Masters of Medieval Romance: Series Starters Volume 1

by Kathryn Le Veque

  Back in the lines, men began to scramble. As Gaetan and Alary gazed at each other in a deadly staring game, back in the lines, Kristoph was being unchained.

  Half-unconscious with hunger and fatigue, he hadn’t heard what was going on at the front of the army. But he’d most definitely heard the arrows hit around them, so he knew something was happening. When the guards around him began to unchain him, he began to suspect something quite serious was afoot, but he had no idea what it was until he was brought forward through the lines of Saxon men.

  Exhausted, starved, beaten, and in need of both a bath and a shave, Kristoph made his way slowly. He couldn’t move very fast but he was trying. As he emerged from the army, dragged forward by two of Alary’s men, his gaze fell on Gaetan and it was all he could do to not burst into tears; he’d never seen anything so beautiful in his entire life than Gaetan de Wolfe, standing alone and facing off against an army of two hundred men. The man had the bravery of the archangels and Kristoph knew, at that moment, that he would be saved.

  There was no doubt in his mind.

  Gaetan, too, had never seen any sight quite so wonderful as he did when his gaze beheld Kristoph. But he wanted to burst into tears for an entirely different reason; the man looked like hell. He looked like a starved animal. Normally a muscular man of some bulk, he looked as if he’d lost half of his weight. At that moment, Gaetan’s joy and shock turned into anger so deep that he was having a difficult time controlling it.

  He wanted to kill.

  “Kristoph,” he said hoarsely. “Come here.”

  Kristoph moved to obey but Alary grabbed him by the arm. “Not so fast,” he said. “Your man is a valuable prisoner. We must discuss his release.”

  Gaetan realized he was shaking with fury. “There will be no discussion. Turn him over to me or every man in your army will die, starting with you. Is this in any way unclear?”

  Alary didn’t like being threatened. Unsheathing a dagger at his side, the same one he’d used to cut off the portion of Kristoph’s finger, he pointed the tip right at Kristoph’s left kidney.

  “What gives you the right to come to my country and make such demands?” he hissed. “You do not belong here, Norman. You and your kind have come here to take what does not belong to you and as long as I hold your man hostage, the Normans will do as I say!”

  Gaetan could see, in that statement, that Alary was detached from the world at large. Only a fool would make such a statement. What was it Antillius had called him? Alary Insanus. Alary the Insane. Gaetan began to realize that there may be truth to that and his only hope would be to behave as Alary was.

  Threats to a man who only understood the language of a madman.

  “Holding one Norman knight against the entire Norman nation will not cause them to surrender,” Gaetan said. “Give me my man and I will leave you and your army intact. Continue to threaten him as you do and my army will emerge from the trees and kill every last one of you. Now, take your dagger away from him. Kristoph, come here.”

  Alary didn’t move and Kristoph, feeling the knifepoint at his kidney, knew this was the moment of truth. He could move, but he knew Alary would probably shove that dagger deep into his body if he did. He might survive it; he might not. But he was willing to take the chance. All he knew was that this was the moment when he fought back against his captor where he had been unable to fight back before. He was free and he was going to remain free.

  But Gaetan had to know that and he had to be prepared. Therefore, he said the only thing he could at that moment, his blue eyes fixed on Gaetan.

  “Et pro Gloria dei,” he said quietly.

  For God and Glory.

  Gaetan knew exactly what that meant. Those were words that preceded a fight, and a fight was upon them. There would be no more talk, no more negotiation. Knowing this may be their end, if they went, they would go out fighting like the knights they were. This was their battle.

  Swallowing hard and bracing himself for what was to come, he nodded his head, once.

  “Et pro Gloria dei,” he murmured.

  He braced himself.

  What happened after that was something Gaetan would remember for the rest of his life. It seemed as if it happened in slow motion, but it happened in the blink of an eye. Gaetan saw it and then it was gone, like a flash, and all hell broke loose as an army of men he didn’t recognize came rushing out of the trees, swarming the Saxon army, and pulling men down with their bows and arrows and spears.

