Brandt’s head popped up and he was on his feet before Ellowyn realized it. “Well and good,” he growled, moving for his helmet and slapping it back on his head. “Is the portcullis lifted yet?”
“Aye, my lord.”
“Then move my troops in and make sure anything that is Arundel is cleaned out,” he said. “I do not want that man’s stench in my castle.”
Ellowyn ran after him. “Wait!” she called. “Where are you going?”
He paused before quitting the tent and she bumped into the back of him. He took her hand and brought it to his lips for a sweet kiss.
“I will return,” he assured her, looking remarkably awake for a man who had been passed out moments earlier. “You will remain here until I do. I will have someone bring you something to eat.”
She peered at him closely. “Are you well?” she asked, concerned. “You were so exhausted and….”
He kissed her hand again, her palm, and her lips swiftly in that order, cutting her off. “I can move mountains,” he assured her quietly. “You, Lady de Russe, have that effect on me.”
She smiled as he winked at her and quit the tent. She could hear his voice outside, relaying orders and receiving information. Listening to his strong, confident voice kept the smile on her face for some time to come. Returning to her cards, she settled in to wait for Guildford to be cleared.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
It was aspectacular castle.
Near sunset, Ellowyn’s carriage was escorted into the extensive grounds of Guildford Castle and gazing from the coach window, she could immediately see the majesty and wealth of the Duke of Exeter. The castle was truly something to behold.
The entire complex was surrounded by a massive ditch that was partially filled with water. It was a moat of sorts, with steep sides that made it treacherous and uninviting. An enormous gatehouse built into the colossal outer wall protected a vast bailey that contained a number of wood and stone outbuildings and stables, the roofs heavily thatched. It looked like an entire little village in the bailey.
The most obvious feature of Guildford was the gargantuan motte, or hill, on the northern edge of the complex upon which a tall, block-shaped keep had been built. There was another moat around the motte and there were any number of defense structures surrounding the motte, most notably the dozens of spiked logs jutting out from the sides of the hill. It gave the motte a rather terrifying and unenticing appearance.
As the carriage pulled through the bailey, Ellowyn could see Brandt and Dylan standing at the base of the stairs that led up the side of the motte to the keep on the top. They were speaking with three knights, all of them dressed for battle, and as the carriage drew close, Ellowyn saw Dylan advance menacingly towards the three unknown knights. Brandt put out an arm to stop the man, eventually putting himself between Dylan and the knights. His demeanor seemed to be very threatening. AsEllowyn watched, Brandt lashed out a massive fist and caught one of the knights squarely in the face. He sailed backwards, into his companions, and the entire trio went down.
The carriage turned away from the view and she could no longer see what was happening as it eventually came to a halt. Before anyone could assist her from the coach, Ellowyn opened the door herself and climbed out. The first thing she did is rush straight to Brandt and the knights now picking themselves off the ground.
“Are these the men who tried to steal your castle?” she asked.
Brandt hadn’t seen her coming. She had run up behind him and caught him off guard. He turned to say something to her but she was already fixed on the knights who were now standing, one of them with his hand to his face. Ellowyn advanced on the group, fingers pointing.
“Are you Arundel’s men?” she demanded.
The man with the hand over his bloodied nose scowled at her. “Who in the hell are you?”
Ellowyn felt Brandt come up behind her, preparing to deliver another crushing blow for the harsh question, but she put out a hand to stop him. She was used to taking charge because Deston had let her. It seemed that her behavior and sense of control would not be contained in a different environment. Wherever she was, she was in control. She was well prepared to punish and scold, protecting what was hers. She was not afraid.
“I am Lady de Russe,” she said, her tone hazardous, “and you have usurped the castle belonging to my husband, the Duke of Exeter. How on earth your liege thought a challenge like this would go unnoticed and unanswered is beyond me, for it was a foolish and ridiculous attempt, and you may tell him I said so. You may also tell him that we fully expect reparation for the one year’s worth of revenue he stole from my husband, an accounting of which I will send to him within the week. If wedo not receive immediate compensation for Arundel’s thievery, I will send a thousand men to claim what is rightfully ours from every farm, village, church, and individual within a twenty mile radius of Arundel until the debt is paid. Is this is any way unclear so far?”
She had delivered the demands so succinctly, so smoothly, that the three knights were staring at her with some shock and a hint of intimidation. Brandt and Dylan, standing behind her, were equally astonished. The knight with the bloodied nose nodded after a moment.
“Aye, Lady de Russe,” he replied.
Ellowyn wasn’t finished. “You will further tell your lord that I am personally offended by his attempts to confiscate my husband’s property and he has earned my great displeasure for the angst and strife he has put my husband through. An offense against my husband is an offense against me. He had better think of some way to ease my displeasure and pray that I am in a forgiving mood when he presents his case. I will expect his full and unrestrained apology when he delivers the compensation for what my husband is owed. Do you understand?”
“I do, my lady.”
“Get out of my sight.”
The knight and his comrades turned away from her, swiftly, and made haste towards the stables. Ellowyn watched them go before turning to Brandt and Dylan, still standing behind her.
“There,” she said decisively, as if she had just finished some manner of simple business that she conducted every day. “Now, will you show me this magnificent keep?”
Brandt was staring at her. He was still rather stunned with her aggressive behavior but strangely, it did not displease him. He was rather amused. He was also rather proud. It was the same manner she had used when they had first met, only he hadbeen on the receiving end just as Arundel’s knights had been. The more he saw of Ellowyn, the more he liked.
