Chapter 14
Lord Kolson! Nella would know the brash sound signature anywhere.
Two steps the braggart popped into view seated at the table sipping a goblet of wine.
How did he know Callum’s title? There was no way possible for the laird to bequeath this information at the mere moments they had just left his solar.
The Northman’s eyes focused on her beyond Callum. “Aww, there is the spirited beauty. Please join me, Lady Fawnella. There is much to speak of. Commencing with who is the rotund guardsman flanking you and Sir Callum at each step.”
“The lady remains where she is near Sir Brayden till you state your purpose and who you are, Lord Kolson.” Her eyes narrowed at the broad back which faced her. Who had named Callum her keeper?
“Ah-ah, Sir Callum.” Holger flashed a grin. “The spirit rears its lovely head. An expression most unenchanted shadows behind you from the lady.” What a Northern arse.
She raised her chin. “Do you wish to declare the purpose you linger in my chamber or simply sip wine while throwing insults?”
“Oh, I cannot truly say what I wish for in this chamber with you, my lady. Your dashing knight would run me through at claiming his lady love for my own after a sound roll between the sheets.”
A rumble, only she heard, emanated from Callum.
Halt him! She dashed past Brayden to stand before Callum.
“Perhaps Sir Callum will run me through without taking you to my bed, my lady. How would King Alexander feel about the captain of his royal guard creating an incident that would void any hope of the treaty taking place in a mere wisp of time?” He knew Callum was captain too.
“Brayden,” Lord Kolson hollered at the knight, “make use of your bulk and shutter that door so we may all speak – privately.”
Click. Brayden closed the door then flanked her other shoulder while ordering, “’Tis Sir Brayden to you and ready to beat you blue as your beady eyes when my captain gives his order if you dare to make light of the lady’s choices of bedfellow once more.”
“Two knights.” Holger raised his goblet.
“Well done, Lady Fawnella. Perhaps I underestimated your talents in the bedchamber. A widow is so very seasoned to know a man’s tastes.
Do they venture in turns between your thighs with those ‘long tails’ or is it all at once?
” There was a hint in mirth to his signature tone. He was testing her knights.
Brayden’s growl matched Callum’s as they both began to charge. “Enough!” she shouted, grabbing a thick forearm on each knight with her hand’s. “Declare your purpose and halt your taunts in trying their loyalty!” Both forearms under her grasp paused at her enlightenment.
“Ah, the lady is as clever as she is lovely.” Holger grinned. “However, ’twas not loyalty but patience I was trying to measure. I must say the knights in the Scottish realm are quite impressive. I know ten in mine who would have slit my throat at the first toss in ill remark.”
Slam! Holger smacked his palm onto the table.
Removing his hand, there lay a signet ring beneath.
He raised his goblet toasting with words before taking a sip.
“King Magnus sends his regards, Sir Callum MacCade of Clan MacCade. Your chainmail is rather extraordinary; everything my lord king proclaimed.”
“A gestr or also called a spy, for the Kingdom of Norway,” Callum announced dryly.
“Correct once more,” Holger replied. “Did you truly believe my lord king would allow raiders pretending to be Northmen terrorizing the Highlands to go unnoticed upon our part? ’Tis one of the many purposes I have graced you with my presence.
If you would care to sit, we may share a bottle, and I shall reply to all the queries swirling behind those most intense looks cast at me. ”
She locked her stare on the bottle. Callum gave word to her same thought. “After five dead raiders from poisoned wine, we shall remain as we are.”
The goblet lowered to the table while his brows flew up. “Five you say?”
“Aye,” Nella replied. “A ring may be in your possession of the highest standard. Yet, how are we to know you have not stolen such a treasure from another? The Benefactor’s reach seems to be beyond compare.”
“Along with the mere fact two warriors who were sent to slay you have now vanished yet here you sit,” Brayden added.
“They have ‘vanished’ into the bailey’s cistern.
After a sound rain has appeared, the bodies shall be found once a flood covers the bailey.
” He cocked at brow at them. “I would not be worth the weight of a lint piece if I could not deduce two warriors were following me with the same determined stride after six different turns on my part through the keep. What would it say to my fellow gestir? No wine, so noted; are we speaking standing or sitting?”
No one moved. Holger gave his reply with an exaggerated sigh. “Standing it is.” He stood to approach, took two steps, and both knights closed ranks before her. “This would be vastly easier if we may all trust one another. I promise not to bite, unless, well, the lady requests it.”
Callum growled, “A warrior threatened Lady Fawnella, then sought to lay his axe in my forehead not an hour past. Trust is in short supply this moment, same as grain after a long siege.”
“Seems to be in my favor ’twas not a ‘hammer’ thrown at you or you would blame me for this as well,” Holger jested to silence.
