Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione by Chuck Black Read Free Book Online Page B

what looked like one of the largest taverns. As they secured their horses, a cluster of boys a few years younger than Duncan approached. Kendrick found their conversation curious.
    “Come on, Brack. You’ve got to come with us to the festival tonight,” one lad said to another.
    “That’s right,” said another. “You’re really missin’ out.”
    Kendrick waited as the boys passed by. They didn’t seem to notice him.
    “I … I can’t,” came Brack’s reply. “My father says it’s not right, and—”
    “Not right?” The first lad cut him off, and the other three laughed. “What’s so wrong about having a little fun?” He slapped the now red-faced boy on the back.
    “We’ll be by after supper and wait for you outside your window, but we won’t wait too.” The conversation faded in the distance.
    As Kendrick and Duncan pushed open the tavern doors, the hum of conversation among the patrons dropped to near silence. Since the workday was not yet over, the place was not crowded. A group of elderly men clustered around a window table. Two women leaned over bowls of soup, shopping baskets at their feet. A lone man sat at a corner table, clutching a cup of ale in his right hand but not drinking. His eyes looked hollow and empty.
    Kendrick and Duncan found a table, and the tavern owner came to serve them. They ordered something to eat and drink, and the interrupted conversations slowly resumed.
    The tavern owner returned, his large serving platter laden with two bowls of dragon-tail soup, a loaf of brown bread, and two cups of ale. Kendrick paid the man.
    “What brings ye knights to Bel Lione?” he asked. The man was well kept, as was his establishment. He was middle-aged and husky, nearly bald on top, with the rest of his graying hair tied at the back of his head. He rubbed his hands on his apron, waiting for an answer.
    “We’re just passing through, but we’re quite taken with your town. We thought we might delay our travels a few days. Is there an inn?”
    “Several of them, but they’re sure to be full for the next few days. The best one is on Lure Road, on the east side of the city.”
    “I’m sure we’ll find it,” Kendrick said.
    “Can’t miss it.” He picked up the serving platter and turned to leave. “Just set your course toward the castle.”
    “Castle?” Duncan said.
    The man turned around again. “You haven’t seen the lord’s castleyet? You must have come in on Tyning Road from the west.” He smiled proudly. “Ah, but our castle is a grand one indeed. I thought perhaps it was why you were here.” He glanced up. “Uh, excuse me. Customers.”
    A group of four men had entered. They chose a table not far from Kendrick and Duncan. The tavern owner hurried to take their order while Kendrick and Duncan dipped their spoons into the excellent soup.
    “It’s festival tonight,” said one of the men behind Kendrick.
    “I’d give my right arm to be young again,” said another.
    “Are you lettin’ your olders attend?”
    “Of course! Why not? They’re nearly grown, and this is the time for them to enjoy life a little. Besides, I’m thinkin’ one of them might be good enough to become a knight. You?”
    “I suppose. I’ve let her go once already, and I figure she’d just go on the sly, with or without my permission.”
    “Ain’t that the truth,” said another, and they all laughed.
    “Fools!”
came a shout from the corner of the tavern. The voice belonged to the lone man with the cup of ale. “You’re feeding your children to the wolves!”
    The four men scoffed at him. “Mind your own business, Frayne.”
    The man stood up and walked over to their table. His eyes were no longer empty but full of anger and pain. “Laugh now, but soon your own won’t come back, like my son. Then you’ll know!”
    “Only the weak ones don’t come back,” one of the men jeered. The others laughed even harder.
    The man named Frayne clenched his jaw, turned, and left the