She laughed, leaned close to Ceit, and related her impressions of Gavin, as she had already told the trusted servant about her troubles with Skane. She left nothing untold about the handsome warrior, including his bold raid yesterday. “He is such a virile man, dear Ceit. I grow hot each time I think of him. Did you notice what a fine body he had? His voice—it caused me to tingle. I must have him, Ceit. But how?”
“You cannot have him unless you also get rid of Trahern. He would not stand for you to bed a common brigand.”
“He cannot fight a battle he does not know exists. When he is far away one night, I will find a way to meet with my fine warrior. There is something about Gavin that makes me feel wild and restless. If he proves more valuable than Trahern, I will make him my new sheriff.”
“And your new lover?” Ceit teased.
“From what I have seen of him, my only lover,” Isobail responded.
Ceit had never seen her mistress so obsessed by a man, and she wondered if Isobail realized how taken she was with this Gavin Hawk…
Alysa agreed to go riding” again with her stepbrother, hoping for an opportunity to elude him and visit the tree and Giselde. They left the castle shortly after noon, with Squire Teague and ten guards trailing them. They rode for a time, chatting in an amiable way.
Finally Moran started to get romantic. “I have been wooing you for days, little mouse. Are you still set against me?”
Alysa had decided it was wise to deceive him for a while. That way, she and her father would be safe until King Bardwyn’s men arrived. If all went as Baltair expected, their rescues should take place within a week or two. She smiled and lowered her lashes demurely. “You make it impossible for a woman to ignore you, Moran. I have never known this side of you before, and it affects me strangely. You have been most charming, and I like you this way.
“Does that mean you will marry me?”
Alysa’s veiled gaze met his and she teased, “You are persistent, my handsome suitor, but you rush me. I have never been courted before, and I find it most enjoyable and exciting. The pleasures of life should not be hurried, my dear Moran. For so long, times have been bad in our land, and it is wonderful to relax and have fun for a change. If you continue with me as you have for days, I will give you your answer in a month,” she vowed, smiling provocatively at him.
Later, feeling the timing was right to enlist support, Alysa motioned for Squire Teague to join them. “My friend Teague is also in love,” she remarked casually. “After he is knighted, he wishes to marry my servant and dear friend Thisbe, daughter of Sir Piaras. I hate to lose Thisbe, but she is worthy of him and she will make Teague a good wife.” Alysa turned her head toward the man riding at her left and winked at her friend, urging him to play along with this enticement for help with his marriage. “It would make me most happy, dear Moran, if you could persuade your mother to betroth them soon. As with you, Teague fears another suitor may come along and steal his love before he can claim her.”
“I will agree, if you will promise to court only me.”
Alysa smiled into his green eyes and responded, “I will allow no suitor to call on me at the castle, unless you cease your suit.”
“I shall never cease until you are mine,” Moran vowed.
“That pleases me,” she lied. Turning to Teague and capturing his hand, she declared, “Perhaps my handsome suitor will stand with you at your dubbing and wedding.”
Before Teague could answer, they rounded a bend in the road and came upon a robbery in progress. Alysa stared at the chieftain who was riding a golden charger with blond mane and tail; a bandit wearing a leather tunic and a mask. Nevertheless, she knew instantly who it was, and hid her shock from her companions.
Moran said to Teague, “Take her back to the castle where she will be safe.” To his men he shouted, “We must attack! Prepare yourselves!”
Gavin saw the group as his band, acting under Skane’s orders, was relieving terrified merchants of their money bags. He spied his love riding between two men, and recognized the red-haired one as Squire Teague, the one holding her hand and smiling at her! Furious, Gavin was tempted to stand his ground and fight, but he quickly realized it would be selfish and rash. He shouted a retreat to his men, dropping the money bags. He would tell Skane of their foiled robbery, and the brigand leader should hear about it from other men-at-arms.
