That time has vanished. He raised his chin and quickened his pace. But the memories of the past persisted; the pictures rose to his mind unbidden... He was eight years old again, his feet bare as they slapped the stone. Halfway down the hall, he stubbed his toe on an uneven flag. Oh, it hurt! Wincing, he grabbed his offended member and bent curious eyes toward it. Already red. And it looked like the toenail might blacken at that. But never mind! The child dropped his foot and set off again at a limping trot. He must hurry. The high king waited for him. Arthur had said they would go riding today, just he and Deoradhan. Of course, some guards would come along for safety’s sake, but other than that, ‘twould be just the two of them. Deoradhan would have the fine little sorrel pony, and the king would ride his favorite black mare. He couldn’t stop the smile from nearly splitting his face in two, showing the gaps where his last baby teeth had fallen out. How magnificent! He would get to spend a whole day with his favorite person in all of the world.
