Candace C. Bowen - Knight Series 03 (18 page)

“Speak to me in the morn and I shall let you know.”

“I like it no more than you,” Fulke said, “but we are expected to set an example for the younger men.” 

“The younglings know better than to expect such a thing from me.”

“It is times like these that I miss being your liege.”

“I bet you do.” Albin chuckled. “If it will make you feel better, order the lads about.”

“Gervase, Guy,” Fulke called back to his men, “ride ahead and locate a suitable spot, a dry one if at all possible.”

“Aye, my liege,” the two knights chorused. 

They had traveled over several rises by the time Albin spotted flickering firelight through a thick grove of trees. “It looks like the lads found us some dry ground.”

“Did you doubt it? They do not want to sleep on the sodden earth any more than you do.” 

“Guy must have scouted the spot,” Albin said. “I doubt Gervase could locate a raging river if he were standing in its flow.”  

“There is more to Gervase than you give him credit for,” Fulke said. “One of these days he may surprise you.”

“I would not lay a wager on it.”

“That is probably for the best.” Fulke grinned. “If I recall correctly, you do not have a good history when it comes to wagers.”

“I would not say I lost our last wager.” Albin shrugged. “I gained Lecie for a wife out of the deal.”

“My point is that Gervase has proven himself time and again. I would ask that you give him the benefit of the doubt.”

“I am willing to admit that Gervase is quite skilled with a sword, when he remembers which end to hold.”

“Albin…”

“Do you intend to strip me of all diversion, Fulke? Since Talan and I have become genial there is no one left for me to mock.”

“While I am pleased you have come to an accord with Talan, why do you feel the need to mock any of the men?”

“I cannot help myself,” Albin admitted. “Talan is easily baited, and Gervase makes himself an easy target.”

“Are you sure your baiting has nothing to do with Gervase’s luck when it comes to women?”

“Mayhap in the past jealousy may have played a wee part of it,” Albin said. “Since Lecie has come to possess my heart and soul, I would say it is more to allay the tedium whilst I am away from her and the children.”

“Did you ever think Gervase acts the way he does because that is what we have come to expect of him?”

“Very well, I concede,” Albin said. “I give you my word that I will try to lighten up on the… him.”

Arriving near the campsite, they dismounted to lead their horses through the trees to a small clearing protected by a canopy of budding alder trees.

“Well done, Lads,” Fulke said upon entering the semi-dry clearing.

After tending to their horses, the men placed their saddles around the blazing fire. Settling down, they dined on bread, cheese, and smoke dried strips of pork.

Stowing his leftovers in his pack, Gervase withdrew his small dagger. “Guy will you trim my hair?”

“I am no lowly squire.” Guy looked offended. “See to your own hair.”

“We are not going to the palace so you can seduce women,” Albin said from across the fire. “With any luck we will not be there long enough to even see any.”

“That is no reason to look unkempt,” Gervase said. “We are knights representing our liege lord. We should be a credit to him at all times.”

“Seems to me your reputation for womanizing at court has tainted us all,” Albin said. “Why the sudden change of heart?”

“Do not lay that charge on me alone.” Gervase darted a look in Fulke’s direction. “The rumors existed long afore I added to them.”

“Touché.” Fulke chuckled. “I have owned up to my less than savory past, Gervase.”

“I meant no offense against you, my liege.” Gervase lowered his head.

“Never mind Gervase’s ramblings,” Guy said. “It is his heart that has him speaking so, my liege. Despite her disinterest, he is still smitten with Lady Adorlee.”

“She does not yet know me well enough to be disinterested,” Gervase said.

“One does not have to be acquainted with you to have heard of your reputation,” Guy persisted. “Besides, you have been away from court for far too long. She is likely to be wed to some bloated noble by now.”

“Who is Lady Adorlee?” Euric shifted position to see Gervase.

“The only woman Gervase has ever failed to seduce,” Albin said.

“Ahh, I see.” Euric nodded. “She presents an enticing challenge.”

“That is not it at all.” Gervase cast an irritated look at Albin. “Lady Adorlee is unlike any woman I have ever met. If not for the spectre that follows her, I would no doubt already have an accord with her.”

“What do you mean by the spectre that follows her?” Euric looked baffled.

“It is what people call Lady Adorlee’s personal servant,” Gervase said. “Completely concealed in flowing black robes, she shadows my lady’s every move.”

“Do not spread tales like a common gossipmonger, Gervase.” Fulke bent a stern look on his knight. “There is no doubt a logical explanation as to why the servant dresses in such a fashion.”

“Aye, my liege.” Gervase averted his gaze. “Not to spread rumors, but I heard tell that the woman was horribly disfigured in a fire. Better to believe that than the other rumors swirling about her.”

“Rumors are all bad in my opinion,” Leofrick said.

“Not as bad as what Lady Josephina confided,” Gervase said. “She told me Lady Adorlee’s servant was stricken with The King’s Evil. It may be painless, yet the condition causes masses of unsightly sores on the body that often rupture. The only known cure is to be touched by the king. If it is true, the most likely reason Lady Adorlee has taken the poor woman under her roof is to help her obtain an audience with the king.”

“Gervase,” Fulke said, “when will you learn that you cannot trust anything that comes out of the palace?”  

“Spreading rumors is all you are doing,” Guy said. “I overheard a reputable churl speaking of the poor woman the last we were at court. He said her face was disfigured by a vicious attack upon her person. The man claimed to have overheard a court physician describing the incident in some detail. The woman and her mother were sleeping in their manor house within sight of the palace when a madman broke in and attacked them. The mother lost her life while attempting to shield her daughter. It was the talk of the city at the time. They never did detain the attacker. After the daughter healed, Lady Adorlee’s father brought her into his household as an attendant to his wife. How she became Adorlee’s servant, I know not.”

