Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

"I do not consider myself an unapproachable person," Christopher said. "I would truly hope that if he is serious about my daughter, that he should speak to me about it at some point."

He was speaking to Jax as the two of them sat in a window alcove in the great hall of Lioncross. The walls were so thick that two bench seats were built into the width of the wall at each window, facing one another. Designs like that were common in great halls, meant for private conversation in a giant room where such a thing could be limited. Some of them even had curtains on them, as the ones in Lioncross' hall had, but Christopher didn't have the curtains pulled. If he had, there might be a man curious to listen on his conversation with Jax and he wouldn't see them because of the closed curtain.

An open curtain in a private conversation was safer as far as he was concerned.

Across from him, with his fourth cup of wine in-hand, Jax nodded in resignation.

"Cass is young," he said. "Too young to be thinking of marriage. His life has barely begun."

Christopher nodded. "Normally, I would agree with you," he said. "But he is hardly older than Brielle and they have been sweet on each other since the moment they met. Since I doubt Cass wishes to rush off and sow his wild oats, it would make sense to me to agree to a marriage between the two of them. I've been around them more than you have, Jax, and I can tell you that they only have eyes for each other. They always have."

Jax sighed, leaning against the wall. "But he is still a young man," he said again. "Were you thinking of marriage at his age?"

Christopher snorted. "I was not thinking of marriage until my wife's father forced me into it when I was well into my thirtieth year and then some," he said. "But I also had not met someone like Brielle to keep my attention during my youth. Jax, what is the issue here? Is there a reason why you are so reluctant to a marriage between my daughter and Cass?"

Jax shook his head. "Of course not," he said. "We have seen this coming for a few years, have we not? We knew it would be upon us at some point and my opinion of your daughter is quite high. She is perfect for Cass and I would be honored to have her as part of my family. But I simply think he is too young. I'm sorry, Chris, but I do."

"Do you think he will find someone better to marry in a few years?"

Jax shook his head again, firmly this time. "There is no one better for him than your daughter," he said. "But I am thinking of her, too. She is younger than Cass is. To marry them to each other would be like marrying two babes. He doesn't know anything more about life than she does. They have been together constantly for the past ten years, so all they know are each other and the world around them. There has been no opportunity for them to get out into the world at large and experience other people, other lives, other ways of viewing the world."

Christopher was starting to understand a little better now. "I went on crusade with Richard when I was a few years older than Cass," he said. "I can assure you that seeing other ways of viewing the world are not always pleasant but, in a sense, you are right. A man must live a little and understand that he doesn't know what he does want. I knew what I did not want."

"Exactly," Jax said. "What happens if we permit them to marry now and, in ten years, Cass resents Brielle because he never had the chance to get out into the world and live a little– see new things, meet new people. I think for their growth as mature adults, such a thing is necessary."

Christopher was watching him closely, the emotion in the features of a normally emotionless man. "You mean for Cass' maturity," he said quietly. "Brielle does not need that kind of education, but you feel that Cass does."

Jax propped a leg up on the stone bench wearily. "I feel strongly about it," he said. "My eldest son, Cole, married a few years ago, but he went into the marriage as the commander of a big army, as an Executioner Knight. He'd lived as a man should and he had seen much in his life. He was ready for the steadiness of marriage. Julian, my middle son, is still learning, still maturing. But Cassian… I don't want him marrying Brielle now and then resenting her in ten years because he feels that he has missed out on something. I am sorry if that does not make any sense, but that is how I feel."

Christopher shook his head. "It makes perfect sense," he said. "As I said, when I married, I knew what I wanted and what I did not want. Cass wouldn't know the difference unless he experiences it. It will make him appreciate Brielle all the more."

Jax took a big gulp of wine. "That is exactly how I feel," he said. "But that being said, I get the sense that Cass does not feel that way. I am surprised he has not yet asked you for Brielle's hand."

Christopher lifted his eyebrows. "I will be honest when I say that I expect it daily," he said. "My wife and I have spoken about it and I have let her know that I feel they are too young, and I suspect she may have told Brielle that."

"And she would tell Cass."

"Precisely."

Jax dwelled on that for a few moments. "And what will you tell him if that does not deter him?"

