Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor Read Online Free PDF Page A

gave an impassioned speech on the need for each of them to commit fully to the Prince’s call. On the way home, neither Tav nor Twitch broached the subject of Sir Edmund’s speech or the previous day’s encounter with Sir Baylor.
    The next day was much the same, but instead of going to the haven, they arrived home for an early supper. Afterward, Tav went to the barnand began to saddle Valiant. Twitch followed him, his right cheek in near constant spasms.
    “What’re you gonna do, Tav?” He rubbed his cheek to soothe the muscles. Disty and Bli chortled back and forth, seeming to console each other for their masters’ apparent distress.
    Tav cinched and buckled his saddle, then leaned against his horse and crossed his arms. Disty scurried up to his shoulder.
    “I honestly don’t know, Twitch. What do you think about it all?”
    Twitch’s eyebrows raised. “I … well … I guess I’m not sure.”
    “My folks would have a fit if they knew I was even considering riding off with Uncle Baylor.” Tav shook his head as if he could imagine it, then gave Twitch a crooked smile. “Do you think my uncle is crazy? I mean, do you see any sign of a war raging around us?”
    Twitch raised an eyebrow. “Well …”
    “Me, neither. Why should I throw everything away to chase some crazy war concocted in the mind of my uncle? I think my father may be more on track about Uncle Baylor than I first—Disty, calm down. It’s all right.”
    Tav reached up to pet the paytha, which was running excitedly from shoulder to shoulder. Then he shook his head again and reached for the reins of his horse. “He said we may not be back for months! How would I explain that to Mirya? She’s not going to wait around for me indefinitely.”
    “You don’t really think your uncle is crazy, do you?”
    Tav looked at Twitch and thought for a moment. “I guess not. I’m just not ready to accept his version of what it means to be a Knight of the Prince.”
    Tav prepared to mount Valiant, but Twitch grabbed his arm.
    “Do you remember when you asked me if I thought there was something more to being a Knight of the Prince than what we were doing here at Burkfield?”
    Tav looked at Twitch and slowly nodded.
    “Do you think this could be it? What if your uncle is offering the very thing you were looking for?”
    Tav seemed stunned by Twitch’s questions. He looked out the barndoor for a long moment, contemplating the two futures his next action would bring. “If it is,” he finally said, “I guess I’m just not ready to commit to it yet.” He smiled. “Besides, what would I do without you to keep me in line?”
    Tav mounted up and settled into the saddle. “I’m meeting up with Mirya for an evening ride,” he said. “You’re welcome to come, Twitch.” Disty chortled excitedly, seeming to anticipate an evening of fun.
    Twitch smiled sheepishly and shook his head. “Thanks, but no thanks.” Bli rested his chin on Twitch’s shoulder and chortled in low, somber tones.
    Tav nodded. “I’ll see you later, then. By the way,” he said with a wink, “there’s more to you than most people think.”
    Twitch patted the horse’s rump as Tav trotted off. He walked out of the barn and looked up to Mount Resolute, where his mind had been all day long.
    “Something more …,” he murmured. Bli’s ears perked up as Twitch turned and headed for Kobalt’s stall.

DEFINING MOMENT
     
    Twitch could hardly remember life without Tav. In fact, Twitch had never made any significant decision without first consulting his confident and sturdy friend. He almost felt as though he was betraying Tav when he rode alone to Mount Resolute that evening.
    I doubt Sir Baylor will even talk to me once he realizes that Tav isn’t coming
, Twitch thought.
    All through the ride, he kept second-guessing himself. Once he even stopped and considered turning back, but something deep within kept driving him forward.
    Bli seemed excited at first to be out with