Jeff joined them as if he'd heard his name spoken aloud.
"Hey, guys, what are you doing out here?" he asked. Blond and short and blue-eyed, he'd spent the morning at the village with his girlfriend.
"We were wondering how Mark and Brendan spent their time while we kept old Theo and his men busy."
"We didn't do anything, really," Mark said bluntly.
Not even teasing Theodore was bringing back his smile. He must admit Lady Eleonor was really beautiful and his friends' teasing wasn't helping. Dave was right, though, she'd never look at him.
"Mostly because of the brave page defending the ladies' virtue!" Brendan added with a smile.
A boy who could barely hold the sword he'd been given. No threat for Mark, or even Brendan who wasn't a swordsman.
"Hey, why didn't you call me?" Jeff protested.
"Didn't have time. If you didn't go to the village every single day..." Dave shrugged. "How's Debby, by the way?"
"She's fine, thanks, but what did you guys find out? Somebody came?"
"Duke's cousin," Sebastian answered. Then turned to Brendan. "How long are they staying?"
"We didn't have time to ask..."
"Told you these two did anything but talk!" Dave said with a scoff.
"You didn't really give us much time, you know?" Brendan retorted.
The bickering continued as they headed back for their shelter, but Mark kept his mouth shut. The blonde beauty of Lady Eleonor had taken him by surprise, but he better get her out of his head as soon as possible.
***
Lovenback Castle looked a lot like Logris, except for the people living in it. Six massive, round towers pierced the sky and were connected by high, thick walls made of light red stone. Wide windows were scattered generously around the walls in seemingly perfect symmetry, along with huge crenelations for archers.
A vast gate with huge metal doors and archer holes protected those in need from the treacherous lands outside and it was the only way in, at least to those unfamiliar with the castle and its surroundings. The forest outside of the castle gates was receding from the walls and the hamlet built against them, as many woodcutters worked on taking it down.
While Logris had the forest only in the background, Lovenback seemed to be a forest fortress, its economy based on logs shipped to town via a nearby river, and venison delivered to the king's table by the same means.
Eleonor's cousin greeted her in the great hall with his usual cockiness. He'd never been beautiful – nose too big, face too long – but he had the charm of wealth on his side, at least for other maidens.
He was almost thirty, but still unmarried, or maybe he'd buried a wife already, Eleonor wasn't sure. She had never liked him, and she wasn't going to start liking him now. He bowed to kiss her hand, but she didn't sit with him, so he remained standing.
"Welcome, dear cousin. Did you have a nice trip?" he asked. His rich clothes and jewelry gave Eleonor a sense of deja vu – from all the suitors that had passed through her father's castle, so different from the two handsome outlaws she'd met that day.
"It wasn't too bad... the highlight was the attack," she answered, observing his reaction.
He glared at Theodore who looked uneasy.
"Really? What happened?" he asked her with mild interest, quickly hiding his irritation.
"Nothing, a gang of bowmen sent your escort on a wild chase," she said. "I don't think they were caught, though."
Donovan stared at Theodore who shook his head with a mournful look on his face. Eleonor noticed that Donovan refrained from slapping his captain, albeit barely.
"Bastards," he whispered through gritted teeth. "I'm sorry, dear cousin, I should have known they'd try something. Those five pests think they can do what they want on my land, but sooner or later I'll get them and..."
"Only five of them?" Eleonor remembered Mark and Brendan mentioning two more. There was another? "How come your garrison can't capture them?"
"They hide in the forest," Donovan answered gloomily, shooing away the useless captain. "And they shoot very well. Each of them uses a different color on the arrows. I know them because they used to work for me."
"So they're shooting arrows with their own colors?" Eleonor felt amused again. Her mighty cousin obviously had trouble, even though he pretended to have total control.
"They like to sign their misdeeds," he grumbled, looking away. "Black and green arrows are Brendan's, black and blue David's, black and red Jeffrey's, white and blue Mark's and white and red Sebastian's."
"You know them well."
