Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend by Cheryl Carpinello (Excerpt)

Posted on Monday, October 14, 2013

Chapter 2

The Rabbit

Both children stood in the bailey courtyard, still breathing hard from their run back to the castle. Cedwyn’s mum Brynwyn stood before them. Her stern look left no doubt that they were in trouble. She glanced from one to the other and shook her head.

“Both of you know better than to be gone all morning and without a proper breakfast,” she scolded. “You know you have certain responsibilities, even at your ages.” Her gaze burned into Guinevere’s brown eyes.

Guinevere lowered her head, ashamed at being in trouble. Cedwyn stood beside her, his eyes on the ground.

“It’s too late to eat, so you can both just get busy.” She paused, waiting for a protest from them. None came. “Cedwyn, have the courtyard raked by mid-afternoon, or I’ll send you to the stable to help,” Brynwyn said. Reaching up, her leathered hand pushed strands of black and white hair back into place, and her focus shifted to Guinevere.

“And you, Lady Guinevere, make haste to the schoolroom for your lessons. Both of you should be grateful that your backsides are not sore after being gone!” she added as she turned toward the kitchen, the bag with the rabbit in her hand.

Guinevere started to leave, but Cedwyn didn’t move. He was on the verge of tears. Noticing this, she gave him a hug.

“Don’t fret, your mum will forget being mad at us by supper time.”

“Mayhap, but you don’t have to rake the courtyard and maybe even clean the stables.”

“No, I just have to spend the next three hours inside that stuffy old schoolroom with Professor Rymes. At least you’ll be outside and able to enjoy the rest of the day.”

“Wanna trade?”