by John Ryan
Unbeknownst to Elspeth, King John was a lifelong friend of Thayer’s father. Moreover, Thayer had grown up referring to him as “Uncle John”. In reality, Thayer didn’t doubt the messenger’s veracity. If he sounded skeptical at all, it was because he already knew that if “Uncle John” had summoned him, the only way to learn of the nature of the request was to meet him face to face.
Randulf’s lack of response was all Thayer required to conclude their next course of action.
“We ride to Edinburgh,” Thayer declared, returning his regard to Elspeth.
“I’m sorry, m’love, but we shall have to finish this when we have some more privacy,” Thayer solaced, sliding a look of displeasure at Randulf.
Thayer watched as Randulf blew out his cheeks and rolled his eyes. With a grunt, the messenger yanked hard on the reins of his mount, prompting his steed to pivot on its hooves. As Thayer and Elspeth watched in amusement, the ebon stallion’s hooves dug deep into the sodden earth and threw divots of sod and mud high into the air, hitting the messenger squarely in the face. He sprinted off in great haste, a slew of oaths in his wake. Randulf’s stallion had galloped for nearly a mile before he slowed to a cantor to await Elspeth and Thayer.
“What the devil can the nature of the King’s message be, Thayer?” Elspeth asked behind eyes which Thayer knew explored his own for any hint of his reassurance.
“Naught we cannot handle, m’love,” Thayer said, sliding his arms round her waist and drawing her near.
Without warning, Elspeth’s eyes widened in horror. She buried her head in Thayer’s broad chest and began to weep. Her sobs became increasingly mournful and her shoulders wracked with grief.
“Whatever is the matter, sweet?” Thayer asked, gently sweeping the hair from her eyes and kissing away her tears.
“Look, behind ye,” Elspeth bid, sniffling.
Whirling round, Thayer spied the dense plumes of acrid smoke which had just begun to rise from the direction of Dirleton Castle. They billowed towards the icy azure, staining them as blood and blotting out the rising sun.
“Surely, they come from the burgh near the castle,” Thayer suggested, endeavoring to convince Elspeth as well as himself. “Mayhap a thatched roof is afire. I’m sure ‘tis not cause for concern.”
Uncertainty clouding her eyes, Elspeth nodded.
“I’m sure there’ll be news of a fire in the burgh once we arrive in Edinburgh. If not, I shall a send messenger to speed word without delay,” he consoled.
When Thayer hoisted Elspeth upon Ethelion’s broad back, the immense stallion bucked and complained, seemingly restless to bear Thayer and Elspeth to Edinburgh. It was as if he sensed his master’s urgency. Jamming his heels into Ethelion’s ribs, Thayer spurred the great steed into a full gallop. They quickly passed the messenger, who stood by in astonishment as the giant black blur whizzed by. With his long limbs stretched in great strides, Ethelion quickly ate the miles. It was of little wonder they arrived at the city gates a full quarter of an hour afore Randulf.
With a wave to the sentry of the gate, Thayer and Elspeth watched as the monstrous black portcullis creaked and moaned during its reluctant ascension. Once inside the castle grounds, they paused to admire the teaming streets of the city. Thayer directed Elspeth’s attention to the great castle of Edinburgh which loomed in the distance. The great citadel was perched high atop a craggy outcrop, the grand ashen stone walls of the fortress towering over the meandering city streets. Elspeth gazed upon it with her mouth agape.
“‘Tis surely the most beautiful thing I have ever beheld, Thayer,” Elspeth declared as she leaned back and rested her head upon Thayer’s broad chest.
“‘Tis naught compared to your beauty, m’love,” Thayer replied warmly, planting a kiss atop her crown and pausing to deeply inhale her intoxicated fragrance. “Surely, ye have grown even more beautiful every time I look upon ye. In fact, I’m not sure my heart will be able to bear your beauty much longer. If we are to be wed and grow old together, mayhap I shall have to shield my eyes nigh every time ye enter the room.”
Elspeth giggled. Slapping Thayer’s arm playfully, she admonished, “Ye are truly impossible, Thayer MacCourt, but I love ye for it!”
“Love? Elspeth, there are no words that ye could ever express that are more dear to me,” Thayer murmured as he held her waist tighter.
