Page 8 of Knight of Havoc
Elysande raised her brow at his audacity. “You think it wise to leave Blackmore unattended?”
Hawke shrugged and folded his arms across his massive chest. “What more could anyone who came this way do to the place? There is little left of any value until the land heals. That will take a fair amount of time.”
“But Blackmore is my home,” she said as her voice hitched with the thought of leaving something she was responsible for and been trying so hard to save.”
“Blackmore is just a place, Elysande. It does not define you. The keep at least still stands and will remain so until your return. I do not think your grandfather would like to watch you from heaven starving to death in your attempts to remain in a place that will not currently serve you, no matter how determined you might be.”
A sob caught in her throat and as Hawke stepped forward to most likely offer her some form of comfort, she held up his hand to halt his progress. Before her captain could comment, she whispered she had chores to do and left him there alone. Instead of making her way outside, she instead went to her bedchamber. Her head was suddenly aching, and she could only wonder if Sir Reynard would continue to plague her every waking thought until she could convince him to leave without her.
Chapter Five
Reynard heard thebarn door open but continued to see to his horse. He assumed Elysande had sought him out after coming to the conclusion there was nothing left for her here. At least for now. He did not expect a knight with blond hair to come within his vision. He finished what he was doing and closed the stall door. He was wary of the man before him but Reynard did not feel as though he needed to draw his sword.
“I see the lady is not alone after all. Who are you?” he asked leaning back against the wooden wall of the stall.
“’Tis I who should be asking whoyouare, sir. Do you think you can just arrive here and expect the lady to leave her home with a total stranger?” the man growled out with a soft accent.
Reynard nodded. “I see the lady has at least filled you in on my plans for her to travel with us.”
“Us?”
“Aye. The knights I travel with for the empress should be arriving shortly. We head to Bristol then onward to Winchester.”
“Who are you?” the knight asked again.
“Sir Reynard Norwood. One of several men who have given their loyalty to the Empress Matilda.” Reynard waited for the man to also inform him who he was, especially to the lady.
“Sir Hawke de Challon. Captain of the Guard to Lady Elysande Thorburn of Blackmore.”
“Blackmore does not appear to have much left of a garrison. Are you all that remains?” Reynard inquired whilst his gaze swept the entrance to the barn as if expecting more knights to suddenly fill the empty space.
“Aye, and a handful of servants. Stephen’s men took care of the rest by either killing them or unwillingly enlisting those who yet lived. ’Twas not a pretty sight and with her grandfather passing and her parents abroad, Lady Elysande has been through much on her own.”
“All the more reason for her to travel with us. She will be well protected.”
“You assume much, sir. What makes you think you can take control over her?” Hawke asked with a raised brow. “Trust me when I tell you, Lady Elysande is perfectly capable of taking care of herself.”
Reynard smirked. “Aye, so she told me, but in all honesty, how will you all survive the coming winter? I am concerned that if I leave her behind, she will starve herself trying to see to those she is still responsible for. If she were to leave with us, then her people are more than welcome to also travel with the empress’s army or return to their kin.”
“I attempted to make a point of suggesting that leaving with you might be beneficial to all those concerned. She is still determined to see to the needs of those who have remained loyal to her,” Hawke said with a heavy sigh, “at any cost.”
“Starving herself to death to feed the others will prove nothing.” Reynard folded his arms over his chest. “Surely, you as her captain and who must know her best, can reach out to her so she might see clearly how dire her situation has become.”
“I have tried. She is… stubborn to say the least.”
A short laugh escaped Reynard. “Then I will continue to plead my case and will attempt to change her mind. ’Tis in her best interest, after all.”
“In your opinion…”
“Aye. I cannot in good conscience leave a woman alone when ’tis clear she cannot survive for much longer considering the condition of her lands.” The sound of horses arriving outside caused Reynard to halt his conversation before continuing. “That will be the arrival of the empress’s men.”
The two knights left the stable and Reynard went to the lead horseman. “Richard,” he called out, “your arrival is most timely.”
Richard scanned the area. “Timely? We appear to be too late to be of much use here. Who is this?”
Reynard made the necessary introductions. “There is a problem,” he began.
“We do not have time for problems, Reynard, as you very well know. We cannot dally when we are about the empress’s business,” Richard declared resting one arm on the pommel of his saddle.
