It’s an “A-Z challenge” and “If you could” Friday! Whoo Hoo!

Hey everyone!  I was going to forego “If you could” Friday because I’m doing the A-Z challenge, but I thought about it and said, why not to both, so here goes:

If you could /date/marry/have an affair with your favorite fictional character, who would it be and why?

Now on to day 5 of the A-Z challenge.  Today we bring you the letter E.  As in keeping with my theme, I bring to you Eric, another protag from my novel, The Eye of Kedge.  Eric, take it away.

As squire to Sir Trogsdill Domnall, Eric makes it his personal mission to find and offer his services to a mysterious paladin summoned by the mages to protect the realm of Fallhollow.  Fearless in his pursuit, he defies danger in his search for this magical being.  What he finds is nothing like what he imagined, but that’s okay.  Even head-strong, fearless squires have to make unlikely alliances to find what they want, even if it’s hidden in plain sight.

Excerpt:

Eric nodded and shuffled his feet under the weight of Trog’s stare.  He waited for Sestian and Farnsworth to get far enough away before lifting his head and meeting Trog’s gaze.  The knight raised a brow.

“Are you going to tell me where you really were, or are you going to hold to your story that you were listening to a lecture that ended this time yesterday?”

“Which one will get me in the least amount of trouble?”

Trog placed his hand on Eric’s back and edged him down the stone steps to the lower courtyard.  “The truth, Eric.  Always the truth.”

“What if I promised not to tell?”

“Secrets are grave burdens to bear.”

“I can’t betray his confidence, Sir.  I promised.”

Trog nodded.  “Then you’ll sleep in the stables tonight as punishment.”

“But, how is that fair?”

“You know the rules as my squire and you still choose to withhold the truth.  Therefore, you shall be punished accordingly.”

“But the rules of knighthood require I not reveal confidences or secrets under any circumstance to anyone at anytime, even under pain of death.”

“Nice try, lad, but that rule only applies if you’re a knight and have been captured.  Last time I looked, neither of those apply to you.”  Trog placed a heavy hand on Eric’s shoulder.  “I’m going to give you one more chance.  What will it be?”

Eric clenched and unclenched his fists at his sides.  “With all due respect, Sir, I cannot and will not betray my friend.”

Trog removed his hand.  “Then you have made your choice and will suffer the consequences of it.  Now go on and get busy with your chores.  I want each of those blades in your hand sharpened and polished by morning—”

“But, Sir—”

“And for protesting when you should not, you will also sharpen and polish Sir Farnsworth’s blades. I’ll see to it they are dropped off this evening.”  Eric opened his mouth to speak, but changed his mind at Trog’s lifted brow.  “Would you like me to add Sir Gowran’s and Sir Crohn’s weapons to your load?”

Eric bit his lip, his guilt boiling below the surface.  “No, Sir.”

“Very well.  Bring the blades to the farrier’s stall in the morning around eight.  It will be a dual-fold meeting as you can visit your father at the same time.”

Trog paused for a moment, his expression thoughtful, then turned and strolled across the courtyard.  The beast of a man hoisted a young page from a game of marbles and lectured him on the pitfalls of wasting time. Eric snorted at the boy’s bewildered expression and the speed at which he ran once set down upon his feet.  Been there, boy.  He cursed beneath his breath.  What am I talking about?  I’m seventeen and I’m still at his mercy.

****

For a glimpse into my vision of Eric, click the guy below: