To the Victor

by Samantha M. Derr

  "I do." Ser Estienne's voice was firm, admitting not a shred of doubt. "I have seen this mage perform wonders. Things to which I would have given no credence had I not witnessed them with mine own two eyes. If anyone can do this for you, 'tis he."

  "But King Wybert has—"

  "Already granted you leave to accompany me."

  An icy hand tightened around Ser Hemming's heart. "You told him?"

  "Not the truth. Just that I hoped for your assistance with a quest in my homeland." He gripped Ser Hemming's shoulders and stared into his eyes. "If this works, you need never return to court. Tell the truth if you like, or else declare Ser Hemming slain in combat and start a new life in Frankonia. Will you come?"

  "You never answered my question. Why did you leave Princess Isabel?"

  He shrugged. "Because we do not love each other. She, though pleasing from my father's point of view, did not fit my ideal, and she confessed to me that her heart belonged to Ser Morris. I saw an opportunity for us both to be happy—but not with each other."

  "What about you? Have you met another woman who does appeal?" Ser Hemming could hear his heart pounding within his ears—a cantering beat that only quickened when Ser Estienne grinned.

  "Actually, I do believe I have. So, are you satisfied? Will you come?" He held out his hand and Ser Hemming grasped it.

  "Aye, Ser Estienne. I will go with you."

  Epilogue

  Aldreda fled through the garden toward the orangery. She gripped her skirts in both fists, raising the front so she did not trip. The back bellowed behind her, ever threatening to snag on the hedges as she passed. She glanced over her shoulder, grinning to see the path clear. Once within the orangery, she ducked around one of the trees and peered out through its branches. Still no one followed, and she frowned, leaning farther forward.

  Suddenly, an arm encircled her waist and swung her. She gasped, but her surprise soon turned to annoyance as her captor set her free and she spun to face him.

  Ser Estienne laughed at her pout. "What is wrong now? I obeyed all the rules."

  "I think we interpret those rules rather differently."

  He stifled his laughter, however, amusement still lit his eyes as he reached out a hand and caressed her cheek. "Art thou happy, Aldreda?"

  She forewent her irritation and beamed up at him. "Aye."

  He leant in and kissed her, tugging her against him. This was not like the gentle, hesitant kisses they had shared three months prior. This was passion and desire, on both sides.

  The journey across the seas had proven speedier and easier than she had anticipated, and once within Ser Estienne's kingdom, they proceeded at once to visit the mage. This venerable, cloaked man had tutted the moment he saw her and beckoned her into his cottage in the woods. By the time she emerged, Ser Hemming was gone and only Aldreda remained. Ser Estienne had taken her back to his father's castle and introduced her as the lady he intended to wed. Though at first disappointed she was not of royal blood, King Roul soon grew fond of her and agreed to the match, and she and Ser Estienne had wed with much pomp and ceremony the week before.

  Aldreda had never thought she could be this happy. Even her many dreams of the past could not equal the reality she now lived. Ser Estienne's hands and lips upon her skin, the press of his body, which slotted so perfectly into her own—these brought her such bliss that she still had moments when she could not believe this new life was real. Especially this beautiful body, which, unlike the last, felt natural and completely her own.

  Glossary

  Angel—gold coin worth 6 shillings and 8 pence

  Armiger—someone entitled to bear a coat of arms

  Baldaquin—the canopy over the highest place at the table

  Berfrois—a grandstand looking over the lists

  Braies—a man's short underpants, tied as the waist

  Chamfron—a horse's facial armour

  Cuirass—plate armour for the breast/back

  Dimpse—twilight

  Ecranche—a small wooden jousting shield

  Garderobe—a toilet

  Gramerci—thanks

  Kirtle—a gown

  Levée—the slow lowering of the lance during a joust

  'S heart—God's heart (an oath)

  Turngiddy—dizzy

  Ug—fear

  Wastel—2nd best wheat bread

  Heraldic Symbols and Colours

  Argent—silver; signifies wisdom and sincerity

  Azure—blue; signifies truth and loyalty

  Feather—signifies obedience and serenity

  Gauntlet—signifies someone ready for battle

  Murray—maroon; signifies perseverance

  Or—gold; signifies understanding and respect

  Sable—black; signifies grief and resistance

  Tree Stump—signifies rebirth

  Unicorn—signifies purity and virtue

  Vert—green; signifies freedom

  (Please note, these meanings are not exhaustive; every symbol and colour has many interpretations. I have included only those that I wished to emphasise in my choice of coats of arms for the knights.)

