Title: A Day in the Light

Author: Sam & Scarlett

A Light in the Darkness: 06 of ?

xxx

The garden spread out across a vast area; smooth walkways neatly intersected carefully cultivated flower beds. Benches had been spaced generously for resting intervals and sculpted fir trees provided shade and an illusion of privacy. A rainbow of colors surrounded Hank as he knelt by a small spaniel, trying to get its foot untangled from a creeping vine covered in beautiful blue flowers. He concentrated fully on the whimpering pup.

Sheila walked down one of the various walkways in the garden, thankful to get out of the stuffy room and bed for a day. She was starting to feel better after being treated by the alchemist's apprentice and healer's daughter, and wanted a quiet walk. Sheila had dressed in one of her favorite light pink gowns that complimented her complexion and had done up her hair in a braided bun. From a distance. she spotted someone kneeling down and decided to walk over quietly. "Hello," she said, looking down at the young man. She automatically recognized him being the one who helped her when she arrived and quickly looked down at the young pup. "Who is this little guy?"

"One of the King's hunters. . . or will be when she grows," Hank answered automatically. After a couple more twists of the vine, he got the puppy free and looked up with a friendly smile. Noting who spoke to him, the woodman's powder blue eyes widened and he rose to his feet, taking the puppy up in his arms. "Hello . . . feeling better, my lady?" His voice remained friendly, gentle, and welcoming.

"Yes, I am. Thank you . . ." The redhead bit her lip, trying to recall the older teen's name. It'd had only been a day and they had met briefly, but she wanted to thank the handsome blonde for helping her yesterday. Her teal-green eyes focused on the spaniel pup. "She's beautiful."

"Yes," he offered the small spaniel to the pretty redhead. "Would you wish to hold her?" he asked. "She's really well behaved." The soft silky fur shone in the morning sunlight.

"I . . . Sure." Sheila smiled and took the offering pup, holding her securely in her arms. "You're so adorable," she cooed at the pup, stroking the soft golden ears. The young spaniel's tail wagged happily at the attention.

As softly as if he spoke to the formerly frightened puppy, the woodsman said, "My name is Henry. I know it is not polite to exchange names, but as no one introduced ue yesterday, I felt it more rude to not let you know." He gestured towards a bench under a flowering tree. "Do you wish to sit?"

Sheila looked at the bench, seeing it offered a little shade from the sun, and nodded, deciding that taking a moment to sit wouldn't hurt anything. After all, she was still recovering from her fever. "I understand," she said as they walked a few steps to the bench. "It's nice to meet you, Henry. My name is Sheila." The redhead adjusted her skirt as she sat down and placed the small spaniel in her lap, rubbing the young pup's head. "Thank you for helping me yesterday," she said, her face turning pink.

Pausing a moment, Hank finally sank onto the edge of the bench. "I'm pleased to see you recovered somewhat. Traveling while ill is never pleasant. Sir Michael is a good man," he added, still trying to sort through the confusing mix up yesterday. "I fear your father may have mistaken him for his younger brother, Eric?"

"Sir Michael is," she agreed. "He was kind enough to tell me who he was yesterday, though I kept it from my father. I guess they look similar?" Sheila frowned.

"I understand that they could almost pass for twins," Hank confirmed. He reached over and stroked the puppy's ears. "Has your mother recovered from the journey, Lady Sheila?" He offered her another smile as the puppy began licking Sheila's hand.

"My mother is doing well. She loves coming here." The redhead sighed quietly to herself. "I believe she's meeting with her closest friends later today." She gave him a smile and turned her attention to the puppy, laughing lightly at the tickling sensation on her fingers. "I like you, too," Sheila told the puppy as she stroked her head and back, causing their fingers to brush against each other briefly.

Hank felt a jolt of warmth, almost electricity, when his fingers caressed Sheila's instead of the fur. He flushed a bit but smiled. "Are you here for the entire summer or only part of the festivities? With the tourney planned, new knights are to be chosen . . . courtships to be finalized." He concentrated his eyes on the puppy.

