Candace C. Bowen - Knight Series 03

by A Knight of Valour

  “The people of Cornwall paid no mind to the old man’s ramblings, and if you ask him, Euric would say the baron did him a kindness.”

  “When first we met, I had no idea Euric was once a knight.” Mylla eased out of his embrace to make eye contact.

  “He is still a knight just no longer in service,” Talan said. “Fulke has offered him his coat-of-arms on more than one occasion but Euric does not want to take Bronwyn and their children from their home on the coast. She has become the village healer and is quite fond of its people.”

  “I know how one can become attached to a place,” Mylla said.

  “Do you miss Rochester already, mon coeur?”

  “I have lived in the village for so long I suppose I will always miss it.” Mylla hesitated. “Yet my home is wherever you are.”

  “You hesitated,” Talan said softly. “Why?”

  “Do you think it will always be like this?”

  “Like what?” Talan’s brow creased in concern.

  “Wary of everyone we meet,” she said. “Will we ever know what it is to feel safe again?”

  “Are you having regrets about being with me?”

  “No, and I never shall,” Mylla assured him. “When I was hiding in the brush, all I could think about was you.”

  “Then what concerns you so?”

  “I love you.” Tears pooled in Mylla’s eyes. “I do not know what I would do if something were to happen to you.”

  “I cannot promise that something will not happen to me,” Talan said. “Such a thing is out of my control. What I can do is swear to you that I will do everything in my power to once again make you feel safe.”

  “I have a simple solution for you to succeed on that account.”

  “And what would that be?” Assisting her back into the mare’s saddle, his hands lingered on her waist.

  “Never leave my side.”

  “God willing I never shall.”

  The pair began to follow the Thames on the outskirts of Chertsey. The green forests eventually gave way to rolling expanses of plotted land. Serfs and peasants were busy in the fields planting and cultivating crops of wheat, rye, barley, and oats. From a distance a plot of flowering flax gave the appearance of a royal blue carpet spread out over the soil.

  “You look weary.” Passing Mylla a bladder filled with spring water, Talan frowned. “You had very little sleep last night.”

  “I had more than you.” Taking a refreshing swallow of the cool liquid, Mylla passed the bladder back. “I only tire of sitting in the saddle. It has been some time since I have ridden, and never for so long.”

  She would not tell him she had only been on horseback a few times in recent years. Living in a large village it was not necessary. When her father discovered Leofrick had taught her to ride astride like a man, he had been furious with them both. She had pleaded with him to purchase her a sidesaddle so she could continue riding but he had refused.

  “Forgive me for being so thoughtless,” Talan said. “I shall search out a safe place for us to rest awhile.”

  “A little discomfort is nothing to the thought of being discovered by the justice’s men,” Mylla said. “Please, let us ride on.”

  “If you can make it to the town, we will stop long enough to break our fast. If you do not feel the need to rest then, mayhap a walk afterwards will ease the discomfort you feel.”

  “Do not worry so on my account.” Mylla smiled to reassure him. “I shall be fine.”

  “It has been some time since I traveled with the fair sex. Please promise you will tell me if the journey becomes too much for you.”

  “You have my word, my heart.”

  Talan faced forward with a satisfied look.

  “Did you think I would defy you?” With a teasing smile, Mylla guided the mare closer to Talan’s destrier.

  “Tis the first time you called me your heart. I quite like the sound of it.”

  “Then I shall say it more often.”

  The sun was high in the sky when they rode into Chertsey to the sound of church bells announcing sext. Villagers on foot filled the road leading to the church located at the end of the public square. They were forced to slow their horses to a walk to reach the two-storied public inn.

  Dismounting, Talan assisted Mylla down before passing the reins to a young boy that came rushing out of an open thatched lean-to. “Feed, water and give them a good rubdown, lad. I shall see to you on the way out.”

  “Thank you, mister.” Bobbing his head, the boy led the horses away.