“Do you now see why I loathe gossip, Gervase?” Fulke caught his knight’s gaze. “It is naught but a grain of truth which blossoms into a forest of falsehoods.”

“My apologies, my liege,” Gervase said. 

“Mayhap your lady has instructed her servant to act the mouse,” Leofrick suggested, “so as not to be overshadowed.”

“It is not up to us to surmise,” Euric said.

I would not call it surmising or gossip,” Guy said. “Most of us here are acquainted with women of the court. I for one know how vain they can be.”

“You are wrong on Adorlee’s account,” Gervase snapped. “Whatever is wrong with the woman, my lady is the epitome of kindness to give the poor creature such an important position in her household.”

“My, but you do seem familiar with the lady to call her by her given name. Are you sure you know her true character?” Propped on an elbow, Fulke tossed twigs into the crackling fire.

“Why do you ask?” Albin glanced over his shoulder at Fulke. “Are you acquainted with Gervase’s lady?”

“I have heard her name mentioned in passing.”

“Of course you have.” Albin chuckled. “Gervase spoke of little else since we escaped the palace.”

“You escaped from the palace?” Confused, Leofrick looked from Albin to Fulke.

“It is Albin’s lame attempt at humor,” Fulke said.

“Banished, escaped.” Albin shrugged. “What is the difference?”

“One retains your head upon your shoulders,” Fulke said. “I recall hearing the lady’s name from another source. Gervase, are you acquainted with her father?”

“Aye, my liege,” Gervase said. “He encouraged my favor toward his daughter until the king… banished you. The next we met, he ordered me to stay away from his daughter.”

“Her father sounds like a wise man.” Albin smothered his chuckle when Fulke flashed him a warning look.

“Lady Adorlee’s father holds the position of master-marshal in King Henry’s domus, my liege.”

Fulke sat up. “Lady Adorlee is the daughter of Paul de Bounauito?”

“He is one and the same,” Gervase confirmed. “Do you think that speaks well of Lady Adorlee’s character?”

“Never mind that now,” Fulke said. “Does her father still think well of you?” 

“It would appear that Fulke has come up with an idea,” Albin said, nudging Leofrick.

“I have not seen him since he ordered me away from his daughter, my liege.” Gervase fidgeted anxiously. “I swear it.”

Fulke relaxed back upon his saddle. “Guy, see to making Gervase look more presentable. He needs to present himself at court looking his best.”

“My liege?” Guy looked offended.

“Lady Adorlee’s father is responsible for Henry’s travel and accommodations,” Fulke said. “It would be to our benefit to be on his good side.”

“Perhaps that is so,” Euric said. “Only by the sounds of it, the lady’s father does not seem to approve of Gervase. Would you risk offending him?”

“You do not know our Gervase,” Fulke said proudly. “If anyone can change the man’s mind it would be he. Pressing his suit for the lady’s hand also gives him a perfect excuse to return to court with me.”

“What if she is already spoken for?” Guy eyed the blade in Gervase’s hand without reaching for it.

“He would have no reason to know that prior to our arrival,” Fulke said. “It is the perfect ruse.”

“Why is it so imperative that Gervase return to court?” Euric joined the conversation.

“Albin is right,” Fulke said. “I have an idea. The last time we were at court, Gervase was instrumental in planting the seeds of gossip. It benefited us once and may do so yet again.” 

“Begging your pardon,” Albin said. “Whilst I am pleased to be right, I fail to see your reasoning.”

“Albin, have you forgotten what Gervase accomplished to free Reina from Henry’s service?”

“If I recall correctly, he swived numerous court ladies to secretly spread gossip to benefit our cause.”

“Do you think that was an easy accomplishment?”

Albin eyed Gervase who had puffed up with pride at Fulke’s praise. “I could not have done it.”

“Then once again I ask that you give him the benefit of the doubt,” Fulke said.

“What gossip would you have him spread this time around?”

“Going on the assumption that the king has been made aware of Talan’s actions, he will surmise it to be the reason for my arrival in the city. Since the king is unpredictable, it is near impossible to gain an insight into what he might do. With that being the case, the only option available to us is to counter every possible outcome.”

“It makes a certain amount of sense.” Albin nodded. “Only, you have not answered my question.”

Fulke crossed his arms. “What is the only thing we can use against the justice?”

“His past wives,” Albin said after he thought it over.

“His past wives,” Fulke agreed, turning to Gervase. “I want the entire court talking about the justice’s former wives and what happened to them. Let it slip that Mylla feared for her life should she be wed to the old lecher.”

“Discreetly, of course,” Euric added.

“He already knows that,” Fulke said without taking his gaze from Gervase. “Make no mention that we know the location of the third wife’s body.”

“My liege,” Gervase said, “if I am to woo Lady Adorlee, I do not think she would approve of my swiving other women.”

Fulke ignored Albin’s smug look when he said, “You can spread gossip without having to spread a woman’s legs, Gervase.”

“Try some mild flattery,” Guy suggested, “or prose.”

“You are the bard of the group,” Albin interjected.

“Then I shall work on something for him to memorize.”

“Compose something I can recite to Lady Adorlee,” Gervase said. “I need no help with flattery.”  

“With all due respect,” Leofrick said. “What would aligning ourselves with the king’s master-marshal do for Talan and my sister?”

“The master-marshal vies with the justice for the king’s ear,”

Fulke said. “After the old suspicions are brought up, we can only hope the master-marshal will use the situation to his benefit. If he denounces the justice to the rest of Henry’s Familia Regis, we are bound to get a fair hearing on the matter.”

“It just might work,” Albin said.

“I am not so sure,” Leofrick said. “How do you know the master-marshal is not friends with Justice de Glanville? They could unite against the lot of us.”