The Knight's Maiden in Disguise

by Ella Matthews

Once they were out of Caerden’s lands, Avva brought Eirwen to a slower pace. It was a long ride to Chepstow and she didn’t want Eirwen to become too exhausted to get them there. They only stopped briefly to allow Eirwen to rest, before carrying on. Avva dozed in the saddle, her head falling back on to William’s shoulder.

  * * *

  She woke to find his arms wrapped tightly around her, shielding her from the cool, early morning breeze.

  ‘How far along are we?’ asked William, his voice husky.

  Avva licked her lips, her mouth dry after a night in the open air. She took in her surroundings, recognising the shape of the hills, and was able to say quite confidently, ‘We’re about halfway.’

  She felt his nod against the top of her head. ‘I thought as much. We should get there well before nightfall then?’

  ‘I think so.’

  They lapsed into silence. Avva traced the back of his arm with her fingertips. He tightened his hold around her. She wanted to talk to him, to find out more about the life he would lead after he left her, but another part of her shied away from the questions. She couldn’t imagine him carrying on his life without her in it.

  * * *

  The road to Chepstow was quiet. They only passed one man pushing a cart as the afternoon began to drain away.

  ‘Are you sure this is the way they were heading?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘It would make sense if this is the direction his troops were stationed and yet we have seen no sign of anyone.’

  ‘The village of Ferwalt is nearby, perhaps we will find out some information there.’

  ‘Perhaps.’

  They lapsed into silence once more. Eirwen did not need much direction and the exhilaration of riding had worn off. Avva paid almost no attention to their surroundings, aware only of the press of his chest against her back, the way his long fingers curled around hers and the solid weight of his body moving behind her. She touched the back of his hand lightly and his fingers flexed around her. Something bubbled up within her. It wasn’t until a laugh burst out of her that she realised it was pure joy. A strange emotion to be feeling right now.

  ‘What’s so funny?’

  ‘It’s just...’ She waved one of her hands in front of her. She couldn’t explain all the emotion swirling inside her, but it seemed William understood.

  ‘I think I see.’

  ‘You do?’ She turned slightly to look up at him. His dark brown eyes were fixed on her.

  He nodded. ‘For us, this could be the end of everything we know. If we get this wrong, we both risk everything we hold dear and perhaps even our lives. It’s exhilarating, letting go of the ties that bind us to our normal life.’

  ‘Yes, that’s it.’ Although it wasn’t quite all to Avva—it was also the speed they were moving, the immense power of the beast beneath her thighs and the man behind her. William, who had shown her how to make her body sing, William, whom she loved so deeply but who would never be hers. It was everything combined together that was making her giddy. As if she had drunk too much ale at a feast and had fallen headfirst in love, which she supposed she had.

  ‘Can you smell that?’

  Avva snapped upright, pulling away from William’s body. The tone of his question suggested he was not experiencing the same overwhelming emotion as her.

  ‘Smell what?’

  ‘Wood smoke.’

  Avva sniffed. ‘Yes, faintly. Perhaps we are nearing Ferwalt.’ She slowed Eirwen to a trot.

  The ground beneath them started to slope. They rounded a bend and found a wide valley spread out below them. Nestled between the slopes was a small village.

  ‘Something’s not right.’

  Avva squinted, the fading light making it difficult to see. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Something’s burning.’

  ‘It couldn’t be a normal house fire?’

  ‘We wouldn’t be able to smell that from here.’

  Sure enough, a thick, grey plume of smoke rose above the trees.

  ‘Ride,’ growled William.

  Eirwen responded to the tone of his master’s voice and began to fly down the steep path into the valley. Avva heard William’s grunt of pain as she held on tightly. Wind whipped at her hair, but this time there was no joy in the sensation.

  She wasn’t afraid. Her whole life had been lived in fear. Now she was choosing to head towards danger. She was seeing whatever this was through to the end. If she died today, then so be it. She’d tasted more joy in the last few days than she had ever expected to experience.

  Eirwen’s hooves pounded on the dusty path. William’s hands rested against her ribs. She rethreaded her fingers with his.

  They rounded a bend in the path and Avva screamed. In front of them a fire raged as a building began to collapse in on itself, the falling wood sending sparks into the sky. But that wasn’t what held her attention.

  Barwen and Caerden stood on one side of the path, a group of Caerden’s soldiers behind them.

  There were five other men, covered in soot, facing them. They all had their swords drawn and seemed ready to fight, but they were dangerously outnumbered.

  ‘Avva, you must go now.’ William tilted her chin until she was facing him. He pressed a rough kiss to her lips. ‘I’m sorry life couldn’t be different. Take good care of yourself.’

  ‘What’s happening?’

  ‘Caerden and Barwen have found the King.’

  William didn’t explain any further. He leapt down from Eirwen and slapped the horse on the rump. Without any further commands, Eirwen wheeled around and started galloping away from the scene. Avva twisted in the saddle. William was striding towards the men, drawing his sword as he moved. There was no sign of his injuries now; he looked every inch the warrior she knew him to be.

  Eirwen rounded the bend and the scene disappeared from view.

