Chapter 7

I stood outside my front door and stretched, letting out a rather large sigh as I did. It was the first time in two months I had been allowed to go outside. The doctor has finally given me to okay and told me that my leg looked like it was in much better shape than before. I couldn't contain the joy upon hearing that news. Being bedridden was definitely the worst thing in the world.

"Sir Kevin," a soft voice I had become quite used to called from in front of me.

"Well now," I said, placing my hands on my hips and looking at the man in front of me. "Who are you? I've never seen you before in my life."

He chuckled and pushed gently at my chest. "You know very well who I am."

I smiled, "I've never seen you in men's clothing. How do I know you are truly Eddward?"

He tilted his head for a minute, as smile on his face as he pondered. "Question," He stood up straight, his hands behind his back, and a rather large smile on his face. "Would you jump over a cliff for me?"

I laughed, "Without hesitation."

"Well, then, there is your answer."

I chuckled and nodded, "So it would seem."

He swayed back and forth a bit, "Are we really going into town today?"

"If you want. I thought it would be a good place to start for some hands on training on how to handle yourself as a man."

"You aren't going to wear your armor into town?"

I sighed, "Unfortunately the doctor told me I still wasn't allowed to wear my armor or go back to work for several more weeks. So I'm just plain Kevin today."

He smiled, "Don't say that. You are a brave Knight, even without the armor."

I felt the temperature rise in my cheeks and had to look away from him. I rubbed the back of my head and thanked him before pushing past him, telling him we shouldn't waste any more time. He followed after me obediently as we made our way through the Knight's living quarters and towards the draw bridge that led into town.

It was alive, as always. People running back and forth from stall to stall while others hollered and yelled about their goods and how they were the best of the best. It made me roll my eyes with a smile. When I looked down at Eddward, he was in awe. His eyes wide and he looked around at all the people and goods.

"Sir Kevin," a woman called from a stall nearby. She was leaning over, her elbows resting on the wooden booth and her head resting in her hands. She has a beautiful smile on her face as she motioned me towards her with her finger.

I gently tugged on Eddward's sleeve and motioned for him to follow me towards the stall. His hands flew to his chest and I could have sworn I saw him shiver. I chuckled softly and leaned close to him so he could hear me over all the noise. I told him everything would be alright and that I wasn't going to leave his side. He nodded slowly and followed after me towards the booth.

"Hello, Sir Kevin," she said, her lashes fluttering.

"Good morning, Nazz. How are you doing this morning? Sell anything yet?"

Nazz sighed, "Not a thing. But it's still early."

I looked at Eddward before looking back at Nazz, "Shall we be your first customers today then?"

Her whole face brightened and she stood up straight. "What would you like?"

"Eddward," he jumped at the sound of his name and looked at me. "What would you like? I personally think the grapes are the best thing they sell."

"Oh, come now," Nazz giggled, "all our produce is divine." She then turned her attention from me and looked at Eddward, a smile on her face, "What can I get ya' darlin'?"

He smiled, "Grapes do sound rather nice."

"Just one bunch will be fine," I said, pulling out two silver coins from my pocket. I handed Nazz the coins as she handed Eddward the grapes. Eddward plopped one into his mouth and smiled happily, telling Nazz they were absolutely delicious. She blushed slightly from the compliment and thanked him kindly for his purchase.

"So," she turned her light blue eyes on me, "showing around a new Knight?"

"Um," I looked at Eddward for a moment as he popped another grape into his mouth, his eyes on me. "Yeah," I smiled, "he starts his Knight training soon. Thought we would get to know each other better first. Doctor says I won't be able to wear my armor for another couple of weeks anyway."

"That's horrible," she said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I know how much you love being a Knight."

"I'm still a Knight," I said, turning my attention towards Eddward. But he wasn't looking at us. Instead, he was looking at the grapes in his hand with an expression that for some reason made the hairs on my body stand up straight. He was upset?

"Sorry, Nazz," I said, brushing her hand from my shoulder. "We're going to go walk around some more. Maybe we'll see you a little later."

She seemed to be pouting at this but said goodbye anyway. I wrapped an arm around Eddward's shoulder as we began walking through town again. He wasn't looking at me and something in my stomach twisted. What was he bothered by now?

The saddened expression he wore didn't last long though was we walked to different stalls and met different people. Eddward was thrilled to meet people that were from outside of Peach Creek. He told me it was a great honor to meet people that were from other lands. He wanted to listen to their stories. We spent several hours talking to one man from Aridon Valley. He told Eddward about the beautiful creek that ran through the center of town and poured out into a giant lake. It was where they caught most of their fish that they tried to sell in other villages and kingdoms.

"He had a lot to say, didn't he?" Eddward asked as we made our way towards the edge of town.

"You seemed like you were enjoying his story, My Lord."

Eddward smiled, "You don't have to say that. Eddward is just fine when we are outside the castle walls."

I chuckled, "Then you may just call me Kevin."

He jumped a bit and looked up at me, "But it is your full title."

"And Lord Eddward is yours," I looked down at him and raised my eyebrows with a small smile.

He looked away, "I see your point, Kevin."

I laughed, "See? That wasn't so bad, was it?"

We made our way down a small dirt path and up a hill that overlooked the kingdom. A gentle breeze blew across the hill, causing the grass to sway and release a beautiful aroma. I sat in the grass and leaned back against the only tree that grew on the hill. I placed my hands behind my head and looked over the village. It was a beautiful view.

Eddward sat beside me, his hands in his lap and he, too, looked at the village. A smile crossed his face before he dragged his eyes to the grass in front of him. He places his hands in it and pushed, causing his hands to slide against the green surface.

"It's been a while since I have seen the grass," he said, his voice softer than usual. He turned his eyes towards me and everything within me stopped; my thinking, my breathing, and the beating of my heart. His eyes were a radiant blue—bluer than the sky above on the clearest day. They were bluer than the water that ran in the canyon we had fallen into. I loved that color.

"Thank you for taking me out into the village today, Kevin."

Even the sound of my own name caused me to freeze.