“Wait for him?” Justina echoed, rising from her curtsey.
“Yes. You will wait, won’t you?”
“Of course!” Adam called.
“How long will he be?”
Aurora looked at her with sympathy. “I’m afraid most of the day. I’m certain we can find entertainment for you.”
Justina scowled. She would love to wait for Gawyn, but she couldn’t be away from Uncle Bruce and the farm for long. And then, she remembered the reason she came. “Lady Aurora, I wanted to thank you for the horse. It was generous of you.”
“I was disturbed at the raids happening so close to you. I don’t want you to be in danger.”
“The captain brought a lot of guards to protect us!” Adam exclaimed excitedly.
Justina blinked. Her brother! “My lady,” she said quietly, “this is my brother, Adam.”
Aurora turned to Adam. She folded her hands before her and regarded him with an appreciative grin. “What a marvelous little man. You shall grow into a great knight, I am sure.”
Adam beamed and puffed out his chest.
Justina had never seen him so quiet. Lady Aurora certainly cast a spell over all of them.
“Will you stay?” Aurora asked Justina. “Gawyn would be so upset if you left.”
Justina felt uncomfortable and torn. She knew that they should return to Auch and Uncle Bruce, and yet she didn’t want to disappoint Gawyn, not after everything he had done for them. She glanced at Adam.
He put his hands together as if praying.
With a small sigh, she nodded. “I suppose one more day would be acceptable.”
Adam whooped.
Aurora smiled. “I am very glad you’ve chosen to spend one more day with us. I am sure Gawyn will be happy, also.”
“I’m happy!” Adam exclaimed.
“Have you eaten?” Aurora began walking down the corridor.
Justina and Adam followed. Justina was afraid that if she didn’t, she would be lost in the castle forever.
“Grapes,” Adam said.
Justina grinned. She glanced back at the guards that followed them.
“I trust your accommodations are satisfactory?” Aurora said.
“They’re so big!” Adam stated in awe.
“Yes,” Justina said. “They are more than satisfactory. It’s all so generous of you to welcome us like this.”
“You are guests here,” Aurora said kindly. “I hope that you will return often and report upon the conditions of the borders. You will be our border ambassadors.”
Border Ambassadors. Justina liked that. It was an important title.
“Border Ambassadors,” Adam repeated with an impressed tone.
“I will,” Justina promised. “Wewill. We would be honored. You’ve done so much for us already. We’ll make regular trips now that we have a horse.”
