Page 6 of Peregrine's Call
The boy reappeared with the wine, and Tav took his gratefully. “This will help too.”
“There’s plenty more,” Alric assured him. “But you haven’t come to Cleobury for the wine. What business are you on? Your lord’s?”
“His lord’s,” Tav responded. “King Stephen has ordered me to carry out a very particular task.”
“What task?”
“Several weeks ago,” Tav explained, “a northern man sent word to the king that he had valuable information regarding the military plans of multiple rebel lords, including Ranulf of Chester.”
Alric’s eyebrows rose. Ranulf of Chester had been a thorn in the side of the king for years, first taking up the cause of the empress, then switching to Stephen, and then back again. But despite who he claimed to serve, Ranulf mostly seemed interested in taking as much power for himself as possible. He said, “The king would love to have that man in chains again.”
Tav nodded. “He’s interested in learning more of what this man promised in terms of information. But, naturally, it’s not so simple as inviting him to court.”
“Who’s the man?”
“His name is Govannon.” Tav paused, then said, “And a difficulty arises because he is in the service of Lord Pierce of Malvern.”
Alric inhaled, and his expression went dark. Alric had good cause to hate Lord Pierce. The man had once been betrothed to Cecily, and she narrowly avoided the fate of marrying him…largely due to divine providence, and the quick actions of Alric to rescue her. Octavian had been there, and he knew how dangerous and unpredictable Pierce could be.
“So you’ll need to sneak past Pierce to find this man? Good luck getting into Malvern Castle.”
“That’s another difficulty. Pierce no longer holds Malvern Castle.”
“Since when? I hadn’t heard.”
“Apparently, his alliance with the Welsh soured. A force of mercenaries who gained access to the castle seized it from within—on orders of Cadwallader himself. They were supposed to imprison Pierce, but he managed to escape into the Ardenwood with a very small retinue, which includes this man Govannon.”
“I still don’t see what your role is,” Alric said.
“Govannon specifically requested me as the courier of the king’s reply.”
“You! He could only have met you once, and that was years ago. Do you remember such a man?”
Tav shrugged. “No, but I don’t remember all those I met at Malvern. Anyway, I have to find Govannon, and convince him to share what he knows.”
“He could be dead by now, murdered by the Welsh. Or by Pierce himself,” Alric added.
“If Govannon is dead, I’ll carry that news back to the king,” Tav said. “Either way, I am to go alone and rely on absolutely no one I may meet. But I wanted to speak to Lord Rainald first.” Rainald had lived in the Ardenwood for years, so Octavian had hoped to learn what he could of the forest, and in particular where Pierce might be.
Alric considered it. “You know, while living in exile, Rainald often relied on his men to range farther and bring back news. A few of them came with him here to Cleobury—you can speak with them. And…” Alric stopped as he wrestled with something. Then he said, reluctantly, “Robin knew the Ardenwood very well. Rainald often said she was his eyes and ears.”
Tav shook his head. “I would rather leave Robin well out of this.” For so many reasons.
“I too,” Alric said. “Indeed, I wish she forgot her old life entirely. She makes light of it, but there are few good memories there.”
“However,” a new voice broke in, “it would do no harm to learn from her.”
Both men looked to the door, where Cecily stood. She walked in and over to the fire, saying, “Robin had an unusual life while she was my father’s ward in the forest.”
“The sooner she forgets that life, the better off she’ll be,” Alric said firmly. “Cecily, you mean well, but on this matter, I must insist you not interfere.”
“Is it interference to help Octavian?” She turned appealing eyes to him. “Tav, if Robin knows even one scrap of knowledge that allows you to succeed—”
“Cecily, leave it.” Her husband’s tone was still calm, but he wanted to end the conversation. “Robin is a young woman. She can’t be involved. This is the king’s business, and it may affect the very course of the war.”
Cecily’s eyes narrowed for a moment, and Tav thought she was about to unleash an uncharacteristic fury toward Alric. But then she looked to the floor, and said, “Yes, I understand. Women have no place in such matters.”
Alric looked relieved—and puzzled—to hear Cecily so meek.
