A VOW TO KEEP (The Vengeance Trilogy) (8 page)

“Are you volunteering for this task?” Cummins asked.

“Nay.” Tegmont paused as though considering the question further. “I know of some mercenaries who have aided me in the past. They might be willing to help us, for the right price of course.” He drew a slow breath to savor this moment. Years of plotting for power and wealth were at last coming to fruition.

Soon the details were confirmed and the lords prepared to depart.

“Tegmont, I offer you both my condolences and my congratulations,” Stanwick said.

“Aye,” Cummins added. “You’ve lost a wife but quickly found a replacement for her and a young one at that.”

Lust speared through Tegmont at the mention of Alyna. He could hardly remember what his other wives looked like. “Hopefully my new bride will ease my grief.”

Markett slapped him on the back. “You run through wives quicker than most men run through horses.”

Tegmont gritted his teeth. Was it his fault that none of his wives had given him a son? Obviously not. They’d left him no choice but to replace them. He’d taken Larkspur with the intent to build a strong family with many sons. At times he worried his actions had cursed him for he had yet to sire even one heir. But he knew marriage to Alyna would be different.

Everything in his life was changing for the better.

***

Lady Alyna’s words haunted Royce as they settled the camp for the night. She had the truth of it. He’d manipulated her to suit his plans. Though he realized he’d frightened her and caused her worry over her servants, he did think he knew best. He couldn’t risk the possibility of her father discovering her departure. Nor could he risk taking it slow on the journey. Speed was of the essence.

Alyna would be much surprised to find that he’d already been subjected to one more powerful than he. His uncle. In one horrible night many years ago, everything he’d held dear had been taken away. He promised himself it would never happen again. But he soon learned the desires of a young boy counted for nothing. He’d been at the mercy of those who thought they knew best what his path in life should be.

Now, he was master of his own destiny. Mayhap he’d forgotten the frustration and resentment that being powerless could generate. He’d need Lady Alyna’s assistance in the days ahead, and she was unlikely to provide that if she was angry with him.

Again he wondered at the depth of Alyna’s affection for Tegmont. Was part of her frustration and anger due to worry over her marriage being delayed? Though tempted to simply ask if she cared for his uncle, she had no reason to trust him with an honest answer. Besides, it was none of his affair. That subject was for her grandfather to broach with her.

Getting it off his mind was another matter. An image of Alyna in his uncle’s embrace filled his head.

He had little stomach for the evening meal.

Annoyed with himself, he focused on his duties and posted two guards to keep watch and set two more to relieve them halfway through the night. Then he looked for Alyna. Hugh had made a bed of sorts for her, and she sat upon it near the fire. Nicholas lay asleep tucked beside her. The fire highlighted her cheekbones and revealed the shadows under her eyes. She was obviously exhausted. But what struck him more than anything else was the sadness that etched her features.

She glanced up at him as he sat beside her, but said nothing. He was almost disappointed. His respect for her had increased another notch when she’d spoken her mind to him earlier.

“We should reach Northe Castle by midday on the morrow,” he told her.

She nodded, but remained quiet.

Uncomfortable with her silence, he searched his mind for something to say. “How old is the boy?”

She turned her head and studied him, as though trying to determine if he asked the question out of genuine interest or if he was making conversation. “Just past four years.”

Royce pondered her answer. He’d been around few children, but he would’ve thought Nicholas much older than that. How old had she been when she’d become a mother? And who was the child’s father?

Before he could satisfy his curiosity, she lay down snuggled next to her son and pulled the fur covers over both of them, clearly finished with their brief conversation.

***

Alyna awoke to a strange tremor shaking her body. She rolled over to find Royce quivering, obviously gripped in the throes of a nightmare.

“Royce?” She rose on an elbow and put her hand on his shoulder. “Royce?”

He opened his eyes and looked at her. Or rather, through her. His large body shuddered. He gripped the hilt of his sword and for a hair’s breadth, she thought he meant to use it on her. Darkness hid his expression, but she knew it took him a few moments to orient himself.

“Are you well?” Though he hadn’t moved, she felt as though he’d stepped back from her and gone to a place she couldn’t follow. She withdrew her hand, uncomfortable with the contact. “Is all well?”

He sat up and looked around the camp. “I’m fine. ’Twas nothing but a dream.”

A dream? She’d wager her last coin that it was more like a nightmare, and a terrible one at that. “Aye. A dream.”

She patted his shoulder, unsure what caused her to want to comfort him. A quick glance at Nicholas ensured that he still slept. The dim glow from the coals of the campfire revealed the forms of the other men and none stirred.

“Rest, my lady,” Royce said as he rose. “I’m going to check on the guards.”

Alyna watched him walk away, concern for him heavy on her mind. She could only imagine what type of nightmare would have the power to disturb a man like Royce. The thought of such a vision caused her to shudder, and she burrowed under her covers to keep watch for his return.

***

Royce moved away from Alyna, grateful for the darkness and the cool night air. One hid the emotions he could not cover and the other helped calm them.

He could just make out Hugh in the dim light. His friend rose up on an elbow, but Royce motioned for him to remain where he was. Royce walked the perimeter of the camp, noting all was in order even as his mind processed the nightmare.