  It was chaos. But it was chaos that saved them all.

  The last thing he remembered seeing before unleashing his own crossbow was an arrow flying right at Alary’s head, piercing his forehead and going all the way through to the other side. As Alary fell to the road, dead, Kristoph yanked the sword from the sheath at Alary’s side and joined whatever fight this happened to be. Now, the captive had turned on the captors.

  And they were going to pay.

  Somewhere in the middle of it of the mass of swarming, fighting men, Gaetan caught sight of the iron staff from the monument of the Tertium held high above the fighting, flying once again in the face of battle as it did for its legion those centuries ago. Now, Gaetan finally realize who these men were.

  The Romans, in all their glory, had arrived.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  ‡

  When you love someone

  “Gaetan!”

  Gaetan heard his name screamed above the rumble of battle and he turned to see Ghislaine astride a hairy pony as she pushed through the fighting, using the bow in her hand to club men over the head with it.

  In a panic, Gaetan pushed his way towards her, shoving and slashing at men, finally reaching her and pulling her off the pony. As the pony scattered, he carried Ghislaine out of the fighting, running with her into the trees, his only thought to take her to safety. He didn’t even know how long he’d run, only that it seemed like forever. He was blinded with his panic to get her to safety. But Ghislaine put a hand on his face, easing him, soothing him, and bringing him back to reality.

  “You can stop, Gaetan,” she told him. “We are clear of the battle; all is well, I swear it. You can stop!”

  He heard her words but he was still filled with terror for her safety. Slowly, he was able to come to a stop but he ended up stumbling to his knees, nearly dumping Ghislaine to the ground.

  But she held on tight, arms around his neck. When they were on the moldering leaves of the forest, she finally let go, her hands going to his face.

  “Are you well?” she asked urgently, eyes full of unshed tears. “Tell me you are uninjured.”

  Gaetan had his arms around her now, kissing her furiously as he tried to speak. “I am well,” he said. “But what are you doing here? What has happened?”

  Ghislaine was trying to speak but his mouth on hers made it difficult. “I had to come,” she gasped. “Jathan told me that you had left and I had to come. Gaetan, I could not let you face this alone.”

  She finally put her hand over his mouth because he was kissing her hard enough to make her swoon. “But those men,” he said, kissing her hand instead. He couldn’t seem to stop kissing her. “You asked Antillius for assistance? Are those his men?”

  It was so much more complex than that and Ghislaine was sick with grief at the question. How could she tell Gaetan that the price of his help was the end of their dreams? Of course, the man had to know. If she didn’t tell him, then Antillius would. But she didn’t want to tell him so soon. She, at least, wanted some time with him before the sorrow began.

  Throwing her arms around his neck, she simply wanted to hold him against her, to remember this moment for the years to come when she was wrought with loneliness and sorrow. Squeezing her eyes shut, she fought off the tears that were threatening to rip her apart.

  “We left the village a few hours after you did,” she said, her throat tight with emotion. “Antillius brought all the men he could to help you. I knew this area and I suspected that you would meet Al
ary on this stretch of road, somewhere between Tenebris and Kidderminster, so we came up through the forest and we saw your men in the trees, watching the road. Téo and Aramis saw us and they waited with us and told us when to attack.”

  Now, it was all becoming clear. It was such a glorious bit of good news that Gaetan was having trouble grasping it all. He held her close.

  “Your timing was perfect,” Gaetan said, relief in his voice. “It could not have come at a more perfect moment. But you? You came and I did not want you to. I left orders that you should not.”

  “I know.”

  “I told Jathan to tie you to the bed if he had to.”

  Ghislaine was still holding him, unable to look him in the eye. “He tried,” she said, somewhat remorseful. “I had to disable him.”

  Gaetan frowned before pulling out of her embrace, looking at her as if he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear her explanation. “What do you mean ‘disable’ him?” he asked. “What did you do, little mouse?”

  “I kicked him.”

  “Where?”

