Chapter 5 #3
“Amaury!” Sebastian cried with delight and within a moment, Amaury was caught in a tight hug with his younger brothers.
As was their custom, they asked questions in such rapid succession that he had no chance of replying. In the meantime, Amaury’s companions escorted his brothers’ followers forward, followed by the horses and boys.
“When did you arrive?”
“You cannot be alone.”
“What have you eaten?”
“Is this marvel your tent? Wherever did you acquire it?”
“How was Outremer? What adventures did you have?”
To Amaury’s surprise, his brothers’ company carried a dead deer, and suddenly he recalled where he had seen a white horse of late. Sure enough, it looked to be Denis’ destrier they led closer. The harness had to be the same.
“What have you done?” he demanded, interrupting them. His brothers looked as one toward the horse. Roland looked a bit chastened, but Sebastian was defiant.
“We have struck a blow for righteousness,” he said. “It is a small deed, no more than a jest, but I wager the Lord de Marnis’ son had sore feet by the time he reached his bed.” The men laughed at this, but Amaury did not share in their mirth.
For in that moment, Isabella came forward, led by Philip to the fire that was being kindled anew, her hair hanging loose over her shoulder. Her surprise was clear when she spied the horse and Amaury knew she both recognized the horse and dreaded the result of this prank.
“Why is she here?” Sebastian demanded hotly.
“Tell me that you are not the league of bandits plaguing travellers upon the roads?” Amaury demanded of his brothers. Sebastian averted his gaze, unapologetic, while Roland straightened with hostility.
“And what if we are? Are we to stand by while the son of Marnis hunts in the forests of Montvieux? Is it not sufficient that they burned our home and claimed Father’s treasury?” He fell silent in sudden surprise, peering at Amaury. “Do you know about Father?”
“Aye,” Amaury said. ’Twas not the moment to reveal all that he knew of that man’s death, let alone to ask all the questions in need of answers.
He knew he sounded stern when he continued, but he was shocked and dismayed.
“Why would you turn to lawlessness? It is a violation of your knightly vows, and contrary to every expectation Father had of you. Even his loss is not cause for such a choice.”
Roland looked chastened, while Sebastian appeared to be annoyed.
“You do not understand,” Roland said tightly.
“Nay, I do not. I await your explanation.”
“What choice had we?” Sebastian demanded hotly.
“And you have not told us why she is even here,” Roland added.
Amaury glanced toward Isabella, who lowered her gaze.
As if she had a comment but dared not make it aloud.
He recalled in that moment his own summary of his father’s nature, that he had never chastened but had led by example.
Yet here he stood, berating his brothers instead of showing them a better way.
In the east, he had served beneath men who had not shared his father’s view, but Amaury was home and he should recall his own father’s choices.
He was glad that Isabella, however subtly, had reminded him of that.
“I apologize,” he said to his brothers and even Sebastian glanced at him with curiosity.
“I do not know what you have endured or what has occurred in my absence, and I do not know what options you had. I would offer you the chance to change that choice now.” He lifted a hand to Isabella, who stepped toward him, inscrutable as ever.
“I was wed today, to Isabella de Marnis…”
“Wed to the daughter of that fiend? What madness is this?” Sebastian demanded. “Those of Marnis are the worst liars and scoundrels in all of Christendom. How could you ally yourself with the man who has stolen everything from us?”
“He granted me the opportunity to regain Montvieux,” Amaury explained, his voice tight.
He was embarrassed that Isabella had to endure his brother’s diatribe, but she did not appear to resent it.
In this moment, she was a statue again, her features composed.
“By taking his daughter to wife. We have the chance to rebuild and regain the holding.”
“How?” Roland asked, his voice sharp.
“With prosperity and sons,” Amaury supplied. He watched his brothers exchange a glance.
“She will cheat you,” Sebastian warned darkly. “She will dispatch you in your sleep.”
“I think that is unjust,” Amaury replied, his voice low. He watched Isabella’s lips tighten, just a little, and wondered what she knew that he did not. “I would ask for your good wishes on the match.”
“I wish you had taken a wife of Father’s choosing,” Roland said, then inclined his head to Isabella. “As I can imagine the lady might agree.”
“But this is the option I was offered and it is the one I chose to accept,” Amaury said.
“Never mind that it is the only one that carries the promise of Montvieux. Father always said that marriage was an alliance, and one best founded on mutual trust.” He claimed Isabella’s hand.
“I believe we begin well and I dare to trust in our shared future.”
Again there was a silence and a sense that something of import passed between his brothers.
“I will not swear my blade to her, but I will pledge it to you,” Roland said with defiance.
“And if I command you to defend my lady wife?”
“It will depend upon whether I trust her by then.”
Amaury bristled, but Isabella squeezed his fingers. “Do not let my presence become an obstacle between brothers,” she said. She inclined her head to Roland. “I cannot blame you for your doubts and would urge my husband to accept your offer.”
Roland looked surprised and Sebastian scowled. Amaury was disinclined to accept any measure less than full loyalty but when he glanced at Isabella, she shook her head slightly. What had occurred in his absence? It seemed he was the sole one who did not know.
He chose to trust his lady wife. That surely, would make an example.
“And so I cede to the advice of my lady, and hope that all will be as it should be within short order,” he said.
Once again, his brothers exchanged a glance, but this time, they nodded as one.
Then Roland stepped forward, pulling his sword and laying it across his palms as he dropped to one knee before Amaury. “Make no mistake, Amaury. I am beyond glad to have you home again. My blade and my loyalty are yours to command.”
Amaury looked down at the blade, unable to suppress his smile of admiration.
Roland’s was a fine blade, wrought of good Toledo steel, and Amaury recalled it well.
Their uncle had granted it to Roland upon the earning of his spurs.
It gleamed in the moonlight, well tended and sharpened.
Its weight was welcome in his hand, a reminder of the history and legacy of Montvieux, and also of the responsibility upon his own shoulders to restore all that had been stolen from them.
He must be temperate and judicious, ensuring that all had their say and each earned their due.
He must be his father’s son.
“I am honored to accept your pledge, Roland de Montvieux,” he said, speaking so clearly that his words carried over the company.
He imagined his father might even hear them in his tomb.
“I welcome your blade, your pledge and your counsel in ensuring the future of Montvieux.” He touched the blade to his brother’s shoulders, one after the other, then returned the blade to him.
Roland replaced it in his sheath but remained on one knee until Amaury caught his brother’s hands within his own and raised him to his feet.
He kissed Roland on one cheek and then the other, the pair of them smiling into each other’s eyes.
“Welcome home, Amaury,” Roland said quietly. “We have missed you indeed.”
“And I you,” Amaury said, catching his brother in another tight hug. His heart clenched in his chest and he felt his tears rise. He was home, and he would do all that he could do to make matters right again.
Over Roland’s shoulder, he saw Isabella, her features composed but her eyes shining with unshed tears. He nodded minutely to her and she smiled just a little.
When he and Roland stepped apart, Amaury realized that Sebastian stood behind Roland, his blade similarly offered on his hands. The entire company that followed Roland were in a line, prepared to swear themselves to him, and Amaury felt a profound gratitude that all should be thus.
Aye, now he was home.
The rebuilding of Montvieux began.