"I will be staying here the entire summer, enjoying the festivities and supporting my younger brother. It will be a fun summer with new nights and courtships," she said, hoping she sounded as excited like she should be. The sixteen year old still wasn't happy about her betrothal. "Will you be as well?" she asked, her face still blushing from the accidental contact.

With a soft, friendly chuckle, Hank said, "yes. I live here. My father is the King's Warder." The athletic blond smiled at the delicate looking redhead. "He raises the children the King shelters, orphans or abused children he rescues." Lifting a hand to run through his thick hair, Hank let his eyes rove over the garden. "If I wanted to, I'd be allowed to compete for knighthood, but . . ." he turned back to smile at her, "I'm a woodsman. I protect the creatures that live here."

"Oh." Sheila smiled at him. "That must be nice, helping those in need during horrible times. The creatures are lucky to have someone like you looking out for them, especially this precious darling here," she said, rubbing the pup's head again. "You have a kind heart." She smiled again, admiring him. "Ever thought of trying to be both?" she asked curiously, tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear.

Meeting her beautiful teal eyes, Hank replied, "my father, Sir Tobias, is both. He doesn't have enough time to care for the forest and animals . . . at least not as much as he'd like." Hank thought for a moment, still stroking the puppy, hand brushing Sheila's once or twice more. "But with the authority of being a knight, he has more control over things, too. Perhaps being a knight as well is the way . . ."

Warmth coursed through her body when their hands touched again, and Sheila continued to blush when she met his light blue eyes. "Perhaps you could focus more on the care of animals and the forest while still doing your duties as a knight." She bit her lip. "I'm sorry. I know it isn't my place to recommend, but I do know that you should follow your heart," she said, looking back down at the puppy in her lap.

"I don't mind your advice, Lady Sheila. You show a care for the wildness, and that is important . . . to me." He looked down again. "I will discuss the duties with my father to see if I could balance nature versus duty." He stroked the puppy, which had settled down on Sheila's lap to enjoy the petting and a small Hank opened his mouth to speak again, a young male voice interrupted.

"Sheila? Are you in the garden?" her brother sounded close.

"I . . ." Sheila stopped, recognizing her brother's voice. "That's my brother," she whispered low enough for only Henry to hear, trying not to let her disappointment bother her. "I should go find him." Her face flushed, knowing Bobby would ask her questions about why she wasn't chaperoned now that she's betrothed.

"I remember him from yesterday. He's training to be a knight?" Hank smiled. He knew he shouldn't have been alone with the pretty woman, But he had to find a way to minimize the damage to her reputation. Leaving her on her own would be unconscionable; however, she could be in real danger on her own even in the king's garden. "I would like to meet him, if I may?"

Bobby turned the corner of the lush garden and stopped at the sight of the blond man and the red-haired woman. At first, he wondered if that was the same redhead he'd met the day before, but he recognized Sheila's dress from breakfast that morning. "Sheila?" The young blond let his hands ball into fists, ready to protect his sister's honor if the man accosted her.

"Hi, Bobby," Sheila said, giving her brother an assuring smile that nothing happened, and decided to introduce them quickly. "Bobby, this is Henry, and Henry, this is my brother Robert. He is training to be a knight," she confirmed as she smiled at both of them. The pup in her lap stretched and yawned, then fell back asleep.

Seeing that the man was the same one who'd rescued Sheila the morning before, Bobby relaxed immediately. "Hello," he shook hands with Hank, who stood at the introduction. Seeing the pup, the smaller blond's eyes widened and he grinned. "Where'd you get him? He's so small!" Bobby had an adoration for animals and the puppy couldn't help draw his enthusiasm,

Hank shrugged, "she belongs to the king, but she tends to be more curious than her litter mates. She got tangled and needed a rescue." Hank looked past Bubby and smiled wider. "Hello, Freddie."

