Page 41 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“Mmph,” mumbled Jonathon, still half-asleep. He had worked out his frustration with Raven, spending most of the night filling the orders from the castle’s nobles.

“Why did you sleep out here in the shop instead of coming to bed?” Avery looked down in surprise to see two full barrels of nails as well as a set of horseshoes. “My, you got a lot done.”

“I needed to hit something after Raven left.” He stood up and stretched and yawned.

“They’re still there yet,” announced Gerold excitedly, running into the shop. “The meal is almost over, but we can sneak in and still get some food if we hurry.”

“Good. Let’s go.” Avery led the way out the door.

Jonathon followed, still trying to wake up. When he got to the great hall, his brother and the boy sat at a back table near the entrance to the kitchen. Jonathon made his way over to the dais but was stopped by a guard.

“I’m sorry but you’re not allowed up there,” said the guard.

“Of course I am,” Jonathon answered. “I’m supposed to sit by Lady Raven.”

“You are late for the meal and it is not tolerated,” explained the guard. “Besides, Lady Raven is not here.”

“She’s not?” He looked up to the dais to see that what the guard said was true. “Where is she?”

“She is ill today, so you won’t be needed.”

“Really,” said Jonathon, side-stepping the guard and making his way to the front of the dais, stopping in front of Lord Corbett’s seat. “My lord, I’m sorry I am late. I was up all night working on the orders for your men. Your guard told me I’m not allowed on the dais.”

“Jonathon.” Corbett looked up and then leaned forward and spoke in a hushed voice over the edge of the table. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to eat with your brother below the salt from now on.”

“I don’t understand. Why?”

“My daughter told me that there are a lot of nobles thinking I am giving you special treatment. They are upset about it, so I think it is best you stay off the dais for now.”

“I see.” Jonathon was sure this had nothing to do with the other men and everything to do with Raven. She was angry with him about last night, and now she was making him pay. “That’s fine,” he told Corbett. “Your guard also said Lady Raven was ill and that I wasn’t needed to protect her today.”

“She was here earlier,” said Rook, getting in on the conversation. “She barely ate. Then she and Lark left. Raven said she had a headache and wanted to stay in her chamber today.”

“You can tend to things in the shop,” said Corbett. “I know you have a lot to do.”

“Would you mind if I checked in on Lady Raven?” he asked.

“You’d better not,” said Rook. “Raven is right about this. Gossip is also starting since you’ve been seen outside her bedchamber more than once now. Mayhap you shouldn’t do that.”

“Yes, I was, but only to escort her to the great hall. I didn’t step a foot inside her room, I swear.”

“It wouldn’t usually be a problem for a guard to meet her at her bedchamber to escort her. I mean, if you weren’t a commoner,” said Corbett. “That is starting to create a small stir.”

“It might be best if you stayed away from the practice yard for a few days too,” suggested Rook. “Just until things calm down. We don’t want any problems.”

Jonathon wanted to go up to Raven’s room to talk to her, but now he realized it would have to wait. He didn’t know why Corbett or Rook suddenly cared what anyone thought. They were the ones who invited Jonathon to practice with them and to sit at the dais in the first place. No one seemed to really be upset with him, or at least not that he’d heard of. He was sure this was all Raven’s doing. Still, it wasn’t his place to object.

“Of course, my lords,” said Jonathon with a nod. “If you’ll give your permission, I’d like to go back to town today. I have a special project I am working on, and I need to use the equipment at my father’s shop.”

“Oh, this must have something to do with that masterpiece you’re making to present to the guild,” said Rook. “So what did you decide to make?”

“I-I’m working with plate armor,” he said, not lying to them but not exactly telling them either that is wasn’t for his presentation to the guild. Still, he didn’t think saying he was making armor for Lord Corbett’s daughter would be a good idea, so he kept that part to himself.

“By all means, work there whenever you need to,” said Corbett. “When Raven is feeling better, you can take her along with you on your trips to town. I’m sure she’d like to know what goes on at a forge.”

“I think she already does, but I will do so next time I see her,” he answered, not able to stop thinking about his intimate time with Raven last night at the forge. “By your leave, my lords?”

“Godspeed,” said Corbett, sending Jonathon on his way.