Candace C. Bowen - Knight Series 03 (25 page)

Putting on an air of indifference, Fulke began to eat. Halfway through the meal, he was approached by a member of the king’s personal guard. The man leaned close to be heard over the din. “Baron Erlegh, please follow me.”

Fulke’s gaze slid to the dais when he stood. King Henry was dining on his favorite lampreys completely ignoring the crowd around him. Wondering what the latest turn of events could mean, he followed the guard through a door into a private passageway he was familiar with. It led to a small anteroom off the great hall. “The king has agreed to see me?”

“The king has requested that your audience be kept private,” the guard confirmed. “He will join you presently.”

“You have my thanks.” Left alone, relief flooded through Fulke. It appeared Henry did not intend to publicly humiliate him. Running his hand along a carved oak chair, he moved to the banked hearth recalling past times spent in the chamber.

“It appears you still have balls of iron, old friend.”

Startled by the corpulent king’s stealthy approach, Fulke immediately dropped down on one knee to bow his head. “Sire, it is good to see you again.”

“How do you find me?” Lowering his girth onto a cushioned oak armchair, Henry waved his hand toward the seat opposite.

Rising, Fulke sat down to face the king. “I find you looking weary, Sire.”

Nodding his head the ghost of a smile played about Henry’s lips. “I could always count on you for honesty. Between us, I am wearied. If my nephew knew the burden of my throne I warrant he would not covet it so very much.”

“None other shall ever govern like you, Sire.”

“I am well aware of that,” Henry said. “If your intent is to flatter me, you need to try harder.”

“Are not you weary of sycophants flattering you?”

“I presume you heard what happened to Baron Reynold?” Henry asked instead of responding to Fulke’s question.

“Word around is that he disappeared, Sire.”

“Indeed, and he shall never reappear,” the king said. “Would you like to know why I deeded Castell Maen to you?”

“I admit to wondering at times,” Fulke said, “tis a more fitting demesne for a count or duke, Sire.”

“Mayhap it is, only I do not trust the ambitions of such men,” Henry said. “You have proven yourself to be loyal. In such uncertain times, it is important to have men like you on the side of my daughter and I.”

“Thank you, Sire.” Fulke lowered his gaze.

“My nephew must think highly of you,” Henry said, “or he would not have pleaded your case. Stephen does nothing without benefit to himself. What did you promise him?”

“I told him that when the time came to decide your successor, I would stand on the side of the realm, Sire.”

“Honest to a fault.”  Henry shook his head. “How could I fault you for such a thing?”

“Forgive me if it displeases you, Sire,” Fulke said. “I could live no other way.”

“You tell me nothing I do not already know.” Henry’s tone sharpened. “So ends the jovial banter between old acquaintances. I am aware of what has transpired in Rochester. I am also aware that you have accused Ranulf of a grievous crime to which I am told you have irrefutable proof.”

“If de Glanville’s murdered clerk spoke the truth, I do,” Fulke acknowledged.

“His murdered clerk, you say?” Henry’s interest was piqued. “Are you speaking of the timid lad who followed Ranulf about?”

“I am, Sire.”

“Why did Stephen not tell me of this additional incident?”

“I thought it best if I were to convey the details to you in person,” Fulke said. “In front of several witnesses the justice callously slayed his clerk in the home of Richard, Sheriff of Rochester.”

“If there is truth to your statements, I suppose it is fortunate that I have agreed to see you.”

“I am humbled by you doing so.”

“Know you this.” Henry leaned forward to stare intently into Fulke’s eyes. “I care naught about the life of a lowly clerk. Should your tale of my cousin prove false, it will not only be your knight’s life I will order forfeited. Favored or not, I cannot have my people believing I have gone soft. Such is the way in the life of a king.”

“I understand, Sire.”

“Good. Now tell me all.” 

†

Seated by the entrance to the sculleries, Gervase spotted Fulke when he stood to exit the hall with a guard. Marking his liege’s exit with a worried frown, he stood with a plan to wait in the passageway.

“Sir Gervase?” A liveried footman spoke from behind him. “Please follow me.”

Excusing himself from his curious dinner companions, Gervase followed the man. Whispers rose in waves when the pair wound through the tables to the exit. 

