Chapter Twenty #3
Douglas returned his attention to Jonathan.
“De Honiton thinks it is me and so does everyone else, so he demanded that Isabel surrender me to face his justice,” he said.
“When she refused, he threatened Axminster, Lioncross, and anyone else he could. He told her that she would never know a moment’s peace for the rest of her life, that he would keep up the harassment in punishment for Raymond’s death.
When Lady Isabel tried to reason with him, he told her the only way he could be soothed was if Isabel was to give him one of her wards so that he could marry the girl and have another son to replace the one that was taken from him.
He demanded Mira, given that she was the object of his son’s lust, but Isabel refused. ”
By this time, Jonathan was scowling at him. “He said that?” he said. “He simply wants a woman handed over to him, just like that?”
“Evidently.”
Jonathan shook his head. “Then the man is clearly losing his mind,” he said. “Is that why he is telling the Axminster men that he will soon be their lord? Because he has gone mad?”
Douglas shook his head. “He is telling the men that because Lady Isabel, in order to save Axminster and Lioncross years of harassment from de Honiton, has made him the offer of marriage,” he said.
“She will not give over one of her wards, so she gave him the only woman she could—her. Once de Honiton marries her, he will be the Earl of Axminster. It is enough of an offer to still the man and make him forget about his vengeance.”
Jonathan looked positively horrified. “Isabel?” he gasped. “And… that man? De Honiton?”
“Aye.”
“But what does Eric say about this? He and Isabel are…”
He didn’t finish even though it was the most poorly kept secret at Axminster. Douglas motioned Jonathan closer, indicating for him to sit, then sat down opposite the man as Davyss pulled up a stool. Their huddle was close and quiet.
“Eric is talking about challenging de Honiton to a fight,” Douglas muttered. “He wants to fight the man for Isabel’s honor. We all know how that will end.”
Jonathan rolled his eyes. “Eric has not wielded a sword in years.”
“Exactly,” Douglas said. “I do not know de Honiton’s skill level, but he arrived fully armed. That makes me suspect he is not afraid to wield a sword like Eric is. Therefore, the fight will be over before it begins.”
“Eric will get himself killed.”
“Agreed,” Douglas said. “But the core of Eric’s plan is a sound one.
If we get rid of de Honiton, then we eliminate the problem.
Isabel and Eric remain true to each other and there will be no harassment of Axminster or Lioncross or anyone else because de Honiton has no relatives.
The line will be gone. Everything will return to the way it was before de Honiton and his unwelcome son pushed their way into Axminster for the night. ”
By this time, Jonathan was watching him carefully. “You have a plan.”
It wasn’t even a question, but a statement.
Douglas fixed him in the eye. “Wolfie, I know you have worked with the Executioner Knights in the past,” he said.
“Not only are you Blackchurch-trained, but you are also an Executioner Knight veteran. I know you have worked with Myles because he told me. Something about a Flemish count who was providing money to the Welsh for an attack on Kirk Castle. You needn’t deny it because I know it to be true. ”
Jonathan’s expression never changed. “I will not deny it,” he said. “But you are telling me this for a reason, I suspect.”
“You would be correct.”
“What do you want me to do?”
Douglas lifted an eyebrow. “Something unsavory.”
Jonathan did grin then. “Isn’t that usual for men like your brother and I?” he said. “You were never involved in anything like that, Douglas. Your father never recruited you like he did your brothers.”
Douglas shook his head. “My father’s path for me was different.”
“How?”
“Papa kept Westley and I away from the Executioner Knights,” he said.
“I spent most of my youth in the royal household. I know nearly everything there is to know about every major house, every army, every foreign diplomat… anything that involves Henry and his politics. But I have been home on occasion, for long periods of time, especially as my father grew older. He always wanted Westley and I to be invested in the politics while my brothers—and men like you—were more invested in insuring England would always remain strong.”
Jonathan understood. “Each man has a calling,” he said. “Mine has always been to accomplish a task, whatever it takes, no matter how distasteful. My younger brother may be the Wolfe of the Border and my older brother may be an earl, but I am the one who ensures they have a country to defend.”
Douglas smiled faintly. “And you do it well,” he said, but quickly sobered. “I realize that asking you to kill a man is unsettling at best, but it is a man who is harming good people. People who are our friends. And I would kill for my friends, Wolfie. Even you.”
Jonathan put a hand on Douglas’ shoulder. “I could not have said it better,” he said. “Therefore, I am going to find Eric and ensure he survives. Did he have something in mind?”
Douglas nodded. “Luring de Honiton to the battlements and pushing him over the side.”
Jonathan shrugged. “Simple and effective,” he said. “But I would not trust Eric do accomplish this on his own. De Honiton will more than likely fight back, you know. It will not be an easy thing if Eric is not prepared for resistance.”
Douglas lifted his eyebrows in resignation.
“Although I admire Eric, the man is not a warrior,” he said.
“He admits that himself. I’m not sure if he had visions of grandeur when planning to save Isabel, but I am uncomfortable with letting him do this on his own.
Save him from himself, Wolfie. But do not let him know it. ”
That seemed to settle it. Both Jonathan and Douglas knew what had to be done. As they stood up, preparing to move out, Davyss stopped them.
“I want to be part of this,” he said. “What can I do?”
Douglas and Jonathan looked at the young knight with the flashy sword and a taste for blood. Jonathan put a brotherly hand on the young man’s shoulder.
“If we fail, then de Honiton is yours,” he said. “Do you think you are capable of what we are asking?”
“To kill him?”
“Aye.”
Davyss grinned. “Slowly or quickly?”
In spite of the serious circumstances, it was the best laugh Douglas had in a long time. With a plan in place, the three knights moved out.
It was time to end this once and for all.