“He is not his father’s son,” he grumbled. “Henry was ruthless and deceitful, but at least he could call himself a man. His son lacks even that privilege.”
Sheridan leaned in to him. “I hear they call him John Softsword because of the loss of all of his holdings in France.”
“’Twas ten years ago that he acquired that name,” Jocelin said. “That name and a few others.”
Sheridan suppressed a grin. “I was not allowed to hear those other names, Your Grace.”
“If I know Henry’s mouth, then I doubt that is true.”
Her smile broke through and she lowered her head so that the others would not suspect her joviality was at the expense of the king. She collected her goblet and took a long sip of the tart wine. Glancing up just as the king took his seat, she noticed several soldiers and retainers to the rear of the royal dais. Though most were finely dressed nobles, some wore weapons and armor. One man in particular looked familiar; he was so enormous that he was twice the size of nearly every man in the room. About the time she began to realize where she had seen him, Alys grabbed her arm.
“Look, there,” she hissed. “The knight behind the king, dressed in full armor. Do you see him?”
Sheridan’s initial shock sharply cooled. “I do.”
Alys’ fingers dug into her flesh. “My savior! He is behind the king!”
Jocelin couldn’t help but hear the commotion between the girls. Alys had jostled him about in her excitement. “Here, here, what’s this? Who are you two talking about?”
The girls leaned close on either side of him, their focus on the royal party. “The massive knight that stands to the king’s right hand,” Alys was pointing and Jocelin took her hand and put it in her lap. “Do you see him?”
Jocelin found the source of their curiosity. His eyes narrowed. “Aye,” he said slowly. “I see him.”
“Who is he?” Alys demanded.
Jocelin watched the large man for a moment before answering. “Why do you wish to know?”
“Because he saved my life today,” Alys said, oblivious to the tone of Jocelin’s voice. “I… I had an accident.”
Jocelin looked at her then, sharply. “An accident?”
Alys didn’t want to explain herself. “Aye, I… I fell. He saved me. Who is he?”
By this time, Jocelin’s behavior had Sheridan’s attention. She wondered why he suddenly looked so tense. She tugged on his sleeve gently.
“Do you know him?”
The bishop shook his head. “I do not know him, but I know of him.” He lifted his cup, regarding the ruby liquid inside. “If you must know, the barons call him the Lord of the Shadows.”
The disclosure caused both girls to look back to the royal platform. “Lord of the Shadows,” Alys repeated dreamily. “That’s marvelous.”
Jocelin gulped from his chalice. “Nay, young Alys, that isnotmarvelous. The man is a demon.”
She was indignant. “What do you mean?”
“What I mean is that he is the Devil’s disciple. He is the king’s protector and used by the king for the most evil of purposes. There is no man in this kingdom that does not fear him. His presence, his very name, is synonymous with pain and death. If you see the man, run for your life.”
The girls looked at the dais with a bit more recognition and dread. “What do you mean when you say that the king uses him for evil purposes?” Sheridan almost didn’t want to know.
Jocelin debated whether or not to tell her; de Lara would be the one to come for her should she catch the king’s eye. “Evil, Dani,” he said quietly. “The king sends de Lara to commandeer women for his conquests.”
Sheridan tried not to appear too horrified, but Alys was unimpressed. “But what’s his name?” she insisted.
“Sean de Lara.”
“Sean,” Alys whispered, feeling it roll across her tongue. “Sir Sean de Lara. What a beautiful name.”
Jocelin turned on her. “Listen to me now, Alys. I know your penchant for the opposite sex. I know of your naïve views and your trusting ways. Though I do not know the circumstances of de Lara’s involvement in your accident, I will tell you this; stay clear of him. Remove him from your thoughts. He is no prince to sweep you away nor a man to be trifled with. I promise you that the only reason John still sits upon that throne is because of de Lara. No one is brave enough to attempt his removal, and the man is deadly in more ways than one. Not only is he physical power, but he has intelligence. His tactical knowledge is without compare. No army will go up against John during these times because of de Lara’s very presence. You will, therefore, heed my words; forget him. Harbor no false notions of his good character.”
