“I am ready,” she declared to the host of expectant and appreciative eyes that turned in her direction. “But what shall we do with Midgy while we are gone?”
Mathias could hear the otter grunting and playing in the other room. He looked around the chamber and spied a big bucket near the hearth, used to clean out the ashes. He picked it up and tossed it at his brother.
“Go and get some water,” he said. “Hurry. We will wait for you.”
Sebastian was outraged. “I do not even like that hairy rat,” he declared. “Why must I go?”
Mathias simply pointed at the door. Sebastian made faces, mostly at Cathlina, who bit her lip to keep from laughing as he stomped from the hut. Midgy came out of the chamber at that point, skittering around on the floor looking for something to find mischief with. He ended up jumping onto Stephen’s lap and the knight shoved him back onto the floor. Cathlina came to the rescue with his favorite smooth rocks, distracting him, and in a short time, Sebastian returned with the bucket of water.
Cathlina had him set it down near the hearth, whereupon Midgy jumped into it and, being too big for it, splashed most of the water out onto the floor. But he was happy and it was time to leave.
“Off we go,” Mathias said, ushering everyone from the hut. He eyed the otter as he closed the door. “Behave yourself, beast.”
Big brown otter eyes blinked back.
*
The great hallof the Devil’s Den was filled with smoke and loud men. From the moment Mathias escorted his wife inside, he wascoming to think it was a very bad idea to have her here because the only other women were serving wenches and the moment they walked into the hall, they passed a pair having sex behind a pillar. Cathlina looked away quickly and pretended not to notice while Mathias didn’t acknowledge it. He knew fighting men and he knew how they were. Sex in a hall, in a stable, or in any other convenient place wasn’t unheard of in the least. They took it where they could get it but Mathias didn’t want his wife exposed to that kind of debauchery.
Mathias directed Cathlina over to the great feasting table that was crowded with men. All of them were drinking heavily. De Beaumont and Balliol sat at the far end of the table and, seeing Mathias and the other knights, waved them over. They had to walk the entire length of the hall to get there and there was increasing attention on Cathlina as they went. One drunk man even went so far as to reach out and grab a fistful of skirt, prompting Mathias to land a blow so heavily into the man’s face that blood gushed from every facial orifice. Like a dog guarding his bone, the territory of Cathlina was readily established.
Cathlina was rightfully terrified by the time she reached the end of the table and Henry introduced himself and Balliol. She was polite but stiff, taking a seat on the bench between Mathias and Justus as servants swarmed around them to bring them food and drink. It was so loud in the hall that it was seriously difficult to hear any conversation they might attempt.
“I was unaware that Mathias had brought his wife,” Henry said with a hint of disapproval. “Where were you born, Lady de Reyne?”
“Near Brampton, my lord,” she replied, startled when two men down the table started a fight. She tried not to watch it as she focused on Henry. “My father is a cousin of the Earl of Carlisle and commands the garrison of Kirklinton for him.”
Henry’s eyebrows lifted. “You are the earl’s cousin?” he repeated. “How interesting. Now de Reyne is related to de Lara by marriage. An arranged one, I am sure. What is your father’s name?”
Cathlina already didn’t like the man. He spoke quite condescendingly, as if she was no more than an ant beneath his feet. He seemed quite aloof to her.
“Saer de Lara, my lord,” she replied.
Henry cocked his head. “Saer de Lara,” he repeated as if attempting to remember something buried deep in his memory. “Saer… Saer… why does that sound familiar to me?”
“More than likely because her father served the earl in the wars against Mortimer,” Mathias replied, claiming a metal cup full of rich red wine. “They called him The Axe because that was his weapon of choice.”
Henry’s brow furrowed. “The Axe,” he hissed. Then, his face washed with recognition. “I seem to remember a Saer de Lara on campaign for young Edward’s father. The Axe, did you say? I do recall him, I believe, but this man traveled with a whore wherever he went. I remember this because when he was done with her, he would hire her out to other knights. I think her name was Abbey. Could it be the same man?”
Cathlina’s mouth flew open in outrage. Mathias could see the storm coming and he clamped his hand over hers, silently begging her to be still. He could feel her trembling with rage and shock.
“Even if it is, do you think it entirely appropriate to discuss those details with his daughter?” he said in a tone that conveyed his displeasure. “I believe you owe my wife an apology. That was most tactless.”
Henry looked surprised by Mathias’ statement and even more surprised by Cathlina’s red-faced expression. When he realized what he had said, he started to chuckle.
“Aye, I suppose it was,” he said, taking another drink of his wine. “My lady, I do apologize. Sometimes I speak before I think, especially when I have had a half a bottle of wine. I pray I did not offend you overly.”
Cathlina didn’t say anything. She averted her gaze, staring at her lap. She was afraid that she was going to blast the foolish man with insults so it was best not to say anything at all. As a large trencher of mutton and gravy was put in front of her, and then the others, Henry continued on as if nothing slanderous had occurred. He focused on Mathias.
“You will leave on the morrow for Kinghorn Castle,” he said. “As I told you earlier today, it is a small outpost near the sea, only a Pelé tower and enclosure really, but it is strategic. It stands at an important port and is a two day’s ride to the east.”
Mathias and Stephen were listening carefully. “Aye, my lord,” Mathias replied. “We shall be prepared to depart at dawn.”
Henry nodded his approval, his gaze moving between Mathias and Stephen. Today had brought unexpected reinforcements to his upper command structure and he was deeply pleased. He glanced at Balliol before he spoke.
“There is something more that we did not discuss with you earlier,” he said, lowering his voice. “I wanted to be quite sure with Balliol before telling you, but know this, we are not sending you to Kinghorn simply to man an outpost. We are sending you there to be the first contact for the rebel force with is due to land at Kinghorn within the next month. With King Edward’s approval, we have more than eighty ships in several Yorkshire ports awaiting word to sail to Scotland to once and for all claim the throne for the House of Balliol. The armada is under orders to make port at Kinghorn, where they will be met by you. You will lead the army into Scotland under the flag of Balliol and take them straight to Perth, where I will be waiting with the majorityof my army. The infant David and his regent, the Earl of Moray, are in Perth. It is time to end this now.”
So it was a battle march. Mathias and Stephen understood all too well. “The king made no mention of this to me, nor did de Lara,” Stephen said.
