by Robyn Carr
Udele’s smile vanished. “I have protection aplenty, sir knight.”
“Just in that event,” he said.
Udele did not answer. She moved past him quickly before anything that would raise eyebrows was said. She went to her mount and was lifted into place by Pierce. Within moments the entire group was moving through Phalen’s protective gate.
“She will call for me,” he thought with satisfaction. He had been lucky in guessing Udele’s character accurately. She had seen the dowry to be gained by urging her son to speak quickly for Edwina. Tedric had himself put that idea into her head, though he hadn’t intended to. And she must have already suspected and feared that Conan leaned toward Chandra. Tedric was not overly concerned that Conan would disgrace himself with the maid. The cocky knight would hold firm to his oath regardless of the futility of it.
Tedric knew that Udele’s love of money and all the grand hopes she laid on her son’s future would bring her willingly to Tedric’s aid. She would much rather pay to support Tedric’s sure solution than risk losing any of their family wealth on an ill-planned marriage or a knight’s disgrace.
Tedric smiled at the thought of the ease involved in obtaining money. No battles, no scars and no work. Now that he had one resource he would set about to find another... and then another... and another...
***
The crops were harvested and the lord of Phalen proclaimed a harvest celebration for the people of the village, but, in comparison to the wedding seen at the castle the spring before, it was a small affair.
In the summer, Medwin had finally released Laine to the convent, and with her went a potful of silver as her dowry. It was a bittersweet parting, for that daughter was no longer his by any claim. For the harvest festival, Chandra stood alone at her father’s side. His dependence on her had increased drastically and he seemed to decline steadily. He often spoke of vassals that could take the bulk of his responsibilities. For
Chandra, she could see her goal in sight. “You have need of no one, Father. Not while I am here to help you.”
And indeed, he needed no castellan to manage Phalen. Chandra would carry the bulk of the responsibilities. She was seldom seen dressed in her finer gunnas and kirtles, for daily she donned a rough wool gown and set about her chores. She was busy from dawn ‘til dusk. She did not have time to think, then, of her state of limbo; a maid of marriageable age, she had no preferred groom and her heart was already locked up tight.
She knelt in the garden and clipped the sage, mallow and nightshade that would be used for medicines. She placed them in a small cloth and tied it tightly for storage. When she had made several such packets, she carried them in her apron to the hall. She came across Medwin, apparently just finishing a conversation with one of his men-at-arms.
“Yea, lord, I will make ready and advise the men. We will plan to leave in four days, as it pleases ye.”
Medwin nodded and excused the man. He dropped his arm about Chandra’s shoulders and walked with her into the manor.
“Where do the men go, Father?”
“I must send a troop to Cordell to collect the tax and rent. I’ve left it undone for too long.”
“And you do not go?”
“Nay,” he sighed. “I am too old, daughter, to be uprooted so often. There needs to be someone there to manage in my stead. Why did God grant me no sons?”
“Conan will manage here when he is needed, Father. Never fear.”
“King Henry and his sons are enemies. Perhaps sons are not such a blessing.”
Chandra did not reply, for her father was more often in a mood to talk, that aura of command now gone from his voice.
“When Henry dies there will likely be a battle for the crown. I wonder how many good men will fight.”
“Father,” she sighed, “‘tis of no worry now. Henry may yet make peace with his sons.” She put her arm around his waist. She did not really walk with him these days--she supported him as he walked. “This is the first summer I have not visited Cordell.”
“You love it as your mother did,” he returned.
“I think perhaps I love it because Mother did. I loved to go there with her. We would spend the days together. She’d say, ‘This is to be yours someday, Chandra. You must learn to manage it.’ I didn’t mind that Laine and Edwina were allowed to play while I worked with Mother. I loved learning and I loved hearing her tell everyone she met that I would be the next lady.”
“We did not think it would be so soon,” Medwin said pensively. “You shall go there now. As a part of my deputation.”
“But you have need of me here, Father. I should not leave you now.”
“I can do without you for a time. And I think if you could visit Cordell for a time I might see you smile again.”
“I would like to go,” she said, brightening at the thought.
“And there,” he said affectionately. “I see that smile already. You have worked too hard to please your father, and you deserve a treat. Go. Make ready. I will send a few more men to keep you safe along the road.”
She stood on tiptoes and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Father,” she said. She left him with a skip in her step, and for the first time in some months he heard her humming as she went.
Usually preparation for a trip was a long and drawn-out affair, but Chandra’s enthusiasm for this journey saw nearly everything ready in two days. She was hard at work after that seeing that Phalen was in order so that Medwin would have no problems in her absence. She could not rest until she had planned every meal, spoken to those servants staying behind and checked her plans against those of the men-at-arms staying in Phalen’s walls. It was late in the afternoon, when she was seeking out one of the huntsmen, that she noticed a large troop had arrived and their horses were being tended by stable boys.
“What visitor is here?” she asked the nearest guard.
“The blazon of the Blue Falcon, lady. ‘Tis a troop of Sir Conan.”
