Free Percival's Angel by Anne Eliot Crompton Page A

Never-Knight-To-Be.”

Alanna’s Counsel
    God makes men and men make rules
    So we know Knights from baser fools.
    If in truth you’d be a Knight,
    Keep these counsels in your sight.
    Should you meet a maiden fair,
    Kiss her well and leave her there.
    Take her jewels if you must.
    Use no violence nor lust.
    Should God’s church stand by your way,
    Enter there and gravely pray.
    Guard your Honor and your Word.
    A Knight’s Word is his Spirit’s sword.
    Accept a friendly gift of food
    In jovial and friendly mood.
    If none is offered, fill your need.
    Of angry protests take no heed.
    Upon your way you hear a cry?
    Answer it! Help, save, or die!
    Should Another challenge you,
    Take sword or lance and run him through.
    Follow faithfully your King
    So Merlin may your praises sing.
    Now my Counsel’s said and done;
    All I can give you, dear Sir Son.

3
    Red Knight
    In a bright, morning glade shone a large, silvery tent.
    Stepping out of the woods, Percy paused.
    â€œGoddamn! What we could do with a tent like that back in the forest!”
    Behind him, still woods-shadowed, Lili murmured, “Too seeable. Stands out like a white cliff. I wouldn’t sleep long enough to dream in that!”
    On three sides woods framed the glade. Spring-green leaves shimmered and birdsong echoed. On the far side open fields stretched away, green and brown. A gray, grizzled horse grazed in the first field, hobbling on three legs. One front leg was tied up off the ground.
    In the midst, obvious and direct, the tent flew a cheerful red and blue banner. Bright ribbons snapped and floated on a light breeze. The tent flap hung invitingly open. A smaller tent, unadorned, waited off to the side.
    Percy said, “I know! This must be a church of God.” In his head a despairing voice moaned, Should God’s church stand by your way, enter there…
    He made to start forward. But Lili’s small, clenched fist shot up before his nose. Wait!
    Why?
    Lili doubled down and darted out across the open, grassy glade. Straight to the smaller tent she went, and hesitated, sniffing, listening.
    She vanished. Went in, she did. Good thought. Know what we’re getting into.
    There she came now, slipping out through the still-closed tent flap. She raised her hands and finger-talked across the sunny space. Empty. But look at the ground!
    The ground. Ho, what a mess! Crushed grass. Churned earth. Turds all over. Great horse turds, dog turds. There’s one, steaming. Human folk have been around here, and not long back. Percy signed, Well, aye. We Human folk go to church. Now watch me!
    Percy straightened Alanna’s soup kettle on his head. He threw back his cloak to flaunt his new, three-colored tunic. Lightly, he touched the Bee Sting at his belt. Assured and ready, he marched across the glade, avoiding turds, and into the church.
    Hey?
    In a church they’ve got an altar, like a table. A lamp, always lit. Maybe a statue, like Mary.
    Here, they’ve got a table. Spread with every kind of food known, and other kinds, unknown. Goddamn!
    Lo; this is not God’s church.
    Small furniture stood about; wooden things to sit on; a chest to keep things in; and furs and coverlets piled up to form a bed.
    On the bed slept a lady. A maiden fair.
    Except not so fair.
    Must be Ivie’s age. Best thing she’s got is her hair.
    Which was dark, long, rich, and thickly spread across embroidered pillows.
    Should you meet a maiden fair, kiss her well…
    Percy bent down over the lady.
    How? Cheek? Forehead? How do you turn your head…There.
    He landed a heavy, wet kiss on her upturned chin.
    ????
    The lady’s eyes flew open. Saw Percy. The lady drew a great breath and made to rise.
    But Percy knew what that meant.
    Think you’ll scream, do you? Not in my ear! I’ve heard enough of that.
    Percy silenced the lady with one hand firm on her mouth. With the other hand he held her down by a slim shoulder.
    Black eyes