“Christ,” David muttered, turning to his brother. “If the raids are to take place in the next day or two, it is possible that Cheltenham has already sent Roi a request for aid.”
Christopher looked sick. “And Roi would, of course, answer it.”
Daniel was out of his chair, heading for the door as Curtis and his sons followed. But Curtis paused at the door as the others rushed past him. “I’ll send the fastest messenger I have, Papa,” he said. “I’ll find Douglas and Westley, and we will ride for Pembridge immediately.”
“Wait,” Christopher said quickly. “If Roi has already mobilized and has left Pembridge, someone needs to intercept him. Send someone straight for Cirencester’s lands to stop him.”
“Colesborne,” Mathis said. “That is where the raids will occur, where the ambush will be set.”
Christopher nodded, swiftly returning his attention to Curtis. “Do you know where that is?”
Curtis nodded. “I think so,” he said. “East of Gloucester, I believe.”
“A moment, please,” Mathis said, stopping the motion for the moment. “I know exactly where it is. More than that, I am supposed to be there to help with the ambush. I will ride for Colesborne. If Roi hasn’t left Pembridge yet, then you must stop him.”
“But what if hehasleft?” Curtis wanted to know.
“Then I will be there to intercept him,” Mathis said. “I will find him before Cirencester does.”
“Andrew and I will go with him,” Peter said, stepping forth. “I’m also taking as many men as I can muster with me, men who can ride swiftly. Roi may need us.”
Peter was a fine knight, even at his age, as was Andrew. But Christopher had to admit that he felt better with Andrew covering Peter’s back. Peter may be a seasoned knight, but he was older. Reflexes tended to dull with age. But it gave Christopher great comfort to know Peter, Andrew, and Mathis were riding to intercept Roi, if necessary.
“Good,” he said. “If Roi has already left Pembridge, it will be up to you three to stop him from reaching Colesborne. But if he has not left—if you do not find him—do not engage Cirencester or Cheltenham’s men. Return here immediately.”
They had a plan. The problem was having enough time to execute it. Christopher waved everyone on, with a sense of urgency nipping at their heels. Curtis, Daniel, and Curtis’ sons were heading to Pembridge, while Peter, Andrew, and Mathis were heading for the horrible location of Colesborne. Everyone was moving, trying to save Roi’s life. When the group filtered out, Christopher turned to David in complete bewilderment.
“Cheltenham bullies Roi into a marriage and when he finally agrees and marries the man’s daughter, Cheltenham plans to kill him?” he said, aghast. “Only a madman would do such a thing. The question is why?”
David was at a loss. “I do not know,” he said. “Mayhap he had planned that all along.”
“Explain.”
David shrugged. “We all know that Cheltenham is an ambitious man,” he said. “I’ve never liked him, but fortunately, I’ve not had many dealings with him. However, now he is proving deadly to the House of de Lohr. His daughter would beRoi’s widow, and she would inherit his wealth. She would take that into a marriage to Cirencester’s son.”
“And Cirencester’s son becomes the next earl.”
“That is reason enough to kill a man, isn’t it?”
Christopher sat heavily in the nearest chair. The thought of a man he had wined and dined plotting to kill one of his sons was absolutely horrifying to him. It was also enraging. Once he overcame his shock, the fury began to take hold. The Christopher de Lohr of old was not a man who would take such a thing lying down. The Christopher de Lohr who served King Richard in the Levant, who actively fought against Richard’s brother, John, and who had been one of the deadliest knights in England’s history, wasn’t going to take any of this lying down. As far as he was concerned, Cheltenham had committed an unforgiveable sin against him.
The man was going to pay.
His attention moved to the three knights who were still in the chamber. Magnus, Aeron, and Tiegh were Executioner Knights. They were spies and assassins, men who did the dirty work necessary to keep England strong.
Or avenge enemies.
And that gave Christopher an idea.
“Good knights,” he said in a voice that was a little more than a growl. “It is possible that I require your services.”
Tiegh stood up. “My lord?”
Christopher sat back in his chair, letting the rage of revenge fill his veins. To keep his family safe, he would do anything.
Anything.
“As you have heard, the Earl of Cheltenham has plotted the death of my son,” he said. “I am an old man. I have seen many things. I have tolerated many things. But the one thing I will not tolerate is a man who plots to destroy those I love. Robin le Becis a poor excuse for a warrior and an even poorer excuse for an earl. Now, he threatens my family. This I cannot abide.”
