Page 14 of Ladybird

“Why do you have your sword strapped to your back?” asked Fred, taking the reins from him. “Are you a knight?”

Damn, Hunter forgot about that. Only warriors and bounty hunters wore swords in this manner. He was in such a hurry to leave that he had just slipped the cloak right over his shoulders and over the sword as well.

“You could say I’m a fighting man, yes,” he answered.

“I’m a fighting man, too. See my sword?” Luke reached for his sword. Hunter’s hand shot out to stop him.

“My nephew, Luke, always says he wants to be a knight someday,” Hunter told them with a chuckle, trying his best not to lie but also not to be too direct with his answers.

“My lord, the cooks are waiting to serve the meal.” The castle’s steward rushed out of the keep to speak with Robin.

“Yes, thank you, John. We will be right there. Follow me, Lord Hunter,” said Robin.

They all walked to the great hall and Hunter stopped just inside the door. The room was noisy and crowded. Long trestle tables lined the walls and continued down the middle of the room. Each of them were filled with people. Some looked like nobles, some knights, and others were dressed more like commoners. There was a table near the back of the hall where some of the servants seemed to gather. Cupbearers and kitchen maids rushed back and forth with pitchers of ale and large empty platters. They seemed to be waiting to serve the meal. Most likely as soon as the nobles sat down. Wine flowed freely and music from the gallery filled the air. There was a jester walking around juggling eggs in the air. Children followed him, jumping up trying to catch the eggs. Several dogs hid under the tables waiting for scraps of food.

“You’ll eat up here with us at the dais,” Regina told him, leading him to a trestle table that was raised on a platform at the front of the room. Already a good dozen nobles sat there waiting. There were a few empty chairs in the middle of the table. It was all very overwhelming to be here at all.

“Down here is fine,” he told her.

“Nay, nobles eat at the dais. It is mostly only commoners who eat below the salt,” she told him. “Take a seat at the dais.”

“Nay.” Hunter shook his head. “I don’t think so.” The last place he wanted to be was on display for the entire castle.

“Why not?” she demanded to know. She leaned closer and spoke softly. “Have you forgotten that you are supposed to be a noble. If you were truly my cousin you’d be sitting with me.”

“It’s too much of a risk that someone might recognize me if I am up there on display.”

“I thought you didn’t have much contact with the townsfolk,” said Robin, having overheard their conversation. “That’s what William told me.”

“If you travel all the time, plus the fact you live like a hermit in the forest, it is possible that no one will even know you here,” added Regina. “You are at the castle now. This life is much different from that of your little hut in the woods.”

“Well, I want to eat up at the dais,” said Luke, his eyes widening.

“Only adults,” stated Robin. “However, you are welcome to sit with the children of the nobles over there.” Robin pointed across the room where a horde of children couldn’t seem to sit still.

“I think it would be better if Luke and I ate in our chamber,” suggested Hunter, not trusting that Luke could keep his mouth shut around all those children. “Can you just direct us to where we’ll be staying, please?”

“Of course, but are you sure that’s what you really want to do?” Regina’s eyes begged him to stay. She leaned over and spoke softly once again. “I thought being amongst the people would make it easier for you to identify the thief.”

“Yes, but not tonight,” he protested. “We just returned from a long trip and my nephew needs his rest.”

“I am a little tired,” admitted Luke, stifling a yawn with his hand.

“Fine, then. I can have my steward show you to your chamber and a page will bring food and drink to your room,” Robin offered.

“Thank you.” Hunter nodded, his head still pounding like a drum in his ears.

It wasn’t ten minutes later and Hunter and Luke were sitting in a bedchamber that was bigger than their cabin and horse stall put together. They ate food so delicious that he thought he’d died and gone to heaven. There was a full flagon of red wine that the page brought, and it tasted richer than any wine he’d ever had. A platter of sweetmeats was nearly empty since Luke decided he liked the candied fruit better than the quail or the dubious-looking meat that he couldn’t identify.

“Hunter,” said the boy, yawning again. “I think I’m going to like living here at the castle.” He put down his cup and his eyes started to close.

“Aye, well, don’t get too used to it, Luke. We won’t be staying long.”

“Where do I sleep?” asked the boy, standing up and stretching.

“Well, considering there is only one bed but it is big enough for four, I’d say we’ll share its comfort.” He pointed to the bed that was up two small stairs and surrounded by long velvet bedcurtains hanging from irons.

“What are the curtains for?” asked Luke stripping down to his braies and pulling back the covers and climbing into bed.