Alysa watched the brigands depart swiftly, with Moran and his men in hot pursuit. She could’ not understand why Gavin was involved in a robbery. He had been with six men, no doubt the band with whom she had seen him the day they had rescued her from the Jutes. Or had that only been a trick? She could not ignore the fact he was always around at convenient times, or when the brigands were close, or. when Isobail was nearby. Surely Gavin had seen her with Prince Moran and Squire Teague. But why had he taken flight when he could contest Moran and his men?
Teague shook her shoulder. “We must return to the castle, Alysa,” he urged. “There could be more of them in the area.”
She had to check the tree, in hopes of finding a note that might explain Gavin’s astonishing behavior. She galloped beside Teague until they were halfway through the royal forest, then stopped. “Come with me, Teague, there is something I must do.” Leading him to the ravine, she said as she dismounted, “Remain here until I return.”
“Where are you going?” he demanded.
“Ask me no questions, dear Teague, just trust me,” she pleaded. “There is an old woman who lives here. I must make certain she is safe. I will not be long.”
Teague sensed there was more to her actions than she admitted, but he trusted her enough not to press her. “Go, I will wait here. But hurry, before Moran gives up his chase and returns.”
Alysa nodded, then vanished into the forest. First she checked the tree, and found no note. But the pouch of jewels and coins was gone. Why had he taken her payment, but left no word for her? If she had not seen him today, she would not have known he had returned! Alarmed, she yanked a handful of wild flowers from the ground and stuffed them into the hole, telling him she had been here.
Alysa rushed to Giselde’s hut and found the old woman at home. “I cannot stay long, Granmannie, but there are things you must know.” Quickly she told the old woman about her father’s condition, Baltair’s help, Isobail’s demands, and Moran’s pursuit. “There is a strange warrior in the area, Granmannie. Beware of him, as I fear I have trusted him unwisely. I hired him to help me unmask Isobail and protect me and Father, but I fear he has betrayed me.”
Before Giselde could tell her granddaughter she was wrong, Alysa said, “I gave him many jewels and coins, but he kept them without helping me. He promises to meet me, then does not. Just now I saw him robbing merchants on the road. It seems I have no one to whom I can turn. Baltair told me to wait for Grandfather’s soldiers, but if they do not arrive soon, Isobail will force me to marry her son. If I refuse, perhaps she will slay both Father and me!”
Giselde was bewildered and angered by what she heard, but tried to calm her frantic granddaughter. She had not heard of Moran’s return and courting. Something was amiss, and she heeded to speak with Gavin before revealing matters to Alysa. Alysa must not be forced to marry her brother!
“Do not worry, my child. Baltair is right. Wait for King Bardwyn’s men. I have also sent word to him, so he must know there is terrible trouble here.”
“What if the messengers do not get through to him?”
“I will send another, and another if necessary. All of them cannot be slain. I am sure King Bardwyn is gathering his men to help us,” she said, knowing Keegan had returned safely from the small camp whose messenger was to journey the last miles to reach Bardwyn.
“You are kind, Granmannie, and I have missed you. You have been away each time I have come to see you. I have been worried.”
Giselde smiled and hugged the girl. “I have been worried, too, my precious child. I did not know about your visits, except for one. I feared you were
angry, or following my order to stay away. I am glad to see for myself that you are safe. Surely you need more herbs for your father?”
“We have been giving him nothing for many days, Granmannie,” Alysa confessed. “None of the herbs seemed to help.” She related how Leitis was seeing to it that nothing pernicious reached Alric’s lips. “I fear his illness is real, Granmannie, or he would be improved by now.”
Giselde knew that was impossible, and she was confused. She decided to instruct Piaras to investigate. “Go now, but return Tuesday, and we will have a long talk then.”
“I will, Granmannie,” Alysa promised, deciding she would confess all about Gavin during that next visit.
“Are you sure you do not need more herbs?” Giselde asked, intending to send only healing herbs this time. She wanted Alric disabled, but it sounded as if he were dying. Perhaps she had judged him too harshly or falsely. Catriona could not have loved and trusted him if he were so weak and evil. “Take them, then you can decide if you wish to try them. Perhaps the others were too mild. His condition is grave, and he might need stronger herbs to conquer it.”
