Wren (The Romany Epistles) (10 page)

She hugged him before glancing around. “Where is Svhen?”

Arthus shrugged. “Who knows? You know how he is about
partings.”

“I am here.” Svhen stepped out from behind the smokehouse
and crossed to Kat, offering an uncharacteristic hug, which Kat willingly
accepted.

“Hey!” Arthus protested. “It is my turn.”

Kat smiled and plowed into his waiting arms. Something was
different about their exchange, though. It took me a moment to realize what it
was. I noted a couple things: the way he stroked her hair, pressed his cheek to
the top of her head, and closed his eyes as though drinking her in. Something
more than just brotherly affection warmed his expression. I tore my gaze away,
unnerved by the possibility, only to find Wren studying me as though waiting
for me to react.

“It was about time you saw it,” she commented under her
breath.

“How long has it been going on?”

She shrugged. “Since before I came.”

“It is reciprocated?”

She studied the couple, now separated and bantering like
best pals. “It is definitely not communicated. I have yet to determine if she
is aware of it.”

“Yet, you are?”

“I suspect that Arthus has loved your sister for a very long
time. He has all the signs of a young man resolved to never admit it.”

I groaned. All I needed was a love sick man on my hands
along with all my other problems.

“I would recommend leaving them alone to work out their
issues. Kat is not completely opposed to Arthus. If he ever gets around to
courting her, he will probably find her welcoming.” She glanced over at me. “We
should be going.”

I nodded.

“Three days,” she reminded me and then went off to gather
Kat from her conversation with Arthus. Within moments they were both mounted
and riding out the gates. I couldn’t help praying that we would still be here
when she returned.

Our journey passed more quickly than I expected it to. Fall
sunshine warmed our backs and heads. The roads, still slightly muddy from the
rain the day before, were passable with little inconvenience. I found it
pleasant traveling with a companion. Even when we lapsed into silence, it was
nice having someone there.

We arrived at the border of Lord Eryant’s land as the sun
was beginning to approach the horizon to our right. The transition was marked
by a well-kept stone wall, stretching off into the forest perpendicular to the
trail to the east and west. A sign post, solidly placed, declared that we were
entering the domain of Earl Eryant, Lord of Eryant Valley and its citizens.

Passing that marker was like stepping into a completely
different world. Well-tended fields spread out from the road, bordered by
hedges, stonewalls, and long rows of trees. The road changed as well, it was
well maintained, clear of the holes, deep ruts, and other hazards of the roads
on the other side of the mountain. Men, on their way home from the fields,
joined us as we continued toward the castle gleaming in the setting sunlight. I
was impressed with the number of respectful salutes we received as we passed
the men.

As we neared the castle, I began to look for a place to shed
our disguises. Spotting a cluster of trees a short ways back from the main
road, I turned off toward them.

“Where are we going?” Kat asked as she followed.

“To take off our disguises. You don’t want to ride through
Lord Eryant’s gates dressed as you are.”

“You have a point.”

“I was thinking those trees up ahead would work.” I glanced
back at her. “How long have you known Lord Eryant?”

“Since childhood. Our parents would visit each other at
least once a year. I was good friends with his younger brothers growing up.
Father fostered Lord Eryant and his brothers when he was still only Philon
Pendraco and a nuisance.”

“Brothers?” I asked, thinking of my own. I was thankful that
we had not been part of the nobility. The thought of losing a moment of my
childhood time with my brothers was painful. We had such a short time as it
was.

“Three. Hiller, Iscarus, and Warwick were always getting
into trouble.”

“And Lord Eryant didn’t get into trouble?” I asked.

She laughed. “He was usually starting it.”

“Where was Tourth at the time?” I asked as we entered the
grove. I dismounted. “Did he foster with the brothers' father?”

“No.” Kat dismounted smoothly despite her cumbersome outfit
and padding. “Father needed him to remain at home. The fostering of Lord
Eryant’s sons brought companionship for Tourth. He was into mischief right
along with them. Father constantly punished all five of them because he wasn’t
able to find out which was actually at fault.”

