would confront his past and regain the people’s faith in him, as well as his faith in himself. He turned to face the others. “Listen to me,” he began. “This is something I must do by myself.”
His dark eyes studied each of their faces.
“If you think you’re going alone, forget it. We want to go with you,” Johauna said clearly. She gestured at the wizardess, then crossed her arms. “Karleah and Dayin didn’t come along for the ride. They came because they want to see you be rightfully reinstated as a knight. We’re coming with you; we’ve come too far to turn back.” Her brows knitted stubbornly.
Briefly Flinn wondered why these people should care about him, but he was grateful nonetheless. It had been so long since he’d had friends, true friends. “If you insist. I would be… pleased to have you there,” Flinn said steadily and then smiled.
Braddoc spoke up. “What else would we do? Besides, what if Verdilith has plans for you? What would you do j without us?”
“At the castle?” Flinn was incredulous. “The Castle of the Three Suns is powerful and well armed. Verdilith wouldn’t stand a chance attacking there. The castle’s inhabitants are also renowned for their purity of heart. No one there would ever have dealings with a beast like Verdilith.” Flinn was affronted at the very idea. “I think the dragon was trying to frighten us with his warning. I think he would have attacked us by now if he’d had plans to do so.”
Braddoc jerked his thumb toward the castle and said gruffly, “It’s been seven years since you were there, Flinn. You don’t know what’s happened since you’ve left, and you have no idea whether the people are still ‘pure of heart.’ After all, Brisbois is still there, isn’t he?” The dwarf’s hp curled in a sneer.
Flinn looked away from the dwarf and then back. “One bad apple doesn’t always spoil the rest in the barrel, particularly if it’s removed. That’s what I intend to do with Brisbois.” Flinn’s voice grew cold. “As to Verdilith, if he fulfills his threat to attack today, he’ll do so on the road to the castle-out in the open. If Verdilith is down there waiting for me… yes, I’ll need your help.” Flinn thought of Karleah’s prophecy. He knew he was risking his friends’ lives by taking them with him, but some instinct told him now was not the time of Verdilith’s choosing. His instincts had always been true in the past, and he hoped they would be again.
Jo uncrossed her arms and said, “Then let’s get this over with! Enough said.” She grabbed the reins to Carsig, mounted the gelding, and smiled down at Flinn.
The warrior cocked an eyebrow. “Remember the protocol I taught you, Jo,” he said dryly. “Once we get to the road, ride to the left and behind me by two lengths-no more, no less. And when we go inside, you follow to the left and behind at four paces.” Jo nodded coolly, one hand on the pommel of her sword.
Flinn mounted Ariac and called to Braddoc, Dayin, and Karleah, who was riding Fernlover, “The rest of you should follow a little way back. If Verdilith does attack, we don’t want to be lumped all together. If you’re behind me, that’ll give you a chance to rush to my defense.” Flinn smiled his lopsided grin.
The dwarf fixed the tall warrior with his good eye and said, “We’ll watch your back.” Karleah cackled.
Flinn continued, “Once we’re safely inside the castle, you three are on your own. There’s plenty to see-or you can come to the great hall, which is where Jo and I will be. Today is open court-they hold it the same day of every month-and I will have my chance to speak to Baroness Arteris and the council. Hopefully they will listen to me. If not-” Flinn shrugged “-it would be good to have you on hand.” He smiled reassuringly and turned back to face the valley.
Without further ado, the warrior guided Ariac down the path toward the castle road, and the others fell in behind him. The sun shone warmly on the softening snow, and the wind had died down. “Spring’s on her way,” Flinn murmured to himself. Ariac appeared to feel the same enthusiasm, for he picked up his claws and nearly pranced down the path. Carsig eagerly kept pace, shaking his head and arching his neck in response to Ariac. Jo moved beside Flinn.
“Carsig’s a delight to ride. I don’t think I’ve ever ridden a finer animal,” Jo said easily. She flashed Flinn a smile, and Flinn suddenly saw that she was beautiful. Without volition, he smiled in return.
