Lancelot Part 6

The formative years

The sunset may had been seen many times by Bran but today he find looking himself looking with keen interest. It has been past four summer seasons since they left the lake, and they are coming to their fifth summer now. The time they have spent on the traveling had been long with many cold nights in the woods, or some clearing by the stream. It was harder in the first season, as no one know of Lancelot nor anyone cared who he was. Soon as they took challenges, the name of Lancelot soon spread among the others although it meant more jousting and fighting at times.

Bran remembered Lancelot first jousting with the lance he won from the other knight. They had trained in the art of jousting back at the lake but it was with a blunt end. This joust was a real one and the lance is sharpened at the end. The knight then was named Bern of Man; a knight of some age and experiences. He did not mock at Lancelot as others have done but coached him on the art of jousting.

Bern advised Lancelot, its not only the knight which can win a joust but also his horse. A well trained horse helped a lot as the horse would keep its track while the knight fights with the lance. More to it, he told Lancelot that the horse he is riding is in adequate for such a task. It was asked to Lancelot to find a charger for his horse compared to the larger destrier that he now ride. It also asked that he changed his spurs to a long necked one so he can managed the horse during the run. A good high back saddle would be good for the leverage during the charge.

Bern also told him on the needed changes to his armor as the one he wore is suited for sword play and not able to take the impact of an advancing lance. Bern suggested to him to find another before taking the challenge. He offered to meet up with Lancelot in the next season at the same place.

Lancelot then scout the land for the suitable horse and armor. It was this event which took him to the castle of Herdford. The duo was passing by the land when they were approached by a detachment of soldiers on horses.

"Sir Lancelot, we are the Guards of Lord Dean of Herdford. His castle is over the hill and he invites you there to rest on your journey." The leader of the detachment announced to the weary duo.

"Do lead the way, sir." Lancelot replied to the guard.

"Sir Lancelot, I am ever delighted to host you on your journey." A tall man with a narrow face with a wisp of whiskers above his lips. "My name is Lord Dean, and this is my castle."

The castle is indeed a work of art as it comprised several structures behind the main wall guarded by six sentries towers. The structures inside consist of the main building which housed the Main Hall and several chambers stacked in the three floor landings. The cooking area is to the rear alongside the servants' quarter. On the right side of the main structure is the double level barracks, and then facing it is the stables and work area for the blacksmith. To the left side of the Main Hall is the double level structure which housed the stables and above it are the riders.

The castle is not a big one but it still houses about a hundred over inhabitants.

Lancelot was led into the Main Hall where a large feast awaits him. He has seen to many of these in the seasons more so when victory carries his name. But in this hall, he was caught up the sight of the crest that was hung on the wall. Its a beautiful crest of a galloping horse garlanded by a ring of fire around it.

"It a beautiful crest of the family." Lord Dean commented on it when he saw Lancelot looking at it. "My family have been horse breeders and trainers for generations."

"Its a beautiful crest and one worthy of you, my Lord." Lancelot declared to him. Lancelot was soon usher into the table and his thoughts was long forgotten when his palate was filled up. He took his fill and shared with his host more tales of his travel. It was long later in the night when Lancelot took his leave to walked to the open side door that leads to a small garden between the Main Hall and the Stables.

Lancelot saw before him a fine structure with about thirty over individual horses that are resting there. He was watching a fine specimen which was a white mare, with a silky coat. It was covered with a velvet red coat from the night air.

"Its a fine one, that mare." A voice spoke out to him. Lancelot looked to his rear and saw a maiden who was standing there. "My name is Bernice. I am the niece of Lord Dean."

"The honor is mine to meet you, my Lady." Lancelot leaned over and took her hand to lay a kiss on the index finger. "My name is ...."

"Sir Lancelot, I know." The maiden explained herself. "Your exploits are well known in these parts."

