Lance shouldered his way out of the stables, and came face to face with Lord Agravaine. He blanched. “How much of that did you overhear?” he asked.

“Enough.” Lord Agravaine regarded him appraisingly. “That night, when his mother found the two of you together. It wasn’t the first time.”

“No,” Lance admitted. “I cared for him very much. And I believed he felt the same, even though he insisted no one could know about us.”

“Because he thought we’d disapprove,” Lord Agravaine said, looking unspeakably disappointed. “Of his interest in boys.”

Lance frowned. “You don’t?”

“How could I fault him for being himself? He is my son.”

“Then you need to talk to him. Because Jereth believes you sent him away out of disgust.”

Lord Agravaine grimaced. “I sent him away because I thought a change of scene would do him good. I went away to school as a child. The discipline helped.”

“I doubt you got into much trouble,” said Lance.

Lord Agravaine lifted an eyebrow. “You’d be surprised. Jereth’s a lot like I was at his age. Stubborn. Angry. Passionate.”

“You should tell him that.” Lance hesitated before adding, “Before my father passed away, it meant a lot to hear him say how proud he was. He’d always wanted me to follow in his footsteps and become a knight.”

Lance looked away, willing his chin to stop quivering. When he got himself back under control, he saw that Lord Agravaine had a bleak expression on his face.

“It hasn’t escaped my notice that you’ve had a curious effect on the castle guards,” said Lord Agravaine. “In the face of injustice, they did what they knew was right.” he arched an eyebrow. “You’re fashioning them into knights.”

“I’m—what?” Lance frowned.

“You’re teaching them loyalty, chivalry, and honor. I’ve seen for myself how they follow Arthur’s command, as well as your own.”

“They do not,” Lance protested, even though there was truth to the man’s observation. “Well, maybe a little.”

“I think,” Lord Agravaine said carefully, “that it is more than time to set the record right. I’ll make certain Jereth does so, before he departs.”

Lance stared at him, barely daring to believe what he was hearing. “I—” He cleared his throat, barely trusting himself to speak. “Thank you.”

Lord Agravaine nodded. “Thank you for reminding me that some things need to be spoken aloud, no matter how obvious they might seem.”

The next evening, Lance received a summons from the king. He brushed imaginary dirt from the front of his uniform, trying to remain calm as he approached the castle’s east wing.

And then he saw Arthur hurrying toward him. The prince skidded to a stop, taking a moment to catch his breath.

“I’m coming with you,” said Arthur. “For moral support. And to vouch that you made a wonderful squire at the sword-fighting competition.”