Page 46 of Lord of Misrule

King barked, playing with Tolin.

“Nay, he’s not gone. He’s right there, with his master.”

“King, King!” called the boy, running after the dog.

Laughing, Kit entered the tent to see Raven sitting there folding up the blankets.

“Oh, allow me to do that, my lady. It isn’t something a noble should be doing.” She knelt down to take over.

“Kit, I don’t mind. Since I’m a mother I have a different opinion on what a noble should or shouldn’t do. Speaking of that, did you have a nice talk with Tolin last night?” She sounded as if she knew something.

“Yes. We spoke.” Kit continued to fold the blankets.

“So...what did he say to you?” She smiled and seemed eager to hear.

“Well, he told me that Parker and I are free to go home as soon as we return to Blake Castle.”

“He did?” she said, sounding surprised and as if it wasn’t what she expected to hear.

“Lady Raven, I swear my son is innocent. He never tried to steal the guard’s sword. It was just a misunderstanding.”

“I believe you, Kit. I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just that I thought perhaps Tolin said...other things to you too?”

“Such as what?” Kit wasn’t volunteering the information about the kiss.

“Didn’t he tell you that he was attracted to you?”

“Well, yes, as a matter of fact, he did. Just now, by the fire.” Her eyes darted back to the flap of the tent.

“Just now?” Raven seemed confused. “Kit, how do you feel about my brother?”

“I like him,” said Kit. “At first I didn’t, but now I do.” She said nothing more.

“Do you want to leave the castle and go home today?”

Hearing Raven say it made it seem so final. Kit thought she’d be happy returning home, but now that it was happening so soon, she found herself wishing she could stay. At least until Twelfth Night. “It is the Lord of Misrule’s wishes.”

“But is it really your wish to leave?”

She thought for a moment, not sure what to say. Then she realized that it would probably be best to go since she and Tolin did not belong together and never would. “It would be most beneficial to me and my family to get back home,” she told Raven, not looking at the woman when she spoke.

“Oh, Kit! I had so much hope that you and Tolin might someday end up together. I suppose from now on I should stick to minding my own business.” She got up abruptly and left the tent.

End up together? What did that mean, Kit wondered. Had Tolin released her because he didn’t want her anymore? Or had he done it because he really did care about her?

Confusion filled Kit’s mind. She wasn’t sure what was going on, but mayhap once she returned home she’d be able to think about this with more of a clear head.

“We’re ready to leave,” called out Tolin a short time later. “Everyone mount up. Parker, you’re with me.” He looked over to see the boy sitting on Raven’s horse with her.

“He’s riding back with me,” Raven told him.

“What? Why?” he asked. “Kit is supposed to ride with you.”

“She’ll just have to ride with you instead, I guess.” Raven shrugged and took off atop her horse. King barked and ran along with her. Tolin spotted Kit putting out the fire and walked over to join her.

“Kit, it seems Raven took the boy so you’ll have to ride back to the castle with Oliver or Jarvis instead.”

“Nay, my lord,” said Jarvis, riding past him. “Oliver has already left by Lord Rook’s orders and my horse is too loaded down with the supplies to hold a person too.”