Gervase concealed his inner turmoil behind a mask of indifference. He may be the least wise of the band, yet he had never let his friends down when they needed him. Searching for a plan, he began to think through worst case scenarios. If both he and Fulke were to be detained there was little hope in sending word to his friends at the tavern. If only there was some way he could get a message to them.

“You are to wait here,” the footman interrupted his troubled musings.

“Who am I waiting for?” Scanning the empty passageway, Gervase spoke to the footman’s departing back.

“I carry out my duty as instructed,” the man called without turning. “Someone is sure to come for you.”

Left alone, Gervase whirled at the sound of light footsteps echoing along the passage. “Liliana.”

“You must come with me.” Gripping Gervase’s forearm, she slowed only long enough to ensure he complied.

Following her blindly, Liliana led him through several narrow passageways. When she began to descend a flight of worn stone steps, he stopped. “Where are you leading me?”

“You are to be detained.” Liliana paused with her hand on the wall. “I am only trying to help you.”

“Are you taking me to Lady Adorlee?”

“It is she who was asked to deliver you to the guard,” Liliana said. “If you return to whence we came, she will no doubt be waiting for you.”

“I do not understand.” Gervase glanced the way they had come. “Why would she betray me?”

“You do not know her like I do, Sir Gervase. She cannot be trusted.”

“I know she was kind enough to employ you.” Gervase backed away from her. “Is this any way to repay her kindness?”

“You know no more about me than you know about her,” anger rang in Liliana’s voice. “Have your way and return. Mayhap then your eyes shall be opened to the truth.”

“She has no reason to betray me,” Gervase said. “I petitioned her father for her hand in marriage this very afternoon.”

“And that is why she is so wroth with you,” Liliana said. “Adorlee is vying for the Lord High Treasurer. This afternoon she expected you to tell fath… her father why Baron Erlegh has returned to court, naught else.”

“Can you tell me why the matter is so important to her?”

“Knowledge is power within the halls of the palace, Sir Gervase. Oftentimes, it is even more precious than gold.”

“I do not believe you.”

Liliana lowered her head in defeat. “Then return to the passageway, and may God go with you. I can tarry here no longer.”

She moved to descend the steps when Gervase clasped her arm. “Why are you taking such a risk to help me? There could never be anything between us.”

“Contrary to your own belief, not everything is about you.” Liliana jerked her arm free. “Nor would I ever waste my time on a man who has no respect for himself.”

Surprised by her harsh words, it took Gervase a moment to respond. “At least allow me to escort you down lest you trip on your skirts.” Moving past her in the confined space, he led the way. “Care to inform me where it is we are going?”

Taking it slow for lack of light, Liliana stayed close behind him. “There is a door at the bottom that leads to the king’s private garden. While it has remained unused for some time, I have found a concealed exit leading into the city.”

“Why would the king need a secret exit?” Gervase felt his way along the wall. “He cannot go anywhere without his guard.”

“You just answered your own question. King Henry would occasionally leave the palace in disguise to blend with the common folk. He said it was the only way he could ascertain the true concerns of his people.”

“How do you know so much about him?”

“Whilst I am beholden to attire myself thusly, I assure you that there is nothing wrong with my ears, Sir Gervase.” 

“Why are you garbed thusly?” When Liliana refused to answer, Gervase said, “Anyway, tis a wonder you can see through the veil in daylight. However do you manage after nightfall?”

“I make do the best I can,” Liliana said softly. “I always have.”

Reaching the base of the steps an alcove to the left was filled with gardening tools, to the right stood a single bolted door.

Gervase turned to Liliana in the narrow space. “Regardless of my shameless reputation, if you think I am going to flee like a coward you are wrong.” Irritated that he could not see her face, his words were harsher than he intended.

“I believe I am not the only one who has heard rumors unlikely to be true,” Liliana said. “I have done what I have set out to do. It is you who must now make a decision.”

“I will not abandon Baron Erlegh.”

“Then so be it,” Liliana said. “You can return to the hall the way we came.”

“Wait.” Gervase’s hand shot out to keep her from leaving. Sliding the bolt on the door, he opened the door a crack to assure the way was safe. “You said you knew how to leave the palace undetected?”

“I do.”

“After my callous behavior, I have no right to ask you—“

“What would you ask of me, Sir Gervase?” Liliana lightly interrupted. “I have not risked so much only to fail you now.”

