Honor's Price (8 page)

“We're here. What did you want to say?”

He frowned. “When I brought Lady Margaret to your door, she knocked twice, paused, and then a third time. Was that your idea?”

Where was he going with this? “Yes. I decided it was best that we find some way to know for sure who was on the other side of a door before we opened it. After the way you and Sergeant Markus strolled into my solar
with no warning, I have also given my ladies orders to keep their doors locked at all times. The simple pattern will allow my ladies-in-waiting to know if it is safe to open the door.”

“That was smart of you, Lady Theda.”

Was that approval in his voice? She allowed herself a small smile. “Should I change the signal now that you know it?”

“That's your decision.” He paced the length of the room and back. “This incident with Lady Margaret isn't the first, is it?”

Why would he care?

“No, but it's the most blatant.”

Kane spun back to face her. “Yet you are the duke's sister-in-law.”

“I am.”

She left it at that. Despite Kane's rough kindness to Margaret, that didn't mean he was trustworthy. She wasn't about to criticize Ifre in front of his new captain. But rather than press her for more of an answer, Kane merely nodded as if her careful words confirmed something for him.

“If it happens again, let me know, but quietly. I trust your ladies will be more careful in the future about wandering alone at all hours. They would be safer traveling in pairs.”

“I will relay your suggestion.”

He shook his head. “I think it would be better to leave my name out of it, Lady Theda.”

“For you or for me?”

Her question clearly made him angry. “Let's not play word games. I'll see you back to your quarters.”

Before he could walk away, she reached out to touch his forearm. He hissed and jerked back as if her fingertips burned him. His pale eyes glittered with some powerful emotion, but she wasn't convinced it was anger.

“I'm sorry, Captain. I meant only to stop you long enough to thank you again. It has been far too long since
someone showed me or my ladies this much kindness. It will, however, remain our secret. I will speak with both Margaret and Lydia.”

Once again, he nodded. They walked in complete silence back to her room. He arrived a step ahead of her and softly knocked on the door in the proper rhythm. By the time the door opened, Kane had disappeared into the shadows at the far end of the hall. She stared into the darkness for a few seconds, almost certain he was still nearby watching her. Maybe more than that, he would be watching out for her.

In case she was right, she smiled and lifted her hand in farewell. Her mood oddly lightened by the encounter, she closed the door and turned the lock. Lydia and Margaret would both remain with her tonight. Some time ago, she'd had a couple of smaller beds added to her dressing room for just such times.

“Ladies, I think it is time we retire for the night.”

When the last candle was extinguished, she stared up at the ceiling and waited for sleep to claim her. It was moments like this that she most often missed Armel and his warm touch in the night.

But for the first time since his death, it wasn't his handsome face that eased her mind. Instead, Kane's stern visage followed her over the edge into slumber.

“H
ob, I'm not sure I made the best decision about hitting that guard last night.”

The gargoyle whined in sympathy and tunneled his head under Kane's hand for a good rub, the contact a comfort to them both.

Kane continued his monologue. “Yet I cannot bring myself to regret it. The bastard had it coming.”

After leaving Theda's quarters, Kane had meant to retire to his own, but at the last minute he'd returned to where the drunken guard remained sprawled on the floor. Rather than leave him there, Kane had sought out two of the other guards and ordered them to drag their friend to one of the cells located near the barracks.

The fool, whose name was Gart, was to remain there to be dealt with when he sobered up. Kane had yet to decide what his punishment should be. It all depended on whether Gart remembered what he'd been doing when Kane had interrupted him.

Kane scratched his avatar's chin and smiled. It was certainly tempting to turn Hob loose in the cell with the fool. Seeing what was left of their compatriot after Hob finished with him would definitely discourage such behavior in the other guards.

However, Keirthan would see Kane's defense of the woman as a weakness, one he wouldn't hesitate to exploit. By the bastard's own example, the guardsmen all knew that Lady Theda and the others were not to be
accorded the same respect as the wives and daughters of the visiting nobility and merchants.

Instead, Kane would fall back on military discipline. For his first official order, he would make it clear that public drunkenness would no longer be tolerated within the halls of the duke's home. It wasn't much, but at least he'd have grounds for punishing anyone else who dared to assault any female member of the household.

Time to start the day. “Hob, I have to send you back now.”

The gargoyle shot him a reproachful look as he waddled over to where his shield stood against the wall. Kane murmured the spell that sent Hob back to rest on the curved surface of the shield. To anyone else, he looked like an especially detailed painting of a mythological creature. No one would suspect that he was real.

He wished he could let Hob join him in the practice fields, but that wouldn't be wise. Keirthan was already intrigued by Kane's past. If the blood mage learned that Kane's boon companion was straight out of the most distant myths, there was no telling how he'd react.

