Page 15 of Knight of Havoc
Richard frowned. “Funny… I do not see her in such a light. She is young, perhaps, but certainly not careless in her affections.”
A grunt left Reynard. “What does it matter? She can do as she pleases. Let some other knight deal with her behavior. I could not care less where her affections might lie.”
“’Tis good that you put your head back into your duties to our empress. For a few moments, I thought we lost you much as we lost your two brothers who now both enjoy marital bliss.”
“Bah! I have no time to be saddled with a woman nor to take responsibility for her. Let Lady Elysande find herself a husband amongst these knights or with the lords at court. As long as I am not within her reach, I will feel lucky.”
“Then mayhap you should not look so fierce whenever you decide to look upon the lovely lady,mon ami,” Richard declared with another laugh. “Your visage betrays your true feelings for the woman. You had best learn to hide them or all will know you care for her.”
Richard gave Reynard no time to reply as he kicked his heel into his steed’s side and trotted up ahead where King Stephen was under heavy guard. Reynard let Richard’s words sink into his head. He had no idea that his face betrayed his true feelings for Elysande. He would admit, if only to himself, that he found her attractive but mayhap that was only due to the close resemblance to Johanna. In either case, he in truth did not have time to dally with a woman. That had not changed from the moment he first came upon her weeping in the graveyard.
As they reached what was left of the town of Winchester, Reynard’s gaze traveled to the burned-out buildings, the walls in need of repair, and the downtrodden condition of the people they passed. With time all could be repaired, but at the moment, there wasn’t much left of the city. It seemed like it was just yesterday that he had fled this place with his empress, and the difference in it from then to now was stark and unsettling. As he continued forward he could see for himself that the town had begun its repairs, but little had been accomplished thus far compared to the sheer scale of the destruction. It might take years before it was restored to its former condition.
“Ho! Reynard,” a familiar voice called out.
Reynard searched the crowd of knights who began taking Stephen away until he smiled in recognition at seeing two faces he did not think would appear here. “Wymar! Theobald!”Reynard jumped from his horse and ran the distance to his brothers. He was taken by each man into a fierce embrace before the three men stood in a circle holding onto each other’s forearms.
“He’s grown another foot, I swear,” Theobald teased before reaching out to rumple Reynard’s hair as he had done since they were but children.
Wymar did the same. “Obviously all my worries that he was not getting enough to fill his belly was for naught.”
Reynard grinned before he smoothed down his hair. “At least I will not grow fat whiling away my time in a castle with naught to do,” he said laughing and then watched while his oldest brother scowled at him whilst patting his lean stomach.
Theobald gave his little brother a small shove. “Just as cheeky as ever. Have you been behaving yourself?”
Reynard stood firm upon his feet. “Of course. I am on business of much import for our empress.”
Wymar had one brow rise, causing Reynard to inwardly prepare himself for whatever words would follow. “We had a brief conversation with Richard when he arrived just ahead of you. He tells us differently.”
Reynard narrowed his eyes. “Mayhap Richard has told you a falsehood.”
Wymar chuckled. “I highly doubt it, but we have plenty of time to catch up. See to your horse and meet us in the tavern for food and a drink.”
“Which tavern?” Reynard asked looking around trying to find a building that still stood intact.
Theobald ran his hand through his hair. “The only one that is left. Not easy to miss. We shall see you shortly… that is if you can tear yourself away from a certain lady.”
Reynard growled a curse causing both brothers to laugh at Reynard’s expense. While it was certainly good to see hisbrothers, their arrival had been a complete surprise. He could only ponder what was in store for him during his brief stay in Winchester.
Chapter Twelve
Elysande held theedges the hood of her cloak together against the wind threatening to blow the covering off her head. The night was cold and brisk, and she could see her breath as she hurried across what was left of Winchester toward the tavern. Her hand held tight to the crook of Hawke’s arm whilst Olive followed close behind. She was in unfamiliar territory with what she considered a grim future. Everything she had known and loved was left behind at Blackmore except for the two who had stayed by her side. Hawke was considered an ally. Olive had been no more than a servant in her household and yet now both had become so much more. They were a lifeline to her past and their friendship would need to carry her into her unknown future.
There was no need for sparkling conversation as they hastened their steps to find the warmth of the tavern. Elysande kept her head low and relied on Hawke’s sense of direction to ensure that they were headed the right way. But when they at last espied the well-lit tavern, her feet stumbled when she heard male laughter. She had no idea what to expect once they entered since the only tavern she had ever been in was one located in the village of Blackmore. Even then, ’twas a rare occurrence for her to ever go inside.
Hawke held the door open for her and the rush of warm air coming from the hearth was a welcome relief after the coolnessof the night. The tavern was crowded. She supposed this should not have come as any surprise considering Hawke had informed her that this was the only place to dine that had survived the fires that had razed the city.
Many of those she espied before her were familiar, having ridden her horse with them for the past two days. But there were also men who she had not seen before, and she assumed they lived here in the city or were traveling through as well on their own journeys. Some cast her a glance that made her uncomfortable and she stepped closer to Hawke for his protection.
They finally saw Reynard across the room, who waved them forward. As they neared, he motioned to the vacant places at his table.
“Come and join us, Lady Elysande, and let me introduce you to my brothers,” Reynard said in a cheerful voice.
Brothers? she thought whilst placing a small smile upon her face as their names blurred whilst she attempted to gain control of her uneasiness. She had no idea that she would be introduced to his brothers or even that they would also be here in Winchester. But then again, she had not been on speaking terms with Reynard since their kiss at Bristol. How could she have known his brothers would be here, too?
When a chalice of wine had been set before her, she raised her eyes whilst taking a sip to watch the three men across from her. Their similarities were close enough that she could see the resemblance in their features to prove they were related. At first glance, Wymar seemingly was the most different from the other two brothers, but in truth ’twas only due to the color of his hair. ’Twas a lighter shade of brown than the other two men whose tresses were darker. Theobald had a small scar running down his left cheek, causing Elysande to ponder if it had happened whilst in some battle. Reynard clearly was the youngest of the three.
Hawke took her hand underneath the table and gave it a small squeeze, and then answered for Elysande since she had missed the entire conversation whilst silently observing the brothers.
