by Eagle Lady
“You are wounded?” Concern clouded Roydon’s eyes.
The knight waved his arm in dismissal, his right arm. The other, Roydon noticed now, was concealed under his cloak and he hardly moved it at all. “It’s only a scratch, nothing to worry about. The important thing is that the king stopped to speak to me.”
“You accosted the king while accompanied by his full guard?” An expression of incredulity now adorned Roydon’s face. “Are you mad, Stefan? We train those men to attack first and ask questions later!”
“I know, but I couldn’t get to you and that remained the only way I could get to the king. We had no idea why you had been arrested. We were getting worried and Henry was the only person who could tell us. Nobody else knows anything. Thankfully two men of the bodyguard recognised me.” The knight shrugged and winced as the movement jarred his arm. “The pike man did not.”
“You are lucky to be alive, Stefan.” Roydon paused, unsure how to express his gratitude to his friend for standing by him, for being there for him. “Thank you, my friend,” he said quietly at last, conscious of Stefan’s steady gaze daring him to say more.
“After a moment, Henry invited me to walk to the stables with him,” continued the knight completely ignoring the earl’s words. “That is when I saw Aguilus disappear into Black’s stall.”
“Why would he do something like that, Stef? He is not wilfully disobedient and he had specific instructions not to go near Black without me.” Roydon raked a hand through his already mussed hair. “I should have been there.”
“Yes you should.” Stefan did not mince his words. “But we will speak of that later. Aguilus went into the stall to save the page.” Then he went on to tell the earl exactly what had happened at the stable. Roydon moved to sit on the chair as he listened, his emotions clearly reflected on his face. Fear at the danger, pride for the courage, and irritation at the boy’s discourtesy to the king mingled with respect for his son’s loyalty to him. Then finally discouragement at Henry’s dismissal of his hopes and anger at the king’s insistence that the marriage take place and the threatened consequences.
When he had finished, Stefan sat on the stool across the table from his friend. For a long moment he kept silent, allowing the earl to dwell on his words. Only when Roydon looked up at him and he saw the uncertainty, the despair in his eyes did he speak.
“I do not like seeing you like this, Roy.” Stefan spoke quietly, simply, his hands flat on the table. “I did not tell the king about your lady. You know perfectly well how I feel about that, but that is beside the point now. Facts are what matter. Your son’s wellbeing is what matters.” Stefan paused to gather his thoughts but the earl made no attempt to speak, he just stared at his friend as if willing him to continue.
“I am sorry, Roy. I really do believe that Henry will carry out his threat if you continue to defy him. You might give everything up for nothing.” Stefan lowered his voice, sympathy and irritation both present in his tone. “It’s been ten years Roy, how much longer are you going to wait?” The knight did not expect or wait for an answer.
“For the almost non-existent possibility that the lady will return, you are willing to throw away your future, your lands and your children’s future. True, it is unlikely that you can make Aguilus your heir, but as his lord you can give him lands, a holding, protection. Marry and give him a brother to inherit yes, but also to protect him when you are gone.
“The king admires you, Roy and he respects you. You are one of the very few people that he trusts, but he is angry enough with you at the moment to carry out his threat and then Aguilus will have nothing.”
The earl continued to look intently at Stefan, his brow now furrowed in thought. At least he seemed to be listening to his friend’s words.
“Bend to the king, Roy. Marry the princess, try and get Henry to listen to your petition for Aguilus, bargain with him, he needs your cooperation.” Stefan took a deep breath.
“This is not the same situation as with your wife. Lady Emma and her dowry brought salvation to Eagle Rock and I know that you felt honour bound to give her your fidelity.” At the earl’s sharp glance, Stefan smiled slightly. “You are that kind of man Roy, you cannot help it. But this time it’s different, this is a political marriage, a marriage of convenience. No one would expect you to be faithful to your wife, not even her. So if your lady did return, unlikely though it seems, you could take her as your leman. It is an honourable position, Roy, common and accepted in noble households.”
