by Kara Griffin
Katriona walked quietly along with Lloyd following. She was getting used to his presence. He reminded her of her brother Eric. Outwardly, he was all business and of a serious nature, but inside he had a heart of tenderness. By day’s end, she befriended him and was gladdened he was assigned to see to her safety.
“You’re of the old ways…and a healer?”
She didn’t know what to say and was taken aback by his question. “I fear to admit such, but aye. Tell none for I don’t want my husband to know.”
Lloyd grinned. “His Grace probably already knows. But I’ll keep your secret, Milady. Thank you for helping my mother.”
“I was happy to.” She reached her chamber door and was about to enter when someone traipsed the hall. Katriona hadn’t seen the woman before and was about to greet her when she passed by.
The woman scowled at her and said nothing as she entered Rhyder’s chamber. Katriona’s heart fell. She knew why the woman was there and for what purpose. The smirk alone gave the woman’s intent away.
“Good night, Lloyd.” She entered her own chamber and closed the door. And to think she’d missed Rhyder all day. He didn’t deserve her loyalty or the tiniest care of her heart. At least she now knew what kind of man he was. Was that the foreboding mien she’d sensed of him?
Katriona undressed and got into bed. She wanted to weep at the thought of her husband’s unfaithfulness with another, but she was too angry. For hours, she lay contemplating his infidelity. Banging and muffled voices sounded in the hallway. She closed her eyes and feigned sleep when the door opened. Wynn jumped onto the bed and lay next to her. The door closed again. She opened her eyes and found herself alone.
“What am I going to do, Wynn? I was beginning to care for him.” She wouldn’t love an adulterous man. Misery entrenched her heart and hurt envisioning another woman in Rhyder’s bed and in his arms.
Chapter EIGHT
Rhyder sat by the fire with Sawyer across from him. Wynn lay at his feet and chewed on the remnants of a rabbit he’d caught. Flames reflected on the waters of the sea a short distance away. He’d hoped a bath would assuage him, but it did nothing to lessen his tension. The day was a wasted effort. He found Shrisy, but the dragon snarled and screeched a deafening sound. Her manner suggested she was irked with him.
Was she displeased he’d taken a wife? The nonsensical thought almost made him scoff aloud. Why would his dragon care if he took a wife? Jealousy couldn’t be Shrisy’s woe, for such a thing was absurd and inconceivable. Yet she wasn’t pleased to have him in her realm. He had no choice but to leave without remedying the situation or figuring out what plagued his dragon.
“We should make ready to return.”
“At least she’s unharmed and doesn’t appear injured. I wonder what is bothering her? She usually greets me favorably.” Lost in his reflections, he didn’t catch Sawyer’s comment. He nodded absently and repeated what Sawyer said.
“You’re distracted, Your Grace. Are you thinking of your wife again?” Sawyer laughed and poked a stick at the fire.
“Nay, not my wife. Don’t jest, Sawyer. It is not like Shrisy to loathe me. The way she screeched at me… I’ve never seen her so fearsome. I wish I knew what bothered her.”
“You will figure it out another day. Night comes, Your Grace, and we should return to the hamlet.” Sawyer smothered the fire by kicking dirt at it and waited by his horse.
“You’ve been in a rush to return all day.” Rhyder finished dressing and secured his sword. Now anxious to get home as well, he pondered what his sweet wife did all day. With all that pressed him of late, he’d forgotten he wanted to introduce Katy to his followers and show her where to make certain purchases. After being gone all day, he would allay his guilt and remedy the matter on the morrow.
The ride home took little time. Sawyer remained quiet which was definitely peculiar. His friend usually chatted about nothing and everything on their sojourns. At the gate, the night watch stopped him when he rode through.
“Good evening, Your Grace, you received a few missives.” Alun handed the parchments to him and stood near awaiting direction.
“My thanks, Alun. Ensure that the gates are closed and locked. There should be double the watchmen posted. Where are the extra men I ordered?” He gave a sharp glance at Sawyer.
“I gave the order before we left,” Sawyer said.
