Page 8 of Raven's Rise
“May I defend you through supper, my lady?” he asked.
“Why…yes.” She couldn’t believe he would want to dance attendance on her. She was nobody. “That is, if you wish to spend your evening with a woman of no renown.”
Escorted by him, she walked to her usual seat and sank down on the little cushion placed there.
“I’ve renown enough of my own,” he said, taking the seat beside her. He spoke in such a way that it was impossible to tell if he was joking or not. “In truth, I wish the company of a civilized person for a few hours. The road is not civilized, and I’ve had enough of it.”
“Where have you come from?”
“Most recently, from the south, by way of Ashthorpe. I follow the tourney circuit,” he added.
“The Knight of the Raven. I know that name now,” she said, finally connecting it. “It is said you always win.”
“It is said correctly,” he acknowledged. “Do I offend with my lack of modesty? I’ve never been a modest man.”
“So long as you speak truth, I cannot see how anyone could object.”
“Truth is rarely much appreciated,” Rafe said. “In fact, it usually gets me into trouble.”
Otto and the rest of the family sat, as did the others in the room. Suppers were often large affairs, with many people partaking of Otto’s largesse. Tonight was one of those nights. The mood seemed almost celebratory.
“What brings you to Dryton?” she asked. “Are you just passing though? You mentioned travel.”
“So I did, but the fact is that my companions and I are hoping to be hired for the job Lord Otto needs done.”
“What is that?” she asked.
Rafe looked puzzled, but said, “Someone from Dryton is to be escorted somewhere. That’s all I know. You have not heard of this?”
“No, but Otto does not consult me on such matters. Why does he want to hire outside men? We’ve plenty of men-at-arms here.”
Rafe said, “He may not wish to reduce the ranks of defenders. Though the fighting has quieted down this past winter, it could flare up again, anywhere. These are nervous times.”
“That must be it,” Angelet said, seeing the sense in the soldier’s words. “I know little of the details of the struggle between Stephen and Maud. To be honest, I know nothing.”
“Excellent. Just don’t ask me about it either. I despise politics,” Rafe said.
“Don’t you need to know what’s happening?”
He took a bite of his meal and looked unimpressed. He said, “I used to think so. Now I need only know if the road ahead of me will be affected. It’s all that matters.”
She pondered that. His mode of living was so entirely different from hers.
After a long moment, he said, “The stones around your neck. What are they?”
“Moonstone.” She touched one of the cool jewels. “Have you not seen such before?”
“I don’t think so,” he said thoughtfully, as if trying to recall something long past. “Unusual,” he added, “and beautiful.”
She smiled, pleased he liked them.
Rafe laughed once then, at himself. “To think I missed that opportunity! I’m more tired from travel than I thought. You must pretend I said that they are as beautiful as the woman who wears them.”
Angelet was delighted at the compliment, transparently flattering as it was. “I thank you, sir.”
“It’s a lie, of course,” he added, the charming tone gone from his voice.
Angelet looked down. “Oh.”
