FIC - First Knight (12/?)
Title: First Knight (12/?)
Author: wheelie47
Artist hollyoaks1021
Rating: NC17 (not for every chapter)
Pairing: Luke and Noah.
Word count: 2,856
Warnings: Violence
Disclaimer: Don’t own characters, am not associated in any way with ATWT, Van and Jake. No offence intended.
Summary: Set in the fictional land of feudal Western Atlantia, King Damian has been overthrown and has fled the Kingdom of Oakdale. But his evil influence has spread across all eight Kingdoms. Lord Luke Snyder leads his army in an effort to bring peace and justice to a troubled time, aided in his quest by a certain dark-haired young Knight…
AN: Thanks to Sally for the amazing artwork!
Chapter 1, Chapter 2,Chapter 3 Chapter 4, Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11
“Please!” Kevin begged, specks of blood flying from his lips as his tormentor struck him hard across the face again; re-opening wounds that had yet to heal from his previous beating.
The pain in his body was paramount and he was no longer certain if he was begging for the vicious beating to stop or for the pain to so overwhelm him that his consciousness finally left his battered body.
All he knew was that he wanted the pain to cease.
Davis hung from the ceiling; manacled by his wrists and stripped to the waist in the very chamber that, mere hours earlier, had held Mayer until he screamed in agony.
The stink of his own sweat and fear pervaded the chamber and stung his nostrils.
“Please what?” Damian’s precise accented voice sounded calm and measured as if he was completely unmoved by the violence he witnessed at his own behest. He could just as easily have been watching the serving women laying out a feast or inspecting the men on maneuvers. It mattered not to him. The only thing that consumed his mind was re-gaining the throne of Oakdale and having his revenge on Snyder.
“Please.” Kevin kept his gaze downcast, fearing to look into Grimaldi’s face. “You have to believe me. I… I had no hand in their escape.”
Damian took a step closer and the torturer moved out of his master’s way. “You must take me for a fool.” He leaned in menacingly. “And we both know that is far from the case.”
“I am your loyal subject, my Liege. I… I live to serve you,” Kevin protested. He knew he was begging for his life.
“Where is their destination?” Grimaldi demanded, ignoring the pitiful display of servitude.
“I know not; I did not aid their flight!” Kevin’s voice was desperate now as a movement caught his eye, making him look up to see Grimaldi taking a step back to allow the hooded torturer to advance toward him. The man was brandishing a red hot poker, freshly retrieved from the intense glowing heat of the brazier that stood in the corner of the room.
Davis swallowed hard. His resolve was breaking. He had sworn to himself that he would stay true to his promise to Luke but in the face of such questioning how could any man resist?
Kevin trembled as he opened his mouth as if to speak, hesitated, and then closed it again… somehow finding strength from deep within.
Grimaldi shrugged. “It matters not. I have men scouring the area. It is only a matter of time before we have them again. And then we shall discover who had a hand in their escape. Pray it was not you,” he added menacingly.
With a dismissive flick of his hand, Grimaldi signaled the torturer to continue before he turned on his heels and headed for the door… seemingly disinterested in observing anymore.
The old clerk stood at the threshold of the chamber, ready to carry out his master’s bidding at a moment’s notice.
He had watched the proceedings with a growing anxiety building in the pit of his stomach; if the young men he had helped escape were re-captured and his assistance in their flight discovered, would he suffer the same punishment as Davis? He was an old man; he doubted his body would have the strength to resist such treatment.
As yet he had not been brought to task for being overpowered and having his horse stolen from under him. But he would be and it would be a lenient punishment indeed compared to what would happen if Grimaldi knew the truth.
A muscle in his face twitched nervously as his master approached and he hoped it was not visible to the man. It terrified him when Grimaldi was calm and controlled like this. At least when he raged it was obvious to tell his mood but when he was this way anything could be boiling beneath that calm exterior… ready to explode with dire consequences.
As Damian reached him, a thought appeared to occur to the man and he swung around abruptly, his surcoat swirling about his feet.
