Free Kingdom's Quest by Chuck Black Page B

insistence on being Gavinaugh’s squire had surprised not only her companions, but herself as well, for the words had passed her lips as though a part of her heart was ruling her tongue—a part that whispered,
He truly cares for you
.
    If she could somehow get beyond the clutches of pain and vengeance, she wondered if Gavinaugh’s kindness toward her was purely out of remorse and nothing more. She dared not let her heart wander into the fairy tale of love, for she was just a peasant and Gavinaugh had been and always would be a gallant knight.
    How could one of his stature ever have feelings for one such as me?
she wondered. Such thoughts only added to her confusion and conflict. The only response she could give to Gavinaugh for his attempts at showing her kindness was indifference. Anything else might bring her more pain.
    The Tournament of Lords was presided over by the Duke of Thecia and always began with a procession of the thirty-two participating knights riding about the periphery of the amphitheater. Since Gavinaugh was a participant, Weston and Sandon were given respectable seats near the nobility. The nobility seating was near the ground level, distinguishable by double staircases to the left and right of the ceremonial platform. This gave access to the arena for tournament presentations. Vibrant banners decorated the seating area. The duke, along with the marquises, earls, viscounts, barons, and other noblemen and their ladies, were all seated there.
    The knights marshaled themselves in an outer court before entering the amphitheater. Keanna made some final adjustments to Triumph’s saddle and straightened the colorful horse blanket. Gavinaugh prepared to mount, and Keanna readied the stirrup. He paused and looked at her. He did not understand why she had volunteered to serve as his squire, but he was glad for it. As a Noble Knight, he would not have even dared consider Keanna anything more than just a peasant girl, but here on theother side of his encounter with the Prince, he found exhilarating freedom from such foolishness.
    He thought of Leisel in Chessington. According to the estates of the kingdom, she would be an acceptable woman for a knight such as him to court, but it was Keanna who stirred powerful feelings of love in him. For this reason he was all the more grateful for the ways of the Prince. It was the unreachable true nobility of the Prince that demolished the foolishness of social estates among men in Arrethtrae, for the height of a bright star in the heavens looks the same whether gazed upon from a mountain or a valley.
    When he did not directly mount Triumph, Keanna looked up at him.
    â€œKeanna … I …,” Gavinaugh wanted desperately to share his feelings for her, but he could not find the words. “I am grateful and honored to have you by my side today.”
    She lowered her head, but he gently lifted up her chin so he could see her eyes.
    â€œYou are not my servant … you are my friend,” he said.
    Keanna’s usual countenance of indifference softened, and her eyes seemed to beckon him. Without a single word from her lips, she had completely captured his heart, and he wondered if she even knew it.
    Gavinaugh broke the moment for fear of saying something foolish and mounted Triumph. He adjusted his armor, and Keanna handed the reins to him.
    â€œPlease don’t die today, Sir Gavinaugh,” she said quickly and then turned to take her position next to Triumph.
    â€œKnights … forward!” came the command from the front.
    The squires each walked beside their mounted knights, who were all arrayed in gleaming armor. Sir Bavol led the procession through an arched gateway to the cheers of thousands of spectators and seemed to revel in the adoration of the crowd. Gavinaugh could hear trumpets ahead heralding the knights’ arrival into the arena. He and Keanna werelast in the procession, and as they entered, they were