Adonis shrugged. “She was very ill when we left, Kevin,” he reminded him, trying not to appear as sad as he felt. “I am sure she passed on long ago. I have resigned myself to that.”
Kevin didn’t argue with him. Lady Caladora Scott de Norville had been ill for some time prior to her son leaving for the Holy Land.A cancer, the physics had said. Adonis’ father, Paris, had been utterly devastated at the diagnosis. They all had been.
“If that is true, then I am sure your mother and my father are keeping fine company together in heaven as they await the arrival of others,” Kevin said after a moment. “But I will admit I hope they have a long wait because I am not yet ready to let go of my mother or of your father or of Uncle William or Aunt Jordan. I would like to keep them with us as long as possible.”
Adonis nodded, noting that the scouts were now quite close. “Much like you, I would like to go home as soon as possible andsee my father,” he said. “Do you think the duke will let us leave for a time if we swear to return quickly?”
Kevin hardened at the thought of Victor. “I am not entirely sure,” he said. “He is a strange man. We will need to be very careful how we approach him about leaving, even to see our families.”
Adonis looked at him, sensing something more in that statement, almost as if Kevin knew something that he did not. “Why would you say that?” he asked. “What happened last night after you left the sanctuary with the duke and his new bride?”
Kevin couldn’t tell him. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to, for he trusted Adonis implicitly and he thought that it would be a good idea for Adonis and Thomas to know what Victor had burdened him with. There might be times that the knights would have to make excuses for him or even cover for him. But Kevin couldn’t tell him at the moment because the scouts were upon them and they converged on Kevin and Adonis, pulling their frothing mounts to an unsteady pace alongside them.
“My lord,” one of the scouts said breathlessly. “The road is clear from here to Longcross, which is about a five hour ride ahead if you keep the current pace. There is a festival and tournament going on in Longcross, however, and there are many great houses there, including Salisbury, who is a close and personal friend of Dorset.”
Salisbury.The name rang a bell in Kevin’s head. He glanced at Adonis to see that he, too, recognized the name from the young lord they had encountered and killed in Dover. Son of the Earl of Salisbury.
“Longespee?” Kevin asked the scouts.
“Aye, my lord,” the scout in the lead nodded. “It looks as if the earl is competing in the tournament there. The duke will want to know.”
Kevin nodded and sent the scouts back into the ranks to collect fresh mounts. When they were out of earshot, Kevin turned to Adonis.
“The father of the idiot we killed?” he hissed. “I wonder if the earl knows his son is dead yet?”
Adonis shrugged. “If he does not now, he soon will,” he replied. “We left no witnesses, at least ones that could identify us to the earl.”
Kevin wriggled his eyebrows ironically. “That is, of course, the hope,” he confided. “But an entire room full of tavern patrons saw us. It is always possible that one of those could be around and identify us to the man.”
Adonis shook his head. “If they do, and they are truthful, then the earl will know that his son attacked you first,” he said. “You were defending yourself.”
Kevin grunted. “I suspect that will not much matter,” he said, reining his horse about. “You hold point while I tell the duke about the festivities going on in Longcross.”
Adonis nodded, assuming his post, as Kevin thundered back through his column of men, heading towards the fine white carriage bumping about over the ruts and holes. Men moved out of his way as the magnificent white horse with the dark mane and tail pushed his way through until they reached the white carriage. Kevin lifted his visor, peering into the carriage at the duke who was lying on his back on one of the cushioned benches.
“My lord,” he said. “We will make camp in Longcross tonight. The scouts have returned to inform us of a festival going on, one that the Earl of Salisbury is evidently attending. I am told you would want to know this.”
Victor, whose eyes had been closed, lifted his irritated lids when he heard the mention of Salisbury. With a fine linen handkerchief pressed to his lips, he struggled to sit up.
“Salisbury?” he repeated. “Longespee is close?”
Kevin nodded. “Around four hours by my estimation, my lord.”
Victor kept the linen to his mouth, trying to prevent the nasty burps that were coming forth. “That is excellent news,” he said. “A festival, did you say? What kind?”
Kevin glanced down the road as if to see the berg of Longcross. “I am told it is a festival with some manner of tournament,” he said. “I am sure it will be something exciting to see once we arrive.”
Victor nodded, his mind diverted from his aching head and lurching stomach for the moment. “Do you joust, Hage?”
Kevin gave him a lopsided smile. “It has been years, my lord,” he said. “I no longer have the equipment required. But I would not be opposed to joining the melée should the tournament marshals allow it.”
That very idea gave Victor such a look of glee. “Splendid!” he declared. “Have the scouts ride forth and announce our approach to Salisbury. Have them tell the man that we will have entries for whatever festivities are taking place. Hurry now, if there is a competition, then I must be part of it. Dorset has the finest men in the land; let us prove it.”
There was arrogance in that statement as well as a fierce sense of competition, which excited Kevin in spite of himself. He was also a highly competitive man and the thought of competing in a mass competition or some other manner of contest was quite inviting. It had literally been years since he had competed in games but he was certain he would not only compete adequately but that he would win. He shared Victor’s enthusiasm.
“De Norville and de Wolfe are always quite good at games, my lord,” he said. “I am sure they would like to compete also.”
Victor was thrilled. “Of course,” he agreed, waving his hand frantically. “Send your scouts ahead. I want them to know we are coming!”
