Knights of Honor Books 1-10: A Medieval Romance Series Bundle

by Alexa Aston

  Taking the severed ties, she shoved them under the log that had protected her, wanting no trace of her to be found by Folc. She stood unsteadily, leaning against a tree trunk until she had her wobbly legs under control, then she set out walking. She cut through the woods and found the road again before she fell back. Her plan was to remain in the woods and move through them, parallel to the road.

  Even in daylight, Elysande didn’t want to be out on the road alone because of roaming bands of highwaymen. She remembered traveling to the south after her father’s death so her mother could marry Lord Holger. His soldiers had always remained on guard as they journeyed to Hopeston. She didn’t want to fall prey to strangers.

  Elysande walked for hours. Her feet ached. Her stomach gurgled in hunger. She remained on a constant lookout, tense, wary, watching for Folc.

  As she continued, her heart became heavy. In the long hours, she had time to think on how she had killed a man. Yes, he’d kidnapped her. Held her against her will. He would’ve taken her to Lord Ingram, where she would have been forced to marry.

  Still, that didn’t justify her taking a life. Now—more than ever—she would need to give her life in service to God. She might not be absolved of her sins, but dedicating her life to the Christ was the best she could do.

  Especially now, with Michael already married at Sandbourne.

  The light began to fade. Night would soon fall. Elysande was so tired. So hungry. She hurt everywhere. She dreaded spending another night alone in the woods, which seemed to grow more ominous about her.

  Then, in the distance, she saw a structure familiar to her. Her excitement grew. She knew this place. ’Twas the Convent of the Blessed Sisters. Her family had stayed there on their way to Hopeston. It had been one of two nunneries that accepted travelers. She, her mother, and Avelyn had met several of the nuns when they took a brief respite from their travels. One, in particular, had been so kind to them. Sister Shiloh. That was her name.

  Surely, they would give her sanctuary this night. And mayhap beyond.

  Elysande walked as quickly as she could, though the blisters on her feet made each step more painful than the last. She reached the high, stone wall surrounding the convent and searched for the gate, praying she would be granted access. Finding the gate, she rang the bell a dozen times, eager for someone to answer.

  A young nun, no older than she was, answered and invited her inside the walls. As the nun shut the gate behind them and locked it from within, Elysande relaxed for the first time in a week. While they walked to the main building, she explained to the nun how she’d stayed here on a previous journey as her party made their way south.

  What Elysande kept hidden from the good sister was the fact that she’d recently been taken against her will. That men might be searching for her and come to the convent. Elysande was afraid if she revealed this information that she might not have been granted admission. So she kept quiet. For now.

  “I can show you to a small cell reserved for travelers,” the nun told her, never asking why a woman alone showed up in the dark, bedraggled and worn to the bone. Elysande’s stomach rumbled loudly. The young nun smiled. “And I can bring bread and something for you to drink.”

  “Oh, please,” Elysande said eagerly. “That would be most appreciated.”

  The nun walked her to the small cell. As on her previous visit, it held a single bed and a lone chair as its furnishings. “Wait here.”

  “Is Sister Shiloh nearby?” Elysande asked. “I met her on my first stay here. She was so hospitable to us.”

  A smile crossed the nun’s face. “Sister Shiloh is one truly touched by grace. I’ll see that she comes to welcome you.” The nun looked her up and down. “I’ll also have her bring some water. You look as if you would like to bathe your hands and face.”

  Elysande touched her face self-consciously. She knew it held small scratches from the branches she’d brushed past as she moved through the woods. “That would be kind of you.”

  She sat on the small bed and eased her boots off. Her feet, rubbed raw by her long trek, were a mass of painful blisters. Her mind went blank. She was so tired, she couldn’t even think.

  A knock sounded on the door and Sister Shiloh stepped in. She carried a tall jar filled with water under one arm and a thick towel in the other. The young nun who had admitted Elysande followed the older nun. She balanced a small tray with bread and cheese in one hand and carried a cup in her other. She placed the food down and disappeared, closing the door behind her.

