Chapter Seventeen
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“G allus!” Simon called as he dismounted his enormous blond, Belgian warmblood. “I am surprised to find you here!”
Gallus took a deep breath to brace himself and made his way over to Simon de Montfort. A big man with dark, graying hair and piercing eyes, de Montfort was the heart of the movement against King Henry. De Montfort had many barons, some more powerful than others, but he had very few people that he permitted close to him. The de Shera brothers were some of the very few. Therefore, de Montfort’s relationship with them was more on a personal level than a business level, but even that friendship could be tested. As Gallus approached the man, he wondered if today would be one of those days that would see it fall to the test.
“Why would you be surprised to find us in our own home, my lord?” Gallus said, grasping the man’s outstretched hand.
Simon squeezed Gallus’ hand, studying the man a moment. There was something in his eyes as he looked at Gallus, something cold and judging. It was typical de Montfort.
“Because I told Edward the only way you would not immediately answer a summons is if you were in some manner of trouble or if you were dead,” he replied, the warmth fading from his expression. “You are not dead, so what manner of trouble are you in?”
It was more than a question. It was a command that instructed Gallus that some manner of trouble must be descending upon the House of de Shera. It was the only excuse Simon would accept for the refusal to answer the summons. Gallus kept his expression impassive but as Maximus walked up behind him to greet Simon, Gallus spoke softly.
“We have received some news about a relation of Max’s,” he said quietly. “It has kept us at Isenhall. Will you come inside so that we may speak of it?”
Simon’s expression went from suspicion to concern. “A relation of Max’s?” he repeated. “What does that mean?”
Maximus was catching up on the conversation and immediately realized what his brother was speaking of. Evidently, Simon had demanded the reasons behind ignoring the summons sooner than they had expected. It was clear that explanations were immediately in order or they would find themselves in a good deal of trouble very quickly.
“Come inside, my lord,” Maximus said softly. “I will tell you.”
Simon put his hand on Maximus’ arm. “Is it serious, Max?”
Maximus shook his head. “I will say that it has changed my life,” he said honestly, for the introduction of Cassius certainly had. “I am sorry we have not sent word to you yet but this… this situation has taken all of our time and focus.”
By now, Simon was very concerned and very serious, but he caught sight of movement out of the corner of his eye and noted that Prince Edward was rounding the horses and heading in his direction. He held out a hand to indicate the prince.
“Let us make all introductions first and then we shall retreat into the keep,” he said, lifting his voice when Edward came near. “Your Grace, this is Gallus de Shera, Earl of Coventry, and his brother, Maximus de Shera, Baron Allesley. My lords, meet His Grace, Edward, the next king of England.”
Both Gallus and Maximus had spent a good deal of time with de Montfort in his struggles against the king and they had, on many occasions, seen Edward. They had never been formally introduced to him, however, so this was a first. It was an awkward moment but they tried to overlook that, instead, focusing on Edward. He was a tall man, thin but powerfully built, and his blond hair had a reddish tint to it. He wasn’t particularly handsome in feature, especially with one eye that drooped, but his dark eyes were intense. There was fire behind them. Gallus remembered once that he had heard the man described as a “leopard”. He could see, looking at him at close range, where that might be a reasonable description. There was something about him, even at his young age, that was intimidating.
“Your Grace,” Gallus greeted him. “Welcome to Isenhall.”
Edward’s piercing gaze lingered on Gallus a moment before turning to look at the fortress around him. “It is rather small,” he said. “I have heard tale of Isenhall and had built it up so much in my mind that I expected golden walls and great pillars.”
Gallus’ eyes twinkled. “And I had built you up so much in my mind that I expected fire from your eyes and doom from your lips,” he said. “Although that still may happen. The day is young.”
Edward looked at him, suspecting an insult, but he ended up breaking down in a grin. “It is,” he said. “Watch, now, I still may shoot fire from my eyes and burn you to cinder simply to amuse myself.”