She turned abruptly and hurried to the hall. Why had he come? Was Edwina ill? Earlier that summer, King Henry had fought Philip in France and Conan had not gone to war, though many had answered the call. A chill feeling possessed her. Was he here to bid farewell to his father by marriage to go off to some faraway war?
As she flew into the hall she collided with Sir Thurwell. “Ho!” he shouted, catching her. “I have witnesses, lady. You’ve flown straightaway to my arms!”
“You are returned,” she said, smiling. “There is no more war for the king?”
“For the moment, lady.” He smiled. “Henry’s love of fighting keeps us well fed,” he joked, looking across the hall to Mallory, who lifted a cup to his mouth.
“Do you ride with Sir Conan?” she asked anxiously.
“Only lately so. We met him upon the road while we were journeying to Stoddard and he was coming away.”
“And why has he come? What is his news? Is my sister well?”
Thurwell looked to Mallory and grinned. “Yea, lady. She is well.”
She was about to ask more when Conan and Medwin came into the room, a burst of laughter announcing them.
“There you are, daughter,” Medwin said. “Where have you been? I sent your maids out for you. Conan bears good news. My daughter is with child.”
“Edwina,” she breathed looking at Conan. She could see pride in his eyes. He stood tall. “With child!” she cried, a smile of excitement showing on her face. “A son to bear your arms.”
He stared at her in silence for a moment. She could not know how she affected him. Her face was shining and her cheeks were flushed with color. In her simple dress that showed she had labored the day long, and in a rough kerchief, her bright blond locks tied back and trailing down her back past her hips, she was more appealing than other women in their finest gowns. And the look of robust health and energy added considerably to her fairness.
He remembered clearly that time long ago when he had come unannounced to spend Christmas with Edwina,
and Chandra had fled weeping to her chamber. He dreaded facing her with this good news for fear she would be crushed under the weight of envy. But this bright little star that faced him showed no jealousy. Her happiness for him was sincere. She knew the importance of an heir.
“Is my sister well?”
He frowned slightly, but decided he did not want to tell her that Edwina was often unwell, and since she was never seriously ill, he nodded.
“I should like to see her,” Chandra said.
Conan recovered himself from the first sight of her and now could speak in a more confident and relaxed manner. “When the child is born and old enough to travel, I shall send her and the babe to you for a visit among her kin. And you are always welcome in our home.”
“I must send her something. When do you journey back?” she asked.
“Not for some time. I will travel on an errand for your father.” He looked to Thurwell and Mallory. “You’re welcome to ride with me as always. It will add a fortnight to our journey to see to business at Cordell.”
Chandra’s mouth fell open and she looked between Conan and her father.
“He will make a better escort for you, daughter,” Medwin said. “I will be assured of your safe passage with Conan’s arms to protect you.”
Now the surprise was Conan’s. He looked sharply at Medwin. “Chandra travels with us?”
“Had I not mentioned it?” he laughed. “Ah, my mind grows weak with age, and in my excitement over your news I did forget to tell you. Aye, Chandra goes to Cordell. The pair of you will make an impressive emissary.”
Chandra and Conan exchanged troubled glances. “Father,” Chandra said somewhat nervously, “Conan will be anxious to do your business quickly and return to his wife. He would not wish to be bothered with a woman. I would slow the journey.”
“You?” Medwin laughed. “I venture it will be the other way. He will likely have trouble keeping pace with you. And since you leave in the morning, are there not things to prepare?”
Conan bowed to his father-in-law. “For myself, my men need a sound meal and a good night before setting out again, my lord. Would you excuse me to my men? I would advise them of this additional errand.”
Chandra’s brow wrinkled into a frown and she looked down as she took slow steps to the stair while Conan went through the doors of the hall in search of his men. Both seemed heavily in thought and not giving a mind to the duties they were bound to do. Medwin did not notice. He was intent on finding a cold draft to ease his thirst. Mallory walked closer to Thurwell and spoke in hushed tones.
“Did I not tell you there is something amiss in this family?”
“‘Tis not of our concern,” Thurwell grumbled, raising his cup to his lips.
“That is the reason for his melancholy,” Mallory insisted.
“Unless he asks us to share the burden, say naught.” Thurwell lifted his chalice slightly toward the stair. “Do not jest, lad,” the older knight advised. “Conan would not see the humor in his predicament.”
“Do you forget so soon?” Mallory murmured. “I would be the last to make light of his troubles. I understand his misery.”
Chapter 6
The party of men-at-arms, Chandra and two of her maids, and a small number of servants and attendants formed a train that left Phalen Castle early one September morning. The entourage was led by Sir Conan, with Mallory and Thurwell close at his heels. Chandra could easily have kept pace with the men, but she deliberately kept her mount well behind Conan. And he did not fall back to ride beside her.
The distance to Cordell was not great, but the journey was long, for there was no road through the dense forest that surrounded the land side of the manor. They traveled first northeast and then directly south. There were those noble homes along the way that would have welcomed such a party for a night’s lodging, but that did not meet Conan’s mood.