“I would warn my friends at The Silver Spur what is happening here,” he said. “On no account are they to attempt a rescue, my liege would not want them to risk themselves.”

“Would you not rather speak to them yourself?” Liliana fidgeted. “I can show you the exit.”

“I will not depart without my liege.” Gervase sensed her hesitation. “Are you not welcome in the city?”

“If you have not noticed, I am not welcome anywhere,” Liliana said. “I shall carry your message to the inn. After that, I must tend to Adorlee so do not expect a response until the morrow.” She attempted to move past when Gervase held fast to her arm.

“Before you go, please tell me why you are helping me.”

“My reasons are my own.” Pulling away from him, she stopped in the threshold. “If I am to assist you further, I would have you respect that.”

“Will you at least tell me why you conceal yourself?” Gervase stepped closer to her. 

“Have you not heard the rumors about me?”

“I have heard many things about you,” Gervase said.

“Then you already know.” Without another word, Liliana entered the moonlit garden.

Gervase stood watching until Liliana slipped behind a row of rose bushes and he lost sight of her. His thoughts filled with unanswered questions, he pulled the door closed. Resolved to answer at least one of them, he ascended the steps to discover if Adorlee had betrayed him.

Chapter Eighteen

Over breakfast the group at The Silver Spur took time out of sorting through their latest predicament to discuss the cryptic message relayed to them the night before by the mysterious cloaked woman.

His trencher of pork and coddled eggs untouched, Albin sat with his arms crossed. “I say Henry had the pair of them tossed in the dungeons.”

“We do not know that for sure.” His face swollen and bruised, Leofrick held his cup with scabbed over knuckles.

“Regardless of where they are the plan seems to have run afoul,” Guy said with his gaze on Leofrick. “Does your brother still refuse to speak?”

“Edmund is no brother to me,” Leofrick said, “yet I would wager he knows nothing about the king’s intent.”

“How do we know we can even trust the messenger?” Euric glanced around. “She was completely veiled.”

“Which makes her story all the more plausible,” Albin argued. “She is likely a highborn woman Gervase seduced into relaying the message to us.”

“If the woman endangered herself by coming here she would be wise to conceal her identity,” Mylla said joining them. Bathed and dressed in her blue kirtle, the shadows beneath her eyes spoke of another sleepless night. “Whoever she is, I believe we owe her our trust.”

“Since my sister has little cause to trust anyone these days, I would have to agree with her.” Leofrick pulled out a chair for Mylla. “How are you faring this morning, La-La?”

“I shall not be myself until I am reunited with Talan,” she replied taking a seat. “Has there been any word from him?”

“Not as of yet, my lady,” Guy said, “but he is like to come here if at all able.” 

“Not exactly reassuring, Guy.” Albin shook his head.

Mylla’s gaze shifted to the pantry door. “Has anyone checked on our captive this morn?”

“Worry not,” Leofrick said. “He shan’t break the ties that currently gag and bind him.”

“What are we going to do with him?” Lightly touching the knot above Leofrick’s left eye she winced in sympathy.

“I think it best if father were to decide his fate,” Leofrick said.

“Whatever he decides, it is bound to break mother’s heart,” Mylla said brokenly.

“Forgive me.” Euric said, “I do not mean to appear insensitive but I think we should get back on topic.”

“Of course, you are right.” Mylla dabbed at her eyes. “Please go on.”  

“I had a thought.” Euric glanced around. “What if the messenger is the spectre Gervase told us about?”

“Lady Adorlee’s personal servant,” Guy said. “It could very well have been her.”

“By the saints, you are right,” Albin said. “I should have never doubted the lad.”

“If it is her, we know she can be trusted,” Leofrick said.

“Might I say something?” Mylla asked.

“Feel free to speak your mind,” Albin said. “We are all equal here.”

”If Gervase believes we should remain here then I think that is what we should do,” Mylla said. “He is more in the know than we are.”

They all reacted when the inn’s outer door slammed against the wall from the force of being kicked open. Albin, Guy, and Euric leapt to their feet to unsheathe their swords. Slightly slower to react, Leofrick withdrew his blade as a contingent of the king’s guard moved in to surround them.

