We hurried to the hall, difficult to do under the layers of fabric we wore. Sarah, already knowing the castle well led me through hallways and down stairways. Servants stopped to watch us, my shoes ringing on the stone. Some curtsied, and I bowed my head in their direction. I smiled disarmingly at the guards standing before the arch into the audience hall.
“Allow me to pass.” I said, and without a word they stood aside, hands held out in invitation. The hall was empty, feasting tables lining walls on either side. A magnificent stain-glass window glimmered at the end of the hall, casting deep purple lights on Tomas’ hair as he sat in a straight-backed chair of carved oak. No wonder he preferred his little study nook with its’ armchairs. I realised in that moment it was dusk as candles were lit about them, casting a comforting glow in the small space the two occupied.
The messenger stood with his hands clasped behind his back, as he had undoubtedly done many times before. How Tomas had entered before me was still a mystery, though I sensed he was pointedly not looking in my direction.
Behind me, people dressed in finery and armor alike poured into the room like wine into a glass, standing uneasily before their lord.
Tomas waited for the room to quieten before waving a hand, the other holding a materialised wine glass. “Speak”
“My Lord,” The messenger intoned, licking his lips, and bending low. In his hands’ he held a stained piece of paper, the seal unbroken.
A squire took the offered letter and presented it to Tomas. He opened it and scanned the contents, his face leaving no sign or telling of the information. He calmly held the letter to one side and scrutinised the messenger.
“How were you attacked?”
The messenger gave him a shrug, “bandits. They’re nothing new m’lord. Usually we messengers masquerade as traveling musicians, story-tellers, simple woodsmen, that kinda’ thing. But these ones out there –,” he pointed behind him, “they’re organised crime they are. Knew who I was and set out after me like wolves on a sheep.”
“I’m glad my scouts picked you up.”
“You and me both Lord Tomas.” The scrawny man replied ruefully.
“Would you take a message back?”
The messenger meaningfully looked down at the bandages wrapped around his arms, pressing a hand to the bandage wrapped around his head. His sandy coloured hair stood in every direction around it like weeds under a cobblestone.
“Once you have mended.” Tomas amended.
“I would be happy to Sir. Give me two weeks to recover and I shall go to any city you wish of me.”
“Done.”
The messenger executed a half bow, obeying Tomas’ waving hand and retreating out of the hall. The small assembly of people waited on the Lord, shuffling feet and twiddling fingers as he calmly drank from his wine glass.
“Seems we have some land pirates drinking on our doorstep.” He said thoughtfully, eyeing the arching ceiling above him.
“William.”
The dark-haired captain appeared by Lord Tomas’ side, kneeling by his chair. “What do you wish of me?”
“Find out about them. Who is their leader? What is their strategy? What is their aim?”
“I will need time to prepare.”
“Go to it.”
William nodded, eyeing his lord carefully before following the messenger out of the hall.
Tomas turned to his ensemble, “know this. They will be eradicated from my lands. However, until that time I want double guards on the walls. I want no merchants to go through the pass. No matter the bribery. Lives will be uselessly lost. We have a month to end this, or I will make war on them. We will have guests arriving for my and Lady Madelaine’s betrothal feast.”
Heads nodded. I turned to share a glance with Sarah. This would be interesting. After his announcement Lord Tomas swept from the room, slipping through a small door near his chair.
“Where does that door lead to?” I asked Sarah quietly, “he threw a diversion from the letter. I find myself curious why.”
“Logically it would be the- “
“study.” I finished for her, already walking across to the hall doors.
“Your plan?” Sarah asked calmly.
“Dinner.”
Hamish:288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UAlO5cgF9
I opened my eyes, sensing a presence drifting through the lines of beds towards me. The figure was graceful, but the way a wolf silently pads towards prey. I knew the figure in the falling light was not Madelaine, no matter how much I wished she would come back. Our fight flew through my mind, left to wander with little to do.
“Lord Tomas.” I said calmly, though my insides twisted, “why the pleasure?”
The lord reached my bed and glared down at me, his calm composure melted away, “we need to talk.”
I sat up, surprised when he reached behind me and moved the pillow into a comfortable position. “I have been where you are.” He shrugged, “you are not a bad man – if one I wish to throw out of a tower into my moat.”
“I appreciate the honesty.” I replied, amused despite myself, “can I ask why?”
My comment seemed to further blacken his mood, spreading a scowl across his face. “Honesty,” he muttered to himself.
Baffled, I watched a battle rage him, crushing his face into his fist in thought. “Lord Tomas? Why are you here?”
“Three days.” He said, as though that answered my questions. “No,” he shook his head doggedly, “it took her three cursed minutes to disarm me. The moment she reached for my hand. Do you have any idea how that disrupts a man’s constitution?”
“You want to talk about… Madelaine?” My shock registered and exploded inside my head. I was not worthy to consider her a topic to discus, let alone with her betrothed lord. I pressed a hand to my forehead and sighed.
“I’m not sure I am the right company…”
He turned to look at me, frustration clear in his disarming blue eyes. “but you understand. You know…”
A feeling churned inside my being, shooting from my gut into my heart. Lovesick. “yes.” I said quietly.
“But you will marry her,” I pointed out, “what do you have to fear from a woman you will have?”
He laughed, a dark chuckle that vibrated from him. “She is clever and charming and engaging and so damn beautiful. What hope does any man have against her?” He put his head in his hands, groaning into his palms. “But,” he pulled his head up and looked keenly at me, “she’s hiding something. And you are going to tell me what.”
It was my turn to laugh, crossing my arms over my chest. “Some things Lord Tomas are worse than death. If she ever tells you, I pray you remember what you asked me.”
He eyed me for a long moment, waiting for me to change my mind. I was completely vulnerable under his care, and we both knew it. But I sensed Madelaine had played with him more than she had planned. He was rattled. It struck me as both amusing and impressive that she had crafted herself around such a powerful man in such little time.
“She is a dutiful daughter, Lord Tomas. Loyalty is a trait she was born with. Earn that, and her love will not be far away.” I offered.
“Why do you tell me this?” He asked slowly, “I know the pain you feel. It is kin to mine.”
“My place will always be beside her,” I said simply, “and I love her. But her honour is worth more than anything I could offer her.”
We stared at each-other for a long moment, both acutely aware of the other man’s pain. He abruptly stood from his chair, though his movements were smoother than water. I watched the silent man walk out of the room, before closing my eyes and wishing he had thrown me into the moat.
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