When Kane stepped outside of his office, Markus was waiting for him. The sergeant didn't look happy, no doubt having learned about Gart as soon as he went on duty. It would be interesting to hear what he had to say on the subject.

Kane walked past him without stopping. “I haven't eaten yet this morning. If you have something on your mind, we can talk as we walk.”

As captain, Kane was within his rights to have his food brought to him, but he'd always found it useful to spend time in the common areas with those under his command. Markus fell into step beside him but didn't immediately speak. Fine. Kane would wait him out. He owed the sergeant no explanations.

They'd almost reached the door to the mess before Markus spoke. “Looks like Private Gart had a rough night.”

“He did.” More so than Markus knew.

When he spoke again, the sergeant's voice was completely devoid of emotion. “In the past, we would have dragged him back to his bunk to sleep it off.”

“Since it's happened before, obviously that policy isn't working.” Kane sat down at the table in the corner and signaled for a servant to bring food for both him and Markus. “The men are entitled to drink in their off hours. I do so myself. However, passing out on the floor where anyone can trip over them is unacceptable. It reflects badly on the duke and on our ability to maintain discipline among the men.”

He broke off speaking until the servant set down their porridge and tea. “If Gart had staggered back to his bunk or passed out in the barracks, we wouldn't be having this conversation.”

Markus flexed his fingers around his mug several times before speaking. “But, sir—”

Kane cut him off. “If you are not willing to enforce my orders, Sergeant, I will find someone who is.”

The other man's chin came up, his hold on his temper slipping. “I will enforce the order, Captain, but the men won't like it.”

Arching an eyebrow in mock surprise, Kane asked, “Do you always ask for approval from underlings before establishing rules and expectations? I hadn't realized that's how things were done around here.”

When Markus didn't respond, Kane leaned forward, elbows on the table. “Make it clear that I am in no way restricting the men's access to the taverns in town, but I will not tolerate a bunch of stumbling drunks under my command. If they can't handle their drink, they are gone.”

Having made his point, he backed away. “I will be participating in arms practice this afternoon. Have Gart there. I think he will make an excellent first opponent for me.”

Markus shoved his bowl back untouched and rose to his feet. “If you'll excuse me, sir, I will post your orders.”

“You're excused, Sergeant.”

Markus started to walk away, but then turned back. “There was one odd thing about Gart, though.”

There was note in Markus's voice that had Kane giving him his full attention. “And that would be?”

“The men said you found him lying facedown on the floor.”

Where was he going with this? “That is true.”

“Then why would he have what looks like a blow to the back of his head?”

“Peculiar, but you'll have to ask him about that.” Kane turned his attention back to his meal, dismissing the sergeant and any more questions he might have.

*   *   *

Ordinarily, Theda had little interest in her brother-in-law's personal guard and even less in wasting her time observing the brutes bang swords and sweat. Today, however, she found herself standing alone on the balcony of her solar and watching the activity below.

She'd never admit to her friends that she was hoping to catch a glimpse of Captain Kane in action again, but she wouldn't lie to herself about it. He was definitely a man of contradictions, ones she didn't understand. So far, he hadn't yet joined the others on the field. Perhaps his administrative duties took priority.

As she started to go back inside, she spotted a bunch of small boys using sticks as swords to mimic the men-at-arms. Their laughter and shouts carried on the breeze, making her smile. When one troop succeeded in routing their enemy, they all took off running, only to have one of the smaller boys crash right into Kane as he walked out of the stables. He was wearing the same black leathers he'd had on during the night, emphasizing his fearsome appearance.

Their play faltered as they remained frozen in place, staring up at him in horror. But rather than snarl at the child, Kane steadied him on his feet. Then he dropped to a knee and said something that had the boy holding out
his stick for Kane's inspection. From where Theda stood, it was impossible to hear the exchange, but it appeared the captain was admiring the makeshift weapon as if it were worthy of a great knight.

When he stood, the other children crept closer. Within seconds, Kane had them lined up and practicing their lunges as he corrected their stances. The whole encounter lasted only a short time, but clearly Kane had won over the entire bunch. As he continued on toward the practice field, the oldest of the boys took over barking orders at his friends.

For his part, Kane rounded the side of the stable and headed toward the cluster of guardsmen on the field. They all slowed to a stop at his approach. They watched him with trepidation, which he apparently did nothing to alleviate.

He barked an order and practice resumed as he studied the action. Finally, he called a halt to the proceedings as Sergeant Markus, accompanied by another guard, made his way onto the field. Kane watched their approach with what could be described only as predatory interest, his demeanor vastly different from what it had been only moments before with those children.

Markus stopped a few feet short of Kane, letting his companion continue on by himself. Everyone else formed a rough circle around the pair as first Kane and then the guard drew their weapons. At first their movements were slow and careful, but it didn't last long.