“Hold!” he called out to the torturer to stay his hand as he was extending the poker toward Davis’s face. “Let him down and tend to his wounds. I may yet have need of him,” he ordered and then was gone, striding out of the chamber and leaving the old clerk to almost run to catch up with him.
A confusing mix of emotions coursed hot and cold through Davis. He was at first relieved that his torment was over… for now. But those ominous words and Grimaldi’s lack of further explanation made him fearful.
What did the man intend?
Kevin had believed he had been lucky to escape the explosion with his life but now he was not so sure and, in his desperation, he began to wish he had been consumed by the flames…
…
Luke gripped Noah a little tighter as the brunette almost slid from the saddle when the chestnut mare lost its footing on uneven ground, unseen through the low lying mist where the early morning rays of the sun had yet to penetrate through the tree canopy.
“Stay with me, Noah,” Luke encouraged, pulling him closer as he tried to steer a safe path through the trees. He had been talking to Noah like this the whole time during their flight; trying to keep the man alert and upright. It was not the first time Noah had almost slipped from the saddle and it sapped Luke’s already flagging strength to fight his own exhaustion and keep moving forward as well as supporting Noah.
Nor did it help that the mare was a little skittish. Every sudden movement or animal that happened across their path seemed to spook the horse and Luke suspected that she was not used to being ridden so hard or so fast. The old clerk probably did little more than get the animal up to a trot.
But Luke did not even consider stopping… not this time.
“We are almost there,” he spoke close to Noah’s ear although he really had no idea how far from the border they were… knowing only from the sun’s position that they were heading in the right direction. He was not certain if he said the words for Noah’s benefit or his own. But surely they must be close now. It seemed as if they had been riding for hours. He did not want to think about the fact that once across the border they still had to find a safe haven and locate Calderon’s forces.
Luke kept casting glances back over his shoulder, expecting at any moment to see the enemy’s horses close behind.
But it appeared they were safe for the time being. Maybe Grimaldi had yet to discover their absence or perhaps he had sent his men in the direction of Aiden’s encampment to search for them there first.
He cared not where they were as long as they were not close on their heels.
“Luke,” Noah murmured, barely audible above the noise of their flight.
Luke let out a sigh of relief at hearing Noah’s voice again. At least he was still conscious.
He smiled as Noah’s hand came up to cover his own where he held the brunette around the waist.
“I am here,” he responded, pulling Noah back against his chest as far as he dare without unbalancing the two of them.
Noah mumbled something that Luke could not make out and he felt the brunette’s hold on his hand loosen.
A sudden fear gripped Luke; Oliver had once told him, in one of his more explanatory moods, that men often died not of their wounds but of the infection that followed if the wounds were not tended to correctly.
What if Noah’s burns had become infected?
Luke could not countenance having come this far and surviving everything they had been through only to have his love taken from him in this way.
He simply could not. It would destroy him.
“Stay with me, Noah,” Luke pleaded again. “Please, do not do this, my love.” He risked slowing their speed a little so as not to jostle Noah so much.
Luke began to talk rapidly, trying to keep Noah awake. “You know, I… I do believe you never had the opportunity to see the family estate in Oakdale before the army marched. It is a beautiful place: rolling hills and endless pastures. My father took me riding there many a time.” He felt a pang of regret that he would never be able to enjoy that simple pleasure again.
“When all this is done, I want to take you there.”
Noah stirred. “I… I would like that… very much.” His speech was slurred and Luke had difficulty making out the words.
“Tell me… did you ride with your father often, Noah?” Luke swallowed hard against the growing panic.
Noah made a small movement of his head as if even that was an effort. “No… not for pleasure. Not enough time.”
In his disorientated state, memories of his youth flooded his mind. And they were all memories of his father teaching him… instructing him how to become a man. What would he think of him now? He deeply regretted that he had not been able to spend time with his father just enjoying simple things together; creating happy memories like Luke had with Holden.
Noah had a deep and sudden yearning to create happy memories with Luke.
