8 June, 1358. Magdaline Castle, Islia
William lay back on the soft grass, one arm tucked behind his head. He squinted his eyes against the bright afternoon sunlight, feeling pleasantly drowsy. He and a few of his friends were in the middle of an impromptu picnic in the western gardens. They were accompanied by a handful of ladies, most who William vaguely knew and none of which interested him in the slightest. Their chatter was lulling him to sleep.
He heard Robin's merry laugh as well as his cousin Tom's voice teasing one of the ladies about something. Ever since Tom's betrothal had been announced, the young man had thrown himself headlong into carousing with the ladies, as if trying to deny his upcoming reality. William felt sorry for him, being forced to marry a woman he fiercely disliked. He dreaded the day King Edward started scouting around for his bride. William hated the idea of being shackled by marriage.
