Page 18 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“Come on, Copper. Let’s go, Brindy.” Jonathon bent over and motioned the dogs to him.

“They won’t go with you. They don’t know you.” Raven’s mouth fell open as both dogs eagerly ran over to Jonathon, wagging their tails. He reached down and petted them behind the ears. “I’ll return momentarily,” he told the others, starting out of the great hall with both the dogs at his heels.

“Raven, yer hounds sure seem to like Jonathon,” said Lark with a smile, watching the man leave.

“Aye. I suppose they do,” she answered, wondering what it was about the armorer that made her dogs so fond of him.

“Who is that man?” asked Lord Belmouth.

“He’s no one,” Raven quickly answered.

“He’s my cousin’s personal guard,” Lark spoke up, making Raven cringe. She was starting to wish that Lark hadn’t accompanied her here after all.

“Personal guard?” asked Belmouth with a chuckle. “I doubt that man even knows how to use a weapon.”

“Who is he?” asked Whitehead. “He’s dressed like a castle guard, but certainly doesn’t act like one. He almost seems familiar.”

“Jonathon is here by my request,” explained Corbett. “He’s here temporarily to help out for the tournament.”

“Doing what?” chuckled Whitehead. “Tending to the hounds?”

“I think I know who he is,” said Belmouth. “Isn’t he that armorer from town? I’m sure of it. I’ve used his services once, long ago.”

“He’s also a mercenary,” Raven informed them, wanting the men to stop belittling Jonathon. For some reason it bothered her.

“Mercenary?” Whitehead looked over to Corbett. “You’ve got a mercenary guarding your daughter?”

“How can you even trust someone like that?” asked Belmouth. “Mayhap you should hire someone to keep an eye on the likes of him instead.”

“Gentlemen, I think this meeting is over,” said Corbett in a dismissing manner.

Raven looked over at her father who seemed as if he were trying to bite his tongue rather than to reply to their comments. “I’ll see you to the door.”

“Nay, wait,” said Belmouth, looking over at Raven. “I wanted to get to know my possible bride-to-be.”

“Me too,” complained Whitehead. “Let me take her on a ride through the country.”

“Nay,” said Raven, her eyes flashing over to Lark who looked just as terrified as she by the thought of being alone with either one of them. “I have another appointment. Good day.” She picked up her skirts and all but ran to the door of the great hall with Lark keeping up with her pace. Thankfully, Raven’s father didn’t command her to stay.

Raven didn’t stop until she made it out into the courtyard and into the fresh air.

“Raven?” Her mother was conversing with some of the noblewomen over by the well. She excused herself and came over to join them. “How did the meeting with the lords go?” asked Lady Devon with a smile.

“They are horrible, Mother. They are true monsters. I don’t want anything to do with either of them.”

“What?” Devon’s smile faded.

“I agree, they were rather nasty,” added Lark, in Raven’s defense.

“Not to mention old and ugly,” added Raven under her breath.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Devon. “Well, there will be many other suitors, so hopefully you’ll find someone you like.”

“Suitors? I wouldn’t call any of them that. More like hungry competitors out for the dowry, is all. What does it matter, anyway?” snapped Raven. “I don’t seem to have a choice in whom I marry. If Lord Whitehead or Lord Belmouth wins the tournament, I’ll have to marry one of them! My life is over.” Raven’s emotions raged within her. She needed to hit something before she exploded.

Raven ran off, leaving her mother and Lark behind. She wanted to get away and think. As she raced for the stable to get her horse, she passed by the kennels. Jonathon stepped out and she barreled right into him.

“Whoa, there,” said Jonathon, catching her by the shoulders and righting her so she wouldn’t fall. “We need to stop colliding like this, my lady.”