Page 95 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“Would this help with opening your shop?” Rook entered the room, handing him two pouches of coins.

“What’s this?” asked Jonathon, taking the pouches from him.

“One pouch is the money Raven won in the archery competition, and the other is your pay. We had a deal, remember?” said Rook.

Jonathon’s eyes flashed over to Raven.

“Rook told me everything, don’t worry about it,” said Raven. “You were only doing your job. And I can’t collect the prize money, so it might as well be yours.”

“Thank you. I will take the money, but not to put toward my own shop,” said Jonathon. “I will give it to my father instead so he can hire another man to cover my position until I am healed.”

“I don’t understand,” said Raven. “Jonathon, this is what you’ve always wanted. Why are you dismissing it as if it doesn’t even matter? You’ve just been made a master. You deserve your own shop.”

“It’s what I used to want,” Jonathon told her, feeling a gaping hole in his heart. “Nothing has been the same since... since I met you, Lady Raven,” he said, making her blush.

“What’s going on in here?” Corbett ducked to enter through the doorway, walking into the small shop, followed by Devon.

“Father? Why are you here?” asked Raven.

“I came to talk to you about Sir Whitehead, Raven.”

“Your betrothed,” said Jonathon, the words dripping off his tongue.

“We’ll be on our way then,” said Wilkin.

“Wait,” said Raven. “Father, we don’t have a castle smith anymore. Jonathon is the best one we’ve ever had. Can’t he stay here at Blake Castle as our new blacksmith and armorer? He’s just been made a master by these men.”

The men nodded and bowed, being introduced to Corbett and Devon.

“I think that is a wonderful idea,” said Devon. “Doesn’t a master craftsman have his own shop though? This can be yours, Jonathon.”

“We’ve been meaning to expand it,” said Rook. “Mayhap this would be a good time to do so.”

“If you need a journeyman and an apprentice, you’ve got them right here,” said Avery, motioning to himself and Gerold.

“I would like you to stay, Jonathon,” said Gerold. “I’m lonely since my father died. It’s been nice having you here with me. You are like a second father to me. Avery too.”

Avery reached over and ruffled the boy’s hair.

“Should we write that in our notes then, Master Armstrong?” asked Shroud.

“Aye. Will your new shop be inside the walls of Blake Castle then?” asked Wilkin.

“I-I’m not sure,” said Jonathon, still rubbing his arm. “I don’t think I’d feel comfortable living and working here at Blake Castle.” He looked over to Raven. “Not anymore. Besides, I’d have to be married, and I’m not.”

“We’d give you time to find a girl to marry,” said Shroud.

“I just don’t know,” said Jonathon. “I’d have to think about it, I guess.”

“Well, when you decide where your shop will be set up, send us a missive to let us know,” said Wilkin. “We have another appointment, and need to leave.”

“Congratulations, Master Armstrong,” said Shroud, as the two men made their way out the door.

Raven knew exactly what Jonathon meant when he said he wouldn’t be comfortable staying there. She would be married to another man, and he didn’t want to have to see that. It didn’t make her any more comfortable, but she couldn’t just let him walk out of her life like this. Her days wouldn’t be the same without him. She wouldn’t give up so easily. She and Jonathon needed to be together.

“Before you decide, Jonathon, give me a moment to talk to my parents, please,” said Raven.

“Raven?” asked Corbett. “What’s this all about?”