Badly outmatched, the guard was quickly in full retreat. Only a fool would have continued to stand against such an overwhelming onslaught, but apparently Kane wasn't interested in showing his opponent any mercy. If the match continued unabated for much longer, the guard would be lucky if he would be able to walk off the field without aid.

What had the man done to incur Kane's wrath? As soon as the thought crossed Theda's mind, she knew the answer. Without question, he was the drunk who had
attacked Lady Margaret last eve. Kane knew punishing him for his actions would not sit well with Ifre.

No, canny man that he was, she bet Kane had found some other reason to make an example of him. Perhaps it was wrong of her to be glad to see the man bruised and bleeding, but she was. Once again she owed Kane for his actions on her behalf, although she suspected he wouldn't want her drawing attention to it.

The bout ended when Kane hooked Gart's sword and sent it flying through the air. The exhausted guard dropped to his knees. Kane stood over him, using the tip of his sword to lift the other man's chin up to look his captain in the face.

Whatever Kane said to him had him nodding despite the risk of being cut by the blade at his throat. Finally, Kane backed away and turned his attention to the other men. His entire demeanor changed again as he chose Markus as his next partner and ordered the others to pair off for more practice.

Where the first match had been meant to punish, this one was more akin to the match against the redheaded fighter days before. It was time for her to be about her duties, but she found it hard to walk away from the spectacle.

Once again, the dark warrior's actions brightened her day.

*   *   *

For once, Ifre had managed to slip outside without being noticed by his assigned guards. Taking refuge in the shadows of the trees near the practice field, he watched his new captain in action as Kane casually beat one of the guards into the ground. What had the man done to deserve such treatment? No matter. The guards were disposable. Even if Kane killed a few to make a point, so be it.

Right now he and Markus were crossing swords, testing each other for weaknesses as well as their strengths. The sergeant was putting up a good effort, but there was no doubt which of the two was the better fighter.

Ifre had definitely chosen correctly naming Kane as his new captain rather than promoting Markus, although Kane was not wearing his badge of office. Ifre didn't care if the men knew who was in command. Kane needed to wear that sigil if its power was to reach full strength. Until it did, Ifre would never break through Kane's mental shields.

And the darkness hungered to taste Kane's magic. Right now, its demands pounded in the back of Ifre's mind, no longer merely whispering its wants and needs. It was becoming difficult for Ifre to focus on anything other than the need to shed more blood and revel in the pain of his victims.

It was far too soon to give free rein to the darkness. He needed to bend another's magic to his will first or he'd risk burning through his own too quickly. He'd hoped to use Captain Terrick for that purpose, and failing him, Lady Lavinia. Kane was his third choice, but that didn't mean he was a lesser one.

No, every instinct Ifre had said that Kane's gift was a deep, dark pool of untapped power. Either the warrior was unaware of his own potential or he didn't care. It didn't matter which was true. Eventually, Ifre would chain the arrogant fool to his altar below the keep, and the world would tremble at what the two of them together would unleash.

Ifre had been out in the sunlight as long as he could tolerate it. Any longer and he'd need another pain draught before he'd be able to concentrate on his spells. Mixing drugs and complicated magery was never a good idea. He would return to the keep, partake of the midday meal, and then rest.

Once the sun went down, he could start the real business of the day. Earlier, he'd lured another servant down to his lair. Using a new spell he'd found, he'd rendered the man immobile but fully conscious. No doubt by now the man's own imagination had filled his mind with all sorts of terrible possibilities for what Ifre had in store for him.

He smiled. No matter how bad those thoughts were, they wouldn't even come close to what Ifre had in mind. He glanced up at the sky to gauge the time. His fun wouldn't commence for many hours yet, but as always, there was a certain pleasure to be had in the anticipation.

He took a more direct route back to the hall, the burn of the sun driving him inside as fast as he could get there. Before he reached the door, a movement above caught his attention. Lady Theda was just disappearing back into her solar. What had she been doing up there on the balcony? Shouldn't she be in the kitchen overseeing the final preparations for Ifre and his guests? If his meal was delayed, he would make her life even more miserable.

The guards on duty were visibly shocked to see Ifre approach without his usual retinue. It was doubtful anyone would dare attack Ifre so close to home, but it was always possible. Although he'd chosen to slip free of his guards, that didn't mean they wouldn't be punished if he'd come to harm.

They hurried to open the doors for him. He nodded as he passed by them. “Thank you, gentlemen. Please let your captain know that I enjoyed weapons practice today.”

“Y-yes, Sire,” the nearest one stammered.

Ifre had no doubt the man would do as he was told, which would accomplish two things. First, it would let Kane know that Ifre had taken a personal interest in his actions. But the real message was that the guards had been lax enough in their duties to allow their ruler to leave the keep unobserved and unprotected.