Helooked out over the tomb.He could hear the voices again.
Hisuncle, drowning in blood.
Youdeserved....
Hisfather, drifting into dust.
Liveyour life.Be happy.
“Isaac?”He felt her step close.“You’re coming with me, right?”
“Yes,”he said.He tore his vision from the tomb, determined to never see it again.“I’d like that.I want to take the shot.I want....”He felt a smile on hisface, one of the few of his life that was entirely natural.“I want to try.”
Sheslapped his shoulder.“Brilliant.Let’s go, then.Need to find shade before thesun gets too high.”
“Holdon.I just have one condition, first.”
“Oh,we’ve got demands, do we?”She put her hands on her armored waist, her grinwide and cocky.“Fine, then.Suppose I’ll allow it.”
“You,”Isaac said, “are going to stop calling me squire.”
“You’restill on this?What’s the problem, exactly?”
“It’s demeaning,”he said.“A squire is just a servant.A young, clueless boy who polishes armorand feeds the horses.I’m more than that.I could kill you, very easily.”
“Youwouldn’t dare, though,” Zaria said.
“No,”Isaac said, “but I could.”
“Aye.Sure.”
“AnytimeI wanted to, really.”
“Undoubtedly,squire.”
“So,”he said, “why do you insist on calling me that?Is it still just a joke?”
“Oh, itwas, at first.Just a little fun at your expense.”She looked him up and down.“Not anymore, I think.It’s taken a better meaning.”
Isaacraised an unamused brow.
“Asquire ain’t just a servant,” Zaria said.“Sure, they do all the minor triflesthat a proper knight don’t got time for, but think of it this way.They’re theknight’s protection.When the knight’s out travelling, braving the road,fighting the wickedness of the world, her squire’s the only friend she’s got.Her squire keeps the knives from her back.Her squire keeps her healed andgallant.Oftentimes, her squire’s the only source of comfort she’s got at all.I know all them stories justgive glory to the one in plate and mail, but trust me on this—a knight would benothing without her squire.”
Isaacgave her a measured look.
“Besides,”Zaria said, “squires are just knights in training, are they not?No shame inthat.Everyone’s gotta learn somewhere.And while the squire’s aiding theknight, the knight is aiding the squire, teaching them lessons, giving themguidance.”She patted his chest with the back of her hand.“Making sure theyoung boy turns into the same dashing hero that they serve.”
Isaacrolled his eyes.
“Oneday,” the hyena said, “this tiny little squire will be strong and wise, andhe’ll have his knight to thank for it.”
Isaacshook his head, looking away.
Shestepped forward, towering over him, a wall of fur and muscle and leather.“You’re my squire.”
He didnot answer.
Shepressed a finger to his chest.“You’re my squire.”