Alysa accepted the pouch and left. She returned to Teague’s side and they hurried to the castle, reaching it only thirty minutes before Moran. As promised, Teague had asked no more questions, but had watched her carefully all the way home. As they parted in the stable, he warned, “Be very careful and clever, Alysa.”
Later Alysa wondered if she should be delighted or saddened by the fact that Moran and his forces had not wounded or captured any of Gavin’s men. Had Gavin’s behavior been part of a crafty scheme to help her? she wondered. But if so, why had he not confided in her? Either something was amiss, or she had misjudged him terribly. Needing solitude, she rested in her room, knowing she would hear the entire tale at dinner, which she did, in colorful detail.
Moran sat at a wooden table in the Boar’s Inn, sipping ale and congratulating himself on his progress with Alysa. A man bumped his chair, causing him to slosh his drink on his hand and the table. Before he could rise and demand an apology, the man gave one.
Gavin smiled genially and said, “Forgive my clumsiness, friend, but that serving wench tickled my loins and made me jump.” He chuckled and jested, “The innkeeper must be working them too hard and long; seems they all want to get on their backs and rest. They appear so eager to be bedded, they are grabbing any man in sight. May I buy you a drink to replace the one I spilled?”
Moran laughed and invited the man to be seated. He motioned for a pretty serving wench to bring two drinks. As she leaned over to place Gavin’s tankard before him, Moran boldly fondled and pinched one breast.
Aware of Moran’s identity, the girl smiled in delight. Shamelessly, she asked, “Would ye be wanting me upstairs later? If I be not better between the covers than the silly lass ye purchased the other night, ye will owe me naught.”
Moran winked at Gavin and commented, “You were right, my friend, and this wench’s offer is too tempting to refuse. Give me a while to have a few drinks with my friend, then come drag me upstairs and prove your boastful claims.”
After the girl left, Moran asked casually, “Where are you from, friend? I do not recall your face.”
Gavin had seen the squire who had been riding with both his love and rival this afternoon enter the tavern, and hoped he could learn something from him. Claiming to be a warrior and adventurer from Strathclyde, far to the north, the Cumbrian prince spoke of make-believe journeys, then alleged he had been put ashore near the Damnonia-Logris border to work his way home. He claimed he did not care much for sea travel, but mostly wanted to seek a little excitement. Upon hearing of the goings-on in this land, he added, he had decided to look here for adventure and a few coins before riding north.
“Why do you not go to Malvern Castle and seek work there?” Moran asked. “I am sure Prince Alric and Princess Isobail can use a warrior such as you.”
Gavin shook his head. “I prefer to work on my own. I like to come and go as I choose, and decide which assignments I will take and how long I will remain in one area. You are a squire, so you are used to following another’s orders and timetables; I am not. Since I was a child, I have charted my own life. I roam freely and happily, and that has spoiled me for hiring out.”
Moran was feeling merry by now. He chuckled and confessed, “I am Moran, Princess Isobail’s son. I was forced to become a page at seven, then a squire. When I am knighted, I will become the ruler of this land.”
“I have never heard of a knight becoming a king,” Gavin said.
“We do not have a king here; this is a princedom. I shall become ruler by marrying Princess Alysa,” he disclosed. “She is beautiful and desirable, but a little gullible and lacking in keen wits. I have been wooing her for days, and she has weakened.”
Gavin was astonished by the man’s identity but his expression remained the same. His love had been riding with two squires, and one was Isobail’s son! He asked nonchalantly, “If she is so valuable and beautiful, surely others are chasing her.”
“No one would dare challenge me, friend. Alysa will marry me,” he said confidently.
Gavin allowed a pleased expression to cross his face. “I am honored to share time and a drink with you, Prince Moran. I see this bonny princess does not rule your heart and life. That is wise, my noble friend. Never let a woman yoke you, any woman.”
“Alysa is a woman who kindles a man’s desires, but she might be too gentle to pleasure him sufficiently,” Moran confided. “After we are wed, I will train her to feed me as best she can, then hire others to finish sating my appetite.”
