by Regan Walker
“Would that I had been with you and Sir Alain,” said Talisand’s lord.
“ ’Twas best you were not,” remarked Sir Geoffroi. “We could hide among so many knights, but the king’s wolf never could.”
“ ’Tis a time best forgotten,” offered Lady Serena.
Guy eyed his father, admiration in his expression. “Is it not strange to return here, Father?”
“Yea, it is,” admitted Sir Geoffroi. “I only hope this summer finds the land at peace with the Conqueror’s son.” Then, turning to Alex, “You fostered here and must know Earl Hugh well.”
“Aye,” said Alex. “Five years of my youth were spent here. But I have seen the earl many times since. He was with us in Normandy, though he joined William late in the fight.”
Merewyn had wondered about his time away. He must have seen much fighting and many deaths.
“Earl Hugh is a good knight and was respected by the Conqueror,” said the Lord of Talisand. “ ’Twas why I chose him to foster Alex.”
“I expect William will soon have Earl Hugh fighting the Welsh again,” ventured Alex.
Merewyn spoke the one truth she knew of the Lord of Chester. “The earl still holds the King of Gwynedd as his prisoner.”
Lady Serena nodded, her expression somber. “Rhodri told me of it many years ago.”
They ascended the stairs to the castle. At the door, Earl Hugh and his wife greeted them and introductions were made. Merewyn judged him to be in his fourth decade and his countess in her third.
Though he was attired in garments befitting a high-ranking lord, the earl still had the look of a warrior, his craggy face brown from the sun, his demeanor intense. He was clean-shaven and his dark hair cut in the shorter Norman style, like that of Earl Renaud and Sir Geoffroi. But unlike Talisand’s men, Earl Hugh had a large belly his cinnamon-colored tunic strained to cover.
The Lady of Chester must have been sharing her husband’s trencher, for her elegant pale gold gown did not conceal her plump figure. But, unlike the earl, Countess Ermentrude had a pleasant face and a warm smile, one that was very welcoming. Merewyn assumed her hair was brown from her brows for the woman’s headcloth entirely covered her hair. “Welcome to Chester,” she said and took Lady Serena’s arm, leading her into the castle. “It has been too long!”
Merewyn followed the two women as they spoke of their children. Behind her, the Earl of Chester inquired of Talisand’s lord, “I trust your journey was without mishap, Ren?”
“Yea, ’twas pleasant with fair skies, but long enough your hearth fire and some of Normandy’s wine will be most welcome.”
Earl Hugh laughed. “And a soft bed, no doubt. ’Tis been many years since we found sleeping on the ground an adventure.”
The earl welcomed Sir Geoffroi and the other men into the castle, beckoning them toward the hearth fire in the large hall.
Two rough-coated hounds came to greet the visitors. They were slightly smaller than the ones at Talisand but no less friendly. One hound trotted up to Alex and nuzzled his hand. “Remember me, do you?” Alex said, scratching the dog’s ears and patting his head. To Merewyn, the two seemed great friends.
Earl Hugh glanced at Alex, Rory and Guy, who had joined the other men around the fire, and said to Earl Renaud, “ ’Tis been but a short while since I was with these three in Normandy. I expect we will soon ride together with the king to deal with the Scots.”
Merewyn did not hear the response as her attention was drawn to the grandeur of the hall, larger than the one at Talisand that sat next to the manor. Light from torches and candles illuminated the intricate tapestries decorating the walls. The weavings were very large, making her wonder if they hid alcoves.
“This is your first visit to Chester,” stated the countess. “Do you like the tapestries?”
“Oh yea, they are wondrous.” Merewyn could not suppress the awe in her voice for the tapestries looked almost like paintings so intricate was the weaving. Light from the blazing fire and many candles made the figures depicted seem to come alive: the animals of the hunt raced through the woodlands and the ladies smiled at their gallant knights.
“The ones we have in Talisand’s old hall are small,” put in Lady Serena, “but the castle at Talisand has larger ones.”
