Page 25 of The Guardian's Witch

“I was thinking of Richard, and how Laura and I plagued you. We watched you train with father’s sword master and cheered for you both.” She heard the melancholy in her voice.

He escorted her to a nearby bench and sat with her. “Yes, it was all very confusing at times. You cheered as loud for me as you did for your brother. It seemed whoever made a good hit got the cheer.” They sat in silence for a few moments.

“Do you remember—” he turned to face her, “—why your father’s sword master was training us?”

“You and Richard took swords from the barracks and were practicing—at least that is what you told Father. I don’t think I ever saw him so angry. When he asked you to explain, you told him you both wanted to be great knights.”

“You know it took us a long time to forgive you.”

The shock of discovery hit her full force. “How did you know I told Father?” She brought her hand to her throat. She had had a vision the day she watched them fight. It was a vision she would have later and would prove true. She had never told anyone that she’d seen Richard die by the sword. Not then. All she knew was she had to make them stop, so she ran to her father. She closed her eyes.

“Not to worry.” He patted the hand in her lap gently. “We weren’t happy at the time. Your brother did not have nice words for you and—” he sighed, “—neither did I.” He bent his head toward her. “Not very knightly, I assure you. The sword master taught us much about the weapon, fighting and ourselves. In the long run you did us a favor.”

“Yes, you both were different after that, more grown up and more responsible.”

“You miss him. Richard, I mean.”

“Yes.” Her voice was a whisper.

The vision had recurred for days.She saw her brother on the Welsh battlefield and witnessed the killing blow.At first she thought it was a nightmare,but something inside her told her she saw the truth.Panic robbed her of contentment.Lisbeth sobbed when she told her mother.But there was no denial,no disbelief.She looked into her mother’s eyes and realized her mother already knew.She didn’t shed a tear when the official word came from the king that Richard was dead.She had already shed them all.

“Aye, I miss him, too,” said Bryce.

She looked at his somber profile and saw a different man. They sat in silence, each deep in thought.

“Well, I came to see Alex.” They both got up. He took her hand, brushed her knuckles with his lips, and tucked her arm in his. He set their course for the terrace.

“Thank you for your company, Bryce.”

“I’m glad we had this little talk.” He took her hand and lingered over her knuckles before he kissed them—again.

He left her in the garden. She watched him climb the terrace steps and enter the library.

* * *

“Bryce,” said Alex, as his friend came through the terrace doors.

“You must be thirsty.” An amused expression lit Bryce’s face. “Here, let me help you.” Before Alex could respond, Bryce had one of the two tankards out of his hand. Bryce was already poised to drink it.

“You said you wanted to sample any new batches to ensure it was the quality you expected.”

Bryce stopped the tankard almost at his lips. “Most definitely, I wouldn’t want you to spoil Wesley’s reputation for fine ale.”

He motioned to Bryce to sit with him. “I was meeting with my brewer, when I saw you had arrived. I wasn’t expecting you. I’m glad Lisbeth kept you entertained.”

“I thought we would take a ride to the river.” Bryce sat down in the armchair near the library table. “I’m here to tell you my men found tracks. They think they’re from the raiders. Would you like to join me and get a firsthand account?”

“Yes, I would. Cheers.” He raised his tankard. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of Lisbeth picking berries on the other side of the garden fence. It was good to see her and Bryce reconciling.

“Have you told her yet?” Bryce took another pull on his ale.

Alex kept his eyes focused out the terrace door. “No.” This is not where he wanted this conversation to go. “I had the impression you were at odds with Lisbeth. You appear to have solved your differences.” If he didn’t know his friend so well, he would have missed Bryce’s momentary hesitation.

“We spoke of Richard.”

Alex’s face lit in a distant smile. “Aye, he was a great companion. His death was a surprise to everyone. I had never seen Wesley in such anguish.” He let out a deep sigh. “It took many tankards to ease his pain.”

“To Richard!” Bryce raised his tankard.

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