A Warrior's Redemption (The Warrior Kind)

Krista might take some serious convincing to leave her new life, but I was determined to have her by my side.

I wasn't exactly my old self yet, but the desire to go and find Krista was too great for me to put off any longer. I'd lost a lot of weight that I hadn't all gained back yet, but I was well enough to travel.

The castle was still wreathed in early morning fog, as I made my way through it toward the stables where I knew Rolf would have Flin saddled and waiting for me. I saw Rolf standing outside the stable with Flin. Thaddeus was also there.

I noticed that Thaddeus looked concerned and his question reflected it. "Is there nothing I can do to get you to stay and rest a little longer?"

I shook my head no.

He nodded resignedly, "Just like a Ta'lont. Don't know when to stay down. About this girl, your intentions toward her are honorable are they not?"

"Yes Sir."

He reached out and took my hand, "Then take this."

He dropped a ring into the palm of my hand. The ring was a beautiful interweave of gold sinuously wrapped around an array of finely cut diamonds.

"It was your grandmothers. I think she would have liked to have her grandson's woman wear it in marriage. It will be good seeing it on a hand and being appreciated once again. I only hope and pray that you experience with your lady love what I got to with mine. Live every day with her Roric, as if it's your last. You never know when it can end!" Thaddeus finished emotionally, as he wiped a tear away gruffly with one hand.

Speechless I stared at the ring in my hand as I searched for what to say.

"Oh and before I forget." Thaddeus said, as he started tugging away at one of his fingers. The protesting ring that he tugged on came off his finger grudgingly, "There we go! This is now yours too."

He dropped the heavy gold ring with the Ta'lont crest on it into the palm of my hand with the other ring already there. "Thunder Ridge is yours now Roric and when you return you will take over the duties of running it. I wore the ring, as my wedding ring as well. I've stayed true to both my marriage and the just ways of my ancestor's stewardship over this place. I expect you to do the same, which I know you will."

"I can't take your ring grandfath…."

"Yes you can! You've more than earned it!" He said, as he closed my fingers over the rings and then squeezed my closed hand tightly with both of his. "Now it's time for you to get out of here and bring back your girl. I want to see those sad reserved eyes of your light up with joy and contentment boy and while you're at it you can make me some great grandchildren to bounce on my knee before I'm too old to."