  Wolf Knight

  C.C. BRIDGES

  Chapter One

  The sight of the pale yellow walls of the Monastery of the Golden Swan filled Renee with dread. The idea of being trapped inside and unable to leave once sworn made her shiver and her horse, Fleetfoot, reacted to her movement by speeding up the rocky path. She eased him with a gentle pat, her reliable warhorse, as sensitive to her moods as ever.

  "What kind of woman shuts herself up in there? What is it about Elrica that inspires such devotion?"

  Fleetfoot, being a horse, did not answer.

  No, Renee much preferred her service to Isaura. Now there was a goddess who understood freedom. Her order of Knights roamed kingdoms, their loyalty only to the order and any service it had contracted out. Thus Renee had come here to escort some noblewoman to the capital for the great midsummer tourney. Renee's own squire and armor had been sent ahead, since she planned on making a damn good showing. She had her rankings to protect.

  The path ended before a great iron gate with the swan crest of Elrica decorating the center. The metal looked startlingly new, despite its age. The monastery was one of the relics of the old days, when magic was plentiful. No gate built now would last so long without a hint of rust.

  "Hello the house," she called, not seeing anyone in the gate tower attached to the curtain wall.

  A face appeared in the open window, belonging to a very young nun wearing a novice's veil. "Who comes?"

  "Knight Renee Wyvern in the service of Isaura in the order of the Wolf." She gave the title she'd earned, not the one she'd been born with. Though she loved her family, she was proud of her own accomplishments. "I am answering an invitation from your abbess."

  She had barely finished speaking when the girl nodded. There was the sound of gears grinding, and the great iron gates parted. Renee trotted inside the courtyard, taking its measure. There was a stable to the right, and she handed off Fleetfoot to the groom who came running to meet her. Renee didn't know if she should throw the girl a coin or not. Those in the service of Elrica eschewed all forms of wealth.

  The main building had a row of archways, and a young woman emerged out of the largest, crossing the courtyard. "Knight Wyvern?" Her pale cheeks appeared pink with the exertion. She had clear amber-colored eyes and full, pink lips. A white wimple and veil covered her hair, ears, and neck, leaving Renee wondering about the color of her hair.

  Renee bowed, stirred by such loveliness. "At your service, my lady."

  "Welcome. The abbess bids me to escort you inside. I assure you that your horse will be well taken care of. Linea loves animals."

  The groom, apparently. Renee nodded. "Thank you." She might as well ask. "Should I have tipped the girl?"

  The little nun―who had still not given her name―chuckled. "If you feel so moved, give a donation before the statue of Elrica."
/>
  Said statue stood in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by a low brick wall. Earth filled the area beneath the statue's feet, and it appeared that flowers had sprung from her step. They'd chosen to depict Elrica in the flower of her youth, which surprised Renee a bit. She was used to seeing Elrica the Queen or Elrica the Mother. Not this Maiden.

  Renee placed a coin in the box set up for that purpose. They must get many pilgrims here―the Monastery of the Golden Swan was well known throughout the land for their devotion. She bowed her head and murmured a prayer.

  "You honor Elrica?" The nun seemed surprised that Renee knew the proper words to say.

  "She might not be my goddess, lady, but I honor all of the twelve." It would be foolish not to. You never could tell when you might meet a goddess on the road. Magic might be gone, but the gods still lived.

  "You're not what I pictured a Knight of the Wolf to be."

