William moved beside them, scrutinizing Richmond closely. “I saw what happened, Richmond. I have already lodged a stern protest with the officials.”
Richmond waved him off, his ears ringing and his head spinning. “’Tis merely a game, William. No need for protests.”
“What happened?” Arissa demanded, looking to her father.
William’s face was hard. “Tad de Rydal. He hit Richmond across the face with his stick.”
Arissa’s mouth opened in outrage as Richmond nodded his head gingerly. “Right on the mark, too. I shall wager he’s broken my nose.”
Arissa’s eyes were wide at Richmond as she studied his beautiful face, now swollen with injury. She turned to her father. “You must dismiss him from Lambourn this instant, Father. Surely you cannot allow him to remain after what he’s done.”
William nodded sharply. “Certainly not. He’s all but ruined your birthday and I shall not have it. I shall not have it, I say!”
He turned abruptly on his heel and marched back across the turf, shouting at the officials and players alike. Satisfied that Tad was already on his way home, Arissa patted Richmond tenderly.
“I shall take good care of you,” she whispered.
He gazed down at her dark head, his eyes watering with the pain in his nose. “I know.”
*
The Stick andBall game was all but forgotten as Arissa and Daniel took Richmond into the castle. Although his head was clearing somewhat, he had trouble navigating the stairs and teetered dangerously more than once. Daniel had to practically carry him to the bower he usually occupied on his visits to Lambourn.
Penelope and Emma had followed them from the field and stood hovering nervously as Arissa and Daniel settled Richmond in the massive bed. They were eager to help Arissa tend Richmond’s wounds when Mossy suddenly entered the chamber, a dilapidated bag clutched in his ancient hands.
“Out!” he waved at the cluster of people. “All of ye, out! I cannot tend the man with the gaggle of ye hanging about.”
Emma and Penelope leapt out of the old man’s path, moving obediently towards the door. Daniel was shoved aside as Mossy dumped his bag on the edge of the bedrug. He peered closely at Richmond’s face.
“Heard what happened,” he muttered. “De Rydal vengeance for beating him in the archery competition, eh?”
Richmond did not flinch as the old man touched his swelling nose. “Among other insults dealt. And just how did you find out about my injury so quickly? Did your bubbling cauldron whisper my name?”
Mossy cocked a sparse eyebrow at the implication. “A panicked soldier with eyes as wide as saucers came bursting into my sanctuary. I thought he had come bearing a message of import until I discovered he only carried news of you.”
“Your concern is overwhelming.”
Mossy grunted and opened his bag. Immediately, a small rabbit burst forth and skittered across the floor, disappearing under the wardrobe. Penelope and Emma barely had time to shriek, but Mossy hardly registered a reaction.
“Damn rabbits. They like to nest in my bag,” he rummaged through the faded brown satchel. Drawing forth an envelope, he sprinkled a bit of white powder into a pewter cup. “Put some wine in it,” he instructed Arissa, who moved quickly to do his bidding. Returning with the full cup, Mossy thrust it at Richmond. “Drink this.”
Richmond eyed the contents. “What did you put in it?”
“Poppy. It will ease the ache.”
Richmond shook his head slowly. “I cannot. It will put me to sleep for days.”
Mossy raised his eyebrows. “So ye’d rather suffer?”
“Do you question my fortitude?”
Mossy snorted and set the cup aside. “’Tis not yer fortitude I would question, but yer sanity.” From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Penelope, Emma and Daniel, still grouped by the open door. He frowned severely. “I told ye to get out. Are ye daft?”
Emma quickly slipped from the room as Penelope grasped Daniel’s arm in an attempt to encourage him to obey Mossy’s command. But the young knight was reluctant to comply.
“Do you require me any longer, Richmond?”
Richmond shook his head, watching Mossy rummage through his bag once more. “Nay, Daniel, I believe I am in good hands.”