“We will go riding everyday,” Luke vowed, desperately hoping that the two of them survived long enough to see out his promise. “There are secluded spots, Noah, where you and I can be truly alone. Just the two of us and the endless beauty.” He imagined himself stretched out on top of Noah in the long flowing grass of a meadow; their bodies perfectly aligned as they moved together as one. The erotic warmth of having his lover beneath him matched only by the glorious warmth of the sun on his back. The crystal blue of Noah’s eyes reflected perfectly the cloudless blue of the sky.
He could think of nothing more desirable.
Noah raised his hand again, his fingertips lightly brushing Luke’s knuckles. “Even better. Uh… I… I am there with you,” he breathed out unsteadily. He tried to picture in his mind’s eye the places Luke described and the precious time they would spend alone together there… to focus on something to hold on to but he felt himself slipping away.
“Yield!” There was a sudden movement all around them as men emerged from the surrounding trees, brandishing their weapons toward them.
The commotion startled the skittish mare and she reared, throwing Luke and Noah to the ground.
Luke scrambled to his feet, dragging a dazed Noah out of the way of the stamping hoofs.
He cursed himself for not paying more attention as he positioned himself between Noah and their captors - a desperate and futile effort to protect the man. They stood not a chance; they were vastly outnumbered and in an untenable position. They would surely be taken back to Stormcrag and face Grimaldi’s wrath.
But wait!
Luke felt a surge of hope as he looked at the men that surrounded them, registering for the first time the fiery golden eagle, its talons extended ready to strike, emblazoned on their chests.
These were not Grimaldi’s or Aiden’s men. These were Lord Calderon’s soldiers!
This must be a border patrol. They had made it. They had crossed into neighboring Torvale!
“You must help him,” Luke pleaded, looking to one of the men who bore the insignia of a Captain as he turned and placed his hand gently on Noah’s shoulder before helping him to sit upright.
The Captain advanced toward them. He appeared unmoved by their plight.
“Who are you? And what is your business here?”
Luke did not want to waste precious time explaining, so the words came out in a breathless rush. “I am Lord Snyder of Oakdale and this is Sir Mayer. We have escaped from Stormcrag and we need Lord Calderon’s aid.”
The man’s eyebrows arched in disbelief and Luke had to grudgingly admit that his and Noah’s disheveled appearance must belie their claimed rank. He tried to temper his frustration that the Captain did not readily offer assistance or believe his claim.
“My army passed through your kingdom but a few months ago. Lord Calderon granted us safe passage and even bolstered our number with some of his own men.” He hoped that the men lived still and were amongst the number who were held captive at Aiden’s encampment.
The Captain did not look completely convinced but he appeared to reach a decision. “My Lord is on his way here to judge with his own eyes the threat to our borders. When he arrives we shall see if you speak the truth.”
He turned to one of his men who was attempting to calm the mare. “You there, take three other men, escort these two to the outpost and await me there,” he commanded before gathering the rest of his detachment of troops and leading them on through the woods, leaving Luke to assist Noah back up into the saddle…
…
One of the patrol had hold of the mare’s reins as they entered the outpost, allowing Luke to support Noah with both arms as well as giving him the opportunity to look about them.
The outpost was medium sized with groupings of tents, a small corral on the far side holding several horses and lit cooking braziers interspersed about the camp.
There were men everywhere; some cleaning weapons, some going about their duties; heading out or returning from patrols along the border and others were gathered around the fires, warding off the early morning chill whilst awaiting their breakfasts.
“We are here,” Luke murmured to Noah, who had slumped forward in the saddle again as they drew to a halt by the side of one of the braziers.
Luke felt many sets of eyes watching them as he dismounted and then helped Noah down from the saddle, steadying him when he stumbled a little.
He was uncertain if he and Noah were being held as captives or if they were free men here and a wave of nervousness swept over him.
“My Lord! Sir Mayer!” A voice full of surprised jubilation rang out through the throng of men gathering to witness their arrival.