  Talan looked stunned by the change in title. Noting Mylla’s regard, he quickly recovered. “Shall we go inside?”

  “You cannot conceal your feelings from me,” Mylla said. “Does it trouble you overmuch? To not be addressed by your proper title?”

  “I have already discovered I cannot conceal anything from you,” he said with a slight smile. “It merely caught me off guard.”

  “Whatever you are called, it will never change who you are.” Mylla touched his sleeve. “You do know that, do you not?”

  “I do.” He changed the subject. “How are your legs feeling?”

  “A tad weak yet I shall manage.”

  “The saddle takes some getting used to.” Sweeping her up in his arms, Talan held her close against his chest.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, Mylla glanced nervously around. “What will people think of such a public display?”

  “I care naught what others think. My only concern is you.” Ducking under the door’s lintel, he stood for a moment to let his eyes adjust to the dim light of the crowded common room. Spotting an empty table along the back wall he made his way over to it. Once they were seated, he signaled to a tavern wench for service.

  Feeling the stares of other patrons directed their way, Mylla self-consciously smoothed her windblown hair.

  “Whether it is a palace or common room, you will always be the most beautiful woman present,” Talan whispered.

  A pleased smile warmed Mylla’s features.

  When a wench approached to serve them, Talan ordered two portions of the stew, a mug of ale, and a cup of honey mead for Mylla. Relaxing back in his seat, he surveyed the other patrons with a critical eye.

  “Is it unsafe for us to be here?” Mylla leaned close to whisper.

  “Worry not, mon coeur, tis only a habit of mine,” Talan said. “We are far ahead of any messengers from Rochester.”

  Famished, the pair settled into their meal the moment it was delivered.

  Mylla finished the stew only slightly behind Talan. With her legs, lower back, and behind all causing her pain, she shifted uncomfortably on the wood bench. Her attempt to conceal her discomfort from Talan failed miserably when she found him frowning.

  “I shall see about securing a room for the night. You need a hot bath to sooth your muscles.”

  “Please let us ride on,” she pleaded. “We have hours of daylight left.”

  “I cannot bear to see you in pain, Mylla.”

  “It is only a slight discomfort. I shall be fine after a short walk.” To convince him, she reached over to cover his hand. “Did I not make you a promise?”

  “Let us take our walk afore we decide,” Talan said. “I need to settle the tab and arrange with the inn-keep to send a messenger to Leofrick. I shall return in a moment.”

  Mylla watched him weave through the tables with a tender expression. Determined to ride on, she kneaded her lower back and thigh muscles. She stopped the moment she spied Talan returning to the table.

  “The barkeep will hire a messenger to arrive at The Wounded Stag sometime after vespers, or nightfall. I made an error in calculating our arrival so will send another once we reach Reading.”

  “I do not understand,” Mylla said. “What error did you make?”

  “At our current pace, it is doubtful we will reach the abbey tonight. We may be forced to make camp on the outskirts of Reading.”

  Tears filled Mylla’s eyes. “It is my fa
ult we cannot keep pace.”

  “Do not even think such a thing,” Talan said. “Twas only a miscalculation on my part and matters naught.”

  “You are only saying that to make me feel better.”

  “In truth, I would do or say anything to make you feel better, but the fact is that I am used to riding horses trained for arduous journeys with men more accustomed to the saddle.”

  “Did her ladyship have trouble keeping up when you traveled with her?”

  “The baroness most often rode in the arms of my liege.”

  “That sounds ever so lovely,” Mylla said dreamily.

  Talan held out his hand. “Let us put the town behind us, and we shall give it another go.”

  Despite her best attempt to conceal how she felt, Mylla’s gait was awkward on the way out. Following close behind her, it did not escape Talan’s notice.

  In unison they shielded their eyes from the afternoon sun. With the villagers either attending mass or out in the fields, they had the road leading to the town square mostly to themselves.