Closest to Mylla, Leofrick and Albin flanked her in order to protect her better.

The captain of the guard stepped forward to speak. “Erlegh knights are to come with us.”

Albin shared a knowing look with Leofrick. The captain made no mention of Mylla, for the moment she was safe.

“Did you not hear me?” the captain asked. “Leave your weapons and come with us.”

Sheathing his sword, Albin unbuckled his bawdryk. He laid it on the table alongside his dagger. “Are you taking us to our liege?”

“Your questions will be answered if and when our sovereign deigns to enlighten you.” Sheathing his sword, the captain’s men immediately followed suit.

“Could I at least retain my dinner blade in the event we are fed? It was a gift from Baroness Reina.” Albin held up a silver knife with an intricately carved handle. “Although it did kill a man, I am loath to part with it.”

“If I recall correctly, you drew your sword in the king’s presence,” the captain said. “Men have been executed for less.”

“That alone proves the king has a soft spot for me.” Albin grinned.

“We shall see soon enough.”

“Fair enough,” Albin said. “Moreover, to set the record straight I did not draw my sword. My hand was on the hilt in preparation of drawing my sword. I stood down on my liege’s command.”

“Yet if Baron Erlegh had not ordered you to stand down, you would have drawn it in the king’s presence,” the captain persisted.

“Without a doubt I would have done so to protect my liege and lady, captain, forgive me, I did not catch your name,” Albin said. “Regardless, it is no less than what you would do for someone you are sworn to protect.”

“I am Glenn of Coventry, and I am sworn to protect the king!”

“And I am dully sworn to protect my liege.” Albin crossed his arms. “Our vows are of equal importance in the eyes of God.”

Losing patience with Albin, the captain stiffened. “There will be no weapons of any kind allowed.”

“In that case, I hope the king is not serving anything that requires cutting.”

“To what end are you intentionally being insolent? Your impertinent delay will not benefit you in any way.”

“Mayhap it will not, yet I daresay it will alleviate the unease of the lady in our presence,” Albin said.

Noting the tears brimming in Mylla’s eyes the captain reluctantly backed down. “I beg the lady’s pardon for my boorish manner, now let us go.”

“Wait,” Euric said. “What is to become of the rest of us?”

Ignoring Leofrick, the captain gave Euric a cursory once over. Noting the lack of arms, he shrugged. “Who are you?”

“I am Sir Euric late of the House of Baron de Wrotham.”

“De Wrotham you say?” His interest peaked the captain gave Euric his full attention. “I heard the old baron went mad. Is that the reason you are no longer in his service?”

“Baron de Wrotham has very recently released all men from his service,” Euric said refusing to say more.

“That is interesting news for the king’s ears.”

“Then shall I come with you to enlighten him further?” Euric reached to unstrap his bawdryk.

“You are not in my orders,” the captain said. “I suggest you stay here should you be summoned at a later time.”

“Wait a moment.” Mylla stood when they were about to depart.

“La-La,” Leofrick hissed, “no.”

“I am Lady Mylla, wife to Sir Talan, and daughter of Sheriff Richard of Rochester,” she said with her head held high. “I believe you are looking for me.”

†

Gervase returned to the passageway to find Adorlee impatiently gesturing to two of the king’s guards. Her head swiveled around at the sound of his footsteps. “Gervase! Where have you been?”

Devastated that his instincts had been wrong, Gervase ignored her. Walking up to the guards, he looked down upon them. “Answer me one question and I shall willingly go with you.”

The slighter of the two men glanced over at his comrade.

After a moment, the latter jerked his head. “What is the question?”

“Where is Baron Erlegh?”

“You will find out soon enough.” Extending his hand toward the passageway, the guard waited for Gervase to precede him.

Willing himself not to look at Adorlee, he made it several steps before her voice stopped him. 

“You should have told me what I wanted to know, Gervase.”

“I thank God above that I did not, my lady.” Resuming his pace, the guards were forced to quicken their step in order to keep up with his long strides.

They escorted Gervase to a chamber in the back of the palace. Pausing in front of a closed door, one of the guards motioned for him to go in. “We shall be here all night should you have need of anything.”