Whirling around, the stocky thirteen year old blinked up at the shaggy haired youth striding down the path towards the group. "Hello?" Bobby called, almost challenging yet another stranger, but a sudden strong hand gently settled on his shoulder. The younger boy looked up into Hank's gentle gaze.

"Freddie's one of the King's wards and lives here, like I do," Hank smiled. "He also tends to the king's hounds, so he'll be looking for this little lady." He gestured towards the sleeping spaniel.

"Sir Frederick, may I introduce the Lady Sheila and her brother, Knight in training Robert?" Hank smiled as his friend loped over.

The dark-haired youth ran a hand through his shaggy hair and smiled, his brown eyes half closed, making him look perpetually sleepy. "Heya, Hank. Greetings, my lady, my lord." He bowed to them.

"Hello, Sir Frederick," Sheila said, smiling shyly. Over to the left of the group, the redhead saw another group of teens heading their way.

"We thought we heard some familiar voices this way," came Varla's soft voice as she came walking down a different path with Mel and Terri at her side.

Terri rushed over to her older brother's side, giving him a smile. "What's going on out here?" the thirteen year old asked curiously.

With an enthusiastic hug for his pretty, dark-haired sister, Freddie smiled. "We're meeting the new arrivals. This is Lady Sheila and this is knight-in-training Robert. They've helped Hank rescue Taffy." With an infectious grin, Freddie turned to the O'Neils. "The redhead is Miss Varla. This is Lady Theresa, my sister. And I don't know our newest knight trainee?" He smiled at Mel, either unaware of the sixteen year old's gender or uncaring.

Behind them, from yet another path leading directly towards the kitchen entrance, slowly strolled the Montgomery brothers, the paler, slightly smaller one leaning on the tanned, barely taller one. Together, the differences were slight but more evident, but only those who knew them would realize the men were not twins but two years apart in age. The relationship between the king and this dark haired, dark brown eyed pair was very evident.

"Hallo!" Michael called out with a smile for the young people, supporting Eric until he got to the bench on which Sheila sat. With a small smile for the pretty redhead, Michael took the initiative and eased Eric down without waiting for permission. Eric gave a worried look to the group of strangers.

"She's so cute," Terri cooed, eyeing the small spaniel. "It's nice to meet all of you."

"Welcome!" Mel greeted Michael and Eric. She noticed Eric seemed better than yesterday and felt somewhat relieved. Her green eyes looked back at Frederick. "I'm Mel Guthrie. I arrived late yesterday with my mother."

"Hello, Sir Michael." Sheila gave him a warm smile and tried to push aside her nervousness, noticing his brother's worried look. "Are you feeling better, my lord?" she asked the boy next to her.

He looked at the unknown redhead and frowned. "Why wouldn't I be?" his tone sounded arrogant, haughty.

Michael rolled his eyes and put a hand carefully on his brother's head since it was one of the few places that didn't hurt. "Calm down, Eric. None of them are friends of Father's." The older man's words seemed to ease his brother's negative reaction and Eric flushed.

Keeping himself stiff, he answered "I feel better today . . . thank you."

"This is Eric," Michael confirmed for Sheila. "Eric, this is Lady Sheila."

Brown eyes widening, Eric looked at the girl on the bench with something akin to horror and shame - - he'd acted like a clod to his betrothed? He wanted to hide his face in his hands. "I am sorry . . . I . . ."

"He's not very good with strangers when he's not well," Michael smoothly explained, just as yet another voice joined the group.

"Hello! Tell me you both are doing well enough to be out here?" The red-haired alchemist strode over, pushing his glasses up his nose. He had three other spaniel puppies yapping at his heels, causing the napping pup to stir and lift her head with a thump of her tail on Sheila's thigh.

