The Knight by Kim Dragoner Page B

also be easy; there is no rain coming for a few more days at least.”
    “Yes,” Richard said. “Even though I know the men would have already taken turns to eat their supper, I am sure they would agree with stopping to water and rest the animals and themselves here before continuing for the night.”
    “A wise suggestion, Richard,” Erasmus said, nodding his head approvingly.
    A short while after finishing his meal, he walked out into the road and waited until he saw the cart come into sight. He signaled to the men to pull over to the side of the road.
    “Let the horses and cows have a drink of water before you continue. It is close to Kenilwurt now so rest, then push on ahead. Sir Rhys, Sir Richard and I will continue the journey.”
    “Yes, sir!” they replied in chorus, happy to have the permission to rest for a while.
    Once their men had settled at the inn, the three readied themselves to ride out again. In the stables, they saddled their own horses and mounted them. Rhys was eager to be back on the road.
    “Let’s be on our way then, Erasmus. I am suddenly anxious to get home.”
    Rhys kicked Emrys lightly on his sides and the horse erupted into a bright gallop up the road. Erasmus laughed and kicked his own horse into a fierce gallop to catch up with him. They rode steadily, but not as hard as before and the green countryside rolled past them quickly. The evening sun had just started to descend over the horizon. They had traveled for most of the afternoon, stopping only to water the horses at a brook and allow them to graze on the green grass by the river bank.
    They slowed to a walk just as the outskirts of Brum’s Grove appeared. At the crossroads outside of the village, they took the eastern road toward Worwick. Rhys started to get visibly anxious at that point. Richard just complained about being unable to wait any longer for some of Irelli’s cooking. Home was less than an hour’s ride away and Erasmus noticed Rhys’ troubled demeanor.
    “Sundown is approaching and we will not make it to your home before nightfall. Your grandmother will not receive you in the dark.”
    “You are right, Erasmus. Shall we stop at the inn?”
    “Yes, sir. I have made arrangements for us at Kenilwurt Cross to bathe and have some supper and rooms to rest.”
    “Excellent! Somehow, I am quite grateful for the reprieve. I do not feel ready to see Kenilwurt Hall just yet,” Rhys replied.
    Richard grumbled and made faces. He was not looking forward to another night of inn food and stiff mattresses.
    “I understand, Rhys. It has been over two years since you have been home. You must fear that everything and everyone has changed.”
    “I do, sir.”
    “Then a familiar place and some friendly faces will surely help to ease you into it!”
    “Don’t puff up like that, Richard,” Rhys said, slapping him on the shoulders. “If ever I could compare another’s cooking and hospitality to my grandmother’s, then it would surely be Anika. You will have nothing to worry about at The Cross.”
    They rode into the yard of the small inn a short while later. The owner and his wife stood in the yard awaiting their arrival. They were tenants of Anlawdd and Rhys knew them well. He slid down from his horse and ran to hug the woman and shook the man’s hand vigorously.
    “Welcome home, Master Rhys. It is truly great to see you here again,” Gregor said.
    “I am happy to be here, Gregor; very happy indeed.”
    Gregor’s wife, Anika, led the men into a room where two tubs steamed with hot, soapy water. Piles of white bath sheets lay on a table nearby.
    “Give me your riding clothes so that I may clean them before you are ready to leave.”
    “Thank you, Anika.”
    They handed the cloaks and boots to her and she left the room, closing the door silently behind her. The two men sat soaking the dirt of the road off their bodies in silence for a long time before Erasmus finally cleared his throat.
    “Yes,