They turned at the sound and were shocked to see Master Gant Matthews hurriedly pushing his way toward them.
He greeted them both with a wide grin and a hearty embrace. In the man’s excitement to greet them he unintentionally made Noah grunt in pain before he realized the decorum the situation called for. He stepped back and bowed.
Luke shook his head, dismissing the ceremony, before gripping the man’s wide forearms. “It is good to see you too, Master Gant,” he chuckled and smiled widely for what felt like the first time in a very long time... knowing that the older man had survived made his spirits soar. He had never expected to see the armorer again. “But how came you…”
“Damn it, man! Can you not see he is about to collapse whilst the two of you gossip like old washer women?!”
Luke spun at the sound of the unmistakable acerbic voice to see Reid Oliver emerge from the nearest tent and stride toward them.
Oliver was alive too! He did not think he had ever been more relieved or grateful to see the physician in his life.
Luke moved hurriedly just in time to support Noah as his legs buckled from under him and he began to slid down the horse’s flank.
Guilt overwhelmed him that he had neglected Noah’s needs while he greeted Master Gant.
“Quickly! He needs your aid,” Luke urged, beckoning to the physician to hurry… questions of how both men came to be here at the outpost were pushed to one side by his concern for Noah.
“I can see that,” Reid barked in response as he reached Noah’s side.
Gently pulling the material of the Knight’s under-shirt aside, he hissed through gritted teeth at the burn marks and bruising he saw there.
He looked questioningly up at Luke then appeared to think better of it… questions could wait.
“I need to treat his wounds. Here, help me inside with him,” Reid spoke quickly as he took hold of one of Noah’s arms and placed it around his shoulder, gesturing for Luke to do the same before helping the man to his feet and steering them toward his tent.
Luke obeyed Oliver’s instructions without question.
Deeply concerned for Noah, Luke hardly dared feed the kernel of hope that began to grow inside him.
Against the odds, they had escaped Grimaldi’s clutches to make it to the relative safety of this outpost.
Could it be that the tide was finally beginning to turn in their favor? …
Chapter 13
Back to fic master post
Author: wheelie47
Artist hollyoaks1021
Rating: NC17 (not for every chapter)
Pairing: Luke and Noah.
Word count: 2,856
Warnings: Violence
Disclaimer: Don’t own characters, am not associated in any way with ATWT, Van and Jake. No offence intended.
Summary: Set in the fictional land of feudal Western Atlantia, King Damian has been overthrown and has fled the Kingdom of Oakdale. But his evil influence has spread across all eight Kingdoms. Lord Luke Snyder leads his army in an effort to bring peace and justice to a troubled time, aided in his quest by a certain dark-haired young Knight…
AN: Thanks to Sally for the amazing artwork!
Chapter 1, Chapter 2,Chapter 3 Chapter 4, Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11
“Please!” Kevin begged, specks of blood flying from his lips as his tormentor struck him hard across the face again; re-opening wounds that had yet to heal from his previous beating.
The pain in his body was paramount and he was no longer certain if he was begging for the vicious beating to stop or for the pain to so overwhelm him that his consciousness finally left his battered body.
All he knew was that he wanted the pain to cease.
Davis hung from the ceiling; manacled by his wrists and stripped to the waist in the very chamber that, mere hours earlier, had held Mayer until he screamed in agony.
The stink of his own sweat and fear pervaded the chamber and stung his nostrils.
“Please what?” Damian’s precise accented voice sounded calm and measured as if he was completely unmoved by the violence he witnessed at his own behest. He could just as easily have been watching the serving women laying out a feast or inspecting the men on maneuvers. It mattered not to him. The only thing that consumed his mind was re-gaining the throne of Oakdale and having his revenge on Snyder.
“Please.” Kevin kept his gaze downcast, fearing to look into Grimaldi’s face. “You have to believe me. I… I had no hand in their escape.”
Damian took a step closer and the torturer moved out of his master’s way. “You must take me for a fool.” He leaned in menacingly. “And we both know that is far from the case.”