"It's alright," Sheila said, trying her best to keep the smile on her face. She knew he wasn't well and hoped that's all it was. She didn't know what she would do, but he was her betrothed. Noticing Taffy's excitement at seeing her siblings, Sheila gave the pup one last pat before carefully picking her up and setting her down on the ground, though she wanted to keep her.

Seeing the other puppies, Terri knelt down on the ground, giving the young pups attention.

"Hello, Albert," Varla greeted, her cheeks tinting pink.

"I am feeling better," Sheila admitted, though she was started to feel a little tired.

"I suppose we need introductions all around," Freddie grinned, eyes still sleepy looking. "I'll do it. So," pointing at each girl in turn, Freddie said "Lady Sheila, Lady Theresa, Miss Varla." He continued pointing around, moving into the men, as well, though again it was unclear if he knew Mel's gender. "Knights in training, Mel, Robert, Henry, and Eric. Then of course there are Sir Michael and I, Sir Frederick. And this is the Alchemist's Apprentice, Albert . . . but we call him Presto." He smiled and seemed almost to vibrate with the same excitement as the four puppies playing their feet. "And that would be Miss Unity coming up the path with her healer's basket." He raised a hand in greeting for the redheaded healer.

Hank Reached over to aid Sheila to her feet. Michael, apparently taking a cue from the tall blond, did the same for his weakened brother. Fortunately, Hank explained his behavior. "If we go around two more bends, There are more benches to sit at and an awning to shield us from the hot sun." He smiled at Uni and waved one hand toward the courtyard area he's spoken off, signaling her to meet them there.

"Thank you, Henry," Sheila said as she took his hand then arm. She tried to ignore the warm feeling she felt as they started walking side by side.

"Sounds good," Bobby grinned and gallantly offered his arm to Terri. "May I escort you?" The stocky blond tried practicing his chivalry on the girl more his height than any of the others.

"Thank you, Robert," Terri said shyly, standing back up from the ground and taking the young blonde's arm as they followed the older group.

Presto flushed as he offered an arm to Varla. "Miss Varla?"

Varla smiled. "Certainly," the redhead said as she took his arm.

Eric let his brother help him up with barely a wince, though he moved stiffly and tenderly. It was obvious to those watching that the youth wasn't ill so much as injured, perhaps even severely.

Mel followed behind the others, unsure of where to go exactly as the garden was new to her.

The young group passed by various colors of flowers and plants and the warm summer breeze filled the area with a nice floral scent. Sheila looked over her shoulder, making sure her younger brother was still close behind then her teal eyes caught sight of Sir Michael and his brother before she looked back straight ahead, trying to keep herself from frowning.

As they got to the wider area, the promised awning and benches provided welcome relief for those who still weren't well. As a point of chivalry, the males also aided the females to sit, but enough seating remained for the entire group to get comfortable with room left over. A trail led through rose arbors strait to the kitchens, meaning this was considered a dining area, as well.

Once the ladies had settled, Michael eased Eric to the bench. Unfortunately, the movement proved a bit much and Eric let out an inadvertent yelp, clutching Michael's arm and burying his face in his brother's chest, gasping. Presto immediately jumped to the younger Montgomery's side and, from behind, unfastened the embroidered belt Eric wore so he could ease the tunic up, exposing bandaging with fresh blood. Shaking his head, Presto began unwinding the bandages to check that the stitched remained intact.

Hank, still standing beside Sheila, watching with a closed look on his face and anger in his pale eyes. The wounds were severe enough to warrant bedrest for sometime . . . and the day before Lord Montgomery had been insisting this youth travel and even possibly attend dinner? Hank didn't often interact with Lord Montgomery, but this . . . he fisted his hands silently.

Bobby's eyes opened wide at the revealed wounds, unsure just what weapon in training would have done such severe damage. For his part, Freddie, sitting on the ground among the four pups, had a sick look on his face at the sight of the damage to the other young man.

