by Kara Griffin
She wanted to weep and to release the sorrow tightening her chest, but she sniffled and kept walking. “My husband was to send me away. He deems me a heathen, Lloyd. I will save him the trouble and return to my father’s home.”
“Did His Grace say as much? This is but a misunderstanding. Please, Milady, come to your senses and go back.” He tried to grasp her arm, but she walked faster.
“He wanted me gone and said as much when he directed you to tell me to ready to leave. Rhyder is king and must do what’s right by his people. Your lord cannot be wed to a woman his followers detest.” She sniffled again and swore by the god Tiw that she would have courage no matter what she faced on the journey or how much she wanted to weep like a babe.
“None detest you.” Lloyd ambled next to her.
Katriona hastened her steps and she practically trotted along. “Careen detests me. I’m certain others have her view. Nay, I must go and return home. You should return to your lord. Tell him whatever you wish. I care not.”
Lloyd took her satchel. “I cannot, Milady. I was bid to a task and haven’t been relieved of the duty. I must protect you even from yourself.”
She tried to retake her satchel, but he held fast. “You’re like my brother Eric, aye, strong-willed and a pain in my arse. Very well, Lloyd, but you may leave me at any time.”
Lloyd bellowed a derisive sound. “And you remind me of my mother, stubborn and willful. Och, if I cannot get you to return, then I shall stay with you, M’lady, no matter where you may go.”
Katriona abated the tears threatening to fall. Her heart weighed heavily in her chest, but she was doing the right thing. Rhyder didn’t ask for her troubles and she had no right to ask him to go against his people. Yet the brokenhearted woe that came upon her instilled her determination and wouldn’t leave her even as dawn broke the morning.
Throughout the night Lloyd tried to convince her to return to the hamlet and Katriona wouldn’t hear any further argument. Horses sounded in the distance and she tugged Lloyd’s arm to get him to follow her. Leaving the trail, she found herself in a small clearing surrounded by dense brush. For hours, she tensed and suspected someone trailed. She’d heard the followers afar and hoped she was wrong.
“This is a good place to rest. We shall find something to eat later and then will be on our way towards evening. If we’re to walk all the way to Deverdoeu we’ll need our strength.” As much as she wanted to tell Lloyd about her suspicions, she decided to keep it to herself. There was no reason anyone trailed her for she was certain Rhyder didn’t even know she was missing yet.
Lloyd sighed heavily. “We’ll need more than strength, Milady. I just hope that your husband doesn’t kill me for my inability to make you see reason.”
Chapter FIFTEEN
Bleary-eyed, Rhyder reread and finished the missive to Cenwahl. He’d send it off to the elder’s sons to deliver. The door opened and Merrion arrived.
“You wanted to speak to me, Your Grace?” She bowed and waited for his address.
Rhyder sighed. He didn’t want there to be strife betwixt them. “Merrion, I’m glad you’re here. Come and speak with me. It’s time we do away with formality. I’m your brother. You can call me by my name.”
“I would like that.”
“My new home is readied, and I mean to leave this house on the morrow. I told Lloyd to tell Katy to ready.”
“Shall I stay here, Your Grace…Rhyder?” Merrion wasn’t comfortable yet with their newfound arrangement.
Rhyder recalled Katy’s relationship with her siblings. When he’d journeyed to her holding for the betrothal feast, he remembered the king’s children and their laughter and banter. During the feast, they played and sought each other. It was how a family should be, not torn apart by despair and death. “Of course not. You and Katy appear to be friendly now.”
“Yes, she’s pleasing to be around and I liken her to a sister.”
“You will continue to stay with us until you are settled.”
“Settled, Your Grace? I’m sorry it shall take time to get used to calling you Rhyder.”
He smiled and bid her to sit with a wave of his hand. “One day you will marry and leave my house, but there’s no rush. You’re of an age when a woman takes a man as husband. I may from time to time make a suggestion of husband for you. Unless there is someone you wish me to consider?”
Her face brightened. “Not at the moment.”
