Alysa warned, “Stop this foolishness, Moran. You are embarrassing me. Speak of other things.”
“Nay, love, there is nothing more important or serious than my love and our impending marriage. Promise to let me court you, and I will try to control my ardor tonight.”
“I will promise you nothing more than to think upon your words, if you will restrain yourself.”
“Done, my beautiful temptation,” he agreed merrily. “Remove your frown, Guinn, and tell us stories of olden times.”
Once more Guinn reluctantly complied. All he could think about was Isobail, and having her only twice in weeks. The lovesick poet began to recite tales of heroes long dead and the legends about them.
Kyra sipped on her wine as her foot sneaked across the floor under the table and boldly wiggled between Earnon’s legs. Her toes teased his manhood until it was aching with need. They had planned to spend this night together, but Moran’s arrival could interfere, since he shared the same floor of the south tower with Kyra. They had refrained from seeing each other during Isobail’s stay at home, and Kyra had been in her womanly way for the past few days, preventing them from sharing passion. Earnon followed Kyra’s action and tantalized her in like manner.
At last the awkward repast ended. Alysa bid everyone good night and hurried to her room to be alone. Moran left the castle to purchase the services of a buxom wench. Baltair hastened to inform Alric of Moran’s intentions, but the prince was too groggy to communicate. Guinn lay across his bed trying to decide how to win Isobail’s approval to travel with her, as he could not bear these lengthy separations. Kyra sneaked into Earnon’s chamber to finalize their plots for Baltair and Sir Calum, and to spend hours cavorting wildly in and out of bed.
Within ten miles of Lord Orin’s castle Isobail made camp for the night. After the evening meal she and Sheriff Trahern left the area for a peaceful walk. Before reaching the appointed meeting spot with her brigand leader, the princess donned a black hood and cape which totally concealed her identity.
She walked the distance to the clearing at Trahern’s side. Skane, the bandit leader, stood and went forward to speak with them, leaving his men at their camp fire. Isobail made certain her voice did not carry beyond the small group, as no one except the brigand chief knew who she was. “You have done well,” she told him. “Rest for a few days while I visit Lord Orin, then torment him with raids after I leave. The same is true of Lord Fergus. But make certain your men do not attack those areas under my protection.”
“My men are angry over the killing of their friend at Daron’s. This task is becoming more and more dangerous. They want more money, and I want land,” Skane demanded.
Fury consumed Isobail. “You agreed to his death, and it was necessary. Your men are fighters, and such a life is filled with danger. Do not become greedy and foolish, Skane. We have a bargain. I have paid you well, and I will reward you highly when all is done. Take what you need from those you attack, but do not make excessive demands on me,” she warned, her voice cold.
“My men grow restless. They are tired of running and hiding in the wilds every day. If you want us to go on riding for you, give one of the land grants to me. We can make our quarters there.”
“I cannot. When this matter is settled, I will give you enough money and jewels to buy land in Logris or Albany. It is dangerous to betray me, I warn you, Skane.”
“It is dangerous to deny me rightful payment, Princess Isobail,” he retorted. “There is a girl at the castle who would bring a large reward from Hengist. Give her to me to sell.”
“What girl?”
“The Viking princess Alysa, granddaughter of Rurik and blood of Astrid, last of the royal Vikings. Hengist will pay highly for her. By marriage to her, he can claim the Viking throne and- lands.”
“I cannot give you Princess Alysa. She is to marry my son.”
“Give me land or give me the girl, or your deeds will become as well known as mine are,” he threatened.
Isobail realized she had to handle this man carefully. “I must have time to study such a bargain, Skane,” she replied soothingly. “If Alysa refuses to marry Moran, then she is yours. If not, you will have your land when it is safe to hand it over to you. But do not blackmail me again, or my knights will chase you even into the dark region to slay you.”
Skane chuckled loudly, calling his men’s attention to the small group. Isobail glanced at them, and her eyes focused on a handsome warrior. She studied his face and body, and was glad no one could see her eyes as they glowed with curiosity. “Who is the stranger?” she asked gruffly. “He does not look as if he belongs with your group.”
