Chapter One #2
The group broke out in laughter the way Maximilian had said the word “dare.” He dragged the word out, making it a long and hissed word.
In fact, William turned away, unwilling to engage in any more of Maximilian’s theatrics, at least before their bout, but the truth was that he, like everyone else, thought Maximilian was humorous and exciting.
And he was. But he was also a serious competitor, and all jesting aside, he wasn’t particularly keen to go up against the enormous, and wildly talented, de Wolfe.
Maximilian had talent, but not nearly as much as some of the other competitors.
Maximilian, at times, got by on sheer perseverance alone.
As William and Essien headed back toward the arena, Maximilian tugged on Addax.
“I must speak with you,” he said. “Walk with me.”
Excusing himself from Cole and Julian and Beau, Addax followed Maximilian away from the arena and toward the smithy stalls that were crammed together on the east side of the field.
This was where competitors with broken lances, armor, or even weapons had their equipment repaired, and the smell from the forge fires was strong.
Smoke billowed up, black and thick, as the smithies stoked the flames.
But it was nothing compared to the flame that was currently being stoked in Maximilian’s chest.
He was a man with much on his mind.
“I should go and see how de Birmingham fares,” Addax said, pulling off the linen cap that covered his long, dark hair against the chafe of his helm. “I knocked the man into the guide, but I truly had no idea that he’d been impaled. Did you see it?”
Maximilian was preoccupied. “See what?” he said before he thought about what Addax had said. “Oh, that. Aye, I saw it. He hit the guide hard, but I did not see anything impale him. Who told you that?”
“The field marshal.”
Maximilian shrugged. “It cannot be too serious, for I saw the man walk from the field,” he said. “But enough about him. I have troubles, Addax. Big trouble.”
Addax looked at him. “What trouble?”
“My father should be here shortly.”
Addax’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “The Earl of Bretherdale?” he said. “Why is that trouble? I should think that is great news. I’ve not seen your father in a couple of years.”
Maximilian waved him off. “It is not great news because he is bringing someone with him.”
“Who?”
“My betrothed.”
Addax came to a halt, facing him with a confused expression on his face. “I think you had better start from the beginning,” he said. “Since when are you betrothed?”
Maximilian averted his gaze. “I have been for two years,” he said. “I’ve simply never spoken of it.”
“Nay, you have not,” Addax said, eyeing him. “I’ve known you for years, and you’ve never said a word about it. Nor have you behaved like a betrothed man, if you get my meaning.”
Maximilian waved him off defensively. “I know,” he said. “But that is because I do not feel like one. This was not my doing.”
“Your father?”
“Aye.” Maximilian nodded. “It was his idea. My betrothed is the widow of Sir Ernest de Witt. Have you heard the name?”
Addax thought on it. “I do not think so,” he said. “De Witt. De Witt. Nay, it does not sound familiar. Who is he?”
Maximilian sighed sharply. “You mean who was he,” he said.
“Only one of the wealthiest warlords in England. The man’s family has control of most of the northern Pennines and surrounding lands, which include great lead deposits.
Their lands border my father’s lands, and when de Witt died, my father waited a nominal amount of time before soliciting the man’s widow. Without my permission, I might add.”
Addax could see how unhappy he was. “Ah,” he said. “No wonder you’ve never spoken of it.”
Maximilian shook his head firmly. “I would like to forget he did such a thing, but alas, I cannot,” he said.
“My father sent me a missive last month telling me that he would be here at this tournament this week and he would be bringing my bride with him. Then I received a missive from him today telling me that he will be here this morning. He says that he expects a wedding.”
“The very day he arrives?”
Maximilian shrugged. “Who knows?” he said. “Knowing my father, it could be the very moment he steps off his horse. But he certainly means we should do it during his visit, considering he is bringing her with him.”
A distasteful prospect, as far as Maximilian was concerned. Addax could read it all over his face, so he was careful in proceeding.
“Have you met her?” he asked.
Maximilian shook his head. “Nay,” he said.
“I’ve never met her. If she’s the widow of de Witt, who was a very old and very disagreeable old man, I might add, then surely she’s old and disagreeable also, although my father did say that she was his second wife, so mayhap she’s a bit younger.
Imagine that, Addax. I am to marry the leavings of a disagreeable old man. ”
Addax wasn’t unsympathetic. “Then you’ll simply have to focus on the good,” he said. “The good is that she is wealthy. You’ve said so yourself.”
“True.”
“And a man needs heirs, Max.”
Maximilian rolled his eyes. “She was married for ten years to de Witt, and there are no children,” he said. “The old cow is barren.”
“Did de Witt have children from his first marriage?”