  “It is a good thing he is a priest and will never want children.”

  Gaetan’s eyebrows flew up in shock. “There?”

  “Aye.”

  “Where did you leave the body?”

  Ghislaine tried not to look too contrite. “He could not ride, so he is back at the Tertium village. He says you can come back for him and Camulos when the battle is over.”

  Gaetan knew he should scold her. But then, he started to laugh in spite of himself, his big white teeth gleaming in the weak light. “I should spank you at the very least,” he said. “But I cannot muster the will. You are very determined and I adore you all the more for it.”

  She was glad he wasn’t angry with her. But in looking at the man, into that handsome face that she’d come to know so well, the tears began to return.

  “And I love you, Norman,” she whispered. “I love you with all that I am. Everything I have done, I have done it because I love you. You must always remember that.”

  His smile turned warm, adoring. A big hand cupped her face. “I am the most fortunate man in all the world to have your love,” he murmured. “As you have mine.”

  “Gate!”

  Téo broke the tender moment, coming up behind him through the trees with Kristoph in tow. Gaetan forgot all about Ghislaine for the moment and rushed to Kristoph, throwing his arms around the man in a moment he’d been praying for since he realized Kristoph had been abducted. His brother, his friend, was finally safe, and his relief knew no limits.

  “Kris,” he muttered, hugging the man tightly before releasing him. “You cannot know how I have longed for this moment.”

  Kristoph was wearily smiling at him. “I knew you would come for me,” he said. “I never had any doubt.”

  Gaetan put an affectionate hand on his cheek. “I am glad you did not doubt us, for it was a harrowing journey to find you.” He sobered. “How is your hand?”

  He meant the partially cut finger. Kristoph held up his hand to show him. “It has almost healed. I do not miss it, anyway.”

  “But you are well otherwise?”

  “Other than the fact I could eat an entire cow by myself, I am well. But how did you happen to find me? Alary was convinced you had stopped following us, but I knew better. I knew you were around, somewhere. But how did you know?”

  Gaetan pointed to Ghislaine. “It is all because of her,” he said. “You do remember her, do you not?”

  Kristoph looked at Ghislaine and his eyes widened. “Of course I do,” he said, taking a few halting steps in Ghislaine’s direction. “My lady protector. It was you who helped my comrades find me?”

  Ghislaine stood up, slowly because of her aching thigh. “It was because of me that Alary took you,” she said. “At first, I went to the Normans for help with vengeance in my heart. I wanted them to kill my brother for taking you away from me. But in the end, it was my own arrow that ended my brother’s miserable life and I am not sorry for that. For everything he has done and all of the people he has wronged, I suppose it was the least I could do.”

  Her statement wasn’t missed by Gaetan. “It was you who put the arrow through his skull?”

  Ghislaine nodded solemnly. “Aye,” she replied. “He cannot hurt anyone again. If it had to be done… it is right that I should do it. He has given our family a terrible name. We have much to atone for.”

  Gaetan went to her, pulling her into his arms, and Kristoph watched with some astonishment. “What’s this?” he hissed. “Why do you hold that woman like that?”

  Gaetan started to laugh. “Because I am going to marry her.” He watched the amazement on Kristoph’s face. “Do not look so surprised; you should be happy for me. Ghislaine is the only woman worthy of me, Kris, and I am not ashamed to admit that I adore her. It was a good thing her brother abducted you ’else I would have never known her.”

  He meant the last part a jest, but not entirely because it was true. Kristoph looked at Téo, who simply nodded with a grin, as if the joke was on Kristoph. As Kristoph struggled to absorb what he’d been told, because he had many more questions than answers, more of Gaetan’s men wandered into the trees.

  Aramis, de Reyne, de Moray, and de Lara all went straight to Kristoph, hugging the man just as Gaetan had, thrilled that he was alive and well. It was a tender, touching scene as men reaffirmed their bonds of friendship, of brotherhood. Joy was in the air on this dusky evening as the Anges de Guerre were made whole once again. A day that could have ended very badly had the best possible outcome.

