Shadow of the Dark Knight (Noble Heart Book 3) Read online

  SHADOW OF THE DARK KNIGHT

  CYNTHIA S. GRIFFITH

  COVER ART BY SARAH LOWE

  Copyright © 2007 by Cynthia S. Griffith

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without prior written permission of the author.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Chapter One: A Welcome Home

  Chapter Two: The Prince and the Puppies

  Chapter Three: A Shadow of Fear

  Chapter Four: Hero

  Chapter Five: The Hunt

  Chapter Six: A Meeting in the Dark

  Chapter Seven: The Castle at Caernarfon

  Chapter Eight: The Cottage in the Country

  Chapter Nine: Out of the Shadows

  Chapter Ten: In the Cave

  Chapter Eleven: The Dark Knight

  Chapter Twelve: Into the Fire

  Chapter Thirteen: The Measure of a Hero

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  CHAPTER ONE

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  A Welcome Home

  Noble glanced up at the sound of his name. The small boy on the wall above the gate jumped up and down, waving his hat and cheering the knights as they rode through the gate and into the castle courtyard. Noble grinned and waved back at the little prince. William stood between his parents. They, too, were smiling as the King’s Guard returned from their two month journey through the kingdom. The knights saluted the king and queen as they passed below them.

  It was good to be home. King Stephen had sent half of the Guard out into the countryside, looking for problems that might be brewing, and to assure the people of the king’s interest in their well-being. “I especially want you to go, Noble,” he had told the young knight the day before they left. “This will be your opportunity to see more of the kingdom, and to learn what it means to be a goodwill ambassador for me. I want the people of this land to know that their king isn’t just sitting on a throne far away, eating, drinking and making merry, but that he truly cares for them. I am counting on you and the other knights of the Guard to carry that message for me.”

  Noble bowed his head. “We shall do our best, Your Majesty. I know I speak for all the knights when I say that we are honored to represent you throughout the land.”

  King Stephen smiled. “The Guard is made up of true, brave-hearted and good men, Noble, of whom you are not the least, though you are the youngest. You will make me proud, I am sure of it.” He had dismissed the young knight then, and the next morning the Guard had ridden out upon their mission throughout the kingdom.

  The journey had been without any major problems. Here and there they had settled small squabbles between neighbors, or made judgments in the name of the king, but for the most part the trip had been peaceful and they, as well as the king, were cheered wherever they went. In each town and village, and even out in the countryside at lonely farms, a proclamation from the king was read, declaring His Majesty’s good will toward his people and his desire to see them prosper. Notes were made of roads that needed to be improved, or village walls that needed mending, or shortages that must be met, and the people were assured that help from good King Stephen would soon be on its way.

  The knights dismounted from their horses as they entered the courtyard, and began to lead them to the stables. Noble slid down from Valiant’s broad back and stood there stroking his neck for a moment, murmuring words of praise to the great black warhorse. Prince William ran up to him just then, with his parents close behind.

  “Noble!” the young prince cried. “Welcome home! I’ve missed you! Did you have a good time?”

  Noble smiled. The little boy was filled with his usual enthusiasm, bouncing all over the place and beaming from ear to ear. Noble knew the child looked up to him, even though he was only five or six years older than the prince, in the same way he looked up to the older knights of the Guard. He hoped never to disappoint him.

  “Thank you, Your Highness,” he replied. “Yes, it was a good journey. I learned much upon the way, and met many fine people. I am glad to be home, though! It will feel good to sleep in a real bed tonight, and I know Valiant will be happy to see his stable again, as well!”

  Prince William stepped forward to pet the big horse as his father spoke, “And so, young Noble, was the experience well worth the nights of sleeping on the ground, and the hours of sitting in the saddle each day?”

  Noble was thoughtful as he spoke. “The so-called hardships of the trip were nothing, Sire. That is what I have been training to do with the knights all these months, and I would not give it up for anything. Seeing the land and meeting the people—that is an opportunity I would not want to give up, either. It is a part of who I am, as is the heritage I have received from my parents and grandparents, and also as the work that the Creator has begun in me is, as well.”

  “Wisely spoken, Sir Noble,” King Stephen said. “I look forward to hearing your thoughts, also, on the welfare of my people and the kingdom. I have called for the Council to meet tonight after dinner.”

  “Will you have dinner with us first, Sir Noble?” the queen asked. “William has been looking forward to having you come for a long time now.”

  “I have a surprise for you!” the little prince blurted out.

  Noble laughed. “Well then, how can I refuse? Thank you, Your Majesty,” he said, bowing to the queen. “May I take the time to get cleaned up and stop by the Mews to see Fly?”

  “Of course,” the queen replied. “We will see you in two hours’ time then, Noble. Come along, William. Let us allow Noble to go about his business now. We shall see him again soon.”

  Noble bowed once more as they turned to leave. He was thankful for the friendship that had begun almost a year ago between the royal family and himself. The king had brought him to live and work at the castle as one of the royal falconers after his grandfather’s death, and he had been able to repay His Majesty’s kindness when God had used him shortly afterwards to rescue the young prince from kidnappers. Ever since then the relationship between them had grown stronger with time. The king and queen looked upon Noble almost as a son and often had him dine with them, or visit with William at the castle.