  Renee grinned. "We don't always wear plate armor. That would be terribly heavy on a long journey. It also makes it darn difficult to take a piss." She winked.

  The laughter that spilled out of the nun made Renee's heart soar. Oh, so nice to hear that cheerful sound and to deal with a nun who wasn't a stick in the mud like the ones her father had hired to tutor her as a child. Renee had gotten the switch more often than not―she was never the type of girl to sit and listen to lessons, not when she could be out swinging among the tree branches with her brothers.

  "Please do not repeat that in front of the abbess." The nun covered her mouth and looked like she was putting herself back together. After a moment, she did look quite serious and the flush had disappeared from her cheeks. Renee found herself missing it. "Follow me, please."

  They crossed the courtyard and entered through the same archway the nun had emerged from. "This is the public area. The chapel is to the right." The stone floor gleamed as they walked and Renee winced at her own loud footfalls. "To the left is where the Abbess greets visitors in the Chapter House." They continued in that direction, through a narrow corridor decorated with stone carvings of Elrica's miracles. It ended at a heavy wooden door, also decorated with exquisite work. Renee itched to touch it, but forced her hands to her sides.

  The nun rapped twice on the door and waited until a voice called "enter." She pushed it open and gestured Renee inside, following after.

  Renee expected the imposing sight of the abbess, Mother Ceara, holding court behind a heavy desk, looking noble in her heavily starched veil. But she didn't expect the beauty of the room itself. Tall colored glass windows rose behind the abbess, letting in magnificent rays of light, illuminating the crisscrossed beams that formed arches above them. Truly the Chapter House had been designed to impress.

  She bowed deeply before the abbess, remembering herself. Mother Ceara sat with a quill in one hand, her fingers stained with ink. Her dark brown skin stood out vividly against the white of her veil, and she had kind eyes that crinkled at the edges. No fearsome creature here, or so Renee supposed.

  "Knight Renee Wyvern, at your service, Abbess."

  Mother Ceara set down her quill and nodded in response. "Welcome, my dear girl. Adi, fetch a chair. It must have been a long journey."

  Adi―that was the little nun's name―went to the far side of the room and dragged over one of the heavy wooden chairs, despite Renee's insistence that she could stand.

  "You are a guest here," Adi reminded with an arch of one eyebrow.

  She'd be a poor knight indeed to refuse such hospitality. Still, Renee sat uncomfortably on the red velvet cushions while Adi remained standing.

  "Thank you for making such good time in coming. I was not certain if the Mistress of your order had received my bird in time."

  "I was not far when I received the request." She'd finished up routing out several Rotten Rodents in a town a few miles from here. Her squire, Chloe, had been blooded for the first time. It had been a good experience for the girl, and Renee felt confident to send her on ahead to arrange things for the tourney. Renee could complete a simple escort mission on her own.

  "Have you made the journey to Duodasham before?" Mother Ceara asked.

  "Many times. I have appeared on the lists for the tourneys since I was 20 and old enough to qualify." Renee admitted that she could be a bit competitive. Nothing compared to demonstrating her abilities and defeating other knights in friendly battle―and more so when her opponents were men. They learned quickly to take the Order of the Wolf seriously.

  "What route would you take?"

  Renee was used to being questioned about her abilities, but this was a new line. "Kings Road straight north, of course. It's the safest way to travel, and there are many reputable inns on the way for a person of quality."

  "Normally you wouldn't stay at such an inn?" Adi asked in a soft voice.

  Renee turned to meet her eyes and smiled. "Not unless the weather turned poor. I prefer sleeping beneath the stars."

  That lovely color rose in her cheeks again. "Of course, your goddess is much closer to nature than our Lady."

  From anyone else, those words might have been an insult, and Renee had heard it more than once. But Adi seemed just curious. "Perhaps."

  "How long do you anticipate this journey to take?" Mother Ceara called her attention back to the matter at hand.

  "One week, if all goes well." Renee knew that things often did not go well, but by taking the King's Road and staying at inns, they should avoid much of the dangers of traveling. Anything else she could handle with her sword.

