King's Champion
Page 26
“Which he did, to most powerful effect, as you have testified this morning.” The Prince thought for a moment. “Captain Garath, clearly the late Champion thought highly of you. He spoke glowingly of you to the Duke, and gave you his dagger. I am forced to conclude that he would have considered you a suitable candidate to succeed him, despite your youth. Do you agree?”
Garath shook his head violently. “No, Your Highness! I am far too young. I have a lot to learn about combat and war. I shall need much more experience before I can even think about filling Owain’s shoes – and that is only if I prove myself worthy.”
The Duke stirred. “I recall Owain saying almost the same things after Sigurd’s death. The King did not listen, and appointed him anyway.”
The Prince-Regent smiled. “I understand you will be based at Brackley and Elspeth for most of the next year, after which your superior officers will discuss your future with the Duke. Your grace, when that happens, kindly let me know what they have to say. If their reports are good, I shall ask you to release Garath from the Border Guard, and I shall appoint him as the next King’s Champion.”
The Duke bowed. “As Your Highness wishes.”
Garath opened his mouth to object, but his father elbowed him in the side. “I think this is where Owain would say to you, ‘Shut up!’,” he murmured.
Garath couldn’t help smiling as he reluctantly nodded. “As Your Highness wishes,” he repeated aloud. Under his breath he retorted to his father, “Somewhere up there, Owain is laughing at us – at me! – right now. I know it!”
“Well, what else would you expect from a man like that?”
Grinning, they made their obeisances with the rest of the group, and turned to file out of the audience chamber into the bright sunshine.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peter Grant was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. Between military service, the IT industry and humanitarian involvement, he traveled throughout sub-Saharan Africa before being ordained as a pastor. He later immigrated to the USA, where he worked as a pastor and prison chaplain until an injury forced his retirement. He is now a full-time writer, and married to a pilot from Alaska. They currently live in Texas.
See all of Peter’s books at his Amazon.com author page, or visit him at his blog, Bayou Renaissance Man. There, you can also sign up for his mailing list, to receive a newsletter and be kept informed of upcoming books.