by Alexa Aston
“Who is that?” Roland asked.
He glanced over his shoulder as the baron and his daughter descended the steps to meet their guests. Lord Forwin had given Kenric time to greet his family privately but now came forward to welcome the new arrivals.
“Surely, you remember Lord Forwin,” he said. “Lady Jannet, his daughter, accompanies him.”
“She was merely a babe when I was here as a page,” noted Roland. He smiled. “She has grown into quite a beauty.”
Kenric shrugged. He had little contact with the girl, though she’d hung around the training yard in recent months, mooning over bare-chested soldiers as they partnered in various exercises. She’d proven a distraction to the men. They showed off for her, trying to impress her and win a smile. He wished the captain of the guard would ask her to leave, but even Kenric realized Jannet was an only child and notably spoiled.
“I extend a warm welcome to you all,” Lord Forwin said. “We are delighted that Kenric’s family could attend his Order of the Knighthood Ceremony.”
“My lord, may I introduce to you my mother, Lady Juliana, and my uncle, Sir Doran Fairfax? And also my brother, Roland, Earl of Shadowfaire.” Kenric left unspoken how Forwin knew exactly who Roland was and that he had abandoned his training at Longshire many years ago to run home to his mother’s skirts.
“’Tis a pleasure to meet you,” the nobleman said. “Of course, I met the previous earl on several occasions when he brought the twins to Longshire.” He paused and turned, drawing Jannet closer. “And here is my lovely flower. My daughter, Lady Jannet.”
She made her curtsey and Kenric watched Roland’s eyes gaze at her in approval. It occurred to him that Roland also turned one and twenty tomorrow. As the earl, he would need to find a wife in order to have children and pass along his title and the estate. He bit back the smile that threatened to escape.
So, Roland found Jannet interesting.
Little did his twin know that the young noblewoman had a vile temper and was used to ruling the roost since her mother had passed along a good half a score ago. Kenric observed his mother pick up on Roland’s interest. He waited for her to make a move for her favorite son.
“We are so pleased to have you visit Longshire Castle,” Jannet told them. “Please, come inside. We have bedchambers prepared and refreshments awaiting you.”
His mother linked arms with Jannet. “And we are delighted to be here, my dear.” She turned. “Come, Roland. Help Lady Jannet and me up these stairs.”
Roland sprang into action, attaching himself to Jannet’s other side, and they ascended the stone stairs. Lord Forwin and his uncle fell in behind them, with Kenric bringing up the rear.
When they arrived inside the keep, Forwin asked Kenric, “Do you know where your assigned chamber is? We cannot have your ritual of cleansing take place in the noisy barracks.”
“I have been instructed as to which bedchamber I should use. Thank you, my lord.” He looked to his uncle. “I will see you tomorrow, Uncle Doran.”
Kenric moved toward his mother and brother. “Thank you again for journeying to Longshire. I am sure you are in good hands with Lady Jannet. I must excuse myself now to prepare for the ceremony.”
He mounted the stairs and counted the number of doors along the corridor until he arrived at the appointed room. Once inside, he stopped and stared at the clothing awaiting him on the bed.
A white vesture, symbolizing purity, was spread next to a red robe, which stood for nobility. Both the hose and shoes, black in color, represented death. Once he had completed his ritual bathing, he would don this set of new clothes. His shining sword and shield rested beside the clothing. Kenric had polished the pair himself, not trusting the task to a page.
A knock at the door drew his attention. He opened it and admitted a row of servants, each carrying two buckets of steaming water which they dumped into the wooden tub at the far end of the room. Lady Jannet brought up the rear. In her hands, she carried a large bath sheet, scrubbing brush, and a cake of soap. She dismissed the servants and closed the door.
Facing him, she said, “I am here to help you in your bath.”
Kenric did not like the gleam in her eye.
“I thank you for the offer, my lady, but I believe I can manage.”