Gallus chuckled, glancing at Maximus, who was not grinning in the least. Maximus had never had any love for Edward or the man’s reputation so Gallus put himself between Edward and Maximus to avoid any immediate conflict, pointing to the keep.
“Let us go inside and speak,” he said. “Allow us to show you Isenhall’s hospitality.”
Edward and Simon moved for the keep with Gallus as Maximus moved a few feet behind them, and Edward began to look around as they mounted the steps to the keep.
“I seem to recall that there are three de Shera brothers,” he said. “Where is the third brother?”
“In London, Your Grace,” Maximus said before Gallus could speak. “He has business there.”
Simon turned to look at him curiously. “Oh?” he asked. “What business?”
“Tiberius hopes to secure a betrothal,” Gallus said, hoping he could cleave this line of conversation quickly with a simple explanation. “My youngest brother has decided he no longer wishes to remain unmarried now that Max and I have taken wives. He should be joining us very soon, so not to worry.”
Simon nodded although Edward didn’t care at all. Betrothals were not his concern. Still, Simon wanted more information.
“Tiberius? Married?” he snorted. “I never thought I would live to see the day. I hope he is not marrying into a good family. I would hate to explain away his behavior when he shames the woman by being unfaithful. I do not want to lose an ally because of him.”
Gallus lifted his eyebrows, a helpless gesture. “If he does, then I suppose I will be the one doing the explaining,” he said. They were just coming off the stairs and the entry door loomed ahead. “Please come inside, now. We will have refreshments brought out. I am sure you are weary from your ride.”
Maximus entered the building first with Simon behind him. Gallus and Edward brought up the rear and Gallus graciously allowed the prince to pass into the keep before him. As Edward entered, Gallus turned to the bailey and spotted Scott. He caught the man’s attention with a sharp whistle and indicated for the man and his brother to join them. With Scott and Troy moving towards the keep as a second set of ears to the meeting with Edward, and leaving Stefan now in charge of the bailey, Gallus followed Edward inside.
It was cool and dark inside as the men moved into the small, vaulted-ceilinged solar just off the entry. It was their most common gathering place, the place where they conducted their most important business or perhaps shared a family meal. Those old walls had seen much over the years and now they were about to see a prince.
Maximus had already sent a servant running for Jeniver and Courtly so as the servant went off, the men began to settle around the table and fine wine, imported from Spain, was brought to the table. It was sweet and dark and red, and Edward smacked his lips with satisfaction at the first pleasurable taste.
“Excellent wine,” he commented. “I would expect no less from the House of de Shera.”
Gallus dipped his head in thanks. The truth was that he was on-guard with the prince, both he and Maximus were. For years, Edward was the right hand of Henry and now, he was here, pledging his loyalty to de Montfort. Both Gallus and Maximus knew it was because he wanted something from Simon and they were equally sure that Simon knew that as well. The man was no fool. Therefore, it was with absolutely no trust that they sat down with the prince to discuss whatever it was Simon was here to discuss. The mood of the room was one of caution and doubt.
Simon wasn’t oblivious to that. He took a seat next to Edward as Gallus and Maximus sat across the table from them both. The lines, invisibly, were drawn– it was Simon and Edward facing off against Gallus and Maximus. When Scott and Troy entered the chamber, Simon indicated the twin brothers to Edward simply to divert the sense of suspicion that was filling the room. Already, the meeting was unpleasant and he didn’t want things to grow worse.
“Sons of the mighty William de Wolfe,” de Montfort said to Edward. “The blond beast is Scott and his dark counterpart is Troy. They have their father’s skill and cunning. I have tried many times to convince them to swear fealty to me but, alas, they are attached to the de Shera brothers. There is no accounting for their taste.”
It was meant as a joke. Gallus smiled weakly as he indicated for Scott and Troy to sit, which they did on the opposite side of Maximus. Now, it was four men against two. If Edward sensed that, which he surely must have, he didn’t acknowledge it. He was regarding the big de Wolfe brothers.
“William de Wolfe,” the prince said pensively. “I was raised on stories of the man’s valor. He and my father were quite close, years ago, but things have since changed. It is unfortunate.”
