Page 5 of To Honor

“I am strong, and well-versed with a sword, but know little of negotiation in politics. And though ’tis unlikely I will be utilized in such a way, each and every man here should be, in the words of one of the instructors, ‘able and ready for any situation, skilled in all areas.’”

“So their hope is to improve on those things the Order does not do well already?”

“Aye. But there are rumors that others are well versed in many ways and those men may be called to lead campaigns. Though ’tis not happened as of yet. Perhaps you will be the first.”

“Perhaps,” Gareth said as they walked. “How many men are there in total?”

“Very few,” he said. “No more than fifty.”

“Fifty men,” he repeated. “Will you tell me what sort of missions have been accomplished by such few men?”

Alden slapped him on the shoulder. “I will tell you all you need to know, my friend. But first . . .” He nodded to the woman standing at the end of the corridor speaking to a young knight. “There are few women here, and though she is more than passing fair, she is to be avoided.”

“It does not seem as if he”—Gareth referred to the knight she spoke with—“agrees.”

“He’s been warned and will pay the price for his dalliance.”

“Warned?”

“She is married to the village blacksmith. It seems the woman forgets she is married, though if rumor serves, her husband does the same.”

“The blacksmith.” Gareth smiled. “’Tis said they have quite a temper more often than not.”

“True enough. My father would never be accused of possessing an easy temperament, but thankfully I’ve not inherited that trait. You are not married?” Alden asked as they walked by the couple. Indeed, the two seemed more intimate than a married maid should be with such a man.

“Nay. I’ve little to offer a wife.”

Alden stopped walking and looked at him as if Gareth had said something of consequence when he’d merely been stating a fact.

“Little to offer? You are as renowned a knight as any that grace these halls. Talk of you joining us has been rampant since word leaked that Stirling and Thorne planned to recruit you.”

“I am also, as you are likely aware, the son of a disgraced baron whose lands and titles were stripped from him.”

“For supporting the very woman we are all here to reinstall onto the throne.”

“Aye,” he agreed. “But for now King Stephen continues to rule.”

Alden smiled. “He will not do so for long. Rebel barons have a stronger foothold in Northern England and East Anglia than ever before. The church refuses to support Stephen’s son as heir. We are closer now to victory than any other time before.”

“And I would know the Guardians’ role in those victories.”

“Ahh, where shall we begin?”

By the time Alden had taken him through the castle, explaining how each of the major victories these past years were orchestrated by the Guardians, Gareth had grown even more confident in his decision. He’d never expected to be here, had not even known this order existed a sennight ago. But the sense of purpose, of camaraderie, was evident, and Gareth could only be glad he’d trusted his instinct to allow himself to be recruited.

By the time they arrived in the hall, the meal was well underway.

“Do not gorge yourself,” Alden said. “Likely you will be feasting again this eve with Lord Ashcroft. He likes to meet all of the recruits personally.”

“I do believe he is hosting me this eve.”

Alden smiled as they sat. It was an odd sort of smile, as if he knew something more but did not wish to reveal it.

“Alden?”

“Aye?” the man answered, filling his tankard with ale.

“What of this meal? There is something you are not telling me.”