Dawn of Destiny (The Warrior Angels Trilogy - Book 1)

Chapter Fourteen

Three years later

Last day of gelid

"Do you smell that, Ward?" Joseph asked as he plopped himself down beside him in the dining hall.

Ashton swallowed the piece of bread he'd been chewing and nodded at him. "Roasted hog?"

Richard snorted, nearly choking on his carrot across the table. Joseph rolled his eyes and ran his fingers through his smooth and shaggy brown hair. Ashton vaguely recalled a time when Joseph preferred his hair short and covered in wax. He couldn't imagine Joseph like that anymore. He couldn't imagine any of them the way they used to be. It felt to him that they'd grown ten years in the past three. 

"No, my friend! Blooming!" Joseph gestured to the row of windows surrounding them. "The blooming season is in the air!" He then grinned charmingly at Ashton. "There's going to be a festival in town for the Heavenly Nights celebration where we'll stay up until dawn, welcoming the rebirth of a beautiful season."

Richard furrowed his eyebrows. "I've had a dream similar to this before," he said, nodding. "Joseph was kind and adored life." Then his eyes widened. "Oh, wait... this is my dream, isn't it? Ashton, quick! Pinch my arm." He leaped to his feet, causing the table to rattle, and he leaned over.

Ashton laughed, setting his half-eaten bread roll down on his plate. Richard sat back down, evidently pleased with himself; his dimples were deeper than usual.

"Oh, make all the fun you want," Joseph told him. "Is it a crime for me to be in good spirits?"

Richard shrugged. "You never are, Joe."

"That's not true."

"Instead of this pointless argument," Ashton started, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms, "how about you tell us what has made you particularly happy today?"

Joseph beamed. "A lovely maiden with the prettiest brown curls and blue eyes that put the sky to shame." He sighed.

Richard made a face. "How pathetic."

Ashton waved him off and turned toward Joseph. "Romance makes you a terrible poet, Joseph. But what is this fair maiden's name?"

"I... I do not know." The besotted expression faded from Joseph, replaced by despair.

"You don't know her name?" asked Richard.

"No." Joseph groaned. "I only met her last night. I went into town for some of those delicious tarts from the bakery. She was there and told me about the festival and how she hopes to see me there."

"You do realize she must've said that to everyone she spoke to about the festival?"

"Richard, Richard, Richard. You weren't there! You didn't see the smile she gave me. That smile could not have been for just anyone. It's the same kind of smile I see the female soldiers give Ashton all the time."

Ashton blinked a few times. "Pardon me?"

Joseph lightly hit him on the arm with the back of his hand. "You cannot tell me you haven't noticed how desperately in love Lucinda is with you?"

"Now that is strange, Joseph. She's the knight I serve, and she is older by five years."

"Strange, sure, but you understand my point, don't you?" Joseph playfully shoved him. "Ah, anyway, I will be looking for my maiden tonight, and you two will join me."

Ashton pursed his lips and gazed apprehensively at Richard. Richard stared right back at him.

"What?" questioned Joseph. "What's with this silent communication between you two?"