Medieval Ever After (144 page)

“Nay, but I thank ye for thy concern.”  Retreating a step, she swallowed hard and summoned her wits.  “I should wait for Demetrius.”

“Thither is no need, as I am hither.”  Welcomed relief enveloped her, when her spouse appeared at the rear, given she imagined various horrid fates.  “Will the lady ride with me, as Isolde does with Arucard?”

“Oh, I am quite capable of managing on my own, but I am grateful for thy care.”  Shielding her eyes from the driving snow, she glanced at the happy couple, as Arucard situated Isolde in his lap and tucked his cloak about her.  Then he covered her with an additional blanket, and Isolde all but disappeared from sight.

The small caravan set forth in the winter storm in a slow but steady pace, and Athelyna knew not what to expect.  But as they rode beyond the environs of London along the road that led south, toward the coast, she could not help but wonder what tomorrow would bring.

DEMETRIUS

CHAPTER FIVE

It was a
long, slow, and painful journey through blinding snow, and Demetrius adjusted the hood of his mantle and drew a kerchief over his mouth and nose.  Safe beyond the boundaries of London, he relaxed, as the threat of discovery, regarding the conspiracy he plotted with Athelyna, subsided in direction proportion to the ever-growing distance between himself and His Majesty.

If only he could deal with his wife in similar fashion.

Still, the passing countryside did much to soothe his troubled soul, and he was troubled.  Shrouded in white, the rolling terrain manifested a resplendent vista that never failed to speak to him on some mystical level, and in its grandeur he took solace.

“Brother, we must stop.”  To his left, Arucard drew rein.  “Thy bride requires thy assistance.”

“What?”  Wherefore could he not forget about her?  But a glance to his right revealed his lady, encrusted with ice and slumped forward, in danger of falling from her horse, and he sidled near and drew rein on her mount.  “Whoa.”

In that instant, she jerked awake, and he noted her chafed cheeks and watery gaze.  Without ceremony, he peered at Arucard, frowned, slipped an arm about Athelyna’s hips, and lifted her to his lap.

“My lord, what are ye doing?”  At first, she pushed and shoved him, but he deflected her pitiful resistance, shook off the snow from her cloak, and tucked her beneath his heavy outer garment.  “Prithee, this is unnecessary, as I can manage on my own.”

“Cover her with this blanket.”  Geoffrey unfolded a swathe of wool, which Demetrius draped about her.  “Morgan, tie down the mare.”

“Aye, I have it.”  Morgan secured the riderless steed and returned to the procession.

“Take my extra pelt, as I am quite comfortable.”  Aristide tossed the animal skin over Athelyna’s legs.  “From hither I can see the poor thing shivering.”

“Thank ye, brother.”  Of course, her violent shudders, in accompaniment with her chattering teeth, all but screamed her chilled state, despite her protests otherwise.  As would a dutiful husband, he tightened his hold.  “Better?”

“Much.”  Nuzzling his chest, she hugged him about the waist.  “I am sorry to cause ye so much difficulty, my lord, but I underestimated the severity of the storm and overestimated my capacity to withstand it.”

“My lady, thou art no difficulty.”  Borrowing from Arucard’s example, Demetrius pulled her close and swaddled her as he would a fragile babe.  An image of torn and bloody flesh flashed before him, and he flinched.  In detail, he recalled Isolde’s battered and bruised body, after her father beat her almost to death, and he winced.  The mere thought of a similar fate befalling Athelyna inspired strong emotions, in an altogether different direction, none of which he could master.  For some reason he could not explain, the urge to protect her burned bright as the sun within him, and he kissed her forehead.  “Thou art my wife, and thy welfare is my responsibility, which I take in solemn consideration.”

“Be that as it may, I am grateful to thee.”  Even half-frozen and exhausted, he found her beauteous.  “Thou art warm, my lord.”  Yawning, she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep in his embrace, and her trust humbled him.

So they continued the journey in relative peace, until eventide approached, and Arucard commanded they establish a temporary lodging for the night.  But Demetrius remained in the saddle, while the others set up his tent, as Athelyna dozed, and Isolde insisted he not disturb his bride.  Yet it bothered him to sit idle, as the others toiled.

“Demetrius, thy accommodation is prepared.”  Arucard stepped into position, and Demetrius gave his wife into his brother’s safekeeping and dismounted, only to reclaim Athelyna.  “Hither, convey thy charge to thy shelter, whither Isolde awaits ye, whilst I tend thy destrier.”

“Thank ye.”  He turned but paused.  “Arucard, I would help ye, once I settle my wife.”

“Nay, as thither is naught for ye to do but the obvious.”  The leader of the Brethren shook his head and surveyed the encampment.  “This is a difficult period of adjustment for ye, and no one knows that better than I.  Trust me, it will take some time to become accustomed to thy new life, as a couple, but it will go much easier for both of ye, if ye doth not fight it.  Thou must be patient, and never forget she is thy priority, in all things.”

“As always, thou art wise.”  He dipped his chin.  “I shall do my best to follow thy right and true example.”

“Then thou wilt make her a fine husband.”  Arucard smiled, and a measure of mutual understanding passed between them.  “Send Isolde to our tent, as I would not have her overtire herself.  Given the weather, we cannot risk illness on the road.”

“Of course.”  With that, Demetrius carried his woman to the diminutive home away from home.  He bent and pushed through the untied flap, whither Isolde spread pelts atop the straw-filled mattress, which rested upon the traveling frame.  “Arucard requests thy presence.”