  Noble went in the opposite direction now, leading Valiant to the stables. Once again he heard his name called as he entered the dimly-lit, dusty barn.

  “Noble! You’re back!” A grinning, red-haired, freckle-faced boy appeared at his side.

  “Jamie! How are you?” Noble clapped his friend on the back.

  The stable boy picked up a brush and began helping Noble groom his horse. “Tell me all about your journey,” he begged. “Valiant looks well. You’ve taken good care of him.”

  “Of course! You taught me well, my friend!” The boys were about the same age and size, and had been friends from the time Noble was just a simple falconer. Their friendship had continued after Noble was knighted for his service to the king. He refused to allow his rise in status affect his relationship with Jamie. They would always be good friends.

  Now they chatted about all that had happened in the last two months as they groomed Valiant and then fed and watered him. At last Noble said, “I am sorry, Jamie. I must leave now, I’m afraid. I have been asked to eat dinner with the king and queen, and then there is to be a council meeting afterwards. I must stop by the Mews to check on Fly, and then clean up before dinner. I’ll see you again later, I am sure.” With one last pat for Valiant, Noble hurried from the stable and on to the Royal Mews.

&nbs
p; It was quiet in the Mews as Noble stepped through the gate, but he’d hardly taken more than a step or two when a piercing shriek split the air. Noble laughed. “Yes, it’s truly me, Fly! You’ve probably been wondering where I’ve been all this time, haven’t you?” He stepped forward to a pen at one end of the mews and reached for his key to the lock on the gate.

  A beautiful peregrine falcon perched on a cadge inside the pen, her wings outstretched. She shrieked once more and Noble chuckled again. Yes, Fly was definitely happy to see him! He slid on a large leather glove and reached inside for the jesses, or straps, that were attached to her legs. Fly stepped onto his arm, and he took her from the pen.

  Just then an old man bustled into the mews. “Ahh—it’s you, Sir Noble! Welcome home! I heard Fly screeching and came to see what the matter was, but I see all is well! She is welcoming you, too!”

  “Hello, Master,” Noble said. “Thank you! And how has she been while I’ve been gone?”

  “Well enough, I would say,” the master of the mews replied. “I took her out hunting two or three times a week, and a pleasure it was, too. She is one of the finest birds of prey I’ve ever worked with.”

  “Yes, I know,” Noble said softly. “Grandfather trained her well. It is still a wonder to me that King Stephen would give such a magnificent gift to him—and to me.” Noble stroked Fly’s feathers gently and whispered, “I’ve missed you, girl. We’ll go out hunting soon, I promise you.” Reluctantly he put Fly back into her pen, and brought her a few scraps of meat from the food bucket nearby. He bid the master farewell and turned to look at Fly one last time as he left the mews. She was huddled forlornly on the cadge. “Soon, Fly!” Noble repeated. “We’ll go out soon! I’m home now!”

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  CHAPTER TWO

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  The Prince and the Puppies

  Prince William was already in the dining hall with his nanny when Noble got there. The child jumped up and ran to his friend. “Hurray! Noble’s here! Father and Mother will be down soon, Noble,” he said excitedly. “I’m so glad you’re here! Come see what we have!”

  Noble followed the prince to a large basket in the corner of the room. A small, pretty dog looked up at him from the basket, while four little puppies tumbled and climbed all around and over her.

  William got down on his knees next to the basket and reached in for a squirming little bundle of fur. “The mama’s name is Anwen,” he said. “The Duchess of Conwy sent her as a gift to my mother. She had the puppies just after you left, Noble. I’ve been taking care of Anwen and her babies. Mother says I’ve done such a good job that I may have the puppies for my very own!”

  “That’s wonderful, Your Highness! What kind of dogs are they? I’ve never seen such tiny puppies.” Noble said. By this time William had taken all the pups out of the basket, and they were running in and around their feet, yipping and nipping at their boots. “The only dogs I’ve seen here in the castle are your father’s greyhounds, and the mastiffs and hounds that are used in the hunts.”

  “They are called Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Noble. Father scoffs at them because they are small and pretty, but I have a feeling they would be as true-hearted in the hunting fields as any of his big dogs. They are spaniels, after all.”

  “Maybe so, Your Highness. You will have to wait and see as they grow up, though, for I am sure your mother will not allow you to try the fair Anwen in the fields.” Noble stooped to scratch the mother dog behind the ears. Just then one of the pups yanked at his boot and another jumped at his face. Noble fell back in surprise and landed on the floor—nearly squashing a third puppy that dashed out of the way with a little yelp. William burst out laughing.

  That was all it took. The next thing Noble knew, the puppies were all over him. He looked up at the young prince and chuckled through the flurry of wet kisses the little furball in his lap was showering upon him. Prince William laughed and clapped his hands in delight, jumping from foot to foot. It was a funny sight—his friend Sir Noble sprawled on the floor with all those excited puppies romping over and around him!