“I am your loyal subject, my Liege. I… I live to serve you,” Kevin protested. He knew he was begging for his life.
“Where is their destination?” Grimaldi demanded, ignoring the pitiful display of servitude.
“I know not; I did not aid their flight!” Kevin’s voice was desperate now as a movement caught his eye, making him look up to see Grimaldi taking a step back to allow the hooded torturer to advance toward him. The man was brandishing a red hot poker, freshly retrieved from the intense glowing heat of the brazier that stood in the corner of the room.
Davis swallowed hard. His resolve was breaking. He had sworn to himself that he would stay true to his promise to Luke but in the face of such questioning how could any man resist?
Kevin trembled as he opened his mouth as if to speak, hesitated, and then closed it again… somehow finding strength from deep within.
Grimaldi shrugged. “It matters not. I have men scouring the area. It is only a matter of time before we have them again. And then we shall discover who had a hand in their escape. Pray it was not you,” he added menacingly.
With a dismissive flick of his hand, Grimaldi signaled the torturer to continue before he turned on his heels and headed for the door… seemingly disinterested in observing anymore.
The old clerk stood at the threshold of the chamber, ready to carry out his master’s bidding at a moment’s notice.
He had watched the proceedings with a growing anxiety building in the pit of his stomach; if the young men he had helped escape were re-captured and his assistance in their flight discovered, would he suffer the same punishment as Davis? He was an old man; he doubted his body would have the strength to resist such treatment.
As yet he had not been brought to task for being overpowered and having his horse stolen from under him. But he would be and it would be a lenient punishment indeed compared to what would happen if Grimaldi knew the truth.
A muscle in his face twitched nervously as his master approached and he hoped it was not visible to the man. It terrified him when Grimaldi was calm and controlled like this. At least when he raged it was obvious to tell his mood but when he was this way anything could be boiling beneath that calm exterior… ready to explode with dire consequences.
As Damian reached him, a thought appeared to occur to the man and he swung around abruptly, his surcoat swirling about his feet.
“Hold!” he called out to the torturer to stay his hand as he was extending the poker toward Davis’s face. “Let him down and tend to his wounds. I may yet have need of him,” he ordered and then was gone, striding out of the chamber and leaving the old clerk to almost run to catch up with him.
A confusing mix of emotions coursed hot and cold through Davis. He was at first relieved that his torment was over… for now. But those ominous words and Grimaldi’s lack of further explanation made him fearful.
What did the man intend?
Kevin had believed he had been lucky to escape the explosion with his life but now he was not so sure and, in his desperation, he began to wish he had been consumed by the flames…
…
Luke gripped Noah a little tighter as the brunette almost slid from the saddle when the chestnut mare lost its footing on uneven ground, unseen through the low lying mist where the early morning rays of the sun had yet to penetrate through the tree canopy.
“Stay with me, Noah,” Luke encouraged, pulling him closer as he tried to steer a safe path through the trees. He had been talking to Noah like this the whole time during their flight; trying to keep the man alert and upright. It was not the first time Noah had almost slipped from the saddle and it sapped Luke’s already flagging strength to fight his own exhaustion and keep moving forward as well as supporting Noah.
Nor did it help that the mare was a little skittish. Every sudden movement or animal that happened across their path seemed to spook the horse and Luke suspected that she was not used to being ridden so hard or so fast. The old clerk probably did little more than get the animal up to a trot.
But Luke did not even consider stopping… not this time.
“We are almost there,” he spoke close to Noah’s ear although he really had no idea how far from the border they were… knowing only from the sun’s position that they were heading in the right direction. He was not certain if he said the words for Noah’s benefit or his own. But surely they must be close now. It seemed as if they had been riding for hours. He did not want to think about the fact that once across the border they still had to find a safe haven and locate Calderon’s forces.
Luke kept casting glances back over his shoulder, expecting at any moment to see the enemy’s horses close behind.
But it appeared they were safe for the time being. Maybe Grimaldi had yet to discover their absence or perhaps he had sent his men in the direction of Aiden’s encampment to search for them there first.