“And I shall abide his command, once thou hast removed thy lady’s damp garments, and I have delivered a meal of hot broth and bread, which thou must ensure she eats.”  Isolde fluffed a pillow.  “Set her hither, and take off her cloak, shoes, and hose, whilst I fetch the food.”

“I am sorry she is not available to be of use, that she might ease thy burden.”  None too gently, he yanked Athelyna’s shoes.  Recalling Isolde’s delicious fare, which she cooked on the maiden journey to Chichester, he envied her strength and capability, in comparison with Athelyna’s apparent frailty.  “Instead, she hath added to thy tasks.”

“Hold thy tongue, as I do not appreciate thy meaning.  Art thou so judgmental, given ye hath known her for but a couple of days?  Wilt thou criticize her without knowing the full circumstances of her upbringing?”  The hurt in Isolde’s expression manifested a vicious reproach, which he heeded.  “For as long as I have known ye, thou hast always been a kind and generous man.  Wherefore art thou so uncharitable towards thy wife, when thou art the soul of compassion with strangers?  As her mate, thou art her lone champion.  Without thee, she hath naught.  Wilt thou leave her so vulnerable to attack?”

“Thou dost speak the truth, and I am duly chastised.”  How he detested it when Isolde spouted unquestionable wisdom, as she did just then.  “I am new to the marital state, and I have only thy example to follow.”

“Thy lady and I are two different beings, and thou wilt do well to remember that.”  Isolde bent and collected the cloak and hose, which he had strewn upon the wool rug, but she stopped, wiped her brow, and sighed.  “It is not easy to be a woman in this world.  In many respects, it is a crime punishable by a life sentence of labor and strife, without a proper advocate to fight on her behalf.  I am not her rival, and she is not mine, but I will defend her if ye will not, so do not give me reason to usurp thy authority.”

“I stand corrected.”  Just then, Athelyna opened her eyes, glanced at him, and yawned.  “Art thou unwell?” he asked.

“Nay.”  She shook her head and peered at Isolde.  “If thou wilt give me but a minute to compose myself, Lady Isolde, I should be too delighted to assisted ye with whatever thee dost require.”

“Nonsense.”  Like the mother she had become, Isolde stacked the clothing and walked to the flap.  “Get beneath the covers, before ye dost take ill, and I shall return with thy sup.”

“By thy command.”  Athelyna bowed her head.  Alone with him, she wiped a stray tear.  “I have brought shame upon ye, and I apologize.”

“The shame is mine.”  Wherefore could he not reconcile himself to his fate, given he spoke the vows?  Mayhap Arucard employed the right approach, and Demetrius would do well to trudge the same path, yet something inside him resisted what everyone thought inevitable.  “Now do as Isolde bids, before ye get us both in trouble, as she is formidable, especially when crossed.”

“But I heard what ye said, and I would make ye proud.”  Given the distressed look on her face, he could have kicked himself.  “As thou hast asserted, I am thy wife.  Regardless of my previous wishes to join the convent, I am married and must honor my vows.”  When he drew back the covers, she hesitated, frowned, and shuffled beneath the blankets and animal skins.  “Despite what happened today, I swear I am no delicate flower.  If thou wilt but give me a chance to prove myself, I can be of use.”

“The fault is mine for thy deteriorating condition, as I should have insisted ye ride with me.”  Indeed, he had considered the option but decided against it, as he did not want her so near.

“In that, we are in agreement.”  Bearing a tray with a large bowl, a trencher filled with chunks of bread and strips of dried beef, and a steaming mug, Isolde sniffed in unmasked reproach and then deposited the items on a small table.  “Thither is enough food for both of ye.  Now I should retire, as Arucard grows impatient.”  At the flap, she halted and pointed.  “Also, I brought ye a small container of yarrow salve, which thou should rub onto Athelyna’s cheeks, as it will soothe her wind burned flesh.”

“Gramercy, good lady.”  Clutching the blanket to her chin, Athelyna wiped away another tear.  “I am in thy debt, which I shall repay in full at the earliest opportunity.”

“Pass a pleasant night, get plenty of rest, and remain in satisfactory health, and we shall consider the debt paid.”  Isolde offered his wife a gentle smile.  “If thou dost take ill, thou wilt delay my return home, and I long to see my daughter.”  She strolled to the exit but halted.  To Demetrius, she said, “Secure thy humble abode, as the storm grows strong, and I fear the gale would threaten thy temporary quarters, despite my husband’s adept anchoring.”

“Then I will spare not a drop of the broth, and I would follow any suggestions ye might have to avoid sickness.”  He favored Athelyna’s uncommon logic and acquiescence, when she could have protested.  “Again, I offer my gratitude, Isolde.”

“And I wish ye uninterrupted sleep, my lady.”  After she departed, he tied tight the flaps of his double belled wedge tent and turned to his bride.  “Now, I must feed ye.”

“But I am quite capable of managing myself.”  Athelyna shifted and grimaced.  “First I should remove one of my gowns, as it is a tad restrictive.”

“Hither, I should assist ye.”  Moving swift and sure, he eased back the pelts and covers.  “Permit me to loosen thy laces.”

“All right.”  In seconds, he swept off the heavy wool surcoat and then slackened the cotehardie.  “Oh, that is much better.  Thank ye.”

Rather than carry his wife to the food, he lifted the tray and dragged the table to a convenient position beside the bed.  A large chunk of bread beckoned, and he tore a smaller piece, dipped it in the hot broth, and brought the morsel to Athelyna’s mouth.  For an instant, she just stared at him.  Then she covered his hand with hers and ate from his grasp.