One True Knight (The Knights of Honor Trilogy) Read Free Page B

after more than ten long years searching for the man, he had finally tracked him down to the one place that he swore that he would never go back to — the shire of his birth.
    His gaze swept past the uneasy faces as if he was searching for the unknown figure that haunted his dreams. They looked apprehensively at him and his men, a mixture of fear and awe on their upturned faces.
    “Cousin!” A woman’s voice cried out. As if a spell were broken, the eerie silence that followed the riders shattered and the servants scurried back to their work.
    Jonathan turned and the grave expression on his face disappeared as if it had never existed. He slid off his horse, and approached Lady Lorena du Veaux of Airndale. Before he could take two steps, the small woman ran and threw her arms around him in a warm embrace.
    “You have come,” she said, unable to hide the surprise and joy in her face. “I sent you the message but I was not sure if you received it, or if you would come.”
    Jonathan grinned, and returned the embrace. “Aye, I received it. And upon hearing about your upcoming nuptials, I rushed over here to visit you.”
    She swatted him on the arm. “You lie as badly as my minstrel,” she said, affectionately. “I recall you swearing that you would never return here.”
    Lorena signaled for the stable boy to take the horses. She then slipped one arm around his and led him through the courtyard.
    The stable boy glanced back at them before leading the horses away.
    “A white lie then,” Jonathan said in an indifferent tone. “I have business in this region, so it is fortuitous that I’m able to attend your wedding as well.”
    “What business do you have in these parts?” she asked, watching his face carefully as if she could discover a clue as to his real purpose.
    “‘Tis nothing that would interest a lady,” he said, his eyes not quite meeting hers.
    He sensed her studying him at length. “That is yet another lie,” she stated. “‘Tis the Grey Knight that brought you here, is it not? You would not be in this region if it were not for him. I cannot begin to flatter myself that my upcoming marriage would be a draw for you. I did not think you were joking when you swore to never set foot in this vicinity again. ‘Twould seem something serious must be afoot to bring you back here.”
    Jonathan laughed grimly. “I can never hide anything from you, cousin. You are too perceptive.”
    “I am rather observant,” she said, smiling pleasantly, although the light of determination reflected in her eyes. “However you have not answered my question — is it the Grey Knight that you are seeking?”
    Jonathan let out a weary sigh. She would keep asking questions until she was satisfied with an answer. “Aye, ‘tis he. It has been over ten years and the madman still eludes me. He’s like a phantom that appears, causes as much damage as he can, and then disappears back into the shadows. I’m growing tired of chasing him across the country, finding nothing. But when I have almost given up all hope, the madman resurfaces again and taunts me from another direction.” He took off his helm, and handed it to his squire. “The people who we’ve asked have been reluctant to speak, although his trail seems to end here.”
    Lorena arched her eyebrows in alarm. “At Airndale?”
    Jonathan shook his head. “Nay, at Blackburn.”
    She gave him a thoughtful look. “Perhaps he is dead,” she said, hopefully. “If there is no trace of him, then he may have perished, just as my last husband has perished. God can be kind at times.”
    “I would like to think he is dead, but he always comes back, sending me messages and leading me to the next place. Then he disappears as if the devil provides him refuge. Unless he provides clues, I am at a loss as to where to find him. I expect that he will send another message soon.” He let out a long breath. “I have only seen the helm of my enemy and have no idea what he looks like