“He is from a foreign land. He heard of the trouble here and came to seek wealth and adventures. He decided it was worth more to join me than to hire out as a warrior for Prince Alric. He is strong and clever, but loyal to me. I hired him and his band to raid for me. He leaves at dawn to gather his men.”
“Do you trust him?”
“I trust only my men, but he will prove himself to me, or die. I tested him in the ring last night, and he beat three of my best men. It does not matter who he is, for I will use him to draw attention from my loyal group, then slay him and keep his riches.”
Gavin made certain he did not appear overly interested in the group meeting at the edge of the clearing, but his senses were on the alert. He knew who was concealed in black garb. Isobail should have known that no man would keep touching Trahern in such a familiar way, he thought, nor would one walk with such a feminine sway. Gavin was amused by the woman’s oversights, for they told him she was not too clever to entrap and defeat. He felt her potent gaze on him as he laughed and talked with the brigands, intentionally calling her attention to himself, exhilarated by this perilous game of cat-and-mouse.
Isobail noticed how the brigands were responding to the new man, how they seemed to hang on his every word. The ruffians had accepted him easily, and she felt her lust for him rising. He had compelling eyes and tempting lips, with a body that was both. He was an earthy creature who surely knew a great deal about carnal pleasures and hungry women. She grinned wickedly.
Clearly she was losing control over Skane, who was a fool to make unreasonable demands of her, and he ‘would pay with his life. Perhaps a new leader should take his place soon, she mused, eyeing Gavin intently. As the chief rejoined his men, Isobail related her thoughts about him to Trahern before they departed.
Gavin observed how Skane swaggered to the camp fire and took a seat, and how the flames exposed a victorious glow in the leader’s eyes, one which Gavin suspected would be short-lived. The Cumbrian prince saw Isobail whisper something to Trahern before they left. He was depending on Weylin to relate their words, as his friend was hiding nearby during that meeting, although the bandits believed Weylin was in the woods taking care of private business.
Skane had boasted earlier of how he was going to “strike a richer bargain” with their employer when they met tonight, and Gavin could imagine what Isobail’s reaction had been. Since joining this band on Sunday, Gavin had been studying the bandit chieftain carefully, noting the bandit’s strengths and weaknesses, and those of his men. When he had won over enough of the band, he would make a challenge for the leadership. And win it, he decided confidently. Then he could tear it apart from the inside and confront the treacherous Isobail.
After arriving in this location for tonight’s meeting, Gavin realized all of his men were in this same area. Tragan and Dal were somewhere nearby, and Lann and Bevan must have followed Isobail. That meant he could round up his men tomorrow, all except Keegan, who would join them upon their return to their own camp near Malvern Castle. With luck, Keegan should be waiting for them now.
Just then Skane called Gavin to his side. Withdrawing a crude map from his pocket, he said, “Gather your band tomorrow and carry out a special task for me at dusk on Thursday.” The bandit pointed to a spot on the map that was between Lord Orin’s and Prince Alric’s castles. “Princess
Isobail and her little group will be passing by. I want you to relieve her of her heavy chest of jewels and coins. Take it here, and hide it in these rocks for me,” he ordered, pointing out another spot on the map, a few miles away.
Gavin scoffed, “You want us to prove ourselves by challenging the regent and her knights? You think us foolhardy? We could be slaughtered within minutes. Seven men against… how many?” “The Princess is vain and foolish, my friend. She travels with only a few guards and many servants. They will give you no trouble. Just scare them and rob them, but no killing. Let her see how lucky she is to escape our power, then she will be afraid to sic her knightly dogs on us. Soon we will be able to take over this land. The lords and peasants will pay us to protect them and to leave them in peace.”
“You want us to teach her a lesson, to stay home where women belong,” Gavin bantered. “You are the leader, Skane. I will gather my men and prove we are worthy to ride with you. We will collect the chest without harming a single head, then we will ride behind you to conquer Damnonia.”
