Page 17 of Retribution

“It is from Lucca,” she said. “That is where most of this fine fabric is made. The silk industry is quite large there.”

She had a voice like warm honey, something that filled his ears and made him feel giddy all over. “Oh?” he said. “I did not know that.”

“It is true.”

“Have you visited Lucca, then?”

She shook her head. “Nay,” she said. “But I know enough about it. The city is renowned for its fabrics and dye. In fact, they have a very powerful dye guild that adheres to rigorous rules. The color of this fabric? It is made from prized insects.”

He took a few steps in her direction, peering at the deep red silk. “Astonishing,” he said. “I did not know that. Thank you for telling me.”

She continued to finger the fabric before glancing up at him. “The insect is called kermes,” she said. “It is also the name of the fabric. The insect only lives near the great sea of the Mediterranean. We do not have them in England.”

“How interesting,” he said, riveted to her beautiful face. “But surely England has other things that can be used to create vibrant dyes?”

She shrugged, finding interest with a yellow pile of fabric nearby. “Some things,” she said. “Tree bark, even grass. But most of the truly beautiful dye and fabrics come from France or Florence or Lucca.”

Aidric smiled. “I have learned something today,” he said. “Alas, my education as a knight did not teach me of fabrics or dyes. I thank you for the information, my lady.”

A faint flush came to her cheeks because he was grinning at her so openly. “Whom do you serve, my lord?”

“The king.”

She nodded. “I see,” she said. “Did the king send you to Adelie’s, then?”

He shook his head. “He did not,” he said. “But before I elaborate, would it be appropriate for me to introduce myself now? We have had nearly an entire conversation and you do not even know my name. And I do not even know yours.”

The blush in her cheeks deepened. “Mayhap it is better if we do not know,” she said. “Then there is some mystery to it. I will remember you as the king’s knight who spoke so boldly to me, and you will remember me as a woman with no name, no past, no future. Just a woman in a merchant shop who spoke to you of dye.”

He cocked his head. “I should at least like to know the name of the woman who was so kind in educating me,” he said. “My name is Aidric, my lady. Aidric St. John.”

Her mouth twitched with a smile, as if she wanted to genuinely smile at him and perhaps even give him her name, but she wasn’t sure if she should. Or even how to do it. As she struggled to reply, noise in the main chamber of the shop caught Aidric’s attention. He swore he could hear metal against metal, like a sword fight, but before he could investigate, one of those armed guards he’d noticed earlier appeared in the doorway. Aidric had originally believed them to have been hired by Adelie’s shop to protect the merchandise, but the man unsheathed a rather wicked-looking broadsword and pointed it in Aidric’s direction.

“Ah,” the man said, a gleam in his eye. “There she is. If you value your life, knight, you will stand aside.”

Aidric didn’t move. “What do you want?”

“Her.”

“For what purpose?”

The man took a step or two into the chamber. “My own,” he said. “That’s Cambridge’s wench. Did you not see the dress she is wearing? It is sewn with diamonds and pearls. I want them. And her. Get out of my way or face the consequences.”

Aidric unsheathed his own broadsword as quick as a flash. In the same motion, he reached a hand behind him and managed to grab hold of the woman’s arm. He pulled her in tight behind him as she gasped in terror.

“Let me tell you something about the weapon that his now facing you,” he said, his demeanor steely. “It has a name. Retribution. It has punished many a man for a crime or offense and it is always hungry for more. You do not want to test my sword, little man. Retribution will be swift.”

Before the man could reply, there was a great uproar in the main chamber, accompanied by screams and crashing sounds. There were men rushing in, rushing through the doorway, and the man who was threatening both Aidric and the woman abruptly found himself fighting on two fronts. Britt and another knight that Aidric didn’t know came charging in and attacked the man facing off against Aidric. A nasty battle ensued and Aidric used the distraction to turn around, throw the woman over his broad shoulder, and run for the rear of the shop.

There seemed to be fighting in every corner of the shop and there were women, seamstresses employed by Adelie, fleeing from the rear. Aidric herded them out, quickly, still holding the woman over his shoulder as he covered the retreat. No one seemed to be following him, but it was obvious to him that the woman he held was a target of some kind. He didn’t intend to leave her alone, not for a moment, so he backed out of the shop, out into a yard behind the establishment that was cluttered with crates and barrels and other bits of wooded items.

Free of the shop, he put the woman on her feet.

“Apologies, my lady,” he said. “I needed to remove you to safety and that seemed to be the quickest way. I did not hurt you, did I?”

The woman smoothed her white hair from her face. “Nay,” she said, clearly shaken. “Who was that man?”

Aidric shook his head. “I do not know,” he said. “But from the sounds of conflict inside, I would wager to say he did not act alone.”