Chapter Seven #2
Edward couldn’t disagree. The allies along the Marches should be alerted. His focus returned to Caius.
“So de Lohr’s army returns to Lioncross,” he said. “That leaves the Pembroke army. What do you intend to do?”
Caius looked at him. “I want you to take your army home, too,” he said.
“By dispersing the armies, I believe de Wrenville will see just how little power he really has. I believe it will also convey to him that we do not support his actions against Hawkstone. I will remain with Pembroke troops and keep Maxton, Morgan, and Gareth here with me.”
“And do what?” Edward wanted to know. “You will be here with a thousand-man army that you do not intend to use.”
Caius shrugged. “I will remain here because I was ordered to come,” he said. “But I also remain here in the event of Marius de Wrenville’s return.”
“Why?”
Caius didn’t want to say what he really meant.
He’d only met Emelisse de Thorington one time, but there was no denying he was attracted to the woman.
The first time he saw her, he’d felt something he’d never felt before, something he couldn’t explain.
He didn’t know what it was yet, but the idea of her being forced into marriage didn’t sit well with him.
He would try to explain it to Edward in a way that didn’t make him sound like a fool.
“Because I took an oath, just like we all did,” he said quietly.
“Remember the words of a knight’s oath, Edward – be without fear in the face of your enemies.
Be brave and upright that God may love thee.
Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death, and safeguard the helpless, the weak, and the innocent.
Knowing the situation here, and knowing how de Wrenville is going to force Lady Emelisse and her brother into submission, I feel as if I would be forsaking my oath if I leave.
At this moment, Lady Emelisse and her brother are the helpless, the weak, and the innocent. And I cannot walk away knowing that.”
It was a reminder to all of them of the oath they’d taken, of the good and true life they all tried to live because of it.
At least, for the younger knights, that was the creed, but for the knights like Caius and Maxton and even Edward who had spent time in the sands of The Levant, they’d blurred the lines of that oath more than once, all in the name of King Richard.
But that wasn’t up for debate at the moment. The past was the past, but there wasn’t one man in that room that didn’t respect and agree with what Caius was saying. They were almost ashamed they had to be reminded of it. Standing next to Caius, Morgan clapped him on the shoulder.
“I will remain with you,” he said. “I have been at your side at Richmond for the past few years. Do not think you can get rid of me now.”
Caius smiled weakly. “You do not wish to return to Richmond and assume command while I am here? I know you dream of a command of your own someday.”
Morgan chuckled softly. “Of my own, aye, but not Richmond,” he said. “That belongs to you. Moreover, Rhory is in command while we are away. He is more capable than anyone I know.”
Caius nodded, thinking of Rhory de Serreaux, a most impressive knight from the powerful Lincolnshire de Serreaux family.
“He is,” he said. “In fact, I am thinking on introducing Rhory to William Marshal. I believe he’d make a fine agent.
But I digress… Richmond is in good hands and if you wish to remain with me, I am grateful. ”
As Morgan and Caius smiled at one another, Gareth spoke up.
“And me,” he said. “I would consider it an honor to remain here with The Britannia Viper, if you will have me.”
Caius looked at the man, big and dark and terrifying. He was also quite young, so that inherent intimidation that came from him would only grow more powerful with age.
“You do not wish to ride to Four Crosses to tell your father what is happening?” he asked him.
Gareth shook his head. “As Kevin said, his father can send word,” he said. “I would rather be here where the action is.”
“As would I, my lord.”
That was an unfamiliar voice and they all turned to young William, sitting on the bed beside his father.
When he saw all of the eyes turning in his direction, he stood up, facing them bravely.
He was quite tall for his young age, taller than Kevin easily and nearly as tall as Peter.
But he faced Caius with courage beyond his years.
“My father told me that you offered to let me be your squire while you were here tending to William Marshal’s task,” he said.
“I would be honored, my lord. It is a rare opportunity to learn from such a great warrior. I have learned all I can from the master knights of Kenilworth. Will you not consider allowing me to serve you permanently?”
Caius grinned. “You think you’ve learned all you can from Kenilworth, do you?”
William shrugged. “I know more than they do sometimes,” he said with the arrogance of youth. “Their tutelage was fine when I was younger, but now… now, I want to learn from a great knight like you. Will you not consider it?”
Caius had to admire William’s boldness. But it was more than empty boldness; he could see substance behind it. Perhaps even greatness, someday, simply from the way he carried himself. Caius had noticed it from the first.
In any case, William wasn’t wrong in wanting to learn from one of the best field commanders in England.
The master knights of Kenilworth were teachers, molding young men into warriors, but they lacked the knowledge in the things Caius had experienced as The Britannia Viper and as an agent of William Marshal.
He recognized that he had something unique to offer a future knight.
After a moment, he nodded.
“I am agreeable to keeping you with me provided your father agrees,” he said. “But let us take this slowly. Let us get through this situation with de Wrenville before we decide to commit to each other for life. Agreed?”
William smiled timidly. “Agreed, my lord. And thank you.”
Edward was looking proudly at his youngest son. “William is very bright,” he said. “He will do what you tell him to do, all that you tell him to do. Won’t you, lad?”
William nodded. “Indeed, I will,” he said. “I will not fail.”
“Of course you won’t,” Caius said. “But if I hear you’ve been arranging gambling games, I will sell you to the Irish and tell your father you ran away.”
Everyone started laughing at William’s expense, and he grinned, unruffled to be the butt of a threat. “I hear the Irish like to gamble,” he said. “That may not have the results that you hoped for, my lord.”
That brought on more laughter, mostly from Edward at his clever boy. Grinning, Caius shook his head.
“You have your hands full with this one, Edward,” he said. “I’ll see if I can tame him a little.”
Edward, still smiling, patted William on the arm.
“I like him just the way he is,” he said.
Then, he sobered. “Now, good men, all levity aside, we have a feast to attend. As soon as this snow eases, we will return the armies back where they came from, but until then, we are de Wrenville’s guests.
Other than Caius, Maxton, and I, keep your mouths shut and keep to yourselves, and if de Wrenville tries to reach you and coerce you into siding with him, ignore him.
I have a feeling he may not be beyond such things. ”
The parameters were set and the men knew what they had to do.
Decisions had been made and, soon enough, they would be carried out.
As the snow whistled and the storm continued to rage, the men bundled up in their fur cloaks and warm clothing, following the rope all the way up to the warm and noisy great hall.
An interesting evening was about to begin.