The mood was somber when everyone met in the main hall for breakfast. Velvet’s usually jovial nature was subdued, deep bags under her eyes from where she had gone without sleep. Rosebud picked at her scrambled eggs and the queen wouldn’t let little Simon go. It was obvious that the attempt on his life was deeply affecting everyone. Favoring his injured shoulder, Gordie came striding into the room, furrows between his eyes.
“Any word?”
He nodded at the king’s question. “No, sire. We’ve been able to trace the bloodstains as far as the market, but we lost it there. Also, none of the doctors have reported anyone with arrow wounds.”
“What about the horse?” Sam asked as he entered the hall.
“No luck there, either. Amos at the livery said that no one had asked to use one of his horses. So we’re stuck at the moment.”
“We’ll just have to be more careful.” Velvet tore a slice of bacon, chewing thoughtfully. “Simon will be safe inside.”
“He can’t live his life inside forever.” Rosebud murmured. “He needs sunlight and fresh air.”
“We’ll figure out what’s going, princess.” Velvet rubbed Rosebud’s back. “I’ll keep you safe.”
For the first time that morning, Rosebud smiled, looking at Velvet. “I know you will, love.”
Gordie turned away, suddenly uncomfortable with the love he saw radiating between Velvet and the princess. He could only think of Sam, the love of his life that he couldn’t have. He bowed to everyone and silently took his leave.
“Gordie, wait!” Sam ran to catch up with the seneschal, a biscuit in one hand and bacon in the other.
“I don’t have time to talk, Sam.”
“What you mean is that you don’t have time to talk to me.”
Gordie paused, hearing the pain in Sam’s voice. “What do you want, Sam?”
“To talk to you.”
“What for? There’s nothing to say.”
Sam wiped his hands and turned Gordie around, so that he could see his eyes. “There’s plenty to say. Why won’t you look at me?”
“Because it hurts to look at you.”
“It didn’t hurt to look at me last night.”
Gordie seemed lost. “I – I thought that was a dream.”
“Not a dream, just a good hot fuck. You sure seemed to enjoy it.”
Tears blurred his vision. “That wasn’t fair, Sam. You knew I was exhausted.”
“So? You wanted sex and I wanted sex. What was the problem?”
Sam’s words burned a hole in Gordie’s gut. “So it was just … sex?”
Can’t let him get attached to me. It’s too dangerous!
“Of course it was. What did you think it was, love?”
Without another word, Gordie whirled and left the hallway, breaking into a run as soon as he reached outside. He couldn’t bear to stay and hear his heart break any further.
******
Velvet went to speak with the king later in the day because something was bothering her. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she knew that King Simon would be able to help. The king challenged her to a game of chess, their favorite pastime, and she happily accepted. The first game went to the king, the second to her.
“So what’s on your mind, Velvet?”
“How do you know I’ve got something on my mind?”
“Because you never let me win!” He grinned evilly and she laughed.
“You are right as always, sire.” She sat back and took a sip of ale. “I don’t know why, but I feel like I’ve seen Sam somewhere before.”
“Really? Where?”
“That’s the problem. I don’t know. I keep trying to remember, but things get hazy.”
“But you feel that you know him?” Velvet nodded in response and the king thought for a moment. “Do you think that he had anything to do with the attack on the prince?”
“I can’t say for certain, sire, but he seems to be as upset as the rest of us.” She paused. “It could all be an act, though.”
“Yes, it could be, though his skill as a builder is not an act.”
“No, sire, that much is sure.” She agreed. “But this
feeling
that I have, I just couldn’t go without letting you know.”
“And I appreciate that you always speak with me about your concerns. That’s one of the reasons that I love you so.” King Simon moved a rook. “That, and the fact that you sometimes let me win.”
Velvet moved her king piece, arose and pressed a kiss to the king’s forehead. “Checkmate.”
*****
Gordie decided that it would be a good idea to leave the castle for awhile and reined his horse in as he reached the town livery. Amos met him at the entrance, his wild white hair sticking up all over, a gleam in his eyes.
“Afternoon, Sir Gordie!”
“Good afternoon, Amos. How are you?”
“Fine, sir.” He paused a moment. “Better than you, I think.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Amos carefully looked around to be sure that they weren’t being observed. “Come with me.” He took the horse’s leading reins and the two men moved inside the huge barn. “I heard that you had some trouble at the new site.” His voice was quiet but clear. “And that you were looking for a bloody horse.”
“Yes. Someone tried to harm the prince.”
Amos turned Gordie’s horse into a stall and secured him. Glancing around, he moved to an adjacent stall, where a chestnut stallion lounged, occasionally whinnying and stamping a foot. Amos leaned over the gate and pulled a side of the horse’s cover off. There, streaking the horse’s flank, were lines of dried blood. Gordie felt the blood drain from his face as anger roiled in his innards.
“Whose horse is this?”
“Don’t know the gentleman’s name. He gave my assistant, Will, a sack of gold to look after him. Said that he’d be back to get him in a few days and told Will not to let anyone near him.”
“Could Will describe him?”
“Probably. Come on. Will’s out back.” They found the young man repairing fencing along the outside stable area. He looked up as Amos and Gordie approached. “Sir Gordie, this is my assistant, Will. Will, Sir Gordie’s the seneschal for the king.”
Will bowed respectfully. “Nice to meet you, sir.”
“Same here, Will. Amos tells me that you took payment for the covered horse.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Can you tell me about the man who paid you? What he looked like?”
“He was a short man, sir. Didn’t say much, just kinda grunted his words. Said he’d be back in a few days.”
“Amos told me that he also said that he didn’t want the horse touched.”
“Yes, sir. I figured it was because of the injury.”
“Injury? What injury?”
Well, when I removed his saddle, I saw that there was blood on it. When I said something about it, he said that it wasn’t important and that the horse wasn’t hurt. But I noticed that he walked with a limp.”
“Might’ve caught an arrow in the leg. Would make sense seeing the blood on the horse like that.”
“That’s a good guess, Amos.” Gordie fished a few coins out of his pocket and gave them to Will. “Thanks.”
“Yes, sir, and if you hear anything else, please let me know.”
Gordie headed into town, his mind torn between the horse’s mysterious owner and Sam.
*****
Sam accepted the message from the young boy and gave him a coin for his trouble. He didn’t have to read it. He knew whom it was from and what it would say. And he was angry. They had never found him this fast. He should have left after the attempt on Prince Simon’s young life. He knew that it had been meant for him and his continued presence would bring further danger to this family, this wonderful family.
That I wish I were part of.
He felt like screaming, like breaking glass and pottery until his anger was assuaged.
Gods, I’m so tired of running! I’m so tired of lying! I’m so very tired!
He had found something that was more precious than his life. He had found love. He suddenly saw Gordie’s eyes, painfully remembering watching how the light had gone out in them when he told him that it had just been sex. His chest tightened, his eyes filling with unshed tears.
It wasn’t just sex, Gordie!
