By Right of Arms (21 page)

“There is no word as yet. He ordered me to secure De la Noye and look to your needs. Since you need nothing, we will depart.”

“Not a meal? Won’t you stay and share the spoils?”

“Spoils. Indeed.”

Hollis frowned blackly. “Do you insult me? You are captive within my walls, Hyatt. Do you think it wise to be impolite?”

“I left a good army at De la Noye. They have my letters ready for the prince in Bordeaux. I will not dally with you, Hollis. If you kill me now, it will be murder, and Prince Edward will be told of it. He has two thousand. I will not waste my good men on you, even after death.” He raised a brow. “I swear the king told me you gave your word to fight only England’s battles until this demesne is settled for the prince.”

Hollis glowered at Hyatt. “It is nearly settled.” He cracked his whip once. “We will meet again. Soon.”

Hyatt bowed. “I never doubted it.” He turned and walked out of the hall. His men separated to let him pass and in the courtyard they mounted their steeds.

When they had cleared the bridge and were well on the road away, a young knight urged his horse beside Hyatt’s. “I heard, Sir Hyatt, that Hollis means to attack you.”

“Aye. Give the word to the men in the rear. Hollis will send out a troop immediately. We will go south until out of sight of the Innesse wall and then circle northeast. And there will be no fire for several nights. Until we are within sight of De la Noye, we will be the friends of the wolves in the forest.”

“Is there no way to form a pact with Hollis? A peace pact?”

Hyatt laughed. “Did you not hear? There was a pact, issued by the king. We are ordered not to attempt to settle our dispute until these lands are secured for England.”

“Sir Hyatt, why does he hate you?”

“Surely you’ve heard. I know my men are careful not to gossip within my hearing, but they talk.”

“A contest of arms, I was told. Hollis lost.”

“There was a tournament after the fall of Calais. It was witnessed by the king and his family in Ghent. Hollis was losing in the joust and when I turned to accept the token from the king, he attacked my back. Hollis not only lost all his gear and was ransomed for a goodly sum, but was disgraced. King Edward revoked his earlier promise to award the knight with admittance to the Order of the Garter. Hollis has sworn to kill me ever since.”

The knight whistled. “Since that … how has he managed to secure the arms he has?”

“He has managed to get money from rich nobles, and I imagine he steals, kidnaps, and ransoms hostages. When a man is as determined as Hollis, there is nothing to stop him.” He turned his head and smiled at the young knight. “Except, perhaps, me.”

There was confusion in the young man’s eyes. “But why don’t you meet his troop, then? Even if they triple us in number, not one would live out the day.”

“Because, lad, Hollis would have the advantage. His men are roiled up to kill and they would attack us by surprise. ’Tis Hollis’s way and perhaps the way he has taught his men. Why allow any advantage to the wily fox?”

“You are certain he would come from the rear?”

“Aye. Under cover of dark, I suppose. Or from a forest or overgrowth. What did you notice about Innesse?

“It was destroyed. Completely destroyed. Hollis must have kept battering the place and the people long after the battle was won.”

“Yea, and the charred wreckage was
within
the outer wall. There was not so much as the bruise of a battering ram on the gate.”

There was a long silence as the wide-eyed youth absorbed this. Then, breathlessly, “They let him in.”

“Or … he crept in somehow. Got their surrender, or crept past a night guard, or tricked them.” Hyatt smiled. “You see, there is something else you must know about Hollis. Whatever values the leader boasts will often become the principle of the whole troop. Hollis is fierce, strong, ruthless, has no conscience, and is well oiled with the money to buy men and arms. But the most dangerous of his traits is this—he is a coward. And cowards use sneaky ways to fight, then lie about their methods.” Hyatt paused and looked closely at the young man beside him. They had only ridden together since Hyatt selected his troop in England, less than a year ago, but the young man was good. And he was learning. The serious look in his eyes made Hyatt feel a little more secure. “Go alert the men at the rear of our party what to look for. Some of these men know Hollis, some do not. It is up to you to pass the word.”

“Aye, Sir Hyatt,” the youth said, whirling about on his steed to fall back in the ranks.