  “Enough! Enough!” Noble laughed. “Mercy, Your Highness, I beg of you!” No sooner did he remove one puppy from his face when another took its place. The soft fur tickled and made him sneeze, and he laughed again when a little tail batted his nose, and a cold wet nose snuffled in his ear.

  Prince William bent down and removed a pup from Noble’s chest, and grabbed another that was tugging at the knight’s boot. “Aren’t they cute, Noble?” he asked as he struggled to hold onto the squirming babies. “I could hardly wait to show them to you. They’ve grown a lot while you were gone. Mama says they’re almost ready to leave their mother.”

  “They’re very cute, Your Highness,” Noble agreed as he finally freed himself and got to his feet.

  “Which do you like the best?” William tried to gather the puppies in his arms, but like a waterfall, the small wiggly creatures spilled over, and one by one escaped.

  “It’s hard to choose, but I think I like this little one.” Noble picked up the white and tan puppy that had knocked him down in the first place and showered him with kisses. “He’s a stout-hearted little fellow, isn’t he?”

  “He’s my favorite, too, I think,” a soft voice behind them said. Noble and William turned. The king and queen had entered the dining hall. The other puppies forgot all about the two boys as they scampered to the queen and began tugging at the hem of her gown. Even Anwen had risen to her feet and now stood eagerly wagging her tail and waiting for Her Majesty’s attention.

  The queen laughed and bent down to pick up one of the pups. William ran forward and caught the other two. “The one you’re holding, Noble,” the queen said, “has so much—well, spirit, I suppose is the word—as if he would actually be a hero if he ever got the chance!”

  King Stephen laughed. “A hero? That soft piece of fluff? Ha! Give me a greyhound any day—now there’s a real dog!”

  “Father, you just wait! You’ll see – someday I’ll train my pups to be real hunting dogs. Even Noble thinks I could do it, don’t you, Noble? Oh, and that reminds me of the surprise I promised you, Noble!” He took the white and tan puppy from Noble, and stroked its tiny head.

  “I thought the puppies were the surprise, Your Highness.” Noble said.

  “Well, yes, but that is only part of it. Remember I told you that Mother said I may have the puppies for my own? And that they are old enough to leave their mother now? Well, I have decided that I want to give one of them to you, Noble, as a gift from me! The one that you like best!” He put the puppy back into Noble’s arms and laughed in delight at the surprise on his friend’s face.

  Noble stuttered, “Th-thank you, Your Highness, but I—” He looked at the king for help, but King Stephen just stood there with a twinkle in his eye.

  The queen was smiling. “William has been looking forward to giving you this gift, Noble,” she said gently.

  Noble bowed to the queen and then to Prince William. “I do thank you most gratefully, Your Highness. He is a wonderful little dog. I am only concerned about being able to care for him, as I live and train with the other knights. He is so small… And the other knights may not be pleased to have a puppy around…”

  The king spoke up then. “He is a gift from the prince, Sir Noble. The other knights will not dare to scorn such a gift. And seeing your skill with Fly, and how you’ve mastered Valiant, I have no doubt you will swiftly train this puppy, as well. Why, he may even prove me wrong and become a mighty hunting dog someday!” King Stephen chuckled at the thought.

  Noble smiled. “We shall see. I’ll do my best. Thank you again, Prince William.”

  “And now it is time for dinner!” the queen said. “The puppies must go back in the basket with their mother for now, William.”

  “Yes, Mama,” William said. He and Noble gathered the puppies up and took them back to Anwen. She sniffed at each of them and soon they were all looking for their mother’
s milk and ready to settle down for a nap.

  “What will you name your pup, Noble?” William asked as they watched the puppies for just a moment more.

  Noble reached down and scratched the little white and tan head. “Your mother had the perfect name for him—though it will be a big name for him to grow into, I know. I shall call him Hero. Perhaps someday he will live up to it.”

  In the meantime, he hoped no one would notice that the tiny hero had piddled on his boot!

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  CHAPTER THREE

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  A Shadow of Fear

  The council meeting began shortly after dinner. Noble felt the little bundle of fur in his tunic and prayed the pup would stay asleep. He could just imagine Sir Robert’s reaction if he knew Noble had brought a puppy into the council meeting.

  He took his seat at the far end of the table and watched as the other knights filed in. Sir Robert and Sir Edward sat, as usual, at the head of the table next to the king. As captains of the King’s Guard, they were King Stephen’s most trusted advisors and heads of the council. Noble admired them for their courage and skill, and for their wisdom. They had been most kind to him in training, although they had been strict and demanding, as well. They expected excellence from each of the knights in the Guard, and Noble was no exception despite his young age and small stature.

  Sir Michael slid into the seat next to Noble’s at the last minute. They had become good friends in the months since Noble had been knighted, although Sir Michael was several years older than Noble. They often practiced fencing and archery together, and rode together when they got the chance. Noble greeted his friend, but there was no chance to talk for just at that moment King Stephen entered the room.