Sir Stefan had nothing left to say. It now remained the earl’s decision to make. “The king has given you till tomorrow morning, Roy.” Stefan’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t know what else to say; how to help you. Know only that whatever you decide, you’ll not be rid of me. I enjoy prodding and pestering you too much, my friend.”
Roydon gave his friend a crooked smile. “You have helped, Stefan. Things are…clearer now. I truly thank you; for everything.”
“I do have my uses, you know.” The knight stood up, uncomfortable with the earl’s gratitude. “Do you have anything to drink here, ale, wine? My throat is dry from too much talking.” He followed Roydon’s pointing finger to the tiny table by the bed. “I’ll be quiet now while I recover.” Stefan poured himself some wine and sat on the bed, giving his friend some small degree of privacy to make his decision.”
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The earl stepped once again into the king’s audience chamber. Like the last time, only the king remained in the room, the guards and Stefan waited outside.
They had come for him very early this morning; two men of the Royal Bodyguard had escorted him here. Through the almost deserted courtyards and the empty ante-room, few people had seen him. Stefan had stayed with him all night. After sending a message to Sir Ivan telling him that he would return in the morning, he settled down in the chair by the brazier. His excuse was that he felt more comfortable here in this cell than in his quarters. After all the king had not specified how long he could stay and he did not want to leave his friend alone again.
Roydon had been glad for the uncharacteristically silent companionship; he only insisted that his friend have his wound seen to. The ‘scratch’ had required twenty stitches.
Now the earl looked down the long room. Like before, the king waited for him seated in his high backed chair on the dais, he appeared relaxed and confident. Roydon reigned in his anger; Stefan’s parting words to control his temper echoing in his mind.
He crossed the room with long, sure strides, head up and eyes fixed on Henry. He refused to crawl, as he had seen countless others shuffling up to the dais. Just as he refused to kneel again when he reached the platform; once per visit was enough to confirm his loyalty, more entailed grovelling. He refused to grovel.
The earl bowed his head in greeting and remained silent, his eyes once again riveted on his sovereign. A king who gripped the arms of his chair tightly, belying the confident, relaxed attitude he wished to portray.
Henry dispensed with small talk altogether, he went straight to the point, his tone carefully neutral for the moment. “What is it to be, Mountroi? Will you bow to my wishes?”
The question hung in the air for a moment while the earl took a deep breath. Bargain, Stefan had said. Roydon knew the king. Bargaining would not work. He tried anyway. “You met my son yesterday, Sire.”
Henry blinked at the change of subject, but knew immediately where his earl headed. He decided to humour him. “Yes, a brave boy. His likeness to you is remarkable, a son to be proud of.”
“I am proud of him. He is my first born.” Roydon paused and then he plunged on. “I would be willing to marry this woman if…”
“Stop right there, my lord.” The king’s voice had risen slightly. “Do not even think of bargaining or imposing conditions on me. You know me better than that.” Henry released his hold on the arm rests and started drumming on them with his fingers, his impatience mounting. “What is it to be?” The note of finality in his voice brooked
no further delay.
The earl of Eagle Rock bowed his head for a moment in defeat. “I’ll marry the damned woman.”
Henry heard the earl’s whispered, angry reply and gave a mental sigh of relief as he relaxed back in his chair. Now he would not have to back down in order to keep his promise to the boy. Not that he would ever have divested Eagle of his title or lands. The man stood at the forefront of his most loyal and trusted vassals, he would not endanger that. Besides he liked the man, they had shared battles and companionship, if his status had been different, if a crown did not grace his brow, he would have counted Eagle a friend.
“Good, I am glad that you have come to your senses. Most people would have considered this an honour.” The king rose from his chair, an expression of satisfaction on his face. “Come there are several documents to sign.”
Roydon tried one last time. “Now that I have agreed to your…request, Sire, I ask again. Aguilus is my son, my first born. I want him as my heir.”
Henry descended the steps and laid a hand on the earl’s shoulder. “There is no denying that he is your son, Eagle. But he is a bastard, there is no denying that either. I cannot make him your heir.”