“None were assigned here but me this night. Aye, Your Grace, I’ll see to it right away and get a few men to take the post with me.” Alun hastily left him.
Rhyder took a moment to peer at the names on the missives and took a deep breath before tucking them inside his tunic.
“Who writes?” Sawyer asked.
He hunched his shoulders in answer. “It’s too dark to read them. I’ll save them for later. Let us speak to Dillon and Gwill about the day’s training before we retire and why there weren’t more men posted at the gate as I ordered.”
“I left specific instructions for them. Let us hope they followed the rest of my orders.”
Rhyder stopped in his tracks, confused by his friend’s words. “Why wouldn’t they? They’re our most seasoned fighters and will teach the younger men their skills. Are you saying they deliberately defied you? Have you had trouble with them?” When the elders suggested the two brothers, he agreed for they would be an asset to Sawyer’s team of leaders.
Sawyer shook his head. “Nay, but some are not pleased with our choice of leadership within the ranks. Those two brothers bicker and fight, and ‘tis the truth, I want to cuff their heads when they do. They waste time with their banter.”
He continued onward and entered the barracks where the two men stayed. When he’d suggested Dillon and Gwill as Sawyer’s right-hand men, he thought his comrade was satisfied. He got a sense Sawyer only accepted them because he’d made the suggestion. Rhyder wasn’t about to change his mind since it would cause the elder’s rebuff. The brothers were worthy of the promotion given their ability and mettle. And they had soldiered for their kingdom when his father had commanded.
The men scrambled to their feet when they spotted him. Both brothers stood erect awaiting his word. Neither brother resembled each other for one had light hair and a lanky body and the other dark hair and stout body.
Dillon, the lankier of the two, was the first to speak, “Your Grace, it is good to see you.”
Gwill pushed his brother aside. “We completed all the tactics today. I had the men exerted by the time we finished.”
“Nay, I had them exerted. The men are getting better with the sword,” Dillon said. “Some need hands-on training, but we’ll whip ‘em into shape before too long.”
“They be lazy, Your Grace, but I got them up and moving,” Gwill said.
“Where is the extra guard I wanted posted at the gate? Sawyer gave you orders. Why were they not followed?” Rhyder rounded the brothers and stood next to Sawyer.
“Extra men?” Dillon asked.
“What extra men?” Gwill said.
“Mayhap I forgot to give the order,” Sawyer said. “I was busy earlier and…you waited.”
Rhyder held up his hand for silence. “Next time I give an order, make sure it’s completed. I wanted to thank you both for your service,” he said to Gwill and Dillon. “Well done. Keep to the tasks and make our men ready.”
“Aye, Your Grace,” Dillon and Gwill said at the same time.
“And make me proud as well.” Rhyder chuckled to himself as he left the barracks. The brothers were a mite irksome, but they were terrifying with weapons. No foe stood a chance when those two fought in a battle. Sawyer caught up to him and walked along.
“You see, Your Grace, how irksome they are? I should’ve set the extra guard myself.”
“You’re the forefront of our protection. Ensure our safety and be patient, my friend. Use praise as a way to gain their devotion. In time they will do what’s needed without being asked. And we can put up with a little banter.”
“I’ll try. R
est well and I’ll see you in the morning.” Sawyer trotted off toward his cottage.
Rhyder sighed at his friend’s lack of confidence in the new leaders. Dillon and Gwill were seasoned yet young and would bring about the lads just beginning their training. He wanted to ‘clean the slate’ so to speak by assigning new blood to Sawyer. The elders weren’t fond of Sawyer’s fighting methods and he tired of their complaints. Though Rhyder counted on all his soldiers, it was time to prepare. Given the messages he received of late, warring was inevitable.
He took the last steps to the landing and marched through the hall and spotted Lloyd outside Katy’s chamber.
“Your Grace,” he said and bowed.
“All’s well?”
“Aye, your wife is safe and within her chamber. She had a busy day and is likely sleeping.”
