The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf Read Online Free PDF

approached the front gate, a hulking guard in chain mail barred their way. '"Old!" he announced gruffly. "No one allowed inside until after Whitsuntide."
    "But it is for the feast that we have come," Lynet replied with outward calm.
    "Ay, you don't have to tell me that. Come with another problem for the king to solve. You'd think 'is 'ighness 'ad nothing better to do with 'is time than to listen to a parcel of complainers."
    Lynet's eyes flashed. "That, sirrah, is exactly what I think! Is he the king of this land or not? Then he shall hear of the abuses that take place in it!" She urged her horse forward, but the guard blocked her
with his great spear.

    "Not so fast, missy. Sir Kai's orders were to close the gates to newcomers. The king 'as more than enough to muddle with already."
    "You forget yourself, guard," Roger said softly. "Speak respectfully to the lady."
    '"o! A gnat!" The guard laughed. "What'll you do? Bite my ankle?"
    A new voice, calmer and with more authority, intervened. "What's going on here, Colin?"
    The guard stood sharply to attention. "More people wanting to see the king, Captain!"
    A tall guard with grave eyes stepped up behind the guard. "Very well, Colin. I'll take care of this now." He turned to Lynet and said, "I apologize for my guard's rudeness, my lady, but he only did as he was told. So many have come to ask boons of the king that we can scarce house them all. We are not to permit any new arrivals."
    Lynet's heart sank, and she lowered her eyes.
    "Nay, my lady," Roger breathed, almost too softly to hear. "Don't give up so soon."
    Again, she felt a new courage, as if the dwarf were willing her to be strong. She looked into the captain's eyes. "I will not go away for your convenience. No, not even for the king's convenience! Who is here to serve whom?"
    The captain's brows lifted, and a smile lit his eyes. "I can ask Sir Kai in person, I suppose. If you will give me your name—"

    "I will not!" Lynet declared.
    "Eh?" said the captain and Roger together.
    "I am one of the king's subjects, and I have come to ask his help. That should be enough." She met the captain's gaze squarely.
    The captain glanced once at Roger. "Do you know this formidable lady, friend?"
    "Somewhat. That's not to say I understand her, mind you." Lynet felt Roger's eyes on her, and she flushed, but she kept her gaze on the captain.
    "She will not be sent away, will she?" the captain asked.
    "Nay. Of that much I am sure," Roger replied.
    The captain grinned. "I think I know what to do, my lady. I'm going to take you to one of the court damsels—she is close to the king and to several of his knights. I rather think she'll like you, and she may be able to help. Would you please follow me?" The captain bowed and led the way across the great bustling courtyard. All around her, Lynet was aware of a festive throng in bright clothes, and she longed to gaze at it in open-mouthed wonder, but mindful of her dignity, she kept her eyes straight ahead.
    "Why, there she is now!" the captain exclaimed. "Pardon me! Pardon me, Lady Eileen!"
    A short woman in a green dress who had been
striding briskly across the court stopped in her tracks. "What is it, Alan?" Then she turned her eyes toward Lynet. Meeting the woman's bold, straightforward gaze, Lynet knew at once that she had found a kindred spirit. She sighed with relief and turned to speak to Roger. The dwarf was gone.

    "These are my rooms," Lady Eileen said. "Come in at once and sit down. You've been traveling all day, haven't you?"
    "Yes, my lady," Lynet said meekly.
    "None of that, now. You'll call me by my name, which is Eileen. Flora! Flora, where are you! Come in here!"
    A maidservant bustled in, carrying a dress. "Oh, my lady, I was sure you'd be late. Eve brought—"
    "No time for that now. Eve a guest. I need you to go to the kitchens and bring up food for two. The best of everything. I'll be dining here this evening with my friend."
    "But, my lady, the banquet!" the