He was somewhat surprised at having no argument from the women. When they passed the last village of any size on their first day out, he waited for Chandra to question him on his plans for the night, but he heard nothing. When he halted the party at a small clearing in the wood as the sun was lowering, he rode back to her position in the group and threw his arm wide, indicating the place. “This will satisfy our needs for the night. Some of my men will aid you in making a tent for your women.”
She looked around as if considering this, her finger touching her lip in thought. He was certain she would complain and ask where the comfort of a roof could be found. Instead she said, “If memory serves me, there is a stream just to the other side of those trees. A strong line and sharp spear could bring us fish for dinner.”
The surprise rendered him speechless for a moment. “I’ll see to it,” he finally grumbled.
That first night he tossed upon the hard ground, feeling when he rose as if he had taken the night on a moving cart. He stumbled into the wood to answer nature’s call and heard some soft talking near the stream. Looking through the brush, he saw Chandra’s maids holding up a linen sheet in front of the creek. From his vantage point, a bit off the path, he could see Chandra kneeling at the water’s edge to wash.
The sight held him spellbound. Her golden hair formed a canopy about her face, and full breasts tempted the strength of her sheer kirtle. Every time he saw her she had grown more beautiful. He turned from the sight with a familiar ache in his loins, and silently cursed this state of affairs. He could not seem to subdue the longing. And if it was not enough that he wanted Chandra, his situation with Edwina left him famished. He could count the number of times he had lain with her, all of them because of his ardent insistence. And always his wife submitted unresponsively to his lovemaking.
He had thought it very noble not to satisfy his longings with some eager and available wench from his own castle, and there were many. Now he wished that he had. Chandra’s close presence and his starving passions did not lend him an amiable nature.
“Did you rest well, lady?” he asked as they prepared to leave camp.
“Aye, Sir Conan. My mantle is lined with ermine and it kept me warm and comfortable.” He grunted his approval and ended the conversation.
The second night was similarly spent, and Conan’s mood was strained. He was miles away in thought and seemed never to hear what was said to him the first time. And his temper was quick. When something was amiss he did not handle the matter with his usual tolerance, but snapped commands at his men to right the situation. His grumbling would have been understood had he traveled with Lady Edwina, for her demands on him were usually constant. But Chandra, who traveled so easily, should not have provoked his temper so. While the men stumbled over each other to offer aid to the ladies, Conan stayed far away. He offered neither his services nor conversation to the lady in his charge. Mallory and Thurwell exchanged many questioning glances.
It was not until they neared Cordell that Chandra moved to the head of this long train. She took her place beside Conan in leading the party into the village. They passed an old and worn sign bearing the blazon of her father.
“We are very near now,” she advised him.
“The forest is dense,” he argued. “It could hide a fair-sized army.”
“I doubt that,” she replied.
“And what clearing lies before the village?” he asked.
It was not much farther when he saw for himself. Where the trees ended, a meadow began. The road to the town was clear, but for only a short distance. There were fields, fruit trees and huts. The village was small, oriented around one road that wound its way to a great house built of stone. It was not a castle. The tower was short and stout, reaching just a bit taller than the house. Though the lower floors did not have windows, and a heavy oaken door barred entry, there was no wall, no gate, no parapets from which bowmen could shoot their arrows at an approaching army.
“Wherein lies this town’s protection?” Conan asked somewhat irritably.
“The forest and the sea,” Chandra replied easily.
‘“Twas the forest that made my attack on Stoddard so simple,” he said. “The trees should be assarted and the town held in by a wall.”
“Nature is our wall,” she told him. “The forest is too thick to hold an army, and the coast, too rocky. The road is the only reasonable entry.”
“You give little credence to the possibility that an army would enter the forest from beyond the road, making a camp and clearing a path to your bedchamber. Forsooth, you could be rousted from your sleep by thieves and taken prisoner by any able-bodied lad.”
He proceeded forward, not meeting her eyes. There was a firm set to his jaw, and within he felt anger and stress mounting. He knew the reason for his discomfort, but he had not given much thought to its manifestation. He felt her eyes on him and he turned to look at her. There was a sadness there in her eyes, a sadness brought by the terseness of his words. “We will talk of this, Conan,” she said quietly.
He simply snorted and directed his attention again to the front. The fields were full of young lads and women harvesting the last of a good year’s crops. Those they passed smiled and waved their greetings to Chandra. No one shied from the sight of many fettered knights astride their destriers, nor did the children hide behind their mothers’ skirts. The entire troop entered the town without seeing one frowning or slightly uncertain face. It was a different sight from any other village Conan had so entered.
The people as a whole seemed contented and well fed. There was a definite lack of poverty here, which made Conan suspicious. It should have been refreshing, but no armed soldiers lined the path to the keep, and no guards could be seen watching from the tower or the roof.
“They are not worried that you are captured and being led here against your will,” he said.
“Of course not,” she returned. “When that is the case with me I seldom smile and wave.”
“They do not know my arms, yet they welcome me eagerly and without the slightest distrust. Are they stupid or entranced?”
“Neither, sir knight,” she told him. “I ride with your troop and for that they will assume that you are a loyal vassal to my father. And you see,” she said, “they are right.”