Chapter Twenty-Five

R ichard, Blake and Kingsley stood at the back of Earl Robert’s tent. The earl was contemplating the prisoners kneeling before him. Two were high ranking lieutenants in Stephen’s army whilst the other ten were of lesser rank but still of high import to the usurper’s cause.

“Take them away and ensure they cannot escape,” Robert said with a wave of his hand. “We shall see what your supposed king is willing to sacrifice in order to gain your return to his ranks.”

The earl’s knights stepped forward and began dragging away the prisoners leaving only Richard and his two friends still in attendance. The earl waved him forward and Richard leaned over to whisper to Kingsley and Blake.

“Wait for me outside,” he said. The two knights nodded and left. Richard stepped forward and bowed before Earl Robert.

“Tell me of the woman you captured. Who is she to you?” Robert asked holding out his hand whilst a servant placed a chalice in his palm.

“’Tis the Lady Annora de Maris, my lord,” Richard answered before taking a seat in a vacant chair once the earl bid him to sit.

“And?” the earl drawled.

“She has been forced to serve King Stephen since his forces laid siege to her home of Meregate Castle. His men continue to hold her people and her son captive whilst she serves him,” Richard answered evading the rest of the earl’s question.

“Such is the fate of many castles and their people who have fallen under Stephen’s control but that still does not tell me what the woman is to you , Grancourt,” Robert said leaning forward in his chair. “Is she only your prisoner or is she more?”

“The Lady Annora is… more, my lord,” Richard replied quietly. The earl waved again to a servant and a goblet of wine was offered to Richard that he gladly accepted. He had the notion he would need a drink to finish this conversation.

Robert sat back in his chair. “I assumed as much considering she wasn’t brought before me with the rest of Stephen’s men who he left behind to rot.”

Richard nodded. “I am certain the king will pay a stiff penalty for the surrender of his men.”

“A runner will be sent to find the coward so my terms can be presented,” Robert agreed before continuing. “But tell me, Grancourt, what shall we do about Lady de Maris?”

Richard set down his cup on the small table next to his chair whilst he contemplated the earl’s question. ’Twas a dilemma that had plagued him all day. He knew that, if given the chance, Annora would return to her service to Stephen if it meant her son would remain safe. But she could continue her service to the man for years before he might let her people and estate go free… that is, if she even lived long enough to achieve such an outcome. Her life could end just as abruptly as anyone’s who fought in a pitched war.

“Richard…”

Richard looked up and realized he had been momentarily lost in thought whilst Earl Robert waited for Richard’s reply. He had no notion what the earl had said. “My lord?”

“I just asked you what we can do to help your lady,” the earl repeated with an amused grin.

Relief swept through Richard’s mind knowing the earl would give aid where he could. “Meregate is a strong fortification on the coast and its people were loyal to the Empress before it fell into the hands of Stephen. Close to Dover, it would lend additional aid for any of the Empress’s ships that need to dock on the coast. We could send men to lay siege to the place and take the castle back in the Empress’s name.”

“A siege is costly, Grancourt, as you are well aware. What makes you think we can take Meregate back?”

“Lady Annora can lend aid by giving insight into any weakness that the current steward may not know about. Although I have not had a chance to speak in depth with the lady on this topic, I believe she would agree to giving us aid since her son’s life is at stake. Her husband was beheaded during the last siege. She would be a willing participant to seek revenge for his killing and to free her son and people from their captivity,” Richard replied.

Earl Robert tapped his finger to his chin whilst contemplating Richard’s words. “She will be considered a traitor to those who do not know her complete story. Giving her aid might also diminish your credibility as my Captain of the Guard.”

“I am certain once the men learn of the injustice done to her and her family, they will unite to undo the wrong that has been committed,” Richard answered honesty.

“If she is indeed willing to give us aid, her inside information could go a long way to shorten any siege we put into place,” Robert proclaimed taking another sip of his wine.

“She will agree,” Richard clearly stated.

“You seem certain of the lady’s answer. If this is the case, then I will lend my support and provide you with the men needed to return Meregate to its rightful owner. Go and have a talk with your lady and then report back to me as to her answer. We shall make further plans if she agrees to lend aid where needed.”

“My thanks, my lord,” Richard said coming to a stand. He gave the earl a bow and left the tent with Blake and Kingsley falling into step with him.

“Are we giving chase with the runner?” Kingsley asked.

“Nay. Others will handle the ransom of the king’s men,” Richard replied as he picked up his pace.

“Where do we head next?” Blake inquired with a frown. “If we are not racing after that cowardly king, then what does the earl expect of us?”

“Aye! Being idle and doing nothing wears on my pride when I feel like we should be fighting for our Empress,” Kingsley added.

Richard halted and turned to his friends. “I must needs speak with Lady Annora. If she agrees, you may have the next battle in your hands sooner than expected.”