“I expected her to be safe. I’ll hear your report on the morrow. Get rest and return early.” Rhyder opened her door and allowed Wynn inside. He noticed her unmoving, sleeping form. As much as he wanted to hold her and kiss her, he decided to let her rest. After a disappointing day, he needed to be alone. Upon entering his chamber, he stopped short.
Careen lay naked atop the bedding. He hadn’t anticipated anyone to be inside his chamber, let alone a naked woman warming his bed. A visit to the blacksmith on the morrow was in order. He’d never had to lock his chamber, but with the murderer on the loose and unwelcomed company, a good sturdy lock might be a worthy idea. Until he moved to more private quarters, he’d have to ensure all were thwarted from entering, especially given the missives he’d received recently.
“What are you doing here? I did not send for you.”
She patted the bed and smiled in the sultry way of hers. “I’m here to give you pleasure, Your Grace. You haven’t visited me and I thought—”
“If I wanted your visit, I would’ve called for you. Be gone.” Rhyder opened the door and dismissed her. She slunk from the bed and approached. Her hands caressed his tunic, but Rhyder grabbed her wrists to stop her.
“You’ve enjoyed our time together, Your Grace…before her.” She pouted.
“Careen, I did, but our time together is finished. You know I was betrothed and once I married that I…Do not return.” He couldn’t be any blunter than that.
She scoffed and grabbed her garments and turned to say something more.
Before she might utter another word, he said, “Leave me.” The door slammed behind her.
Rhyder approached his tables and pulled out the missives from inside his tunic. He set them on the table and sighed. The night was young enough, and he found himself wide awake. He opened the first missive and read:
Pendragon, I beseech you to come. I must speak with you in person about a possible alliance. Come alone for I will not discuss this with others present.
~Cenwahl, Wessex
Rhyder wasn’t about to entertain Cenwahl alone. He was no fool. In the past, his neighbor was likened to an enemy and had raided his lands. Forgiveness for such plundering wouldn’t come easy. He took his quill and wrote a hasty reply that he was unable to leave his lands at the present time. The next missive came from Wulfar. It was the third he’d received in the last fortnight. His brows furrowed at the urgency. He read:
Pendragon, I implore your immediate attention. We should meet at the soonest for I have news regarding a personal matter. I have heard you are considering an alliance with Wessex. We should discuss this before you decide. There are traitors afoot.
~Wulfar, Merica
What the hell was going on? No one was privy to his correspondence. How did Wulfar find out that he considered possibly joining forces with Cenwahl? Someone within his clan spied on him and was a conspirator. Were the men killed in the recent weeks related to the situation? He fisted his hands and pounded the table in frustration. The wrongdoer better be found soon. Before he met with either of his neighboring lords, he wanted answers. He needed to know his enemy before he struck a deal with either of his neighbors.
Rhyder had to cool his temper and thought a walk might help. It had been a time since he’d taken a stroll around the kingdom at night. The house quiet for most sought their beds and those that slept in the great hall silent. He stopped to grab a quick bite to eat, but the table empty. It was odd because Merrion always kept food offerings available for any that entered day or night.
He left the house and lit a torch for his walk. As he ambled along, he stopped to greet some of the soldiers sitting around the fires. He caught Sawyer in a romantic position with Careen and walked away before they spotted him. He was glad Careen got the pleasure she sought and more pleased that it was with his good friend.
His new home stood behind the longhouse and appeared almost ready to occupy. The only thing he had to rectify before his move was the overlook. He’d have to remove it and close it off. Given Shrisy’s behavior of late, it was unlikely he’d need an overlook in his new home. His dragon wanted nothing to do with him. Despair entrenched his heart at the thought of losing her.
As the night continued, the air eased his discontent and as the hours passed, he eased. Not that he was closer to figuring out who the traitor or killer was or what to do about Shrisy, but at least he abated his restlessness. Maybe this night he would get the rest he desperately wanted. Sleepless nights did not make for a contented leader.
In the wee hours of the new day, he sat by a fire long gone out and thought about returning to his chamber. But he wasn’t tired and his mind cleared of pressing issues. The walk solaced him. Across the path, he spotted a shadowy figure. At first, he paid little attention to the person. But the figure moved as if he stalked about. Rhyder leaned his elbows on his knees continued to watch and assess the movements of the lurker. His curiosity got the better of him and he followed the figure.
