Page 32 of Peregrine's Call
However, Pierce hadn’t counted on Sir Alric. Alric led Octavian and the others in the retinue on a rescue, saving Cecily and making an enemy of Pierce. How would the man react to seeing Octavian again?
The guards continued to lead them down a corridor and then into a large room. While the other parts of the building were dark and cold, this room blazed with light from the fire and the dull winter daylight from two tall, narrow windows.
Lord Pierce sat in an ornately carved, high-backed chair near the fireplace. A pure white cat sat on his lap, purring loudly as Pierce petted it. The blond man seemed wholly absorbed by the cat, not even looking up when the guard announced the prisoners.
“Caught these two oddities skulking around the outer walls, my lord. We took them and disarmed the soldier. He claims to be a Sir Octavian. And he says this monk is Brother Robin. Probably spies. Shall I take them out and have them killed?”
“Not yet,” Pierce said mildly, stroking the cat under its white chin. “They may know something of value.”
Tav glanced to Robin, who still had her hood on. He wished he could tell what she was thinking, and yet he was relieved that her disguise remained intact. There was a chance he could get her safely out of this situation.
Pierce turned to Tav. “You call yourself Sir Octavian, do you? If you’re a knight, who do you serve?” There was no hint of recognition in the man’s eyes. Was it possible Pierce didn’t remember him?
If so, he certainly wasn’t going to remind him. “I am Octavian de Levant, and I serve Lord Denis of Courci. My most recent duty is to see my companion to the holy well in Treffynnon.”
“Unusual duty for a knight,” Pierce said.
“I do as my lord instructs,” Tav replied.
“How pleased your lord must be to have such a reliable lackey.” Pierce turned to the hooded Robin. “And who are you to warrant such an escort?”
“This is Brother Robin,” Tav said.
“Let him speak for himself,” said Pierce, staring hard at the hooded Robin.
“My companion is under a vow of silence,” Tav explained hastily, “so you can only interrogate me.”
Pierce smiled at last, and Tav wished he hadn’t, because the expression revealed him to be as cold as winter. He said, “I’ll interrogate whoever I wish, sir knight, and my methods can make even a holy monk forsake a vow of silence in exchange for his life.”
“Robin can’t tell you anything.”
“Then there’s no reason to keep the good monk alive,” Pierce said, eyeing Tav for his reaction. “Best take care of this intruder immediately. That will allow me more time to find out whatyouknow, Sir Octavian.” Pierce looked to the head guard, who stood near the door. “Estmar, take Brother Robin outside and slit his throat. Dig a grave, but don’t fill it in until this knight is dead too. No sense making more work than needed,” he finished cheerfully.
The head guard stepped forward to grab Robin’s arm. “As you command, my lord.”
Just as the guard reached Robin, she raised her hand, the slight movement nevertheless catching everyone’s attention.
Oh, please don’t do that, Tav thought, a moment too late.
Robin yanked her hood off, revealing a mass of dark, wavy hair and an all-too-feminine face. The guard saw the transformation from monk to lady, and actually stepped back in confusion, as if he’d been dazzled by a miracle.
“Howdareyou,” she raged at Pierce. “My name is Robin, and I am a lady, and I will not be hauled off like some animal to be slaughtered just because you, Lord Pierce, think that every passing traveler is out to attack you. Though why you think you’re important, here in your hovel in the hinterlands of the Ardenwood, I can’t begin to guess.”
As she spoke, Robin straightened up and held her head high, tossing her hair behind her shoulder. Tav watched as Pierce’s entire demeanor changed from careless to intense. When Robin accused him of having no honor, the man’s hand tightened on the arm of the chair. But he waited until the end of Robin’s little speech before standing up, placing the cat on the chair as he did so.
“My lady,” he said, his voice calm. “You must understand that your appearance is…unexpected. I saw the unusual pair of an armed soldier and a nameless, robed figure, and I was told only that they were skulking past my own isolated property.”
“I do notskulk,” she replied frostily. “Your men get overly excited at the prospect of strangers.”
“I beg your forgiveness, my lady. Robin, you said? Robin of…”
Robin froze for an instant, and Tav knew why. She had no family name of her own, nor would she claim to be a de Vere, despite being taken in by Rainald. In any case, telling Pierce that she was connected to the de Vere family, or that she lived at Cleobury, would hardly help matters.
Just as Tav was about to make some claim about why Robin’s name had to be kept secret, she recovered herself.
“I do not see why my name is a concern,” she said loftily. “Any woman, whether known or unknown, should be treated in the same manner.”
“I do have manners. You two will be my guests here at Willesden,” he said then, sweeping a hand out in welcome. “Lady Robin, you will find hospitality worthy of you. And a new gown as well,” he added, looking with amusement at her monk’s robe. “In return, over supper you can explain your disguise.”
