Page 13 of Knight of Darkness
Arthur nodded. “Aye. He cannot be trusted.”
Ceridwen grimaced at their words. If Ratcliff told all in sundry that she was in truth a woman before she could reveal herself first, ’twould not take long for such news to reach the Empress. She could only image the ramifications. The Empress would not be pleased.
“Ratcliff couldneverbe trusted. Since he is threatening me, I believe my guise of being Lord Elric Bartone is most likely at an end,” Ceridwen finally answered as she came to terms with the idea of revealing her true self. “I will have to pay the consequences when my actions are common knowledge with our Empress but have no fear, men. I will take full responsibilities for having you all take part in my ruse.”
They continued riding in silence. She did not look to see where Ratcliff had gone. She had no interest in attempting a reconciliation with him. Instead, she left him and the battlefield behind, and never once looked back.
Chapter Seven
Wymar entered histent with Richard and his brothers following close behind. Immediately, the lad he had saved from the battlefield stood. He had to admit, he had almost forgotten about the boy until he saw him standing there, rushing to assist him with his gear.
“What is this?” Richard asked with a chuckle. “You have gained a squire in the course of one day?”
Wymar unfastened the belt holding his sword and handed the weapon over to the boy. He faltered slightly from the weight but still held the gear firmly before setting it down upon a small table. Tall, lanky, and with a crop of curly black hair, the boy looked as though he weighed little more than his sword. “Aye, his master died upon the field. The lad might have met his maker as well seeing how he was risking life and limb, trying to protect the man’s remains with nothing but a dirk and stubbornness.”
“Will you help me find him, sir? And also, a priest to see to a proper burial,” the boy asked.
Wymar gave no hesitation as he nodded. “Of course, but first things first… tell me your name. I cannot call youboyfor as long as you are in service to me.”
“’Tis Turbert, but my friends call me Turb.”
Reynard laughed. “They call you Turd?”
“That is unfortunate,” Richard replied ruffling the boy’s hair.
“Nay, not Turd but Turb for Turbert,” the boy’s face reddened in embarrassment as the men around him chuckled.
“Then Turb it is,” Wymar stated before turning a raised brow to the rest of the men in the tent, “and stop teasing the lad. He has had a rough time today and he is now under my protection.”
Theobald stepped forward placing his hand upon Turb’s shoulder. “Welcome to our group. I am certain my brother will treat you well. You are well trained in the duties of a squire?”
“Of course, milord,” Turb answered, nodding eagerly.
“Call me Theobald. Since my brother Wymar has forgotten his manners, I’ll make the introductions myself. This is our younger brother Reynard and our friend, Richard.”
Wymar pulled the bloodstained tabard from his body. “You shall forgive my manners or mayhap not. I have other things on my mind.”
“Like celebrating our Empress’s victory with an ale or two I hope,” Theobald replied, clapping his hands together in anticipation.
Wymar waved Turb forward and the lad assisted him with removing the chainmail. Fetching a small basin of water, Wymar washed some of the grime from the battle away. “Nay not necessarily, although a drink may be in order before the night is done.”
Richard grabbed a stool and sat. “What could be more important than celebrating our success and victory in battle?”
A goblet of wine was pressed into Wymar’s hand and he took a long pull before he motioned for Turb to fetch drinks for the other men. “I owe someone my life. If ’twas not for him, Turb and I might be lying dead upon the field.”
Reynard was about to sip his drink but froze at these words and tossed him a startled look. “You owe a life debt?” he whispered as though barely believing that his brother would owe a stranger his life.
“Aye,” Wymar replied with a frown.
“To who?” asked Theobald and Reynard at the same time.
Wymar finally sat. “The young lord from the inn. His name is Lord Elric. I must needs seek him out for I know nothing about him or what he may ask of me before he feels the debt is paid.”
Richard set his cup down. “His act of saving you was in the heat of battle. Surely he will not ask much of you. You are most likely not alone in helping another when you saw the chance that someone from our side might perish.”
“Aye, this is true but you know how I feel about such things. If nothing else, I must needs seek him out and find out for myself what payment he might expect of me.” Reynard and Theobald both began drinking and chuckling at the same time. “I do not know what you think is so humorous. We agreed to stay together so wherever I might go to repay this debt, then you both will be traveling there as well,” Wymar smirked in satisfaction as he watched the laughter die from his brothers’ faces.
Richard rose. “Then we best make ourselves as presentable as possible.”