“Nay, he did not, which is why his lands and wealth will go to me.”
“Then mayhap the problem was not with her, but with him.”
Maximilian cocked his head thoughtfully, but it was only momentary. “Pah,” he said, spitting onto the ground. “The only good out of this situation is the money. I will use it to pay for a stable of mistresses.”
Addax didn’t exactly think that was a good idea, especially for a titled earl, as Maximilian would be when his father died, but he didn’t say anything to that effect.
He could see how unnerved and unhappy his friend was, so he didn’t want to point out the flaws in his future plans.
The man was trying to figure out a way to make himself happy in a world that would probably be filled with disappointment.
Marrying an ancient, infertile woman, wealthy though she might be.
But something didn’t make sense to Addax.
“Why would your father force you to marry a woman who is old and barren?” he said. “That makes no sense, not if he wants the Bretherdale line to continue. Are you sure she’s older?”
Maximilian shrugged. “As I said, I have never met her,” he said. “But I can only assume what I have told you based on the facts. My father brokered his contract so that I inherit the de Witt lands, which will join with the Bretherdale lands. It will be an enormous empire.”
“But that doesn’t explain why he wants you to marry a woman who cannot bear a child.”
Maximilian sighed again. “Because she is the granddaughter of King John,” he said. “More than the wealth, that is at the heart of this situation. Her mother was a royal bastard, so she has royal blood and royal connections. My father wants that for me.”
Addax nodded in realization. “Now that makes sense.”
Maximilian rolled his eyes. “Aye, it does,” he said. “But hopefully, she is old and will die soon. Then I can marry a young woman and have my heirs.”
“And keep the de Witt money.”
“Exactly.” Maximilian scratched his head irritably. “Addax, will you do something for me?”
“If I can.”
“My bout is up next, and I do not wish to be distracted, not when I am to face de Wolfe,” he said. “Will you greet my father when he arrives? He will be coming to the competitors’ camp, straight to my encampment. Please?”
Addax was hesitant. “He will expect to see you, Max.”
Maximilian’s irritation grew. “I realize that,” he said. “But I told you that I do not wish to be distracted. Would you want to be distracted, going up against de Wolfe?”
Addax shook his head. “I confess that I would not,” he said. “In fact, I heard him say that Hage and de Norville would be arriving shortly, and you know how those three can be when they are together.”
Maximilian shook his head as if that was the worst news he’d ever heard.
Addax was speaking of Sir Kieran Hage and Sir Paris de Norville, two of the most talented young knights the north had ever seen, stationed at Northwood Castle with de Wolfe.
The trio had been thick as thieves most of their lives, and even at their young age were legendary in military circles, but not always for the best of reasons.
Young, brash, and with a talent for gambling, the three had quite a reputation both on and off the battlefield.
They were like everyone’s naughty younger brothers.
Younger brothers that needed a good spanking now and then.
“Damnation,” Maximilian muttered. “Hage is a beast. He is coming just in time for the mass competition and the swords. With his size and strength, he is unbeatable in those events.”
Addax grinned. “If we stay together for the mass competition, we may have a chance of victory over him,” he said. “But in the swords, one on one, there is no chance. I doubt I will even compete in that.”
Maximilian was rolling his eyes miserably but ended up laughing at the thought of a very big, very strong knight, who was more brawn than brains at this point in his life, sweeping through the competition as if they were all untried children.
“We shall see,” he said, still pretending as if he had a chance. “In any case, back to my father. Will you greet him for me?”
Addax’s smile faded. “I suppose,” he said. “If I must.”
“Good,” Maximilian said with relief. “Take them into the lists if they arrive in time. They can watch me compete.”
“Against de Wolfe?”
“It will make me try harder knowing that my father is watching.”
Addax shrugged. He wasn’t sure that was a good idea, because de Wolfe was nearly as unbeatable as Addax was in the joust, but he didn’t say so. He didn’t want to undermine Maximilian’s confidence.
“As you wish,” he said. Then, hearing shouting over near the arena, he turned in that direction and shielded his eyes from the sun. “It looks as if the guides are close to being repaired. You’d better go and prepare.”
Maximilian did, rushing off toward the arena where his horse and lance and men were gathered.
That left Addax standing alone, wondering why he’d agreed to greet the Earl of Bretherdale in the first place.
The man wasn’t going to want to see him.
He was going to want to see his son, who didn’t seem to have any sense of responsibility when it came to greeting his father.
Perhaps letting a friend greet him was Maximilian’s way of telling his father just what he thought of the betrothal and the wedding plans. Whatever the case, Addax was stuck.
With a heavy sigh, he headed off to the competitors’ encampment.