by Wend Petzler
Eiry went inside the stable to check on Angel and fed the beautiful mare a red apple when she saw the destriers being saddled. In particular, the black stallion Martine rode drew her attention. She had heard Martine's squire call him Samson. He was a huge animal, standing well over eighteen hands. His brown eyes bore such intelligence as he snorted in greeting. The warhorse delicately took the apple she offered him. Black silky hair flowed along his thick fetlocks and mighty crested neck. His long tail swished across his powerful haunches as he ate the treat in obvious delight. Samson had all the physical attributes of the Friesian stock, bred by Western European monks for war, a truly magnificent stallion.
Her attention left the stallion and eyed Martine suspiciously as he purposefully made his way toward her. “Can I help you?” Eiry hated the way her words sounded breathless.
Cold, black eyes flared with considerably heat as his gaze swept over her loose hair swirling around her hips. “Find one of the women to watch over Lilia. I want you to come with us into Derbyshire. I will purchase whatever you deem is needed for the castle. By the way, who do you suggest we establish as head cook?"
His abrupt command followed by the question took her by surprise. Nervous by his intimidating presence, she managed to say, “Well, I think Anne would be the best choice. The others respect her, and she does have the most experience.” Her eyes widened slightly when Louie's head peeked around the corner of the stable's entrance and he frantically motioned for her to come to him. “My lord, I will go right away and get a list from Anne.” She hurried from the stables and was met by Louie.
"Lord Robert has raised the bounty on your head! You're worth five hundred gold pieces as we speak. You must be careful. Someone is bound to get greedy and turn you in."
"Why am I so popular?” she hissed.
"One of our men heard through whispers in town that we killed the best of the sheriff's hired knights when we saved Martine. Do you realize what this means?” Louie snapped, casting a nervous glance at Martine who crossed his powerful arms, staring suspiciously at them as they hurried away.
Elation filled her. “What it means is we have proof Lord Robert's men are murdering knights returned from the Crusades!"
"No, what it means is we killed the sheriff's men who patrol the King's Highway protecting Prince John's interests. We've made the Prince of England our enemy."
Glaring at Louie, she snapped back, “He was already our enemy when he sent Robert De Ferrers to be sheriff of Derbyshire.” Walking back to the castle, a niggling notion persisted. “Louie, what if John Lackland is eliminating the Crusaders in order to keep England under his control?"
"Christ Jesu, if John ordered it, it means he is making a serious bid for the Crown. I wonder though, what will Robert do when he meets our Butcher? Will he try to bride him to their side or attempt to murder him?"
Worried, Eiry glanced back at the tall knight who continued to watch them. “We will have to guard Martine at all times. We canna afford to lose the new Lord of Sanctuary, not until Richard comes home and deals with his little brother."
"Are you going into town with Martine?” Louie looked worried.
She laid her hand on his shoulder and smiled. “Yea, I am ordered to go. Do not fret, I can take care of myself."
"Martine fancies you. Be careful least you find yourself as his bedmate,” he warned.
Laughter burst forth, causing Louie to flush in embarrassment. “Louie, you worry too much. Martine is an honorable man and would never force me."
"Just be careful, that's all I'm saying."
Seeing the concern in his brown eyes, she gave him a brief hug. “I promise to be careful. Now, I must find out what we need from Anne, our new head cook. Can you keep an eye on Lilia for me while I'm gone?"
"Yea, I will. Go on, the Butcher looks a bit unhappy with us being together."
Frowning at Louie's fixation with how Lucian might find her attractive bothered Eiry. Shrugging it off to brotherly concern, she headed into the castle. Anne took the news quite well and quickly dictated to Eiry what was most needed. She was about to add more when Lucian strode in the kitchen wearing chain mail and his broadsword strapped to his lean waist. Watching the knight warily, Anne was still unsure about the man known to the world as the Butcher, despite the fact he had just hired her as head cook for Castle Sanctuary.
"Are you ready?” Lucian's deep timbered voice rumbled in the large chamber.
