Chapter Thirteen

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"I did not think to see you so soon," Christopher said. "What brings you back to Lonsdale on this fine morning?"

Sean smiled weakly as he entered Christopher's solar, having been ushered in by a servant. "It was a fine morning until I was set upon as I entered your home," he said. "Three young boys rushed me from the shadows and tried to take my coin purse. Those bandits don't belong to you, by chance?"

Christopher shook his head, chuckling. "Would it do any good to deny it?"

"It would not. They were blond. They looked suspiciously like you."

"Then I will not deny it," Christopher said, leading him over to the windows that faced the Thames where there were chairs and lounges and warmed wine. "Just wait until your children grow older and start ambushing men in your own home. It will happen, I promise you."

Sean grinned. "My wife just gave birth to our third son," he said. "Nicolas joins Matthew and Ronan, but they are all too small to think of ambushing visitors at this time. However, my daughters are older, cunning, and quite intelligent. Should they start ambushing men, I think my wife would be much displeased, but given that they are female no one would suspect their intentions. Come to think of it, they would be the perfect assassins."

Christopher handed him a cup of warmed wine. "Remember the nuns we fended off who were trying to kill John those years ago?" he said. "You are not far wrong. No one ever suspects the women."

Sean sobered. "Well do I remember that terrifying group," he said. "Clever, but terrifying."

Christopher grunted. "Agreed," he said. "Now, tell me what brings you here at this early hour?"

Sean sat down in the nearest chair, a cushioned leather piece of furniture that had a matching footstool. "Cassian."

Christopher looked at him in surprise. "So soon?" he said. "Don't tell me you've already had time to discover the last seven years of his life."

Sean shrugged. "My men move quickly," he said. "They know who to speak with and what to do. They managed to catch one of The Dark Conqueror's soldiers in a tavern in Bromley and, after a few drinks, the man had a good deal to say."

Christopher sat down opposite Sean. "I am almost afraid to ask."

Sean sipped at the warm, mulled drink. "Do you remember a house by the name of de Bambeque?"

Christopher nodded immediately. "I do," he said. "The Earl of St. Albans, Alain de Bambeque. He was a supporter of John and gave the man all manner of money and manpower. He also let John use Broxbourne Castle to stage his mercenary army. About five or six years ago, his title was stripped and his properties confiscated. I know this because I was working with de Burgh as he and Henry cleaned out those who supported John to avoid any counter-rebellion. What about de Bambeque?"

"Cassian served him."

Christopher's eyebrows lifted. "De Bambeque?" he said, incredulous. "When did he do this?"

Sean looked at him. "From what the soldier said, about six or seven years ago. So, shortly after he left you," he said. "I do not know why Cassian left you, Chris. I never asked. But if there was bad blood, I imagine he would be quite eager to serve John to seek vengeance on those he had a dispute with."

Christopher was quickly becoming shocked as he remembered those last months with Cassian and how they were at odds. "I refused to let him marry my daughter when he wanted to," he said. "Even Jax told him to wait. Cassian was very upset by that. He thought we'd insulted him terribly."

"So he goes to serve de Bambeque to give John's supporters the de Lohr secrets?"

Christopher's mouth popped open in astonishment as that suggestion sank in. "Christ," he muttered. "Do you think that is what he did?"

Sean shrugged. "As I said, I do not know the details of why he left," he said. "But it seems to me that it is as good a possibility as any. And remember that we are looking for an assassin hired by a supporter of John. Someone we would trust and never suspect."

Christopher's eyes widened at the implication. "Cassian?"

"It would make sense, would it not?"

Christopher had to stand up. He was overwhelmed by what he was hearing, unwilling to believe it. He simply couldn't believe it. But Sean, the spymaster, was making perfect sense.

"I suppose anything is possible," he said after a moment. "We did not know where Cassian went, or if he was even alive, but going to serve a John supporter… that is not something I believed he was capable of. For vengeance against his father and me for not allowing him to wed Brielle?"

"Vengeance is an excellent motivator."

Christopher was starting to feel sick to his stomach. "It is," he said. "And your logic is sound except for one thing. De Bambeque died a year or two ago. I remember hearing that, somewhere."

"He has a widow, does he not?"

"I believe so."

"Then mayhap the directive is coming from her."