Gallus wasn’t sure if that was a statement directed at Scott or Troy, so he spoke for them. “Men change, Your Grace,” he said politely, his gaze fixed steadily on Edward. “Loyalties change, of which you are evidently living proof.”
The tension and suspicion was now acknowledged. Edward nodded faintly, looking across the table at Gallus de Shera and knowing the man was formidable. The Thunder Lord , they called him. Aye, he knew of the man and his brothers. Everyone in England did. The man was known to bring down the thunder with him in a battle, unleashing hell, and Edward knew this personally because he had attended battles where the de Shera presence had been heavily felt. At this moment, he was having difficulty seeing the man as an ally and he knew Gallus was having the same issue. It was obvious in everything about him. More than that, the very big and very mean Maximus de Shera was seated next to his brother, glaring, even if he didn’t realize he was doing it. Edward braced himself for what was to come.
“Loyalty is a complex issue,” he finally said. “Loyalty can be a hindrance or it can be an asset.”
“Depending on how it suits one’s purpose,” Gallus supplied. “What is your purpose, Your Grace? I am interested to know.”
Simon cleared his throat softly. “Gallus,” he admonished. “He has declared allegiance to me. That is all you need know for now.”
Gallus turned to de Montfort. “Then why did you bring him here if I am not allowed to question him?” he asked. “As with all of your allies, if we are to support the prince as we support you, then I would know why we are doing it. That is only fair.”
Simon didn’t like Gallus’ attitude because, in a sense, the man was questioning him as well. He opened his mouth to reply but Edward cut him off.
“It is all right,” he said, holding up a hand to Simon. His eyes, however, never left Gallus’ face. “My reasons are many fold, de Shera. My father has all but handed over England to his Savoyard relatives. The English barons are resistant to that and the resistance grows. I fear that when it is time for me to assume my father’s place, England will be a province of France. That is one of the reasons.”
Gallus wasn’t convinced. “What else?” he asked. “You have wars raging in France yourself. I have heard you are running out of manpower to supply them. Have you come to de Montfort seeking some of his allies to fight your wars for you?”
Simon was becoming increasingly upset over Gallus’ blunt questioning but Edward didn’t seem to mind. “It is possible,” he said. “That has not come up in conversation yet. But I also bring a good deal to de Montfort’s cause.”
“Like what?”
“Manpower.”
Gallus cocked his head, confused. “How much manpower?” he asked. “Most of your assets are in France.”
Edward shook his head. “I bring men and material with me,” he replied. “I have relations that are eager to support de Montfort against my father.”
Now Gallus looked at Maximus, his bewilderment growing, before returning his attention to Edward. “What relations?”
“Lusignan support.”
Gallus’ jaw dropped. “Lusignan?” he repeated. “You bring your French relatives to fight for de Montfort when it is the French faction we are trying to remove from England? That is utter madness.”
Simon had to speak. He could no longer remain silent. “Gallus, the Lusignans hate Henry’s Savoyard contingent deeply,” he said. “Lest you forget that the Savoyards are deeply entrenched in Henry’s court. They have all but taken it over.”
Gallus was growing more outraged by the moment. “I know that all too well,” he said, his gaze moving back and forth between Edward and Simon. “But the Lusignans are the queen’s relatives and that is most certainly not an element we need or want in England. This will only make matters worse if the de Montfort cause takes on French support. Simon, you will have your barons leaving you in droves.”
Simon’s jaw ticked faintly. “Including you?”
Gallus backed off a bit, but not enough. He had always been a truthful man. “Including me,” he said quietly. “Unless you give me a reason as to why taking on Lusignan support is a good idea, I will leave and I will take the de Shera allies with me.”
The threat hung heavily in the air, a brittle point of contention that was simply waiting to be shattered with the anger that was sure to follow. But no anger came as Edward spoke softly.
“You have the queen’s support as well,” he said. “My mother wants my father’s faction out of England as well. Eleanor gives her full support over to me and over to Simon.”
