Page 2 of Knight of Darkness
“Thank ye, milord,” the boy called out before pulling on the reins to take Aries to the nearby stable.
Wymar entered the inn and was not surprised to find the place overflowing with others who also felt the need for a roof over their heads and a hot meal. A quick scan of the room told him there were none within who held an immediate grudge against him and he relaxed. Theobald called to him from across the crowded room and Wymar made his way toward the table his brothers had managed to claim. He flung off his drenched cloak and nudged his youngest brother.
“Move over, Reynard,” Wymar order. “You know I will not have my back to the room.”
“God’s blood!” Reynard complained. “Can you not stop telling me what to do for even a moment?”
Wymar gave the younger man a nudge. “Mayhap you will eventually figure out to follow my orders or learn from the mistakes you have made in the past. At a score and three, I should not have to tell you where I sit whilst in a common room.”
Reynard reluctantly slid over upon the bench. “You are but five years older than me, Wymar. Why must you always be such a pain in my arse?” he complained bitterly.
Theobald’s laughter rumbled in his chest before he propped his muddy boots across the opposite bench to stretch his legs. “You two go ahead and quarrel if you wish. I plan on ignoring you both and eating and drinking my fill whilst I can.”
“Did you order food?” Wymar inquired when Reynard slid a mug across the table toward him. He took a long gulp and sighed in pleasure.
“Of course,” Theobald answered setting down his cup. “Thought it wise, given the number of men here tonight. Wait too long and they just might run out of sustenance given the crowd.”
“How long has it been since we have eaten a hot meal?” Reynard grumbled into his cup. Taking another sip, he turned his head and licked his lips whilst watching a platter of meat pass by to be served at the next table. “I swear my ribs are rubbing together from hunger.”
Wymar laughed. “You are hardly starving, Reynard. ’Tis not our fault you slept late at our last stop and only had time for a bit of bread and cheese to break your fast.”
“Bah! We could have waited long enough so I could have at least gulped down some porridge,” Reynard moaned.
Theobald banged his mug upon the wooden table. “You know Wymar’s rule. Up with the sun to make the most of the day. You had no one to blame but your own self for sleeping so late we had to have a lad sent up to wake you.”
“I was sure he was occupied with the pretty wench who had her eye upon him that eve. If such had been the case, he would have been left behind. But nay, not our younger brother. He was only nursing his pounding head,” Wymar added casting an eye at his mutinous sibling. “Really, Reynard, I think you should just take advantage of one of these willing whores and ease your suffering.”
“Who says I am suffering?” Reynard sneered.
Theobald nodded. “Aye! You should not be mourning a woman for so long, and yet you have not been the same since Lady Johanne’s passing. ’Twas not your fault the lady took ill. You are lucky you did not catch her ailment as well. Look around you, Reynard, and enjoy life. There are so many women whose favors can be sampled. Some do not so much as even ask for a bit of coin.”
Reynard mumbled a curse and took a drink. A pretty young lass came and brought their food. The aroma of warm bread and meat pie filled their noses. She gave Reynard a wink and a smile. He ignored her unspoken offer and began to fill his trencher.
Reaching for another platter, Reynard broke off a piece of the bread and passed the dish to his brothers. Greedily he began to eat. “You know nothing of being in love and I look forward to the day when you are both struck down by women who pierce your hearts. Until then, I will mourn as I see fit and ’tis none of your business for how long I plan to do so.”
Wymar laughed. “Brought down low by some meddlesome woman telling me what to do? ’Twill never happen.”
Reynard pounded his fist onto the table. “I shall take that bet!”
Theobald chuckled again, raising his tankard in a silent toast. “You two never cease to amuse me. I just might place a wager amongst the men on who shall wed a beautiful lady first.”
Wymar laughed so loud it caused those at the next table to stare at them. “Save your monies, Theo!” he answered waving to have his cup refilled. “Until our lands and my title are restored, I have no desire to settle down. And I have no intention of ever seeking love, which is for fools by the way. Mayhap someday a woman will cross my path where I can find a common accord and live out my days at Brockenhurst. But for now, I can have all my needs satisfied easily enough without the commitment of marriage.”
Reynard gazed at Wymar with an obnoxious smirk set upon his face as though he knew some inner secret. “Mark my words, brother. Love will find you whether you wish it or not and I for one cannot wait to see you fall!”
Wymar just snorted at the very idea as he began to eat his fill.Love! Bah! ’Twas for fools, he thought again and had no doubt in his mind such an emotion would thankfully pass him by.
Chapter Two
Lady Ceridwen Wardtook a sip of her wine whilst her eyes kept a constant vigil upon the occupants of the tavern. Concealed in the shadows of a corner table, she took no chance she may be discovered as being anything other than one more knight, albeit a young one, bent on eating and drinking his fill. She was thankful she was at last dry whilst the storm continued to rage outside.
Now that her meal was finished, her men continued to consume the remaining food to satisfy the Empress’s entire army. She would not, however, complain on the coin well spent to fill the table. Aye, she would spend all she had and more as long as they remained at her side on the off chance she had need of their aid. True, she was more than capable of personally rousting any ruffian who chose to take advantage of her person, but it was good to have others she could rely on. No one could stay vigilant all the time.
She glanced at the men at her table. All had been loyal to her family for many a year. When she fled Norwich to join the Empress’s fight for the throne, many of the garrison knights had joined her. They had not left her ancestorial home defenseless but she was thankful for the number who decided to accompany her. Extra men on her side could only benefit her and she did not question their loyalty. She could not ask more from them.
She took another long sip of her drink whilst pondering her fate. How she had managed to hide her identity as she traveled the countryside must surely be by intervention from God Himself. She would not forget to give her thanks during her morning prayers. The months since she joined the Empress’s calvary sometimes worn her thin with the trials she faced, but there had been no serious problems as of yet. She eyed the crowd yet again but still no one took notice of her and for that she was grateful. Everyone seemed to see only what she wanted them to see—just another knight eating their fill.
’Twas a constant worry that she might be recognized as the daughter of the Lord of Norwich or simply as a woman. Her father had protested when she insisted on joining the Empress’s ranks, and not simply for the danger she would face on the battlefield. He swore that Norwich would be secure if only she would marry the son of their neighbor. Ceridwen grimaced knowing that such a fate would only see her miserable. Nay, she could not marry the choice her father offered. Instead, she sought to earn enough monies by her sword, in service to the Empress, to ensure the security of their lands. She seized the opportunity to change her fate and had reached out to her captain of the guard. With his help, she had enough men to comfortably ensure her safety whilst she traveled. And her efforts thus far had been fruitful.
