Chapter Five #3
Garret knew it was sage advice but he hated putting his brother in the middle of it. “You are asking my brother to be a spy.”
“It would be asking him to be an advocate for his king. The unfortunate truth is that Rickard may hold the key to everything.”
He was right. Garret couldn’t even argue about it because it made the most sense. But he couldn’t stomach putting his brother in harm’s way. He looked at Zayin.
“Colchester is the man who nearly murdered you in The Levant,” he muttered.
That fact had been established long ago and Zayin simply nodded. “I realize that.”
“This is Alfaar we are speaking of.”
“I am well aware.”
“What he tried to do to you, he could do to my brother if he discovered my brother is spying against him.”
“Your brother is a warrior. If he is truly a supporter of the king, then he will be willing to take the risk.”
Garret had no more argument. He simply shook his head and turned away, trying to absorb everything. Walter watched him pace for a moment before turning his attention to Zayin.
“Alfaar,” he repeated. “I have heard that name before.”
Zayin was concerned about Garret and his reaction to all of this. He, too, watched Garret’s face for a moment before answering Walter.
“That is how Sir Garret and I came to know each other,” he said.
“He saved me from an English knight who tried to assassinate me and make it seem as if the Templars were the ones who would have committed the murder. On the journey back to England from my home, we realized that Jago de Nantes had survived after trying to kill me because we saw him with the hordes of Christians making their way home. Colchester has never recognized Sir Garret as the man who saved me and, although he has seen me once or twice since our return those years ago, he has never recognized me as the man he tried to kill.”
Now it was Walter’s turn to be surprised. “Then it is Colchester whom the men called Alfaar?”
Zayin nodded. “It suits him.”
“What does it mean?”
“The Rat.”
Walter grinned. “Ah, it does suit him,” he said.
But he quickly sobered, turning to Garret, once more.
“Garret, I know this is a great deal to digest, but it is important we form some plan of action where your brother is concerned. Zayin is correct; Rickard’s inside knowledge could be invaluable to our cause.
It could make the difference between Richard holding the throne and losing it. ”
Garret has his back turned to them. “You cannot put the success of this entire endeavor on my brother’s shoulders,” he said. “That is a lot to ask of the man.”
Walter made his way over to Garret, shuffling over the stone floor. He put a bony hand on Garret’s shoulder.
“Rickard is a knight,” he said simply. “He has been trained to endure all the vocation involves, including discovering if his liege is a traitor to the king. Do you feel as if he would refuse to do this?”
Garret hesitated a moment before shaking his head. “Nay,” he said. “He will do what needs to be done. I… I suppose I simply do not want to put him in that position.”
“There is no one else.”
Walter was right. God help him, Garret knew the man was right.
The situation in England was growing critical and the politics right along with it, so they were all involved to a certain extent.
Some more than most. And Rickard, who had been so proud of his appointment with Colchester might very well be putting that appointment in jeopardy.
For the safety of England, he was going to have to go above and beyond.
“Very well,” Garret finally said. “I will go and see my brother. I will speak with him and determine if he can be trusted in this matter. I cannot imagine his loyalties have changed to the prince even if Colchester has swung in that direction, but I will discover what I can.”
Walter patted him on the shoulder. “Excellent,” he said. “I know this is difficult for you, Garret, but it is necessary. When you are finished speaking with him, come to me and tell me what you know.”
Garret simply nodded. Walter patted him on the shoulder one last time before quitting the chamber, shuffling out into the morning that was already becoming heated and humid from the moisture of the river. When the man was gone and the door shut behind him, Zayin stood up from his chair.
“Your brother is not a fool, Salibi,” he said quietly. “He will not put himself in any more danger than necessary. And his wife is carrying their child. He would never do anything to put his wife and child in danger. You must not worry so.”
Garret knew that but he was still protective over his brother and what he was about to ask the man to do.
“I know,” he said. “I suppose I should head over to The Wix this morning to see him. I did not have much opportunity to speak with him last night, so I can use that as my excuse to visit this morning.”
He was already moving for the door and Zayin followed. “You can also see Lady Lyssa this morning,” he said casually, although he was watching Garret for a reaction. “You can see how she fares after hitting her head last night.”
That brought back memories of the previous evening, some wonderful, some not so wonderful. Garret rolled his eyes as he put his hand on the door latch.
“Christ,” he muttered. “She will probably want nothing to do with me after that debacle.”
The corners of Zayin’s mouth twitched. “Then you do want her attention.”
Garret’s head snapped to him, fully prepared to deny it, but he found he couldn’t. Now, thoughts of Rickard were shifting to thoughts of Lyssa and he was suddenly very eager to go to The Wix.
“I shall not confirm or deny anything,” he said, shoving the door open into the sticky morning beyond.
Zayin grinned. “She is a beautiful woman. You can confess your intentions if you wish.”
“Oh, shut up.”
Zayin laughed all the way to the armory.