Gallus went from outraged to stunned. His mouth actually popped open. “The queen supports a rebellion against her husband?”
“She does indeed.”
That fact would change the tides of the war. Gallus looked at Maximus, who seemed equally stunned. A glance to Scott and Troy showed their surprised reaction as well. As Gallus gathered his wits to form a reply, they were distracted with Jeniver and Courtly entering the room.
Beautiful women in beautiful clothing filled the solar with their light and grace, pushing aside the tension that had been so heavy only seconds before. Happy to have the distraction, Gallus stood up and held his hand out to his wife as Maximus rose to collect his.
“Your Grace,” Gallus said to Edward. “Please meet my wife, the Lady Jeniver ferch Gaerwen de Shera. Jeniver is the hereditary princess of Anglesey. Jeni, we are honored to welcome Prince Edward to Isenhall.”
Edward rose to his feet. “Lady de Shera,” he greeted. “It is an honor. Your family is an old and prestigious one.”
Jeniver smiled thinly at the man who was a great enemy of all Welsh people. “Your Grace,” she greeted evenly, although there was instant hatred in her heart. “Welcome to Isenhall.”
Edward bowed politely, sensing something cold from the woman. But he didn’t much care, to be truthful. Women were inferior and he gave them little regard, even hereditary princesses. He looked to Maximus and the lovely blond woman on the big knight’s arm.
“My wife, Lady Courtly de Shera,” Maximus introduced her.
Edward nodded in acknowledgement. “Lady de Shera.”
Quickly, Edward reclaimed his seat and his wine chalice, no longer interested in the wives of the de Shera brothers, as Simon rose and made his way around the table to Jeniver, who was heavily pregnant. He smiled at the woman.
“Lady de Shera,” he said, indicating her big belly. “When is Gallus’ son to be born and how long will it be before I can count on his sword?”
It was meant as a joke, to lighten the mood, and Jeniver politely smiled. “Give him at least a year or two, my lord,” she said. “At least until he can walk.”
Simon grunted. “If he is a de Shera, then he will be born with a sword already in his hand.”
Jeniver rubbed her belly. “I thought I felt such a thing,” she said, teasing. “Rather poking me, but I could not be sure.”
Simon laughed politely, turning his attention to Courtly. “And you, Lady de Shera?” he asked. “When can I expect a son from you?”
Courtly appeared thoughtful. “In April, my lord,” she said. “At least, I believe so. I am sure it will be a boy.”
Standing next to her, Maximus’ eyes widened. “What is this?” he demanded. “What did you just….?”
Courtly turned to him, grinning. “I was trying to find the right moment to tell you,” she said, making a face as if she had just said something quite shocking. “Lord de Montfort asked and… well, it just came out. I am sorry I did not tell you in private.”
Maximus just stared at her as Gallus and Simon started laughing. “It just came out ?” Maximus repeated, stunned. “How can such a thing just come out?”
Courtly could see that he was torn between outrage and glee. “I just told you… he asked.”
That didn’t help Maximus’ sense of shock. “We… we are to have a son?”
“Hopefully.”
“You are certain?”
“I am.”
Maximus didn’t know what else to say or do. All he could think to do was wrap his arms around his wife, which he did, while Gallus clapped him on the back and Simon laughed with delight at Maximus’ shock. It wasn’t often that the great Thunder Warrior was rattled, but he was rattled now. Simon clapped his hands together.
“We must celebrate this joyful news,” he said, moving over to the pitcher of fine wine and pouring more for himself and Edward. “I congratulate Baron and Lady Allesley for the coming addition to their family. It is a happy event!”
Simon and Edward drank as Gallus hugged Maximus, and then Courtly, and Jeniver hugged them both as well. It was truly wonderful news although, in truth, Jeniver already knew, as Courtly had confided in her about the pregnancy days earlier. It would seem that Courtly’s only symptom had been missed menses and she was eating like a horse, feeling fine and energetic in contrast to Jeniver’s very delicate pregnancy.
