He thought of his return to Wybren and the days that followed, when Alexander and Peter and William eventually left to return to their respective homes, but not without words of encouragement to Kevin, who hadn’t been so wounded that he hadn’t appreciated their fond farewells. William had even offered to give him the black stallion that no one could seem to ride, but Kevin had declined, not wanting to give the young man a place to offload the ill-gotten horse.
He intended to let the squire, with the gambler’s heart and the soul of a warrior, suffer his punishment for his little nasty habit.
He would reap what he sowed.
Sean had remained with him until such time as he had decided to return to Trelystan because he was unable to stand the memories of Wybren. Gareth had been more than happy to assume command and, along with Cal, remained at Wybren while Kevin traveled back to Trelystan with Sean and Bannon. Even now, it was Bannon in command of Trelystan while Kevin lay in the sun and tried to piece together what was left of his heart and his life.
As he lay there and pondered what his life had become, he heard Ax growling. Turning his head, he peeped an eye open to see what the dog was growling at only to see a shadow fall over him.
He was up in a flash.
Prepared to fight, he was astonished to see Sean standing behind him, smiling broadly. He lowered his balled fists.
“Sean,” he gasped in surprise. “What in the hell are you doing here? Why did you not send me word that you were coming?”
Sean laughed softly as Kevin reached out to embrace him. “Because I thought you could use the excitement of an unexpected visit,” he said. “Brighton can be rather dull.”
Kevin nodded. “Dull, but not unpleasant,” he said. “I have not suffered overly over the past few months.”
Sean looked him up and down, getting a good look at his brother who was leaner than he normally was, with skin as brown as leather from sun exposure day after day. His normally cropped hair was long, nearly to his chin, and he had a beard that covered his cheeks and jaw.
It didn’t look like the brother he knew.
This was a newer, different man.
“You are looking well,” he said after a moment. “How have you been since I last saw you?”
Kevin shrugged. “Well enough,” he said. “I spend my days fishing and my nights with that ugly dog sleeping at my feet.”
The both looked over to Ax, who wagged his tail at them. Sean chuckled. “Charming,” he said drolly. “But surely you’ve done more than pass the hours with only fishing.”
Kevin turned to look at the small fishing village about a quarter of a mile away. “There is a tavern in town,” he said. “The creatures that crawl in and out of there make me homesick for The Pox. Speaking of The Pox, how is everyone? Sherry and Peter and Chris and the like?”
Sean nodded. “Well, all of them,” he said. “But Edward de Wolfe has sent young William to the north, to a place called Northwood Castle. That place is one of the great castles in the north, one of the only things that stands between England and the Scots overrunning the country.”
Kevin was surprised to hear that. “Is that so?” he said. “I am surprised that Edward sent his favorite son so far away.”
Sean grunted. “Apparently, William has been caught gambling one too many times, so Edward is sending him far to the north to battle Scots. That should keep him occupied so he has no more time for his life of thievery.”
Kevin laughed softly. “It was bound to happen sometime.”
“True.” Sean’s gaze lingered on him a moment. “How are youreallydoing, Kevin?”
Kevin knew what he meant. His smile faded. “I am existing.”
“Have you found peace?”
Kevin shook his head before the words were fully out of Sean’s mouth. “Nay,” he said. “But I have resigned myself to that. It does not trouble me like it used to. But I will admit that I wish… I wish I could see Juliandra again. I hope she is doing well.”
Sean’s gaze moved over Kevin’s head, down the beach behind him. He was focused on something. “Why don’t you ask her?”
Kevin looked at him queerly. “Ask her? Nay, Sean, I do not intend to send her a missive. It would be ripping a scab off a fresh wound.”
Sean pointed down the beach. “You do not have to send her a missive. You can ask her now.”
Kevin stared at him a moment before whirling around to see what Sean was pointing at. He could see a lone figure walking down the beach towards them, a woman dressed in a pale green gown that was blowing fiercely in the wind. Her long hair was braided, draped over one shoulder, but tendrils were blowing about her face.
He knew that face.