Leaning back, Elspeth answered his loving gesture.
Ominous black smoke from the mysterious fire now drifted high above Edinburgh, stealing the pair’s lighthearted miens. And the city streets, now abuzz with midday activity, had its pathways choked with passersby, many of who pointed at the sky. Though the throngs would delay their arrival, their togetherness made the wait bearable.
“Halt! Who goes there!” a heavily armed, gruff-looking bull of a man barked as he spied their approach to the castle.
“Ye must be getting addled in your ol’ age, man. Verily, your eyesight is good for naught,” Thayer quipped, flashing a grin.
“Remove your ugly hide off of that great beast’s back and come down here. I’ll show ye just how addled I am!” the man shot back.
“Elspeth, please allow me to present my uncle, Colin,” Thayer bid with a sweep of his hand.
Smiling sweetly, Elspeth gracefully proffered her hand. With a warm smile, Colin bent to plant a gentle kiss and chuckled. “Why, this pretty little lass is with ye, Thayer? What did ye have do, steal her away from her family?”
“Nae,” Thayer replied, laughing, “I am the one who has been purloined. My heart--and my very life--is in her hands.”
“Weeeell,” Colin chortled gaily, his barrel of a chest bouncing with his mirth, “so ye have finally been tamed, eh, Thayer? She must be a mighty special lass—aye, mighty special indeed!”
“Ye have no idea, Uncle. No idea at all!” Thayer chortled as he slid from Ethelion’s back and embraced Colin robustly.
“‘Tis so good to see ye again, laddie!” Colin exclaimed, his hazel eyes beaming. “’Tis not been the same since my dear sister departed Edinburgh with her boys! How long has it been since your father was bestowed his fiefdom by King John? It must be nigh ten years. By the way, how is your ol’ man?”
Caught off guard, Thayer staggered back. “I’m sorry, Uncle, but Father died last month.”
“Sweet Jesu’! I’m so sorry! Why didn’t my sister send word?” Colin muttered with disbelief. “Oh, wait,” he corrected himself as his bushy browns knit, “there was a message sent by your mother whilst I was away at the battle of Falkirk. I neglected to read it upon my return. I assumed ‘twas not of any import. Oh, Katherine is going to have my head the next time I see her.”
“Ye were at the battle of Falkirk, Uncle?” Thayer asked.
“Aye, King John mustered nigh every able-bodied man in Edinburgh to join that battle. He was even prepared to look to your father’s fiefdom for reinforcements. Fortuitously, we defeated the English Northern Army afore that became necessary. For now, the King doesn’t require any more forces. But, ken this, Thayer; ye may very well soon hear his call for aid.”
“Then I shall answer it at once, Uncle,” Thayer averred solemnly whilst patting the hilt of his sword. “Speaking of being summoned, the King sent for me today. The messenger says it is a most urgent matter. Mayhap, ye ken something of its nature?”
“Nae, I’m afraid he hasn’t made me aware of the reason he summoned ye here, Thayer,” Colin consoled, draping his arm over his nephew’s broad shoulders. “I’m sure it is not of dire consequence, but I wouldn’t keep the King waiting just the same. Now, I must return to my post, but I’ll see ye afore ye leave, okay?”
“Of course, Uncle,” Thayer affirmed with a smile.
“Well, ‘twas a pleasure meeting ye, lass,” Colin offered warmly. “I must say, me nephew’s got some mighty fine taste when it comes to his choice of Lady Fair--mighty fine!”
“I assure ye, the pleasure was mine,” Elspeth replied sweetly, her cheeks in full bloom. “And I believe
I’ve got some pretty fine taste myself,” she added gaily whilst casting her regard toward Thayer.
Tossing back his head in mirth, Colin ambled away, a slew of hearty guffaws in his wake. Thayer and Elspeth watched as his burly frame vanished into the cool white mist which had fast stolen into the city.
A grin parted Thayer’s lips as he offered his hand to Elspeth. She clutched it close to her.
Sliding his arm round her waist, Thayer whisked her from Ethelion’s back and twirled her round.
“Come, m’love, let us call upon the King. The sooner we get through here, the sooner we can continue our conversation,” he said with a wink.
“If we must,” Elspeth jested, her eyes twinkling impishly. “Remind me, what did ye wish to speak with me about again?”
