I can’t tell if she likes me or despises me. I just know that for now my duty is to protect her from any further harm.”
    Weston smiled. “Perhaps that is why she has stayed with us so long … so she can decide. But I don’t believe she dislikes you as much as you fear.”
    Gavinaugh smiled briefly and was encouraged by his words. They turned and left the inn, then joined the others. Before long Keanna was arrayed in the ceremonial garb of a knight in training. She didn’t try to hide the fact that she was a young woman. The result was a peculiar but striking personification of beauty and boldness. She wore loose-fitting pants and a colorful blouse beneath a leather doublet. The blue and gold of her garments were a close match to Gavinaugh’s armor and banner.
    For the tournament, the knights were not allowed full battle armor but only light plate armor that provided minimal protection. They could wear helmets for their entrance into the amphitheater but not during the contests.
    Gavinaugh had a squire, a page, and a tournament that would either kill him or give him a platform from which to proclaim the Prince. He knew that his training with the Prince would be as important as the armor he wore, for the men he would be facing in a short time would be more skilled with the sword than any others he had faced. It was a time for vigilance … it was a time for duty.

TOURNAMENT OF DEATH
    Keanna was at war within her heart. The factions of her battle were somehow all connected to Gavinaugh. At times she wanted to scream, and at other times she wanted to cry. When she heard Gavinaugh speak of the Prince, she was drawn to the beauty and power of the story. She knew that it was those same words that, if she were to truly embrace them, would require her to offer full forgiveness to Gavinaugh. But part of her wanted to hang on to the bitterness and anger because of what he had done to her and her family months earlier. It was a beast that still reared its ugly head and refused to die.
    The irony of it all was that Keanna was strangely drawn to this man who had caused her so much pain. The kindness he now showed her seemed genuine, and she did not deny that there were moments when she wanted to believe it was really true. However, she knew she could not have both vengeance and love, and it seemed as though she would lose her mind in the throes of this conflict. The Prince was calling her to a better place … she just didn’t know the way there.
    The tournament had forced the silent war within her heart to the forefront of her mind. Deep down she began to understand that she could not hope for his demise, for even the smallest seeds of love hadpower over the worst of dragons. Her