Traitor Blade: (Books 1-3)

by Richard Crawford

  Henri was on his feet again at once. He charged at Jasper like a lunatic. Sidestepping his mad rush, Jasper sent him sprawling again. When Henri jumped up and came at him with his fists, Jasper knocked him down with one well-placed blow. Louis turned to the groom and opened his mouth to give him instructions; before he could speak, something strange happened. One of the watching horsemen broke from the group on the road and spurred his horse toward the high fence around the tiltyard arena.

  Louis forgot what he had been going to say as he recognized the rider. He turned to the Chamfort groom and saw that he too recognized him. "Get Sieur Michel, quickly," he said. The man set off at a run.

  Louis turned back. He knew what was going to happen, and watched with a mixture of awe and fear as the black horse bunched its hocks and cleared the fence easily. Knights scattered, shouting curses. The black crossed the tiltyard in strides and cleared the fence into the next arena. The horse came to a plunging halt. Edouard leaped from the saddle before the horse was still. He did not draw his sword, showing at least a measure of good sense. Instead, he stepped forward and with one swift blow, knocked Jasper de Etrives down.

  For a moment all movement stopped. Henri scrambled to his feet and stood frozen. Jasper de Etrives climbed to his feet, exclaiming furiously. Edouard punched him in the mouth, knocking him down again. Louis was already running towards the practice arena.

  He could see one of Jasper's friends was helping him up. The others were looking at Edouard. Henri was staring at him too, open mouthed, as if he didn't know what to do about this development. One of the other knights had caught the black horse and led it out of the arena. The rest of Jasper's friends were scowling and moving towards Edouard. Louis could hear their voices raised in complaint, but he was too far away to catch the words. He hoped that, for once, his twin would do the right thing, soon. But, whatever Henri did, it was probably too late anyway.

  The scene was attracting a lot of attention. In the tiltyard, the knights had stilled their horses, and in the other arenas men were breaking off from their practice to watch. Jasper de Etrives was wiping blood from a split lip. His friends had moved to stand in front of him. Edouard was taking his sword off, but otherwise ignoring them. He handed his sword to Henri and then moved to face Jasper and his friend. Edouard's stance made his intentions clear. It was beyond insane. Without taking the trouble to find out why, Edouard was going to start a full-scale brawl in defense of his brother. For a moment, Louis understood how Charles felt, but another part of him felt a tingling thrill of pride and excitement. That was Edouard, brave, wonderful and stupid. Louis grinned as he ran.

  Reaching the arena, he slithered down the steep bank and scrambled through the rails. He went straight to Edouard's side, making his intentions clear. His brother turned to smile at him. Louis saw that he had a black eye, and his face was marked by fading bruises. Before he had time to speak, Henri had laid Edouard's sword aside and hurried to stand on his other side.

  The three of them stood shoulder to shoulder facing Jasper's friends, who had come to a halt a few paces away and spread into a half circle. There were six of them. Beyond them, Jasper de Etrives was upright now. He looked furious. Louis swallowed and tried to look fierce. A moment later Edouard turned to smile at him, he touched Louis's shoulder and then stepped forward, leaving them behind him.

  "This is between you and me, Jasper," said Edouard. "Unless you truly cannot stand a fair fight."

  One of Jasper's friends cursed and started forward, but before he could do anything, Jasper caught his arm. "Very well, I understand what you saw and how it must seem. But I warn you, de Chamfort, you've had the only free shots you'll get." He waved his friends back and moved to face Edouard. "You may want to send the boys away," he said, smiling with a sort of grim humor.

  "Why?" said Edouard softly, "They won't mind seeing more of your blood." He turned to glance at Louis and Henri. "Stand outside the rails. This won't take long."

  Some part of Louis knew this was all wrong, but when Edouard spoke in that tone nothing was going to stop him. Caught up in the excitement, Louis moved to obey. Henri hesitated. He glanced at Jasper and then went to stand in front of Edouard. "I don't want you to fight him," he said in a small voice. Louis could hardly believe his ears.

  "What?" Edouard looked just as surprised. "After what he did. Knocking you about like that."

