Page 62 of Knight of Darkness
He gave a jaunty salute. “Until our paths cross again. Take care, Wymar. My lady.”
They watched his retreating form until he was lost from view. Wymar pulled Ceridwen close before bending down and giving her a quick kiss.
“If I have not said the words lately, I love you, Ceridwen,” he murmured whilst he watched her features.
“As I love you, my dearest Wymar.” She reached up to cup his cheek. “Do not worry, husband. Your brothers and Richard will be fine.”
“I would feel better if I was there with them but I know my duties now lie elsewhere.”
“You regret not traveling with them to continue your support of our Empress?” She frowned before he took his finger to smooth over the crease that had formed at her brow.
“Nay, I do not. Our fighting days are over as far as I am concerned, Ceridwen. My place is next to you and at Brockenhurst,” he said before escorting her back into the keep.
The great hall was starting to fill with the remaining guests who would break their fast and also make their way home. Ceridwen thought they would join them but instead, Wymar continued up the turret and down the passageway leading to their bedchamber.
She smiled, knowing where his thoughts were going. “You do not wish to say farewell to our guests?” she asked whilst a hint of humor lingered in her words.
“Let them wait,” he replied, opening the door to their chamber. “We have better things to do this morn that have been neglected.”
“Far be it for me to object to the lord of the manor wanting to take care of his lady,” she said removing her cloak. She began laughing when he picked her up by flipping her over his shoulder, tossing her upon the bed, and lifting up her gown. “Impatient, are we?”
“Aye!” he said whilst he began unbuckling the belt at his waist. “Any objections?”
“None at all,” she said whilst opening her arms to receive her husband.
The was an urgency to their lovemaking and Ceridwen did not mind in the least. She had waited a lifetime to find a love that would last the rest of her days and far into eternity. Ceridwen had found her place in life and ’twas in the arms of Wymar, her Knight of Darkness. He was the love of her life and she looked forward to every aspect of their lives together. Wymar… he was the other half of herself that had been missing. She was now home.
Epilogue
Three Months Later
Brockenhurst Castle
Wymar sat inhis solar perusing the letter before him even though he had just finished reading it for the third time. He needed answers, or as at least some sign that his brothers were alive and well. Satisfied with the contents of his missive, he put his signature upon it and dusted sand over the parchment. Blowing off the remains, he folded it, took a nub of red wax, holding it over the candle and allowing it to drip over the edges to close the document. He took his seal and applied it before handing it to a waiting servant.
“Send a runner to find my brothers. Mayhap in Winchester or beyond. See that he does not return until they are found and have given him a reply to return with. Ensure he has enough coin to see him through his travels,” Wymar ordered before dismissing the man.
“’Twill be done, my lord,” the man answered before taking his leave.
Wymar went to a nearby window, opening the shutter to allow the cold winter breeze to clear his head. He was worried. There had not been much news to reach Brockenhurst of late regarding the whereabouts of the Empress or his brothers for that matter. Mayhap Reynard was correct that she was to lay siege to the city of Winchester, but news of her success or failure had yet to reach him. He felt cut off from the Empress’s determination to be crowned but at this point he was more concerned that his brothers yet lived. Hence his missive. ’Twould possibly be months before he learned of their whereabouts. Patience had never been one of his strongest traits, but as he noticed how late the morn had become, he knew what awaited him downstairs in his hall to distract his melancholy thoughts.
He made his way down the turret stairs to his hall and held back a grin. Ceridwen stood at the ready, dressed in tunic, hose and boots much the same way she had been attired when he had met her months ago. She gave him a welcoming smile, but he knew underneath such a come-hither look, she was more than ready to prove her worth with her blade. Such had become their routine since winter graced the land. He refused to allow her to train outside any longer in case she slipped upon the icy ground given her condition.
Turbert rushed forward and came to stand before Wymar. The boy held out Wymar’s father’s sword and he took a moment to relish in the thought that the blade had been found at Norwich and returned to him. Another reason to be thankful to Ceridwen for she was the one who had restored the cherished item back to its rightful owner.
“Milord… yer lady awaits,” Turbert said whilst he inched the sword closer.
Wymar gazed down at the boy wondering if he did the lad a disservice by keeping him here instead of sending him on his way with one of his brothers. But mayhap Turbert did not have the same desires for fame and fortune as Wymar once had. “You are happy here, are you not, young Turb?”
The boy’s brow furrowed in concern. “Do ye wish to send me away, milord?”
“Nay, of course not, Turb. I only wonder if the domestic life here at Brockenhurst will become you or that you might miss the heat of battle from time to time,” Wymar answered.
The boy shuffled his feet. “I have had enough of the bloodshed that is found these days, milord, and am most content to stay here as long as ye will have me.”
“Very well, then, Turb. Go take your place amongst those who are here to watch their lord and lady.” Wymar took the hilt of the sword and the sweet sense of familiarity fell over him. Briefly, the battles he had won, and lost, flashed inside his mind until he was once more brought back to the present whilst his lady called out his name. Wymar watched Turbert leave his side to take his place along one of the walls. He remained close enough, Wymar supposed, in the event Wymar had need of him.
“Shall we, my lord?” she asked before pulling her blade from the scabbard at her side and examining her sword as if looking for some flaw that would not be found. Her weapon had saved her life on many an occasion. Now ’twas used to only keep her fit in their daily exercises.