“The man you saw visit me tonight will be with them. He is Princess. Isobail’s sheriff. Make sure he is not injured. He is one of us, but he does not know of this raid. I just planned it. It will give us a great reward, and it will throw off any suspicion of him.”
“Never have I ridden with a man more bold,” Gavin replied, flattering the chieftain. “I will learn much from you. I have heard this Isobail is very beautiful. What if my men want to enjoy her or her servants? They have been without women for many weeks. Tell me the rules of your raids.”
“My men are free to ravish any female who captures their eyes, but this raid is different. Take no slaves to sell, and ravish no servant. Isobail is not to be touched. Soon I plan to take her for myself.”
Late Wednesday afternoon Gavin approached the dying tree to see if there was a message hidden there from his love, yet he dreaded to find one. His hand reached inside the decaying hole, but touched nothing except rotting wood and trash. He grimaced, then recalling her recent attack, surmised she must think it was too dangerous to leave the castle for a time. Yet he realized that danger had never dissuaded her before, suggesting she might be vexed with him for not meeting her last Friday, as planned. Women were known to play silly games when misunderstandings occurred. Whatever the reason for no message, it aided his predicament. If she did not know he was back, she would not expect him to meet her, which was best for now. Gavin did not want to involve her in what he was doing, so he left no note for her. He would wait a few days before enticing her here, he decided, wait until he became a proven member of the band.
Gavin met with Giselde and the peasants whom she had chosen to help them make their raids appear real. With Keegan at his side, he promised the men that his band would return any stolen goods or replace them. He also promised that his band would not harm anyone, unless by accident. He knew that as long as he and his men were raiding alone, it would be easy to keep such promises. The problem would come when, and if, the other bandits wanted to combine their forces during attacks. He told the gathered peasants that if that happened, he would try to send advance warnings to the villages.
“If all goes well, my friends, we can end this matter soon. Encourage others to allow the bandits to have their way for now, but be careful who you trust. I suspect that Princess Isobail has spies everywhere. Do not approach us if we meet somewhere. We will pass all messages and plans through Giselde.”
After the peasants departed, Gavin told Giselde he would visit her again in five days, and to leave any urgent messages for him beneath the rock at the pond. “We must avoid each other as much as possible,” he said, “in case either of us is watched.”
Giselde asked, “Will the same be true of… Thisbe?”
Gavin nodded. He waited until Keegan left the hut so they could speak privately. “Too much is happening, so I will not tell her I have returned. But the day will come when I have to settle matters with her.”
“You love her deeply?” Giselde asked.
“Yes, Giselde, despite the differences in our stations, and I do not know what to do about it. She has become a part of me, and it torments me to think of losing her forever.”
“Perhaps you will not, if it is meant to be,” Giselde replied.
“I pray it is, as your words made me realize I must think of her before myself. I swear to all the gods above, I will give her up before submitting her to a life of suffering such as you and Catriona endured.”
Giselde smiled at him, then surprised him with an affectionate hug. “It warms my heart to meet a man of such honor. Do not fear, Prince Gavin—the gods will smile brightly on you. Runes do not lie, and they say you will win the woman of your dreams.”
On the rock-girt coast at Land’s End, a satanic darkness covered the allegedly impregnable estate of Sir Kelton, a gloomy site that had once belonged to the Overlord of Damnonia: Caedmon and his young wife Lady Isobail. Tonight the sound of angry waves slapping fiercely against the slate headland was exceptionally loud, and the wind from the ocean was fierce. No moon or stars could be seen through the thick layer of clouds that vowed a violent storm.
Sir Kelton haltingly traveled the familiar path along the edge of the rock cliff to where Prince Moran was to meet him and deliver an urgent message from his mother. The burly knight had not known of the young squire’s return, and he. wondered what the secret message could be. A servant had crept into his private reading chamber to summon him, and she had made certain no one followed them. He was cautious in the dark, since the damp rocks were often slippery. This secrecy was strange, he thought, but he had to obey his regent’s request.