Uni rushed to Presto and Eric's side, carrying her healer's basket. Seeing the fresh blood, she knew it wasn't good. "They need to be cleaned again," she said quietly.

Sheila gasped as she caught sight of the red blood. The young redhead quickly averted her eyes, feeling sick to her stomach as she wondered what happened to the young man to cause such an injury, and focused on her hands in her lap.

The look on the healer's face worried Mel. She wasn't close enough to the see wounds but she remembered them from yesterday. The brown-haired girl remained quiet as she watched the sight not too far from her.

Terri saw the look on her brother's face as she watched him closely, knowing that whatever was going on wasn't good, and wondered if it had to do with yesterday.

Eric hisses at the feel of the last bandage tugging away, but he remained with his face pressed to his brother's chest, hands clutching Michael's strong arm. He knew everyone could see the injuries, but at least they granted to respect not to shoot questions at him while he was being tended.

"Yeah, infection," Presto stated as he saw the yellow-green fluid leaking from around the stitches on the swollen, angry red wounds. "I gotta release the stitches so I can clean those wounds again. Must've gone deeper than I thought." He shook his head and pushed his glasses up. "Okay, I need people to hold him on the ground, hold him still because this will hurt probably worse than the original injuries. I need clean water, hot, and lots of linen, clean. I need stitching stuff and my medicine chest from my room." He looked around. "And those puppies need to stay away from his back while I work."

Freddie nodded and instantly scooped all four spaniels into his arms and strode off without comment, heading for the kennels. Bobby jumped forward. "I'm strong. I can hold him," he offered as Hank stepped forward to offer his aid as well." Michael looked over at the woman. "I know where to get the medicine chest, so we need runners to get the rest of the supplies. Lady Sheila, stay here in the shade and act as watch. If my father comes, he'll need to be distracted." Coldly, the knight added, "he's under investigation for these wounds and I don't want him near my brother." At that, Michael stepped back, allowing Hank to switch in for Eric to grip.

The injured youth seemed unbothered by suddenly holding this near stranger instead of his familiar, protective brother. Eric could hear as well as anyone else and knew what occurred around him.

"Of course," Sheila said, though she was unsure of what she'd do if Lord Montgomery was near to them. She didn't like how they met yesterday and hearing that he's under investigation unsettled her more.

"I have stitching supplies in my basket here," Uni said as she set it on the bench. "I'll go find the fresh linens and be back here soon." She looked at Mel. "I can lead you to the hot water."

Mel nodded as she stood up, then the pair quickly walked the way in search of the supplies.

As Michael strode off towards the palace, his face dark and intent, Hank eased Eric to his knees on the path, the other yough whimpering in continued fiery pain. Finally, the woodsman had the other training knight on his face, on the ground. He nodded and Bobby, taking the silent cue, knelt down to aid in holding the young man if needed.

Softly, comfortingly, Presto started talking, but his words were not directed to the patient . . . they were directed at the three remaining women: Varla, Sheila, and Terri. "He'll be in a lot of pain because the injuries cross his muscles and everything else inside. Some are deep enough to go to where the deepest pain lies. The dirt in his wounds from travel probably got into his blood, which s why he's got infections. All I have to do," and the ginger haired youth glanced over at the three females then back at Eric's back, "is cut the stitches and clean the wounds again, then I'll re-stitch but leave a bit of linen to draw the infection out further. It's not ideal, but better than it could be. I'm afraid he'll be stuck in bed for a few days until I'm sure the infection is gone."

Sitting back on his heels, Presto sighed. "Varla, can you go get Unity's mother? Unity's great but we might need medicines I don't have. Her mother would know which ones. Just describe what you see here and she'll bring the right stuff."

"Yes, I'll go right away," Varla said, getting up from the bench. "I'll be sure she brings something strong enough for the pain." She looked closely at the infected wounds, then left hurriedly to the palace.