Eiry couldn't help staring at the tall knight. Her eyes lit up in admiration of the fine figure he made, his broad shoulders appearing wider by the added leather guards, his woolen hose tight fitting along muscular thighs and powerful calves. When she pulled her gaze away from Lucian, she found Anne watching her with an odd look. Thankfully Anne curtsied to Lucian, her attention diverted from Eiry.
"Milord, I am Anne, and I apologize for the long list."
He waved a dismissing hand. “Worry not, Anne. All I ask is that you make sure you have written down all you need."
"Thank you, milord, for your kindness. This should do for now. If you can have some men go hunting, it will bolster our meat supply."
Taken back by the small woman's gratitude, he nervously shifted his feet. “Umm, I will give the order. Eiry, we need to go."
"Yea, my lord.” Eiry met Anne's humor-filled gaze and scowled at her, realizing her friend was silently laughing at her.
"Come then. The day is wasting away.” He held the door open for her and followed after Eiry.
Outside the castle, Eiry came to an abrupt halt when she failed to see her horse. Casting a dubious look at the tall knight when he walked around her and swung up on his own warhorse, she grew uncertain until he held his hand out to her.
Damn, she thought, Martine wants me to ride with him.
Sighing with the sure knowledge she had no other choice, Eiry hesitantly placed her hand in his much larger one. Surprised when he easily lifted her as if she weighed nothing at all, he settled her in front of him, on his lap.
* * * *
Suddenly, Lucian began having second thoughts about her riding with him. He had intended to saddle Eiry's horse when a wild impulse overcame him and he tossed the saddle back on its stand. The lack of wisdom at not thinking his actions through assaulted him when her shapely buttocks pressed against his groin. The swell of his manhood grew as she found a comfortable position. Glaring at the open amusement on Derrick's face, he urged his horse into a gallop. Lucian grew more aware of how good she felt when Eiry leaned back against his hard chest. The top of her shining head was tucked under his chin, trusting his embrace to keep her safely on the horse.
Derbyshire was roughly two miles away, the chilled, foggy morning was giving way to a beautiful day. They rode on high alert, keeping the wagon being used to carry the purchased supplies in the center of the galloping knights. An old man drove the team of large boned horses as the knights kept their vigil in case of another ambush.
"How long did Sir Thomas hold these lands before he was murdered?” Lucian asked, breaking the silence between them.
"Not long,” she answered woodenly.
"What happened?"
"I do not know. All who were with my fa ... my lord and lady were murdered alongside them."
"No witnesses? How convenient for the killers. What do you know of Lady Thief and her band of bowmen?"
"Well—she and her men rob the rich along the King's Highway."
"How long?"
Unsure where his questions were leading, she was hesitant to answer. “About six or seven months now."
"Since Sir Thomas was killed. Why do you think she took up the hood of an outlaw?” Lucian felt her supple body stiffen. Why was Eiry startled by such an innocent question?
She shrugged her shoulder. “Times are bad. Taxes are high, and money is non-existent. It's either beg or steal, if you wish to survive."
"Really. Why hasn't Robert seen to her capture? Or has he tried?"
A smug smile curved her lips. �
�Oh, Lord Robert has tried on many occasions, and still she always keeps one step ahead of him. He tries to raise the bounty on her head to seduce the villagers to turn her in, but he doesn't understand what she steals is given back to the needy. She is called an outlaw by the English Law, a friend by those who are trying to live in these hard times."
Digesting what she said, his gaze rose to the gray-stoned castle on the rise above the small, bustling town of Derbyshire. “What is the name of the castle over yonder? Who owns it?"
A small shudder went through Eiry as she reluctantly followed his gaze to the stone keep. “That is Peveril Castle. Used by the Royal family as a hunting lodge since King Henry revoked William Peverel's titles and estates after he was found guilty of poisoning Ranulf, the Earl of Chester."
"Does anyone live in the castle when the Royal family isn't there?” Lucian asked, concerned by Eiry's obvious fear of the castle.
"Lord Robert, Sheriff of Derbyshire,” was her softly spoken reply.
