Chapter V. The Damsel of Lionsmouth #3
“The woman met my eyes, imperious, jaw clenched tight. I’ll admit my pride was a little stung at this greeting—I received a hero’s welcome in most places I visited, and to be spoken to like a disobedient pup who’d just taken a shit on the rug …
“‘I am Charlotte de León,’ the woman declared. ‘Loyal servant of God, granddaughter of Baron Gerrard, and Lady of Lions.’
“I inclined my head in greeting, stomach sinking. ‘Well met then, cousin.’
“‘Would that I could share the sentiment. Bastard.’
“‘Chevalier,’ Baptiste said. ‘S’il vous pla?t.’
“‘And if I do not please, monsieur?’
“‘I fought at the Battle of the Twins, mademoiselle.’ Baptiste nodded to the pale shadow on the wall.
‘As did Lord Aaron. We were both there to witness Gabriel de León slay one of the seven Princes of Forever, and save all Nordlund from the legions of Fabién Voss. We stood in San Michon Cathedral thereafter, where his shoulders were kissed by the blade of Empress Isabella de Augustin herself. Your cousin earned his title that day.’
“‘And sullied it every day thereafter. And the name of ma famille besides. Or is bedding nuns and breaking holy oaths de rigueur in Aveléne these nights?’
“‘Aveléne is fallen, Mlle de León,’ Baptiste replied. ‘Its murdered sons and daughters avenged, and its justice meted, by the man you scorn so freely.’
“Charlotte met my eyes at that, hand drifting to the sigil above her heart. Another man was come down from the walls now—a grizzled fellow looming at her right side. He was an officer by his look, sword-hard hands, eldest of her company. As he whispered into my cousin’s ear, she met my eyes, jaw clenched.
“‘A moment, messieurs.’ She glanced to Baptiste. ‘S’il vous pla?t.’
“‘Well, this is going splendidly.’
“Aaron had dropped from the walls like a stone, landed in the mud like a feather. Standing beside me now, he brushed soot off his lapel, his voice a low murmur.
“‘Mayhaps our needs might be better served in the capital after all. Augustin is a trek, surely, but we may find warmer welcome there for anointed Swords of the Realm.’
“‘We just spent two months dragging our arses here, de Coste,’ Lachlan hissed. ‘Ye want to spend another six walkin’ to the fuckin’ capital?’
“‘The stink should’ve washed off by then. Yours notwithstanding.’
“Lachie rolled his eyes, looking to me. ‘We should hold firm. These seem godly folk.’
“‘Godly, oui.’ Baptiste nodded to the ashen brows, the flaming swords pinned to each chest. ‘But they wear the sigil of your namesake, Gabe. Not the wheel.’
“‘He’s patron of León,’ I replied. ‘Legend tells it was the Angel Gabriel who commanded the first Baron de León to bring civilization to the wilderness in God’s name. And so long as his children’s faith in the Lord endured, so would his walls.’
“‘Attend!’
“We turned to Charlotte, her grizzled lieutenant scowling beside her.
“‘By order of our lord, any coldblood or thrall in the Barony of León is to be meted swift death.’ My cousin’s eye met mine, gleaming hard.
‘In light of your imperial accolades, you will not be put to the torch immediately. But you are trespassers here, uninvited, unwelcome, and in company of the Dead. I vow to the Almighty you will not be harmed, save by word of my lord. But you will submit yourselves to our keeping, surrendering your arms until my Baron deems you are worthy to wield them in his lands.’
“Twenty crossbows creaked as they were trained on our chests.
“‘Be assured I will lose no sleep if you refuse,’ Charlotte said.
“I glanced among my brothers, scowling all. We placed ourselves in peril submitting here. But hardened as they were from hunting the Dead, these folk were mere mortal men and women. Even unarmed, I knew we could swim in shit this deep.
“The real problems would arise in León. It seemed my grandfather still lived, and I’d no idea how he’d react to my arrival, let alone Aaron’s.
If things went tits up in the heart of his keep, we’d be in blood deep enough to drown us.
But that had always been the risk, I supposed, and despite Aaron’s bullshittery, none of us were in the mood to drag our sorry hides across the empire when a forge fit to mend Ashdrinker was now so near.
“So, I bowed, shrugging off bandolier and wheellock. Aaron stabbed Epitaph into the muck, watching with a grim smile as my cousin’s lieutenant tried to lift the massive blade.
As Lachlan slung off his pistols, Charlotte stepped across the mud, crimson cloak billowing about her.
Unbuckling Ashdrinker from my waist, I kissed her hilt farewell.
“‘This sword and I have been through hell together. Please take care of her, cousin.’
“‘I will refer to you by title,’ Charlotte replied.
‘You will do me the same courtesy. For though our Empress saw fit to leave you with your laurels after you dragged our name into the sewer, be assured that the hell you and your blade have ridden through will be frozen solid before I ever speak of you as famille.’
“I nodded at that, proffering my blade.
“‘Dame de León.’
“A curt nod. ‘Chevalier.’
“And snatching Ash from my hand, Charlotte stalked off through the mud.”