Unwrapping the wimple from around my head, I frowned. It
didn’t make sense. If Tourth had been so close to Lord Eryant and his brothers
during their youth, why was he not willing to seek their help now? I puzzled
over this as I continued to strip to my usual clothing beneath the padding and
dress.

“Did they have a falling out about anything after they grew
up?” I asked.

Kat paused, hairpin in hand, in the midst of letting down
her hair from the wimple. Her brows furrowed slightly. “No, I don’t think they
did. Why?”

“I was trying to figure out why Tourth has not asked for
help from them. Based on what you have told me so far, Lord Eryant would be the
perfect one to offer assistance.”

“Oh, that. Tourth is just being stubborn. Ever since he
returned from the war, he has acted like he is no longer what he was. He cut
his ties to everyone except those who need him.” She frowned. “It is as though
he wishes to do penance for his part in the war. It is only recently that he
has been opening up to Arthus, Dardon, and Svhen.”

“So, Dardon and the others were not invited to return to
Iselyn?” I frowned. That was not the impression that Dardon gave me.

“Tourth did invite them.” She tucked the final strand behind
her left ear. “He knew if he didn’t they would have no place to go.”

“They were the first of his good deeds with which he
attempted to atone.” I nodded. It made sense. The problem was that it was very
wrong. I was thankful he took these men in and gave them purpose, but his
motives, if Kat was correct, revealed a deeper problem than I realized. He
didn’t see that he was already forgiven. Deus atoned for his sin long ago.

I smoothed my tunic, settled my belt around my hips, and
checked my throwing knives. I would have to pray about this. No ideas came to
mind on how to address the new problem, but I did have ideas about dealing with
the issue of needing support. Just because Tourth wasn’t willing to ask for
help from the Earl of Eryant, he couldn’t prevent me from calling in a favor.

“Are you ready?” I asked Kat.

“As ready as I am going to be,” she replied.

We mounted again and returned to the road. The sun was
kissing the horizon now, coloring the sky in a blush of pink. There were still
men on the road traveling home. I was astonished when they extended the same
greeting as they had when we were old women. I tried to recall back to the last
time I traveled in the valley of Eryant. As far as I could recall, it was the
same, a friendly courtesy.

Our approach to the castle was noted despite our lack of
entourage or banner. I watched the activity with amusement. Two women traveling
alone were unusual enough to cause a stir. When one came dressed as I, it was
bound to excite action. As I expected, we were greeted at the gate by an armed
man in uniform.

“Welcome to Sedlyn Castle, Mistress Romany. We are delighted
to see you again so soon.” He bowed deeply. My astonishment must have shown on
my face because the man hurried on to explain. “You were recognized by the
sentry on duty. Lord Eryant has been notified of your arrival and asks that you
accompany me to the great hall.”

I glanced at Kat. She was preoccupied with getting to the
ground. I wondered what she thought of this. I wasn’t even sure I knew what to
think about this twist. I had not met the Earl. However, I had done him a
service.

“How do they know you?” she asked softly as we walked across
the inner courtyard toward the keep.

