The Quest (The Sons of Camelot Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

plan.”
    John knew that it was likely that Chatburn would deliver a similar report; he knew that the man had missed not even the tiniest detail as they rode. Still, he ordered his squire to the same task. Perhaps the man would surprise him with a little bit more eloquence, if given a task that required it.
    At Keld, where they took their midday rest, they began to record the long list that would be presented to the administrators in Leeds and Manchester and then Camelot, of course. They saved the greater detail of their plan for later that evening, being eager to move northward on their quest and knowing that they were expected to arrive in Penrith by nightfall.
    “Gerald will certainly take the lead; don’t you think?” John asked as they were once again joined to their mounts and laying down a rapid pace northward. He was referring to the Master of the Exchequer in Leeds. John had known Gerald Winchester all his life. He had handled all of Sir Jofrit’s financial matters and seen to those of the city as well. He was an honest, fair and meticulous man.
    “I don’t doubt it,” Thomas replied, having known Gerald all his life as well. However, he had a sense of loyalty to his own accountant, Edwin, in Manchester. “He is certainly the more aggressive of the two financiers, though Edwin would certainly hold his own when it came to the administrative aspects of the project.”
    “Do you anticipate conflict between the two?” John asked. “A conflict between administrators, especially in our absence, might create a lasting quarrel between our houses.”
    “Perhaps it is better to place it under the authority of one or the other and not have the two of them working together,” Thomas chuckled. “I, for one, am not eager to return home with a feud to settle.”
    “Then we’ll leave it in the hands of Gerald,” John announced.
    “Edwin is certainly as capable,” Thomas countered. “What would be wrong with placing the task in his hands?”
    “Perhaps nothing, but it was my suggestion that we help out our brother’s people and, therefore, my man ought to handle the details of it,” John responded with a superior tone.
    “It was only your suggestion after I goaded you into it,” Thomas replied.
    Disagreements between the two weren’t uncommon; they’d had them since they were young. Both had plenty of stubborn pride and rarely gave in easily. They were qualities that served them well in tournaments or in battle, but, at times, became a bit tedious when there was something to be worked out between them.
    “Ah, there you go, rushing in to take the glory for your own,” John countered. “It is an act of charity, but you’ll glory in it just the same.”
    “An act of charity, indeed! It is just another opportunity in which you will attempt to show your superiority. You’ll drink that into its fullest, I don’t doubt.”
    John’s ire was rising and the discussion was becoming more heated. “You’ll take a good deed of mine and twist it to suit your own purpose, won’t you?”
    “So, you’ve admitted that you’ll be taking all the credit? Seeing as it will be YOUR good deed!”
    “I’ve admitted nothing of the sort. Our brother needs our aid and we ought to give it. However, you’ve decided to make it into a conquest of your own.”
    “There’s an easy way to decide this,” Thomas snapped, drawing up on the reins and bringing his mount to a halt.
    “Two out of three falls?” John asked.
    “As per usual,” Thomas replied. “Dufton, my staff!”
    “Chatburn!”
    By the time the two of them had dismounted, the long wooden spear shafts with which they sparred were already presented to them by their respective squires. With their tempers fully aroused, the two of them wasted no time joining their weapons with a hardy crack.
    Knowing one’s adversary as well as Thomas and John knew one another created a situation where gaining the upper hand was next to impossible. They thrust and parried with