Her eyes narrowed. “But as lady of the house, I am expected to help visitors bathe.”
He laughed. “I am no visitor, Lady Jannet. I have resided at Longshire since I was seven. In fact, I remember you as a babe. You began to walk about the time I arrived.”
“I am a grown woman now, Kenric Fairfax, or have you not noticed?” She thrust her bottom lip out, a seductive look in her eye.
Kenric remembered his friend, Hudd, warning him about Jannet. “She’s trouble, that one,” Hudd had said only days ago.
He decided to focus on the religious aspect of the experience and hoped that would discourage her.
“I do appreciate your thoughtful offer, my lady. But I need to concentrate on the ritual of bathing. I must thoroughly cleanse my body as a symbol of purification, as well as prepare my mind for the long prayer vigil which follows. I can’t have distractions from my task while I ready myself for God.”
“Is that what I am—a distraction?” She licked her lips slowly.
“A pretty girl is always a distraction,” he teased, hoping to lighten the tension filling the room.
Jannet closed the gap between them. Before he realized what the girl meant to do, she locked her hands behind his neck and pulled him down to her. His lips briefly brushed against hers before he jerked away.
“No, my lady. This isn’t proper. We are not betrothed. You mustn’t—”
“I love you, Kenric,” she declared. “My love is deep and rich. You are the man for me. No other will do.”
Her declaration came from nowhere and startled him to his core.
“Father has not given me to another. He has waited for the most advantageous match.” Her eyes danced as she studied him. “But you are soon to be a knight and come from a respected noble family. You are the best of all his soldiers and I know he thinks highly of you.”
Kenric knew he must discourage her and be gentle about it. Jannet was not only physically frail but he thought, mayhap, mentally fragile, as well.
“I am flattered, my lady,” he began, pausing when words failed him.
“I do not wish for flattery,” she snapped, then took a deep breath and looked at him imploringly. “Why do you think I have come to the training yard so frequently, Kenric? It was because I wanted to watch you fight. See how quickly you dispatched your training partners.”
Jannet reached a hand out and ran it seductively along his arm. “Do you know what it does to me when I look at you? See your sleek muscles ripple as you engaged in combat?” she purred. “View the sweat glistening on your torso? Ah, Kenric, my love began for you many years ago. And now that I am a woman, ’tis time we came together as one.”
Her fingers glided up his arm slowly, causing him to stiffen. “I want to feel you inside of me. Call out your name. Do whatever it takes to possess you. To make you mine.”
The gleam in her eyes frightened him even more than her words.
Kenric thought quickly. “But I could provide no home for you, Lady Jannet. You are a most beautiful woman who deserves the best of what life has to offer. Wealth. Jewels. A titled, handsome husband.” He let his words sink in before he continued. “My brother, Roland, is a man who could give you these things. As my elder brother, he holds the title in our family, as well as a fortune and vast estate. Roland confided in me how smitten he was with you. You might wish to consider his suit, my lady. I know him well and I saw how taken he was with you upon his arrival. Roland would treat you better than the king treats Queen Philippa. You would do well to be open to the possibility of a union with Roland.”
Kenric only hoped his words might have an impact on Jannet. Marriage to her—or any woman—was the last thing on his mind as he stood on the
cusp of realizing his dream of becoming a knight. To be tied down to one woman, especially one as delicate and demanding as Jannet, would be a living nightmare.
She began to pout, reminding him of a small child who had been denied her way. He wished her to be gone from his sight before she turned even more reckless in her behavior.
“At least promise me that we may dance together at the celebration after the ceremony.”
He could see little harm in promising the girl a dance. But he hoped she would consider attaching herself to Roland. Kenric would make sure he told his brother that Jannet might be interested in him.
“I would be honored to partner in a dance with you, my lady.”
She bit her lip. “You now know what I think of you, Kenric Fairfax. I wish to know you better.”
“Know that I will serve and protect you and your household. I will make my pledge to do so tomorrow. For now, though, I must prepare myself for the upcoming ceremony.”
