Melissa and Sheriff Vivian found him moaning out on Lookout Rocks. But once they determined he was the victim of some doxie named Brianna, they brought him to Avalon.
See Love on the Rocks - II.
Once at Castle Blackguard, he thanked them, but decided to hike back to his army unit.
Unfortunately, there was no Army unit, or General. Thankfully, neither was there a girl named "Brianna".
The young ladies of Avalon smiled at him, and whispered between themselves.
Alice Joy McLeod, one of the more direct ladies, invited Joe to practice swordplay.
"But, uh, AJ... you're not shielded."
"The better to move, Lieutenant - and just what is this 'Lieutenant-thing' you call yourself? Come on! Or are you scared?"
"Maybe if I draw an 'A' on your chest... Yes, a warning to the other girls."
He takes the guard position. "You really want to do this?"
She nods. "Of course. Skill, dexterity... they may come in handy some day."
He twists from harm's way.
Her lunge takes her farther than expected. Heat of his body warms...
AJ breaks away...
"Hands to self, Joe Hanbro."
"You were off balance. All I did was steady you."
AJ swallows. "Yeah, sure." But she accepts his help.
After the heated swordplay, Alice Joy takes her favorite steed for a canter - an afternoon through the heather...
She looks toward the distant hills. "Who is he to stir my blood?"
"Indeed, what do we know of him? And just who is he?"
"Hunh! - All muscles and no imagination. Who needs him?"
AJ dismounts. "What was that?"
"Could have sworn..."
"Blacke's Band! How did they get here?"
"And Red Raven leads them!"
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