In addition to the dais and trestle tables, there were small tables and benches scattered around the edges of the room in between the tapestries.
Since they were the earl’s only guests, Countess Ermentrude told Merewyn there was plenty of room and she would have her own chamber. Nelda would have a room in the servants’ quarters.
Serving women bustled into the hall, setting pitchers of wine and silver goblets on one of the long tables. Once the wine was poured, Earl Hugh lifted his wine in a toast, “To the health of the king!”
“To the king!” echoed the travelers and downed their wine. Even Lady Serena, who had no love for Norman kings, joined in.
It took Merewyn a few more gulps than the men to drink her portion, but she was glad she did as the potent red liquid lifted the weariness from her bones and warmed her blood. She watched Alex down his wine with great enthusiasm, exchanging barbs with Rory and Guy, but more than once he glanced to where she stood with Lady Serena and Lady Ermentrude. Each time, her heart hammered in her chest as their eyes met.
The two earls and Sir Geoffroi stood to one side, but close enough for Merewyn to hear them speak of the battles with the Welsh that had gained Earl Hugh and his cousin a good part of North East Wales. It horrified Merewyn to think Rhodri might be affected but, as she listened to the men speaking, she was comforted in the knowledge there had been no dire news out of Powys where Rhodri made his home.
A servant came to show the women to their chambers. Merewyn, together with Lady Serena and Nelda followed her to the floor above. Once inside her own chamber, Merewyn was pleased to see a fire in the brazier, candles on the table under the window and her chest of clothing at the foot of the bed. Opening the carved wooden box, she found the gowns Nelda had neatly folded. The dark-haired maidservant with fair skin, a round face and pleasant manner was a treasure. And she had been kind to help Merewyn when she was not her mistress. No wonder Lady Serena so valued Nelda.
While Merewyn waited for the hot water to arrive for her bath, she took out the gown she would wear this evening, an azure velvet that fitted her well. She would save the amethyst silk Lady Serena had given her to wear in London when she would meet the king.
She walked to the window and flung open the shutters, breathing in the cooler air of the evening. Just then she heard the bells of the church ring the hour of None. Looking past the motte and the River Dee, she glimpsed the peaceful village lying on the other side of the river. The cottages glowed with many hearth fires where she imagined the people were preparing their supper. She sighed, more content than she had been for a long while, for when Lady Serena had told Countess Ermentrude that Merewyn was her ward and the daughter of a close friend who had died, the countess had accepted the description without question.
Merewyn could only hope the shame of her birth did not follow her into the future.
CHAPTER 5
Alex washed the dust from his body, scraped the stubble from his face and clothed himself in a dark brown tunic he was certain would meet the expectations of Earl Hugh. He did not worry so much about Ermentrude, for the countess had always been a jolly soul with a pleasing disposition. But the earl demanded that his sons, including his foster son, dress as worthy young nobles.
Alex’s gut roiled at the memories that assaulted him coming back to the place where he’d spent so much of his youth. At Talisand, he had been the favored, eldest son of the Red Wolf, more indulged than even Tibby was today. But at Chester, he was folded into the large family of the earl and his wife much like another lance was added to the armory.
Earl Hugh was a tyrant who tolerated no disobedience of his rigid edicts. Alex had rebelled early on until he tired of the whippings. The earl was always car
eful not to leave permanent scars that would draw the questions of Alex’s father. By the time Alex had returned to Talisand in his twelfth year, he was a different lad. ’Twas one reason he had come to Merewyn’s rescue so quickly that day in the woods. He could not abide anyone taking advantage of another’s lesser position with the intent to inflict harm.
But now Alex was a knight in his own right and a friend of William Rufus who he had served even before he became England’s king. And the girl he had rescued had grown into a beautiful and fierce young woman. Was she drawn to archery as a means of defense? It had occurred to him when he had asked her why she had taken up the bow.