Jannet took the hint and bid him good evening. He saw her to the door and relief washed over him when she passed through it. Kenric closed and bolted the door and leaned against it.
Mayhap, Roland would draw her interest. Kenric had done his best to plant that seed in her mind. His brother was handsome in a soft way. Roland favored their mother while he resembled their father.
The thought brought him to a halt. Kenric remembered the coldness between his parents. He’d never witnessed a single sign of affection between them before he left for Longshire or on his brief visits home. His father had flagrantly bedded other women in the castle and on the estate. Kenric wondered if that was why his mother had never shown him any fondness or warmth. Did he remind her so much of her unfaithful husband?
Kenric also blamed Gussalen, the old woman who always lurked in the shadows. She had lied about him to his mother on many occasions and blamed him for things Roland did. He had always taken the punishment in silence, knowing he was the stronger of the two boys.
It caused him to believe he’d stumbled upon the reason for his mother’s dislike. She had transferred her feelings toward her husband upon the child who was his mirror image.
He stripped off his clothes and climbed into the hot bath, pushing the past aside. It was more important to reflect on what the new day would bring and not be caught up in things he could never change.
As he scrubbed his limbs, Kenric focused on his future. More than anything, he had dreamed of becoming a great knight and adhering to the code of chivalry. He longed to prove his prowess on the battlefield. He decided, in that moment, to commit fully to knighthood and never let love or marriage become distractions. He, Sir Kenric Fairfax, would serve king and country till his dying breath.
He rinsed the last of the soap from his skin, raw and red from the vigorous scrubbing. Reaching for the bath sheet, he stood and dried himself before dressing in the clothes on the bed.
Now it was time to head to the chapel for the Night Vigil.
Placing his sword in one hand and his shield in the other, Kenric made his way down the stairs and outside of the keep. Within minutes, he reached the empty chapel. Silence hung heavily in the air, while lit candles rested upon the steps leading up to the altar.
He made his way to the altar and placed his sword and shield upon it. Lord Forwin had told Kenric he had a choice of kneeling in submission or standing for the ten hours of prayer that now came.
Kenric decided to stand tall and proud.
He offered many prayers to the Virgin Mother. He asked that he stay humble but, over time, hoped he might become the best knight in all the realm.
More importantly, he begged for the coldness that surrounded his heart to thaw where his mother and twin brother were concerned. Kenric wanted to be free of sin—and that meant being free of anger and resentment toward his blood kin. They had made the effort to attend his knighthood ceremony, so it was up to him to forgive them for all past transgressions against him. He asked the Blessed Christ to lift away his burden of sin.
Kenric slowed his breathing as he meditated. A calm surrounded him as if the dove of peace descended upon him and he put aside all petty feelings lingering from his childhood. What mattered was that he would be his own man, a knight sworn in service to both his king and Lord Forwin, his liege lord.
Tomorrow would be the first day his life truly began.
Chapter 2
Kenric sensed someone’s presence and slowly opened his eyes to find the Longshire priest had arrived in the chapel. It surprised him that the time spent in prayer consecrating himself to his knight’s life mission had passed so quickly.
“Good morning,” Father Peter said. “I hope your vigil went as you wished. You have an air of tranquility about you, my son.”
He smiled. “It did, Father. Despite having been on my feet for many hours and receiving no sleep, I have a strong sense of purpose and have reconciled my past with what my future will bring.”
“’Tis exactly what your vigil should have accomplished. I believe you will make a fine knight, Kenric Fairfax.”
“Thank you, Father.”
The priest excused himself and went about readying the chapel for the morning mass and ceremony. Kenric squatted and rose several times and then shook his feet. He walked a few laps about the chapel to get his blood circulating again.