Gervase ignored the veiled threat. Expecting the chamber to be empty, he did not knock before entering.  His look of surprise turned to one of instant relief when he recognized the lone occupant pacing within. “My liege…”

†

Under guard, Fulke and Gervase were seated alone at a table in the great hall the next morning. Facing the empty dais they heard the bells announcing lauds as they waited for what was to come. They straightened in their seats when the main doors opened. Flanked by the king’s guard, Mylla, Guy, and Albin were led in.

“Bloody hell, what is Mylla doing here?” Half-rising from his seat, Fulke anxiously searched through the faces of the group. “Euric and Leofrick did not come with you?”

“They and our weapons were not invited to the gathering,” Albin said. Pulling out the seat beside Fulke, he dropped into it. “It is good to see you looking so unscathed, my friend.”

“You have already been warned, Sir Albin,” the captain formerly intoned. “There is to be no speaking unless you are ordered to do so by the king.” Jerking his head at the remaining empty seats, he met Fulke’s gaze. “Guards will be left at the doors to insure your compliance.” 

“Will the king soon be joining us?” Fulke asked. He had remained on amicable terms with Glenn since their early days on the battlefield.

“The king will deal with you when he sees fit to do so, Baron Erlegh.” Glenn’s gaze touched on a carved lattice screen behind the dais. “I suggest you heed my order for silence.”

Fulke acknowledged the unspoken warning of listening ears with a dip of his head. Pulling out the seat beside him, he spoke to Mylla. “Please join me, Mistress Mylla.”

“I am Lady Mylla now, your lordship,” she whispered seating herself. 

“Where is Talan?” Fulke lowered his head to ask.

“I know not.” Tears slipped down Mylla’s gaunt cheeks. “I do not even know if he is alive. My brother Edmund betrayed us in the town of Chertsey. He intended to deliver me to the justice and would have succeeded had not Leofrick spotted us on the road here.”

A muscle twitched in Fulke’s temple as he fought to control his temper. “Where is Edmund now?”

“We have him confined in the pantry at The Silver Spur.”

“Let us face one obstacle at a time, my lady,” Fulke said. “Whatever is to come, I would ask that you be brave.”

“I shall strive to make my husband proud, your lordship.”

Falling silent, the rest of the group followed Fulke’s lead.

Uneasy glances were passed along the table when the bells of terce sounded and still no one came. It was approaching sext when muffled sounds from the passageway carried to them.  

The doors opening at the back of the hall echoed loudly in the silence. All eyes turned to watch a half dozen of the king’s personal guard enter followed by a dozen footmen. When the last of the arriving men entered, the doors were again closed.

A slight movement behind the dais had them snapping to attention when the king entered from behind the lattice screening.

Rising from their seats, the men dropped down on a knee and bowed their heads. Her frightened gaze fixed on the king, Mylla lowered herself into a curtsy.

“I find myself perplexed that you would stand on ceremony when the majority of you have broken your solemn oaths in defiance of my person.” His dark eyes locked on Mylla, Henry took a seat on the throne while his guard climbed the steps to fan out on the dais on either side of him.

The footmen split into two groups to line the wall on either side of the dais.

“If anyone is to blame, it is I, Sire,” Fulke said with his head still bowed. 

“I believe we have already ascertained that fact, Baron Erlegh.” The king shifted his gaze to Fulke. “If not for your history of disobeying my orders, I would grant you permission to rise.”

Forced to maintain their stances, it was Mylla who suffered most. In an awkward curtsy with her knees bent and arms extended, her legs began to shake from the strain.

“Remove the table,” the king commanded. “I cannot well see my loyal subjects.”

It took eight footmen to relocate the heavy oak table to the side of the hall. Once more joining their counterparts along the walls they silently waited for the king’s next command.

His view unimpeded the king studied the group currently at his mercy. Looking for any sign of weakness he grudgingly conceded that the Erlegh knights had earned their formidable reputation. Expecting the men to have grown soft in their time away from court, it was obvious they had not shirked their disciplined training. Idly shifting his gaze to his personal guard, Henry knew who would stand victorious if the two groups were pitted against each other in a fair fight. Such a pity his most loyal subject ended up having such a soft heart. He pined for the broken and aloof soldier Fulke had once been. Using women and lusting for the fray of battle he was at one time considered a leader of all men. Now his once favored knight all but cowered in front of him to save one of his own. “Women,” he said in disgust.