The Knight

Chapter 10

I woke up the next morning to a knock on my door. Scrambling clumsily to my feet, I threw on some clothes and answered it.
     Alek gave me a glance filled with contempt. "The king has requested to see you."
     I nodded. "Did he send you specifically to get me?"
     He nodded back. "Yes. Come with me."
     I followed him back to the kings chambers. Anne and Ray were already there waiting. "There you are!" The king said. "I have a quest for you. I will pay you greatly."
     "There's no need for that Your Majesty." I responded. "I'd be glad to complete your quest to show my gratitude for your permission to stay with you."
     He shook his head. "No, no, I insist. When you return to your kingdom, you will have nothing. You have nothing here already. I shall definitely pay you."
     Shocked, I bowed. "Thank you, your majesty."
     He nodded. "I need you and Alek here to venture into the forest. I believe there is a clan out there preparing an ambush."
     My first thought was, "With Alek..."
     "Pull yourself together!" I snapped at myself. "It's not about Alek! If you do this, you'll be separated from Anne!"
     I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, Anne opened hers. "Your Majesty, would it be alright if I joined them?"
     "And I?" Ray asked. Anne looked at him. "Someone has to be there to protect you."
     "That is okay with me. Lady Corona, is it okay with you?" Beside me, Alek frowned.
"It is perfectly fine with me, Your Majesty." I couldn't decline one of the kings nephews. I'd just have to make it clear to Ray later that I would be the one protecting Anne.
"Do you have any plans today, Lady?" The king asked.
I shook my head. "We can start today if the others are ready."
     He nodded. "The others are ready. It will not be an overnight trip, so you can go armor up and get on it. Alek will show you where the woods are that the clan has been living in. You are dismissed."
     With that, Alek turned and left and I had no choice but to follow.