My Royal Pain Quest (The Lakeland Knight series, #2) Read Online Free

done any serious business lately, but the fact remains.”
    He didn’t bat an eye.
    “If it’s true, I don’t care, because what I said is true as well. Did you not save my life risking yours? Did you not protect our land and help our people? Did you not save my sister?”
    Yeah, only my original plan was to kidnap her. He didn’t know that; nobody did—that is, nobody human—and for some reason I did not feel inclined to share that bit of info. But the rest was true, I had to admit.
    I looked at the prince, not knowing what to say.
    “Listen.” He stepped up to me. “I see that this whole thing is not easy to grasp, and not easy to talk about. You probably don’t understand it yourself very well, how it all happened. So let’s just forget it and be friends. I hope you don’t mind being friends with me?”
    “Of course I don’t mind, if you still wish it…” I paused, not finding words again. “I want you to know one thing, Philip: I never tried to pose as a hero with ill intent. I did not mean to deceive you in any way.”
    “I know that. Here, let’s shake hands and never speak of it again.”
    I took his hand. The issue was far from settled; the truth could come out at any time, reach King Osmund, and who knows what would happen then. But for the moment, we were good.
    Philip smiled, changing the subject. “There is something I want to ask of you.”
    “Uh-oh, I suspect I know what it is.”
    “Please take me with you on this quest!”
    “Yes, that’s what I thought. I can’t, Philip.”
    “Please, please, please! I can be of help. I really am getting good with the sword!”
    “Your father will never agree, and he would be right. I don’t even know where I am going, how long it will take, and what I will have to face. I do know though that it will be dangerous.”
    “I fear no danger!”
    “I know. I saw your bravery when we were dealing with Shabriak, not many grownup men would have shown the courage you did. Nevertheless, I can’t take you with me, Prince Philip. I must do it by myself. The whole thing might not work if I get help.”
    The boy sighed. “I suppose you’re right,” he muttered, frowning. “Very well.”
    “Don’t be so upset.”
    “Easy for you to say. I’ll die of boredom here in the palace, all alone, with everyone leaving. You’re going on the quest, my sister is about to leave to Mellenburg, and my mother is thinking about visiting our cousin Auren.”
    I was about to say that the king was not going anywhere, but something clinked behind the cracked door to the fencing hall, distracting us both.
    “What was that?”
    Philip walked to the door and looked out to the corridor. I followed. We did not see anyone, but the bronze chandelier on the small table lay on its side.
    “Someone was eavesdropping!” Philip turned to me and grinned. “I bet it’s Madame Clementina! She must have found out that you are here, and if you think she’s gotten over her crush on you, you’re wrong!”
    At that point, I’d rather prefer it was Clementina. It would be better than Ragnar. Ellar had told me that Jarvi and I were going to be protected from the gormack during my mission, so he would not be able to harm either one of us directly—but that did not stop him from following, watching, and plotting. He was not going to leave me alone, that’s for sure.

     
    ***

     
    I made it to the Sarwean mountains in two weeks. I traveled on horseback, Prince Philip insisted that I take Onyx, his stallion. The area was heavily wooded and sparsely populated; I saw no towns or castles, only a small village here and there. Several villages were scattered at the foot of the mountains as well. I entered the largest one and headed to the tavern, easily identifiable by a wooden sign featuring a bottle and a steaming frying pan.
    There was quite a crowd out front, mostly men, standing in a circle. As I rode closer, I saw that they gathered around a splendid white stallion who angrily pawed