Page 283 of Historical Hotties
“Aye, m’lord,” Duns said, following Rotri as he headed for the keep. “But… we have visitors, m’lord.”
Rotri came to a halt, frowning at him. “What visitors?”
“Cristano de Lucera is here,” Duns said. “He is with his cousins and an old woman who wears the robes of a nun. He wants to speak with ye.”
“De Lucera?” Rotri said, puzzled. “Who is that?”
“A knight at Stafford Castle, my lord.”
Rotri knew he’d heard that name before but couldn’t place it. Now, he remembered at the mention of Stafford. “What does he want to talk about?” he asked.
“He would not tell me, m’lord.”
That made no sense to Rotri. His bed was calling him, but something made him pause.Stafford Castle. The man is from Stafford Castle. The fortress where Caledonia and Thor were at this very moment. At least, he assumed they were there, given they’d departed London for de Reyne’s new properties. Stafford was one. Therefore, he couldn’t imagine that this visit was a coincidence.
Something told him to talk to the man.
“Very well,” he said. “Where is he?”
“The great hall, m’lord.”
That had Rotri turning for the great hall, which was positioned across the bailey. It wasn’t a big hall—perhaps only able to seat seventy or eighty men—but it did the job. Rotri was focused on the old wooden entry doors when Domnall called to him.
“Where are you going?” his son yelled. “I thought you were exhausted!”
Rotri didn’t stop in his march toward the hall, but he lifted a hand to catch his son’s attention. “Come with me,” he said. “Hurry!”
That had Domnall breaking in his direction, across the dusty bailey to catch up with his father about the time he entered the dark and dank hall, with what windows there were placed high in the wall for ventilation and a firepit in the center of the room. Rotri entered with Domnall on his heels. Immediately, they caught sight of four people sitting near the firepit, which was lit at this time of night. The entire hall smelled of smoke. As Rotri approached the table, all of the men seated around it stood up.
“My lord,” de Lucera said. “I do not know if you remember me, but I am Cristano de Lucera. I was the captain to the Earl of Stafford, Robert de Tosni, when he was alive. Your niece, Lady de Tosni, is his widow.”
“I remember you,” Rotri said, but there was great suspicion in his expression. “It has been a long time, but I remember you.”
“I am honored, my lord,” Cristano said. “We have been here for a few days, waiting for your return. I hope that does not displease you.”
Rotri shook his head. “It does not,” he said. “I was told you wished to speak with me. It must be important if you have waited for days.”
Cristano nodded. “It is, my lord,” he said. Then he indicated the two younger knights standing next to him. “These are my cousins, Adan and Benedicto.”
Rotri didn’t care about them. He brushed off the two dark, rather dirty younger men because he only cared about what Cristano had to say. “Well?” he said. “Why are you here? Why aren’t you at Stafford?”
Cristano indicated for Rotri to sit. “You must be weary, my lord,” he said. “Sit and we will send for food.”
Rotri was at the end of his patience. “I do not want food,” he said, slapping the tabletop. “I want to know why you are here, and you will answer me. Why aren’t you at Stafford?”
So much for pleasantries. It was clear that Cristano had been trying to create some kind of social atmosphere, but Rotri was having none of it. Cristano eyed his cousins apprehensively before continuing.
“Because I no longer serve there, my lord,” he said frankly. “That is why I have come. I hope it is not too much of an imposition to inquire if you are looking for the service of strong knights. If so, my cousins and I would like to submit our experience for your consideration. We are excellent knights, my lord. We are seeking a liege, and I thought—since Dordon is part of Tamworth—that you could use knights who are familiar with Stafford and the surrounding area. We would like to remain where we know the land and the politics, my lord, and it seemed logical to come to you since we had nowhere else to go. Will you consider it?”
That statement made no sense to Rotri. “No longer serve at…?” he repeated, baffled. “But you have been a Stafford for years.”
“Several, my lord.”
“And you have been dismissed?”
“Aye, my lord.”
“But why?”