  There was much to be thankful for.

  “The battle is over for the most part, Gate,” Aramis said. “Alary’s men have scattered.”

  Gaetan took Ghislaine by the hand. “Come along,” he said. “Let us go and see to it.”

  Ghislaine allowed him to lead her back through the trees, with his men in tow, until they all ended up back on the road where it was now a bloody mess with scattered bodies everywhere. Off towards the west, the Tertium were still chasing some of Alary’s men but, for the most part, the majority of them were milling around the dead and dying Saxons, stealing weapons and anything of value from their bodies. Gaetan surveyed the brutal scene.

  “Give the Tertium anything they want from Alary’s wagons,” he told his men. “They can even have the horses if they wish. I will not lay claim to anything. This was their battle, not mine. It is the least I can do.”

  As his men nodded, de Winter, St. Hèver, and Wellesbourne emerged from the mess, also heading to Kristoph to do exactly what the others had done. There was much hugging and rejoicing going on as their lost brother was reclaimed.

  Holding tightly to Gaetan’s hand, Ghislaine watched it all. As she’d seen from the beginning with the Anges de Guerre, there was the strength of bond between them that was more powerful than anything she had ever seen. Now they were a complete brotherhood again and the joy in the air was indescribable. It almost made all of the pain and hardship they’d suffered worth the end. Certainly, one could not experience such great joy without suffering such great pain.

  But that pain was only going to get worse.

  Antillius appeared with a group of his men, heading straight for Gaetan. Ghislaine stood back as Gaetan went to Antillius to extend his hand in thanks. Antillius took the man’s hand and shook it.

  “Words cannot express my gratitude,” Gaetan said sincerely. “That you would ride to our aid… without you, it is possible that this battle would have had an entirely different outcome. Allow me to present Kristoph de Lohr, the man you risked your life for.”

  He introduced his knight, who nodded his head at Antillius. “I am in your debt, my lord,” Kristoph said.

  Antillius looked at the knight they had rescued, dirty and scruffy and beaten. “There is no debt to speak of,” he said. “We have been well compensated for our efforts. Fortunately, we did not lose a man. I have a few injured, but nothing that will not heal.”

  Gae
tan wasn’t sure what he meant. “Compensated?” he asked, confused. “I do not understand.”

  Antillius’ gaze moved to Ghislaine. “You have not told him?”

  Ghislaine was back to feeling sick and miserable. When everyone looked at her, expecting an answer, she swallowed hard. She’d hoped to tell Gaetan without an audience but it seemed that was not to be.

  “I… I have not,” she said quietly. “There has not been time.”

  Gaetan didn’t sense anything amiss, at least not right away. He looked at Ghislaine. “What did you pay him with? I was not aware you had any money.”

  Ghislaine took a deep breath, fighting to keep from breaking down. At this point, she didn’t care that others were listening. All she cared about was Gaetan and how he was going to react to everything.

  “I do not have money,” she said. “I… I made a bargain with Antillius.”

  “What bargain did you make?”

  Ghislaine was struggling. She tried to open her mouth but nothing seemed to come forth. Gaetan was waiting; everyone was waiting. Her heart was pounding and her knees were weak. As she opened her mouth and tried again, Antillius spoke.

  “The lady was terribly grieved at the thought of your demise, as you and your men faced her brother,” he said steadily. “In discussing the issue with me, she was determined to go alone and help you but I knew her help would be useless. In fact, it might even be a hindrance. I therefore offered my men in place of the army you were forced to leave behind at Westerham, but at a price.”

  Gaetan was listening closely but he was starting to get the feeling that there was something wrong in all of this. He was holding on to Ghislaine’s hand and he could feel her trembling.

  “What price?” he asked.

  Antillius looked him in the eye. “She wanted something from me and I wanted something from her,” he said. “She was willing to pay the price, although I understand that it was only to save you and your men. It was not because her heart was in this decision. She made it because she had to.”

  Gaetan was increasingly concerned. “Be plain, Antillius. What bargain was made?”