"They were my best men."
"And why did they betray you?"
"They don't take orders well. They think they can overthrow me, but I'm sick of them. I will get rid of them soon. But enough of this, now, dear cousin, you must be very tired. Do you want to be shown to your rooms?"
"Yes, please."
Eleonor was glad to be out of her cousin's presence. She'd be able to think about the outlaws and their sweet faces. She couldn't believe they'd rebelled just because. There must be some kind of reason behind their decision to hide in the woods, giving up their homes and the service of their lord.
She was determined to find out more about Mark, Brendan and their accomplices.
2.
Brendan went to the village and entered the blacksmith's shop, where Debby's father was working on horses' shoes.
"Hey Brendan," the blacksmith greeted. "You came for the supplies?"
Brendan nodded with a smile.
"We try to retrieve our arrows, but it's not always possible," he apologized. "We took Theo on another wild chase and ran out."
The bulky man chuckled and went to his work-table to get a small bundle. He opened it to show arrowheads ready to be attached to shafts. Brendan had already gathered some goose feathers, to be colored for their signatures.
"Thank you," he told the blacksmith. "How much do we owe you?"
"You stopped Lovenback's men when they tried to rape my daughter, we're even," the man answered grumpily.
"Jeff seduced her immediately afterward," Brendan said, amused.
"Better him than any of those guards. We're even, Brendan, just go."
Brendan bowed his head and thanked him again. He hid the bundle in his tunic with the feathers and moved away from the village huts and back to the woods behind the village. Thank the gods Lovenback's men weren't much loved, especially with the new captain. Theodore was useless at controlling his men and didn't punish them when they strayed, which meant the villagers happily covered and helped the outlaws who were more on their side that the lord would ever be.
"Halt!" someone screamed. "You, come with us!"
Two mounted soldiers stopped him. Cursing under his breath, Brendan hung his head submissively. He caught a glimpse of the miller's daughter watching with a gleeful smile. Of course a rejected woman had to be on the Duke's side – unless she'd fallen for the Duke like Marion had...
"What have I done, my lords?" he asked in a whiny voice.
The fatter guard pulled up his chin and smirked.
"Brendan, it is you! Where have you been?" he asked sarcastically.
"To the king's castle," Brendan answered defiantly before grabbing the guard's tunic and throwing him to the ground.
Before either could realize what was going on – Lovenback's guards weren't the fastest of the lands, thank the gods, especially with Theodore at their head – Brendan jumped on the vacated saddle, kicked the other soldier who was clumsily trying to stop him, and spurred the horse towards the forest.
A soldier on foot with a crossbow shot at him, and Brendan moaned in pain as the bolt struck his shoulder. He plunged into the green with his mount, holding the reins tight and gritting his teeth. He wasn't going to let the guards take him to the castle.
The horse took him deep into the woods, but soon he had to stop the mount, biting his lips in pain. He blinked and focused on his surroundings. He must find a hiding place. The she
lter was too far. He was bleeding.
He slid off the saddle and crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
***
The great hall of Lovenback had torches and candles everywhere, keeping the night out of its mullioned windows. Donovan and Eleonor sat alone at the dinner table, with only an old servant bringing them food or wine.
Eleonor had left her travel cloak in the guest room and changed into a dark blue gown with golden embroidery that matched her blond hair, still braided, but in a more complicated hairdo. Not sure how long she was supposed to stay with her cousin, she'd brought most of her wardrobe with her and all the jewelry, locked in a casket of carved ivory.
"Do you like it here, my dear cousin?" Donovan asked as the meal ended, toasting with a goblet of fine wine – from Eleonor's father's vineyards. Theodore had taken a whole barrel out of Logris basement for his lord's table, much like her uncle had done when he'd left to go back to the capital She doubted her uncle had taken the barrel for the king's table.
"Yes." Eleonor didn't look at him. The food was good, the castle was nice, but the company... She wished her father hadn't died so suddenly, leaving her at the mercy of her relatives, whom her father had never fully trusted.
