Page 23 of Knight of Darkness
They had had no further opportunity to have speech since the army broke camp. For once Ceridwen was content there had been no occasion to do so. She had to admit, if only to herself, that she had enjoyed sparring with him. Such an endeavor tended to sharpen her wits whenever they were together. And then there was that kiss… she began to wonder if any other man would make her feel as Norwood had done but she doubted such would be the case. She was drawn to him from the first night she had seen him at that tavern in Lincoln. Her attraction to him had only intensified since then. She had never believed in love at first sight and yet all things were possible where Norwood was concerned.
He came alongside her horse as if he had known her thoughts had fallen upon him. He gave her that cocky grin she was beginning to hate despite how much he continued to intrigue her. She barely acknowledged him.
Wymar chuckled. “You cannot ignore me all the way to London, Ceridwen.”
“Aye, I can and we are not alone, Norwood. You best address me differently if you want me to answer you.”
“Then be so kind as to tell me how I should address you. Do you prefer my lord or my lady?”
“I believe I would prefer silence instead.”
Wymar gave a laugh low in his chest and Ceridwen’s heart leapt into her throat.The damn cur. Does he do this on purpose?But he at least held his tongue. The silence was indeed preferable to his mocking conversation as though he held some secret only he knew for sure.
“Your horse is beautiful and well trained from what I have seen. Her name?” he asked whilst still keeping his stare upon the road.
“Defiance.”
“Ah, I see. Much like the defiant lady she carries. The name suits her.”
Ceridwen gave her mare a pat upon her neck. “She has served me well. I have never regretted my decision to bring her, even though I am well aware that most would have chosen a heavier warhorse much like your own. His name?” she inquired for the black steed was indeed as magnificent as the knight who rode him… not that she would confess such to him.
“Aries.”
“Like the god?”
“Of course. Is there another who would go by such a name?”
“The name suits him as well. He is a beautiful horse.”
Aries bobbed his head as though he were agreeing with her words. “Do not fill his head or he will become most ornery.”
She muffled a laugh but the twinkle in his eyes told her he heard her. “You act as though he is a misbehaving dog instead of a horse.”
“He does tend to act like one when the mood suits him.” The two horses began nickering together as though in conversation. “I believe they like each other. They are like night and day or mayhap white lightning flashing against a midnight sky.”
“Do not be ridiculous,” Ceridwen replied as she watched her horse interact with Wymar’s. She pulled on the reins and moved Defiance over upon the road.
“Do not be so mean-spirited. They were just having fun.”
“They do not need to be havingfun,” she fumed, wondering if there was an underlying message to his meaning. They were discussing their horses, were they not?
“Do not be so serious, Lady Ceridwen. Life is to be enjoyed, is it not?” Wymar asked, before turning in the saddle. “Reynard! Theobald!”
Two of the men who had been with Wymar on the day he had vowed his service to her came abreast of them. They were indeed his brothers, and Ceridwen could easily see the resemblance. “There is a tavern ahead,” Wymar told the other two. “Go procure a table large enough for us, along with Lady Ceridwen and her men.”
“We could have seen to our own table,” Ceridwen replied whilst nodding to Thomas who also took off heading in the same direction as the Norwood brothers.
“We may as well share one. Besides, best to get there quickly. With an army this size upon the road, the food will surely run out before everyone is served, and I rather fancy some time to indulge in the fare to be found inside a comfortable inn. We have spent far too much time living off the land of late.”
“I can take care of myself and my men. I do not need you to see that I am fed.”
“Humor me,” Wymar replied before waving his hand again. “Turbert! Care to get off your horse for a while? Richard, shall we?”
Wymar’s squire let out a loud yelp and the three men took off at a gallop.
Arthur came abreast of her after Norwood had left. “I am reminding you again, Ceridwen. Be careful with that one,” he warned.
“I am being careful,” she answered watching the trail of dust disappear off in the distance.