When the servant delivered a stunning blow to Sir Kelton’s head, he collapsed silently at her feet. She listened for any sound, heard nothing but the wind and waves, and calling on all of her strength, shoved the unconscious knight over the cliff. She turned away as the body thumped and bumped its way to the jagged rocks below. Knowing the fall would be fatal and appear an accident, she hurriedly returned to her room. Eager to please and aid her imminent mistress, the foolhardy girl had disobeyed. Isobail’s instructions by finding a quicker way to get rid of Sir Kelton. Hearing the storm unleash its fury, she knew it would wash away any trace of her presence.
Isobail had journeyed a full day’s ride from Lord Orin’s castle when Gavin and his six men ambushed her retinue. Although Gavin was dressed in dark brown leather tunics and wearing masks, she recognized the body of their leader, for she had dreamed of him for two nights. It was apparent that he led his own men since none of Skane’s unkempt brigands were with him, and that her own entourage had no chance to fight or flee from the raiders. She was astonished and angered, but also impressed, by his daring. Obviously Skane had not told him when, where, or whom to raid or ignore.
When a mellow voice demanded her chest without a bloody fight for it, Princess Isobail ordered, “Keep your swords sheathed and your heads cool, my loyal retainers. I want no futile slayings of our cherished subjects over a few coins and jewels.” Turning to the imposing leader she said, “Take the chest and be gone, barbarian! But you shall regret this day and this bold deed. I shall hunt you down and remove all your heads.”
Gavin chuckled and remarked. “Would that I had time to claim the greatest treasure of all, Your Highness, for all other jewels pale when compared to you. It enflames my blood to imagine the blissful taming of such a fiery beauty. Perhaps another time I shall taste the sweetness of your lips and body.”
“Silence, you insolent dog!” Sheriff Trahern shouted. “How dare you speak such shameless words about our ruler! Be gone before I disobey her and challenge you!”
“Calm yourself, Sheriff Trahern,” Isobail said. “He only seeks to amuse himself. Do not endanger your life over silly words.” And to the leader again: “I warn you now, brigand, leave this land or perish. I will not rest until all of you are defeated and Damnonia is safe and happy once more.”
“Your mind is sharp, m
y beautiful princess. What man could refuse you anything? If you do not mind, we will borrow your sheriff to assure us of a safe retreat. If he holds his tongue and temper, he will return safely to your side. I would not want one as precious as you to go unguarded for more than a few minutes.”
Isobail silenced Trahern’s protest, saying, “Do as he asks, Sheriff…. But we warn you, brigand, do not harm him.”
“If he obeys you, milady, you have my word no harm will touch him.”
The brigands were miles away when Gavin told Trahern, “I did not plan this raid, and I think it unwise to make you appear weak before your princess. Skane said this robbery would throw suspicion off of you, but I doubt that is his true motive. I think perhaps he is beginning to make his own plans. I would watch him closely, Trahern, for he is greedy. Skane is not the man he pretended to be when he invited me and my men to join him.”
“Then why did you carry out this raid for him?”
“To warn you of his deceit, and let you know you will soon be dealing with me,” Gavin said frankly. “I want only those rewards I can hold in my hands. When they are full, we will move on to the next fruitful battle. Skane is a fool for not honoring a bargain, and more so for thinking he can use Gavin Hawk.”
“Gavin Hawk,” the sheriff said, as if familiarizing himself with the name. “When and how do you plan to assume leadership of Skane’s band?”
Gavin chuckled heartily. “I must bide my time until I win them over to my side. Many of them are dissatisfied with his flawed command. I must prove that I am the best leader by demonstrating more honor, courage, loyalty, and cunning than Skane. No matter if we are bandits and adventurers, such traits must be practiced with those who follow us and those who hire us. This is our code. Skane does not act this way, and his behavior casts shame on his band.”
“You may be the kind of leader we need, Gavin Hawk. When you are in command, you will work for us. But you must ask no questions about the one who gives us our orders.”
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