The Northman rolled his eyes. “Very well, I shall share all with you and thus perhaps an inkling in trust will bloom.” He rubbed his hands together.
“Let us begin. The Benefactor, you believe I to be him? Disappointment shall reign supreme upon that thought. The purpose behind flaunting the title was to draw the very traitor forth himself. It worked! Three warriors emerged from the shadows. However, two were daft as a bedpost and knew nothing of the Benefactor. The third, who had to be their commander, you let escape, Sir Callum. And with the third gone so went our only true lead to the Benefactor himself. Well done at failing your sovereign and kingdom.”
Nella narrowed her eyes between the brawny set of shoulders set before her. “How dare you insult him, you Northern wretch.”
“Mind the language, my lady, lest I have to take you over my knee.” Callum tightened under her palm again.
“I hold a true lead upon where we may find this third warrior. Before innards turned outwards from my blade on the second warrior sent to slay me, he tried to save his hide by proclaiming they were to meet their commander at market day in Dundee. This is almost upon, so I propose we take our leave at first light for the burgh.” The mirth vanished in a blink from the northern spy.
“There is another task laid at my feet regarding an enemy of yours, I believe, Sir Callum. And you as well, Sir Brayden. A former traitor to your king.”
“Sir James,” Both knights said at once.
“The very one. My lord king also seeks to learn if Sir James’s loyalty is true, thus was another reason he sent the knight here.
” Holger spit in the fire which gave a sizzle.
“That is my belief of Sir James’s honor.
There are reasons he must have his loyalties checked.
I believe a traitor’s blood still runs his veins and he is connected to this Benefactor, or perhaps it is him directly.
My Lord King Magnus is a different sovereign than his sire; he considers laws and has great plans for my realm.
A pile of swine shit called Sir James shall not lay this into ruin.
” Holger extended his palm toward Callum.
“What say you, Sir Callum? Will you ride with me to determine where the rats’ nest lies to the betterment of both our kingdoms? ”
Callum paused. Turning his head, he looked at her. “What say you, my lady?” He… he just asked her opinion! She gave a wee nod, unable to speak.
Clap. Callum slapped his palm onto Holger’s forearm in a shake. “Lord Kolson, if that be your true name, if you dare deceive me you shall be missing the tail between your legs, understood?”
Holger squirmed slightly. “Most assuredly.” The Northman then stared down at her. “Enjoy your eve, my lady. Upon the morrow I shall have to tear your tall dark knight from your side. Sir Brayden, I am most certain will see you safely unto your king’s keep in Stirling.”
Before a breath could be drawn to challenge him, Callum retorted, “Lady Fawnella remains with me.” Aye!
Holger darted his eyes between the pair.
“I see the sparks between you both. My hopes were dimmed the moment she smiled at you while, well, dancing with a handsome one such as myself.” The man had an ego the size of Norway.
“Yet, alas, these challenges are not meant for one such as she, thus the only choice, she must remain behind.” The Northman’s expression turned stern once more.
“There is no place for a lady or lass or Scotswoman in a man’s quarrel.
No, Lady Fawnella will not be present. I shall not have her taken nor threatened in use against what must be done in the challenges which lie ahead.
Failure is not a choice upon us, Sir Callum.
If the lady stays, I do not. Think hard and not of the hardness by the tail between your legs. ”
Her breath caught when Callum released Holger’s arm without a moment’s wait. “Good eve, Lord Kolson. Try to remain from our way in Dundee.” Her knight wouldn’t leave her behind or send her away. If emotions were a mountain, hers would have reached the sky. He needed her talent; this had to be all.
Holger’s charm fled the room quick as the gust which swept from the arrow slit. “’Tis an ill choice, Sir Callum. The lady shall make you weak.”
“I find a rather ironic ring to those words, Lord Kolson, as I believe personal matters for Sir James clouds your judgment,” Callum challenged.
“Aye, you have a stronger hidden reason in your anger toward Sir James.” Holger’s eyes widened a twitch.
“Just as I thought. You slayed two guards. Daft or not, they could have been of use to the challenge which lies ahead in Dundee. You spoke of testing Sir Brayden and myself upon entering this chamber. I see tests failed by your actions; you were rash in killing them so briskly. This I shall not have present.”
“Remain from my way, Sir Callum,” Holger warned, then darted his eyes at her.
“The lady is a beauty; it would be a true shame if your choice saw her killed by this choice.” A thick tension hung the air before Holger’s face broke back into a grin, the mask worn by a gestr back in place before he bowed gallantly.
“Good eve to you all. Hereupon, the treaty awaits and peace between our two kingdoms if your ‘rash’ decision does not spoil it all, Sir Callum.” It won’t. Good riddance!