A KNIGHT'S TALE:
FOREVER LOVE By Wendy

Part five

"Do you not want to count it?" Count Adhemar asked of Duke's Recene's esurient valet, as he handed over a leather purse weighed heavy with the thirty gold pieces inside.

With his newfound wealth clutched greedily to his chest, Seamere shook his head, before humbly bowing to his reluctant benefactor. "There is no need, Milord. I know how considerable my knowledge was to you." And 'considerable' that knowledge had been. It had paid well to be the one to inform the Count that the Duke's daughter, who had been promised to him in marriage, was already with child to another man.

"And I was very 'considerate' in my payment was I not," Adhemar tersely replied before ignoring Seamere to call out for his own valet. "Germaine!"

Heeding his master's call, Germaine quickly entered the room and bowed, "Milord?"

"Send Llud to me at once and ready my horse," Adhemar ordered.

"Yes, milord and what of the ale you requested earlier?"

"Just do what I say man," Adhemar growled, quickly losing his impatience with the anxious servant.

"Yes, Milord," Germaine meekly responded before backing out of the room.

Turning his attention to Seamere, Adhemar's eyes narrowed. "You have 'your' gold, what are you waiting for?"

"Only for Milord's leave," Seamere replied meekly.

"Then you have it," Adhemar said, dismissing the self-seeking valet with a wave of his hand.

"Thank you, Milord." Seamere smiled as he bowed out of the room submissively, "Thank you. Thank for 'everything'."

AKTAKTAKTAKTAKTAKTAKT

Llud McDonald was a big man and adding to this broad build was a bullfrog face framed by a thick mane of unruly red hair. Not willingly to lose his heritage completely, the big man still represented his clan with his multi-colored tartan. The sight of him made the former Highlander an imposing figure to even the bravest of men. Having left Highlands for a life of servitude to the Duke, Llud's sole purpose in life now was to serve and protect his master, even to the cost of his own life.

"You asked for me, Laird?"

Smiling, the duke walked up to the towering man, "You took note of my 'guest'?"

"I did see Duke's Recene's man leaving," Llud replied.

Nodding, Adhemar began to pace, "These are dangerous times, are they not, Llud?"

"Indeed, Laird," Llud answered.

"The roads arefull of thieves and cutthroats," he continued to muse. "The duke's 'servant' has left here with a great deal of 'my' money. It would be a 'shame' should something happen to him, and to the gold he carries."

Understanding the unspoken command, Llud smiled as he bowed to leave. "I shall see to 'him' personally, Laird. Will there be anything else?"

"Yes, meet me at the Wild Boar tavern when 'he' has reached his ...'destination'."

The big man frowned at his master's orders, "Laird, can I ask you to wait here until I return? The tavern is not place for a Duke to visit unprotected."

"You can ask," Adhemar replied as he too his riding gloves from a silent Germaine, "But I am still going. Do what I say. I should be able to handle myself until you arrive."

"As you wish Laird," Llud bowed as he quickly left the room to see to see to the Duke's Valet's journey.

TBC