Candace C. Bowen - Knight Series 03 Read Online Free PDF Page B

Tears flowed unchecked down Mylla’s cheeks. “It is not fair.”
    “La-La.” Emmaline stood to wrap her arms around her daughter. “Life is often unfair, especially for women.”
    “I shall never see Talan again,” Mylla wept. “How can father be so cruel?”
    “Your father is a man of great responsibilities,” Emmaline soothed. “The situation weighs heavily upon him.”
    “I wish I had been born a man,” Mylla sniffed.
    “Then blame me for the fact that you were not. After so many sons, I prayed to God for a daughter such as you.” Emmaline patted Mylla’s back. “If I could bear the heartache for you, I would.”
    Surrendering to her feelings of despair, Mylla’s hands snaked around her mother’s slender waist.
    †
    Displeased by Leofrick’s drunken state on his arrival home the night before, Sheriff Richard ordered him to bed without supper. Having passed out at the base of the ladder leading to the loft, he woke in the morning with a splitting headache and an urgent need to urinate. On his way to apologize to his parents, he paused when he heard Mylla speaking to their mother. His jaw tensed as he fought the urge to put a fist through the wood paneling at the unfairness of it all. The sheriff’s livelihood was not the only thing dependent on the realm. Were they to displease the king or his powerful connections, the family would find themselves without a home.
    Leofrick stormed past the dining chamber where his father sat breaking his fast with Frederick, Caine, and Edmund. Ignoring his father’s call to join them, he stormed outside. Headed to the inn, his angry strides swallowed up the cobbles. The task had inadvertently fallen to him to break the latest bit of unpleasant news to Talan.
    At a loss for words to lessen Talan’s pain, he stood outside The Wounded Stag with his gaze fixed on the wood tavern sign depicting a bleeding stag with an arrow shot through its haunch.
    “Can I be of assist to you, Mister Leofrick?”
    Shaken from his musings, Leofrick swung around to find the inn’s young stable boy, Joseph. “Is Sir Talan within, lad?”
    “I believe so.” Joseph gestured with a grubby hand to the stables he tended across the road. “His horse is still within the marshalsea.”    
    “My thanks.” Tossing the grateful boy a coin, he straightened his shoulders with firm resolve and entered the inn.
    “Sir Talan has yet to break his fast this morn, and I do not expect him anytime soon.” Winifred approached from the back of the tavern. “In truth, I am amazed to see you here.”
    “I would rather be anywhere than here right now, Winifred.” Leofrick glanced at the steps leading to the upper level.
    “Lady Lecie made mention of your sister’s impending troubles.” Winifred lowered her voice. “I had so hoped Sir Talan would see the matter favorably resolved.”
    “There is very little Sir Talan can do. For that matter, I am afraid there is very little anyone can do.”
    “I am aggrieved to hear it. I shall keep them both in my prayers.”
    “Thank you.” Leofrick looked resigned. “I had better have a word with my friend.”
    Taking the steps two at a time, Leofrick paused in front of Talan’s chamber door. He took a deep breath for courage prior to knocking.
    Talan looked resigned when he eventually answered the knock.
    Leofrick’s eyes widened at the sight of his friend. “You shaved off your beard.”
    “If I cannot act the man, I may as well not play the part of one.” Fingering his clean-shaven jaw, Talan stepped back to allow Leofrick to enter. “No longer shall I be considered a virile man amongst my peers, not that Fulke ever gave credence to such nonsense.”
    “Surely you jest?”
    “In this instance, aye, I do jest.” Talan shrugged. “It sounded better than the truth.”
    “Which is?”
    “My hand was less than steady with the blade this morn so I had no choice.” Talan crossed his arms. “It appears you have more on your mind than my