Christopher looked at him. "I do not want to go against your wishes for your son, but I also do not want to see my daughter unhappy," he said. "I have decided to give him my permission with the caveat that they must wait at least five years."

Jax pondered his answer. "That seems fair to me," he said. "I would prefer they wait longer than that, but it may be all we can get out of them if they are very determined."

"I fear that they are. And I also fear that Cass may not like my terms very well."

Jax cocked an eyebrow. "Do you think they will marry without permission?"

Christopher sighed heavily. "I am thinking of my lovely, headstrong daughter who is as willful and stubborn as her mother," he said. "Will they run off and marry without permission? That is difficult to say. I do not believe Brielle will go against my wishes. She may be headstrong, but she is obedient. She would not want to hurt me or shame her family, so I would be inclined to believe that she wouldn't. The question is this– will Cass be demanding about it if it comes to that?"

Jax scratched his head. "He is his father's son," he said. "And his father always gets what he wants."

"Then we may have trouble on our hands."

Jax didn't want to think that, but it was very possible. He leaned back against the wall. "Do you want me to take him back with me to Pelinom?" he asked quietly. "Separation from Brielle might be what is needed. To give them both a fresh perspective."

Christopher shook his head. "I think it would only make them miserable," he said. "How do you feel when you are separated from your wife?"

"Miserable."

They were in agreement that separation wasn't the answer. There was no easy answer in this situation and even though it had not yet come to pass, they both knew that it would at some point. As Christopher was pondering just what he might say to an eager, and probably nervous, Cassian when it came to Brielle, he caught sight of an armored knight entering the hall.

Essien al-Kort had come in from his post upon the walls of Lioncross Abbey. While most of Christopher's knights were with the army near Nottingham, he'd kept a select few with him at Lioncross and at his outposts, of which he had several. His largest, Ludlow Castle and Wigmore Castle, were being covered by Quintus de Garr, who was Peter's second in command at Ludlow.

Essien's older brother, Addax al-Kort, had command of Wigmore until Christopher sent him into battle with Peter and Alexander. That left Essien, Cassian, and a knight by the name of Cabot de Venter helping Quintus cover the two largest garrisons as well as Lioncross, which was the biggest one of all. There were also two older knights– much older knights– in Jeffrey Kessler and Sir Thomas Dudley, but they never left Lioncross.

They let the younger knights do the traveling.

It was a rotation, in fact, and at this time, Essien's post was at Lioncross while Cabot was off at Wigmore and Quintus remained at Ludlow. When Lioncross had assembled her army to ride to Rhayder, those knights had remained at their posts just in case the attack on Rhayder had been a ruse. The Welsh were known to do that. Fortunately, it hadn't been and when Essien caught sight of Christopher, he made his way over to him.

"My lord," he greeted, acknowledging Jax as well. He'd served the man before and therefore knew him well. "Rhayder has just sent word. There was a little skirmish this afternoon, but nothing to worry about. They easily repelled some angry Welsh, but they wanted you to know. Julian says that their scouts do not see any buildup of Welsh, so he feels this was an isolated incident."

Jax shook his head with frustration. "It was a temper tantrum and nothing more," he said with disgust. Then he looked at Christopher. "They were angry that we kicked them out of Rhayder. I'm wondering if I need to demand a parley with the Welshman at the root of this, the one whose son was killed. I cannot have the man rabble-rousing for the next several years. We shall never have peace if he continues."

Christopher wasn't hard pressed to agree. "Do you know the man?"

Jax nodded. "Adda ap Griffin," he said. "He has never been an enemy, but he's never been an ally, either. He simply never gave us any trouble until the incident with his daughter."

Christopher's brow furrowed. "I think I have heard that name," he said, looking to Essien. "Do you know of the man?"

Essien nodded. "Adda comes from a very large family, my lord," he said. "He has many brothers and those brothers have many teulu . I suspect that is why they had so many when they attacked Rhayder."

Teulu was the Welsh word for family. But in this case, it meant a retinue of men, like a small army. Essien and Addax had been concentrated on the Welsh Marches for the past couple of years since they came off the tournament circuit, among their many other activities, so they were well versed in the locals. In fact, Addax and Essien were men of many facets, men who owed their very existence to Christopher de Lohr.

It was an elaborate and intriguing story.