“I did his men a favor a little while ago. I hoped he would
be grateful enough to consider helping Tourth. However, this is more than I
expected.” I looked up at the heavy doors at the front entrance of the keep.
“At least I can use it to your brother’s advantage.”

~~~~~

Sedlyn’s keep was impressive on its own; however, in
contrast to the ruined keep of Iselyn it was clear that Iselyn had been the
greater fortress in its glory. To enter, we passed under a great archway, twice
the height of a grown man, supported by stonewalls twice my width. The great
hall, the center of all keep activity, opened up before us. Heavy wooden beams,
black with soot and age, crisscrossed above us while fresh rushes sweetened
with herbs crunched beneath our feet. I scanned the empty tables shoved against
the walls and tried to estimate the number of men and women that usually sat at
them. I counted seven tables that could easily seat twenty when loud male
voices interrupted me and drew my attention to the dais where the high table
still stood and three men and two women were gathered.

“I tell you that I saw eight points,” a well-dressed,
slender man declared loudly.

“It was hardly four. You must be seeing double,” a gruff man
built like a bear replied. His shaggy beard and worn clothing would have
normally indicated a woodsman of serf status, but the casual manner in which he
punched the slender man’s shoulder signaled something more.

“Just because you can claim the best prize, the twelve
pointer, doesn’t mean that the rest of us were less impressive, Warwick. That
eight-pointed buck led me on a merry chase, and I feel quite accomplished in
bringing in the meat.”

The burly man, whom I assumed was Warwick Pendraco, opened
his mouth to speak, but was stalled by the wispy woman at his side. She pulled
hard on his arm. “Leave him be. You have your prize. Let him enjoy his.”

The man sighed. “But if I let him, he will be saying he
brought down a ten pointer by nightfall and challenging my dozen by morning.
With each telling his buck’s rack grows.”

“It is his last excursion of the fall, Warwick. You will
have plenty of opportunities this winter to prove your prowess.” The speaker
rose to his feet, his features coming into view for the first time. His square
face was partially covered with a thick brown beard, trimmed and well-kept. “We
all know Hiller will not challenge you and I know of no other hunter in our
midst that is your equal.”

“Ah, but there you are wrong, my lord,” our escort
responded. “May I present Mistress Wren Romany of Braedoch, a huntress of men.”

Kat stiffened beside me. She hadn’t known I was a bounty
hunter. All eyes turned to us. I could hardly explain my past to her now.

“Eron, you have forgotten to introduce her companion.” The
man I tentatively identified as Lord Eryant stepped forward from between his
brothers. “Lady Iselyn, we are honored to have you visit us after so many
years.” Taking Kat’s hand, he bowed deeply over it.

“Kat?” Warwick exclaimed, suddenly intent on examining Kat’s
face. “Not the same girl who used to tag along behind us with skinned knees,
frizzy pig tails, and black fingernails.” He looked her up and down. “I can’t
believe it.”

Kat blushed to the roots of her hair. “Yes, that sounds
about right.”

“You forgot to mention the bare feet,” the third man, the
one bragging about bringing down an eight-point buck, added. “I distinctly
remember some very filthy bare feet.

“I have left those habits behind me,” Kat replied. “Though I
dwell on those days as distant happy memories I shall cherish always.”

“We cherish them, too,” the third man replied.

“Where are our manners?” Lord Eyrant exclaimed. “We have
been sadly remiss. I believe introductions are needed all around. Mistress
Romany, I am Philon Pendraco, Lord Eyrant and these knaves are my brothers:
Warwick,” he gestured to the rugged one in hunting clothes, “and Iscarus.” The
slender, well-dressed man bowed slightly. “The woman attempting to keep Warwick
from teasing Iscarus too much is his wife, Lorena. And, this vision,” he turned
to extend a hand to the other woman, “is my wife, Annalyse.”

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Iselyn,”
Annalyse added immediately. “All of my husband’s brothers and Philon have told
me stories of their fostering years with your family. I have longed to meet you
and your brother.”

“How is old Tourth these days?” Warwick asked. “Surely he
has returned to Iselyn by now.”

Kat’s features lost the glow of joy as she turned to glance
at me. I could see her hesitancy to speak. Despite the fact she was among old
friends, they were friends of childhood. She did not know these grown men as
she had known them as boys. I stepped in to her rescue.

“That is why we have come.”

Lord Eyrant immediately regarded me with a measuring frown.
He glanced toward Kat and then focused all of his attention on me.

I answered his scrutiny. “I do not know how aware you are of
the events that have occurred in Iselyn, but Lord Iselyn’s position is
precarious at best at the moment. He and–” I stumbled over Kat’s title, and
Lord Eryant raised a hand to stop me.

“Tourth and Kat are old friends of ours. If they have taken
you into their confidence to the point that you are on a given name basis, then
consider us the same. May we call you Wren?”

I nodded.

“Continue.”

“Tourth and Kat have been living in hiding along with some
of Tourth’s sword-mates from his time spent fighting. They have been living
thus since his return a bit over a year ago.” I turned to Kat for confirmation.
She nodded without meeting my gaze. “During this time an enforcer has been
ruling the valley.”