“As to Shrisy, I want to thank you for keeping my secret and for your discretion. You didn’t discuss her with Katy, did you?”
“I didn’t. She asked questions, but I evaded her. You made it clear that she not know. Why didn’t you tell her and own to it? She of all people would understand.”
Rhyder sighed and pressed his eyes. “I felt it wasn’t the right time. For many years I’ve had to keep Shrisy a secret from all. Now that I am faced with revealing her, even to my wife, I find I am fearful of what might happen. I cannot bring Shrisy’s peril.”
“Our history is filled with dragon lore. Surely you could have explained that to Katy. I deem she would understand, but she’s upset that you dismissed her and wouldn’t discuss it.”
“I’m not ready to divulge Shrisy to Katy. And until I find out what’s plaguing the dragon, I want to keep Katy safe. It is best to keep them both apart until no harm will come to either of them.”
“That is understandable, Your Grace. I am pleased you wish me to stay with you. I’ll see to the moving of your house and our belongings. Katy will probably be as excited as I am.”
“Have you told her of the new home?” He raised a brow when his sister’s brows furrowed.
“Nay, I didn’t speak of it. You did not bid me to, and she hadn’t asked. We shall make it a comforting place for you.”
“I didn’t tell her either because I wanted it to be a surprise. There are too many prying eyes here and we have no privacy. I suppose I should explain our move to her.” Rhyder dismissed his thoughts. “She’ll know in the morning. I need to search for Shrisy on the morrow and hope to find the cause of her woe. By afternoon, I’ll return to speak to the hamlet. But before I do, I need to figure out a way to tell Katy about Shrisy.”
Merrion laughed and sat back. “You must tell her before you speak to the hamlet. It would not do well if she were the last to be told. A wife wouldn’t take well that you would put your followers before her. You care for her. I suspected—”
“Of course I care for her. She’s my wife.”
“It’s more than that.”
“Perhaps.” It was more than he’d admit. “Ready the house for our move. Have Lloyd help with the carrying the heavy items and such. The soldiers will occupy this building in the next week or so and it will become a barracks for the young soldiers-in-training.”
A bang came at his door. Before he opened it, he took Merrion’s hand. “We haven’t been close, but I mean to change that. You can come to me about any issue. You do know that, don’t you?”
“I do now. I wish mother and father could see what a compassionate and generous leader you are. Good night, brother.”
“When there is time, we will discuss them. I’m sure you have questions.”
She clasped his hand and squeezed it. “I would like that.”
He opened the door and found Sawyer pacing the hall. “Your Grace, you must come quickly. Cenwahl is at our gates with many men. Alun left the damned gate open.”
Rhyder groaned. He shouldn’t have put off his meeting with Cenwahl. “How did he get past our sentry?”
Sawyer led the way to the lower level. “That is a good question and one I aim to find out when the sentry returns. We need to deal with Cenwahl and then we shall find and punish those on the watch.”
Rhyder agreed with a nod. “I will greet Cenwahl. Call all the men to arms. If Cenwahl is intent on confronting us, we will be ready to prevent his attack.”
Sawyer left him at the door to his house and trotted toward the barracks.
Rhyder walked fast to the gate and stopped upon seeing Cenwahl and thirty men, holding torches. The sight was almost captivating and yet, they needn’t have traveled with torches. The moon above brightened the land.
Rhyder regarded the face of his enemy. The man aged to over two score and his hair nearly whitened. “Cenwahl, what brings you to my gate this time of night?”
“I need to speak with you. It’s urgent.”
“So you have written, and I wanted to come—”
Cenwahl stepped forward. “You delayed, which is why I came. We should speak privately. Is there a place where we might do so alone?”
“Your men are unwelcome within my hamlet. They need to retreat beyond my gate.” Rhyder stood firm in his demand. “There will be no meeting unless you comply.”
Cenwahl laughed. “Aye? No hospitality for your neighbor?”
Rhyder motioned behind him as his soldiers appeared from beyond the nearby buildings. At least one hundred men held weapons in hand and readied to confront their adversary. More arrived by the minute. The sight of his soldiers lessened his apprehension.