As children, they had fled their homeland far to the east of The Levant after an uprising killed their father, the king. Addax was his heir, and very valuable to the rebels, so some loyal servants spirited both young men from their kingdom and to what they presumed to be safety. Unfortunately, unscrupulous people took advantage and used the boys for labor until they ended up in The Levant during Richard's crusade, which is where Christopher met them. One look at the two skinny, starving lads and he took them under his wing. He fed them, clothed them, and taught them the skills necessary to survive, something they had never forgotten.

Their paths from The Levant eventually took them to squire for Thuringian knights where they ended up in Ghent, but Essien was a lover of women and an angry father had them fleeing to England where they ended up serving Jax de Velt. But they never forgot about Christopher and had committed to serving with him when they were finally reunited with him.

The very man who had saved their lives.

Therefore, their loyalty to Christopher was endless. Whatever he needed, they did, including fighting wars against the English king or ingratiating themselves to the local Welsh for the sake of peace and harmony. Essien was particularly good at that, but Christopher had warned him against getting close to any pretty Welsh woman. In fact, when Christopher first heard about the reason behind the battle at Rhayder, he said a silent prayer of thanks that Essien hadn't been involved.

In truth, it wouldn't have surprised him.

But looking at Essien now, he was extremely grateful for the young knight's loyalty and sense of responsibility. Perhaps the seductive young prince was actually maturing a little. It was exactly what Jax had been speaking of when it came to Cassian– of being too young and needing to mature before he would be satisfied in marrying one woman.

Christopher definitely wanted a mature man for his daughter.

He just didn't know if Cassian would see it his way.

"It would behoove us to keep an eye on Adda and his family," Christopher said after a moment, rubbing his eyes wearily. "In the morning, ride to Ludlow and tell Quintus what has occurred. You'll want to send word to Cabot, also. He must know that the Welsh may need to sate their thirst for revenge elsewhere."

"And I will send that exact message to my other properties of Cloryn and Ithon," Jax said. "Mayhap they are deterred from Rhayder, but that does not mean they will not try to attack another of my properties."

"True," Christopher said. "I will send some troops to help reinforce your garrisons. With John moving northward, I do not imagine you want to dilute your army at Pelinom."

Jax shook his head. "I would be grateful for any assistance," he said. "Thank you."

Christopher drained the last of his cup. "I will see if we can glean anything from David. Canterbury seems to be quiet for the moment."

"Where did David disappear to?"

"Bed," Christopher said. "He's like an old woman these days, going to bed when the sun goes down."

Jax grinned wearily. "I think I may follow him," he said. "Mayhap I will remain here for a few more days to see what Adda is going to do and then I should head home again."

As the two of them discussed recruiting more men from some of the bigger cities that weren't in control of the crown, like Hereford and Worcester and even Gloucester, Cassian made an appearance.

The hall was heavily smoky at this time of night, as the fires burned low and the chimney caked up with soot, but the hall was quite warm. He'd just left Brielle as she'd headed into the keep for the night, lingering over their encounter but more determined than ever to finally plead for her hand.

Something he'd entertained for so long was finally going to happen.

He always knew it would, but his conversation with Brielle had forced him into action. Not exactly forced, but certainly, the time was right. It wasn't as if he hadn't been thinking on this subject for quite some time. He was nervous, of course, and hoping to find Christopher alone, but he spied him in one of the alcoves with his father and Essien. Cassian didn't exactly want an audience for what he needed to do, but he didn't mind if his father was present. In fact, he needed the man's support in the matter.

Taking a deep breath, he headed towards the alcove.

As he headed through the hall, men called to him, inviting him to join them in a game of chance or a song. Cassian was well-liked and usually congenial with the men, but he smiled and waved them off. One drunken soldier jumped up and blocked his path, asking him for a dance, but Cassian grinned and pushed the man aside.

He continued on.

"My lords," he greeted as he reached the alcove. He caught Essien's eyes and smiled at the man. "Had enough of sentry duty on this night?"

Essien smiled in return. He and Cassian had become good friends over the years. "I am ready for sleep," he said. "I was just telling your father that there was a minor incident at Rhayder today, which your brother quickly quelled. Nothing to worry over."

