The Knight Read Online Free Page A

erupt on you today. If you must know, I was caught up reading in the library.”
    Rhys rolled his eyes just at the thought of the dramatics his absence would have caused at court. Enid smiled at him.
    “You were reading books? When did that ever outweigh civic duty?” she retorted, still managing a giggle at Rhys.
    He rolled his eyes again, this time for his own benefit. She was as insincere as a bridge troll; everyone at court knew that Lady Enid was fond of him. She giggled childishly at everything he said and blushed shamefully when he entered the room. Rhys found her silly, boring and terribly simple-minded. He thought that true of most of the girls at Avalon and scoffed at his father’s notion that a marriage to any one of these ladies would be a great one. Unbearable is what it would be, but he had long since found out that he and his father had very different ideas about love and marriage as well as very different thoughts about what made a marriage successful. He thought more like his mother did in those regards. Rhys sighed and the sound of the trumpets broke his reverie. They walked into the hall in their pairs and took their seats.
    Fortunately, his aunt insisted that her ladies and her pages sit at segregated tables to dine. She discouraged fraternizing in her court; thinking it meretricious behavior for the young people in her service. Only when one of her court members became engaged and released from service would that person be allowed to sit at the conjugal tables among the rest of the gentry with their betrothed. She was strict but fair and everything she did was beyond reproach and vivid with purpose. Rhys loved that about her. He stopped and bowed low to Morgana, where she was seated on her throne. She was always a sight to behold. Impeccably dressed for the occasion, her long black hair was luxurious from brushing and neatly in place beneath her golden circlet. She wore a green gown to dinner, a wide gold medallion belt hung at her waist. The dress’ color brought out the shade of green in her eyes, making them sparkle. Her dark hair and bright green eyes were the only sign of her relation to Rhys. They were strong traits of their paternal bloodline.
    Enid curtsied deeply beside him before leaving to take her seat. Morgana smiled at them and crooked her finger at Rhys. He went up the dais to stand beside her throne at her right hand. He bowed his head to receive her blessing and she gently touched the top of his head.
    “Are you well, Nephew?” she asked. “I have not seen you all day.”
    “I am well, Aunt. I had archery and literature this morning, then I rowed out with the boat today and studied with Murcanthia in the library,” he confessed, but decided to omit everything about his new friend.
    “Very well done.” She returned her gaze to the dining room. “Are you ready for the Apple Festival tomorrow? You will be serving us at the late breakfast.”
    “Yes, I am ready and Amarelle and I have a lovely surprise for you as well; some delicious new ale.”
    “Well, now I am excited,” she said, clapping her hands softly. “Be seated and enjoy your supper.”
    “Thank you, Aunt.”
    Rhys backed away from the throne, being careful not to turn his back until he was off the dais again. He sat down at the page’s table next to Bothwin, page of the stables and Randalf, page of the Royal Standard.
    The trumpets sounded again and the servers appeared at the door to the dining hall. They were carrying the trays laden with food for the first course. The first platters went up the dais to Morgana and her sisters to taste after which they would send each dish to one of the tables in the hall. Other servers went directly through the room laying out the accompanying dishes on all the tables. Bowls of boiled potatoes, radishes and parsnips, fruit, bread and cheese were delivered. The pages received a roasted suckling pig while the ladies were brought a roasted duck. They served themselves and then, as