The Knight and the Peasant [FIRST DRAFT]

Chapter 13

As the courtesies and the revelry ended, Salvador and Gerard made their plans; to the northern Caraíbes, an opportunity was arising. An invader, rumored to be the Evrúopeans, was cutting a swath down the Isles. Along with them they brought their own gods, culture, and were resettling the Isles. The specific Evrúopean kingdom that was invading, no one could say. However, all would agree that they were foreign to the Caraíbes Isles.

As secret as he tried to keep it, Duchess Lilliana got word that he and Gerard were leaving. "Leaving so soon?" she had asked him when Salvador and Gerad were walking along the vine-filled wall. They seemed like soldiers in a siege, climbing the walls to overpower the defenders.

"There is opportunity on the wind," Gerard had replied. "It rides swiftly and with sure feet. Only those quick enough will be able to notice it, and fewer quick enough to seize it."

Lilliana smiled. "Poetic."

"A pastime of mine," Gerard had said.

Duchess Florjes turned to Salvador. They said nothing, instead staring at each other for an eternity.

Salvador had been the first to break the silence. "We were wondering if you would be kind enough to lend us a company of men to assist us on our voyage north."

"A hundred men," the duchess murmured. She had been facing the Wilderness of Feroxiel, the sounds of life even reaching the wall which they stood upon. "It seems quite a lot."

"I think you owe me a favor," Salvador had whispered, deathly quiet.

A smile tugged at Lilliana's lips. "Yes, I do. I will provide you the ships to transport my men as well."

"Your Grace. . ." Gerard began.

The duchess held up a hand to silence him. "I need it. To pay off my debt."

The rest of his time there, Salvador tried to approach Benedict but the young prince constantly avoided him. His had begun to act erratically after the battle; he had no energy within him and although he was a religious young man, he had started going to church three times a day. That was extreme for even those whose religion was their entire life.

One of his encounters with Benedict had gone badly. Salvador had bumped into him in the castle hallways and said, "You've done an amazing job governing here."

Benedict had simply mumbled, "Yes, my tutors taught me." He had tried to walk away but Salvador had grabbed his arm.

"Where are you going?" Salvador had asked.

Benedict then proceeded to rip his arm free of Salvador's grip and growled. "Leave me alone! You have no right to touch a prince of Sersalvon without his permission." And had stormed away.

Finally, the ships had arrived. Salvador kept one company of the original five hundred men he had brought to Carcino. The company was Captain Tomas's.

Salvador caught sight of Angelica just as he was about to board the ship. She was in fighting leathers and her dark hair in a braid that kept it out of her face.

"You were going to leave without saying goodbye," she said accusingly.

Salvador pursed his lips but said nothing.

Angelica sighed in frustration. "Why do you always have to be so difficult."

Salvador felt his eyebrows furrow in confusion. "What do you mean."

Angelica furiously waved it off. "No matter. Just stay safe."

Salvador grinned. "Yes, mother."

But Angelica did not smile. Salvador felt his own smile fall off his face.