  “Greetings, Lady Elysande,” Sister Shiloh said. “I remember you and your lovely sister and mother. Are they with you? I would enjoy speaking to them, as well as to you.”

  Elysande burst into tears at the thought of her loved ones. The nun sat next to her. She wrapped an arm around Elysande and held her tenderly, cooing nonsense while she cried.

  After she calmed, Sister Shiloh said, “Why don’t we let you wash and eat something? Then I want you to share with me whatever’s on your heart.”

  Elysande nodded and let the older woman minister to her. Elysande ate without speaking, allowing the nun to chat about some of her fellow sisters and the animals she cared for every day. After washing Elysande’s face, hands, and feet, Sister Shiloh left briefly. She returned minutes later with a strong-smelling salve which she rubbed into Elysande’s blistered feet.

  Elysande sighed. Already, she felt welcomed. “I have much to tell you, Sister. And I would ask advice from you, as well. I have grievously sinned, and I seek to repent and change my life. I believe God led me here so that I can join your order.”

  Sister Shiloh listened attentively as Elysande spoke. She explained of her betrothed dying before their wedding ceremony could take place and how she’d gone to visit her uncle at Kinwick. She told of being taken by two of Lord Ingram’s men and how the nobleman wanted to marry her. She explained how she had escaped from captivity, killing a man in the process.

  Elysande hung her head in shame. Hearing the words uttered aloud made it seem more real than before. She was guilty of breaking one of the Ten Commandments. She’d taken a life and could never undo what she’d done.

  The nun took her hand and gently kissed it. “God will forgive you, my lady. He is ever merciful.”

  “But I believe I should stay on and dedicate myself to His good works. ’Tis the least I can do to try and atone for my sins.”

  Sister Shiloh nodded. “I know our abbess would never turn you away, but you asked for my advice.”

  “I did.”

  “Then I would discuss this with your family. It’s a huge decision to leave earthly matters behind. You should share your thoughts with your loved ones and seek your mother’s approval. You must be very certain that you can give up worldly things. And not just those that are material in nature. By becoming a Bride of Christ, you must give up loving a man. Bearing his children. Becoming a mother.”

  Elysande broke down again, her sobs echoing in the tiny room. Sister Shiloh gathered her in her arms and rocked her.

  Finally, Elysande brushed aside her tears and spoke. “I do love a man, Sister, but marriage with him is impossible.”

  “Tell me, my child. It may soothe you to speak of it.”

  Elysande sighed. “I fell in love with a knight that serves my uncle. He loved me, too. I knew we were meant to be together. But he received word to return to his family’s estate in haste because his father lay dying. They’d been estranged for many years. He told me we would marry when he could claim his title as earl.”

  Elysande shook her head. “But it’s too late for us. We received news that he was betrothed.” She swallowed, her misery now complete. “By now, he’s already married. And if I can’t have Michael Devereux as my husband, then I want no other man.”

  Sister Shiloh stiffened next to her. Elysande pulled away and saw the shocked look on the nun’s face.

  “What’s wrong, Sister? Have I said something to upset you?”

  The nun’s lips
trembled. “Michael Devereux . . . is . . . my son.”

  Chapter 22

  As they returned south back toward Kinwick, Michael studied everyone they passed. Very few travelers were on the road today and he made sure they spoke to each one. None resembled any of Lord Ingram’s men, nor did he see anywhere Elysande could be hidden away. The soldiers also wove in and out of the woods, calling Elysande’s name, invoking his and Geoffrey’s names to alert her who searched for her and that they were friendly forces.

  The sun dipped low on the horizon. He was ready to call a halt when he spotted a lone rider in the distance. The man came from out of the woods, turning his head from side to side as if he hunted for something.

  Or someone.

  Michael spurred Tempest on, wanting to catch up to the rider and ask what he searched for. As Michael came closer, he spotted the nose that hooked sharply.

  He recognized the rider as one of Lord Ingram’s men.

