Free A Knight for Love by A.M. Westerling Page B

the day’s events but more than happy to share in the promised spoils, however earned.”
    “Your token.” She pulled the amber ribbon out of her pocket and smiled at him. “Every knight must tie a token to his helmet.” It wasn’t much but it was the least she could do for the clothes he had bought for her this day. She hoped the gesture would please him.
    Warin held out his helm so she could tie on the ribbon. “I won’t disappoint you.” He saluted her. “Your ribbon will give me success.” He flashed a quick grin before he turned away.
    Her heart squeezed as she watched him stride off. How would he fare?
     
    *****
     
    That order could be wrought from such chaos crossed Alyna’s mind more than once that afternoon and a myriad of images flickered through her mind whenever she thought upon that day.
    Clods of dirt flung up by pounding hooves. The sun beating on her head. The cheers of the crowd. The smells – unwashed bodies, steaming earth, sweating horses, roasting meat from the nearby stalls. Her mounting excitement as Warin won match after match, culminating in the final of the day. The fear as Warin’s lance splintered, but not before shoving his opponent to the ground. The swordplay, vicious and mighty, until Warin stood, victorious, sword tip pointed to the throat of the vanquished knight lying prone on the ground.
    And finally, how her heart swelled when Warin came for her. Tired, dirty but happy, leading Citadel and his opponent’s horse in one hand, carrying swords in the other, daggers tucked in his belt, and extra bags draped over his shoulder. He stopped in front of her.
    “Alyna,” he bowed. “My lady. I wager our journey will be much more to your liking now.” He pointed to the smaller horse. “For you.” The bags slid off his shoulder with a metallic clank signifying it had been a profitable day for him.
    “Aye .” She nodded her thanks, smiling prettily at him. “It will be welcome indeed to ride alone.”
    War in fair glowed with pride. Did she imagine it or could it be that he stood a little taller, his chest a little broader than when they set out this morning from their little camp?
    And pride she felt, as well, to be in the company of such an accomplished jouster. All about them shouted their congratulations, jostling around her to get a closer glimpse of today’s victor.
    She hung back, silent, gazing at him, and letting the adoration she had been attempting to suppress over the past days show openly on her face.
    Their gazes met, and quickly she dropped her eyes for a moment to hide the emotion she had no right to feel but that nudg ed firmly, unbidden, at her heart. She hoped he would attribute the sudden flush bathing her cheeks to the heat of the day and naught else.
    Slowly, the crowd of well wishers dispersed, off to partake in the merriment that still enveloped the town, and later, the feast that would be the crowning event of the day.
    They stood, gazing at each other, Alyna’s face carefully schooled as to be blank and Warin’s with a trace of a smile. Shyness began to creep over her, leaving her tongue-tied and feeling a bit gauche.
    “Ahhh,” he sighed. “A fruitful day.” He placed the swords on the ground beside him and kicked at the bags piled up on the ground. They resounded with a satisfying ‘clink’.
    “You have won yourself much acclaim,” Alyna finally managed to stammer.
    “Aye.” Warin nodded his head. “My benefactor will be well rewarded for the loan of his equipage. Even so, the riches earned today should carry us both through to Paris, and you on to Caperun Keep.”
    Caperun Keep. Alyna had all but forgotten about it in the excitement of the day but now that he had mentioned it, she pictured it in her mind. The homesickness that always overwhelmed her at the thought of home did not smite her with as much intensity. Mayhap because of Warin’s company. Mayhap because home to her, increasingly, was at his side.
    She shook that thought