Under Fallen Stars - Mel Odom [102]
"Meaning you think I should take the armor off?"
Glawinn faced him, a good-natured twinkle in his green eyes but steel in his voice. "Meaning I insist that you do exactly that."
"No disrespect intended," Jherek said, curbing his anger and surprised at his own impertinence, "but I hardly think you're in a position to tell me what to do."
Glawinn put the currycomb in one of the saddlebags near the tree he'd claimed as a sleeping area for the night. "Ah, now there's anger. That can be a warrior's truest weapon, you know, provided he makes it serve him instead of him serving it. A man who's righteously angry ignores pain and guilt and second thoughts, and glories himself in doing the right thing."
Jherek swallowed hard. "I'm sorry. I was out of line. After all, you've been nothing but generous with us."
Glawinn started stripping out of the rest of the armor. "Actually, you weren't out of line," he said in a softer voice. "I know it's the woman that you worry about most. You don't know me, yet you and she find yourselves somewhat dependent on me."
"We didn't mean any hardship for you," Jherek quickly said. "If we're imposing, I know we can make it on our own."
After the paladin had intervened between Tynnel and him, Jherek had readily agreed to the knight's offer to accompany them for a time, and he'd even lent one of the pack-horses for Sabyna to ride, having to sacrifice some of the supplies he'd carried with him. Jherek had kept up walking, but only just, and he'd had to argue with Sabyna several times about sharing the pack animal. She'd stubbornly insisted on walking beside him a few times, but she didn't have the strength or stamina he did.
"Nonsense," Glawinn said, sitting down and putting his back to the tree. He crossed his legs and sat with his broadsword resting across both knees. "If I'd thought you were going to be that much trouble, I'd never have offered."
Jherek sat across the campfire from the man and lifted an eyebrow in doubt. "Leaving a woman out in the forest to fend for herself? That doesn't seem very knightly."
Glawinn laughed, and the honesty of the sound made Jherek feel good, safe despite the forest surrounding them and twilight coming on.
"And what would you know of knights, young warrior?" Glawinn asked.
"I've read about them in books."
"What books?"
Jherek named some of the books Malorrie had given him to read over the years. For a phantom, Malorrie had always seemed to have an extensive library.
"Ah, the romances," Glawinn said when he finished. "I've meandered through some of them myself. I find them very prettily written and good for a few evenings' entertainment but as far as training a paladin how to think?" He shook his head. "No, young warrior, a knight listens with his heart, the greatest gift his chosen deity has seen fit to equip him with. Have you ever read 'Quentin's Monograph?' "
Jherek nodded. That had been one of the first things Malorrie had put before him. "It speaks about the virtues a paladin should have."
"Yes, and it's a very concisely written piece, with some practical information on the care of weapons and animals, and a few of Quentin's own adventures." Glawinn ran his fingers down the spine of his sword blade, hardly touching it. "Modestly expressed, of course."
"Aye."
Glawinn smiled. "But you prefer the romances, of course?"
Jherek grinned bashfully. "Aye."
"No worry, young warrior, there's no shame in holding to an ideal. I just hope that you aren't too disappointed by the things you see outside those books."
Jherek nodded. "I know the difference between the books and real life." He tried to keep the bitterness out of his voice. Almost everything in life was different than what was shown in those books.
"I can tell by the markings on your face and body that you've been traveling the rougher side of life for the last little while."
"Aye. I was at the battle of Baldur's Gate."
"Baldur's Gate?" Glawinn sat up straighten "I am only lately come from Cormyr. I've no news of Baldur's Gate."
Jherek glanced toward the copse of trees not far distant from