All of my writing is fiction, and the stories and characters are products of my imagination. They were created for my fun and, hopefully, your enjoyment. Some of the events in the stories are not particularly condoned nor encouraged by the author but are there to create and enhance the story of the imaginary characters and their lives. Comments are always encouraged and carefully reviewed. All characters within the story that need to be are 18 years of age or older. I hope you enjoy! And take a second to vote and comment.
This is a new twist for me, writing a story that takes place in the Middle Ages. I hope I've pulled it off. It does have a modern touch in that there's a strong female character at the center of the story. It's rather a romantic adventure story. Let me know what you think and if the language style bothers you or makes the reading difficult. I hope not.
Doing the research for this was fascinating, and I may try something similar in the future.
~~~
"My Lord, 'tis good to see thee feeling better this Monday morn."
"Sir Gregory, 'tis good to be rid of that dreadful plague that's besieged me these past few days."
"Has My Lady stayed well?"
"She says yes, but I suspect she's not so well. But she should be by and by."
"I pray that be so, My Lord, for she is well-loved by all the people."
"Aye, me thinks her more so than me." A gentle laugh from the king.
"Thy people love thee, My Lord." Randolf always strove to stay in good favor with his Liege.
"That's not my worry today, Randolf.
"I pray thy worry not be serious, My Lord."
"I too pray that, but I'm not sure, my faithful knight."
"What might it be that troubles thee?"
Randolf received a long look from Gregory. "Prince Hedley has disappeared."
"How so?"
"If only I had the answer to that."
Randolf waited for his king to continue.
"Yesternoon, he bid his mother goodbye, saying he'd be riding his horse to the lake to rest and perhaps to swim. This morn, she told me that she'd realized he always told when he'd return, but he'd said nothing this time."
"What can that mean, sire?"
Gregory looked around carefully, ensuring they were alone. This knight was the singular one he trusted to be discrete.
"The prince has been acting aloof and distracted the last fortnight, and the queen worries that something is amiss. I worry that Crispin is involved in some misadventure involving the prince."
"I shudder just hearing the name, Crispin, my lord. Should an arrow find his heart one day, I'd not be one to mourn."
"Nor I, Randolf. Nor I."
"Surely, My Lord, you have a plan to, well, find the prince."
"I have an idea, and I pray that yourself, Kenric, Orvyn, and Ricard might bring it to the conclusion we're hoping for."
"I'll gather them together later today, Sire, that thou might detail our quest forthrightly."
Randolf began his own quest to find the other three knights, which might be more challenging than one might imagine. None were married; thus, finding them was a problematic task, as home was not where they would likely be. The ale house might be a good place to begin.
The ale house of Leytonstoke was simply a house that served ale, a residence where part was set aside for serving the beverage, which was brewed by the owner. Ale varied greatly by house, but most patrons were more interested in alcohol than they were in taste.
Randolf's visit was fruitful, however, as both Kenric and Ricard were there, drawn no doubt, by the proprietor's bonny and maiden daughter, who often was there to serve its patrons. They were both intent on monopolizing the curly-haired beauty's time and attention, she obviously enjoying the knight's dalliances while knowing nothing serious would come of it.
"Kenric, Ricard, come. The king has need of us."
"And we have need of this enchantress, good Randolf."
The enchantress giggled but stepped away, not wanting to be in the center of disagreeing knights.
"Me father calls," she said as she backed away and slipped through a door.
Kenric chuckled. "A trip into the wood with that wench would be rewarding," he said, still looking at the now empty doorway.
"I think I shall lure her there before you," Ricard boasted, clearly challenging his fellow knight.
"Sir knights, the wench won't be leaving the ale house for the woods, but your king is waiting. And we must find Orvyn."
"He was going to the river, probably to scrub away the stench that's accompanied him through most of his life. We might find him there."
The three of them met Orvyn returning from the river, very clean as someone had given him a bit of soap, not readily available to all.
"Randolf, why does the king have need of us? A new war, perhaps?"
"There will be no war. But King Gregory will explain the quest we must embrace."
~~~
"Regina, what shall I wear today?" Queen Mirabel stared hopelessly at the room full of colorful and regal clothing.
"Your grace, that's not a question I often hear. Something must be troubling thee."
The Queen stared at her lady-in-waiting. " Yes, thou art right, of course." She closed her eyes. "Prince Hedley is missing."
"Your Highness, how can that be?"
Mirabel looked at her lady-in-waiting. She was taller than most ladies, more beautiful than most ladies, and much more clever than most anyone as well. This was why she was the Queen's lady-in-waiting. She was not of the nobility but had become known to Her Majesty through a friend of the court who'd intended having her as a servant but could easily see she was meant for a higher calling. Queen Mirabel would be forever thankful for his foresight.
"He left for a ride yesternoon and has not returned. The king fears that Crispin may be involved."
"Your grace, I fear that name, and to hear it in this manner is even more frightening. What might Crispin do if he indeed has the Prince?"
"Gregory fears he may make some horrific demand such as marriage to Princess Annora for the return of the Prince."
Regina gasped. "Oh, Your Majesty, could he do that, and would the king consent?"
"He could indeed, but I think not on the king's consent. And I believe Prince Hedley would not want that either. He loves his sister and would not condemn her to a life with the craven Crispin."
"Has the Prince's horse returned?"
"I've not heard, but Gregory has called Randolf and some of the other knights to a gathering to conceive a plan for finding or rescuing Prince Hedley."