A knock on the door interrupted them. Christopher called out to whoever it was and the door creaked open, revealing Alexander.

Christopher waved him in.

"Sherry," he said. "I think you would be interested in this conversation. Sean has come early this morning to bring his special brand of intrigue to Lonsdale."

Alexander entered the chamber, grinning at Sean, a man he liked a great deal. They had worked well together, but Sean had always been a bit of a loner when it came to the spy game.

"Of course he has," Alexander said. "Good morn to you, my lord."

Sean smiled at the man. "And to you," he said. "Did you evade those barbarians in the entry?"

Alexander laughed. "The lads who like to rob whoever comes into the house?"

"The same."

Alexander shook his head. "I think my son is among them, so they risk a beating if they attack me," he said. "What is the intrigue you bring to peaceful Lonsdale this morning?"

Sean's smile faded. "We were just discussing Cassian."

Alexander's smile faded, as well. "I see," he said after a moment. Then, he looked at Christopher. "It is good that I have come. I had a long talk with him yesterday. I would have told you about it last night, but you retired early."

Christopher returned to his seat. "It was a long day," he said. "Of that large party you took to the tournament field, everyone returned before the exhibitions later in the day. Christin would not tell me why but the children were upset and Brielle was crying. I know why the children were fussing, but I did not know why Brielle was so upset. She would not tell me. I will make a guess and assume that she saw Cassian."

Alexander nodded as he poured himself some warmed wine. "She did," he said. "She had a conversation with him, as well, something I chaperoned, so she was not alone with him. He has quite a tale, Chris."

Christopher and Sean looked at each other. "Sean was just telling me that his men found out something about Cassian's past," Christopher said. "We may have a problem, Sherry. As a seasoned agent, mayhap you can help us figure out the mystery."

"What mystery?" Alexander asked.

Sean put his big feet up on the foot stool. "We have intelligence suggesting a supporter of John has hired an assassin to get to Henry," he said. "An assassin that we, as supporters of young Henry, would know and trust. The perfect weapon."

"Sean seems to think it could be Cassian," Christopher muttered.

Alexander's brow furrowed. "Cassian?" he repeated. "An assassin? What makes you think so?"

Sean trusted Alexander. The man had been an Executioner Knight for years and his sense of honor and justice was second to none, so Sean had no issue with Alexander being part of the conversation.

"When I mentioned this threat to Chris yesterday, during the course of the conversation, he happened to mention that he knew that Cassian de Velt was competing in Bromley's tournament," he said. "I was curious about Cassian's return after it was assumed he was dead for so long, so I had some of my men look into him. Evidently, he had served the Earl of St. Albans after he left Lioncross, a man who was a known supporter of John and a man who has had everything taken from him by Henry. Now, when whispers of this assassin arise, Cassian suddenly makes himself known and he's in Bromley. Do you see the correlation?"

Alexander was quite surprised, but he also had the ability to take the emotion out of a situation and analyze it. "I do," he said. "I heard Cassian tell Brielle that he'd been on the tournament circuit for the past five years, so his service to de Bambeque is not recent."

"That you know of," Sean said. "He could very well still be in the man's employ or, at the very least, a confidante. In any case, it would be wise to watch his movements. Cassian de Velt has been away for seven years. Who knows what his beliefs and politics are now?"

That was very true. Alexander looked at Christopher and shrugged. "I can trail him," he said. "I am not competing in the tournament, so I can keep an eye on him."

Sean set down his cup. "Do you think that is wise?" he said. "Cassian knows you on sight."

Alexander smiled humorlessly. "Much like you, I have spent many years of my life in the shadows," he said. "Have no fear– I can stay out of sight when I want to. And I can find out what Cassian is doing while he is not on the tournament field."

Sean looked at Christopher, who nodded. "It's a good idea," he said. "Sherry is the right man for the job. We all know that."

Sean conceded. "Of course he is," he said. "I could only be so hopeful for such an elite knight to spy on a man of interest, but given the king's life may be at stake, Sherry is indeed the right man for the job. But there is something he must consider."

Both Christopher and Alexander looked at him. "What is that?" Christopher asked.

Sean was looking at Alexander as he spoke. "What if you discover he is the assassin we have been told about?" he asked. "You may be put into a position of having to arrest him or kill him. Are you prepared to do either?"

