Candace C. Bowen - A Knight Series 02 Read Free Page A

at Talan as he added ingredients to the cook-pot. “If you were Guy or Gervase, you would have plied me with queries by now.”
    Talan looked surprised before replying, “Why would I question you for doing a noble deed?”
    Albin smiled, once again thankful for Talan’s quiet nature.  
    They worked in companionable silence as Talan added bacon fat and garlic to the pot for flavor. Nodding in satisfaction, he lifted the pot to the hook and swung it to rest above the now blazing hearth fire.    
    Following Talan’s instruction, Albin was kneading dough for trenchers to hold the stew when he paused for a look at the simmering concoction. “It actually smells appetizing.”
    Stirring the pottage with a long iron ladle, Talan smirked. “Do not sound so surprised.”
    “I am, nonetheless,” Albin admitted. “Where did you learn to cook?”
    “As a small lad, I used to watch my mother prepare meals.” Talan smiled in reminiscence. 
    “You have my sincere gratitude for doing this.”
    “You need not thank me, Albin.” Talan brushed off his thanks as he reached for a bowl. “Finish the trenchers while I soak a stock of barley. By the look of the empty barrels, it appears ale is running low. Once the barley soaks, I can lend assist to Lecie in making more.”
    “Ale is running low?” Albin asked in stunned disbelief.
    Laughing, Talan shook his head. “I am of the belief you would rather starve than go without ale.”
    “In that you would be correct.” Albin agreed with a grin.
     

TWO
     
    Lecie woke in the dawn’s early light staring at the russet canopy above her head. 
    Her eyes flying wide, she sat up and looked around. It was definitely not her small pallet in the attic. Confused at how she had gotten there, she stumbled from the bed into the empty passageway. 
    Hastening to the master chamber, she slipped inside and crossed to the bed. Relieved to find her patient dozing, she took in his frail, sunken frame. A lump of emotion formed in her throat as she soaked a cloth in a bowl of water on the nightstand.  
    As she dabbed at his sweat-beaded brow with the cool cloth, Edric slowly opened his pain-filled eyes. “Lecie, you look weary.”
    “I am fine, Da.”
    “You take too much upon yourself. You need to rest more.”
    Concern etched her smooth brow as she heard the congested rattle in his chest. “It is you who needs to rest more.”
    Reaching for her free hand, he gently squeezed it. “Rest assured I shall be resting soon enough, lass.”
    Tears flooded Lecie’s eyes as she gazed sadly down at him.
    Having lost her mother and the babe she carried during delivery years before, Lecie was the eldest of four children. She would be lost without her father.  
    As if reading her mind, Edric wheezed, “I fear what will happen to you children once I am gone.”
    Seeing concern shadow his light blue eyes, she forced a brave smile. “I am my mother’s daughter, Da. I have been running the inn on my own for some time now.”
    “Your dear mother would be proud.”
    Thinking of the patrons who would go without a warm meal to break their fast, a wave of guilt brought a flush to her fair cheeks. “You need to rest now. I shall fix you a nice broth after I rouse the children.”
    A spasm of coughs seized him as he shook his head. Waiting for the bout to pass, she supported his shoulders so he could take a drink of ale.
    Easing back onto the feather tick, he weakly clutched her arm as she turned to go. “You cannot deceive me,” he wheezed. “Your eyes speak the truth.”
    “I am fine, Da.” Patting his hand, she admitted, “Mayhap, just a tad weary of late.” 
    Bending to kiss his sunken cheek, she made her way from the room. Once in the empty passageway, she leaned against the paneled wall beside the closed door as tears slipped from her eyes. She would have to try harder to conceal the strain.    
    At the end of the passage, she stepped around the narrow ladder leading up to her garret, to