A Knight for Love by A.M. Westerling Read Free Book Online Page B

I ’m not French,” he reminded her gently.
    “It matters naught,” she maintained stoutly. “You fought for the good of our beliefs, our Christian beliefs, the beliefs of your King Henry III too. Besides, your king is brother-in-law to our Louis. Your spoils of war are earned and nothing to feel shameful of.”
    “But I do feel shame.” He sat up straight and turned his head to look at her fully in the face. That way he could better see her reaction to what he was about to say. “I’ve decided to lay down my sword. I’ve decided I can better serve the Lord as a monk at Mont St. Michel. I can’t do it anymore, Ada. I can’t fight, not for gain, not for protection, not even in the name of our Lord.”
    He scoured her features as she nodded. Compassion lined her face and understanding filled her eyes. He relaxed then, looking heavenward for an instant before slumping against the table. She didn’t condemn him for changing his path. She understood. Now if only he could.
    “ You could bring Alan with you.” Ada cocked her head.
    “I don’t know. ” He pursed his lips. “If the abbot doesn’t accept him, what then? Besides, no matter how much money I scrape together, they may not accept me either. As I already told you, I’m not French.”
    “ So why not go back to England then?”
    “Because there’s nothing for me in England anymore. You know full well what happened there.”
    A knock sounded and the door swung open to reveal Alan. Warin groaned inwardly at the sight of the youngster holding several bedraggled blooms in one slender hand. How odd of the boy – thoughtful mayhap, but what boy would bring flowers?
    Ada , however, took one look at the exhausted face and drooping body of her young guest and pointed towards the jumbled sacks of grain in one corner but not before taking the flowers and jamming them into the pot of jonquils. “Thank you, Alan, how kind. And sleep now, you need to rest. Pay no heed to us. We’re friends of long standing and wish to converse before you make way on the morrow.”
    They both watched as Al an settled in.
    “Good night,” the boy rasped.
    “Good night ,” Warin and Ada responded in unison.
    They sat silent until Al an’s breathing was deep and even, before Warin continued with his discourse. The pause in their conversation for the return of young Alan had made him realize that he had no desire to dwell on the painful aspects any longer. He changed the tone of his words.
    “Not all was bad, Ada, there are wondrous sights to see. Men of black skin, so black you could swear it was fine ebony. And women of incredible beauty, so it is told, for they are unseen, swathed from head to toe in dull, colorless robes so that all that is visible is their eyes. The places of worship are majestic, soaring domes colored with pieces of glass that pierce the eyes with the intensity and brightness.” Warin’s face turned to the darkening window slit, a distant look in his eyes as if the astonishing things of which he spoke lay just outside.
    “The food,” he continued, “wondrous food, flavorful with spices that stroke the tongue and tease the belly.” He held up a finger. “Wait, I’ll show you.”
    He fumbled around in his saddlebag and brought forth a small leather bag. Untying the lace, he shook free several peppercorns that he passed over to Ada. “For your hospitality.”
    Eyes round with wonder, she took the black wrinkled spheres from him, rolling one between her fingers before lifting it to her nose to sniff.
    “Aieee,” she breathed, awed with the gift Warin had given her. She shook her head and made as if to give them back to him. “ It’s too much, too fine a gift.”
    “Nonsense,” he said firmly, pushing her hand away. “What is a gift between cousins? You’ve always given me aid and comfort and finally I have the means to repay you. Keep it.” He folded her fingers over the precious treasure.
    Ada smiled with delight, holding the closed fist close