That information seemed to surprise Summerlin. “Atticus de Wolfe is here?” he asked. “Then I would speak with him as well. My message is for him, to be truthful. We did not know he was at Wolfe’s Lair.”
“He is. Be advised.”
That bit of knowledge seemed to change Summerlin’s tactics. He didn’t seem nearly as smug as he continued. “If he is listening, then I come bearing greetings from John de Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk,” he said. “The duke sends his warmest greetings and his sincerest condolences on the passing of Titus de Wolfe. It is with this in mind that he has sent me to speak with Solomon and Atticus on a most urgent matter. I have been instructed to only divulge details of my purpose directly to the recipients so that is as much as I can tell you. Will you please announce me to Solomon and Atticus?”
Warenne sighed faintly, unsure what more to say. He turned to Atticus again only to discover that the man was no longer standing next to him. Panicked, he demanded to know where Atticus had gone but no one could seem to tell him. Even Kenton was missing, which was a sure sign that something very bad was about to happen. When Atticus and Kenton traveled in a pair, death wasn’t far off. As Warenne sent the de Wolfe soldiers scattering in search of Atticus and Kenton, the great gates of Wolfe’s Lair began to crank open.
Startled by the noise of rattling chains and creaking wood, Warenne and the men upon the wall strained to catch a glimpse of the gates and were not surprised to see Atticus emerging.
“God, no,” Warenne breathed. Then, he lifted his voice. “Atticus, go back inside! Do you hear me?”
Atticus heard his friend but he soundly ignored him. At the moment, all of his attention was focused on the six Norfolk men in front of him and particularly on the knights. They were big men, of the highest order, but that only served to fuel Atticus’bloodlust. He knew Kenton was behind him, standing in the open gate, watching the four men-at-arms in case someone decided to be clever and pull out a crossbow. Kenton had a crossbow of his own trained on the group. With that confidence, Atticus was able to have his complete focus on his prey.
And, yes, they were prey.
“I am Atticus de Wolfe,” he said calmly. “You will tell me your business now.”
Summerlin wasn’t surprised to see that Atticus had emerged from behind the walls of protection. From what he’d heard about The Lion of the North, there were no walls that could adequately contain or protect him. Atticus de Wolfe was something of a myth, immortal and swift. He inspected the very big knight who had announced himself as Atticus.
“The Lion of the North,” Summerlin finally said, some satisfaction in his tone. “Somehow, I thought you would be nine feet tall with swords instead of arms.”
Atticus remained cool, focused. “In the heat of battle, I am all you have imagined and more.”
It was a fairly arrogant statement but Summerlin rather liked it; he fought off a grin. “We’ve not formally met, my lord. I am Sir Shaun Summerlin,” he said, then indicated the knight next to him. “My companion is from the Earls of East Anglia, Alrik du Reims. We have been sent by de Mowbray to speak with you on a matter of utmost importance.”
Atticus gazed up at the knights in the deepening light of dawn. “I do not speak with men on horseback,” he said. “Dismount.”
With some hesitation, they did. Now, Summerlin and du Reims were on level ground with Atticus but somehow, Atticus seemed bigger. Larger than life. Summerlin pulled off his helm and propped it on his saddle, peeling off the layers of wool to reveal a handsome, square-jawed face and shaggy, blond hair.
“Is this acceptable?” he asked.
Atticus didn’t respond directly. “State your business.”
“May I approach?”
“Stay where you are.”
It was clear that Atticus was not the least bit friendly; Summerlin did not expect the man to be. “De Mowbray extends his sorrow at the passing of Titus de Wolfe,” he said. “He wanted me to relay that to your father.”
Atticus’ lips flinched in a hint of a sneer. “Spare me your platitudes of condolences,” he said, his voice low and threatening. “De Mowbray bribed two of Northumberland’s knights to swear fealty to Edward and when they approached my brother with betrayal in their hearts, my brother denied them and they killed him for it. If they told you they killed my brother in self-defense, then they lied. My brother told me upon his deathbed what happened. De la Londe and de Troiu killed my brother because he refused to swear fealty to Edward and, based upon that betrayal, it is my intention to track those two knights down and kill them. If anyone stands in my way, I will kill them as well. Is this in any way unclear?”
Summerlin was a seasoned knight. He knew how to negotiate and he knew how to deal with threats. He understood that de Wolfe had lost his brother and he knew the man was grieving, but he also believed every word. Atticus de Wolfe, as far as he knew, did not issue threats. He made promises that he kept.
“I was not aware that Titus lived after his wounds were inflicted,” he said evenly. “Clearly, we were told that Titus was killed by men defending themselves against him. Since none of us were present when the event took place, mayhap there is truth on both sides of the tale.”
“My brother’s deathbed confession is the only truth.”
Summerlin nodded faintly; he wasn’t going to argue the point. In fact, there was no use in delaying what he had come to relay. Better to get to the point.
“As you wish,” he said to Atticus. “Will you summon your father so that he may hear Norfolk’s proposal?”
“Nay. Get on with it.”
Summerlin could see that Atticus had no intention of showing any manners in the situation; therefore, he decided his manners were misplaced as well. His behavior turned cold and professional, just as Atticus’ was. It was time to discuss the reason behind his visit.
The time had come.
“Norfolk has sent me to propose an alliance between the House of Norfolk and the House of de Wolfe,” he said. “Specifically, an alliance between Wolfe’s Lair and Norfolk. Surely you realize that Edward is now king and Henry has fled the country with his whore wife. There is no longer any reason for a house as fine as that of de Wolfe to serve a king with no honor. It is Norfolk’s wish to extend a hand of friendship and peace to you. If you agree, I have one thousand men encamped over two miles away that Norfolk offers to you to reinforce your ranks. I have also brought supply wagons with me and coinage to bolster your supplies and wealth. It will be an equitable agreement. However, if you refuse, Norfolk has instructed me to lay siege to Wolfe’s Lair, confiscate it, and make it an outpost for Edward. Do you understand these terms as I have relayed them to you, Sir Atticus?”
