He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “Are you scared?” “Yes. And we’ve never been parted for more than a fortnight. To think of you being gone for months on end and that Percy might be walking by the time you return…it breaks my heart. And to imagine losing you…” “Try not to worry about losing me. I fight hard, but I also fight smart. I’ll do everything in my power to return to you whole and safe.” He did not mention his uneasiness about this war, nor how the last time he’d battled in Selcovia in the north he’d come close to death. To burden joan more would be cruel. Perceval slid out of bed, crossed the room, and collected Percy from his cradle. The baby roused, smiled up at Perceval, and blew raspberries, his new favorite game. …show more content…
“You need sleep. Dawn’s not so far away.” “You’re right.” Perceval blew out the bedside candle, plunging the room into darkness. Cradling Percy against his chest, he leaned back against the pillows and closed his eyes. “I love you, Joan.” “And I love you.” XXXX By the faint light of a single, stubby candle burning on the dining table, Joan dressed, taking care to not wake her husband. Not long from now, he’s be riding from the kingdom into the hostile lands of Pictavia, and she would see him off, even though he had said it was madness for her and Percy to wake so early walk down Return Road to say farewell. Braiding her hair and pinning it up, she cursed herself for her tears and her weakness. Perceval was off to face extreme danger while she remained protected behind the walls of the castle. It was her job as the knight of a wife to remain strong and stalwart. She would not shed tears in front of him if it killed her. Now dressed, Joan pulled back the bed hangings and collected Percy from her husband’s chest. Perceval roused for a moment and stared at her with bleary eyes. “What are you doing?” he asked. “Nursing the baby,” she lied. “Get a little extra