Alexander lifted a dark eyebrow. "Would you be?"

"I am not close to him."

"Neither am I."

That settled it somewhat. Any further questions by Sean and Alexander might become offended, so Sean let it go at that.

"In that case, do what you must," he said. "Report to Chris or to me your findings."

"I will."

With his business concluded, Sean stood up and yawned. "And with that, I'll be going about my duties for the day," he said. "Send word if you discover anything."

Both Christopher and Alexander nodded, though Alexander was turning for the food that was cooling on a nearby table.

"Thank you, Sean," Christopher said. "Your skill and cunning are much appreciated on this rather delicate matter."

Sean nodded, his gaze moving between Christopher and Alexander. "I hope I am wrong," he said. "I know Cassian was part of your family for a long time and that you were great friends with his father, so I truly hope I am wrong. But the clues are… concerning. We would be remiss if we did not follow them."

Christopher nodded. "I know," he said quietly. "Give my regards to your lovely wife."

"I will."

With that, he headed out of the chamber and, shortly, the sounds of scuffling could be heard as the children waiting in the shadows pounced on their victim. Bread in hand, Alexander walked over to the solar door in time to see Sean paying out coins to children with open hands, presumably for safe passage to the front door. When he boomed at them, the children dropped the money and scattered, leaving Sean to stand there and chuckle. But he thanked Alexander for breaking up the robbery, picked up his money, and continued out into the daylight beyond.

"What happened yesterday between Cassian and Brielle?"

Christopher asked the question, having come up behind him in time to see Sean picking up his money from the floor and leaving. Alexander took a bite of bread and turned back for the chamber.

"There was quite a bit said," he replied, mouth full. "I will let Brielle tell you the details of it when she feels strong enough, but the gist of it was that Cassian disappeared because he no longer felt worthy of the people who loved him. Did he fight with his father before the man's death?"

Christopher nodded. "He did," he said. "Cassian wanted to marry Brielle but Jax asked me to make them wait a few years because he felt Cassian was not mature enough to handle a marriage. Cassian took that as a personal insult."

Alexander swallowed the bite in his mouth. "That makes sense, then," he said. "He told Brie that he shamed his father and his family surely hated him, so he knew he could not go home. He felt himself unworthy of Brie because of his behavior, I suppose, and left with the hope that she would marry a man worthy of her."

Christopher grunted unhappily. "He said that?"

"He did," Alexander said. "Honestly, Chris, I sense great emotion and great remorse from Cass. Like a man who has suddenly awoken from a nightmare of his own doing to realize what he had done. And no matter what de Lara thinks, I do not believe he is an assassin. He's been on the tournament circuit for the past five years and that seems to have been his entire life. You should see the man's tent– filled with more gold and possessions than most kings own. I do not think he has had the time to become an assassin for Henry's opposition."

Christopher pondered all of that, eventually giving off a heavy sigh. "Sean is a spy," he said. "That is his business and he is the best there is. But he is not an assassin– he does not think like one and you do. I appreciate Sean's prudence and the truth is that we do not know how Cassian thinks these days. We do not know where his loyalties are. If he served St. Albans, then it is possible his loyalties are not what they were when he served me."

Alexander couldn't disagree. "I will see what I can discover," he said. "And I will tell my wife not to follow me. You know how she would love for a chance to return to the spy game."

Christopher was not pleased by that thought. "She's a pregnant mother of four small boys," he said. "If she has any common sense, she'll know where she is most needed and leave her husband to do what he is best at."

Alexander looked at him, his dark eyes glimmering with mirth. "I cannot spank her," he said. "She'd throttle me. And I cannot tie her to the bed until the child is born because she'd chew through the ropes and then she'd tie me up and leave me to rot. The truth is that you raised a bold, cunning woman, Chris, and now she has become my burden. But I will admit that I do rather like her, so it is not as bad as it seems."

Christopher chuckled and turned away from him, going to collect his cup of warmed wine. They were making light of the fact that Alexander was going back underground and Christin, being a trained spy herself, would want to follow him because wherever Alexander went, she went. But not this time.

This time, Alexander would be spying on one of their own and he would be doing it alone.

Time would tell if Alexander was right about Cassian… or if Sean was.