Therefore, there was truly no way Maximus could have known any differently about his wife’s condition unless she told him, and now she finally had. Maximus had never been happier about anything in his life but the mention of a baby brought about thoughts of Cassius. Another son. As Maximus reluctantly sent Courtly and Jeniver out of the solar so they could continue with their meeting, he brought up the subject of the reason behind their delay in answering de Montfort’s summons.
“So now you know my good news when I do,” Maximus quipped softly. “Truly, she could have picked a better time.”
Gallus laughed at him. “It does not matter in the grand scheme of things,” he said. “I am wildly happy for you, brother. A new generation of de Sheras are to be born.”
“Indeed,” Maximus said, still rather stunned by the news. As he reclaimed his seat, he looked to Simon, who was halfway through another cup of fine wine. “In fact, a new generation of de Sheras is the reason we were delayed in answering your summons, my lord. As Gallus told you, our delay had to do with a relative of mine. A son, in fact. It would seem that I fathered a child fifteen years ago and he has only just come to Isenhall to claim his de Shera birthright.”
Simon’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “ You fathered a bastard?” he repeated, astonished. “I can hardly believe my ears.”
Maximus nodded. “It is true,” he said. “Years ago, when I fostered at Kenilworth, I fell in love with the daughter of a smithy. When my father found out, he sent the girl and her father away, but she was pregnant with my son when she left. I did not know this, of course, but she has since died and my son has come to Isenhall.”
Simon was listening with great seriousness. “I do seem to recall something like that,” he said. “Antoninus de Shera was quite upset about the affair, as I recall. He had me send away one of the best smithies I have ever had. A big man who stammered, as I recall.”
Maximus nodded. “The same man,” he said. “He and my son are now living at Isenhall.”
Simon absorbed the news. “And that is why you did not immediately answer my summons? Because of your bastard?”
Maximus didn’t like Cassius being referred to in such a way. “His name is Cassius,” he said quietly. “I would appreciate it if you addressed him as such. Being called a bastard is so… cold. He is a de Shera to the bone and I embrace him completely.”
Simon was rather amused at Maximus’ defensive stance. “And your wife?” he asked. “Does she embrace him completely?”
“She does.”
Simon held up his cup to Maximus. “Then I congratulate you,” he said. “I would like to meet this lad.”
“You will.”
Simon drank from his cup and poured himself more. As Gallus and Maximus continued to speak on the coming babies, Edward sat silently and observed. He seemed to be taking it all in, digesting it, studying the men who were once his enemy. Perhaps they still were. As he poured himself a third cup of wine and prepared to re-enter the brittle subject of his support, the queen’s support, and the Lusignan contingent now behind de Montfort’s rebellion, Stefan suddenly appeared in the solar entry.
“My lord,” he said to Gallus, sounding rather breathless. “We have sighted a lone rider approaching Isenhall.”
Gallus’ brow furrowed. “A lone rider?” he repeated. “Why is that of concern?”
A hint of a smile flickered on Stefan’s bruised lips. “It is Tiberius, my lord,” he said. “I recognize his big, gray stallion. I thought you would want to know that Tiberius is coming home.”
Tiberius is coming home.
Gallus and Maximus were up and running for the keep entry before anyone could draw another breath.
*
Tiberius could see the great portcullises of Isenhall lifting, the chains creaking and the smell of scorched hemp in the air from the heavy ropes that also secured it. He knew the sentries recognized him because Storm was so distinctive. In certain light, he appeared silver, and with his black mane and tail, the horse was quite recognizable. He was not hard to spot, even at a distance.
The truth was that the sight of Isenhall caused a lump in Tiberius’ throat. Home , he thought. I have come home . Truthfully, he wasn’t sure when he would ever see his beloved Isenhall again after swearing fealty to de Moray. It was possible that it was something he would never see again except in the wrong end of a battle, so this moment was particularly sweet for him. Four days after leaving Wintercroft, he and Douglass had finally arrived, and Tiberius was both relieved and thankful. He thanked God that he had made it.
