Chapter Eight #2
Wynter craned her neck to get a look at the distant army but quickly gave up because the column was moving.
She tied Spring’s palfrey to the back of the carriage before mounting her own horse, riding forward through the men to the front.
She wanted to get a look at the mercenaries because, frankly, she’d never seen any before.
She could see them spread out by the southern wall, a rather large encampment.
“De Luci told my father he had hired mercenaries to fortify his ranks against Lord Stagshaw,” she said. “I never thought I would actually see them.”
She was in the midst of the knights at the front of the line, who hadn’t noticed her until she spoke. They, too, were looking off towards the army of professional soldiers.
“My father used to tell stories of the mercenary armies King John brought into England when he was fighting the wars against his own barons,” Clark said, his gaze on the distant camp.
“He said they tore up the country worse than anything he’d ever seen.
They have no love for England, only for themselves.
They steal, kill, and maim without regard. ”
There was condemnation in his tone. He didn’t sound thrilled in the least that a foreign army was on English soil. Wynter turned to the man, noting his hardened expression.
“You will be joining Tynedale’s army as an observer when he goes to war against Stagshaw,” she said. “My father told you as much. You are supposed to watch the actions of the mercenary army so they do not get out of hand.”
Clark grunted unhappily. “It is not for me to control them if they get out of hand,” he said.
“I am simply supposed to be a neutral observer. I am to be on the side of Tynedale in case the allies condemn him for an army that was beyond his control, but the truth is that he has done something dangerous. No one likes mercenaries around here, my lady. I know why Tynedale hired them, but I am not sure I agree.”
“It is not for you to say.”
“Nay, it is not.”
He sounded both resigned and disgusted. In truth, she felt some pity for him, an honorable man who viewed dishonor as worse than death and mercenaries the worst of all. Her gaze moved back to the men who were spread out in their well-made tents.
“Do you think they’re going to war against Stagshaw immediately?” she asked. “Mayhap my mother’s unannounced visit today was ill-advised.”
Clark simply shrugged. “I’d heard rumor in Durham that there had been a foreign army sighted, so I suspected they might be de Luci’s paid soldiers,” he said.
“In any case, this is not a surprise. We knew they were coming. But your mother only wants to stay the night and leave on the morrow, so I do not think our arrival will delay anything.”
Wynter’s attention remained on the army in the distance. She could see that they were flying big standards over the tents, much as any other army would do. The standards had something coiled on it, golden lines against a sea of black.
It occurred to her what she was seeing.
“El Vibora,” she muttered.
Clark looked at her. “What did you say?”
She pointed. “Brian said he’d hired a mercenary army led by a man named El Vibora,” she said. “The Viper. See the serpent on his standard?”
Clark could, indeed, see the golden serpent against the dark background. “I do,” he said. “Somehow, that does not comfort me. A mercenary called The Viper? I hope we do not need St. Patrick when this is over to chase away the snakes.”
Wynter glanced at him, grinning, and he broke down in a series of ironic snorts. He could only hope that these mercenaries did their job and left quietly.
The last thing they needed was a land full of vipers.
*
In the great hall of Langley Castle, one that smelled heavily of dogs and unwashed bodies, Brian happily joined his unexpected visitors and more than happily greeted Wynter.
He bid her a warm welcome but she was characteristically distant.
If he was disappointed by the young woman who couldn’t seem to warm to him, he didn’t show it. As always, he simply soldiered on.
“I am greatly honored by your visit,” he said, indicating for them to sit at the dais of the great hall, which was being quickly swept up. “I cannot remember when I’ve had such charming guests. To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?”
The hall of Langley was surprisingly small for the size of the castle itself.
It was an enormous place, with a massive moat around it, and gatehouses that would keep out God himself when properly secured.
But the hall was smaller, and cozy, and traditionally arranged with a dais at one end and three massive feasting tables rather crammed into the rest of the space.
“We were returning from Durham and thought we would visit Langley,” Maryann said, maneuvering her way to the dais through the tables and benches. “It seems as if we have come at an inopportune time, however. We saw the army outside your walls.”
Brian had his servants running for refreshments.