They fell into companionable silence for the rest of the short journey down the hill’s path. Before long, they could see the winding road leading to the castle. The rumble and clang of a merchant caravan rose in the still air. As Flinn and the others approached the crossroads, the two wagons passed by, heading toward the castle. The noise was coming from the metal pans hanging along the wagons’ sides. Other bits of metalwork hung from the wagon: harness rings, axeheads, chisels, and tools.
No one else was in sight, and Flinn held up his hand to Jo and the others to halt. “We’ll wait here until they’re a little farther up the road. The wagons should be safely to the castle by then, in case the dragon attacks us out here. Remember your protocol, Jo. If anyone from the castle happens to be watching you, proper protocol will commend you to them.”
Johauna was looking at him with something akin to compassion. “Are you afraid, Flinn?” she asked softly.
He turned his eyes to the road and said thickly, “Afraid? Of course I’m afraid.” The aging warrior urged Ariac into a gentle walk onto the road, his thoughts turning dark and somber.
As Braddoc had said, more than seven years had passed since Flinn last saw the Castle of the Three Suns. He and several other knights had spent the day routing a band of ogres foolish enough to cut across Penhaligon lands. An easy dispatch, the attack was little more than a training exercise for the younger knights. Flinn and Brisbois, being the only senior knights, had led the expedition.
They headed home, meeting up with another group of knights along the way. Both parties had been victorious, and their cries of triumph rang in the air. Flinn was content, for he had done a good day’s deed and was returning home to his wife. Only the devotion and loyalty he’d had for old Baron Arturus, his wife’s uncle, could compare with what Flinn felt for Yvaughan.
As the knights entered the courtyard, their shouts and laughter died down and were replaced by a growing murmur. Flinn looked over at the other knights curiously, wondering what was wrong. Brisbois had been unexpectedly quiet the entire trip home, but was now whispering to the younger knights in their party. A young blond knight, Lord Maldrake, began jabbing his cohorts and pointing toward Flinn. Flinn was about to question Brisbois and the others when he saw Lady Yvaughan in the courtyard, looking over a peddler’s fresh produce. She was surrounded by several of her handmaidens, and she carried her pet bird of the moment, a dazzling white creature with a crest of brilliant green.
Flinn forgot his comrades’ actions and called out, “Greetings, dear heart!” He dismounted and strode toward his wife.
“Halt!” Brisbois shouted, maneuvering his horse between Flinn and Yvaughan.
“What is the meaning of this, Sir Brisbois?” Flinn demanded, trying to walk past Brisbois’ horse.
The knight spurred his horse forward and shouted, “Do not move! You will not taint your wife with your base dishonor!”
Annoyed and not a little affronted, Flinn put his hands on his hips and demanded hotly, “Dishonor? What have you, Sir Brisbois? Why do you keep me from my wife?” Yvaughan’s expression was coolly poised, and he was surprised. His wife was usually volatile, and the slightest incident distressed her. The peddler, a ragged old man who was missing one ear, moved closer to Yvaughan and Flinn. His eyes were alight with overweening interest. Other peasants and servants, hearing the commotion, drew nearer as well.
Brisbois dismounted and signaled for the other knights to do the same. The younger knights, the ones Flinn had seen Brisbois talk to, did so with alacrity. Some of the older knights looked puzzled and frowned at Brisbois, but the younger knights quickly urged their comrades to comply.
Brisbois turned to Flinn and pointed at him. “Knight of the Order of the Three Suns, I accuse you of dishonoring our most sacred code-that of denying mercy,” Brisbois declared, his voice ringing out in the courtyard. Servants and peasants pushed closer. Flinn was too stunned to say anything. “Sir Flinn,” continued Brisbois, “today an ogre beseeched you for mercy on the battlefield, and you did not grant it. Instead you laughed and slew the creature where he lay!”
“You lie!” Flinn shouted, outraged. He advanced on Brisbois, determined to tear the truth from the man’s lips. But at a signal from the knight, two young men interceded and held Flinn at bay. “Why are you lying, Brisbois?” Flinn demanded, trying to pull his arms free. “What foul treachery are you planning?” He managed to free one hand and strike Brisbois with it. The knight staggered back a step.
“It is no lie.” The words, softly spoken, came from the ranks of Flinn’s comrades. The young blond knight,
