Page 12 of Raven's Rise
Still, Rafe used the pretext of protecting her to sit next to the lady at supper. He enjoyed every moment of her company, and the subtle way she deployed her wit, unafraid to exchange a barb or two. Her unusual beauty also helped keep his attention—not that she was anything like his type. She was too willowy, and too fey. He got the sense that those pale green eyes saw more than most mortal eyes. Lady Angelet was in danger of being carried away by fairies. Perhaps he could negotiate to be her protector. He certainly carried enough iron and steel to keep the otherworld at bay.
Rafe had caught himself and steered away from further ideas about getting closer to the lady. She was a dinner companion, nothing more.
Then Lord Otto spoke.
Whatever she said afterwards, Angelet had been stunned by Otto’s announcement. Rafe saw it in her face, and that gave him grave misgivings about the job. He had no issue with escorting a woman to a nunnery—he didn’t want to escort a woman against her will, however. And from Angelet’s horrified expression when the news was announced, this decision was not of her choosing. But when he tried to ask her about it, she insisted she really did want to go. What could he do?
He could drink, and he did so, slowly, his mind working the whole time. For some time after the lady Angelet had excused herself for the evening, Rafe remained at the table, drinking the wine provided. He’d been a soldier for far too long to pass up the opportunity to drink on someone else’s bill. The wine was quite good, the ale barely drinkable. The wine must have been imported from a good vineyard, while the local brewmaster had some lessons still to learn.
Eventually, Simon beckoned, and Rafe stood up, walking over to him.
“Come, let’s go outside,” Simon said. “We ought to talk.”
Rafe agreed wholeheartedly. Once they got to the courtyard, Simon took a huge breath of cold night air.
“Did youseethat chest of gold?” Simon demanded, as if there was the slightest chance that anyone could have missed it.
“I did. So that’s what it costs to have a holy sister pray for you every day,” Rafe said. “The price seems steep, but then, glory is often more expensive than you first expect.”
“That is cynical, Sir Rafe,” Simon said. “Surely Lord Otto’s motives are pure. The lady wishes to join the nunnery and that is the cost.”
“I’m not sure she does wish it. She was as surprised as anyone at the news.”
Simon looked uncomfortable. “Well, that may be, but if so, it’s not for us to decide. It’s between the lady and her family.”
“And the soon-to-be paid abbot! Otto’s buying much more than a place in the cloister for his daughter-in-law. He’s buying bragging rights and influence in the church. Mark my words, the lady is the least important part of this transaction.”
“You should not say that. Reducing a holy vow to a mere exchange in the marketplace is…”
“Blasphemous? It’s true all the same. That man was putting on a show in the great hall, burnishing his name by creating a scene. And worse, he made our task harder.”
“How so?”
“Do I have to act it out for you?” Rafe asked. “After that spectacle, rumors will be flying on the road before us…rumors of a small cortège weighted down by a chest of gold! We’d attract attention no matter what with a noblewoman like the lady Angelet in tow. But now we’ve got to worry about thieves and bandits who know exactly what sort of prize we carry.”
“But the chest is chained up. Locked,” Simon protested.
“So? All they have to do istakeit…after killing us, of course. The chain and lock are impressive, but an axe will open that chest soon enough. Otto was a fool to advertise the gold.”
“Is it advisable to call our client a fool?” Simon asked, looking around to see if any of the locals had overheard.
“He’s not paying us to flatter him.” The more he thought about the whole scene, the angrier Rafe got. “Why couldn’t he have interviewed us about the job first, instead of making us wait until tomorrow to discuss it?”
“Will you refuse it?” Simon asked worriedly. He and his friends were the ones who needed the job, not Rafe. But Rafe was the logical person to take the lead and speak to Otto on behalf of all the others.
“It’s too late tonight to say anything,” Rafe replied. “I’ll speak to him on the morrow.” Then he smiled. “Perhaps this can be turned to our advantage. The extra risk requires extra reward, after all.”
“Be careful.”
“Not to worry, Simon. I know what I’m doing.” Rafe didn’t actually, but he knew there was something to be gained from a negotiation. However, to truly gain an advantage over their potential employer, Rafe would need more information.
And the person who had that information was Lady Angelet.
Rafe left Simon behind and returned to the main house. He had a fair amount of experience when it came to finding women in a discreet manner, so even though he’d never been inside of Dryton before, he was able to navigate the narrow hallways and rooms without attracting attention. He hoped to find Angelet in an out-of-the-way place so he could get some more honest answers out of her than he had so far.
However, when he caught sight of her again, she wasn’t alone.
Ernald had her by one arm, and despite Angelet’s efforts to extract herself from his grip, he kept her close, until she was backed against a wall and couldn’t go any further.
