Childe Morgan Read Online Free PDF

Alyce and a suppressed smile, Jovett said, “Well, you’re much bigger now, so perhaps the next time you’re in Cynfyn, your mama will let you ride with me. But meanwhile, I should like to present two more of your knights.” He straightened and jutted his chin toward the still-kneeling pair. “Or at least they’ll be knights in a little while.”
    â€œPapa told me all about that,” Alaric said wisely. “The king hits them three times with his sword an’ says, ‘You’re a knight.’ An’ they get gold spurs an’ a white belt an’ a sword, an’ then everybody says, ‘Hurrah!’”
    â€œIndeed, they do,” Jovett agreed, as the boy’s mother and his half-sisters did their best not to laugh. (Both candidates had ducked their heads to cover their own grins.) “But he doesn’t hit them very hard—and not with the sharp edge. It’s done with the flat of the blade, like so.”
    A dagger suddenly appeared in his right hand from a hidden wrist sheath, and he solemnly reached out to tap Alaric lightly on the right shoulder, the left shoulder, and then on the top of the head. A look of awe came over the boy’s face, and he glanced first at his mother, then back at Jovett.
    â€œAm I a knight now?” he whispered.
    â€œNo, not yet,” Jovett replied with a chuckle, making the blade disappear again. “It has to be done with a sword; and it takes more than just the sword-touch to make a man a knight. But when you’re grown, you will be a knight, I promise you. And though I should be delighted to confer that honor when the time comes, I rather think it will be the king who knights you—or maybe Prince Brion.”
    â€œBut he’s only a boy,” Alaric said, confused.
    â€œWell, yes, but he’s going to be the king someday, just like his father. But before he can knight anyone else, someone older will knight him —because only another knight can make a knight.”
    â€œOh,” said Alaric. “Could Papa knight me?” he asked, twisting to look up at his mother.
    â€œWell, he could , darling,” Alyce replied. “He is a knight. But someday you’ll be a duke, and the king usually likes to knight dukes himself. However, when you are grown,” she added, at signs of incipient rebellion on the upturned face, “and you’re a knight, too, you will make knights—because dukes and earls have the right to knight their own men. If you were a knight now, it would be your honor to knight Yves and Xander here.”
    She jutted her chin toward the two candidates still kneeling beyond Jovett, who both saluted the boy with a right fist to the breast—and did their best to restrain grins of honest delight. Alaric gazed at them appraisingly for a long moment, then drew himself to attention and gravely saluted them back.
    â€œWell done!” Jovett declared, chuckling as he clapped the boy on the shoulder in approval. “My lady, he already has command presence.”
    â€œAye, he does,” she replied, ruffling the boy’s hair fondly. “But now, Alaric, you must give these young gentlemen permission to rise. They’ve been kneeling quite long enough, though I’m sure they were happy to do so. A nod or a slight bow is sufficient.”
    Very soberly, the boy made the two candidates a very proper bow, also gesturing with both hands that they should stand. Obediently the pair rose, also bowing to Alyce and the two women with her. Alazais flushed prettily as Alyce turned to motion her forward.
    â€œMy dear, permit me to make these gentlemen known to you: Yves de Tremelan and Xander of Torrylin, soon to be knights of Lendour. Gentlemen, my husband’s youngest daughter, Alazais Morgan. And I believe you know his eldest, Lady Zoë.”
    Amid the murmured exchanges of courtesy, Alyce became aware of a heightened buzz of conversation rippling