Read Online Echoes of Avalon (Tales of Avalon Book 1) by Adam Copeland - Free Book Online Page B

his hair
    “Are you sure? I can...”
    “I am fine!” He said. “I became sick in France. I had a fever and I am just now recovering, that is all. Now go please, and let me be.”
    Sir Jon hesitated, and then obeyed. He closed the door behind him as he left, and Patrick collapsed in a heap on the bed.
    #
     
    The following morning, Patrick did not bother getting up. He knew of no engagement that committed him to be anywhere and had no special desire to go anywhere or see anybody, so he just lay there. And thought.
    There was a knock. Patrick got up from the bed to answer it. It was the servant Aimeé with a tray of food.
    “Sir Jon said that you were not feeling well, and I did not see you at breakfast this morning, so I thought that I would bring you something to eat,” she said, starting to enter the room.
    Patrick hesitated behind the door. “I am not dressed. I am only in a nightgown.”
    “Oh, don’t be silly. You are not on your horse at the moment and besides, I have many brothers and there is no one around to care.” Her voice flattened a bit. “Not that any one would care what a knight does with a servant anyway.”
    She forced her way inside and set the tray on the bureau, after which she took Patrick by the hand and led him back to his bed. Patrick, shocked by her bluntness, did not protest. “Now, get in. There is a draft and you are sick. How do you expect to get better?”
    Patrick crawled under the blankets while Aimeé retrieved the tray and brought it to him.
    “I am fine, really. I exaggerated last night when I left the banquet.”
    “You could not have exaggerated too much. You did not come back. Everyone thought you had fallen in the throne.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “The throne. You know, la toilette .”
    “Oh.” Patrick smiled. “Yes, well, once I was rid of my foul spirits, I thought it best to sleep. In any case, I did not think anyone would notice me missing.”
    “I did,” she said, smiling.
    Patrick began to slowly pick at the morsels of food on the tray. He felt self-conscious while she stood by watching him eat. He said nothing, as he expected her to depart.
    After several more moments during which Aimeé intertwined her fingers before her and twiddled her thumbs, she cleared her throat and said, “Well, I must be going, I guess. We have so many linens to wash. The new Guests will be here shortly.” She turned toward the door, and then turned back, a look of mock-sternness on her face accompanied by a wagging finger. “Now eat up; you need to get your strength back.”
    Patrick smiled wanly. “Of course.”
    Aimeé’s mock-sternness turned to a meek smile. “Will I see you soon?”
    Patrick nodded.
    Aimeé’s smile broadened. “ Très bien .” She skipped away down the hallway. As soon as she left, Jon knocked on the open door.
    “Hello,” he said. “How are you feeling today?”
    “Fine, thank you. Sorry for my behavior last night,” Patrick replied.
    Jon shrugged. “Do not worry about it. And to change the subject,” he said, “it looks like you have made a new friend.” He jerked his head in the direction of the departing servant girl.
    Patrick sighed heavily, which caused Jon's brow to furrow in curiosity.
    “I try to avoid women. I have not had much luck with them, lady or not,” Patrick explained.
    Jon smiled. “I am sure we all have had the same trouble at some time.”
    #
     
    A group of Avangarde immersed in a raucous conversation rounded the corridor. They were gesturing wildly and laughing, but managed just in time to avoid a collision with Jon and Patrick. As they passed, the emblem of the Avalon swan crest shone on their well-kept surcoats, and their capes danced behind them.
    “Do you think we will ever be Avangardesmen?” Patrick asked.
    “They say it is quite possible. There are Gardesmen leaving all the time, from what I understand. I have been talking a lot with the men here. You know, getting to know them and getting myself known so that