Closing the door of his chamber, he descended to the hall. Gathered around the earl and his wife were Alex’s father, Sir Geoffroi and Guy and Rory. Alex’s mother and Merewyn had yet to appear. The men-at-arms who had accompanied them would sleep in the barracks the earl kept for his own men, so Alex did not look for them. No doubt, they would be enjoying the village taverns and the village women.
“Alex!” Earl Hugh’s voice sounded like a command. “You have timed your appearance well,” he said with a smirk. “The wine has just been poured.”
Ignoring the barb, Alex accepted wine from the tray carried to him by one of the servants. Greeting the others and seeing the elegant attire they had donned for the evening, he was glad he had dressed in similar fashion.
He had just taken a sip of the red wine when his lady mother and Merewyn descended the stairs. His eyes devoured Merewyn. Her blue velvet gown flowed around her as she walked. The candlelight had turned her hair a rich gold. Around her neck was the same golden necklace she had worn on the night of his homecoming. He took in her slender form, her long fingers held shyly at her waist and the delicate features of her face.
Setting down his goblet, he excused himself and slowly walked toward the two women who had just reached the bottom of the stairs. Acknowledging his mother, he bowed, “My lady mother.”
The Lady of Talisand dipped her head and tossed him a knowing smile before walking past him without saying a word.
Alex bowed before Merewyn. “You are a vision.”
Her blue-hazel eyes sparkled with mirth. “You mean because you recognize me now that I am free of all the dust?”
He chuckled. “Well, the same could be said of me. Nay, I only meant to admire your beauty.”
“ ’Tis the second time today you have complimented me in such manner. You must want something,” she teased.
“Aye,” he said. Gazing intently into her eyes, he decided to speak the truth he was just coming to realize. “I want… everything.”
She inhaled sharply, her cheeks blushing scarlet. Holding out his arm, he whispered, “Do not worry, I will tell no one of my ambition toward you.” Indeed, how could he speak to others of something he was only beginning to understand himself?
“ ’Twould be best if you said nothing to me of it, either,” she said shortly, placing her hand on his offered arm. “It would not be proper for Talisand’s heir to dally with a commoner.” The bolt of lightning that surged through him at her touch was mirrored in her eyes. He was pleased to see the attraction was shared.
He led her toward the others. “It matters not to me you are not of noble birth.”
She let out a heavy sigh. “Surely it would matter to the king and your noble father.”
He could not argue with her, not after Sir Geoffroi’s warning of the king’s likely intent. Their conversation ceased when he delivered her to the ladies.
During the evening meal that followed, he suffered through Earl Hugh’s recounting stories from Alex’s days at Chester as a foster son, minus the whippings, of course. Rory and Guy took full advantage, teasing him unmercifully for the tales of his once stumbling with his sword.
“For that,” Alex informed them, “I shall have to trounce you at chess, a game Earl Hugh taught me and his sons well.”
“He is a fierce player of the game,” the rotund Earl Hugh said in warning to Alex’s companions. “Look not for mercy.”
Alex thought it an interesting comment from one who showed little mercy himself.
“Aye, we know,” said Rory. “Our time in Normandy afforded us many nights where dice and chess were our only amusements.”
“To us,” put in Guy, “it was merely a way of passing time. To Alex, it was a battle to the death with carved horses, knights and kings.”
“So be it,” said Earl Hugh. “Tonight we shall have games of chess.” Then looking at Alex’s father, standing next to Sir Geoffroi, he added, “I welcome the opportunity to defeat my old friends.”
“You will not find us so easily vanquished,” said Alex’s father. “Geoff, in particular, has recently shown great skill in the game.”
* * *
Merewyn had been listening with great interest to the men’s discussion of chess and now she watched carefully as the servants cleared away the trenchers. The men set up the boards for the two games on the small tables that they carried from the edges of the room.
None of the men had asked her to play. How were they to know in the six years she had been in Wales, archery was not the only skill she had acquired? In Rhodri and Fia’s great manor in Powys, many evenings they played chess.