“They have only just arrived,” he said, indicating the most comfortable chair for Maryann to sit in.
“In fact, I have not yet met their leader. I have only received a missive telling me of his arrival and that he will join me once his army is settled.”
“I do not think it would be wise to have the women in the hall when they arrive, my lord,” Clark said in a tone of utter disapproval. “I do not think Lord Ashington would like his family exposed to such men.”
Brian looked at him as if surprised by the suggestion but, very quickly, he realized the man was right.
“You are correct, of course,” he said. “I did not mean to suggest that we should have Lady Ashington and her daughters in the same room as mercenaries. I will make sure the men are kept away from them.”
That eased Clark somewhat. “That would be best,” he said. “I know that my lord would appreciate your discretion.”
“I am happy to provide it.”
“And you do know that I am to remain here at Langley as an observer when you go against Stagshaw?”
Brian nodded. “I do,” he said. “I welcome your presence and wisdom, de Vries. This is a… difficult situation. I hope a neutral presence will keep the situation from becoming an all-out war between neighbors.”
“And you do not think we are past that point?”
“I hope not.”
Clark simply nodded, unwilling to express his willingness to assist because he wasn’t willing at all.
He didn’t want to involve himself in someone else’s battles.
He was saved from the awkward moment, however, as servants began to appear with food and drink.
As they all began to sit down to what turned out to be quite a delicious feast of warmed-over beef pies, stewed fruit, and a bowl of milk for Autumn’s kitten, which she had carried into the hall, one of Brian’s gatehouse commanders appeared.
But he wasn’t alone.
There were four men with him.
Wynter was the first one to notice. She was sitting at the end of the dais, trying to figure out how to position herself so she wasn’t sitting next to Brian, when the men made an appearance.
Since it was daytime, the massive iron chandeliers in the hall weren’t lit, nor were any of the freestanding sconces positioned around the room.
The only light was coming in through the windows placed high on the walls, which allowed for quite a bit of illumination.
It was enough for Wynter to see a big, bald man enter with three large men around him.
She recognized two right away.
One in particular.
Gage.
Shocked, Wynter watched as the four men made it about halfway into the hall before Brian stopped them. He met them in the middle, exchanging words that had the men focused intently on him as Clark, Etienne, and Dirk rushed to the dais.
“Come, ladies,” Clark said, quickly but steadily. “Let us leave immediately. This is no longer a suitable place for you.”
Maryann didn’t argue. After what had happened to Autumn, she wasn’t willing to expose any of her daughters to something Clark considered unsuitable.
She leapt up, pulling Autumn with her as Clark reached out and took Summer by the hand.
Etienne took charge of Spring, following the others to a servants’ entry, while Dirk came to collect Wynter.
“My lady?” he said, holding out a hand. “With me, if you please.”
Wynter thought about ignoring him. In fact, she was so swept up with the sight of Gage that she very nearly pushed Dirk out of the way because he was cutting off her view. She craned her neck around him to catch a glimpse of Gage but as she did so, Autumn suddenly let up a cry.
“Gage!” she gasped. “Mama, it’s Gage!”
The procession of women and knights towards the servants’ entrance came to a grinding halt as Autumn broke away from her mother and rushed towards Gage, still clutching her precious kitten against her chest. Because she was running, Spring started running and because Spring was running, Wynter yanked her hand away from Dirk and sprinted after her sisters.
The only sister who wasn’t running was Summer and that was because she was holding Clark’s hand.
There wasn’t anywhere else she would rather be than holding the hand of the man she loved.
But Autumn had spied the knight who had saved her and she was gleefully flocking towards him.
“Gage!” she cried out as she drew close to the startled knight. “You’re here! I’m so happy you’re here!”
Because of the angle of the entry, Gage hadn’t seen the women at the dais. He’d caught sight of movement out of his peripheral vision when they began to move towards the door, but he was more focused on Varro and, subsequently, Brian. Autumn’s appearance had caught him off guard.
“My lady?” he said, rather incredulous. “And… and you are here, as well. What are you doing at Langley?”
He didn’t know what else to say. Autumn was standing in front of him, her entire face alive with joy.