Chapter Six #2
Atilius shook his head. “With the Welsh on our side, we can manage,” he said.
“Enough talk, Tatius. The matter is settled. When Cadelyn of Vendotia arrives, we will escort the two of you to Mountain Dark, where Nesta and her people will be waiting for the marriage to take place. That is where it will all start. In fact, I will send Nesta word today that her daughter will soon be arriving.”
Tatius didn’t have anything to say to that. He drained his cup of wine and poured himself more. As he began to drink, heavily, Atilius rolled his eyes at the man and quit the hall, disgusted at the weakling he had for an elder brother. Fabius paused before turning to follow him.
“You worry too much, Tatius,” he said. “We will be rich and powerful, all of us. And with your Welsh heritage, I would think you would be more sympathetic to the plight of your own people.”
Tatius didn’t reply. Fabius waited a few seconds, but realizing Tatius had no intention of answering, he simply turned and left the hall, following Atilius’ path out.
That left Tatius and Antoninus in the hall, alone, as the servants began to filter in, stoking the hearth and lighting the fat tapers to give the chamber some illumination.
From his position over near the door, where he’d been listening to every word, Antoninus went to his eldest brother.
Wise, kind, and compassionate Antoninus. He was a godsend to his eldest brother, but too young to take a stand against the middle brothers at this point. He’d only get himself killed. Tatius knew this; he pitied his youngest brother greatly for being born into such a house.
“You cannot stop them, Tatius,” Antoninus said quietly, putting a hand on the man’s shoulder.
“They are ruthless and ambitious, both of them. All they see is the opportunity for lands of their own. They resent you for what you have and they will use any opportunity to gain possessions for themselves.”
Tatius turned to his youngest brother; powerfully built, even at his age, he was handsome, with green eyes and dark blond hair. He was a man of good character and Tatius loved him dearly. He lifted a hand, putting it against Antoninus’ cheek.
“How is it that we have such a strong, noble lion amidst a den of vipers?” he asked, a smile on his lips. “You are my guiding light, Antoninus. I do not know what I would do without you.”
Antoninus returned his smile. “I fear for you, Tatius. I fear what will happen to you once they have what they want. They envy everything you have.”
Tatius shook his head, dropping his hand from his brother’s face to pour himself more wine. “They can have it,” he muttered. “If I could simply give it over to them, I would, but something stops me.”
“What?”
He glanced at his brother. “The fear of what they would do to you if they did not have me to focus their venom on.”
Antoninus frowned. “I can take care of myself, Brother.”
Tatius smiled faintly as he lifted his full cup. “I know,” he said. “But I want you to do something for me.”
“What?”
“I want you to ride south to Lioncross Abbey,” he said. “Christopher de Lohr is the Warden of the Marches. I want you to tell him what is happening.”
Antoninus’ frown grew. “You want me out of the way so I will not have to be involved in what Atilius and Fabius are planning.”
Tatius sighed heavily. “I want you to be safe,” he said quietly. “And I want de Lohr to know what those two jackals are planning. Will you do this?”
“Nay.”
“Please, Antoninus.”
“I cannot.”
“Why?”
“Who will protect you?”
That brought tears to Tatius’ eyes. He went to his brother again, pulling the man’s forehead to his lips and kissing him gently.
“They will not touch me, not now,” he said.
“They need me for this marriage. But they do not need you for anything. Please, Antoninus – please go to de Lohr and tell him what is happening. The man must know and I cannot tell him myself.”
Antoninus was weakening with his brother’s logic. “But what will you tell those two about my absence?”
Tatius waved him off. “That is simple,” he said. “I will tell them that I have sent you into Wrexham to select a wedding present for my new bride. A new horse, mayhap. There is a broker in Wrexham who deals in exotic horses. They will have no reason to disbelieve that.”
He was right. Antoninus knew that. Still, he didn’t want to leave Tatius alone. “Are you certain?”
“I am. Hurry, now. There is no time to waste if my betrothed is on her way.”
Antoninus nodded reluctantly. “Very well,” he said. “I will go, but I will hurry back.”
“I know you will.”
Antoninus turned away from his brother, hesitantly, glancing back at the man as he made his way to the hall entry.
More people were filtering in now as the evening meal was approaching, and Tatius lifted a hand to his brother, waving at him encouragingly, hoping Antoninus would obey him and do what he was told.
He loved his younger brother dearly, but he was stubborn sometimes.
Tatius hoped this wasn’t one of those times.
All of northern Wales was about to go up in a voracious blaze of fire and rebellion, and no one would know anything about it until it was too late.
Ride, Antoninus, ride!