The Sapphire Broach

Chapter 12 (rough draft)

Ivy stared at Kenric, shocked at his commitment. His dark eyes held her captive for a moment and she tried to see what lay in their depths. Why would he choose to stay with her when she had done nothing but cause him trouble? Underneath his irritated outer shell, she sensed there was a kind, generous, and valiant man. He was a genuinely good person, not at all like the men they had just escaped.

"I am sorry about your nose." She blinked and looked away from him.

"Yes." He rubbed at the dried blood in his whiskers, then urged Sweetie forward again. "I must look a sight. We will stop soon and I will clean up."

"You are a remarkable person, Kenric. Your family must miss you terribly."

"And I them." He sighed. "I hated to leave them, especially for a cause I did not believe in, but I am glad to know they are provided for. The king pays his soldiers well, and sends half of the money directly to their families."

Ivy bit her lip. She knew she tread on dangerous ground, but she had to know of his disapproval of Rymond. "Why do you feel as you do toward King Rymond?"

"He is a wicked man who cares only for himself and not for his people or his kingdom."

She could not have said it better herself, except she would have called him a murderer, not just a wicked man.

"Do many people feel that way?"

"Many in my village, and all those who sneered at me when I wore the king's uniform," Kenric said.

His words lifted her spirits. If many people despised Rymond, perhaps she would be welcomed back if she went to the palace.

"Why do you feel as you do toward King Rymond?" he turned her question on her—the very question she couldn't give him an answer to.

"I cannot speak of such things."

"Why not?"

Why not? There were so many reasons why not. One, he would never believe her. Two, he would demand to see the sapphire broach and she had vowed to show no one until the time was right. Three, the kingdom was not ready for the knowledge of Rymond's treachery and treason yet. Four, if she said it out loud, it would make it all the more real and she would have to go to the palace. And the list continued on.

"I just cannot."

Her words ended the conversation, and they rode in silence until Kenric halted the mare.

"We need to let Sweetie rest, and I suppose it is time to eat." He dismounted and pulled the packs from Sweetie's back. "See what is still in these while I care for her and clean myself up."

Ivy jumped down and took the packs, then watched Kenric walk Sweetie toward the trickling sounds of a stream.

Within the packs, she found dried meat and crumbled bread. It would have to do. She also found a canteen which she drank from to quench her parched throat.

Kenric returned alone. His hair was shiny and wet, and his chin and nose were free of dried blood. Ivy stared and admired his rough jaw and handsome face. He wasn't tall and muscular, but she had seen him hold his own against men who were larger than him. She couldn't help but imagined how he must have looked when he threw off his tunic and jumped in the lake after her.

She shook her head. It wouldn't do to dwell on such things, especially while she traveled alone with him.

"I found some food." She held out the morsels from the pack.