But he began to grow concerned when he passed through the gatehouse to the cheers of the de Shera soldiers and saw a collection of de Montfort horses and men inside the small bailey. It was quite crowded, in fact. He had to shove another horse out of the way so he could actually enter the ward.
“God’s Bones,” Douglass said as Tiberius dismounted and held up his hands to help her off the horse. “Who is here? Look at all of these horses.”
Tiberius glanced over at the escort bearing the blue and white of de Montfort. “Simon de Montfort is here,” he said with some trepidation in his tone. “Undoubtedly to berate Gallus for not obeying his summons.”
Douglass slid down into her husband’s arms and even when she was on her feet, she remained pressed against him, uncertain in the crowded conditions. “What summons?” she asked.
Tiberius kissed her on the forehead and took her hand, smacking a big horse’s arse to move it out of his way as he moved through the crowd towards the keep.
“The summons de Montfort sent us before we escorted you and your father to London,” he replied. “We were supposed to go to Kenilworth but instead I convinced my brothers to ride escort for de Moray. If de Montfort is here to chastise them, then I must take the full blame. They did it because of me.”
Douglass held on to Tiberius’ hand tightly as he made his way through the sea of men and animals towards the keep. She was forced to admit that the thought of Tiberius in trouble with de Montfort frightened her. Anything that was a threat to her husband’s welfare frightened her.
The past four days, traveling from Wintercroft to Isenhall, had seen the two of them bond in ways she never knew was possible. The days of riding had been hard and fast, with little time for rest or conversation, but at night he always made sure she had a comfortable bed to rest in. The nights had become their time together, to talk of all things serious or trivial, and to discover the intimacies of being a husband and wife. Tiberius wasn’t shy about letting his na?ve wife know what pleased him and she was coming to discover what pleased her as well. She’d never felt so close to anyone in her life and her love for him knew no bounds. Therefore, the thought of him in trouble with de Montfort was terrifying.
“What will de Montfort do?” she asked, apprehension in her voice. “Will he punish you?”
Tiberius could hear her fear. “Nay, sweetheart,” he assured her. “He will yell and he will threaten, but he will not punish. He never has before.”
Douglass felt a little better with his reassurance but she was still anxious. As they approached the steps of the keep, the door opened and men were flying out at them. It took Douglass a moment to realize it was Gallus and Maximus.
“Ty!” Gallus exclaimed, throwing his arms around his youngest brother. “You have returned!”
Tiberius grunted when Gallus hugged him too tightly. “I have,” he said as Maximus grabbed his head and kissed him on each cheek. “Great Bleeding Christ! You act as if I have come back from the dead.”
“You nearly have,” Gallus said, immediately seeing Douglass at Tiberius’ side. He wasn’t quite sure how to react so he decided to be blunt in his questions. No need for tact at that moment. “Can I expect de Moray to lay siege to Isenhall now?”
Tiberius started to laugh. “Nay, brother,” he said assuredly. “She is mine, legally and morally. De Moray gave her to me but it was not an easy task. I will tell you about it sometime, but for now, you will tell me what de Montfort is doing here?”
Gallus sighed heavily, with great relief. “In a minute,” he said, pointing at Douglass. “Is she my sister now?”
“She is.”
Gallus went to the woman and put his arms around her. “Thank God,” he said, hugging her. “I cannot tell you how glad I am to hear that.”
Douglass grinned as she accepted Gallus’ somewhat enthusiastic hug. “It was most definitely a battle,” she said as Gallus let her go and she accepted Maximus’ kiss on her cheek. “Tallis d’Vant and your brother had quite a battle. I was there. I saw the whole thing.”
Gallus and Maximus looked at Tiberius, greatly concerned and greatly interested. “Is that so?” Gallus wanted to know. “Can I now expect all of Cornwall to lay siege to Isenhall because you defeated one of her sons?”
Tiberius chuckled. “Not at this time,” he said. “I will tell you all about it, but first let me go inside and explain everything to de Montfort. I am sure he will want to know why I pledged my fealty to de Moray.”