  "It was my fault." Henri glanced at Jasper, then stared at the ground as the silence lengthened.

  "He's five years older, taller and stronger. He should know better than to take advantage of that. How could it be your fault?" Edouard asked, looking at Henri as if he was mad.

  "I goaded him into it. I thought I could take him."

  "He must've done something to make you want to?" Edouard said impatiently.

  "No he didn't." Henri caught Edouard by the arm. "Just leave it, please."

  "Why?"

  "Truly it was my fault."

  Louis cleared his throat, "It really was. I heard father talking to Sieur Michel, something about Elle having to marry Simon." He spoke quietly, so only Edouard would hear. "I told Henri, and he's been spoiling for a fight since we arrived. So it's my fault too really."

  Edouard glanced from him to Henri and back. "You might have said something sooner, sprout."

  "You didn't really give us a chance," Louis said. "I'm sorry. Could you just apologize to Jasper?"

  They all turned back in time to see Jasper de Etrives taking off his leather breastplate. He handed it off to one of his friends and stepped forward. "Are you ready?" His lip still oozed blood and, he looked grim.

  "Damn," said Edouard and closed his eyes for a moment. "Somehow, I don't think it's going to be quite that easy."

  "I started it," said Henri. "I'll apologize." Before Edouard could reply, he stepped forward to face Jasper. "I'm sorry, my lord. It was my fault, I behaved like an idiot, and you had every right to knock me down. I have abused your father's hospitality. Please accept my apology."

  Jasper frowned as he tried to follow this incoherent apology. He looked from Henri to Edouard and back. He shook his head. But before he could answer, a voice cut sharply across him.

  "Edouard." The new voice made Louis jump. He turned to see Sieur Michel standing at the arena's edge. He was holding Edouard's sword, and he looked furious. "What is happening here?"

  "A misunderstanding," said Edouard quickly.

  Michel came forward. "Why is Henri apologizing, from what I saw he is not the one at fault?"

  For a moment, Louis was confused, then he saw the way Sieur Michel was looking at Edouard and realized how it must seem. Michel had seen Edouard knock Jasper down, twice. Louis gestured urgently to Henri. His twin stepped forward to explain, but Edouard, his gaze on Sieur Michel, put a hand on his shoulder, silencing him.

  "Of course," Edouard said and turned to Jasper. "I apologize for knocking you down." He made a slight bow. "I will understand if you require something more than an apology."

  Jasper looked uncomfortable. "No, an apology is enough." He hesitated, glancing to Sieur Michel and then continued, "I'm partly to blame. I should have dealt with things better."

  It was generously done, without apportioning further blame, but Sieur Michel shook his head impatiently. "It is gracious of you to say so, Jasper, but it is plain enough where the fault lies." He glanced towards Edouard, and then back to Jasper. "Please accept our apologies."

  Jasper made a slight bow clearly anxious to be out of it. "We will return to practice then."

  Sieur Michel led the way from the arena. He did not speak. Edouard followed. Louis glanced to Henri and saw his confusion mirrored.

  "What's going on?" Henri asked as they started after them. "Why is Sieur Michel so angry with Edouard?"

  Louis shrugged, he knew Henri was feeling guilty and with good reason, but he shared his twin's unease. There was something strange here. They had fallen behind a bit. Ahead of them, Sieur Michel came to a halt on the grass below th
e castle walls. They hurried to catch up as Sieur Michel addressed Edouard.

  "What is wrong with you? You arrive here and within moments start a brawl with Jasper de Etrives." He was still holding Edouard's sword. "Have you completely lost your mind?"

  Louis stared at him, but there was no trace of humor in his words. Sieur Michel was truly furious, and it did not make sense. There was no great harm done. Jasper seemed willing to forget it. What had happened was unfortunate but, for Edouard, it was far from out of character. It would have been strange if he had seen his younger brother knocked down and done nothing. Sieur Michel knew Edouard better than anyone and was famously tolerant of even his most reckless endeavors. But there was no sign of that tolerance as he thrust Edouard's sword at him. "I'm sure you are eager to join the Marechal."

