Page 42 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“Brother, where are you off to, and why are you not sitting at the dais?” asked Avery, meeting him at the door.

“I’m not welcome there anymore,” said Jonathon. “I think Lady Raven is up to her tricks, and I don’t like it.”

“Where is she?” Avery scanned the room. “I don’t see her.”

“She’s supposedly in her chamber with a headache, but I have a feeling that’s not where she is at all.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just keep an eye open for her. I’m going home for a while but will be back later today.”

Jonathon made his way out to the stable to get his horse. The stablemaster greeted him.

“Jonathon? Did you want me to saddle your horse?” he asked.

“I’ll get it, Jacob, but thank you.” Jonathon started saddling his horse, looking over to the stall where Raven’s horse was kept. He wasn’t surprised to see it missing.

“Where is Lady Raven’s horse?” he asked.

“The page took it earlier,” answered the man. “He said Lady Raven wanted him to exercise the horse since she wasn’t feeling well today.”

“Did she, now.” Jonathon hoisted himself into the saddle.

“The odd part is, he also took a horse and cart out right afterwards.”

“Yes, that’s strange.” Jonathon turned back. “Jacob, have you heard any of the nobles complaining about me at all?”

“Nay,” answered the man, with a shake of his head. “Not really. Everyone seems to like you.”

“So, there’s no gossip stirring around me?” he asked.

“Not as far as I know, but I’m usually stuck in here and I don’t hear everything that is going on.”

“I don’t want to cause trouble.”

“Well, the nobles might not have been happy about a commoner like you getting such special attention at first. But once Lords Corbett and Blake accepted you and even sparred with you, they realized you’re not so bad. I really don’t think you need to worry.”

“Thank you,” he said, turning and riding out the gate. Jonathon was on his way back home when he decided to make a stop before heading to town. He liked to sit and think by the creek in the woods. It helped him to clear his mind. Mayhap a few minutes by himself out in the fresh air would help him get his head on straight about everything that had happened.

He made his way to the creek, hearing voices up ahead. Veering off the path, he followed the sound, stopping his horse when he saw Raven atop her horse, holding a lance. There was a horse and cart there as well. Lark and the squire named Albert were with her.

Raven kicked her heels into her horse, heading right for a quintain that was set up in the woods. She managed to hit the arm on the quintain and it spun around, but she was too slow. The sandbag on the other end hit her in the back, knocking her from her horse and to the ground.

“Ooomph,” she mumbled as she hit the dirt.

“Not a bad attempt, but you need to be faster,” Jonathon called out, riding to the group.

“Jonathon?” Raven’s head came up, but she was still lying on the ground.

“Raven, are ye all right?” Lark hurried over to her while the page ran after the horse.

“Your father said you were in your chamber, not feeling well. You don’t look ill to me,” he said, dismounting and hurrying over to help her up. “Was that just a story you concocted to throw me off your trail?”

Without asking, he put his hands under her shoulders and pulled her to her feet.

“I don’t need your help,” she told him. “And everything isn’t always about you, Jonathon Armstrong.”

“Actually, I think you do need me.” He started to brush the dirt off her clothes. She wore trews and a tunic today instead of a gown.