It had been some time since he’d last had it. Visions of his parents’ deaths had filled his nights for a long time after they’d died. They eased as time passed. Of late, he only dreamed of it when he was upset or extremely fatigued.

The question was, what had brought it on this night? To his knowledge, he was neither upset nor especially tired.

Mayhap it was a reminder. A reminder for him to concentrate on what was truly important.

Vengeance.

He fingered the amulet held by a leather thong around his neck tucked in his tunic. The coolness of the blue stone helped to calm him and keep him focused on his goal. His uncle would pay for his greed and jealousy. The people who lived under Tegmont’s rule would soon be free from his tyranny.

It had taken Royce many years to understand what would make a man turn against his own brother, his own flesh and blood. Royce had seen traces of that trait in other men, men who thought they were entitled to take what didn’t belong to them. Somehow, earning it for themselves never entered their minds.

Honor was nothing but an empty term Tegmont used at his convenience. Not something he felt in his soul. Not something that guided every decision he made. Not something he lived every day.

For Royce, it gave his life purpose. And he would use honor when he fulfilled his vow and at last made his uncle pay.

***

Alyna next awoke to the sound of Nicholas crying. She bolted upright, heart pounding, scanning the camp to locate him.

Royce sat on the ground and held her son gently in his arms. Even as she watched, Nicholas’s tears subsided. The two of them examined Nicholas’s skinned knee with great interest. Something Royce said made Nicholas giggle in response.

Warmth pooled in the region of Alyna’s heart. The strong knight had a gentle side.

Royce spoke again, and Nicholas clapped his hands in delight, a huge smile on his face. Hugh joined the pair as Royce produced a small stick.

Alyna looked closer. It wasn’t a stick, but a skillfully whittled dagger. Touched, Alyna stared at Royce, amazed at his thoughtfulness. Nicholas’s minor injury was forgotten as he held the wooden knife high to show Hugh.

Hugh took the knife and examined it closely before handing it back to her son with a solemn nod of approval.

Nicholas turned to look at her. “Mama!” he cried. He walked carefully toward her, holding his new prize before him. “Look,” he said, as he proudly presented it for her inspection, the scrape on his knee long forgotten.

Alyna made certain the tip of it was dull enough for her young son to play with, then returned it to Nicholas. “Did you thank Sir Royce?”

Nicholas nodded, gave her a quick peck on her cheek, before going back to the men.

She smiled at Royce, touched by his consideration. The look he gave her in return set off more butterflies in her stomach. Alyna turned away before she made a fool of herself. Hadn’t she just told herself not let his considerate behavior fool her?

Stretching to ease her stiff muscles, she grimaced at the thought of riding a horse yet again not to mention wearing the same clothes a third day, but it couldn’t be helped. Her gown had been donned for its serviceable brown material rather than for attractiveness. With a sigh, she thought of the saffron gown she’d packed in her bag to wear when she met her grandfather. The bag that was still at Montvue with Enid. Her hair and everything else on her body felt filthy from the dust of the road, and she longed for some hot, steaming water.

Her gaze sought the powerful knight across the clearing. What had filled his dreams that disturbed him so? Whatever it was, it had shaken him. No sign of that remained now. He appeared at ease and back to the confident man she was beginning to know.

“Good day, my lady.” Hugh greeted her. His blue eyes sparkled with an inner mirth that made her smile. “How do you fare this fine day?”

“I’m well, thank you, Sir Hugh. And you?”

“Very well. Might I interest you in something to ease your hunger?” He offered her his elbow.

“Indeed.” She walked with Hugh to where Kenneth stood near the fire. “I’m certain Sir Royce is anxious to be on his way. I’ll eat quickly so we can leave anon.”

She had just finished her solitary meal when shouts drew her attention. A man galloped into camp and stopped before Royce. The others gathered around, including Hugh and Kenneth, and listened as the soldier spoke. He gestured broadly with his hands and pointed in the distance.

Royce questioned him, then called out orders as he and Hugh strode toward the horses. They wasted no time mounting. Three other men followed suit. Nicholas ran to Alyna where she stood near the fire. Alyna kept her gaze on Royce, alarmed at the thought of him leaving.

He glanced her way, looking every inch the fierce knight once again. His huge steed seemed to bear down on her, and it took all her courage to stand her ground as it drew closer. She pushed Nicholas behind her, then released the breath she’d been holding when the horse halted beside her.

“One of my men found the trail of some troublesome thieves who’ve caused your grandfather much strife. I’m taking a few men to see if we can eliminate this problem.” As though his thoughts were already on his destination, he glanced away. His horse stomped its feet, as ready as its master to be off. Royce’s gaze returned to her. “I regret the timing of this, but they’ve burned cottages and stolen livestock and must be stopped.”

“I understand. I wouldn’t want to be the reason you missed the opportunity to disband them.”

“I don’t plan to disband them, my lady. I plan to kill them.”

Uneasy at the thought of him leaving to face such danger, she put her hand on his leg and looked up at him. “When will you be back? Shouldn’t you take more men?”

“Nay. There’s a chance this is a trap, and I would take no risk with your safety. As to when I’ll return, I cannot say. We may not catch up with you before you reach Northe Castle.” He leaned over and placed his callused palm along her cheek. “I wish you well, my lady.”