  Louis opened his mouth to protest and felt Henri do the same. They had not seen their brother for weeks, and Sieur Michel was sending him away the moment he arrived. But when he saw the look on Sieur Michel's face he choked on his protest. Surprisingly, Henri too was silent.

  For a moment Edouard stood, head down, seemingly preoccupied with strapping his sword on. When he had completed this to his satisfaction, he looked at Sieur Michel and nodded. The hint of a grin touched his lips as he said, "My first duty is to the Marechal." The arrogant drawl was almost a challenge.

  "Of course," said Sieur Michel, matching that arrogance with chilly disdain. "Don't let us keep you."

  Edouard could not hold his stare; abruptly he turned to Henri. "Try to keep out of trouble, will you?" Henri nodded, and Edouard laid a hand on Louis's shoulder. His voice had changed somehow. "Sprout, if you need anything you know where to find me?"

  Louis nodded. He wanted to ask when they would see Edouard again, but he kept silent. He could not remember Sieur Michel looking so angry. It was almost a relief when Edouard turned and walked away. They stood in silence and watched him mount the black horse and ride off towards the army camp. As Sieur Michel started back along the track Henri said, "What's Edouard done?"

  "Nothing to concern you." Sieur Michel said in a tone that closed the subject. He led the way back to the castle without speaking again, and even Henri did not have the nerve to question him further.

  Chapter 57

  You could hear the armorers' workshops halfway across the camp. Edouard winced as his headache began to pound in time with the ringing hammers. Two days at Etrives, neither of them very pleasant and today promised little better. St Andre was keeping him busy, which meant he had no chance to see his brothers. Perhaps that was as well, after recent events, no one would doubt there was some sort of rift between him and his family. The Chamfort knights were staying away from him, even Angelo who he had not seen since that morning at court.

  It was what he had planned, what he wanted, but it felt awful. He hated not being able to see his brothers, and he had never been on bad terms with Michel in his life. To see that look on Michel's face and to know that he had heard the rumors and that perhaps he believed them. It was doubly hard to have disappointed the one person who had always been on his side. The one person who had always believed in him.

  He reached the tented village where the artisans worked and, finding the right shop, stepped into the gloom beneath the awnings. The armorer came forward at once and took the damaged helm, turning it between rugged hands.

  "That's quite a dint, my lord?"

  Edouard shrugged, the damage was obvious enough, and with this headache, he did not need reminding how it had occurred. It was impossible to speak without shouting. He didn't try, just waited hopefully. The armorer, a small, wiry man with shrewd eyes, returned his attention to the battered helm.

  "I'll soon have it fixed, my lord. That will be no problem."

  Edouard thanked him and turned to leave, glad to escape the racket. As he stepped from beneath the awning sheltering the workshop, someone caught his arm. He turned.

  "Sieur Rainier." He did not attempt to conceal his surprise.

  "May I speak with you?" the knight asked. They were still close to the armorers and he had to shout.

  Edouard hesitated then nodded. He followed Sieur Rainier between the workshops and out towards the empty meadows beyond, wondering what he wanted. He had not expected an approach from a Chamfort knight. Word of what had happened with his father in Fourges had of course traveled. Even without the scene with Michel, he had expected a cool welcome from his father's men. He did not know if Michel had said anything, but up to now, no Chamfort knight had come near him.

  The noise of the armorer's hammers faded to a distant ringing. It was possible to converse without shouting. Rainier halted and turned. A tall man, roughly five years Edouard's senior and well known to him. He had been a senior squire at Chamfort when Edouard had started his training. Now he was a quiet capable man, unassuming, from his neat brown hair to his plain dress and manner. He came to a halt, planting his feet, setting himself. He looked uncomfortable.

  Away from the noise, Edouard's headache had not lessened. "Yes, Rainier?" He said tersely.

  "It's about Angelo, my lord."

  Edouard felt a sudden apprehension. He had been at Etrives for two days and had not seen Angelo. It had suited him well enough. He knew Angelo was angry about what had happened in Fourges, and he had no explanation or excuse for it. Now he kept his face blank as he said, "Is there a problem?"