"Is there anything else you might need, Presto?" Terri asked, unsure of whether or not she wanted to stay when the procedure started.

"Well," Presto responded with a soft smile, pushing his glasses up again. "If you want to help Sheila keep an eye out for Lord Montgomery? If you see him, maybe the pair of you can distract the man so he stays out of this grotto? I want to be sure my patient's not going to be bothered while I work."

Hank gently stroked Eric's hair, trying to soothe the injured youth as he would any injured creature he came across. Finally, Bobby spoke up. "Um . . . I know I'm just in training, but isn't it considered cowardly to strike a man from the back?"

"Very," said Hank, is eyes troubled and angry.

"Okay," the young girl said. Her deep blue eyes looked at the other benches, seeing which seat would have a better view, then Terri moved two benches over and seated herself again.

Sheila smiled at the young girl then frowned. "That is awful," she said, frowning and fiddling with her fingers.

Michael returned by then, as did Freddie. Dropping to his knees by his brother, Michael reached over, "I can take him now."

With a shake of his head, Hank looked at the older youth. "If your father comes, you should be the one to confront him, not the ladies. I've got him, Michael."

Dropping his hands. Michael nodded and rose to his feet. He looked from Sheila to Terri and sighed, running a hand through his dark locks. "I'm sorry, ladies, for what you're witnessing here. I should have walked with him somewhere away from polite company."

Presto reached for Uni's basket to start threading needles while they waited for the rest of the supplies. He dipped each needle carefully in one of his own tinctures. As he worked, the young redhead said, "it's a harsh reality, but the ladies would need to know how to care ofr their husband and children in future. No one escapes injury in this life. The more who know properly how to do this, the better health everyone will enjoy. And if they marry knights, the wounds could be even worse than this."

"It's alright, Sir Michael. Presto is right," Sheila said. She hated to witness such a thing, but if Bobby was to become a knight she needed to know what to do. The redhead frowned as she looked back down at Eric's injuries, knowing that she might have to take care of him one day as well.

"Here you go, Presto," Uni said as she and Mel arrived with the linens and hot water. Mel set pot down on the ground where Presto could reach it while Uni set the clean linens on the bench where they could reach them. "I saw Varla pass by us a little bit ago. I know she shouldn't be too much longer with my mother."

Presto offered Uni a smile and began to wash his hands and then moved to wash Eric's back. Finally, he grabbed the scissors and treated them with one of his tinctures. Presto carefully began cutting open the stitches he had closed only the day before; as they opened, the wound gaped and infection poured out. "Uni, wash him so I can see?"

Hank held Eric's shoulders carefully, avoiding any of the lashes that had fallen there, while Bobby literally sat on the teen's legs. However, the injured youth seemed more relieved at the loosening of the stitches than anything. He sobbed softly into the ground and Freddie slipped off his own over-tunic, folded it, and slid it below Eric's face so he wasn't breathing in dirt and rocks.

Uni nodded as she kneeled down on the ground. She washed her hands then grabbed a linen from the stack soaking the cloth in the warm water. "Eric, the water is a little too warm, but we have to clean your wounds," she warned him softly while she wrung out the soaked cloth. Carefully and using a bit of pressure, the redhead started to wash Eric's back, dabbing up the blood and infection at the site.

"I want you to push as much of the infection from the wounds as possible, Unity. It's going to hurt," Presto added for Eric.

But despite the pain and fire in his back, Eric never got louder than his initial gasp earlier. Rather, he continued to hold onto the tunic, biting the material, whimpering softly but keeping quiet. It seemed a sad commentary: Eric Montgomery was too used to pain and hiding it.

With a silent nod, Uni started to do what Presto asked. She pressed the linen up against the festering welts down his back and wiped away the yellow-green liquid that oozed out. As she continued to apply pressure, she could feel Eric flinching beneath her hands though there was no yelp of pain. When the linen was full of blood, the redhead set it aside and reached for another clean linen, drenched the cloth in the warm water, and repeated the process, trying to determine the direction of each wound as she worked from top to bottom.