  Mylla’s stride became more natural the longer she walked. Stopping beside a water trough, she smiled. “I am feeling more myself. Thank you for suggesting the walk.”

  Heedless of the few villagers milling about, Talan pulled her close. “I would do anything for you.”

  “I think you have already proven that.” Her heart hammering from Talan’s touch, her lips parted in anticipation.

  Talan stepped away from her to glance back the way they had come. “Do you think you will be able to continue on now?”

  “Aye, tis best we go now. Mass will be ending soon.” Clasping her hands together, Mylla failed to hide her disappointment.

  Hooking his hand through her arm, Talan led her past the communal well set in the center of the village. “What was your girlhood like?”

  “For the most part I suppose it would be considered ordinary.” Mylla shrugged. “The most exciting thing that ever happened to me was my trip to London where I had the great fortune of meeting you.”

  “There is nothing at all ordinary about you.” Reaching the stables, Talan summoned the stable boy to retrieve their horses.

  “Again, you are being biased.” Her good mood restored, Mylla smiled up at him. “Aside from visiting my mother’s family on occasion in Epping, this is the farthest I have ever been from Rochester.”

  “By the time we reach our destination, you will have seen much of the country. I only wish it were a leisurely jaunt.”

  “It does not matter where we go so long as I am with you.” She redirected the topic. “What of your boyhood, Talan? I have never heard you speak of it, and Leofrick had nothing at all to offer on the subject.”

  “You asked your brother about me?” Talan grinned.

  “I certainly did,” Mylla said. “I want to know everything there is to know about you.”

  “Actually, there is not much to tell.” Talan looked away from her inquiring gaze. “I have a vague recollection of my father afore a winter illness claimed him. After his death, my mother and I made do the best we could with the little we had. I taught myself how to use a bow by watching the men in our village so we rarely went hungry.” He smiled in remembrance. “Some nights she would tell me stories about my father.”

  “She sounds like a remarkable woman.”

  “Aye,” he said softly, “my mother was beautiful and brave, yet her heart never fully recovered from the loss of my father.”

  “I am so sorry.” Mylla placed her hand on Talan’s forearm. “I did not mean to bring up past sorrows.”

  “They are pleasing memories,” Talan assured her. “When my mother passed, I did not mourn her. I celebrated her life and rejoiced that she was once again reunited with my father.”

  “Lecie told me your mother taught you how to cook,” Mylla said. “She was truly grateful for your assist in the scullery when her father fell so ill.”

  “It was a pleasure to help her,” Talan said. “Besides, the guests would have had unsettled stomachs were Albin left to do it on his own.”

  “What was your mother’s name?”

  “Cecily.” Reaching out he gently followed Mylla’s jawline with his fingertip. “In many ways you remind me of her.”

  Mylla found herself leaning into his touch. “How old were you when she passed on?”

  “Well into my sixth summer,” Talan said. “I had no kin in Swaffham so my mother’s brother came from Nottingham to take me in. I recall it because I had to wait until the following summer to become his page. Without my Uncle Hewett, it is unlikely I would have become a knight.”

  “He sounds like a kindly man.”

  “Indeed. He was the best of men. It was several years later when I met Baron Erlegh and Sir Albin. My Uncle had made an agreement with Albin’s father to foster them both. Fulke had very recently lost his entire family to a fire. He was so angry and hurt by life, yet I wanted more than anything to be just like him. I made a complete nuisance of myself until he agreed to train me.” Talan smiled. “I imagine he thought he would be rid of me at some point, only I pleaded to go with him when he eventually left my uncle’s service to join the king’s ranks.”

  “Is that also when you formed a close friendship with Sir Albin?”

  Talan shook his head. “Albin and I butted heads from the start. If I were to admit it, I would say our loyalty to our liege was at the root of the discord. Albin and Fulke were born in the same village and had remained the best of friends into adulthood. Fulke was everything I admired in a knight so I attempted to emulate him in every way. Albin, on the other hand, rarely took anything seriously. There was constant conflict between the two of us because of it.”