“I have found no woman who can sate a man on her own. You will have no trouble filling your castle with pleasing wenches who will be eager to serve you in every way. You are a lucky man, my friend.”
“You are right again. Why should I pay for services that should be mine for free? What servant would refuse her ruler anything?” Moran grinned lewdly, then asked, “What is your name, friend? Perhaps I will invite you to share such treats for a few nights, if you are still around when I become ruler here. I would enjoy hearing more of your exhilarating adventures. A life is dull when it is controlled by others. Perhaps I can hire you to teach me how to roam wildly.”
“If you do not tarry too long before needing my help, I will gladly give it. I have seen a fetching wench from the castle who whets my appetite. Perhaps as payment you could command her to… serve me while I am your guest and teacher. I asked a villager her name: it is Thisbe, daughter of a knight called Piaras.”
Moran frowned. “You ask for a woman who is smitten by another squire, one named Teague, the son of Lord Orin. If I save her for you, Alysa will be displeased with me. She begged me to convince Mother to betroth Teague and Thisbe.” Moran considered for a moment, then said, “Perhaps I can persuade my mother to deny their marriage request, but make Alysa believe I did all I could to help them.”
“If this Thisbe and Squire Teague are truly taken with each other, a woman with a bleeding heart cannot be favorably enticed, so she would provide me with very little enjoyment.”
“Then you must choose another from among my servants, for I hear they are much in love. Stay, and I will see that you are well rewarded with money and women.” Moran enjoyed Gavin’s easy-going personality, and since he had few friends, was easily snared by Gavin’s entertaining company. The girl came to stand beside Moran, to lure him away to a back room. “How can I reach you?” he asked.
“I come in here every few nights or so. Just ask for Gavin Hawk, or leave a message for me with the innkeeper. Your offer sounds as tempting as hers,” he said with a grin, nodding to the eager serving wench whose hands were wandering boldly over Moran’s body.
Gavin took a long time returning to his camp in the royal forest. He needed to think, but he was baffled by seeing his love today and by hearing about her tonight. She had not contacted him recently, and that worried him. It looked and sounded as if she had made her choic
e, and the winner was Squire Teague! How could she do this, now that he had decided to fight for her? If she did not contact him within the next few days, he would find a way to reach her with a message. Tomorrow he would meet with Giselde and explain his problem, seeking her help. Another thing: he did not like how Prince Moran talked about Princess Alysa. Obviously Moran did not love Alysa, and only planned to use her. Even if Alysa was too naive, and even if she was charmed by Moran, she was Thisbe’s friend and King Bardwyn’s granddaughter; she deserved to be rescued by him, Gavin decided.
Due to a lame horse, Sheriff Trahern arrived at the castle near midnight. He went to Earnon’s room to deliver Isobail’s message. He was exhausted, so he would tell Earnon to pass the good news along to Moran. He had to knock many times before Earnon responded.
Isobail’s sorcerer eyed Trahern oddly and asked, “What do you want?”
“I have an urgent message from Princess Isobail. Let me enter so we can speak privately.” When Earnon hesitated, Trahern snapped, “I have ridden hard all day, and was forced by a lame horse to walk several miles. Waste no more of my time and energy. Move aside.”
Earnon obeyed and motioned the peevish sheriff to a chair in his outer chamber. “What is wrong?” he asked.
Trahern related the news of Sir Kelton’s death and how it affected Alric and Moran. “Can the prince be healed enough to hold the knighting ceremony tomorrow afternoon?”
Earnon considered the matter for a short time. “In the morning I can leave off the benumbing herbs and give him a potion to clear his head. At the last moment I can give him a stimulant to provide a burst of energy enough for him to look well and carry out a quick ceremony. But a stimulus does not last long and is dangerous to use on such a sick man.”
“Would it be safer to wait another day?”
Earnon shook his head. “I would have to do the same thing. The only safe way to get Alric up and around is to take him off the stupefying herbs for a week or more. I doubt Isobail wants to wait that long.”
Wild Is My Love Page 27