“What is happening in London?” she asked softly. “Can you tell me?”
Maximus thought on how to simplify things. “Last month, de Montfort wrested most of the power away from the king,” he said. “The king was presented with a series of provisions, one of which outlined the manner of government we would have from now on. It is meant to be a more fair and autonomous way of governing. De Montfort will select twelve men and the king will select twelve men, and together that group of twenty-four men will form a council to govern England. We have received word that the king is prematurely convening his half of the council and de Montfort wants to be there when they do as a show of force.”
Courtly understood quite a bit about politics, purely from her father. The man didn’t have many people to talk to so,consequently, he talked to his daughter a good deal about the winds of political change currently enveloping England. She understood what Maximus was telling her and she also knew that this was a volatile situation. Wars had begun for less reason than this. But any war that started, her sweet Maximus would be at the head of it and she dreaded that thought. It punched holes in her belly, making her nauseous simply to think on it.
“My father did not say anything about going to London,” she said after a moment. “I wonder if he even knows?”
Maximus shrugged. “He should know by now,” he said. “As of yesterday, de Montfort was sending out messengers to all of his barons, telling them to congregate in London next week. That is another reason I will not take you to London. If your father is there, I do not want to chance you crossing paths with him.”
Courtly was forced to agree. “Nor do I,” she said. “But this council… are you sitting upon it?”
Maximus shook his head. “Gallus is,” he said. “And many other great barons. It will truly be a sight to behold once convened.”
Courtly thought on that scenario as they passed onto a street that would take them to The One-Eyed Raven. In fact, she could see the structure in the distance and her heart began to ache. Things were happening so quickly that it was difficult to grasp. But she knew one thing– she had married a warrior, the Thunder Warrior, and he would be fighting wherever there was a battle that involved him, or wherever de Montfort told him he should fight. She knew that when she met him, but the reality of it was still disheartening.
“When will you be leaving?” she asked.
His grip tightened on her, hearing the longing in her voice. “We should have left this morning,” he said. “There will be a full moon tonight so it is my suspicion that we will move out underthe cover of darkness. You and Jeniver will return to Isenhall in the morning after you have had a night’s sleep.”
Courtly struggled not to let depression overwhelm her. She clutched at Maximus’ arm, the one he was holding her with, already missing the man tremendously. She simply couldn’t help it.
“Tell me of Isenhall,” she said to distract herself from the tears that were threatening. “What is it like?”
Maximus thought on his home in Coventry, feeling comforted knowing that Courtly would soon be within the massive, protective walls. “I was born there,” he said. “It is an oddly shaped fortress. You will see for yourself. It is round and the keep and great hall are all jammed into the middle of it. The bailey is quite small but the keep is enormous. As a child, there were many places to hide. We used to torment my mother constantly with our disappearances.”
Courtly smiled happily as she thought of Maximus as a devious child. “Please tell me about your mother,” she said. “I know she is very ill. Would it be too much for you to tell me something of her?”
Speaking on Honey these days was much of a strain, but he found that he wanted his new wife to know about his mother, the woman he loved best in the world. At least, the woman he had loved best until Courtly came into his life. He wanted his wife to see the woman through his eyes.
“My mother is a de Lohr,” he said. “She is the youngest daughter of Christopher and Dustin. Although my grandfather passed away some years ago, my grandmother is still alive. My mother is much like her, actually; feisty, strong, fearless, compassionate. Her given name is Charlotte but my father started calling her ‘honey’ early in their relationship, so that is what everyone calls her. She rules with an iron fist and lovesbeyond reason. She is a warm and wonderful woman and her illness has been very difficult for us.”
Courtly digested the description of the Lady Honey de Shera. “May I ask you to tell me what ails her?”
Maximus grunted. “A cancer in her belly,” he said. “She fell ill last fall and it has grown progressively worse. The physic believed she would be dead last month but still, she has lingered. My brothers and I were hoping to see her after de Montfort’s meeting but, unfortunately, that will not be the case. I must go to London and you must go introduce yourself to her as my wife.”
He said it with some humor, causing Courtly to turn and look at him. She smiled at the man, seeing in his eyes how sorrowful he was about his mother. She put a soft hand to his bearded cheek.
“I will introduce myself happily,” she said. “I can only pray she finds me acceptable to be a member of the House of de Shera.”
Maximus kissed the hand that was on his face. “She will,” he murmured. “She will love you as I do.”
The smile faded from Courtly’s face and she tipped her head up, kissing him gently on his soft lips. Maximus leaned in and kissed her hungrily, suckling on her lower lips, struggling not to let his passion and arousal overwhelm him out in public for all to see. It was an effort to pull away as they came upon The One-Eyed Raven, but his thoughts turned to the inn itself and the bedchambers on the second floor. He fully intended to consummate his marriage before he left for London. In fact, it was nearly the only thing on his mind.
The livery behind the inn was crowded with de Shera horses and the big yard surrounding the livery was also jammed with them. Horses spilled out into the street, tethered, and being tended to by overworked stable boys. Maximus’ attention was diverted from his luscious wife for a moment as he enteredthe livery yard and realized just how many de Shera men were present. His brother had brought fifty men with them to Oxford, men that had been spread out somewhat because they couldn’t all fit in one tavern, but it was clear that all of them had now gathered.
Maximus tethered his jennet personally inside the livery so the stable boys could tend the sometimes snappish animal. Taking his wife with him, he proceeded into the rear of the tavern, noting that it was a hugely busy and crowded place inside. Men were eating, talking, yelling, and in general creating a bit of a ruckus. Over near the barkeep’s station, he saw Tiberius and Gallus around the usual de Shera table and he made his way towards them, shoving aside a soldier who came too close to Courtly. The man went flying, bashing into a leaning table, which collapsed onto the floor.
Gallus and Tiberius looked over when they heard the crash, seeing Maximus and Courtly approach. The both rose from their seats, varied expressions of pleasure on their faces.
“Ah,” Gallus said. “Maximus enters a room as only Maximus can. So you have returned, my prodigal brother?”
Maximus gave him a half-grin, glancing over his shoulder at the soldier picking himself up off of the broken table. “He is lucky I only shoved him when he came near my wife,” he said. “Next time, I will break his neck.”
Gallus and Tiberius looked straight to Courtly, the smiles fading from their faces as the reality of Maximus’ words hit home.
“Wife,” Gallus repeated softly. Then, he reached out to Courtly and placed a very brotherly kiss on her cheek. “Welcome to the family, Lady Courtly. We are very honored to have you.”
Courtly smiled timidly at Gallus, thinking that the man was perhaps lying. All she brought with her was uncertainty and discord into a family that was strong and relatively peaceful. Shecould only imagine that Gallus was already thinking of the long-reaching implications with her father.
