Chapter Twelve #5
“Agreed,” he said. “But on the possibility that this could be de Llion’s father, mayhap you should summon him from Northumberland.
When I go to mediate with the mercenary, I will bring this knight with me.
Even if it is not the man’s long-lost father, mayhap he will recognize him and it will unbalance him enough for me to gain the upper hand.
I am not beyond playing dirty tricks when the life of a young girl is at stake. ”
Jax whole-heartedly agreed. “I will send word to Northumberland today,” he said. “But it will take time for Morgan to arrive. I am not sure I want to wait that long to begin negotiations for my child.”
Christopher shook his head. “You will not have to,” he said.
“I have the luxury of thinking more clearly about the situation right now than you do, and I believe that we should send this mercenary a missive telling him that you have asked me to assist with the negotiations and we want to know what his terms are in exchange for your daughter. I might even tell him that we have an old knight from Four Crosses who survived the siege but nothing more than that. Let his imagination run wild. That should garner an immediate and, I would think, eager response.”
Jax felt much better with Christopher taking the lead on the negotiations.
It was what he had hoped for. This man was much better at communicating than he was and he could see why – he was gracious, well-spoken, strong, and highly intelligent.
Aye, there was much to respect there. Finally, he felt as if he were one step closer to getting Allaston back and he was deeply grateful.
“Then I shall trust your judgment,” he said. “And… thank you. I am not accustomed to showing gratitude to anyone, but please know that you have my most heartfelt thanks.”
Christopher poured them both more wine, the last of the pitcher, and held up his cup. “I was content with having you swear your sword to me,” he said. “Imagine how feared I will be when all know I have The Dark Lord in my arsenal.”
Jax grinned, holding up his cup to the man. “Beware,” he said. “It may bring you less awe than you think. There are those who still hate me a great deal.”
Christopher shrugged, sipping at his wine. The sweet, potent alcohol had already gone to his head a little. “What do we care?” he said. “I will simply have you go out and kill them. Then no one will hate you because they will all be dead.”
Jax laughed softly. “The last man I killed was fifteen years ago during a border raid against the Scots,” he said. “I fear that I may be out of practice.”
Christopher looked at him, suddenly appearing very sober. “If negotiations with this mercenary fail, then we will have no alternative but to take the field,” he said grimly. “We will need your sword, out of practice or not.”
Jax’s gaze held the man steady. “Then you intend to go into battle with me?”
“You have not formally asked me to.”
“I would not dare to hope. But I would be deeply honored if you would.”
Christopher smiled. “Then that makes us allies, you and me.”
Jax shook his head with awe. “I never thought I would see the day when Christopher de Lohr, the most respected knight in England, would ally himself with me.”
Christopher’s grin broadened as he brought his cup up again and tipped it against Jax’s in a show of solidarity, of unity, and of a new alliance.
“It is better to be the right hand of Lucifer,” he said softly, “than in his path.”
Jax lifted an eyebrow. “So you have agreed to help me simply so I will not be insulted and turn against you?”
Christopher was ambivalent. “Think what you will.”
Jax had to laugh at him. After that, the conversation moved on to other subjects and more food was brought out.
Jax actually shared a conversation with Edward, who was able to overcome his fear of the man and behave intelligently.
Lady de Lohr even returned with her children in tow, four of them, two young girls who were around five and six years of age, and two toddler boys.
The younger girl, Brielle, had absolutely no fear of Jax and even came to sit next to him, very curious about the strange man in her father’s hall.
Jax lost himself in conversation with a five year old who reminded him very much of Allaston at that age. It made him miss her all the more.
Chatting with de Lohr and his family and his knights, Jax felt more at home and more comfortable with these strangers than he had with almost anyone, ever.
He had never understood alliances or relationships outside of his own family, but at the moment, he was coming to.
He understood that these people had overlooked his reputation, the darkness he perpetuated, and were willing to see the man beneath.
They were willing to help the fearful father.
Eventually, Jax sent word to his army that all was well, and Cole and Julian came forward to join their father in Lioncross’ massive hall.
Before the day was finished, Christopher set out a missive to Cloryn Castle, the rumored seat of the mercenary.
It contained all of the terms he had discussed with Jax earlier in the day with instructions to the messenger to leave it at Cloryn’s gate and ride like hell home.
They didn’t want the mercenary getting his hands on one of Christopher’s men.
All that was left now to do was to wait.