It was then Lancelot looked at the maiden standing before him. He has seen many in his travels, and many had come onto him but he had never accepted any proposal. But this time, he find himself drawn to this maiden who is not exceptionally pretty but she does look sweet to him. Maybe its the wine, Lancelot said to himself, but he can't helped staring at her. Bernice is about his height with a slightly curled hairs that reached her waist, and she is build rather slim which actually enhanced her tall looks in her silvery maroon gown held tightly by matching girdle that enhanced her bosom. Lancelot was very much fixated on her eyes hidden beneath the heavy lashes and the full lips that emits out seductive thoughts in his mind.

"I am sorry, my Lady. I must had drank one too many tonight. Forgive me for staring at you." Lancelot took a small bow to apologies for his rude stares.

"Its okay, Sir Lancelot." Bernice blushed at the apology. "Its not often I get stared at."

"Please addressed me as Lancelot, my Lady." Lancelot felt rather uncomfortable to be addressed in the formal rank. "And I am then called you, Bernice."

"A very comparable thought of mine, ...... Lancelot." Bernice held out her hand for Lancelot to hold as she walked towards the stable. " I would like to show you the mare."

Lancelot took hold of her extended hand and walked with her to the mare.

"She is a fine one; a cross breed with a thoroughbred and warmblood." Bernice stroked the mane of the mare as she moved around to the front of it. "I was there when she was born, and I asked my uncle to give him to me. Her father was a good jousting horse with a steady ride. He won many jousts in his days, and so was the mother who rode to many battles."

Bernice stroked the mare back and asked Lancelot to feel the silky coat too. Lancelot placed his right hand on the back but Bernice took hold of it and assisted him in sweeping at the mane of the horse. She pulled him to stroke at the upper neck thus he had to move closer to behind her to reach. He find himself standing behind her with his face next to her flowing hair.

"Can you feel the smoothness of the mane?" Bernice asked of him as she leaned ever slightly back towards him. For the first time in his adulthood, Lancelot did not stepped back but stood there touching and smelling at the hair of the young maiden. He reached with his other hand to clasp at Bernice waist as they stood there closely.

Bernice moved the right hand down the mane of the mare to below it neck when the mare nudges it head against her. At the same time, she mold her body ever tighter to Lancelot. She can feel the length of his body against her and she like the feeling of hardness that strokes against her lower back.

"I was there when the stud was courting the mare. It was so adventurous, and the ...scene was so unfolding to me." Bernice recount that day when she spy on the stud mounting the mare. She could not resist herself as she grind her body against him. She felt so much in need to feel the heat of that moment that she moved his left hand from the girdle towards her bosom. She clasped on his so that he can knead the softer flesh as she leaned back on her neck on him. Lancelot have hardly any experience beyond this point, somehow find himself leaning over to kiss at the exposed shoulder, as he trailed his kisses to her shoulder joint.

"Yes.... That's...." But Lancelot pulled away at the last move. He stepped back suddenly causing not only Bernice to jump in alarm but the mare also shudder at the sudden move.

"I am sorry, my Lady." Lancelot apologies to Bernice." I was too forward with my manners."

Lancelot did not wait for an apology as he return back to the Main Hall, leaving Bernice huffing with anger.

Much later, Lancelot choose to retire to his assigned chamber. He close the door and walked to his bedding. It looked so inviting from the cold ground he has been sleeping on lately. He paused in his walk as he thought of Bernice. He felt he should apologize more than just walked away. Its not that he does not like the maidens; Bran is one who did not hesitate in his discretion as he surround himself with them wenches from the taverns or servant quarters. Bran once told him, there is no harm in sharing the love if they are needed by others, but Lancelot felt that his days with the Guardians taught him more on just love. They taught him long lasting love and above all respect for the ladies. He felt that would be the way to treat such relationship and not have it like .... stud. His mind wanders back to Bernice and the scene at the stable.

He looked down at himself and smiled. It was nice to hold her then, but is it the way to act was his question. But now he needs to use the bowl to clear his load. He stripped off his tunic and leggings to looked for the bowl. It was by the bed and he released himself. That done, he took up the cloth next to the rinsing bowl to wipe himself clean. He felt clean from the rough cloth wipe but he find himself with an upright issue.

"Perhaps I could help....."

Lancelot looked towards the bedding and find Bernice raising herself upright from it. She sat up and did not bother to pull the cover over her top naked body. She reached up with her hand and looked for him.