“There’s no need to show of force, Lord Pendragon. This is a lax visit. We do not intend to insult or raise arms.”
“Then your men will move beyond my gates posthaste. You may stay inside with a handful of men whilst we discuss whatever you wish to say.”
Cenwahl waved his hand and all but those closest to him moved back.
“Close the gates.” Two of Rhyder’s soldiers ran forward to do his bidding. Rhyder hadn’t ever been in Cenwahl’s presence before. The man had to be older than his father had been when he died. He wore his graying locks braided, dirty, and down to his shoulders. The furs over his upper arms on his legs likewise had seen better days. The boots on his feet had to be years old.
Taking in the man’s appearance, Rhyder realized that Cenwahl’s kingdom lacked wealth and probably needed the alliance to help bolster the kingdom.
“Say what you will.”
Cenwahl approached. He knelt and almost fell to sitting. “I must rest for I’m not as spry and young as I once was. The ride here, I admit, depleted me.” He took the ground near an empty cottage by the gate.
Rhyder joined him and sat nearby. The man seemed sorrowful and downtrodden.
“My kingdom is doomed, Pendragon. If we do not make a pact, Merica will overtake us.”
Rhyder sympathized with the man’s plight. Being wedged betwixt his enemies, he had no choice but to mediate. “I came across Wulfar in the woods recently and he claims to want peace.”
“Mayhap with you. Do you align with him? Aye, if that is so why does he show force by blocking my men from traveling through his lands?”
“Wulfar is distrusting.” Rhyder realized that he was of the same mind. “Have you sent a spy to my lands? And why are my clansmen traveling in secret to your lands?”
Cenwahl leaned on his knees. “I sent no spy. I hold honor and sought to make a true alliance with you.”
“Many seek an alliance with me. A few of my men were killed recently.”
“It was not my doing. I know nothing of your followers coming to my hamlet or those killed. Why would I want to kill your men when I seek an association?”
“Why should I believe you? What better way to gain my acceptance than by diminishing my soldier’s numbers?” Rhyder stared hard as Cenwahl considered his question.
“Why would I decrease your numbers when I need your backing and their arms? Do you deem I aspire to ally with you for no good reason? It appears we’re at an impasse. We both have men within our hamlet who deceive.”
“I will find out who and why these traitors go against me. And if you had anything to do with it, consider it an act of war.” Rhyder kept his tone harsh enough to stress his distrust.
Cenwahl stood. “I will take my leave, Pendragon. Until we find the interlopers, we will put aside possible treaties. I want your trust and if someone in my clan goes against me by killing your men, I shall find them.”
Rhyder motion to his soldiers to open the gate and Cenwahl and his followers left hastily.
Sawyer ambled forward and stood next to him. He explained the convolution of the situation and his misgiving of both Cenwahl and Wulfar. His comrade scowled fiercely.
“This is perplexing. I will post a new guard at the gate and send out a sentry to search for the others. When I find Alun, I’m going to beat his arse.”
“Aye, and find out why they let Cenwahl on our land. I don’t like that he and his followers rode through and reached our walls without alerting us to his trespass.”
Sawyer marched off as ireful as he felt. Rhyder returned to his home and took a moment to becalm himself. Inside, all was quiet. Though the hour was late, he expected all sought their slumber.
In the hall, he found it empty. He sat and set his feet upon the adjacent chair and contemplated his brief meeting with Cenwahl. Both his enemies declared their innocence. Were they both speaking truthfully? Mayhap neither had a spy within his clan. But then who was against them all?
After he ruminated over again the perplexing puzzle, he decided to get rest. On the morrow, he would settle the matter of Shrisy with Katy, and soothe his hamlet’s fear of his dragon. Then he’d set out and find whoever was causing such rifts with his neighbors. He took the steps and reached the second floor within seconds. He expected to find Lloyd standing guard in the hall, but he must’ve gone to the barracks. Odd that he didn’t see him when the call to arms went out.
