Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

As You Wish

Chapter Ten

 

Joshua sat in calm stillness upon his horse drawing his sword from his back and waited fearless as the sounds of approaching horses drew nearer. They were not but a short distance ride from the wall of the palace when the sounds of others approaching drew them to a stop, preparing for their encounter.

 

On all the missions he had journeyed with Joshua, Justin was never ceased to be amazed over the calmness Joshua maintained even in battle. His mission in life had only been to help others and never bring harm to anyone unless that harm had first been brought upon him or one of his Knights. It was those Characteristics of the future King that held Justin at his best friends side and endure any battle they journeyed into, willing to risk his life for his friends.

 

As the sounds grew closer and the men came into clear vision, Joshua replaced his sword upon his back and clicked his heels into the sides of his horse, driving him forward to greet the men he had certainly not expected to see.

 

"Tristam, Galahad, Gawain. To what do I owe such a surprise of finding you here in the night?"

He smiled, shaking the hand of each man, while keeping his eye on the fourth unknown stranger whom traveled with them.

 

"Joshua, it is a pleasure to see you once again. We learned of your mission, and tho relieved from any duties of continuing as your knights, we could not let you journey into battle alone."

Tristam greeted, shaking Joshuas hand while patting the other on his back.

 

"You have been good to us Joshua." Galahad cut in. "That is why we journeyed quickly to bring you the news of which we have learned."

 

Concern filled Joshuas eyes as he looked to his previous knights, awaiting the answers to his questions.

 

"To how did you men learn of our mission and what news do you bring to me in a hurried rush?"

 

"Lors told of us your Journey sir." Gawain laughed, referring to Joshuas aid and the man he could never keep a secret from.

 

"And the news?"

 

"It's the Larks." Gawain continued. "They are stationed out side the walls of Camelot awaiting the arrival of the Princess. They have captured a young damsel, a peasant girl, whom favors the looks of your future bride. We brought along this gentleman...." Gawain stated, stepping his horse to the side to allow Joshua a better view of the dark haired man whom traveled with them.

"He states he knows the girl whom they hold."

 

Recognising one of the men whom Joshua was speaking with, Lance moved his horse forward to join his leader and greet his dear friend.

 

"Christopher, what are you doing here?" He asked, surprise showing in his eyes.

 

"It is Yvette they hold, dear Lance. Beauty returned this night without Yvette upon her and I grew concerned, taking the mare for a ride in hopes to find our friend. It was as if the creature knew exactly where to go, for we ended up outside the Palace. I saw here there amongst the Larks tied to a tree where they are camped around the wall waiting."

 

"You know of this man? Joshua asked.

 

"Yes, Sir Joshua, I do. His is an old friend of mine and the young woman he speaks of is also a dear friend."

 

"A mere commoner you say? To what use would the Larks have with a mere commoner?" Joshua questioned, turning his eyes back toward his freed knights.

"I do not mean for my words to seem harsh, but she has no purpose to serve them. They would merely use her for their own enjoyment then kill her."

 

"Her looks." Tristam reminded him. "Her looks seem to favor your future bride, therefore they had been mistaken when they captured her. They know now that they had been wrong, so why they keep her alive now does puzzle me."

 

Lance felt his stomach tighten and a sickness rise up in him at the thought of what the gruff vikings could do, or much worse, were doing to his friend, and turned a pleading eye to Joshua.

 

"I will not rest knowing such vile creatures hold the fate of mine friend in their hands sir. We must do something, and should you and your men only hold concern for your future bride and not a commoner, then so be it, but I will not continue on with this mission if those are your thoughts. I will merely go forward and collect her on my own."

 

"Ah, you truly are a foolish one." Just laughed gruffly, amused that the man he had chosen from the line up could conjure up such thoughts of fighting the Larks alone.

 

"Your commoner friend will not be left at the hands of the Larks, and you will not go into battle alone. As Knights we remain together, and as Knights we fight as one whether the person at large is of wealth or not." Justin mused, moving his horse closer to the men closely followed by Joseph as Joshua began with orders.

 

"The Princess will be arriving from the north with plenty of guards and in disguise she will be. We are moving in from the south and we shall catch them off guard and put a stop to them once and for all."

 

Christopher watched the group of Knights as they moved in closer together, listening to Joshua as he spoke their detailed plans of attack and let his eyes travel down the leg of his breeches where his small sword stayed hidden beneath them for no one to see. Excitement grew in him, and though he was one to never favor fighting, a friends life was at stake and he was ready to do his part to save her.

 

"Prince Joshua, if I may, pardon my intrusion, but I would be blessed to be able to join you and help out in some way if you would allow me. I can hold my own and give you my word that I will not be in your way."

 

The Knights held their breaths as Joshua eyed the man with careful inventory, and released that breath in surprised gasps as Joshua nodded his head. No man had ever been allowed to take part in the missions unless they carried the title as Knight appointed to them by no one other than the King or Prince Joshua himself.

 

"How many Larks did you see Christopher?"

 

"Hundreds...maybe thousands sir." Christopher answered. "As far as the eye could see."

 

After another moment of silence, Joshua gave a definite nod.

"So be it them, you shall fight, but you MUST remain with one of the Knights at all times and never attempt to battle alone. Understood?"

 

Christopher smiled, agreeing to Joshuas words and fell in line behind the group of Knights down the path to Camelot.

@2005HarmonyProduction/Lancesharmony

Chapter Eleven

As You Wish Index

Harmony Production Home page