Page 14 - RotalTutor
P. 14

            “I am not concerned in the least about the security     here.  I have complete trust in you and your men, as I did in     your father before you.  It’s just that there is something that     has kept me up at nights.  Something has bothered me     greatly, and I want you to take it on as a special     assignment.”            Jacob felt his breath come back.  A surge of     excitement encompassed his heart.  He was sure the queen     was tired of the attacks on the palace, and was going to     send him to penetrate into the heart of the enemy’s forces.     He had to admit that he had considered this option as well,     but he felt it unwise to assign one of his men.  And he     could not assign himself - only the queen could do that.            Jacob stood tall and proud.  He brought his right arm     up across his chest in a salute of honor to his sovereign.     “Anything Your Majesty would desire is my command.  I     assure you that I am one of the best sword fighters of Your     Majesty’s Royal Guard.”            “Of that I have no doubt,” the queen replied.  “But     this assignment requires more than a sharp sword.  It will     require a keen mind, a good heart, and a patient spirit.  I     have watched you, and I am sure you are the one for the     job.  You are brave, kind, wise, and you carry yourself     well.”            The queen smiled again, and her smile made her eyes     twinkle.  It perplexed him, for it was not a smile     commensurate with the seriousness of the situation.  Could     it be that this was still just a way to get rid of him?  Instead                                       12
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