Maximus put out a hand to stop him as he started to mount the steps. “He does not know,” Maximus said quietly. “We did not tell him. We did not tell anyone, in fact. No one knows. For all they are aware, everything is as it should be and you have simply returned home with a new wife. Leave it at that.”
Tiberius’ brow furrowed. “You did not tell anyone that I swore allegiance to de Moray?” he asked, both perplexed and oddly relieved. “Why not?”
Gallus answered. “I could not bring myself to do it,” he said honestly. “Ty, we are the de Shera brothers, the Lords of Thunder. It is always the three of us and the loss of one diminishes the other two greatly. I suppose… I suppose I could not accept that you were no longer with me. I could not bring myself to face it.”
Tiberius put a hand on Gallus’ shoulder. “I will always be with you,” he said softly, warmly. “I suppose I could not face being away from you, either. You are where my heart and soul lies. In fact, that is why I have returned. I had to fight d’Vant and nearly the entire de Moray contingent to get here, but I am here. I have come across some information that you must know. I am glad de Montfort is at Isenhall for he can hear it as well.”
Gallus and Maximus were deeply concerned. “God’s Bones,” Maximus exclaimed. “What has happened?”
Douglass had been listening to the brothers speak and the way Tiberius had glossed over the real struggles he had faced to make it back to Isenhall. As arrogant as he was, she could see that, as a warrior, he was quite humble when it came to the true scope of things he had faced. She admired him a great deal for his sense of modesty in that respect.
“He would not tell me what it was,” she said, watching the men look at her. “He kept it to himself, for my safety, I am sure, but I will say this. Tiberius has fought very hard to return home to Isenhall to tell you what he knows. He is evidently too modest to tell you the struggles he went through, but they were great. I know, for I saw everything. He is noble and true, and he is deeply devoted to you both. Before my father permitted us to wed, he was going to return to Isenhall without me in the hopes that whenever these troubles were over, he could return to claim me. He only thought of you two before all else and I am very proud of him for it. Understand that he risked his life to return to you.”
Tiberius appeared rather embarrassed while Gallus and Maximus looked at their brother with a mixture of awe and concern. “Then I am anxious to hear it, Ty,” Gallus said, putting his hand on his brother’s cheek. “Let us go inside and tell de Montfort.”
Tiberius nodded, escorting his wife up the stairs as they headed for the keep entry. “He must know most of all,” Tiberius said. “It involves one of his holdings.”
The dark, cool innards of Isenhall’s big keep swallowed Douglass up first and squeals of joy could be heard as Jeniver and Courtly, having seen the arrival from their rooms at the top of the keep, welcomed yet another de Shera wife into the fold. As the woman chatted and hugged happily, Maximus put his big body in the doorway and prevented his brothers from entering. He focused intently on Tiberius.
“Now that your wife is not within earshot, what in the hell has happened?” he demanded, his voice low. “Tell us quickly. What is so important that you had to fight and struggle so that you could reach us?”
Tiberius didn’t hesitate. “Henry has ten thousand French mercenaries to support him,” he said quietly. “I overheard d’Vant tell de Moray and de Winter that Henry no longer plans to fulfill the provisions he promised to uphold back in May when the councils met in London. He wants to take control of his country and he plans to start by confiscating Erith Castle in Cumbria. He wants to use the castle as his base while he secures the north. His orders to de Moray and de Winter were to rally their troops and move north to the town of Ingleton, whereupon the rest of Henry’s allies would amass and move on Erith. Had you not known this and were called to help defend Erith against attack because it is de Montfort’s holding, you could have walked into a slaughter. This I could not have allowed. I nearly killed d’Vant so that I could come home and tell you.”
Maximus and Gallus had the same look Tiberius had when he first heard the news; sickened and tinged with dread. Gallus finally hissed. “Ten thousand French mercenaries?” he repeated, astonished. “Is it really true?”