The game fascinated her because it reflected the world in which she lived: the king who could move in all directions because his will was law; a queen who could move only on the slant and one space at a time because women were rarely allowed to act directly; pawns, like the villeins, tied to their liege lord for the land they rented in exchange for his protection; rooks that had full access to the board but could only move in straight lines like the siege towers they represented; bishops, representing the church, whose movements were restricted but who could jump over others like the knights who protected the king, whose surrender meant the loss of all.
As she watched, Alex took a seat across from Rory at one table and Earl Hugh faced Sir Geoffroi over another. Merewyn sat with the ladies who kept their hands busy with needlework as they spoke of their children. She had no interest in needlework and she had no children. Instead, she kept her eyes on the play of the games and thought of the King of Gwynedd rotting in a cell somewhere in the castle. Rhodri had told her the Welsh king was descended from the great Brian Boru, High King of Ireland. A sad end for so great a man.
Except for her dismal reflections on the King of Gwynedd’s current state, it had been an entirely pleasant evening. The meal had been a tasty array of many dishes and meats and now a lute player provided music that soothed her spirit. Even the earl’s hounds were calm, sleeping before the hearth fire.
She sighed as the games of chess wore on. Patience had never been one of her virtues. But for the game she envisioned, she could wait.
A servant added logs to the hearth fire sending sparks into the air and then refilled the men’s goblets. Merewyn refused more wine. She needed her wits if she was to play a decent game of chess.
Having defeated Rory, Alex now played against Guy, but Alex was restless, stirring on his bench with every move he made of the chess pieces. To her, he appeared like a stallion about to break into a run. Often, he ran his fingers through his long black hair and crossed and re-crossed his legs beneath the table.
From the exasperated sounds coming from Guy, Alex had to be an aggressive player. Only a well-thought-out strategy would defeat him. Could she do it? For some reason, it was important to try.
At the other table, Sir Geoffroi had defeated Earl Hugh, who took the loss with good grace, but demanded a chance to play against Talisand’s lord. Earl Renaud was only too happy to comply and slid onto the bench Sir Geoffroi had vacated.
Merewyn waited for the right moment, eager to try her skill against Alex and hoping, when the time came, she would be allowed to play.
As the last games unfolded, her attention was drawn to Earl Hugh, who stared at the chessboard frowning at his remaining pieces. The faint smile on the face of Talisand’s lord told her he
was winning.
Alex quickly bested Guy and Merewyn knew her chance had come. Finished with his game, Alex looked up at Sir Geoffroi with a raised brow and head tilted in invitation, but the older knight shook his head.
“I can play,” she offered, certain no one took her seriously.
Lady Serena glanced up from her needlework. “When did you learn the game?”
“Rhodri taught me more than the way of the bow, my lady.” She grinned at Alex. “He taught me to play chess.”
“Many ladies can play chess,” interjected Countess Ermentrude in Merewyn’s defense while pulling a needle through the cloth she held. Then winking at Merewyn, she added, “Do manage to win, young lady.”
Merewyn smiled at the plump countess. “I will certainly try.”
Earl Hugh glanced up only for a moment before returning his attention to the board in front of him, puzzling over his next move.
Rory and Guy nodded to her encouragingly. “You are our last hope to see Alex’s streak of victories ended this night,” said Guy.
With his open palm, Alex beckoned her to the empty bench across from the chessboard he was setting up with the pieces from his last game. “Let us witness this new skill you have acquired. Mayhap I can teach you a move or two.”
Merewyn was certain he could teach her many things but whether chess was one of them remained to be seen.
* * *
Alex took a swallow of his wine and tried to relax, doubting Merewyn knew more than the rudiments of the game but happy to teach her more. Any reason to spend time with her pleased him.
The hearth fire blazed as a servant added another log, but the lute player had stopped playing for the moment. There were no other sounds in the hall, save for the occasional whisperings of his mother and Lady Ermentrude. Rory, Guy and Sir Geoffroi had gathered around the other game, leaving Alex and Merewyn alone for the moment.