“It is difficult to say,” he said. “The man has no conscience, so who is to say how he would deal with Alice.”
Caius turned to look at him. “He only married her for this one purpose,” he said. “If he fails to get what he wants, she is of no use to him.”
Edward lifted an eyebrow. “You fear he might harm her somehow? Throw her in the moat?”
Caius shook his head. “If he did, The Marshal would raze Winterhold and de Wrenville knows it,” he said. “But the woman is his wife… he could make life miserable for her.”
“Then what are you thinking?”
Caius secured the shutter when the wind shifted and blew snow in his face. Leaning back against the stone wall, he folded his massive arms across his chest in a thoughtful gesture.
“I am thinking that we brought a great many men here for no reason,” he said. Then, he looked at Peter. “I think you and Kevin should take your father’s men back to Lioncross Abbey. I will not have Christopher de Lohr’s men contributing to this… this travesty. And tell your father why I am returning his men so that he knows. He is not to answer de Wrenville’s call for aid under any circumstances.”
Peter nodded firmly. “My father will be disgusted by all of this,” he said. “He’s never spoken highly of de Wrenville, but he’s never spoken against him, either. Something like this will change his mind.”
“If we take the army south, we should stop at Trelystan Castle and tell my father to be on the alert,” Kevin said, looking between Caius and Edward. “It would not be fair not to warn my father about de Wrenville. He can send word to Four Crosses Castle about it so Gareth’s father knows also.”
Edward couldn’t disagree. The allies along the Marches should be alerted. His focus returned to Caius.
“So de Lohr’s army returns to Lioncross,” he said. “That leaves the Pembroke army. What do you intend to do?”
Caius looked at him. “I want you to take your army home, too,” he said. “By dispersing the armies, I believe de Wrenville will see just how little power he really has. I believe it will also convey to him that we do not support his actions against Hawkstone. I will remain with Pembroke troops and keep Maxton, Morgan, and Gareth here with me.”
“And do what?” Edward wanted to know. “You will be here with a thousand-man army that you do not intend to use.”
Caius shrugged. “I will remain here because I was ordered to come,” he said. “But I also remain here in the event of Marius de Wrenville’s return.”
“Why?”
Caius didn’t want to say what he really meant. He’d only met Emelisse de Thorington one time, but there was no denying he was attracted to the woman. The first time he saw her, he’d felt something he’d never felt before, something he couldn’t explain. He didn’t know what it was yet, but the idea of her being forced into marriage didn’t sit well with him.
He would try to explain it to Edward in a way that didn’t make him sound like a fool.
“Because I took an oath, just like we all did,” he said quietly. “Remember the words of a knight’s oath, Edward– be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death, and safeguard the helpless, the weak, and the innocent. Knowing the situation here, and knowing how de Wrenville is going to force Lady Emelisse and her brother into submission, I feel as if I would be forsaking my oath if I leave. At this moment, Lady Emelisse and her brother are the helpless, the weak, and the innocent. And I cannot walk away knowing that.”
It was a reminder to all of them of the oath they’d taken, of the good and true life they all tried to live because of it. At least, for the younger knights, that was the creed, but for the knights like Caius and Maxton and even Edward who had spent time in the sands of The Levant, they’d blurred the lines of that oath more than once, all in the name of King Richard.
But that wasn’t up for debate at the moment. The past was the past, but there wasn’t one man in that room that didn’t respect and agree with what Caius was saying. They were almostashamed they had to be reminded of it. Standing next to Caius, Morgan clapped him on the shoulder.
“I will remain with you,” he said. “I have been at your side at Richmond for the past few years. Do not think you can get rid of me now.”
Caius smiled weakly. “You do not wish to return to Richmond and assume command while I am here? I know you dream of a command of your own someday.”
Morgan chuckled softly. “Of my own, aye, but not Richmond,” he said. “That belongs to you. Moreover, Rhory is in command while we are away. He is more capable than anyone I know.”
Caius nodded, thinking of Rhory de Serreaux, a most impressive knight from the powerful Lincolnshire de Serreaux family. “He is,” he said. “In fact, I am thinking on introducing Rhory to William Marshal. I believe he’d make a fine agent. But I digress… Richmond is in good hands and if you wish to remain with me, I am grateful.”
As Morgan and Caius smiled at one another, Gareth spoke up.
“And me,” he said. “I would consider it an honor to remain here with The Britannia Viper, if you will have me.”
Caius looked at the man, big and dark and terrifying. He was also quite young, so that inherent intimidation that came from him would only grow more powerful with age.
“You do not wish to ride to Four Crosses to tell your father what is happening?” he asked him.
Gareth shook his head. “As Kevin said, his father can send word,” he said. “I would rather be here where the action is.”
“As would I, my lord.”