He opened Katy’s door and anticipated to be greeted by Wynn but the dog wasn’t there. Rhyder reached the empty bed and turned about the chamber. His wife was gone. All her belongings removed. He took a breath and recalled asking her to prepare for the move. She must’ve gone to his chamber. After checking his solar, his unease raised. He scrambled to Merrion’s chamber and knocked heavily on her door. When she took too long to answer, he rushed in and shook her awake.
“Where is Katy?”
His sister rubbed her eyes of sleep and sat up. “Katy? In her chamber or yours.”
“No, she’s not.”
“Then where could she be?”
Rhyder spent the rest of the night in search of her. There was no sign of Katy, Wynn, or Lloyd. Toward morning, defeated, he skulked toward his house and couldn’t fathom why she’d left. Why would she leave him? Didn’t she know how dangerous the land was? Finding her was his most pressing issue. The matter of his hamlet’s acceptance of Shrisy, finding his foes, moving his house…all insignificant problems now. Somehow he’d find Katy and bring her home where she belonged.
Chapter SIXTEEN
An eerie silence overtook the woods. Katriona was weary, not only from the long walk but from the misery in her heart. If she was home, she’d take to bed and wallow in her despair. That’s what one did when their heart was broken, wasn’t it? Each step took her closer to home where she could suffer her embarrassment and crushed heart in the loving arms of her family. Only they would solace her now.
Lloyd ambled next to her and snapped his fingers at Wynn who lagged behind. “I’ve been thinking… His Grace has been searching for the man who attacked our soldiers. What if his foe is right beneath his nose? Someone close to His Grace?”
Katriona stopped and wandered toward a fallen log. She sat and bid him to take rest. “Do you mean Sawyer?”
“Aye, I speak of him. I got the strangest sense when Sawyer questioned me about you.” Lloyd took a seat next to her and stretched out his legs.
“He asked about me? Why?”
“I know not, Milady. But Sawyer asked if you loved your husband. He asked if you were carrying a babe yet. Sawyer’s questions were unbecoming and if His Grace found out his commander sought such information, His Grace would’ve been angry. It was not my place to tell your husband of his commander’s inquiry.”
She didn’t mean to gasp, but the thought of Sawyer asking such questions shocked her. “Why would he ask about my relations with my hu
sband? Sawyer can’t be Rhyder’s foe though. What would he have to gain?”
“You.”
Katriona shook her head vehemently. “No, that’s impossible.”
“I’ve seen it before, Milady. If a man covets a woman and a kingdom, he can easily foil his adversary by killing him and taking the plunder.”
“You deem Sawyer covets me and Rhyder’s kingdom? Sawyer is Rhyder’s friend and wouldn’t harm him to gain his kingdom… And, I have never given Sawyer reason to believe I care for him. I am quite shocked to hear this. When you return, you should tell Rhyder about his questions. He should know.”
Lloyd shrugged his shoulder. “I didn’t answer Sawyer’s questions and was able to thwart him after that when he sought me. But what if it is only infatuation… Mayhap he doesn’t scheme to overtake His Grace’s kingdom. And I think you should tell your husband yourself. Can we not turn back now?”
She turned and glanced at Lloyd. He didn’t show any sign of exhaustion. “I will not return, so cease asking me to. How is it you’re not tired? We’ve been walking for two days.”
“I’m used to long journeys and often walk for miles while on sentry duty, Milady.”
“Will you cease already and call me Katriona? Really, Lloyd, I stopped being your lady the moment we left the hamlet.” She rose and trod forward, hoping to make more progress before night fell.
Lloyd followed and called to Wynn. “You are my lady regardless of where we are. I am surprised that we didn’t run across His Grace’s sentry in the woods. I expected they’d stop us from leaving his lands. They’re always aware when someone is about the woods.”
“I expected to see them as well and thought you might give me away. Let us continue. We should be near Mercia’s lands. If we veer to the east, my father’s lands lie about a day or so walk.” The thought of more days of walking almost defeated her and forced her to turn back, but she couldn’t face Rhyder now.
“Shhh.” Lloyd held up his hand and stopped in his tracks.