Disclaimer: I own none of the characters that you recognize.
A/n: This is my first Tamora Peirce fic. I hope you like it enough to review, but if you don't, give constructive criticism only, no flames. Enjoy!
Sir Joseph of Malorie's Peak flopped down gracelessly into a comfy armchair with a sigh. He had had three months of rest and relaxation since he'd been knighted. The problems with the Scanrans had settled down two years before his birth so it was pointless to add another knight to border duty. The civil war in Carthak had already come to an end, and for the last year, knights had generally had it easy. He loved it.
Joseph was a good fighter, though not the best, but he never fought if he didn't have to. In these times of peace, there was little fighting save spidren hunts and tournaments. There were more than enough to hunt spidrens and he despised tournaments, so he'd lounged around Malorie's Peak while his parents, Commander Buriram, or Buri, Tourakam, and Knight Commander Sir Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak were busy at court.
He jumped at the sound of a knock at his chamber door. He answered it and a messenger came in.
"Sir Joseph, a letter from your parents. They wish a reply at once." Joseph took the letter and broke the seal. It was in his mother's handwriting and read:
Dear Joseph,
We have terrible news, I'm afraid. Sir Gareth of Naxen, the younger, has passed on to the Dark God's Realm, leaving behind his now orphaned 17- year-old daughter, Lady Katerina, and us as her guardians. The poor thing's mother, Lady Cythera, died giving birth to her and there's no other family left to take her in. She's here with us at the palace, but I'm afraid neither of us have much time to spend with the child. Since you currently have nothing to do, we insist that you come grace our presence and take Lady Kat under your wing. We will give you a week at most before I bring a Rider group and drag your behind down here. We will see you soon, one way or another.
With Love,
Mother and Father
Joseph went to his desk and got out parchment for his reply.
Dear Mother and Father,
I send my regrets at the passing of Sir Gareth. He was a good man. I will make preparations to come at once, but if you so much as lift a finger or have someone else lift theirs to play at matchmaking, I swear I will return here alone, and will leave her up to you.
Love,
Joe
Joe folded and sealed his letter and sent it with the messenger back to the palace. He called for the steward and told him the news, then began the long process of packing and making preparations for a journey.
A/n: This is my first Tamora Peirce fic. I hope you like it enough to review, but if you don't, give constructive criticism only, no flames. Enjoy!
Sir Joseph of Malorie's Peak flopped down gracelessly into a comfy armchair with a sigh. He had had three months of rest and relaxation since he'd been knighted. The problems with the Scanrans had settled down two years before his birth so it was pointless to add another knight to border duty. The civil war in Carthak had already come to an end, and for the last year, knights had generally had it easy. He loved it.
Joseph was a good fighter, though not the best, but he never fought if he didn't have to. In these times of peace, there was little fighting save spidren hunts and tournaments. There were more than enough to hunt spidrens and he despised tournaments, so he'd lounged around Malorie's Peak while his parents, Commander Buriram, or Buri, Tourakam, and Knight Commander Sir Raoul of Goldenlake and Malorie's Peak were busy at court.
He jumped at the sound of a knock at his chamber door. He answered it and a messenger came in.
"Sir Joseph, a letter from your parents. They wish a reply at once." Joseph took the letter and broke the seal. It was in his mother's handwriting and read:
Dear Joseph,
We have terrible news, I'm afraid. Sir Gareth of Naxen, the younger, has passed on to the Dark God's Realm, leaving behind his now orphaned 17- year-old daughter, Lady Katerina, and us as her guardians. The poor thing's mother, Lady Cythera, died giving birth to her and there's no other family left to take her in. She's here with us at the palace, but I'm afraid neither of us have much time to spend with the child. Since you currently have nothing to do, we insist that you come grace our presence and take Lady Kat under your wing. We will give you a week at most before I bring a Rider group and drag your behind down here. We will see you soon, one way or another.
With Love,
Mother and Father
Joseph went to his desk and got out parchment for his reply.
Dear Mother and Father,
I send my regrets at the passing of Sir Gareth. He was a good man. I will make preparations to come at once, but if you so much as lift a finger or have someone else lift theirs to play at matchmaking, I swear I will return here alone, and will leave her up to you.
Love,
Joe
Joe folded and sealed his letter and sent it with the messenger back to the palace. He called for the steward and told him the news, then began the long process of packing and making preparations for a journey.