Biting back a snort, Thayer replied, “Here, see if this will aid your memory.”
Thayer slowly drew his lips to Elspeth’s. He parted her lips with his tongue, eliciting a tiny gasp from her. Tauntingly, gently, he ran his tongue across her teeth and tongue, sending her senses reeling. Hungrily, he plied his tongue inside her mouth, darting and parrying hers in a blissful dance of passion.
Hearing a feigned cough and an “Ahem” behind them, the pair turned to see Randulf standing nearby with his arms folded tightly across his chest. An angry scowl was etched upon his face and his cheeks were mottled red.
“I pray that I’m not disturbing ye,” he posed, his words dripping with sarcasm. “I mean, if I am, please inform me and I’ll come back later; the next time the King summons ye.”
Thayer could feel the heat emanate from Elspeth’s cheeks even as she leaned away from him. He wasn’t the least bit abashed. He merely chuckled at Randulf’s twisted sneer.
“Oh, I see ye have finally decided to join us,” Thayer chafed as a wry grin twisted his lips.
“Aye, ‘twas nice of ye to wait for me, Sir Thayer,” Randulf grumbled. “I presume ye think my horse has wings?”
“I suppose a mile head start wasn’t sufficient?” Thayer said with a wink.
Thayer returned his regard to Elspeth. She seemed to be lost in her thoughts.
“Elspeth, are ye alright?”
Blinking her long, sooty lashes vigorously, she replied, “Of course I am. Why do ye ask?”
“Oh, ‘twas just that your lovely body is here, but your mind appears to be elsewhere.”
“Well, I’m here now,” Elspeth replied with a peck on his cheek. “Are ye ready to see the King? Are there any preparations ye wish to make? What will ye have me do?”
Thayer leaned close to her ear and whispered, “I advise ye are to be on your guard when ye utter those words to me, m’love. I just might take them at their value.”
Giggling, Elspeth reached around his immense frame and pinched him playfully on the small of his back. Thayer grabbed her hand before sweeping it to his mouth to feign a bite. Instead, he placed a warm kiss upon the soft flesh of her hand.
“Should I inform the King that ye have more pressing matters to attend to, or shall we go?” Randulf bid sarcastically. The level of annoyance in his voice was accentuated by the impatient tapping of his foot upon the ground.
“Somehow, I dinna think he will understand,” Thayer quipped, lacing his fingers in Elspeth’s. His eyes delving deeply into hers, he drew her slender fingers to his lips and kissed them gently.
Exasperated, Randulf puffed out his cheeks and pivoted on his heels. He was already several strides ahead before Thayer and Elspeth began to follow him.
“Do ye think is wise to act so impertinently to the King’s messenger, Thayer?” Elspeth posed sincerely. “Mayhap he will report your callousness.”
“Salient point indeed but do not fret, m’love. Just leave it all to me. Uncle John has a soft spot for me.”
“Uncle John?” Elspeth asked incredulously, nearly choking on her words. “What the devil are ye talking about?”
“Like I said, please dinna vex,” Thayer replied. “I assure ye, all will be clearer in a moment.”
Chapter Eleven
“Sire, I have delivered Sir Thayer, as ye have commanded,” Randulf bid with a bow after receiving permission to enter the King’s dimly lit royal chambers.
Elspeth and Thayer stood a few feet behind the messenger, awaiting their audience with the king. Craning her neck to peer in, Elspeth paused to permit her eyes to adjust to the subdued light afforded by the dozens of tallow candles which flickered about the room. King John, clad in a regal purple cloak with a collar stitched of the finest ermine, had his broad back to them. He was hunched over a small table of mahogany, apparently intent on something.
“Thank ye, Randulf, that will be all,” King John mumbled, dismissing the messenger with a swipe of his bejeweled hand. As he waved his monstrous fist, Elspeth noticed that it held a gilded ceremonial dirk. He appeared to be poring over something worthy of his intense interest.
“Sir Thayer, I have been informed that ye are soon to be wed, is this true?” King John murmured without turning around.
“Aye, and what of it? ’Tis surely none of your affair,” Thayer replied curtly, stunning Elspeth with his discourtesy.