He left Blake and Kingsley who were only too happy with the knowledge that another battle would be within their grasp. Richard was glad to see the knight he’d assigned to watch his tent was still standing guard at the entrance. He dismissed the man and entered.

Richard’s gaze swept the dimly lit interior and came to rest on the lady whose green eyes flashed her resentment. Even from this short distance, Richard could see for himself that the woman’s anger had not cooled in the brief time since they parted. He supposed leaving her tied up like he had did not endear him to her.

Scanning the rest of the small tent, he made his way over to a corner where a chamber pot sat. He made quick work of assembling a makeshift curtain for her privacy so she could take care of her business. When he stood over Annora, she tipped her head back so she could stare directly into his face. Her glare was mutinous.

“If you give me your word you will not try to escape me, I will release you from your bonds,” Richard said wondering if he could trust her long enough to have a civil conversation with her about his plans. She said nothing, which only continued to prove how angry she was. “Your word, Annora.”

“Aye. I give it,” she finally replied and he went to untie her hands. He offered his hand to help her rise. He should not have been surprised when she slapped it away. He motioned to the closed off area and Annora made her way there, remaining behind the curtain until she was finished and stepped back out to face him.

“I have news,” Richard began motioning to a stool at the table.

“I am certain you do. Does your bloody earl mean to make an example of me and the other officers who are loyal to King Stephen?” she inquired as she remained standing with her hands behind her back.

“Sit down, Annora,” Richard said firmly.

“Nay.”

“Do you plan to fight me on everything?” he asked wearily.

She cocked her head to one side as if in disbelief. “Are you surprised when you hold me hostage yet again?”

He gave a heavy sigh. “Nay. I suppose not,” he replied before making another attempt. “Please take a seat, Lady Annora.”

Her resolve seemed to lessen at that courtesy as though some of the fight had gone out of her. He hated to see her dispirited but their next conversation was of major import and would decide the fate of her people. She finally sat on the stool and Richard pulled another next to her.

“I have spoken to Earl Robert,” he began before she cut off his words.

“I am surprised that I am not dead at the end of his sword,” she said through clenched teeth.

“The earl is not someone who unjustly goes about killing innocent people no matter what you might have heard of his reputation,” Richard said defending the man.

“Then what part am I to play in returning to my place in Stephen’s army?”

He gave another sigh. “As I told you earlier, you are no longer to serve as a part of his armed forces. I cannot have you killing the earl and Empress’s men in your fight against your perceived enemies.”

“Perceived? They are my enemies as long as Stephen holds Meregate and my son captive,” she bellowed slamming her fist on the table. “Why cannot you understand the role I must play in order to see to my son’s release?”

Richard reached over to take her hand but she pulled back refusing to accept any comfort he might offer her. So be it. “Let us speak honestly between ourselves, you and I.” He waited a moment and saw that her anger appeared to have cooled before he continued with his harsh words of wisdom. “You could spend the rest of your life fighting for Stephen and living by the strength of your sword until your effort to remain loyal to him kills you. Even in death, Stephen would never release your son.”

Hurt flashed across her features along with bitter resignation, as if she had already considered such a possibility. “You do not know that,” she finally answered but she could not hide from him the quiver of her chin that proved she knew he was right.

“I do. Any man who would flee a battle with only his most trusted knights to ensure his escape has no loyalty to those he leaves behind. That you were not among those knights should tell you of your worth in his eyes.”

“But he told me—”

“He told you what you needed to hear in order to ensure you adhered to his demands,” he said quietly. This time when he reached for her, she allowed him to take her trembling fingers. He cupped his hands over hers.

Her head fell forward in defeat. Some of her tawny tresses had come lose from her braid and shielded her face. Richard heard her heavy sigh as though she had at last accepted the reality of her situation. When she lifted her head, tears slid down her cheeks. He lifted a hand and ran his thumb over the wetness hoping this small gesture might give her some comfort.

“The King still has my son and people. What am I to do?” she asked him whilst her tone spoke of the concern she had for those she had left at Meregate.

“Do you trust me?” he inquired, waiting anxiously for her answer.

She let out a weary sigh. “Why should I trust you or any other man after what you just told me?”

“You should trust me because of this…”

Richard leaned forward slowly, giving her the opportunity to prevent him from getting any closer to her. Brilliant green eyes searched his blue ones for the truth of his words. Since she didn’t halt his forward motion, he continued bending forward until his lips touched her own in a gentle kiss. Her hands reached out to clasp his forearms as if his support was the only thing keeping her upright. Richard’s desire for her was as strong as ever, but he would not push her further. He broke off their brief contact much to his regret. Richard continued to stare upon her face that showed her emotions still warred within her.

“What do you propose?” she reluctantly asked him. She did not profess she trusted him but Richard took this as a sign that they just might agree to a common accord—at least for now.

“We have a plan…”