The town of Derbyshire was bustling as people rushed about on errands and business, pausing to stare when the unknown knights rode into town. Aghast when they recognized the red silk banner and saw the lead knight's face, they knew it was none other than Lucian Martine, the Butcher. Those who knew Eiry clapped their hands over their mouths in horror as she sat on the lap of the scarred Beast of Acre. The magnificent black stallion snorted, shaking his fine head at the strained tension. Gossip flew at the odd sight of the spunky lass in the company of a cold-blooded killer whose ill-reputation far surpassed the Sheriff of Derbyshire's.
Eiry kept her face straight, facing forward, ignoring the gapping stares and pointed fingers. Lucian grew uncomfortable by the attention their presence caused. He frowned when Eiry placed her hand over his gauntlet covered one, comforting him. Comforting him? He had not expected such a gesture from a female toward the Butcher of Acre. The only women who wished to give him comfort or ease were ones to be purchased. No woman in her right mind wanted to be in his company willingly, but Eiry was different. She was not afraid of him. Unsure how to deal with such an odd notion, Lucian was relieved when she pointed to right fork in the main street.
"The stockyards and shopkeepers are over yonder."
Riding in the direction she indicated, his narrowing, mistrustful gaze flicked over at the scruffy, low class mercenary knights standing in the shadows of the buildings. They appeared to be visibly shaken when they saw his banner. Why did the sheriff hire mercenaries to enforce the law in a town with such little significance as Derbyshire? When he spotted make-shift tents, Lucian noted they were corrals for animals waiting to be sold. He pulled back on the reins and swung his leg over the back of his saddle. Glaring at the gawking crowds, he reached up to help Eiry off his horse. Her slender hands braced on his leather-encased shoulders as his big hands wrapped around her waist easily lifting her free from the saddle.
* * * *
Eiry's eyes grew large and round at the unbelievable strength the dark knight possessed. Releasing her when her feet touched the ground, Lucian remained protectively close to her, scanning the gathering people, looking as if he expected trouble. She cursed her stupidity for not thinking about the possibility of another ambush, one set out in public this time. Resigned to play the game out, Eiry silently prayed they got what they needed and leave without a fight breaking out between Robert's men and Lucian's.
"My lord, what do you wish us to look for first?"
"Let us purchase supplies first and then afterwards, we shall purchase the animals.” Lucian glanced at Derrick and his men, their hands on the hilts of their swords, ready to defend themselves. They, too, noticed the approaching scoundrels who wore tunics displaying the sheriff's signet of power.
Growing uncomfortable at the increasing boldness of Robert's men, Eiry pointed at the nearby shop. “We can purchase what we need over yonder."
She led the way, accompanied by six enormous knights while three remained beside the wagon and warhorses. Eiry nearly jumped when she felt Lucian's hand on the small of her back, guiding her as they entered the merchant's shop. Two of his men stood guard at the entrance, Derrick and the rest positioned themselves in intervals inside the large shop, surprising the plump merchant. The shaken man glanced at Eiry before lifting frightened eyes to her companion whose black gaze burned coldly down at the sweating, obese man.
Eiry laid the parchment on the counter, trying hard not to laugh as the man swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing with the desperate effort. “We need to purchase supplies for Sanctuary. I have a list prepared."
"Mistress Eiry, you know I don't extend credit no matter what company you keep.” The merchant snidely remarked, glancing nervously at Lucian who removed his gauntlets and tucked them securely in his wide, leather belt.
Lucian withdrew a heavy purse, slamming it on the wooden counter. “Do as the lady says,” his voice rumbled dangerously, not loud, but with a definitive tone, commanding prompt obedience.
"Yea, my lord, I shall have the items for you right away.” Eyes bulging at the size of the purse, the greedy merchant jumped into action. Clapping his hands to gain his servants’ attention, he urged them to hurry and fill the requested order.
"Derrick, I will leave the supplies to you. Eiry and I shall go and purchase livestock,” Lucian commanded, taking Eiry by the elbow, guiding her outside.
Exiting the merchant's shop, the fine hair on her arms rose with the first warning signs of danger. Her hand instinctively gripped the hilt of her dagger sheathed in the leather girdle adorning the brown gown she wore. Robert! The merchant hailed Lucian, causing him to halt by the door as Eiry continued outside, worrying about the confrontation about to commence.
* * * *
"My lord, where do you wish us to take your purchases?” The merchant asked, unaware of what was happening outside.