"Our relatives are wondering who I am going to marry you to," Donovan continued, putting down his goblet. "I've been thinking of marrying you myself, what do you think?"
She stared at him in horror. She had feared that much. It wasn't uncommon for nobles to marry cousins, but of all her relatives Donovan was her least favorite.
"That's a very eloquent answer." Donovan scoffed. "But I don't think you have much choice. Do you have an alternative?"
She lowered her eyes, hiding her anger and determination. Her father had discarded all the noblemen who had requested her so far at her request. He had promised to take her to the king's yearly ball to find her a suitable husband – and then he'd died in a hunting accident. Her message to the king had been intercepted by her uncle at the capital and now she was stuck with her relatives.
"No," she said submissively. "As you wish."
"Thank you. We'll be fine, don't worry."
He patted her hand and she moved it away.
He rose and stepped behind her. He gently put a hand on her shoulder, sliding away the fabric of her gown, and leaned to kiss her between neck and shoulder from behind.
"You'll love it, I promise," he whispered with unmistakable lust.
She shivered as he walked away with his cocky grin.
"I doubt it!" she whispered, furious.
She rushed back to her room, startling Gwen and Rowan who were patiently waiting for her.
"My lady, what happened?" Rowan asked, worried, as she sat at the low table and started undoing her hairdo with blunt gestures.
"He proposed!" she blurted out, furious. She stared at her face in the mirror and wanted to spit at it. That lovely face all men fancied and that came with a castle as dowry. She wished she had nothing to offer to her prospective husband!
Gwen came over to help her take down the two braids she had neatly rolled over her lady's ears.
"We expected it, my lady," she said while Rowan stayed in his corner, wide eyed and silent. "When your father died and your uncle sent you here, we knew it could happen."
Gwen was always the voice of reason, but Eleonor snapped at her anyway.
"We knew he'd take care of me until he found me a suitable husband!"
"Well, he actually fits the description," Gwen reminded her. "He's rich, noble, a widower..."
"I hate him, Gwen! I'd rather have that archer, Mark!"
"He's not noble, nor rich."
"I know! But he could take care of my lands!"
"You don't know that, my lady. You saw him for mere moments. I know first impressions are usually right, but there isn't much you can do anyway."
"It's not you who has to marry him!" Eleonor complained as her braids finally dropped down her back. She must find a way out of the situation. Marrying Donovan was out of the question.
She looked at Rowan, wondering if it was time to send him on his first mission. No, he's too young. If my messenger was intercepted by my uncle, who knows Rowan, how can the poor boy reach the king?
She frowned and pursed her lips. She'd have to find another way out.
***
Brendan slowly came back to his senses. The wounded shoulder hurt, but it had been bandaged. He felt the forest sounds around him and no human voice. The smell of moss was his pillow, but there was a stone that was making his back uncomfortable, so he removed it with his good arm before opening his eyes.
It was day and the sun filtered through the roof of intertwining branches over his head. He could hear a stream gurgling nearby. He lay near an old oak, but not the one where he usually met with the others, the one close to the shelter. He must still be quite far.
The horse was tied to a birch tree. His heart jumped in his throat when he saw what looked like a boy heading his way, holding a hare by its ears. Bow and quiver showed he must have taken down the prey, but he also wore a sword, which looked weird on the boyish frame. He had shoulder-length brown hair tied in a ponytail and blue eyes.
"Good morning," the boy said, stopping to crouch next to him. "Do you feel better?"
He didn't wear Lovenback's colors, but tunic and breeches that blended with the forest, much like Brendan. Maybe a new poacher?
"A little better, thanks," he answered, deciding the other was no threat and that he'd actually saved him. "You found me?"
"Yes. Your horse was grazing nearby and you were passed out."
"It's not my horse," Brendan said. "Well, it is now. I stole it, I guess I keep it."
"If it stays with you, it already loves you, which doesn't surprise me." The boy flashed a smile at him.
"Why?" Brendan asked, puzzled.