He cared not where they were as long as they were not close on their heels.
“Luke,” Noah murmured, barely audible above the noise of their flight.
Luke let out a sigh of relief at hearing Noah’s voice again. At least he was still conscious.
He smiled as Noah’s hand came up to cover his own where he held the brunette around the waist.
“I am here,” he responded, pulling Noah back against his chest as far as he dare without unbalancing the two of them.
Noah mumbled something that Luke could not make out and he felt the brunette’s hold on his hand loosen.
A sudden fear gripped Luke; Oliver had once told him, in one of his more explanatory moods, that men often died not of their wounds but of the infection that followed if the wounds were not tended to correctly.
What if Noah’s burns had become infected?
Luke could not countenance having come this far and surviving everything they had been through only to have his love taken from him in this way.
He simply could not. It would destroy him.
“Stay with me, Noah,” Luke pleaded again. “Please, do not do this, my love.” He risked slowing their speed a little so as not to jostle Noah so much.
Luke began to talk rapidly, trying to keep Noah awake. “You know, I… I do believe you never had the opportunity to see the family estate in Oakdale before the army marched. It is a beautiful place: rolling hills and endless pastures. My father took me riding there many a time.” He felt a pang of regret that he would never be able to enjoy that simple pleasure again.
“When all this is done, I want to take you there.”
Noah stirred. “I… I would like that… very much.” His speech was slurred and Luke had difficulty making out the words.
“Tell me… did you ride with your father often, Noah?” Luke swallowed hard against the growing panic.
Noah made a small movement of his head as if even that was an effort. “No… not for pleasure. Not enough time.”
In his disorientated state, memories of his youth flooded his mind. And they were all memories of his father teaching him… instructing him how to become a man. What would he think of him now? He deeply regretted that he had not been able to spend time with his father just enjoying simple things together; creating happy memories like Luke had with Holden.
Noah had a deep and sudden yearning to create happy memories with Luke.
“We will go riding everyday,” Luke vowed, desperately hoping that the two of them survived long enough to see out his promise. “There are secluded spots, Noah, where you and I can be truly alone. Just the two of us and the endless beauty.” He imagined himself stretched out on top of Noah in the long flowing grass of a meadow; their bodies perfectly aligned as they moved together as one. The erotic warmth of having his lover beneath him matched only by the glorious warmth of the sun on his back. The crystal blue of Noah’s eyes reflected perfectly the cloudless blue of the sky.
He could think of nothing more desirable.
Noah raised his hand again, his fingertips lightly brushing Luke’s knuckles. “Even better. Uh… I… I am there with you,” he breathed out unsteadily. He tried to picture in his mind’s eye the places Luke described and the precious time they would spend alone together there… to focus on something to hold on to but he felt himself slipping away.
“Yield!” There was a sudden movement all around them as men emerged from the surrounding trees, brandishing their weapons toward them.
The commotion startled the skittish mare and she reared, throwing Luke and Noah to the ground.
Luke scrambled to his feet, dragging a dazed Noah out of the way of the stamping hoofs.
He cursed himself for not paying more attention as he positioned himself between Noah and their captors - a desperate and futile effort to protect the man. They stood not a chance; they were vastly outnumbered and in an untenable position. They would surely be taken back to Stormcrag and face Grimaldi’s wrath.
But wait!
Luke felt a surge of hope as he looked at the men that surrounded them, registering for the first time the fiery golden eagle, its talons extended ready to strike, emblazoned on their chests.
These were not Grimaldi’s or Aiden’s men. These were Lord Calderon’s soldiers!
This must be a border patrol. They had made it. They had crossed into neighboring Torvale!
“You must help him,” Luke pleaded, looking to one of the men who bore the insignia of a Captain as he turned and placed his hand gently on Noah’s shoulder before helping him to sit upright.
The Captain advanced toward them. He appeared unmoved by their plight.
“Who are you? And what is your business here?”
