Page 86 of Rogue Knight
Then he told Ren of all they had seen, all they had lived through, his voice dropping to a whisper for some of it. Serena listened intently.
The Red Wolf’s brows drew together in a scowl as fierce as the beast for which he was named. “I see why you no longer laugh as you once did.”
“What we have seen,” said Geoff, “would make any man lose his laughter.”
“I doubt it not,” said the Red Wolf. “’Tis regrettable our sire has resorted to such rough measures to establish his reign. To burn cottages and destroy cattle, food supplies and farming tools, leaving the people to starve in the midst of a brutal winter. How can he live with it? I could not.”
“Nor could I, which was why I did what I did.”
“As I would have done,” Ren said, placing a hand on Geoff’s shoulder. “I find no fault with your actions. I do feel some guilt for leaving you and Alain to take it on alone. When my leg was healed, I thought to join you, but my lady asked me to stay for Alexander’s birth and then the news out of the North was not good and I wanted to go but Maugris made clear I was not needed, that you had much to do I could not share in. I have learned to trust the wise one’s words.”
Alain, who had been listening, leaned across to the Red Wolf. “All that Geoff has said is true. Not all of the dead lying in our path were men. William ordered his army to kill and maim not just the rebels, but any who could support them, whether they did or not.”
“Word has come to us of the starvation that ravages the land in Yorkshire and in Durham,” said Ren. “A few who escaped have made it to Talisand. They describe the wasteland Maugris saw in his visions.”
Geoff experienced a terrible knot in the pit of his stomach when he thought of Emma living amidst such desolation, trying to survive in a cave. His appetite ebbed and he pushed his trencher away. Again, he questioned whether he should go to York no matter she had sent no word. He knew Maerleswein would see to her well-being, but it was not enough. He had to be sure. He had to know for himself.
When it was time for the musicians to be summoned to entertain them, a new bard stood before the dais, richly attired. His back to the hearth, he held a lute in his hands. Two others, wearing jewel colored tunics, joined him with psaltery and pipe. The music they made soothed Geoff’s anxious soul but it reminded him of the beautiful music Rhodri had made with his Welsh harp as Serena sang.
“Is Rhodri no longer among us?” he asked the Red Wolf and Serena.
“My brother, Steinar, and Rhodri have hied off to Scotland,” she said with regret in her violet eyes.
“We expected it after Steinar was wounded in the fighting in York two years ago,” said Ren, “but my lady worries about him all the same.”
“There was no future in England for the son of an English thegn whose lands were taken from him,” Serena sadly acknowledged.
Ren took his wife’s hand. “I know it is hard, my love, but ’tis the way of it. At least you are still lady of your people.”
“I know, husband,” she said giving him a tender look. “For myself, I am content. But for Steinar, I worry.”
From where he sat next to Serena, Maugris spoke. “Steinar will make his own way, my lady. ’Twill not be easy for such a warrior, but he has known since our coming his future lay outside of Talisand. In Scotland, he may find it.” He patted her hand. “Do not worry for your brother.”
The music died and the Red Wolf stood and stepped down from the dais. The hall grew quiet with anticipation as their lord stood before them. Serving wenches drew to the side to watch.
“And now I must see to the knighting of one who has served me so faithfully,” said the Red Wolf. “Mathieu, come forward.”
The handsome squire rose from one of the trestle tables and slowly walked to stand before the knight he had served since before Hastings, for he had been the Red Wolf’s page at one time.
Geoff had been prepared for what he knew would happen this night. Mathieu was of an age to take his place among the knights and none could doubt he had earned the honor. Geoff picked up the sword belt that lay behind him and stepped down from the dais. When he reached Mathieu, he strapped the sword on the young man. The superbly crafted blade had been a gift from Feigr, the sword-maker, when Geoff had helped him and he had managed to store it under the boards of Emma’s house. Though Feigr typically made shorter swords, this one was long in the Norman style.
Once the belt was secure, Geoff helped Mathieu to put on a set of spurs handed him by the Red Wolf, a gift for Mathieu from his lord.
Slapping the squire on the back of the neck, Ren said in a loud voice that boomed around the hall, “I dub you knight, Sir Mathieu!”
The hall erupted in applause as everyone joined in the celebration of the new honor for the former squire.
Mathieu bowed to the Red Wolf. “Thank you, my lord.” Then to Geoff, “and to you, Sir Geoffroi.”
“’Tis well deserved,” said Geoff. “Were it not for your quick action to summon Emma, I might not be here today.”
Mathieu grinned.
With the toasts that followed, for a moment, at least, Geoff knew again happiness shared with friends. But all the while, in the back of his mind was the picture of Emma.
The next day Geoff was in the practice yard outside the bailey, trying to rid his mind of thoughts of Emma when he realized it was futile. “Enough!” he cried out, signaling Alain he was breaking off their sparring.
Wiping his brow with the back of his hand, he glanced up at the sun, nearly at its zenith. The vigorous wielding of swords in feigned combat required his concentration and every muscle to meet the Bear’s challenge, but it had not spared him thoughts of the woman he wanted. The gnawing ache inside his chest was a constant reminder he’d left his heart in York.