"You need come closer." Bernice motioned to him. Lancelot could not help but stared at the maiden who is now on his bedding. His stare moved from her face toward her perky bosom with round pinkish teats. Its not that he has not seen the bosom of other ladies but this one is so ....inviting. Bernice on seeing that he is not going to move, pulled the bedding covers away and crawled out the bedding. She stood before him and reached with her right hand to his manhood. She grasp it and he shuddered at the contact. She pressed her body against him and leaned over to kissed him. Lancelot find himself responding to her kiss and his hand went around over her waist to pull her closer. His hands then starts to moved in unison to below her waist and cupped at her lower cheeks.

"Oh.... I think its best we used the bedding as its more comfortable." Bernice pulled away and pulled at him towards the bed. Lancelot on top of her and continued kissing her but she soon moved his lips to her neck and then to her bosom. He know not what to do but he did what his mind directs of him just as she had spread her legs to accommodate him inside her.

It was the sun that woke him up and he sat upright in a start. He looked to the other side of the bed and find no one there. He thought he was dreaming, but he find welts on his body where she must raked him in their lovemaking. He took his face into his hands and shook it hard.

"What did I do?" Lancelot muttered to himself. He jumped out of bed and reached for his tunic and leggings. It was then when Bran walks in with his tunic untucked and his hair tousled like a storm had ravaged it.

"Good morning, Sire." Bran spoke to Lancelot. "Did you have a good sleep?"

Bran did not see the punch that sent him sprawling to the floor. Lancelot stepped over the fallen squire to rushed to the Main Hall. He met a servant and questioned him on the whereabouts of Lady Bernice.

"Lady Bernice have just left for her own castle. You may be able to catch her if you hurry." Lancelot did not answer the servant as he rushed to the stable.

"Get me a horse." Lancelot told the stable hand. The horse was led to him, and it was the mare. "That is not mine. Where is my horse?"

"Lady Bernice sent that to the market. She asked that you ride this one instead."

Lancelot gallop on the mare and caught up with the carriage carrying Lady Bernice. Her carriage is escorted by four riders and they are all well armed. He rode up to her carriage and called for it to halt. One of the riders came forth with his sword drawn.

"Name your reason, sir for stopping this carriage."

"I have words to speak to the lady in the carriage." Lancelot protested and pushed his way through. The rider tried to intervene and Lancelot reached for his sword.

"Stop it!" Bernice called from inside the carriage. "Sir Lancelot may approached me."

Lancelot approached the carriage on foot and Lady Bernice stepped out. She motioned to him to walk with her to the nearby shade under a large tree. One of the rider wanted to come forth, but Lady Bernice stopped him.

"Tell me what can I do for you, Sir Lancelot?" Lady Bernice took out the fan from her pouch and fanned herself.

"About last night....." Lancelot tried to bring up the matter, but Lady Bernice hushed him up.

"Last night, I spent the night with my fiancee. I do not recalled of anything else that happened otherwise." Lady waved to the rider who tried to followed them earlier. "There he is; a charming guy with a manor to his name."

"Bernice...." Lancelot tried to speak but she stopped him.

"I may called on your discretion, Sir Lancelot to protect my vanity." Lady Bernice glared at him. "You may keep the mare as my token of appreciation."

With that she walked back to her carriage and be on her way with her fiancee. Sir Lancelot looked to the departing carriage until it left his sight over the horizon. It was then when Bran rode up to him.

"Are you okay, Sire?"

Lancelot nodded, and Bran punched him in the nose. Then Bran rode off back to the castle. Till this day, no one knew of the fight as both lad kept their promise to be discreet.

"Bern, we meet again." Lancelot shout at the other end of the field. Bern of Man reared up his horse on its hind legs.

"So we have although we are short of one season. But we can try our skills now." Bern charged up his horse to raced towards Lancelot. They met at the middle point and Bern got thrown off his horse.

"I yield, Lancelot." Bern told him as he got up from the ground. "How did you improve so fast?'

"Its a knight prerogative to be discreet in something that affects them. Good day, sir and I would be on my way,"