Workers from the castle and the surrounding estate began to arrive, followed by the soldiers from the garrison and then the nobility from both the castle and Kenric’s relatives from Shadowfaire. Father Peter signaled for the doors to be closed so that the mass could commence. Kenric followed the ceremony since he read and spoke Latin, but he knew most of those present did not. He doubted even Roland knew what was being said. His twin had not enjoyed their lessons in reading and writing and hadn’t mastered even the simplest of Latin verbs to conjugate.
Father Peter began to speak again, this time, addressing those in attendance in English so that all might understand his words.
“My homily usually revolves around the scriptures that have been read. But today is a special day in the life of Kenric Fairfax, squire to Lord Forwin at Longshire Castle.”
Kenric sensed the eyes of those gathered falling upon him.
“I speak to you today of what it means to be a knight, for not every man can walk this path. A knight is a man of honor who possesses great combat skills and conducts himself with courage—whether he feels brave or not. Most of all, he values loyalty in himself and in others. A knight is guaranteed a place in heaven due to the loyalty he shows, both to our king and the Church.”
The priest continued. “A knight adheres to the code of chivalry. He always defends a lady and is charitable to the poor and helpless. He never avoids a dangerous path out of fear and is prompt for any engagement of arms, be it in battle or a tournament.
“He defends the Church and remains devoted to Her throughout his life. He loves his country and is generous to all he meets. He champions the right and the good against injustice and evil.” Father Peter paused and directed his gaze to Kenric. “And if he breaks his oath in any way? Then he has committed a crime against God and will be eternally damned for doing so.”
Kenric took in the man of the cloth’s words and knew he would always hold them dear. He would strive to be a man of honor and never stray from his knightly oath.
Prayers and communion followed the homily. A sense of urgency filled him once the last person accepted the Host.
“’Tis time to begin the accolade,” Father Peter announced. “Lord Forwin?”
Forwin rose, along with the captain of the guard and Kenric’s uncle. It surprised him that Doran would participate in the adoubement ceremony, but it pleased him that a member of the Fairfax family would be involved.
The three men made their way to the front of the chapel. The priest blessed the sword and shield before Doran took possession of them. He motioned for Kenric to join them.
His uncle conducted the ceremony as those present watched in rapt si
lence.
“Kenric Fairfax of Shadowfaire, have you undertaken to accept the accolade of knighthood offered to you?”
“I have,” he responded.
“You have been deemed fit for this by your peers and have indicated your willingness to accept this honor. Do you now swear by all that you hold sacred, true, and holy that you will honor and defend the Crown?”
“I will.”
“That you will honor, defend, and protect all ladies, and those weaker than yourself?”
“I will.”
“That you will only draw your sword for just cause and enshrine in your heart the noble ideals of Chivalry?”
“I will.”
“That you will honor and protect our king and the Church?”
“I will.”
“And do you swear the oath of allegiance to your liege lord, Forwin of Longshire?”
“I do.”
Doran held the sword out to him. Kenric kissed the hilt and dropped to his knees.
“Then having sworn these solemn oaths,” his uncle said as he struck Kenric with the side of the sword on his shoulder, “once for Honor . . . twice for Duty . . . thrice for Chivalry . . . I dub thee Sir Kenric Fairfax. Arise!”
He stood while his sword was girded on and new spurs attached to his heels.
“Accept these spurs, which symbolize your devotion to the high ideals of Chivalry and Justice. Wear them honorably and proudly, and may they never be hacked off in shame or degradation.”
Pride washed over Kenric as he turned to face his liege lord.
“I welcome you into my service, Sir Kenric,” Lord Forwin told him. He held out his hand and both men shook.
Applause erupted throughout the chapel.
Forwin put a hand on Kenric’s shoulder and turned to face the crowd. “The Order of the Knighthood Ceremony is not complete without a celebration. I bid you all to adjourn to the great hall to break your fast and then accomplish your tasks by the end of the morning. For once the noon hour approaches, we shall feast all day long and into the night. There shall be music and dancing—with plenty of wine and strong ale,” he added.