Outside the barracks, he neared the man. As quietly as he could, Rhyder removed his dagger from his boot and progressed, getting nearer. A glint from a blade reflected in the night when the man raised his dagger high. Rhyder ran forward but lowered his dagger when he recognized the man. Sawyer was fortunate he’d noticed him in the dark and hadn’t wounded him.
“Sawyer, what are you doing out here?”
His friend turned with a start. “Oh, Rhyder, I didn’t hear you approach.” He backed up a step. “I mean, Your Grace. I, ah, thought I saw someone lurking near the barracks.”
“You were investigating?”
“Aye, but whoever it was is gone now. I’m to bed.” Sawyer slunk off.
Light eased the night away by the time Rhyder entered his home. He found Katy in the great hall with Wynn who ran toward him, wanting to be petted.
Each day, his wife appeared more fetching. If he wasn’t in need of rest, he might suggest she join him in bed. “Katy, I hope you rested well.”
She placed her hands on the table and nodded. “As good as could be considering…and you, my lord? Are you just rising?”
Rhyder frowned at her tone. He didn’t like the implication and sound of her words. “I got no sleep at all.”
She derided him with a chortle. “I imagine you didn’t. I’m off. Good day.”
His wife was angry. As much as it confounded him, he liked her feistiness. Their disagreements would be entertaining given her standoffish nature. “Wait, where are you going?” He glanced at Lloyd standing at the other end of the hall.
“To find food,” she said in a breathy voice.
“The morning fare will be served soon.”
She raised her eyes with a look of disbelief. “Will it? I doubt that, my lord, and I am not going to wait around to find out. Good day.”
She left him standing there perplexed, but smiling. He would figure out what bothered her later. Rhyder followed her outside and recognized where she headed. Luella’s cottage. He’d eaten a time or two at her home when he was a lad.
Shouts came from the site where his future home was being built. Rhyder ran toward the chaos and helped pull debris and thatch from a man who fell t
hrough the roof. He knelt next to Peter and his heart heavy when he felt no thumping of his chest. “He’s dead. He must’ve hit is head on the beam when he fell through the thatch or he might have broken his neck.”
Shouts came again.
Lloyd called him from across the close. “Your Grace, it is Milady. Come quick.”
Rhyder hurried toward Lloyd and regarded Katy on the ground. Her body shook for a moment and then settled. Anguish thickened his throat when he knelt next to her and pressed the strands of her curls away from her face. “What happened to her?”
“I know not. She was walking along and suddenly fell to the ground. I tried to roust her,” Lloyd said, his face downcast. “She wouldn’t come to.”
He set his hand on her chest. “There’s a slow steady beat. She lives.” Rhyder was never so relieved, but he grew concerned that her breathing too shallow. He took her in his arms and carried her to his chamber. There, he settled her in bed and made her comfortable. Her soft curls covered her face and he brushed them aside. How sweet her face appeared with dark lashes and her wee pert nose. After a moment of inspection, Wynn jumped upon the bedding and he struggled to remove the dog.
When he removed her cloak, he noticed the items attached to the inside and slid his fingers over the soft feathers. His eyes narrowed at the realization of what they were. His lady practiced the ways of the Goddesses. For some reason that made him smile. His heart eased because regardless of Shrisy’s intent the Gods sent him good fortune.
To Lloyd, he said, “Go and find Olor. She needs a healer.”
“Olor, Your Grace? Shouldn’t I fetch the healer?”
Rhyder scowled at the question. “I prefer Olor. He’s a better healer than Gerald.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.” Lloyd bowed and left.
Wynn whined by the bedside.
“Your mistress is a mysterious woman, dog. Aye, she is. Katy, don’t die on me, sweet lass. Not now when you’ve only just come.” He cast his eyes to her pretty face. “We need you, I need you.” He sighed knowing he spoke the truth. “I need you.”