Then Roydon did what he had never done before. He fell on his knees before the king. “Sire, I have never asked for anything before. Now I am begging you to grant me this.”
“Get up, Eagle.” Henry’s voice echoed firm but strangely terse in the large chamber. “Grovelling doesn’t suit you,” he waited until Roydon complied. “The law does not allow bastards to inherit, you know that. Even I am not above the law; in fact, you would be the first to point that out. I like the boy, Eagle. He is very like you in appearance and even in character I think. I am grateful for his actions in saving my daughter’s life but there is nothing I can do to change what he is.”
The king left the dais and approached the table where six documents, two already folded tidily, rested among several quills, ink and sealing wax. Lighted candles on holders graced the table at intervals.
“Come, Eagle, put your mark and seal on the betrothal and marriage contracts and we will be finished.”
Roydon ground his teeth in frustrated anger and impotence. Even his begging had been of no use. Reluctantly he joined Henry at the table. His anger lay like a heavy lump in his chest, but controllable. Deep down he knew that the king spoke the truth. “If Your Majesty insists,” even to his own ears his voice sounded cold and barely civil.
“I do.” The king glanced up sharply at Roydon as he handed him the first parchment but made no further comment.
The earl set his name and then his seal on all of the four documents that the king handed him, uncaring to what he agreed to. He did notice that the king’s seal, as well as that of the bride’s family, already graced all the documents.
“You do not wish to read what you agree to?” Henry had a strange look on his face but Roydon no longer cared, he just wanted to get out of there.
“Would it make a difference if I objected to anything?”
Henry again ignored the surly tone. “No, not really,” he said calmly. “Everything has been settled and decided. Your betrothed arrives today. The marriage ceremony will take place tomorrow.”
“What! This is insane!” Roydon stared incredulously at the king, Stefan’s words of advice completely forgotten.
“Mind yourself, my lord.” Henry raised his voice for the first time. “I am being very lenient with you, but there is a limit to what I will allow.”
Roydon locked his gaze with the king. Black eyes battled icy grey, until the earl bit his lip and looked away. He knew his words had been totally unacceptable. But to marry tomorrow! “Your pardon, Sire,” he said through bloodless lips. “Tomorrow?”
Henry accepted the apology with a curt nod. “The date was agreed weeks ago. You should have arrived sooner.”
The earl just stared at the king in stunned disbelief. Henry looked back at him placidly, a contented smile ghosted across his features. “There will be a banquet for the foreign delegation tonight.” The monarch held up his hand before Roydon could object. “The bride and groom do not have to attend.” Henry’s voice hardened, “However I will expect you at the White Chapel tomorrow at noon. Are we clear on that, my lord?”
Roydon nodded briefly. “Will that be all, Sire?” Much as he tried he could not keep the sarcastic note from his voice.
Henry handed the earl two of the four documents he had put his seal to and then added one of the folded ones that had been on the table. “Take the copies of your documents with you, Eagle and I strongly suggest that you peruse them before the wedding.”
Another brief nod and Roydon headed quickly towards the door. He was impatient to get out. The marriage would be tomorrow! He couldn’t get it out of his head. He had to see Aguilus, make sure he had suffered no injury. Tomorrow!
“Mountroi!”
The earl’s hand froze on the door handle. Silence. Slowly Roydon turned to face the king, who stood exactly where he had left him by the table.
“You’ll not get away with turning your back on me without a by your leave.” Henry’s eyes had deepened to a dark, turbulent grey, his voice hard and arrogant, his posture commandingly regal. Every inch the king, he waited.
Roydon knew he had seriously erred this time. Normally Henry would ignore any unintentional slight; indeed, he had been ignoring and forgiving his temper and uncivil attitude all morning. But now the king thought him angry enough to have purposely insulted his royal person. That, the earl knew, the monarch would not tolerate. And yet the truth was that he had been so eager, so focused on leaving the chamber, that the slight had been unintentional.
“I beg your pardon, Sire.” Roydon allowed his face to mirror the sincere regret he felt. “The slight was unintentional, fed by an urgent desire to see my son. I humbly beg your pardon, Sire.”
