Page 6 of To Protect

ChapterThree

“Ineed a favor from the three of you,” Sir Eamon said, having cornered Roland, Alden, and Darien.

After a night in the village and a brutal training session that morn, Roland was ready to break his fast before the afternoon’s strategy session with Lady Elara, one none of them would dare be late to attending.

“You’re back,” Alden said as Eamon pulled them to the side of the training yard.

“Indeed. Your friend Gareth is now married.”

As expected.

“All went well?” Darien asked.

“As well as can be expected under the circumstances. I am leaving soon to speak to Lord Ashcroft.”

“He will not take the news well.” Roland sheathed his sword as did the others.

“Nay, he will not,” Eamon conceded. “If I can persuade him to accept the marriage as valid and not challenge it . . . ” His voice trailed off.

“Do you believe it is at all possible he will keep Lady Evelina as his heir?”

“And in doing so, accept Sir Gareth as well, even though he vowed never to do so?” Eamon asked. “I would be surprised, indeed.”

Roland did not cherish the man’s duty to his daughter and son-in-law, but was grateful his friend had such an ally.

“You mentioned a favor,” Darien said.

Their swordmaster nodded. “I brought her maid back with me. She cannot return to Ashcroft, and until Lady Evelina returns, Mistress Amalia is under my protection. I understand ’tis not ideal, hosting her here, but I’ve little choice but to do so.”

“What precisely do you wish us to do with a lady’s maid?” Roland asked.

Eamon’s brows raised. “Do? Naught at all. But I would ask you to watch out for her. Keep your ears open to any man that might pursue her or put Evelina’s maid in any danger.”

“Who would do such a thing?” Alden seemed genuinely curious.

“She is . . . quite comely.”

“Ahh, well.” Darien stood up straighter. “We will let no harm come to the maid.”

Asking the swordmaster how comely would likely get Roland chastised, so he said nothing. Instead he patted his stomach. “Time to break our fast, gentlemen,” he said, and the others seemed inclined to agree.

Leaving Sir Eamon, they made their way to the hall, speaking of the maid, her lady, and their friend. Gareth had well and truly gotten himself into a tenuous situation.

“Do you think,” Roland asked the others as they made their way into the keep, “the pope will intervene on King Stephen’s behalf? Or will he side with the empress?”

“What matters more,” Darien interjected, waving to someone on the far side of the hall, “is that the king is being transferred, if rumor is to be believed, to Bristol Castle. ’Tis said the king’s brother has summoned a council at Winchester in his capacity as papal legate.”

Roland stopped. “A council? In support of the empress?”

“If Lady Elara is to be believed,” Alden said.

Who, of course, all did believe. There was no better strategist, none quite as well-connected as their instructor. The daughter of a royal messenger and political strategist from a young age, she somehow seemed to know all that occurred beyond the walls of Castle Blackwood before any others. It also didn’t go unnoticed, at least by Roland, that Alden seemed to notice her beauty as well.

“If Lady Elara said it, then ’tis more than rumor,” Darien said. “Do you think that is the maid?”

It took Roland a moment to realize who Darien spoke of. Glancing in his friend’s direction, he understood instantly.

Evelina’s lady’s maid. What had Sir Eamon said her name was?