TANTALIZING TUESDAY

The Middle Ages. The Dark Ages. The time of knights.

It’s so easy to romantize the Middle Ages. What girl hasn’t imagined being rescued by a knight in shining armor and being able to hold on as the two of you ride off into the setting sun?

But if we look through out history books, not all knights were good. Some burned cities down to the ground and took whatever gold or treasures they could find. Others ignored the knight’s code of chivalry and did whatever they pleased, believing that their rank entitled them.

I don’t know about you, but I would much rather read about the dashing, daring type of knight. After all, history is meant to be rewritten! (Although writing about a nearly villainous knight and redeeming him could make for an interesting story…. Hmm….)

Sir Geoffrey is one such knight. He longs for battle and adventure, willing to do whatever his king asks of him. Despite his masculinity, Geoffrey also has a more tender side. He idealizes love and the queen joking bestowed him the nickname “Bard.”

In Knight of Glory, Geoffrey finds himself torn between two very different women: the beautiful and mysterious Celestia and the strong, slightly sarcastic Jenanna. While he seeks out possible allies for the Kingdom of Arnhem, Geoffrey struggles to learn what love really is even as he fights for his life.

Here is a short excerpt from Knight of Glory that explores the knight side of Geoffrey:

Despite the upsetting dream, Geoffrey tried to settle. The moon was still visible, just beginning her descent, and he had many hours of rest he could try to claim. He nearly dozed again when the sound of an arrow whizzing past him woke Geoffrey up completely. He immediately reached for his bow and readied to fire a shot, but the darkness clouded his vision and he could not see his enemy.

"Raulin," he hissed in a demanding whisper. When the boy did not stir, Geoffrey left the safety of the tree and shook the boy. "Raulin, grab your bow."

Another arrow struck the dirt in front of them. They scrambled for cover. The scent of burning wood wafted to Geoffrey, and he nearly fell over in disbelief. "What are you doing, Jacob? You want them to kill us? Have you gone daft? We aren't wearing armor! One arrow and we could be dead!"

"I know." Jacob gave him a wide grin. He dipped his arrow into the fire before shooting the flaming projectile toward Speica. The light from the flame gave enough illumination that Geoffrey saw several Speican archers on the other side.

"Come on, Raulin. Hide behind this tree. Reach around, light the arrows, and hand them to us. Quickly now," Geoffrey ordered. He hated to give the jokester respect but Jacob's quick thinking was remarkable and he gave that respect, even if only begrudgingly.

The boy hurried over and complied. Jacob fired first so Geoffrey could aim to kill. Although many Speican arrows landed close to them, one or two even landed in the fire, the trio remained unharmed. After Geoffrey killed one and maimed another, the remaining Speicans fled.

Geoffrey stomped out the fire, his face grim. "This is not good. They'll send reinforcements. We must continue."

"But--"

"There's no help for it, Raulin," he added sharply.

The young squire closed his mouth with a huff. Stomping his feet, he climbed onto his horse, allowing the mount to trudge northward at a leisurely pace. Jacob followed, and Geoffrey assumed the rear position.

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