Cries going up from the army interrupted him and they all turned to see a pair of riders coming up the road. The day happened to be somewhat sunny, and Caius lifted his hand to shield his eyes from the sun as he tried to make out who the riders were.
He could see at least one man on a warhorse and he could see that the man wore a tunic and knightly garb, but the rider next to him was not wearing anything distinguishable other than a flowing cloak. It took him a moment to realize that he was looking at a woman.
The closer they came, the more realization dawned.
“It’s Hallam and Lady de Wrenville,” he said, shock in his voice. “De Wolfe, escort them over to us. Be quick about it.”
William ran off on foot because he’d left his horse with a Pembroke soldier. He ran down the muddy road as much as he was able, leaping over puddles and avoiding pits. As Caius and the others watched, William came to a halt next to Hallam and a brief conversation took place. William, Hallam, and Alice were soon moving in their direction.
“I wonder what they are doing here?” Emelisse asked what they were all thinking. Then, she looked at Caius in horror. “Do you think they were forced to flee?”
Caius simply shook his head, coming to stand next to her palfrey and put a gentle yet protective hand on her leg as she sat there. His focus was on Hallam and Alice as they rode up under William’s proper escort.
“Hallam,” Caius greeted. “Is something amiss? Why are you here?”
Hallam looked at Alice, seeing her encouraging nod, before proceeding.
“There is much to speak of that I do not know where to begin,” he said. “In answer to your question, nothing but the obvious is amiss, but I had to find you. I thought you might be at Hawkstone. That was our destination.”
“Why?”
Somehow, it was as if that question were a blow to Hallam. He exhaled slowly, looking at the group around him. There seemed to be a moment when he was summoning his courage.
“Clearly, you were all in some manner of conference,” he said. “We did not mean to interrupt. Our business can wait.”
Caius waved him off. “You did not interrupt,” he said. “And if you’ve come all the way here, then it is obvious that whatever you have to say is very important. Please, speak. You are among friends.”
Hallam looked at the group, seeing men he’d known for only a short time, but men he’d come to trust as if he’d known them all his life. There was something quite honorable about this group.
Caius had said what Hallam had been thinking– he was among friends.
“Indeed, we are,” he said after a moment. “You are all trusted men and I know that Lady Emelisse would not repeat this. Therefore, there is something you should know.”
“What?” Caius asked.
“Covington’s death was not an accident.”
Caius and Maxton exchanged glances. “Let me guess,” Caius said confidently. “Marius killed his father so he could inherit the empire. This does not surprise me.”
Hallam shook his head. “It was not him,” he said. “I killed him.”
That brought a distinct look of shock from Caius and Maxton. “Youkilled him?” Caius said, surprised. “But why?”
“Because he was trying to kill me,” Alice spoke up. As all eyes turned to her, she was calm and steady. “He came to me last night, drunk and angry. He spoke of his reasons for marrying me, though I already knew them. He was cruel and dismissive. He wanted me to send a missive to my uncle and demand that he be allowed to use my uncle’s army, but when I refused to involve myself, he tried to kill me. Hallam saved my life. But in doing so, he killed Covington. Knowing that Hallam’s actions would not be justifiable to Marius, we chose to make it look like it was an accident.”
Emelisse was sitting on her palfrey, hand over her mouth in shock, but no one else seemed shocked. In fact, there was no reaction whatsoever. They understood completely. Not only that, but they approved of it. If anyone had the right to do away with Covington, it was Hallam, and for attacking Alice, the man deserved to die.
There was no doubt in their minds that justice was served.
“Are you well, Alice?” Emelisse gasped before anyone else could say a word. “He did not hurt you, did he?”
Alice looked at Emelisse, smiling at her young friend. “I am perfectly fine, thank you,” she said. “You needn’t worry. But we wanted to be honest with all of you because… because we consider you our trustworthy friends.”
“And also because I wish to take you up on your offer, Caius,” Hallam said. “You offered to accept my fealty, once. I have come to accept that offer, if you will still have me. But I wanted you to know the truth behind Covington’s death. If you are to accept a man’s oath, then you need to know everything you can about it. I could not hide it from you.”
Caius shook his head before Hallam had even finished speaking. “It does not change my mind,” he said. “If anything, it only confirms what I already know– that you are a man of honor and of character. I will gladly accept your fealty, Hallam. You are a fine knight.”
“Would you also accept mine?” Alice said, smiling. “With Covington dead, there is no longer any reason for me to remain at Winterhold. I realize that I have become the dowager baroness, but that place holds nothing but bad memories for me. Where Hallam goes, I go. May I come, too?”