There was no sounding from the donjon when a lone messenger arrived in late June, a fortnight behind Percival’s group. Aurélie happened to be in the town and heard the large, squeaking levers of the wheels turning to lower the bridge and open the gates. She stood back to see who came, since it was not time for the farmers to return, or their spouses to take them food in the fields. A lone rider, a sunburned lad in a well-worn livery, came across the bridge and into the bailey, giving a wave to those acquaintances among Hyatt’s forces whom he knew. His teeth gleamed white against his rosy skin and he had already removed his helm as he entered. She recognized him at once to be one of those who had accompanied Hyatt on his campaign.

He dismounted when he saw her and left his destrier to a fleet-footed page, who took the beast into the stable. He approached her and bowed. “My lady, I was sent ahead to bring word of your lord husband’s return. In two days, perhaps three, he will arrive with the others.”

“Does he send some special instructions for me, in preparation for his return?”

“Nay, only that you be informed. And he did say that he hopes to find you well.”

A half-smile appeared on her lips. “The courtesy was unexpected,” she said, trying to explain away the sudden flush that came to her cheeks. “I shall see that extra game is set to roast for a hungry troop.”

“He would be appreciative, my lady. The work has been hard on this ride.”

“Oh? Were there many French to quell?” she asked hesitantly.

“None at all. The countryside is quiet. But did you not know he rode to see what Sir Hollis had done?”

“Who is Sir Hollis? I heard nothing of Hyatt’s plans.”

“Hollis Marsden is his enemy, my lady. They were both called to arms for Edward in this campaign, but when left to their own ends, the challenges between them are many. Sir Hollis is a friend to Sir Hyatt’s brother, Sir Ryland.”

Her eyes rounded with question. “Brother? Ryland?”

The sunburned face brightened more as he blushed. The young man shuffled his feet slightly. “I would be in your debt if you made no mention that I …” He straightened. “ ’Tis only gossip among the men, my lady. And I have only lately learned of this rivalry between Sir Hollis and Sir Hyatt. Sir Hyatt does not speak of family, but insists he has none.”

“I see. Do you know the reason for this?”

“It would be considered a breach of conduct for me to speak of rumors I heard, lady. Please forgive me.”

“But was he in grave danger?”

The lad sighed. “We did not rest easy in Hollis’s keep, and we spent many days evading Hollis’s troop. But I understand now that Sir Hyatt was correct; we are safer to see what Hollis does than to sit idle here and suffer some bad surprise. Hollis would not be above attacking one of his own and reporting to the king that it was a French battle in which so many English were killed.”

Aurélie shivered slightly, hearing something that had never occurred to her. “And Hollis’s keep? Surely it is one that was French …”

“The Château Innesse south of Limoges. Do you know the place?”

“I have visited the castle twice in my lifetime; a more beautiful place does not exist.” She noticed a sudden sadness in the young man’s eyes. “Was the quest of your English knight hard on the people?” she asked with almost fearful reluctance.

“Sir Hollis is not a tender heart, my lady.” He swallowed. “Leave it to say that it is better we know how he fights, and you may thank whatever divinity you worship that ’twas Hyatt, and not the other, who took De la Noye.”

“It has been said that Hyatt was intent on De la Noye before leaving England.”

“Aye, this place and others like it were once firmly held by the Duchy of Aquitaine; the plans were made well in advance. In kind, Hollis was aware of Château Innesse.”

“Then why did Hyatt not push his forces to Innesse?”

The knight smiled. “Hollis’s troop triples ours in size, and Hyatt kept secret his intentions toward De la Noye. In fact—” he grinned “—Hyatt did not tell any of us where we were bound until we were nearly here. If you’ll forgive me, my lady, it has been said that your suffering was a good deal more than planned. Sir Giles was to be released and pensioned after a short imprisonment.”

Her head snapped suddenly in attention. It was not the first time that there had been mention that pardons were the order of the battle rather than death, but she and Giles had always been mentioned together, as a pair. This young man specifically referred to only Giles. “And … I?”

“I … ah … that is …”

“What had you heard was to be done with me?” she asked.

“ ’Tis only gossip, my lady, and …” Aurélie gave a sharp, insistent nod of her head to show that she was not willing to excuse this bit of gossip. “An old Flemish lord saw Sir Hyatt in Bordeaux after our troop landed. It is said that the marriage was arranged and De la Noye spoken for before we began our advance. But I think a divorce or annulment was planned.”