Wordlessly, King John whirled round and charged toward them. His eyes ablaze and his nostrils flared, he raised his dirk high over his head. At such an intimate distance, Elspeth could see why the King’s foes feared him so intently. He was a tower of a man, better than six feet, with broad shoulders, beefy arms, and a barrel chest. His bearded face was handsome with a pleasantly shaped nose and a broad chin. But as he charged, the expression upon his face was fierce. He resembles the Roman god Zeus, she thought as he neared them. Frozen with fear, she willed her legs to move. Finally heeding her flight response, Elspeth darted behind Thayer just as the enraged King was upon them.
King John let the dirk slide from his grasp before hurling his arms around Thayer, engulfing him in his great girth.
“It is so very good to see ye again, nephew!” the King exclaimed as he kissed Thayer on both cheeks and held him in a crushing bear hug.
“Aye, ‘tis great to see ye as well, Uncle,” Thayer choked out with a smile.
The King, addled by his boundless mirth, returned to his throne and plopped down upon it.
“But...” Elspeth managed to slip from her lips before swooning and nearly fainting dead away.
Thayer rushed to her side, cupping her elbows to support her.
Using Thayer’s immense frame to prop herself up, Elspeth lifted her gaze to Thayer’s.
“Forgive me, m’love,” Thayer chuckled as he brushed the hair from her eyes. “Mayhap I should explain.”
“Aye, mayhap!” she retorted crisply.
“‘Tis merely a wee ruse Uncle John and I employ from time to time. My father and Uncle John were the closest of friends. I grew to love him as my second father. But ye should know that our little deception is only reserved for the people we are most fond of.”
Anger burning in her bosom, Elspeth shot Thayer a look which would wilt anyone of lesser fortitude.
Thayer simply smiled. Audience before the King or not, that was the last straw.
As Elspeth curtsied before King John, she slid her hand to Thayer’s rump and twisted his skin painfully between her fingers.
“Uncle John, please allow me the honor of introducing the love of my life and future wife, Lady Elspeth Mourney,” Thayer managed through gritted teeth.
King John quipped, “I can clearly see that your beautiful lass has some fire within her. Ye’ll have to watch yourself with this one, Nephew!”
“Aye, that fire has set my heart aflame, Uncle. And I am eternally grateful for her favor,” Thayer replied, casting a warm gaze to Elspeth.
Her ire soothed by his loving words, Elspeth rested her head against his arm.
“Uncle, I’m sure a family reunion is not the sole reason ye have summoned me so urgently,” Thayer surmised. “Please, tell me why ye have called me here.”
“Of course, Thayer. But fir
st, come closer.”
Approaching the throne, Elspeth was taken aback by the stony cold look upon the King’s face. The cheerful rosy hue had drained from his cheeks and his eyes had lost all mirth.
Rising from his throne, he pivoted on his heels and swept a begrimed piece of parchment from the small table he had been hunched over. Wearing a pained expression, he began to stalk restlessly about the room.
Elspeth, sensing she may have been the source of the King’s reluctance to continue the conversation, interjected, “Sire, if there is something of a personal nature ye wish to speak with Thayer, perhaps I should take my leave. I’ll be in the hall yon should ye require me further.”
Elspeth cast Thayer a winsome smile before squeezing his hand in reassurance. Returning her regard to King John, she curtsied gracefully before trudging away with a heavy heart. The sudden change in the King’s mien concerned her greatly. And though Thayer hadn’t spoken a word, she could sense his anguish. They would no longer suffer individually; anything that affected Thayer impacted her.
She hadn’t taken two full strides before King John bespoke softly, “Stay, my child. This concerns ye as well.”
Elspeth froze in her tracks. Her heart sinking, she veiled her eyes to brace for the King’s words.
“Dirleton Castle has been lost,” the King sorrowfully murmured with a downward glance. “‘Tis the reason I summoned both of ye here.”
Elspeth swooned as her entire world came crashing down upon her. She nearly regained her feet, but the wave of dread overwhelmed her. What had become of her beloved family? What of Thayer’s mother and the wedding guests? What was the fate of the many peoples of her family’s realm? She felt as if her heart had stopped beating. In stunned silence, she slumped to the floor. The room slid into a gathering gloom and silence enveloped her as the world around her seemed to move in slow motion. As if night had overtaken the room, everything faded to black.
* * * *