Luke did not want to waste precious time explaining, so the words came out in a breathless rush. “I am Lord Snyder of Oakdale and this is Sir Mayer. We have escaped from Stormcrag and we need Lord Calderon’s aid.”
The man’s eyebrows arched in disbelief and Luke had to grudgingly admit that his and Noah’s disheveled appearance must belie their claimed rank. He tried to temper his frustration that the Captain did not readily offer assistance or believe his claim.
“My army passed through your kingdom but a few months ago. Lord Calderon granted us safe passage and even bolstered our number with some of his own men.” He hoped that the men lived still and were amongst the number who were held captive at Aiden’s encampment.
The Captain did not look completely convinced but he appeared to reach a decision. “My Lord is on his way here to judge with his own eyes the threat to our borders. When he arrives we shall see if you speak the truth.”
He turned to one of his men who was attempting to calm the mare. “You there, take three other men, escort these two to the outpost and await me there,” he commanded before gathering the rest of his detachment of troops and leading them on through the woods, leaving Luke to assist Noah back up into the saddle…
…
One of the patrol had hold of the mare’s reins as they entered the outpost, allowing Luke to support Noah with both arms as well as giving him the opportunity to look about them.
The outpost was medium sized with groupings of tents, a small corral on the far side holding several horses and lit cooking braziers interspersed about the camp.
There were men everywhere; some cleaning weapons, some going about their duties; heading out or returning from patrols along the border and others were gathered around the fires, warding off the early morning chill whilst awaiting their breakfasts.
“We are here,” Luke murmured to Noah, who had slumped forward in the saddle again as they drew to a halt by the side of one of the braziers.
Luke felt many sets of eyes watching them as he dismounted and then helped Noah down from the saddle, steadying him when he stumbled a little.
He was uncertain if he and Noah were being held as captives or if they were free men here and a wave of nervousness swept over him.
“My Lord! Sir Mayer!” A voice full of surprised jubilation rang out through the throng of men gathering to witness their arrival.
They turned at the sound and were shocked to see Master Gant Matthews hurriedly pushing his way toward them.
He greeted them both with a wide grin and a hearty embrace. In the man’s excitement to greet them he unintentionally made Noah grunt in pain before he realized the decorum the situation called for. He stepped back and bowed.
Luke shook his head, dismissing the ceremony, before gripping the man’s wide forearms. “It is good to see you too, Master Gant,” he chuckled and smiled widely for what felt like the first time in a very long time... knowing that the older man had survived made his spirits soar. He had never expected to see the armorer again. “But how came you…”
“Damn it, man! Can you not see he is about to collapse whilst the two of you gossip like old washer women?!”
Luke spun at the sound of the unmistakable acerbic voice to see Reid Oliver emerge from the nearest tent and stride toward them.
Oliver was alive too! He did not think he had ever been more relieved or grateful to see the physician in his life.
Luke moved hurriedly just in time to support Noah as his legs buckled from under him and he began to slid down the horse’s flank.
Guilt overwhelmed him that he had neglected Noah’s needs while he greeted Master Gant.
“Quickly! He needs your aid,” Luke urged, beckoning to the physician to hurry… questions of how both men came to be here at the outpost were pushed to one side by his concern for Noah.
“I can see that,” Reid barked in response as he reached Noah’s side.
Gently pulling the material of the Knight’s under-shirt aside, he hissed through gritted teeth at the burn marks and bruising he saw there.
He looked questioningly up at Luke then appeared to think better of it… questions could wait.
“I need to treat his wounds. Here, help me inside with him,” Reid spoke quickly as he took hold of one of Noah’s arms and placed it around his shoulder, gesturing for Luke to do the same before helping the man to his feet and steering them toward his tent.
Luke obeyed Oliver’s instructions without question.
Deeply concerned for Noah, Luke hardly dared feed the kernel of hope that began to grow inside him.
Against the odds, they had escaped Grimaldi’s clutches to make it to the relative safety of this outpost.
Could it be that the tide was finally beginning to turn in their favor? …
Chapter 13
Back to fic master post