Page 9 of Knight of Havoc
“There is a lady—”
“—when is there not, of late,” Richard laughed. “They seem to be plaguing us no matter what we might say about not needing them in our lives.”
Reynard grimaced. “Even so, I have made a vow to her and offered her my protection.”
Richard nodded toward Hawke. “She has a captain to protect her. She does not needyou.”
Hawke chuckled and gave Reynard a smugI told you solook.
Reynard stood taller. “The vow has been made and I will not recant my words. As you can see for yourself, there is not much left here for her to survive.”
“’Tis none of our concern,” Richard muttered. “Get your horse and let us away. We can be in Bristol within the hour.”
“I cannot. Surely you understand a knight’s vow. My honor is at stake.”
“You create havoc wherever you may go of late, Reynard. You think nothing of your previous vow to our empress and think only of another pretty woman who has barely crossed your path,” Richard reminded him.
“The empress will understand. As soon as I convince the lady to travel with us, I can catch up to you at Bristol,” Reynard said crossing his arms again over his chest. He was determined to see that Elysande be kept safe and fed.
“’Tis your neck if the empress learns that you did not adhere to her directives.” Richard sat up once more in his saddle. “Catch up within the next day or two. I will not wait for you and the lady before I move the men onward toward Winchester.”
Before he left, he called out to one of the other men who brought forth several birds and tossed them at Reynard’s feet. If nothing else, they would eat well this night. He would worry about the morrow when the time came.
Chapter Six
After a briefrest in her room, Elysande had collected her composure and began to go about her daily chores. She had never been one to hide away in her room when trouble crossed her path. Now would be no different despite the man who would be sleeping in her barn.
The ruckus of multiple horses arriving in her bailey had momentarily alarmed her and when she opened the shutters and gazed out of her window, she could see Reynard below talking with the men. She had breathed a sigh of relief that the keep was not again under attack. She should not have worried anyway. There was not much left for anyone to take.
She thought of the few coins and jewelry she had stashed away in her father’s solar prior to the siege. A lose brick in the wall had been the perfect place to hide what little valuables were left. Unless you knew where to look, no one would espy it. She thought everything would remain safe after the barbican gate had been breached. Unfortunately, such had not been the case. The thieving horde who had ransacked her home had discovered the last bit of wealth she had saved along with her small horde of treasures. They had laughed as they’d collected everything of value and left her with nothing to sell to see to her people’s needs.
Now she was once more vexed with a handsome knight who turned up everywhere she went this day.Handsome!By SaintMichael’s Wings! Why did such a thought sweep across her mind? ’Twas those steel grey eyes of his that felt as though they were attempting to burrow their way into her soul. She would not fall under his spell. He only wished for her to comply to his demands. There was no way he would sway her. No way she would leave Blackmore with a complete stranger.
Still… he was becoming annoying and trying what little she had left of her patience. Sir Reynard turned up first just outside of her bedchamber door. How he knew which room belonged to her was beyond her kin. But there he had stood… one booted foot propped against the stone wall. His arms had been folded across that muscled chest, and he wore a smirk as though he knew he would eventually win his point by wearing her down. He had asked if she was packed, and she muttered a curse leaving him behind whilst making her way to the turret.
She made it without his presence through one chore of advising the few servants in the kitchen to prepare porridge until she learned that several birds had been provided for their evening meal. She was thankful for they would have more than what she could have provided when it came time to sup.
But her solitude was again interrupted when she went to the garden to dig in the ground for several vegetables. This time he sat on a stone bench and watched her intently. One leg was crossed over the other until he again asked if she was ready to depart. She had murmured something to the effect that he could help with finding what was left in her garden to go with their meal. He laughed and left her there to her own devices, the ungallant bastard. Did he think their food would just magically appear for his dining pleasure?
The barn was next when she went to milk the cow. Leaning on one of the posts as if he did not have a care in the world, his smile would have caused most women to swoon, she supposed. Luckily, she was not one of those women. Once the pail was full,she had left the stall and motioned for him to take the bucket. One dark brow had risen as if to mock her. He then proceeded to tell her the only thing he would lift was her satchel of clothes so they could depart. So much for chivalry and helping a lady in need.
Now, he followed behind her as she carefully carried the pail of milk in an attempt to not spill the container. They passed what was left of her smithy, where Hawke was busy sharpening several blades. She continued onward, eager to rid herself of the man who followed her. But he would not be so easily dismissed as he began whistling a merry tune. She had had enough and turned to face the cad.
“Do you not have something better to do?” she asked tartly, setting down the bucket whilst she addressed this frustrating knight.
“Nay, although you must know that we are wasting valuable time. I have places to go and must not tarry here long,” he declared before he ran a hand through his dark tresses. Several strands stood on end, and she tried not to chuckle at the sight of him looking like the rooster in her chicken coop.
“Do not let me keep you, Sir Knight. There is no reason to delay your departure.” She picked up her pail and began once again making her way toward the rear entry to the keep. She called back over her shoulder. “Godspeed to you.”
He caught up with her and at last took the bucket from her hands. She took a sideways glance at him but remained silent until they entered the kitchen, and he finally found his voice.
“You know I cannot leave you behind knowing your situation here at Blackmore is dire, my lady. When will you see reason?” he asked until he went to sit on a stool at the large wooden table in the center of the room.
“Never,” she replied before pushing several vegetables and a knife in his direction. “Be useful and cut these.”
He took up the knife and began cutting the carrots, turnips, and onions into cubes. “Never is a long time, Elysande. You shall starve yourself and those who remain with you, or have you not thought that far ahead?”
She turned her back to him and heaved a sigh.Of course, she had thought of that, she fumed. Every. Single. Day! Composing herself once more she turned to face the man invading her kitchen. “You are so annoying,” she snapped in irritation that she could not make this man go away.
