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hospitable to us. It is our fault. He killed the deer to feed us.”
    King Dion shook his head. “He should have gotten permission. I would have granted it—but now it is toolate.” He nodded at the knights and said, “Proceed.”
    One knight pulled the trembling farmer over to a small table outside the storage shed and held his arm down. The other drew a gleaming sword. He tested its edge, then said, “I am ready, Sire.”
    Josh felt terrible. He whispered to Elendar, “We can't let this happen. It is all our fault.”
    Elendar stared at him curiously. “The laws are different here, my boy. I can do nothing.”
    Josh saw that Sarah was looking at him, a pleading look in her eye. He at once advanced to stand before the king and looked up into his face, “Sire, this cannot be.”
    â€œCannot be? You dare to say ‘cannot’ to the Sword of Camelot?”
    Josh said, “I would not offend Your Majesty. I am but a stranger here, but surely Your Majesty understands that no true man would want another to suffer for his wrong-doing. I beg you, sir, if someone must suffer for the offense—” Josh's eyes met the king's steadily “—let it be me. The fault was mine. The penalty should be mine.”
    A murmur ran around the knights who were watching, and Sarah said, “Oh, no, Josh!”
    But he stood fast, held up his hand, and said, “If the fault was mine, the penalty must be mine, Your Majesty.”
    Nothing like this had ever come into King Dion's experience. His silver hair gleamed in the afternoon sun, and his dark blue eyes searched the young man. He was still a tall man and strong, though not what he had been in his youth. For a long moment he let the silence run on, and then he suddenly smiled. “You have courage, Joshua. I like that. A bit rash, perhaps,” he added wryly, “but it is a good thing for a young man to be impetuous. I was the same myself when I was your age.” He glanced at the two knights and said, “Release the man.”
    When the knights released Will, he straightened up, and his eyes went to Joshua. He whispered, “Thank you, sir. Thank you!”
    His wife threw her arms around him.
    Josh felt rewarded for the sacrifice he had offered to make.
    â€œWell, you've had enough adventure for one day. Come along with me,” the king commanded. “We have things to talk about.” He waited until the seven were back on their horses and then rode out with his retinue of knights behind him.
    Will came forward as Josh mounted, and he raised his hand. When Josh took it, there were tears in Will's eyes.“Thankee, young master. Ye saved my hand for me. Maybe I can do something for you someday.”
    Josh smiled down at him, leaned over, and squeezed his hand. “It really was my fault, but I'm glad nothing came of it.” He nodded and spurred his horse.
    Sarah was waiting for him. As they rode on, she suddenly leaned over and grabbed him. Josh swayed in the saddle toward her, and before he knew what she was up to, she had planted a kiss right on his cheek with a loud smack.
    â€œThere, Josh! That's what a lady of Camelot does when her knight has done a noble deed!” She laughed at the flush in his cheeks. “Be careful that you're not so noble next time, or you may get more of the same!”

7
A Dangerous Hunt
    I don't know if you've ever hunted anything quite so dangerous,” Loren said.
    The Sleepers were standing with the prince in front of the castle. The day was sunny and beautiful, and yet there was a worried look in the eyes of some of them. They listened apprehensively as Loren went on.
    â€œYou see, we hunt the wild pigs on foot.” His eyes gleamed as he took in the faces of the boys. “And it takes a pretty good man to stand up to one of those beasts, I can tell you for sure!”
    Reb looked at him curiously, then shrugged. “Well, I spent a lot of my