An owl hooted from his perch in a tall pine. Under the dim light of the waning moon, Cardin wove through the dense trees as he headed toward Ulla’s cottage. The warm scent of woodsmoke blanketed the cold night air.
At his knock, she unlatched and opened the front door.
Vill greeted him with a wagging tail and snuffling nose.
Cardin stepped into the welcoming room and scratched the wolf’s shaggy fur. He stretched to his full height, pulled Ulla into his arms, and kissed her softly. “That was my best friend Xabi who arrived from Biarritz.” He led her toward the wooden settee and settled her in front of the snapping fire. Cardin sat down by her side and took hold of her icy hand. He raised it to his dry lips. “I have to leave in the morning.”
She looked up at him like a startled doe, her wide eyes frozen in fear.
“Xabi rode hard from Aquitaine to inform me of a planned assassination of Comte Eztebe Ibarra, the lord he and I both served atle Château de Montmarin.” Cardin lowered his gaze to stare at her slender fingers, encircled protectively within his own. He brushed a thumb over her soft skin. “The assassins intend to kill Ibarra with my wolf head dagger—the one that was stolen from me in Biarritz—to make it appear as if I committed the murder.” He caressed Ulla’s beautiful, frightened face. “Xabi, Gaultier, and I must prevent the assassination. And deliver Ibarra safely to Paris for the signing of the Yuletide treaty, the Alliance with Aquitaine.”
Ulla lowered her head and showered kisses over his damp, shaking hands.
Cardin lifted her chin so she would look at him. Tears of anguish glimmered in her forlorn eyes.
“Three dozen of us—all highly skilled knights—will join Ibarra’s men. We’ll prevent the assassination, escort Ibarra to Paris, and return to Landuc before the Winter Solstice.” He cradled Ulla against his chest, stroking her wild mane of long black curls. “Tell Lukaz that I have to go to Paris but I’ll be home in time for his birthday.” He kissed her rose-scented hair. “Keep him busy with archery lessons and hunting. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Cardin rose from the settee and pulled Ulla to her feet. He brushed a wayward strand of hair from her terrified face. Parting her lips with a gentle tongue, he whispered into her open mouth. “Come to bed, my love. Let me bid you a proper farewell.”
In the silvery moonlight, they made love amongst the soft furs. Desperation fueling their passion, they clung fiercely to each other, tasting and touching, sharing bodies, hearts, and souls.
When Ulla clenched him tightly in climax, Cardin filled her with his love.
And prayed that he would return to wed the woman who had healed the Basque Wolf of Biarritz.
****
Wrapped in woolen cloaks against the icy December chill, Ulla stood with Lukaz and Laudine in front ofle Château de Landuc,watching the bevy of knights prepare to depart.
Xabi and his men from Montmarin sat astride their impressive mounts. Cloudy puffs from the horses’ impatient snorts formed wisps in the frosty air.
Esclados assisted Quentin, Argant, and the stable hands with the packing of saddlebags and supplies, then strode across the courtyard to join Laudine at Lukaz’ side.
Ulla’s heart clenched as Cardin climbed into the saddle. He was magnificent. Dark hair cascaded from beneath his metal coif headpiece. Atop the fiery Friesian stallion, his chain mail armor glinted in the early morning sun. A gleaming sword andboucliershield were belted on his left hip. His fine yew bow was securely strapped across his broad back. And the covered quiver of arrows was firmly attached to the leather saddle on his right.
Dear Goddess, please bring him back safely to us. Lukaz and I love and need him so very much.As does the child I now carry in my womb.
With a confident, dazzling smile, Cardin waved goodbye, fell in line with Gaultier and the knights of Landuc, and led thechivalrouscortègeen routeto Issoudun.
Chapter 18
La Tour Blanche
Cardin rolled up the blankets he’d slept on and packed them into his saddle, a numbing chill deep in his bones. Ever since they’d leftle Château de Landucfour days ago, he, Gaultier, Xabi, and their knights had been sleeping on the cold, hard ground. They didn’t dare risk a fire for fear of attracting attention. So they shivered inside their metal armor, trying to keep warm with cloaks and blankets, eating barely palatable dried, salted food. His packing complete, Cardin joined Xabi and Gaultier near their horses as the group prepared to depart camp.
Xabi secured the satchel on his horse’s back. “Scouts report seeing Ibarra’s caravan approximately eight miles southwest. We’ll reach them by midmorning and approach with this banner.” He displayed a blue flag with a trio of goldfleur-de-lysemblems, symbol of the French monarchy. “They’ll know at once that we support King Philippe of Paris. And Ibarra’s guards will recognize the surcoats and heraldry of our knights from Montmarin.” Xabi folded the flag, tucked it into his satchel, and spoke to both Cardin and Gaultier. “We need to separate Ibarra from the caravan and get him quickly tola Tour Blanche.The two of you, take the knights from Landuc, get Ibarra to the Tower,and defend him from attack. I’ll take the knights from Montmarin and join Ibarra’s guards. We’ll defend the valuables inside the carriages as we make our way to the fortress.”
Cardin stroked his horse’s muzzle to calm the restless stallion. “We don’t know how many men Zilar sent. The tavern wench—Dolssa’s friend—didn’t overhear that detail.” He eyed his brother warily. “He might have sent a handful of assassins tole Château de Toursto await Ibarra’s arrival. Or he might have sent a small army. We won’t know until they attack.”
“My guess is he sent Gizon—his most trusted man—to kill Ibarra with your blade. And that bear, Urdin. They’re probably leading a group of Zilar’s henchmen, posing as travelers or merchants. Zilar might even have spies among Ibarra’s own men.” Gaultier’s expression was grim.
“Precisely why we need to separate him from the caravan and get him quickly to the Tower.” Xabi signaled the awaiting mounted knights, indicating his readiness to depart. As Cardin and Gaultier climbed into their saddles, he shouted, “Let’s move.Allons-y!”
****
The winter sun was at its zenith when Cardin spotted Ibarra’s entourage winding slowly along the dirt road. Mounted knights displaying the blue-and-gold French flag of King Philippe le Belled the procession. Outside each of the two ornately carved wooden carriages, four armored knights defended the caravan of royal gifts headed toward Paris. Behind the carriage transporting Comte Ibarra, eight additional knights defended the rear of the noblecortège.
Holding the royal French banner to identify themselves, Cardin—accompanied by Gaultier and six knights fromle Château de Montmarin,with an extra horse for Ibarra to ride—rode up to the front of the procession, which had halted at their approach. Four knights from Biarritz rode up to greet them.
