Page 14 of Knight of Darkness
Wymar gulped down the rest of his wine. “Your journey can end here if you wish it, friend. ’Tis not you that owes the debt. You need not come with us.”
“You insult me, Wymar,” Richard grumbled. “We have watched each other’s backs for how many years and obviously I failed you, especially if you claim you owe another your life.”
“No insult was intended, Richard,” Wymar stated. “I just wanted to give you the option to travel wherever your horse may take you instead of staying with us.”
“Stop trying to get rid of me, you dolt,” Richard said coming over to Wymar and punching his arm good-naturedly. “Wherever you go, then I shall follow.
“Turb,” Theobald called out. “Come see that your new master has fresh clothes to don and let us go meet this knight who saved my worthless brother’s life.”
With Turbert’s help, the men cleaned themselves up, donning fresh garments. Once presentable they began making their way past numerous tents. ’Twas certainly a far different air about camp now that they claimed the victory at Lincoln. Capturing Stephen was more than enough of a reason for everyone to rejoice. Wymar had only wished that he had been the one to turn him over to his Empress. Still, he could still hope that he had fought valiantly enough to merit some share of her attention and praise.
Following the path from the previous night, he was almost to his destination when the one he sought came riding up from the opposite direction. He reined to a stop in front of his tent but remained on horseback. Two of his men dismounted and came to the front as though protecting their master. The other—the same one who had been guarding his master’s tent the night that Wymar had visited—continued to keep his seat in his saddle and frowned at Wymar.
Not sure why the guards were on edge, Wymar bowed and cleared his throat until his brothers, Richard, and Turbert did the same. “My lord,” he began, “I have come to have speech with you on a small matter.”
“You mean the matter of me saving your life.Thatsmall matter?” Lord Elric sounded amused. Wymar was uncertain whether to take that as a good sign or a very bad one.
“Aye.”
“I would not think saving a life is so insignificant, unless you do not value yours as much as I value my own,” the young lord murmured low.
God’s Blood!Hearing the tone of this fledgling knight, Wymar could only guess as to the age of the person he now owed a debt. Had this man even reached a score of years? Wymar doubted such was the case.
He stood upright, stepping forward even whilst the lord’s guards reached for their swords. Wymar held up his hands. “I mean you no harm. Indeed, I wish only to know how I may give service to repay the debt I owe you. Mayhap we could negotiate terms that will be agreeable to us both.”
The young knight before him took off his helmet and handed it to one of the men waiting on the ground. “Stand down, men. I do not think Norwood means me any harm. Go tend to your horses. They have served us well this day.”
“If you are sure, my lord,” one of the warriors said never taking his gaze from Wymar’s group.
A bit of bubbly laughter erupted from the lord sitting atop his steed causing Wymar to frown. The light,femininesound was as unexpected as the fact that Wymar owed his life to another.What the bloody hell?
“Arthur is here with me, should I need protection. But I believe I have proved my worth this day upon the field. Is this not so, Norwood, or should I call you the Knight of Darkness?” he inquired lifting but one brow. One corner of the knight’s mouth quirked up in amusement at his own jest.
“Aye, my lord, you have more than proved your worth, especially in my eyes. No man could ask more from another than to defend one’s life. I owe you a debt, sir, and one I shall humbly pay.” Wymar fell to one knee paying homage, continuing to wonder what the man would ask of him.
Wymar was not expecting laughter to erupt from the knight, especially as the laughter still did not sound manly at all. He watched as Lord Elric pushed off his chainmail helm and reached behind him to pull a long braid of blonde hair free. A gasp arose from all who were witness to the transformation taking place for everyone to see Wymar’s shame.
“I am no man, Norwood!”
The knight slid off the horse and came to stand directly in front of Wymar who did his best to hide his shock of who was standing confidently before him. BySaint Michael’s Wings… a woman had saved his life!
Chapter Eight
As she watchedthe man before her paying his respect for the way she had saved his life, Ceridwen had realized this was the best possible way of letting those around her, and Norwood, learn the truth that she was in truth a woman. His shocked expression was worth the strain of hiding her true self away for so long. And others who had also witnessed her act would spread the news, leaving Ratcliff’s threat of exposing her useless.
The rumblings that grew in volume were proof that everyone was, indeed, discussing this surprise—but they were also noisy enough to cause for Ceridwen to wish to continue the conversation with Norwood in private where they could talk without needing to shout. She motioned for Norwood and his group. “Follow me,” she ordered and turned her back to proceed to enter her tent.
Arthur was close on her heels. “Are you mad, Ceridwen? What the hell were you thinking?” he hissed before pouring himself a goblet of wine.
“Pour me one,” she said whilst starting to unbraid her hair. “I have the feeling I shall need a cup, at the very least. More likely, I shall need two.”
“You think?” he all but growled handing her a cup. “’Twas not wise to reveal yourself in front of half the men you have been fighting beside.”
“’Twas either reveal myself now, on my own terms, or have the choice taken away from me. Better to be the first to reveal it than let Ratcliff have the upper hand. The moment felt right to let my ruse be at an end. Besides, did you see Norwood’s face?” His reaction had been worth the risk she had taken and she would regret nothing.
“’Twas reckless,” Arthur added. “I can see the reasoning behind not leaving the secret as a weapon for Ratcliff to use against you, but you could have revealed yourself directly to the Empress without exposing yourself to the entire camp. Mayhap Empress Matilda would have been gentler in her response if you had gone to her directly. As it stands, ’twill not take long for the Empress to learn what has taken place. She will not be pleased.”
“Then I shall pay whatever price I must for my indiscretion. I can only hope she will appreciate the efforts I have gone to in order to fight for her cause.” Ceridwen gave a heavy sigh before taking several sips of her wine. Watching the entrance of her tent, she continued waiting to see if Norwood would enter or not. “Do you think he will come?”