"It's a mare. What's your name?"
"Brendan, and yours?"
"Miranda, but you can call me Randy."
Miranda?
"That's not a man's name!" he blurted out.
"Who said I was a man?" the other replied.
He stared at her, gaping. Of course. Now he could see the shape of her body under the tunic. Small breasts, and a slightly shorter sword, probably to fit a woman's hand. He was no sword expert, Mark would probably have noticed it immediately.
"Sorry, I'm not feeling well," he muttered, averting his eyes.
"I know, nasty wound. I took care of it, remember?" She grinned.
"Thanks. Why do you dress like a man?" he asked, still quite puzzled by his savior.
"I like to be considered one." She shrugged. "I usually introduce myself only as Randy."
"Why did you tell me your full name, then?"
"I felt like telling you." She showed her prey. "Should I roast the hare here, or do you have a safer place?"
"If I can get back on that horse, I have a safer place," he said, groggily sitting and holding his wounded shoulder for a moment.
She helped him to his feet and onto the saddle.
"Will you make it on your own?" she asked, frowning with worry.
"I think so."
"Want me to come with you?"
"You saved my life, and if you can use those weapons of yours, you're welcome to join us. But we're outlaws."
"I can deal with outlaws." She grinned and put the hare in one of the saddle's bags. She climbed behind him and took the reins. "Where to?"
***
The archers had found shelter in a cave. When they'd decided to get away from their lord, they'd found refuge in the forest. The entrance of the cave was half hidden by bushes and rocks and it could be totally camouflaged if strangers came too close. Sebastian had found it during his meanderings and it had proved to be an excellent hiding place.
Mark was in the clearing in front of the opening, standing guard and anxiously looking through the trees. Brendan was missing. He'd gone to the village the day before and hadn't made it back. Mark knew Brendan h
adn't been captured, but wondered where his best friend was.
The sounds of a horse approaching made him move in that direction. Just one horse wasn't much of a threat, but he made sure the cave opening was hidden from the rider.
Brendan emerged from the undergrowth looking very pale. A boy was holding him on the saddle and his shoulder was bandaged.
"Brendan!" Mark rushed forward. "Damn it! Jeff came looking for you and Debby's father told him about the soldiers. We thought you were dead somewhere in the woods!"
"It was a close call," Brendan said feebly, sliding down from the saddle and leaning on Mark. "Randy saved me."
The others came out of the cave and Jeffrey rushed to the horse.
"Where did you get this, Brendan?" he asked, excited. Jeffrey loved horses. He'd been a stableboy at the castle before ending up in the dungeon. He jumped on the saddle. "Hey, that's my sweet Mare Marion! How are you, my lovely?"
"Courtesy of Lovenback's garrison," Brendan answered, sitting on a rock with Mark's help. "I was faster than them."
"Mare Marion?" Brendan's companion raised his eyebrows, skeptical, while Jeff spurred the horse into doing some gaits around the clearing.
"That's not its official name," Mark snapped. "Jeff renamed all the Duke's horses."
And why on earth he'd decided to call a horse like a woman Mark had fancied was anyone's guess. Or better, Jeff had explained the two words sounded good together. Mark hadn't been aware of the renaming until he'd met the former stableboy in the dungeon on the wrong side of the bars and started talking to him.
"Is that a girl?" Dave asked, pointing at Randy.
Sebastian stepped forward and touched Randy's breasts.
"It is!" he confirmed before being slapped hard by the newcomer.
"That was a mild warning," she said. "Do it again and I kill you."
"Randy, that rascal is Sebastian," Brendan said. "This one is Mark, and that's David. The horse thief is Jeffrey."
"Well, you're not the true owner anyway, are you?" Randy crossed her arms over her breasts and smiled impishly at him. "What are you doing, hiding in the forest?" She stared straight at Mark.
"We don't like our lord, the Duke of Lovenback," he answered bluntly.
"Most people don't from what I heard," she said.
Tales of the Northern Kingdoms volume 2 Page 10
