Page 25 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“Jonathon, you are getting older now and still don’t have a woman in your life. If someone takes an interest in you or what you do, don’t push them away just because you don’t believe you belong together.”

“Lady Raven takes no interest in me or my life, I assure you. So you can stop with all the addled dreaming right now, Father. This isn’t like you.”

“With age comes change and wisdom. You never know what might happen. Just think about it, that’s all I ask.”

“Jonathon, I’m almost ready to leave,” stated Raven, approaching them with a smile on her face. “But first, I think I’d like to see the rest of your place just as you’ve promised, while I finish my hand pie and wine.” She held a wooden cup in one hand and a cloth wrapped around a small pie with the other. All Jonathon could think of was how she should be drinking from an ornate goblet and using a silver plate and spoon for that pie. Those were things that he would never be able to provide.

“Of course,” said Jonathon, leading her to the forge area of his shop. He glanced back over his shoulder to see his father grinning from ear to ear. Was Lady Raven really interested in him and his life, just like his father said? Was his father suddenly filled with some prophetic wisdom now that he was getting older? Nay, he decided. Raven was only asking to see his shop to be polite. Then again, Lady Raven was known for being rude. Especially when it had to do with commoners.

Chapter 7

“Here is the forge and where we will live,” Jonathon told his brother as soon as they’d returned to the castle. They had been gone all day since Jonathon and Avery had to finish up a few projects at the shop before they left. It also took a while to load up the horses with tools and supplies and their personal belongings.

Raven had spent the time talking to his sisters and mother, and seemed to enjoy watching them prepare a meal. It surprised Jonathon that she changed her mind and wanted to stay longer with his family. After all, he saw how the stench in town disgusted her, and also how upset she became when she stepped in the mud. Perhaps carrying her to the shop was a good idea after all, since it seemed to calm her.

It also shocked Jonathon that Raven wanted to eat a meal at his house when his mother offered. This noblewoman either liked change, or was trying to avoid going back to the castle, he decided. Or more likely, she was just downright crazy. If Jonathon was noble, the last place he’d want to be spending time was with a common family in town.

“Ah, it is a small place, just like you said.” Avery stopped the horse and jumped down from the wagon bench. “However, the castle is mighty large.” He smiled and turned a full circle looking over the keep and courtyard, taking it all in. “You said we can eat in the great hall, right?” he asked. Jonathon swore he saw his brother already salivating. Avery was a few years younger, but had the same build as Jonathon. His appetite was twice as large.

“Yes, Avery, that’s correct,” answered Raven. “You both are invited to do so for every meal.” She reached out for Jonathon to help her from her horse. He didn’t expect this, but didn’t object. He rather liked the feel of her body beneath his hands.

When he put her down, she looked up with her bright silver eyes and actually smiled. Miracles would never cease today. This woman didn’t even seem to be the same one he’d met earlier. Her dogs came running to greet her, and she bent over to pet them.

“Why are you smiling?” he asked, not sure if she was happy because he’d touched her, or if it was only because she saw her dogs approaching. After all, it wasn’t in her disposition to smile or be pleasant. Or at least from all the gossip he heard, he didn’t think so. He bent over and petted the dogs as well.

“I always smile when my dogs greet me because they make me happy,” she answered.

“Oh. Of course,” he said, feeling a little disappointed. Part of him wished she had been smiling because of him.

“I enjoyed seeing your shop and spending time with your family today,” she said sweetly, hunkering down and giggling as Copper licked her face.

“You did?”

“Aye. It was very interesting.”

He wasn’t sure what she meant by interesting, but since she sounded pleased, he didn’t want to risk it by asking. “I’m glad,” he answered, not quite sure how to respond. He didn’t think it was a good idea to point out that it was far below her status to even be at his home in the first place. He wondered if his life really interested her or if she was just pretending to like it for some odd reason. He decided to say nothing.

“Lord Jonathon, look at my new shoes.” Gerold ran up and held out his foot. He wore shoes that looked a little too big for him, but they were clean and in good condition. He’d grow into them in time.

“I’m not a lord,” he reminded the boy. “But I do like your shoes. Now try to keep them clean. I brought some of my little brother’s clothes he outgrew for you to wear as well.”

“Yay!” said Gerold, kneeling down petting the dogs, laughing when they knocked him to the ground.

“Who’s this?” asked Avery, eyeing up the boy.

“This is Gerold. Your new apprentice,” said Raven, brushing the wrinkles out of her gown.

“You? You’re just a child and so skinny. I’m sure you can’t even lift one of our hammers.” Avery chuckled, perusing the young and frail-looking boy. Gerold frowned, knowing he was being laughed at.

“Excuse my brother and his rudeness, Gerold,” apologized Jonathon, reaching between the two giant dogs and helping the boy to his feet. “He’s not used to such young apprentices, that’s all.”

Gerold’s eyes turned to slits and he made a pouty face. “I thought you said you had a brother who is an apprentice that is about my age.”

“He’s right,” Jonathon told Avery with a shrug. “It’s no different than working with Heathcliff, I’m sure.”

“Well I... well I...” Avery tried to find the right words but couldn’t.

“Gerold, I have a job for you,” said Jonathon, to break the tension.