  Rainier shifted position, running a hand over his chin and then pressing his hands together. "Yes, my lord, there is. You know what he's like..." He hesitated. "Perhaps you also know there is ill feeling between Angelo and Sieur Gaspard de Nortial?"

  It was not what he had expected. Edouard nodded vague agreement as his apprehension increased. The knight was silent for a moment. He seemed to be hoping for something more. Then he said, "There is talk of a challenge."

  "By whom?"

  "Angelo plans to issue a challenge to Sieur Gaspard."

  "On what grounds?" He was amazed he could sound so detached.

  "There have been confrontations and insults." Rainier hesitated again. "The insults were not only directed at Angelo."

  His meaning was clear enough and this was dangerous ground. "So?" Edouard said, careful to give no sign that he was concerned.

  "We thought you might be able to speak to him."

  "To whom?"

  "I don't know, my lord. Whichever you feel would be more effective." Rainier shifted, obviously uncomfortable. " Angelo is the one proposing to make the challenge, my lord."

  Rainier was becoming more formal with every word. Edouard wished he would speak normally, though he understood why he was uncomfortable. It was a mess, a dangerous mess. And he must accept responsibility for the trouble between Angelo and de Nortial. Rainier was watching him, waiting. Edouard took a breath, hiding his concern behind a show of impatience. "Do you think it is likely Sieur Angelo would be willing to take advice from me?"

  "Not very," Rainier said, matching his tone and losing some of the formality. "But, from what I've heard of him, it's perhaps more likely than anyone exerting control over Gaspard de Nortial?" Rainer's tone changed again. "It's also unlikely he will stop pushing, you know what he's like, my lord."

  He had hit on the truth. Edouard knew he could not influence de Nortial. To even attempt it would only make things that much worse. Which left Angelo, his friend, who had made it clear enough how he felt. He tried to think it through. If he was to make Angelo see reason, it could not be done in public. He could not predict the outcome. The risk was too great.

  But he had to do something. He thought about what had happened at court, and how poorly he had handled it. He never handled Angelo well, perhaps he should stay out of this, but how could he? Better than anyone, he knew Angelo's ability, but he also knew de Nortial. The giant knight's astounding ability was matched only by his perverse cruelty. It was a mess, yet another he had caused. He wondered what Charles would do. The thought surprised him.

  "My lord?"

  Edouard
focused on Rainier's face. He took a moment and then spoke, imitating his eldest brother at his most annoying. "You were right to come to me. It is, of course, my duty to prevent unsavory brawling or dueling between knights of the King's army. However, if you want my help with Sieur Angelo, then you must make the necessary arrangements. You will need to convince him to meet me in private, away from the castle and camp. I will give you instructions on how it must be done."

  "Yes, my lord," Rainier said and, after a moment, "Thank you."

  ####

  The next morning, Edouard rode out alone. Leaving the pavilions and neat lines of the camp, he turned north, cantering across buttercup gilded meadows to the ford. He crossed the river. On the far bank, he reined to a halt. The black stood quietly, swishing its tail at the flies. Absently Edouard reached to pat the horse's neck.

  He was earlier than he had intended. It would not take long to ride out to the hills and woods that lay north of Etrives. If all went well, Rainier and another senior Chamfort knight would bring Angelo to meet him there at midmorning. He turned the horse towards the distant hills and pressed it to a canter. It was a pleasant ride; the meadows were thick with lush spring grass and dotted with flowers. A few light clouds raced before the breeze, vivid against the azure sky. Overhead a heron flapped by, its huge wings casting a sudden shadow. Soon the hills drew close, crested by dappled green woods. He slowed to a trot, and breasting the first incline, reined the black to a halt at the edge of the trees. He dismounted, leaving the horse to graze. He turned to watch.

  It was not long before he saw a small group leave the camp and take the route he had followed. He watched them approach. As they drew closer, ridiculously nervous, he mounted and sat waiting. At the foot of the slope, the Chamfort knights had drawn to a ragged halt. He saw Rainer at Angelo's side, speaking earnestly. A couple of the senior knights were with him. He could not see Angelo's face. But a few moments later he had left the group, spurring his stallion to a gallop without regard for the rough ground. That told Edouard enough about his mood.