Chapter Five

R eynard heard the barn door open but continued to see to his horse. He assumed Elysande had sought him out after coming to the conclusion there was nothing left for her here. At least for now. He did not expect a knight with blond hair to come within his vision. He finished what he was doing and closed the stall door. He was wary of the man before him but Reynard did not feel as though he needed to draw his sword.

"I see the lady is not alone after all. Who are you?" he asked leaning back against the wooden wall of the stall.

"'Tis I who should be asking who you are, sir. Do you think you can just arrive here and expect the lady to leave her home with a total stranger?" the man growled out with a soft accent.

Reynard nodded. "I see the lady has at least filled you in on my plans for her to travel with us."

"Us?"

"Aye. The knights I travel with for the empress should be arriving shortly. We head to Bristol then onward to Winchester."

"Who are you?" the knight asked again.

"Sir Reynard Norwood. One of several men who have given their loyalty to the Empress Matilda." Reynard waited for the man to also inform him who he was, especially to the lady.

"Sir Hawke de Challon. Captain of the Guard to Lady Elysande Thorburn of Blackmore."

"Blackmore does not appear to have much left of a garrison. Are you all that remains?" Reynard inquired whilst his gaze swept the entrance to the barn as if expecting more knights to suddenly fill the empty space.

"Aye, and a handful of servants. Stephen's men took care of the rest by either killing them or unwillingly enlisting those who yet lived. 'Twas not a pretty sight and with her grandfather passing and her parents abroad, Lady Elysande has been through much on her own."

"All the more reason for her to travel with us. She will be well protected."

"You assume much, sir. What makes you think you can take control over her?" Hawke asked with a raised brow. "Trust me when I tell you, Lady Elysande is perfectly capable of taking care of herself."

Reynard smirked. "Aye, so she told me, but in all honesty, how will you all survive the coming winter? I am concerned that if I leave her behind, she will starve herself trying to see to those she is still responsible for. If she were to leave with us, then her people are more than welcome to also travel with the empress's army or return to their kin."

"I attempted to make a point of suggesting that leaving with you might be beneficial to all those concerned. She is still determined to see to the needs of those who have remained loyal to her," Hawke said with a heavy sigh, "at any cost."

"Starving herself to death to feed the others will prove nothing." Reynard folded his arms over his chest. "Surely, you as her captain and who must know her best, can reach out to her so she might see clearly how dire her situation has become."

"I have tried. She is… stubborn to say the least."

A short laugh escaped Reynard. "Then I will continue to plead my case and will attempt to change her mind. 'Tis in her best interest, after all."

"In your opinion…"

"Aye. I cannot in good conscience leave a woman alone when 'tis clear she cannot survive for much longer considering the condition of her lands." The sound of horses arriving outside caused Reynard to halt his conversation before continuing. "That will be the arrival of the empress's men."

The two knights left the stable and Reynard went to the lead horseman. "Richard," he called out, "your arrival is most timely."

Richard scanned the area. "Timely? We appear to be too late to be of much use here. Who is this?"

Reynard made the necessary introductions. "There is a problem," he began.

"We do not have time for problems, Reynard, as you very well know. We cannot dally when we are about the empress's business," Richard declared resting one arm on the pommel of his saddle.

"There is a lady—"

"—when is there not, of late," Richard laughed. "They seem to be plaguing us no matter what we might say about not needing them in our lives."

Reynard grimaced. "Even so, I have made a vow to her and offered her my protection."

Richard nodded toward Hawke. "She has a captain to protect her. She does not need you ."

Hawke chuckled and gave Reynard a smug I told you so look.

Reynard stood taller. "The vow has been made and I will not recant my words. As you can see for yourself, there is not much left here for her to survive."

"'Tis none of our concern," Richard muttered. "Get your horse and let us away. We can be in Bristol within the hour."

"I cannot. Surely you understand a knight's vow. My honor is at stake."

"You create havoc wherever you may go of late, Reynard. You think nothing of your previous vow to our empress and think only of another pretty woman who has barely crossed your path," Richard reminded him.

"The empress will understand. As soon as I convince the lady to travel with us, I can catch up to you at Bristol," Reynard said crossing his arms again over his chest. He was determined to see that Elysande be kept safe and fed.

"'Tis your neck if the empress learns that you did not adhere to her directives." Richard sat up once more in his saddle. "Catch up within the next day or two. I will not wait for you and the lady before I move the men onward toward Winchester."

Before he left, he called out to one of the other men who brought forth several birds and tossed them at Reynard's feet. If nothing else, they would eat well this night. He would worry about the morrow when the time came.