  Michael had seen the soldier at Hopeston, bragging in the training yard. He had seen the man a second time, flirting with a pretty servant in the keep when they dined one evening.

  Then a second rider emerged from the opposite side of the road. He held the reins in one hand while his other hand pressed against his side. The man wore a pained expression. Michael immediately knew this man’s long, bony face and thin build. Another of Ingram’s men. Michael looked over his shoulder and saw his search party had quickened their pace. Ingram’s soldiers also noticed the approaching mass of riders. Both turned their horses and dug in their heels, taking off in the opposite direction.

  Michael gave chase. He heard the galloping hooves behind him as Geoffrey and the men caught up with him. The thinner man he followed pulled his horse off the road and halted, knowing he could not outrun the bunch. Michael peeled away from the group and rode up next to him. Michael’s own men fell out and surrounded the soldier while Geoffrey led his men to track down the other fleeing soldier.

  Michael leapt from his horse as the man climbed gingerly from his, still holding his side. Bunching the man’s gypon in his fists, Michael yanked him close. “Where is she?” he growled.

  The man quivered in fear. Michael looked down and saw that blood stained his clothing and fingers. Ingram’s man had been wounded somehow.

  He hoped Elysande was the cause of it.

  He dragged the man away from the horses and flung him down in the dirt. “Stay,” he commanded. He stepped out to gaze down the road and saw Geoffrey headed back his way, his men galloping behind him.

  The nobleman rode up and jumped down. “’Twas one of Ingram’s men. I’m sure of it as are the others.”

  “Where is he?” Michael demanded. “We have the other one.”

  “Dead. He put up a brief fight. One of my men ran a sword through him.”

  Michael’s hands fisted. “Then we’ll question this one.” He strode back toward the injured man, Geoffrey following him. His men parted so the noblemen could draw near.

  “Where is Lady Elysande?” Michael demanded.

  The man looked up at him. “I don’t know,” he said sullenly. “Where’s Folc?” He looked about him. No friendly face returned his gaze.

  “Don’t worry about him,” Michael warned. “Tell me everything you know—now—if you want us to spare your life.”

  “I’m Ernis, in service to Lord Ingram. We were only following his orders,” he sputtered. “We weren’t to go back to Rudland unless we had the lady in hand.” He looked at the group that surrounded him. “You killed the rest of my lord’s men when we attacked you on the way to Kinwick. Folc and I were the only two who escaped.”

  “And you waited and watched for an opportunity to take my niece?” Geoffrey asked, his voice soft, his tone deadly.

  “Aye. The two of us. We waited for weeks, skulking about in the woods. And then she appeared. Alone. We thanked our lucky stars and made off with her in haste.” He began to blubber, snot pouring from his nose. “You might as well kill me. Lord Ingram’ll do that. And worse. He’s a hard man. If I return without the lady, I won’t live to see another daybreak.”

  “So you were looking for Lady Elysande? She escaped from you?”

  The soldier nodded. “Aye. She must’ve had a dagger all along and waited to use it.” He rubbed his side and grimaced. “Stabbed me, she did. Knocked me for a loop. I fell back and hit my head on a rock.” He reached up to rub the back of his scalp. “Don’t know which hurts more. Folc found me. Must’ve knocked me out cold. I wound some linen around the wound and we’ve been looking for her ever since.”

  Geoffrey caught Michael’s eye and motioned to him. Michael stepped away from the knights gathered around their hostage.

  “So we know she has to be in the area. We’ll find her, Michael. I swear it by God’s wounds.” He glanced over at the man still sitting on the ground, looking miserable. “What would you have us do with him?”

  Michael hesitated. “Much as I loathe his actions, he was only following orders. He’s certainly scared of Lord Ingram. I say we release him. We have what we need from him.”

  “I agree,” Geoffrey said. “Ingram would only execute him.”

  Both men returned to their prisoner.

  Michael said, “We’ve decided to show you mercy. Get back on your horse and ride from here. Do not return to Lord Ingram. You can become a mercenary. Be your own man. Find a fair lord to fight for.” He spat on the ground. “’Tis better than you deserve.”