Lucian motioned to Derrick to handle the merchant. From the doorway, he watched a man whose blue eyes burned with unrestrained lust as he approached Eiry. Rage grew inside Lucian as he viewed the bastard leering at her like a wolf circling a helpless lamb. From the newcomer's expensive clothes, Lucian assumed the man was Robert, Sheriff of Derbyshire. A man of slender build with shoulder length, blunt cut and golden-blonde hair, he walked with an arrogant air and a certainty he could do anything he liked. Lucian hated him immediately.
* * * *
Smiling smugly, Robert was amazed at his good fortune at finding Eiry alone without her usual companion, Louie Janssen, by her side. Sauntering up to the young woman who continued to elude him and his desire to attain her sweet, womanly charms, he made to grab her arm when a huge hand reached out and shoved him roughly away from her. A giant of a man suddenly placed himself protectively in front of Eiry, knocking Robert further off balance. Scrambling to regain his footing, glaring at the audacity of the stranger, he frowned in puzzlement. The scarred visage of the savage-looking man gave him pause. Eyes black as sin and as cold as wintertime, the man appeared unconcerned when Robert signaled to his men who rushed to his side. The unknown man's mouth turned upward in a mirthless smile when the boldest of his mercenaries stepped forward, eager for a fight.
"Who are you to interfere with the Sheriff's business?” the scruffy-looking man snapped, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, nervously looking to his friends for support.
The tall knight casually folded his powerful arms, the right corner of his mouth pulled upward as he smiled lazily, seeming greatly amused by the man's false bravado. However, his eyes spoke something else when his gaze centered on Robert in the midst of his mercenary knights. “You are Lord Robert, Sheriff of Derbyshire?” The softness of his deep voice belied the violence in his steady stance.
"I am better known as the Earl of Ferrers, Lord Robert of the Peveril Estates. Eiry, who is this insolent knight?” Robert demanded, furious by the continued disrespect shone him by the stranger.
Eiry stepped from behind the giant and laid a slender hand on the knight's forearm. “L
ord Robert, it is of great pleasure that I introduce you to Sir Lucian Martine, lord and guardian of Castle Sanctuary."
Before Robert could form a scathing reply, he saw six knights exit the merchant's store and fanned out alongside her and her companion. Hands on the hilts of their swords, the dangerous knights wore wolfish grins as they faced Robert and his visibly shaken mercenaries.
A smooth, feminine voice drew their attention to Robert's twin sister, Beatrice, a beautiful woman who's immaculately braided, pale-blonde hair was covered by a delicate, white wimble, her fashionable gown made of bright yellow silk.
"Sir Lucian? You are the new lord of Sanctuary? How can this be? I have heard no such news of any transferring power. Please explain, dear Eiry?"
She answered Beatrice with her chin lifted at a proud angle, “By order of William Marshall, Duke of Pembroke, Lilia Savoy's godfather, Sir Lucian is named legal guardian of the child and lord of all which belongs to Sanctuary.” She stressed the part of ‘all', glowering darkly at Robert.
"Really? My lord, I am Lady Beatrice, sister to Lord Robert to whom you have just met. Welcome to Derbyshire.” She batted her long, pale lashes, cornflower blue eyes acting demure except for Beatrice's eyes fairly glowed with the heat of appreciation over such a fine-looking man.
Lucian's gaze flickered briefly down at Eiry, his thick brows drew together in concern by her obvious disquiet by Lady Beatrice's presence. Eiry glared Beatrice, unaware her fingers crushed the material of Lucian's sleeve.
Inclining his head gracefully, he relaxed his stance as he addressed the beautiful blonde before him. “I believe it to be my pleasure in making your acquaintance, Lady Beatrice."
Remembering earlier the hot lust in Robert's pale eyes for Eiry made Lucian irrational, bristling at the smaller man. “Lord Robert, I wish to speak on a matter concerning the sheep confiscated from my lands. I want the animals returned."
Caught off guard, Robert answered with a wary frown, “The sheep were taken for back taxes and sold to pay the King of England.” He glared at Eiry. “You should have told your new lord about your mismanagement of Castle Sanctuary."
