“That will change,” Mari-Elle said confidently, already imagining the possibilities. Then, her eyes fell on her son. “Let us go and find your father, shall we? He must be outside somewhere.
Controlling his nervousness and excitement, Trenton followed her.
They stood on the steps overlooking the inner bailey for quite a while. Soldiers and knights whirled past them, but no one stopped, even when Mari-Elle tried to gain their attention. Finally, she spied a familiar head and sent Trenton across the courtyard to Arik.
“Sir Arik,” Trenton called.
The knight turned around, smiling at the lad. “What is it, young de Russe?”
“My father, Sir Arik. Where is he? My mother wishes to speak with him,” Trenton said.
Arik’s eyes rose over the boy’s head and he stared straight on into Mari-Elle several yards away. Tall, elegant Mari-Elle. She was lovely in a high-bred sort of way, but her face was too thin for his taste. Her dark hair was pulled back sharply and arranged with all sorts of jewels, and her brown eyes gazed haughtily over the courtyard. He sighed, feeling his sincere dislike for the woman.
He looked back at Trenton, forcing his face to brighten. “Would you like to come with me as we search for him?”
Trenton nodded. “Aye, I would.”
Gaston wasn’t hard to find. He was inside the troop house, watching the final touches being put into the ceiling.
“My lord,” Arik called to him. “You have a visitor.”
Gaston turned sharply, his eyes falling on his son, a younger version of himself. He was suddenly sorry he had not sought out Mari-Elle earlier, if for no other reason than to see Trenton.
“Greetings, Trenton,” he said, coming closer. “I am pleased to see how much you have grown since I last saw you.”
“It was a year ago, my lord,” Trenton said, trying to control his quivering. He couldn’t believe he was actually facing his father. “I was only seven years old.”
“And now you are practically a grown man,” Gaston said with satisfaction. He looked at Arik. “What do you think of my son?”
“He shall be a great knight as you,” Arik replied. “Look at the size of his hands already.”
Trenton looked at his hands, turning them over. “I…I am set to foster soon, mother says.”
“She is correct,” Gaston replied. “You will be fostering here with me. You and I have been apart far too long, Trenton. I would keep you here with me and oversee your training.”
Trenton’s jaw hung slack. “I will train here? With you?”
“Indeed,” Gaston replied, wondering of the boy’s shock was from displeasure or happiness.
Trenton was stunned. His gray eyes widened at his father a moment, but he said nothing. Truth was, he was speechless. Arik slapped the boy affectionately on the back.
“Say what you had in mind, lad,” he said. “Your father is a busy man.”
He was always busy, always moving, always fighting. Trenton cleared his throat, for he was terribly nervous in his father’s presence. “Mother seeks you, my lord. She wishes to speak with you.”
Gaston’s face darkened. “Tell your mother that I am indisposed at the moment and will join her when I am able,” he said evenly, then paused thoughtfully. “I have changed my mind. I shall send a soldier to your mother. You may stay here with me and help me oversee the finish of my troop house. What do you think so far?”
Trenton was in a daze; his father actually wanted his opinion? After everything his mother had told him, after everything he had been led to believe, he was confused and delighted beyond his young mind’s grasp. All he could do was nod as his father took him along, explaining the purpose of the addition.
Arik watched them slowly walk away, knowing how terribly Gaston had missed his son and pleased to see them together and away from the influence of the bitch.
Turning on his heel, he would deliver the master’s message personally.
*
The nooning mealwas served with a good deal of flourish and style. Mari-Elle’s cook was from Normandy, a talented artisan that had turned a simple meal into a sumptuous affair.
Gaston entered the hall last, as was usual, passing a skeptical eye over the room. Strange smells from exotic dishes assaulted his nose and he found himself wishing for the simple smell of mutton. Trenton, beside him, caught sight of Mari-Elle first.