Tiberius nodded. “That is what d’Vant said,” he replied. “This is purely confidential information, you understand. I heard it purely by accident. When I was discovered, d’Vant wanted to execute me as a spy but de Moray and de Winter would not let him. It finally came down to a rather brutal fight and when d’Vant was incapacitated, de Moray let me go. He wanted me to warn you as well.”
As Gallus shook his head, overwhelmed by the entire circumstance, Maximus grunted in disbelief. “So you fled,” he said. “But you fled with de Moray’s daughter.”
“That is because de Moray let me. I have his blessing.”
“You would not lie about this?”
“Of course not. Ask Douglass if you do not believe me.”
Gallus put up a hand to stop the conversation between them. “Whether or not he married Douglass without de Moray’s blessing is not at issue,” he snapped softly. “What is at issue is the fact that Henry is moving thousands of French scum into England to do battle for him and his first target is Erith Castle. De Montfort must know immediately.”
Tiberius nodded firmly. “Indeed, he must,” he said. “But there is one more thing– de Moray told de Winter and d’Vant that Edward is siding with de Montfort. He did not divulge who told him the information, of course, but if Henry does not yet know that his son has betrayed him, he soon will.”
Gallus and Maximus processed that bit of information. It seemed as if both sides knew something quite serious about the other. The situation, the struggle within the greatest hierarchies of English power, was growing in magnitude. But instead of moving into the keep to inform de Montfort, as Tiberius expected, Gallus’ gaze continued to linger on his younger brother. There was curiosity there and perhaps even suspicion. There was a great deal he wanted to say.
“It seems there is much that has happened since you have been away,” Gallus said quietly. “Now that you have delivered this information to us, what does this mean for me and Maximus and you? Will you now return to de Moray to fight with him or will you remain with us?”
Tiberius smiled sheepishly. “My loyalty was never truly with de Moray,” he said. “Surely you knew that. I was honest in my intentions when I pledged to the man, but even he knew that my heart and soul are with you. I am not sorry I went with de Moray for I have what I set out to acquire; his daughter. But I am sorry that I withdrew my fealty from you as if it were an easily breakable bond. It’s not, you know. Will you accept my oath, brother? I swear to you I shall never withdraw it again.”
Gallus gave him a lopsided grin. “I knew your loyalty was never with de Moray, either,” he said. “I knew you would come back someday. I prayed you would.”
All was right in the world again now that the de Shera brothers were reunited. Gallus hugged Tiberius and Maximus kissed the man on the cheek again. All was forgiven, as if nothing had ever happened. As if Tiberius had not strayed. With nothing more to say, the three of them continued on into the dim interior of Isenhall Castle where de Montfort had just been introduced to Lady Douglass de Moray de Shera by Lady Jeniver.
De Montfort lifted an eyebrow at the fact that Tiberius’ new wife was a daughter of a supporter of the king, but he said nothing. Nor did Edward when he was introduced to the woman a few minutes later. Politics and loyalties, these days, made for oddly arranged marriages.
When the de Shera women were settled in another room and Tiberius told de Montfort and the prince what he had heard at Wintercroft, they were rather glad Tiberius had evidently been consorting with the enemy for if he hadn’t been, he would not have been in a position to collect vital intelligence. De Montfort was about to lose a strategic property if they didn’t move quickly and as much as the de Sheras did not want support from the Lusignans, de Montfort did and it was his property they were defending. The French were in.
As the afternoon waned and turned into the evening, a war council met in the solar of Isenhall, men planning to make their way north to Erith Castle and circumvent King Henry from taking what did not belong to him and use it for a launching point in his attempts to subdue the north from de Montfort’s influence. By midnight, the de Shera army was mobilizing for a dawn departure as the de Shera brothers, along with de Montfort and Prince Edward, attempted to get a few hours of sleep before departing. Already, things were in motion because there was no time to waste. They had to make it to Erith Castle quickly or all would be lost.
A storm rolled in just before dawn and the thunder began to roll, with pounding rain and strong winds, but Gallus, Maximus, and Tiberius didn’t mind a bit. It was a good omen as far as they were concerned.
The Thunder was about to storm.