Tristam glanced in his direction. “I like them. They remind me of home.”

“You would feel that way, country boy.”

Tristam raised an eyebrow. “If you really want to talk to her, I’ll cover for you. One circle only though.”

Jack slapped his thigh. “Do I believe my ears? Tristam the model squire, allowing me to shirk my duty?” He let out a martyr’s sigh. “No, no. I suppose I should conduct myself like a proper knight-to-be. I’m afraid you’re rubbing off on me. Though she was pretty…”

“A farm girl. Your mother wouldn’t be pleased.”

“My mother needn’t know.”

Tristam decided that didn’t need a reply.

After a moment, Jack spoke again. “Have you decided what you’ll do next month?”

“After we’re knighted? I’ll be applying to the road patrols.”

“Following the Brancel family tradition? The Master Strategist will be disappointed.”

“He’ll have his pick of worthy applicants.”

“But not his star pupil.” Jack lowered his voice in imitation of the old knight. “That young Tristam. Best mind for strategy I’ve seen in ten years.”

Tristam shrugged self-consciously, not thrilled about the conversation he’d eventually have to have with his favorite instructor. “It’s just that I’ll go crazy if I have to stay in Forge any longer. Too many lords to impress, rules to follow.”

“And now he’s complaining about rules. Who are you, shape-shifting demon? What have you done with my friend? Though, on the other hand…” Jack stroked his unbearded chin. “I’m not sure I want him back….”

Tristam rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean. I’ll do a knight’s duty if it’s patrols or actual work. But the politics, the court dinners, all the ways a knight is supposed to behave…”

“What is it about you Brancel men? All this talk of duty and honor, but you insist on performing your service at the edge of civilization. Why so eager to run for the trees?”

“Visit our manor and see for yourself.”

“Think I’ll like it?”

Tristam thought about his family’s land, remembering the quiet trails, the sunrise coming over the mountain. When he went home, he took off for days into the forest, sometimes not seeing another person the entire time. And even at the manor, he wasn’t saddled with the obligations of court life. His family’s staff was small and had known him all his life. He was free to be himself, rather than a courtier in training.

“You’d hate it,” Tristam said.

Jack laughed. “It’s not that I dislike scenery. It’s just that if I have to choose between forests and pretty girls…” Suddenly, Jack sat up straight. “Do you hear that?”

A bell rang faintly in the distance.

“It’s an alarm bell at the farm up ahead,” Jack said. “Come on.” He kicked Gray into a gallop.