Cassian's smile faded. "Oh?" he said, looking to his father. "Are you planning on returning?"

Jax shook his head. "I do not think so, though I will send you tomorrow to assess it," he said. "With Hereford's permission, of course. And then I think you should ride to Cloryn and Ithon and warn them. The Welsh may target my other properties in a fit of rage since they were unable to topple Rhayder."

Cassian didn't particularly want to ride all over the Welsh Marches, but he nodded his head. "If you wish," he said. "If all remains quiet, when are you planning on returning home?"

"In a few days, more than likely."

That told Cassian that having both his father and Christopher in the same place would soon be finished and he didn't want to miss the opportunity, so he looked at Essien.

"Be a good lad and go to bed now," he said. "I wish to speak with my father and Hereford. Alone."

Essien smiled and slapped him on the shoulder, heading off into the hall and leaving Cassian standing by himself. He lifted his gaze to his father and Christopher, smiling somewhat sheepishly.

"I suppose that was not subtle," he said. "I could have kicked him in the arse to chase him away, but knowing Es, he would kick me back."

Christopher yawned and set his cup down. "He would kick you and push you down and try to beat you," he said. "But he has gone without a fight, so you are safe. What is it?"

Cassian found that he was nervous. Very nervous. The only thing that kept him from panicking was the fact that his father was there and he knew Jax would support him. His father was one of the few men he could always count on.

He took a deep breath.

"My lord, I am not sure how to bring this up, so I will simply come out with it," he said, clearing his throat. "I am not very eloquent when it comes to speaking. I'm more of a man who simply says what's on his mind, so forgive me for being blunt but I feel this is the right time for such a thing. You are here… my father is here… and I want to tell the both of you that I wish to marry Brielle. I am sure that is of no great surprise even though I have never spoken of it, but I feel that that I can speak to you as a man who loves Brielle with all his heart. I would be a very good husband to her and she would want for nothing. Lord Hereford, I am sure that I have my father's blessing to ask you for your daughter's hand in marriage. May I have the privilege?"

By the time he was finished, Christopher didn't look so weary. He was looking at Cassian quite seriously and, in truth, quite surprised. His gaze moved to Jax for a moment before returning his focus to the nervous young knight.

"You are correct," he said. "I am not surprised. In fact, I was just telling your father tonight that I was expecting such a request any day. What an odd coincidence."

Cassian grinned timidly, looking at his father. "I apologize that I have not done it sooner," he said, returning his gaze to Christopher. "I suppose I had to work up my courage. I have never asked for a lady's hand in marriage before, so it is a bit intimidating."

Christopher shrugged. "I wouldn't know," he said. "I was forced into marriage. Wrestled into it, in fact, kicking and screaming all the way. But I can imagine that it would make one most apprehensive."

Cassian nodded. "Very true, my lord," he said. "May… may I have your permission, then?"

Christopher leaned forward, elbows on his knees as he pondered the question. "As I said, your father and I were discussing this very thing this evening," he said. "We both know you love my daughter. That is mayhap the clearest thing in this entire situation. And I know that Brielle loves you even though she pretends she does not from time to time. Truly, Cass, the way she has treated you at times made me wonder why you take it."

Cassian laughed softly. "With a woman like that, you must let her have her head at times," he said. "She is like a spirited horse; I do not want to tame her. I only want to enjoy the ride."

There was something unintentionally sexual in that comment and Jax started laughing, so hard that he had to drop his head and put his hands on his face. Seeing Jax burst into laughter had Christopher chuckling.

"Do you wish to rephrase that statement, Cass?" he asked.

Cassian wondered what he had said wrong. "Should I?" he asked, somewhat anxiously. "I did not mean she is a horse. Or looks like a horse. God, no. I just meant… hell, I don't know what I mean. I just meant that sometimes you have to let her do what she is going to do and not berate her for it. She always comes around."

Christopher held out a hand, easing him. "I understand," he said. "Though please do not tell me that you wish to ride my daughter again, at least until after you are married. I might have to kick you in the arse and beat you for it."

Cassian didn't quite understand until, suddenly, it occurred to him how he'd sounded. Not that he hadn't ridden Brielle earlier than evening, because he had and most definitely in a sexual way, but he hadn't meant his statement to sound the way it had. He looked rather embarrassed.

