Burchard swung his leg over the saddle. “Thanks for the conversation.” Then he steered Chip away and back to the castle. Why couldn’t I come up with anything better to say? I surely sounded like an idiot.
He clucked urging Chip into a trot, hoping a hot meal would help clear his head.
Burchard settled Chip into the stable with a hot bran mash before finding his way into the dining hall. To his pleasure, Ruschmann was just ahead of him. He studied his friend’s back and realized something was missing. “Where are your crutches?”
Ruschmann chuckled and peered over his shoulder at Burchard as they both got in line for food. “When you left me earlier, I was with the healer. Well, he used his magic and was able to repair most of the damage to my foot. He told me since he could use his magic it would be better; otherwise, the amount of time I wouldn’t be able to put weight on my foot would set my training very far back.”
“How long do you have to wait then?” Burchard asked.
“Tomorrow. We will be able to start practicing together,” Ruschmann said, then began to fill his plate.
Burchard followed his friend down the table laden with food. When they reached the end, he had a few slices of wild boar, fresh bread, and an assortment of cooked vegetables. Inhaling deeply, he could feel his mouth watering in anticipation of the meal. They chose seats toward the end of a long table that was currently vacant.
When they were done eating, they sat at the table in companionable silence, sipping water from their mugs.
“What did you do today while I was with the healer?” Ruschmann inquired.
Burchard blushed, earning a smirk from Ruschmann.
“Did you kiss Lady Gladys?”
Burchard growled and smacked his friend’s arm. “No! I told you before, Lady Gladys and I are just friends.”
“Hmmm,” Ruschmann said, tapping his fingers on his mug. “Then the only other girl we’ve seen recently would be Jade.” Ruschmann must have caught Burchard’s lip twitch because he grinned broadly. “You kissed Jade?”
“Yes,” Burchard said softly, sure his face was bright red. He could feel even his ears heating up and was grateful his hair was long enough to hide them.
“Are you going to kiss her again?” Ruschmann teased.
Burchard stuck his tongue out at his friend. “I don’t know. She said I’d see her again. I haven’t decided if I want to kiss her again.”
“Hopefully you decide before you see her again,” Ruschmann replied.
Burchard growled. He wasn’t sure he wanted to keep discussing kissing Jade, not when he hadn’t had a chance to think about his own feelings on the matter. He pushed his chair back from the table and took his plates over to the dirty dish bin.
Ruschmann followed him in silence. By the time they made it back to the barracks, he could tell his friend was having trouble staying silent. “What?” he asked grumpily.
“Well, I was just thinking, you saw Jade, and Sir Peter had some questions for the druids. Did you ask her anything?” Ruschmann asked.
Burchard sighed, “I really don’t feel like talking about it now. It has been a long day. I’d like to get some sleep.”
Ruschmann bowed his head and went to his bunk in silence. Burchard knew he had been short with his friend, but he just needed time to himself. He let out a sharp laugh, realizing that earlier, before he’d run into Jade, he had been bored and hoping for something to do.
I’m hopeless, he thought to himself.
Fang must have slipped inside the barracks because she brushed up against him, then jumped on his bed and fell asleep. Fang has the right idea. He undressed and then slid under his blankets, relishing Fang’s warmth against his usually chilly sheets. He fell asleep almost instantly.
18
It was the third day after the meeting in General Wolfensberger’s office, and clearly the General was not going to do anything about Camp Tooth. Burchard was running around the perimeter of Alderth Castle with Fang, her tongue lolling out of the side of her mouth and keeping pace easily beside him. Part of him hoped he’d run into Jade again; the other part hoped she would stay away. Their conversation had taken time to sink in and for him to realize that she was right. It didn’t matter if he accepted that the prophecy existed or might even refer to him. What he was certain of was that the druids had a vested interest in finding and defeating Ossa. He had allies who were not subject to his father’s authority or that of the king.
Burchard also had not figured out whether or not he wanted to kiss Jade again. He had admitted the kiss felt nice, but now was not the time or place to explore if it would turn into anything more.
The stiffness that had settled into his arm was finally gone, and Burchard was planning to do some light sword exercises after his run. The General was preparing to depart tomorrow with the majority of the men to engage the Stinyian rebels near Dry Bridge. After sneaking a peek at the map, Burchard had to admit his father’s choice of battleground was a smart one. The Etrians would have the advantage of the high ground on the south side of the bridge. As long as the rebels didn’t provoke the General to follow them into Dry Valley, the Etrians would likely keep the upper hand.
The decision also meant that there would be very few people left at Alderth Castle. Sir Waldorf and Sir Emberwood had been ordered to meet the General with all the men they had at Dry Bridge. They had tried to wheedle out of the order, but the General had given them an ultimatum: either they showed up or they would be executed as traitors when the battle was over.
Even with that unfortunate turn of events, Burchard had also learned that King Roland had indeed granted Sir Foxbright permission to bring the pages up to Alderth Castle, and they were expected to arrive late tomorrow evening.
I am not even sure how they are supposed to learn anything from the General if he’s not here. I suppose I should be grateful Sir Foxbright’s part of the plan is working in our favor.
Just at the end of the fourth lap, Burchard led Fang back inside. His whole body was pleasantly warm from the run. The castle yard was a flurry of activity, and he found himself having to weave and duck between people who were so focused on their tasks they weren’t looking where they were going. When he made it to the edge of the yard closest to the training area, he pivoted and watched as two of the castle staff walked straight into each other. The basket of bread the woman was carrying spilled, sending small loaves and rolls everywhere. The bundle of medical supplies landed with a splat in a puddle and sprayed both in icy brown mud.
It took a split second for him to realize he should go help. He took off toward them at a jog and helped pick up the bread, using his shirt as a basket. When he reached them, he realized it was Lady Gladys and Captain Thomas.
“Are you two OK?” he asked with concern.
Lady Gladys sighed. “Yes, we’re fine. The bread is ruined, but Captain Thomas thinks the medical supplies stayed dry since they’re wrapped in leather.”
“What do you want me to do with the bread?” Burchard asked, raising his makeshift shirt basket slightly.
“My basket is no good,” Lady Gladys held up the basket, which was split in half. “If you don’t mind carrying the rolls, we can go give them to the chickens. At least they won’t mind the mud.”
“Sure thing,” Burchard said, nodding.