The king nodded slowly, regally, his anger subsiding.
“Have I your leave to retire, Sire?” Roydon asked formally.
“Yes, but never again defy me like this. Next time I’ll not be so lenient.”
“Your Majesty,” the earl bowed deeply. This time he made it out of the room.
Stefan, who had been pacing up and down one side of the ante-room, stopped abruptly when he saw Roydon emerge from the audience chamber. “The earl of Eagle Rock?” Stefan asked, half seriously half in jest when Roydon stepped up to him. He refused to believe that his friend would give up everything, yet he had nearly worn a groove in the floor, as he contemplated the possibility.
Roydon scowled at the knight’s levity but quickly recognised the anxiety and preoccupation behind the question. “You may still address me as your lord.”
“Thank God,” Stefan gave a heartfelt sigh.
“You may not be so thankful when you hear that the marriage is tomorrow and that Henry will not make Aguilus my heir under any circumstance.”
“Tomorrow?” Stefan had trouble understanding his friend. The words had been more a growl than anything else.
The earl nodded grimly. “Here are the documents to prove it,” he raised the papers in his hand and then thrust them at Stefan. “All signed and sealed. Let’s get out of here.” Turning quickly, he led the way out of the room.
As Stefan followed the earl, he looked down at the documents in his hand. “Have you read them, Roy?”
“No.” The earl didn’t even pause, he just continued down the steps and out to the courtyard. Stefan followed, trying to look at the documents and keep up at the same time.
Rounding a corner of the building, Roydon stopped. A small grassy slope extended down towards the Gate Tower and the towering walls. “Where are we going?” Stefan gave his friend a puzzled look.
“We are not going anywhere. I just needed some air.” Roydon stood perfectly still in a patch of early morning sunshine.
“Fine, I’ll just sit here,” Stefan had spied a stone bench set against the wall. “Take a look at these,” he waved the documents in his
hand and proceeded to do just that.
“This is the betrothal contract… Hmm, seems normal enough. Your bride’s name is Lady Roslyn. Princess Roslyn of the Eagarad clan,” Stefan shrugged. “Never heard of them.”
The earl’s only comment could only be described as an impatient grunt at learning the name of his future wife.
“There is nothing else of much interest here.” Stefan put aside the parchment and started on the next. “Ah, the settlement contract.” Silence reigned for a moment while he read. “No dowry, Roy, the king is keeping it,” he reported. “That is just like Henry. He is always hungry for coin.”
“I don’t want or need a dowry. Don’t need a wife either.” Roydon growled rather than spoke, he didn’t even look back at his friend.
“Oh, but you’ll want this!” Stefan smiled at Roydon’s back. “The king is substituting the dowry for the two Holdings to the east of Eagle Rock. All the way down to the coast, including the town and castle of Rye,” Stefan looked up at the earl knowingly. “You always wanted that land, Roy. It gives you access to the sea.”
The earl turned to look at Stefan for a moment, for the first time a flicker of interest in his eyes. “The coastline and harbour?”
Stefan checked the paper in his hand. “Yes. This is quite a prize, Roy.”
“Mmm… Just more trouble.” The earl turned away again.
But Stefan had seen the speculation in Roydon’s eyes before he had turned away. Maybe something positive would come out of all this. Setting the settlement document aside he picked up the last parchment. “What’s this last one?”
“I have no idea. Henry had already put his seal to it before I arrived this morning. Apparently it does not require mine. It’s probably a copy of the treaty.” The earl didn’t even turn around to answer. “I don’t particularly care.”
“Well it has the king’s mark and seal on it.” Stefan had unfolded the document and checked the signature. It cannot be the treaty. It has today’s date on it, so it must have been drawn up early this morning, before you were taken to him. Then he started to read it. “Good God!” Stefan stood up, bright red colour suffusing his face. “Bloody hell!” Barely a second later a small smile touched his lips and slowly spread across his whole face, to his eyes. “Devious, devious man,” he murmured.