"My apologies," he said. "As I said, I'm not an eloquent man. I simply want to assure you that I love your daughter and will be as good to her as I can. May I have your permission, my lord?"

It was the third time he'd asked for permission and Christopher couldn't put him off again. He cast a long look at Jax, who simply lifted his eyebrows.

He had to give Cassian an answer.

He cleared his throat softly.

"You may," he said, looking Cassian in the eyes. "But terms come with it."

Cassian's face lit up with joy until he realized his way wasn't completely clear. "Terms, my lord?" he said, puzzled. "What terms? Whatever they are, I will agree to them, I promise. What are they?"

"That you wait," Christopher said frankly. "Your father and I have been discussing you and Brielle. While we understand you love her and she loves you, the fact remains that you are both quite young. Too young for marriage at this time. I will therefore give you permission to marry her in five years."

Cassian couldn't help it; his jaw dropped in shock. " Five years?" he repeated. "But… why? I do not understand."

"Cass," Jax said quietly. "You are very young. You've spent all of your adult life here on the Marches and you've hardly experienced anything else. As a knight, you must grow and mature, and understand the world around you. Right now, you are a man, but you've never lived like a man of the world. I should like to see you grow up a little before you settle down with a wife. Bring perspective and maturity to the relationship, lad. That is what I wish for you."

It took Cassian a moment to realize that his father wasn't on his side. When the shock settled, it was a blow.

He could hardly believe it.

"Is that why I must wait?" he said, his voice trembling with anger. "Because you told Hereford I am a child that must grow up?"

Jax held out a hand to ease him. "I never said you were a child," he said. "I simply want you to experience life outside of Lioncross before you settle down. All men must mature."

"I do not need to experience the world outside of Lioncross," Cassian fired back. "What are you hoping I will find? Another woman? More battles to engage in, more men to kill? How does that give me perspective to bring to a marriage?"

He was becoming heated and Jax endeavored to keep the conversation civil. "You are young," he said pointedly. "There is no crime in that. But I do not want you marrying so young that in ten years, you realize you have missed out on growing up and experiencing life as a man without the responsibilities of a wife and children. There is something to be said for that, Cass. I do not want you looking at your wife and resenting her for burdening you with responsibilities before you were ready."

Cassian felt as if his heart had been ripped out and stepped on, by his own father, no less. He looked at Christopher.

"And you agree with this, my lord?" he said, greatly distressed. "You do not believe I am a mature, responsible man who would make a suitable husband? You trust me in defending your castle, but you do not trust me with your daughter?"

Christopher could see that this was not going well and it mostly started when Cassian realized his father was not on his side. The young knight looked as if he were ready to cry.

"If I did not think you were suitable, I would not have given you permission," Christopher said. "Your father believes that experiencing life and maturing will help you as a husband and as a father. I had gone on crusade with Richard and spent years on the sands of The Levant before I married. It brought a great deal of experience and wisdom to my marriage. And your father was… well, you know what kind of life he had before he married your mother. That kind of life made him appreciate the marriage he had with your mother. It made him grateful for everything he had."

"And you do not think I would be grateful for my life? For your daughter?"

"I am sure you would be," Christopher said evenly. "But I think you are young and the fact that you are so distraught about our opinions on this subject tells me you are not as mature as you would like to be. A wise man would understand our perspective and respect it."

Cassian didn't know what to say. He felt as if he had been stabbed not once, but twice. First by his father, then by Christopher. They thought he was a child, an immature child, and maybe he was.

But that didn't mean he loved Brielle any less.

He was afraid to say anything more, afraid they would turn it against him. They both seemed to be against him. Embarrassed, furious, he took a step back and dipped his head.

"Then I am sorry to have troubled you," he said tightly. "Thank you for your time, my lord."

With that, he turned on his heel, marching away as Christopher and Jax called after him. He could hear them calling his name over the buzz of the hall. But he wasn't going to turn around; he wasn't going to answer them. It was all he could do to keep the tears out of his eyes and he honestly couldn't guarantee he wouldn't break down in front of them if the conversation kept going the way it had been.

Betrayed.

He felt betrayed.

Once he reached the bailey, the tears finally came and there was nothing he could do to stop them.