  “Thank you, my lord.” Ernis scrambled to his feet, not asking any questions. He mounted his horse and took off without a backward glance.

  “I think she would try to make her way back south,” Michael said, glancing around to see that night had fallen. The thought of his beloved lost and terrified in the darkness wrenched his gut. It would be fruitless to search for Elysande tonight, especially if she hid deep in the woods, but he had to do something.

  “I want twenty men sent to the north and another score sent south,” Michael told a grim-faced Geoffrey. “They are to stay to the road since ’tis too dangerous to have them tramp through a dark forest at night. Have them call her name throughout the night. Hopefully, she will be close enough to hear them and respond.” He sighed and added, “If she’s not found, then when dawn breaks, we should send a small party of men north a few leagues and have them work their way back to this spot. The rest of us can ride south in the morning. For now, the remaining men can make camp here before riding out at first light.”

  “As you wish. May the Christ be with her and help lead us to her.” Geoffrey went over and instructed the men as to which would search for Elysande during the night and how they would divide up if the hunt proved unsuccessful.

  They ate and bedded down for the night. Michael lay awake for a long time. He knew a multitude of bad things could happen to unaccompanied women.

  He begged God for His mercy in keeping Elysande safe tonight. And promised himself that they would find her before the sun set again.

  *

  Elysande waited for Sister Shiloh’s return. The older nun had become overwhelmed last night and excused herself from Elysande’s presence, but she’d promised to stop by after early morning prayers. Elysande awaited her after a restless night of sleep, eager to hear more of the woman’s story. Michael had never mentioned his mother—much less that she was a nun.

  A light rap on the door alerted Elysande to her arrival. She hurried to greet the nun and ushered her into the tiny cell. The two women sat on the bed. Sister Shiloh took Elysande’s hands and held them lightly as she spoke.

  “I’m sorry I rushed off last night,” she apologized. “I was overcome with emotion. I haven’t seen my son in so many years.” She looked wistfully at Elysande. “I know that it’s hard for you to think about him from the little you revealed to me, but I would so like to hear about him.”

  The thought of speaking of Michael pained Elysande, but she realized that Michael’s mother had been separated from him for years. She’d on
ly been apart from him for just over a week. She would tell this woman all that she could and bring her comfort in knowing her son had grown into a good man.

  The nun bit her lower lip. “I suppose I should also tell you why I am here.”

  “Only if you wish to,” Elysande said.

  Sister Shiloh took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I was betrothed to Michael’s father at a young age, as many are. My parents had me later in life after many childless years of marriage. They passed within a month of each other and I was immediately sent to Sandbourne to marry. The earl was half a score older than I was and distrustful of me from the start. He constantly had me watched. He beat me for minor infractions and imagined I had dalliances with other men.”

  The older woman shuddered as she recollected her life. Elysande squeezed her hands in sympathy.

  “Michael was our only child. He was a quiet boy. Thoughtful. He liked to play with his toy soldiers and listen to stories. He had no playmates and lived an isolated life. After his seventh birthday, the earl sent him to foster many miles from home.” Her eyes brimmed with tears. “I missed him every day he was gone.”

  Elysande reached up and brushed the tears away. If things had worked out differently, this woman would have been her mother-in-law. Already, knowing what she did, Elysande saw glimpses of Michael in this woman.

  “My husband was a cruel man. He did not allow Michael to return for the Christmas season his first year away. He told me it was because Michael needed toughening up, but I fear it was his desire to deprive me of my child’s company that was the true reason. And when it came time for Michael to return home for his summer visit, my husband didn’t bother to escort him home. Instead, Sir Lovel sent one of his trusted knights to deliver Michael safely to Sandbourne. At least I knew he would be in good hands for the journey home.”

  Sister Shiloh stood and moved to the wall, leaning on it for support as she crossed her arms in front of her. Elysande saw a faraway look in her eyes and knew the woman looked deeply into the past as she revealed her memories.