  “I had no idea,” Mylla said. “You seemed to be on such good terms with Sir Albin.”

  “We are closer now than we have ever been. I credit his near death experience and Lady Lecie for the change. Albin has become a different man since meeting her, and truth be told, my rigidness has eased since meeting you. You could say we both gave a little to meet in the middle.”

  “You consider yourself less rigid because of me?” Mylla smiled.

  “Aye, I do owing to the fact that I am.” Talan’s tone softened. “I used to live according to the code of knighthood. I thought little of the life I could have outside of duty…” Talan was briefly distracted by the stable boy. “Until you came along.”

  Leading the horses from around the corner of the inn, the boy passed the reins to Talan. “I did like you told me, mister.”

  “Purchase yourself a decent meal.” Passing the boy a coin, Talan held out his hand to Mylla. “Allow me to assist you.”

  Mylla situated herself the best she could in the saddle. “It did not seem to bother you so much that time.”

  Talan brushed it off with a shrug. “Whilst my vanity may get the better of me on occasion, I know who I am.”

  They rode in silence on their way out of the village.

  It was not until Chertsey was far behind them that Mylla spoke again. “If you plan on treating me like an equal, I would ask that you always be honest with me.”

  “What would make you say such a thing?” Talan shifted to look at her. “I have never been dishonest with you.”

  “You mean unless it has been to spare my feelings.”

  “I apologize, Mylla. I am unused to having someone know me so well.”

  “It hurts my heart that you were forced to give up something that meant so very much to you.” Mylla nudged her horse closer to his. “And I am not only speaking about the title. Your service to Baron Erlegh is what defined you. I had no idea you spent so much of your past with he and Sir Albin.”

  “Everything that I have been forced to relinquish was well worth what I received in exchange,” Talan said.

  “Still, you can never see any of them again, can you? Or visit Castell Maen? You will even have to surrender the land Baron Erlegh gifted you with.”

  “Perhaps one day things will be
different and we can return to England.”

  “You have given up so much for me,” Mylla said. “I dread one day you may come to regret it.”

  “I shall never regret my decision, Mylla, never.” Talan’s eyes blazed with the truth of his words. “Besides, you have given up no less to be with me. Now I implore you to put an end to such thoughts lest you distress yourself for nothing.”

  “I shall try.” Falling silent once again, Mylla faced forward.

  Chapter Eight

  “Let us go over it again, shall we?” Justice de Glanville had taken to pacing the floorboards in the crowded solar.

  “I have already detailed the events to you several times, lord justice.” Sheriff Richard appeared exasperated. “I assure you nothing has changed since the last telling.”

  “We shall see.” The justice paused beside the unlit hearth. “Why were you not out searching for your daughter when I arrived?”

  “Prior to your arrival my sons and I concluded a search of the places Mylla would most likely have gone. After we failed to locate her, I made the decision that we should await you here. You were expected at any time, and I thought it best to discuss the matter with you afore we proceeded with a more thorough search of the village.”

  “Did your search include the tavern? If I recall correctly, your daughter is on genial terms with the alewife.”

  “Lady Lecie no longer resides in the village,” the sheriff said. “She and Sir Albin have relocated to Hitchin near Dunstable.”

  “Is that not Baron Fulke of Erlegh’s demesne?”

  “It is, lord justice,” the sheriff acknowledged. “Sir Albin plans to build a manor house on the land Baron Erlegh gifted him.”

  “You did not answer my initial question.” The justice attempted to rattle the sheriff. “What are you concealing from me?”

  “I felt no need to search the tavern,” the sheriff said. “My son passed the night there. I believe he would have noticed his sister had she arrived.”

  The justice settled his gaze on his clerk. “Did you hear or see anything that raised your suspicions during the night or in the early hours of this morning?”