  Avva tugged on the reins, willing Eirwen to slow. The horse’s training was absolute and he showed no signs of obeying his rider, following instead the command his master had given him.

  ‘Slow, boy, come on now. William’s in danger. We need to go back.’

  Her heart quickened as over the pounding of hooves she heard the unmistakable clang of metal against metal.

  ‘Please, boy. I cannot leave now.’ She tugged harder on the reins and Eirwen dropped to a trot. She patted his sleek neck. ‘Good boy.’

  Under her gentle coaxing he eventually came to a complete stop. She jumped down and rummaged through the saddlebags. ‘There must be a weapon in here somewhere.’

  She knew William didn’t want her anywhere near the fight, but that wasn’t going to stop her. She’d already come to peace with her death, but not with William’s. He must live and if there was anything she could do to make that happen then she would. Her hands closed around a dagger. That would have to do.

  She found a tree stump and tied Eirwen up. ‘I’m not taking you with me. I know you’re used to battles, but I can’t bear the thought of you getting hurt because of me. William will come back for you. I am sure of that.’

  Eirwen tossed his head and Avva took that as he understood.

  She moved quickly back down the path, but she didn’t run. She needed to formulate a plan. She had the element of surprise on her side, but she wasn’t a good fighter and she was tired. The day already felt as if it had gone on for years. If she could only occupy one of Caerden’s guards, then that would be one less for William and the men fighting with him.

  She paused before the bend in the road. This was it—once she turned the corner there was no going back. She inhaled deeply and then stepped forward.

  The fight had progressed since she’d last seen it. William and other knights had formed a cage around the thinnest man of the group. Her heart pounded as she realised this must be the King. They were surrounded on every side by Caerden’s
men.

  No one noticed her arrival.

  She moved into the shadows at the side of the path, hoping the fading light and the undergrowth would hide her until she got closer. She realised Caerden was speaking. ‘There is no way out for you, Edward. Surrender to us and we will let you live. Continue in this foolish resistance and you will end your life today.’

  The men around him jeered in agreement.

  ‘I will never surrender to you, Caerden.’ The middle man spoke and Avva’s heart missed a beat at the confirmation that this thin young man was the fearsome King. He did not look old enough. ‘It is you who will die today.’

  The men laughed outright at this. Avva couldn’t help but agree with their assessment of the situation. She had seen William fight and knew he was good—presumably his fellow knights were, too—but she remembered what had happened at the river and they were outnumbered far more than five to one here.

  William and the other knights held steady. Avva crept forward, the palm of her hand slick around the handle of the dagger.

  ‘You leave us no choice, Edward.’ Caerden pulled his sword from its scabbard with a flourish. Avva bit back a snort. She had seen Caerden at swordplay and knew that, if it were a fair fight, he would be no contest for William. Caerden was lazy and would not deliver the killer blow himself. He would let others do the work for him.

  Barwen on the other hand...what he lacked in technique, he would certainly make up for in sheer insanity. He would not stop until the King and William were dead.

  She took a deep breath. She had made her decision. Once the fighting started, she would go after Caerden. She was stronger than him, of that she was sure. It would take everything that she had, but she would keep him away from the main fight. His fate could then be decided by the King.

  One of Caerden’s men stepped forward, grinning. Others pressed forward, following his lead. William lost no time in countering their blows. She had barely reached the group and already William and his fellow knights had dispatched four men.

  The smiles had already left the faces of the attackers. They were serious now that they’d realised William’s skill. The other knights equally matched him and, for the first time, Avva thought that the situation was not as impossible as it might seem at first.

  Avva had been right. Caerden stayed away from the fight, watching it all with a maniacal grimace. Barwen was directing the fighting, pointing out weaknesses in the knights’ defence.

  She spared one last look at the man she loved. He still hadn’t seen her approach. He was fighting, ducking and wheeling and countering blows as they rained down on him. He looked magnificent. The sight of him gave her strength. She turned away, ready to begin her own battle.

  * * *

  William glanced up from his fallen opponent. Sweat dripped into his eyes. He had never fought so hard with so little chance of success. The fighting was raging on. He knew he, and the King’s Knights, would carry on until all their enemies were slain or until their own lives ended.

  They weren’t winning, but they were holding their own and their enemies were losing men. If they could move the battle nearer to the village, there might be an opportunity for escape. He ran his sleeve across his forehead, wiping some of the sweat away. Another man was taking his fallen opponent’s place. He raised his sword and then...his whole world dropped away from him.

  Avva. What was she doing here? Eirwen should have taken her far from this battle, yet here she was, one of his daggers clutched tightly in her hands as she approached Caerden as yet unseen.

  The soldier, sensing William’s distraction, threw a heavy blow towards him. William only just managed to block it in time.

  The fight continued. Swords flashed and men cursed. Through it all William caught glimpses of Avva and Caerden. His heart swelled in his chest as he watched her advance on Caerden, no trace of fear in her posture.

