“What!” Hugh bellowed so loudly that Draven half expected the rafters to fall down around them. “You cannot be serious.”
Henry shot to his feet and directed a heated glare at Hugh. “Sir, you forget yourself. ‘Tis your king you address and treasonous ground you tread upon.”
Hugh’s face was redder than the crimson surcoat Draven wore over his armor. “Your Majesty, I beg you, do not ask this of me. My daughters are gentle creatures, unused to hardship or the company of men. My eldest is to marry one month hence, and her sister is sworn to St. Anne’s. Surely you cannot demand that they relinquish their oaths to be held hostage for an indefinite term?”
“You spoke of a third daughter?”
Complete and utter horror was etched on Hugh’s face. “Sire, Emily is the gentlest of all my daughters. She quivers at the slightest scare. An hour with Ravenswood and she would die from her fear. I beg you, please do not demand this.”
“We wish the two of you had left us with a choice. But alas, we grow weary of the constant complaints and accusations of our lords. Hugh, you are the one who beseeched the crown to intervene lest you lose your lands to Draven. ‘Twould seem to us a daughter would be naught compared to your lands.” Henry retook his seat. “Nay, Lady Emily is to be handed over to Draven for safe keeping.”
A lady in his home…
Draven could feel his lip starting to curl at the thought. It was on his tongue to tell Henry to forget the whole matter, but one look, and he knew better than to question the king’s dictates.
Then the most incredible thing happened. Hugh went down on his knees before Henry’s throne. He bowed down and touched his forehead on the cold, stone floor. “Please, Majesty,” he begged, his voice quivering. “You cannot take my daughter and then ask only for Ravenswood’s oath. I beg you. Emily is.... she is my life. You may have my lands, but please leave my daughter be.”
For an instant Draven almost felt sorry for the man, until he recalled the village that had been burned in the dead of night. The women who had been raped and butchered in their beds.
As much as he dreaded having this lady in his home, he knew it would guarantee Hugh’s benevolent behavior. And that would keep his people safe.
He held no doubt he could end this feud. with one battle, but Draven had long grown weary of fighting. He wanted peace and solitude. And if this would end the matter....
As always, he would do as his king commanded.
Henry stroked his beard in thought as he listened to Hugh continue to implore his mercy. “On your feet, Hugh.”
Hugh stood, his eyes shining bright from unshed tears.
“We hear your plea, and we can assure you Draven takes his oaths most seriously. We have seen him execute his duty to us with acts of unquestionable loyalty. However, since you have been known to recant your oath, we must ensure that this time peace is kept.”
The king referred to the fact that Hugh had once promised to support Henry’s claim to the throne, only to turn around two months later and join King Stephen’s forces to fight against Henry.
Hugh was not one to be trusted. Ever.
“If Your Majesty so doubts my loyalty, then why do I still have my lands?” Hugh asked.
Henry’s eyes narrowed. “Rather than ask our motives, you should be grateful for our continued mercy and should act with appropriate gratitude.”
Draven met Henry’s gaze and knew without being told the king’s reason. An enemy known was much better than one unknown. So long as Hugh held lands from Henry, he owed a debt of gratitude to the king, but should Henry remove the earl, then Hugh would hell-bound to retaliate, and would soon find himself as a conspirator against the crown. The maintenance of Warwick was such that Hugh had little time for conspiracy, and it kept him away from London and the political machinations of Henry’s enemies.
Henry looked back to Hugh. “Lord Draven shall hold her for one year. That should be long enough for your tempers to cool.” Henry motioned for his scribe to write down his decree. “Should you attack Lord Draven or any of his people or lands, your daughter will be his do with as he pleases.”
Hugh slid his gaze to Draven. “And if he should harm her for no cause, Sire?”
Henry’s face hardened. “As the right hand of the crown, Draven knows firsthand what we do to traitors. We have trusted our life to Lord Draven and we will accept his pledge on the bones of St. Peter that he will not harm her.” Then to Draven he said, “Lady Emily will be considered our ward. Any harm done her will be done to us. We trust you will guard her accordingly?”
“Aye, Your Majesty. I shall guard her with my life.”
“‘Tis good then. Now go and make preparations. Draven seek out our priest and make your oath.”
Draven gave a slight bow to Henry who was now looking at Hugh. “Draven will ride home with you to secure your daughter. Should our royal messengers return from Ravenswood with news she is not there, we shall not be pleased.”
Simultaneously, they bowed, along with Draven’s brother, and walked backwards from the throne room.
Once the heavy wooden doors were closed behind them, Hugh whirled on Draven. “One way or another, I shall see you dead over this,” he hissed.
“Is that a threat?” Draven asked with a hint of laughter in his voice. The last thing under heaven Draven feared was death, indeed it would come as a welcomed relief.