  The abbess nodded. "Knight Renee Wyvern, of the order of the Wolf, servant of the Goddess Isaura, will you take the Princess Adelaide home to Graymore castle?"

  The words were formal on purpose. Anything Renee said in response would be an oath. She started when she heard the identity of her charge. The princess had not been seen at court for over five years. No one knew where she had gone, although the rumors had gotten ridiculous.

  But of course the girl would hide someplace like this.

  Renee got to her feet, placed her hand over her heart and bowed. "It would be my honor to accompany the princess."

  "Adi, would you have this knight as your companion?"

  Another surprise. Renee turned, her eyes wide as the little nun smiled sweetly. "I believe so, Mother."

  *~*~*

  Adi had expected her brother to send one of his oafish knights―men more interested in their next tourney or how brightly their squires polished their armor. Instead, he'd gifted her with this Knight of the Wolf. Renee Wyvern carried herself like a warrior: broad shouldered and tall in her black and navy leather armor. Her sword hung low on her belt, sheathed, but a reminder of her strength. And yet, her dark hair curled about her ears, a bit of softness to counter her rough exterior. Those blue eyes twinkled with mischief and promised more than a servile escort.

  Perhaps her brother had some care for her, after all.

  That, she could admit, was uncharitable. Allande had ruled alone the past five years, without her counsel, and waiting for the queen he'd been betrothed to since birth to come of age. He'd let Adi escape the court and find what peace she could before being ordered to marry. She'd been raised to her duty, though the thought of it did chafe.

  She did not care to be responsible for keeping the fifty years peace. This celebration was little more than a farce, but only she and Al knew of the tensions that brewed between nations at the borders.

  Adi shook the dour thoughts away and smiled at the stunned knight. She hadn't meant any harm in not introducing herself in the courtyard. It was only reasonable to get the measure of the person who would be Adi's guide on her return home. Knight Renee seemed capable, and she was easy on the eyes. But it was her personality that sparked Adi's interest.

  "Allow me to introduce myself properly. Princess Adelaide Emelia Rosemunde of the de Cersica dynasty. But I do prefer to be called Adi."

  Renee bowed to her, this one correct for a princess. "Your Majesty."

  "I believe I
told you to call me Adi."

  When Renee stood, there was a twinkle in her bright blue eyes. "Of course, Princess Adi."

  Adi couldn't help but smile. This one would be trouble. At least the journey home promised to prove interesting―a veritable distraction from her ultimate fate. Adi could not help but dwell on that, worried she'd be auctioned off to some oaf who'd keep her sequestered in his castle. No, she intended to enjoy every bit of freedom she had left.

  "Very well," Mother Ceara said. "The hospitality of the monastery is yours for the evening. I expect you'd want to leave at first light?"

  "Yes, Mother." Renee bowed.

  "Then Adi will show you to one of our guest rooms. I will have a packet of letters and coin for your journey ready on the morrow."

  They look their leave of the Abbess. Adi wished for a moment more to speak with her, but the time for that had passed. They had said all they needed to say to each other, and she'd dearly miss the woman who she'd come to think of as a mother. Tomorrow she would begin the next phase in her life, saying goodbye to this place she'd called home for the past five years.

  She closed the door behind her and met the friendly gaze of the knight. Renee smiled at her, and that simple gesture made Adi's heart thump.

  "Is there anything to eat here?"

  "As long as you don't mind bread and gruel, I can take you the kitchens." They did have more interesting fare than that, but Adi wanted to see what spark she could raise out of Renee.

  Renee winked. "My favorite."

  Adi laughed. Perhaps this journey wouldn't be so terrible after all.

  Chapter Two

  Renee woke at first light, long before anyone else seemed to be stirring. She went down to the stables to find the groom already preparing the horses for their journey. Of course, she'd visited before taking to her bed last night. She'd be a poor knight if she didn't have care for her own mount, despite Fleetfoot being in trustworthy hands.