“How did anyone imagine that Giles, held prisoner or freed, would agree to such a thing?”

His eyes held a glimmer that Aurélie thought resembled pity. “By way of retirement and pension to a monastery, my lady. A rich monastery.”

She looked away from the young man, her eyes misting slightly. Giles need not have died. He would have gladly traded her and his home for a life of misery and want among monks.

“Had he known … and yet, he was killed. Poor Giles.”

“Killed? My lady, he—” The man stopped himself and stiffened his lips. “I say too much, my lady, if you tell Sir Hyatt that I …”

The young man was so discomfited by his loose tongue that Aurélie deemed it wise to reassure him. “I will say nothing to Sir Hyatt. You must be hungry after your long ride. The evening meal is nearly ready if you wish to eat in the hall.”

“Thank you, my lady.” He started away and then turned back. “Oh, and Sir Hyatt did say he was eager to be home.”

She smiled, though her lips trembled, and turned away to finish her errand. She collected a basketful of eggs for the next day from a peasant woman who owned six laying hens and was en route to the hall when she heard her name being called. She looked this way and that, failing to see who called to her, until she finally noticed Verel lurking behind a grain barrel at the side of the stable. “Aurélie! Here!”

She approached him warily, suspicious because of his sneaky manner. When she got near enough, he pulled her inside the dark stable and along to a stall in which bridles and saddles were stored for the knights.

“What is it, Verel? What’s the matter?”

“My lady,” he breathed. “Nothing is wrong; all is right. I have found a means of getting away from here. I can take you with me.”

“You are mad.”

“Nay! You, of all people, know that I cannot stay and abide this demesne held by an English warlord. Nor can I abide his possession of you. You deserve better than this …”

In spite of herself, Aurélie burst into laughter. Here stood a ragged young man who smelled of horse dung, driven by nothing more than some farfetched vision of glory, enticing her to flee.

“Oh, Verel, forgive me … but the numbers of people who know how much I deserve seem to increase, yet my lot worsens with each good intention. Now, do you think I deserve to flee with you, to battle my way through the forests and marshes and …”

“I have a horse,” he said defensively, straightening proudly. “And a shield, sword, and crossbow. I may leave without armor, but I can take you safely to Avignon, or farther. And we can secure a troop to bring De la Noye to her knees.”

Her laughter fled instantly, noting that he was deadly serious. “How have you come by a horse and arms?”

“Oh, nay, my lady, I cannot tell you who helps me. But I can save you from the brute before he returns.”

“He will hunt you down, Verel. Do not do this.”

He grasped her suddenly by the upper arms and forcefully claimed her lips with his. The basket swung on her arm, spilling the eggs. His breath was desperately labored; his arms released hers only to go around her waist and pull her more violently against him. Verel’s peasant hose and light linen shirt were little protection against desires that Aurélie could feel raging forth. Her innocence was fast disappearing; she knew he would take her away not for the sake of France and De la Noye, but because of his own lust.

“Let go of me,” she demanded.

“I love you. Aurélie, I swear I do.” His lips were hot and moist on her neck and she pushed him.

“My God, even
he
wed me before he tried to bed me.”

He released her abruptly. “Aurélie, Aurélie, I have wanted you since I first saw you, so many years ago. I would have spirited you away long ago, had I believed you would go … but it was easier to serve Giles and be near to you, knowing that Giles valued me and that he would not last long.”

“What do you mean?”

“Giles was destined to die in the first battle he fought. He knew nothing of fighting; he could not even protect himself. I stayed here all the while for you. I did not wish to serve de Pourvre as much as I wished to be here when he was gone, to rule this place as it should be ruled.”

“I thought you were his most loyal. Verel?”

“I
was!
God above, I worked harder for him than anyone. But it was for you that I was fighting. I have always loved you. And I have always loved De la Noye. Can’t you see that? I have wanted strength and order for this place … as it was in the old days, with the old Sire, so it is said.”

“As it is now,” she said softly.

“Nay,” he said, shaking his head as if hurt. “You cannot cast your lot with the English bastard.”