  The fighting moved on and William lost sight of her. Then it turned again and he glimpsed her—she was holding her own, fighting against a man who was significantly taller and stronger than she. They appeared to be shouting at each other, but he couldn’t make out the words over the clamour of swords. Caerden took a swipe at her, but she dodged it easily.

  She was beautiful, his warrior girl, absolutely glorious in her determination.

  ‘We need to spread out,’ yelled the King, pulling William’s attention away from Avva. It was not the first time the King had issued such a command. His knights had ignored the order previously. There were too many men to risk his liege’s life, but now...they had made a serious dent in Caerden’s forces. If the King were allowed to fight, too, they might end this battle in their favour. It was a risk, but it was a calculated one. But also, and most important to him, was that spreading out might give him the option to help Avva.

  ‘I think he’s right,’ shouted William above the din.

  ‘It’s not an opinion, men. It’s a demand.’

  William ignored the King. His liege he might be, but Edward’s safety was the responsibility of his knights. Benedictus was their leader and none of the knights would do anything without his say so.

  ‘I agree,’ called Theo.

  ‘Spread out,’ yelled Benedictus.

  Without any further discussion, the five of them formed a line. Now William had an uninterrupted view of Avva. She was fighting with everything she was worth and Caerden, coward that he was, was backing away. His heart thrilled—she was going to win.

  William felt a surge of triumph, which just as instantly vanished as Caerden called for help. Avva stooped to pick up a sword, but she was too late—a soldier was upon her.

  Without thinking, William threw himself over the body of a fallen man and cut her attacker down before he had a chance to engage.

  He pushed Avva behind his back. ‘I told you to stay away from here,’ he yelled, as she tried to get around him.

  ‘I never agreed to do that. Let me at Caerden, William. I can finish him.’

  ‘No. You need to leave. I could not bear it if anything happened to you.’

  Her hand curled around his biceps. ‘I feel the same about you, William. I cannot leave while your life hangs in the balance.’

  ‘We will win.’

  ‘Then there is no danger in me staying. Go and help your King, William. I will not leave.’

  Without waiting for his response, Avva moved away from him. Caerden was hiding behind a soldier and so Avva joined the fray, heading towards Caerden’s spot and carrying on the fight. There were only a few men left now. The King was a superior fighter and with knights on his side they were more than a match for the remaining soldiers.

  Sensing defeat, a few of them ran from the scene and then there was only Barwen and Caerden left.

  Avva was leaning on the sword she had taken, breathing heavily. Caerden was a few steps away, glaring at Avva but, coward that he was, not engaging her in a fight.

  Theo was wiping his brow, a satisfied smirk covering his face. William hoped his mentor wasn’t too complacent. Barwen wasn’t a man to take defeat well. He would fight like a caged beast.

  ‘You’ve lost, Caerden.’ Edward’s voice was steady and confident. The voice of a king in victory.

  ‘It’s not over yet.’ It wasn’t Caerden who answered, but Barwen, whose wide eyes were fixed on the King.

  Barwen turned and nodded at Caerden. Together they sprang towards Edward, but they didn’t get far. William caught Barwen in a deadly blow, while Theo tackled Caerden. It was over in moments.

  William turned to look at Avva. Sweat and mud coated her face, her hair clung to her head in clumps—even so, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He couldn’t believe that he would have to walk away from her, that he would have to tie his life to some stranger, all to keep the Devereux barony from falling into oblivion. Where would he find the strength to do it?

&
nbsp; Avva met his gaze and his heart flipped over. She smiled gently, but he couldn’t find the answering emotion within him to return it.

  ‘That was well done, my men.’

  William had forgotten about the King. In that moment it was only Avva who held his attention. He tore his gaze away from her and turned to his liege.

  Edward was looking very pleased with the turn of events. William could already imagine how the man would weave today’s events into a story of his heroics.

  ‘Thank you, young man.’ Edward strode towards Avva. ‘You played an important role today and your efforts shall not go unrewarded. Let us head to the village and find somewhere to wash up.’ The King slapped Avva on the back and carried on walking towards the village, not waiting to see if the rest of them would follow.

  ‘Come on,’ said Theo as he caught up with Edward and fell into step beside him. Benedictus and Alewyn followed on behind.

  William walked towards Avva and took her hand into his.

  ‘Thank you for everything you did today. You were magnificent. The King will reward you.’

  Her lips twisted in a sad smile. ‘I didn’t do it for the King.’

  ‘You’ve said that before.’ His heart pounded wildly. When he’d asked her before she’d spoken about her relief that the town would be free from Caerden, but he hoped...he hoped that she had done it because she cared for him. That was a selfish wish, he knew that. It didn’t stop him wanting to hear her say it.

  Instead of answering him, she leaned up and gently brushed her mouth against his. ‘Your King needs you,’ she said, her eyes full of sadness.

  His heart twisted. Nobody was waiting for him to catch up, but he knew they would expect him to come. ‘You will need to come, too. The King would like to thank you properly.’ That at least would give them more time together.

  She nodded. ‘There is nothing he can give me. It is enough to know that Caerden has gone. The town will be relieved. We can begin to live in peace now.’

  She tugged her hand from his.

  ‘Don’t...’