Bobby could honestly say he felt impressed by the other youth's silence. The injuries were horrible and old scars traced his back as well, but the knight-in-training showed very little sign of the terrible pain. This would be his sister's husband? So far, Bobby was incredibly impressed. He glanced over to Sheila to gauge her reaction to the situation.

Sheila gave her brother a small smile, though her eyes were filled with worry and sadness. She remained quiet as she watched Uni and Presto closely. The young redhead sat up straighter when she caught sight of Varla and an older woman walking straight to the group. "Varla is back with your mother, Unity," Sheila said to the teen as they got closer.

Uni looked over her shoulder and let out a quiet sigh of relief when she saw her mother with her own basket. She soaked another cloth and continued to clean out the infection.

As Lady St. Clair walked closer, her face hardened at the sight of Lord Montgomery's son. She knelt down beside her daughter and took out a small jar containing herbal tea from her basket. "Have him drink this, Henry," she said as she gave him the jar. "It will help ease the pain." Her maroon eyes looked at Presto. "We must stitch him quickly and move him from the heat. Does his sponsor know of his injuries?" the older woman asked, leaving her other questions unsaid, knowing full well what caused the wounds.

Hank accepted the jar and looked at the youth sprawled face down on the ground. HE couldn't think of a way to get Eric to drink the tea without turning him at least a little bit. After a moment, he sighed. "I need to switch his position until he's done drinking," he advised Uni and Presto. As Presto withdrew his hands, and tapped Uni's to signal she should do the same, the strong blond ease the dark-haired youth to his side and helped him drink down the bitter tasting brew.

Michael sighed and ran a hand through his thick locks again. "Lady St. Clair? He doesn't have a sponsor because he was apprenticed last night to Sir Dekion. And Sir Dekion has seen the wounds. He and the king are discussing what to do." He sighed again. "Should we move him before we stitch him, my lady? I can carry Eric. I've done so before."

Lady St. Clair nodded. "I'm glad our King knows of this wrongful doing," she frowned. "It would be wiser to move him before the stitching begins. It would prevent the stitches from opening and he would be more comfortable."

Nodding, looking relieved to be at last able to do something, Michael squatted down next to Eric, opposite where Hank knelt. "If you get his side, and I get this side, we can avoid his back," the knight suggested to the woodsman.

Hank finished giving the potion to the injured youth and handed the jar off to Uni. "I've got him. And the pair slid their arms under Eric's buttocks and an arm each under Eric's and hefted him up, rising awkwardly from the ground then taking a moment to synch with one another. Finally, they carried the young, who lay his head weakly against his brother's strong arm, down the path to the kitchen entrance, Bobby running ahead to get doors and clear servants out of the way.

Presto turned to Lady St. Clair. "Anything I can do to assist with his care, I'm ready for," he stated, his voice wavering breaking slightly. He gathered his own delicate box of medicines and such, watching as Uni cleaned her hands then gathered her own basket together. Freddie leapt forward and said, "I'll take care of this debris. You go tend him."

"I do hope he'll be alright," Sheila said as she watched the other leave. She stood up, smoothing her gown.

"He will be." Varla gave her an assuring smile. "Lady St. Clair is a good healer. With her daughter and Presto's help, they'll have him better in no time." Or so the redhead hoped. "Would you like to explore the garden a while longer?" she offered.

"That would be nice," Sheila said, hoping the walk would keep herself from worrying. She knew she needed to rest, but after the events she witnessed, she knew she couldn't.

"I want to go with them," Terri said to her brother. "I'll come find you later." She gave Freddie a quick hug, then the three girls left.

As the different people moved off either to help the injured apprentice or to try to salvage the morning's enjoyment, Michael found himself alone with Sir Michael's new trainee. The dark eyed knight smiled at the younger trainee and quickly gathered the used cloths and basin of dirty water.

