A Chosen Love - Book 1 The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Two

Sir Louis kept the pace up and Elissa felt Red Boy tiring. At the crest of a hill, the knight led the horses off the path.

    "Samdene," Louis announced, indicating the castle ahead, surrounded by many houses and enclosed by high walls.

    "I've been here before. My Aunt Jane lives at the castle."

    "Yes, I know," Sir Louis said and asked, "but why are you running away?"

    Embarrassment flooded Elissa's face and she looked at the two other knights who had drawn near. Speaking firmly, she said, "Please, Sir Louis. It's a private matter."

    The knight unclipped his helmet and lifted it off. Nodding at his men, he indicated they move from earshot. Drawing his black horse close to Red Boy, he asked, "If I promise that it shall be between you and me alone, will you tell me?" he spoke earnestly, as though to humor a misbehaving child.

    Elissa drew Red Boy around and walked him further towards the edge of the crest. As Sir Louis drew close again she scrutinized him. His sun-tanned skin advertised an out-door life —to have tanned skin after the winter snows must mean that he was out in the weather much of the time. His hair was wavy and sun-bleached, golden brown on top, darker beneath, as was his thick mustache, which sported a shade of auburn. But it was his eyes that held her. They seemed compassionate and tender towards her.

Elissa felt attracted to him —he was very handsome. Retiring sunbeams made his warm brown irises glow like amber, and the runaway could see that this appealing stranger was eager to receive her answer. To prevent herself replying, she tightened her lips and gritted her teeth together.

    The knight turned to watch the sun sink into billowing gray clouds before he broke the silence by announcing, as though to the distant mountains, "We must continue on if we wish to arrive at Samdene before sunset. I do, however, know your brother, Dorai, very well, and I'm sorry I haven't made your acquaintance before, Lady Elissa. I live further south."

Squaring his shoulders, he continued, "I'm a Senior Knight, and we're sworn to protect the people of our kingdom. If you've been treated unjustly..." he ceased speaking, and waited.

    "No, Sir Louis, it's not... entirely... like that." Fiddling with the reins, threading the leather between her fingers, she said, "I scarcely know where to begin. It will sound... childish... to a man... a knight... like you..."

    Their eyes met and she read his as saying, 'try me,' so she continued, "I guess it began when my mother died a year ago, then my father, just three months ago. I was close to them, both... my father was very sick, and I helped... care for him..." Elissa felt hot tears slipping down her cheeks. A plaintive sob escaped her lips and her embarrassment felt painful now. How could she discuss her heart-feelings with a stranger? Collecting the reins together, she would have urged Red Boy around, but Louis' hand grasping the leather prevented her.

    He spoke compassionately, "I'm very sorry. I attended both funerals."

    Elissa shook her head, "I don't remember seeing you. But I didn't really see... anyone..."

    "I know."

    "Please Sir —surely you don't want to listen to this?" Elissa's voice was doleful and she watched as the sun descended from the clouds. The large golden orange ball sat above the distant mountains. Like a lone sentry, a border castle stood proudly to the right of the glowing circlet. She shivered, watching her breath freeze in the air.

    "Yes, Lady Elissa, I do. I want to know. And I promise it shall be between you and myself, alone." Leaning to stroke Red Boy, the knight said, "He's a handsome horse. What do you call him?"