Page 16 of A Kingdom's Heart
I turned, already expecting trouble.
A knight approached from across the yard, his blond hair shining in the light, his armor a little too polished for someone on duty. He moved with the easy confidence of someone who had never once worried about being in the right place at the right time.
“You must be the one I was supposed to be guarding with,” I said.
He grinned, stopping a few paces away. “That depends. Are you Sir William Alaricson?”
I nodded once.
“Then yes,” he said, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Sir Eric of Talwood. Apologies for my late arrival. The kitchen had honeyed bread this morning, and I have a weakness for it.”
I looked at him flatly. “You were expected an hour ago.”
He laughed, unbothered. “You sound like the captain already. Careful, or they’ll start calling you old before your time.”
I said nothing and turned my gaze back to the road.
Eric stepped closer, folding his arms as he leaned against the stone wall. “You don’t talk much, do you?”
“Not when there’s nothing worth saying.”
He let out a low whistle. “Cold. I like that. Keeps people guessing.”
I ignored him. The air was quiet again save for the distant sound of hooves somewhere beyond the walls.
Eric stayed silent for a moment, then said softly, “So, the newest knight in Elarion, standing guard at the gate. Feels a little strange, does it not?”
I glanced at him. “What do you mean?”
He shrugged. “You train your whole life for glory, then they hand you a post by the gate. Seems the crown likes to test its knights’ patience first.”
I allowed a faint smile. “Then it’s a good test.”
He chuckled. “Maybe so.”
For a while we stood watching the others cross the yard. The clang of steel and the smell of oil and horse filled the evening air. Sunlight flashed on armor, catching along the walls like a living fire.
After a moment, he leaned closer. “Since you’re new, I should tell you a few things. Rules that aren’t written anywhere but matter all the same.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Such as?”
He nodded toward the courtyard. “Rule one. Whatever you do, do not look at the princess.”
I frowned. “What?”
He grinned as if the idea amused him. “I’m serious. The king’s temper is as famous as his crown. Look at her too long, and he takes it as a personal insult. See that man over there?”
I followed his gaze to a soldier limping across the yard. His leg dragged slightly with each step, his armor dull with age and scratches.
Eric lowered his voice. “That’s him. He made the mistake of looking at the princess for less than ten seconds while the king was in the room. He’s been limping ever since.”
I studied the man for a long moment. His face was turned toward the ground and his shoulders hunched as though still carrying the
weight of that mistake.
“Noted.” I said quietly.
Eric smirked. “Good. I like you. You actually listen.”