"So, why do you want to be a knight?" he asked in his typical friendly manner.

"Being a knight is something I wanted to be ever since I was little," Mel said as she smiled. "My father taught me everything he knew before he died . . . and I want to follow in his footsteps and help the kingdom where I can."

Here's what we've got that needs changing:

Freddie nodded, dumping the water behind a tree and shoving the cloths into the basin. Sinking onto the closest bench, Freddie studied the young lady before him before nodding. He asked softly, "your father must have really felt a woman could do as much as a man . . . even kill if needed?" His brown eyes remained half-lidded, as if he had just roused from sleep.

"I . . . Yes he did," Mel said, taking a seat next to Freddie. She studied her hands. "He believed a woman should be able to defend herself if need be, but my mother disapproves."

Freddie shook his head, his hair falling in front of his eyes in a shaggy scruff. "I think your father was right. Women are too often victims. If they can fight and protect themselves, they have a better chance of not being hurt by someone with no appreciation of another's right to life and happiness." Looking over the young woman again, Freddie softly asked "does the king know? If you pass the trials and make knight, he won't be pleased to be surprised."

Mel sighed. "No, the king doesn't know, nor does Sir Michael or anyone else know." She sat up straighter and ran a hand through her dark hair.

"Well, you'll need to tell the king before you are knighted." Freddie seemed unphased by her secret, though. "You do realize that as Sir Michael's trainee, you'll be expected to move into his rooms?" Freddie reached over to stroke a gentle finger over a bright yellow flower petal, a small smile crossing his handsome features.

"I know." Mel sighed again. "And I am aware. It was mentioned yesterday," she said, her face slightly flushed. "I'll figure it out somehow."

Sitting back up, Michael offered Mel a smile. "He's a good man. Some day soon you'll realize you can trust him. Right now, he's too distracted with helping his brother." Standing, stretching, Freddie let out a soft sigh. "Wanna walk, Mel?" He apparently determined to treat her as the boy she had disguised herself as.

"Sure," Mel said, getting up as well. She felt relieved he seemed to keep her secret. "When things start to get better for him and his brother, I'll tell him."

Nodding, smiling happily, Freddie began to lead Mel down a different path from the one the other ladies took. The path he chose was wide and very well sunlit with blooming flowers and trees and the sounds of a small stream nearby. He kept his hands to himself and didn't even really look at the young woman, apparently not the threat her mother had always warned her about a man wanting to get her alone. Freddie seemed far more interested in the actual gardens and the exercise than the companion with him.

Finally, he asked "have you a training partner? I'm sure you can practice with young Robert . . . he'll need a sparring partner. And there's another knight in training coming soon, a boy called Timothy, about Robert's age. Until Eric's better, or the other trainees arrive,you're fairly limited for sparring partners.

"I haven't one yet. I would like to spar with Robert, if he wanted," Mel said as she looked off to the beautiful flowers. "I know of Timothy and his father Sir John. I met him a few times but I wasn't . . . I was younger than I am now." She sighed. "But I do look forward to sparring with who I can."

With a nod and an almost eager looking smile, Freddie said "I don't mind sparring with trainees, Mel. I'd be happy to help if my duties permit." Shortly they came out of the back wall of the garden overlooking the kennels. With a happy sigh, the knight offered his companion a grin then loped down towards the dogs being trained or simply playing if too young to train, such as the four pups. "Have you been to a kennels, Mel?"

"Well, then I'll be looking forward to it," Mel said with a smile. "I haven't been to the kennels yet. This palace is so huge. I have trouble finding my way around in it." She laughed softly.

With a nod, Freddie gestured towards the kennel of dogs. "I'll help you find your way back to the palace, Mel. Come meet my other family." And the friendly knight led his newest friend off among the romping puppies and training hounds.

xxx

Continued in Chapter Seven: