Uncle Bruce stepped before Justina and Adam to greet the men.
As they reined up before them, Justina’s eyebrows rose in shock as she recognized the leader. The captain of the guard. What was his name? Gawyn.
He was an imposing figure atop the horse. Black boots were in the stirrups. He wore a chest plate of armor, but no other armor. His thick, shoulder-length brown hair waved in the breeze. He grinned at her, his brown eyes twinkling, before turning his resolute gaze to Uncle Bruce.
A strange quickening fluttered deep in Justina’s chest in response to his perfect smile.
“We’ve received word that the Hungars have been raiding farms along the Acquitaine border.” He glanced at Justina and then back at Bruce. “Has your farm been attacked?”
“No, Sir,” Bruce stuttered. “But the farm east of us has had problems.”
Gawyn signaled a man with a wave of his hand. The man rode up to him. Gawyn looked at Bruce. “The farmer’s name?”
“Montague,” Bruce answered.
“Take half the men and secure the Montague farm.”
“Aye, Captain.” The man signaled some men and they rode off down the road.
Gawyn swung his leg over the horse and dismounted. He stopped before Justina and nodded to her. “Good to see you again, Justina.”
Shocked, Justina’s mouth dropped open, too stunned to reply. How did he know her name?
He smiled at her. “Lady Aurora and Lord Damien send their regards.” He leaned in close to her. “Sometimes it’s worth it to take the two-day trip into the city.”
Justina watched, startled, as he moved passed her to her uncle. He had listened to her!
“A word about your borders and your livestock,” Gawyn said. Uncle Bruce nodded and led the way into the cruck, but not before he locked gazes with Justina. There was relief and happiness in his eyes.
For a long moment, Justina stood in shock. The captain of the guard, Gawyn, had brought soldiers to defend them. He had listened to what she said the night before! Warmth blossomed in her chest. She wasn’t exactly sure what to make of him, whether to thank him or be distrustful of him.
Adam tugged on her arm. “Did you see his sword?”
She had seen his sword. But that wasn’t what was intriguing her. It was his eyes, the merry way they gleamed at her. There was just something about him. She nodded. “I saw it.”
Gawyn emerged from the cruck, Bruce following. Bruce was a hard-working farmer who was trying to look out for his family, his animals, and his crops. He had given his word to report back to the city. But Gawyn had other plans. He would not leave the farm unprotected. Not with the Hungars so close.
Gawyn’s gaze swept the lands. An ox ate grass not far from the cruck, pigs roamed nearby, and the quacking of geese sounded in the distance. Healthy fields encircled the cruck. Most of them had been harvested. There were still peas left. His gaze halted on the field of peas where he noticed Justina working at harvesting them. She was bent over in a simple cotton dress; her dark hair fell toward the ground like a waterfall. She paused to brush a strand from her cheek before she continued. No one would ever know she was a force to be reckoned with. He wondered if Bruce knew.
Gawyn had been given specific orders to get her back to the city and to find out how she knew Damien. A mission he intended to accomplish. Shouldn’t be hard. He moved toward her when a little whirlwind of a child stepped before him. The boy’s blonde hair was unkempt with a leaf sticking out of it near his ear. Gawyn swore he saw the rest of the branch buried in his wild head of hair.
“Is it true?” the boy asked. “Are you the captain of the guard?”
“Aye,” Gawyn answered.
The boy circled him, inspecting every aspect of person. “That’s a big sword. Is your chest plate heavy?” Gawyn opened his mouth to answer, but the boy stepped before him again, looking up at him with wonder-filled eyes. “I would have liked to eat at the castle, but Justina said we couldn’t make the trip.”
“Your sister works hard.”
The boy nodded. “So does Uncle Bruce. We all work from dawn til sunset. My favorite part is tending the ox. He’s so big. Do you think he’s bigger than your horse?”
Gawyn raised his eyebrow. He didn’t need to answer the boy. The boy would just continue to ask questions. He was a curious child. In time, he would learn that to become wise, he needed answers.
“I once saw a horse that was twice the size of yours.”
“Adam,” Justina called as she approached. “Leave Captain Gawyn alone. He has enough work to do without you bothering him.”
Gawyn looked at the boy and made a mental note of his name. Adam. “It was probably a war horse. When you come to Castle Acquitaine, I’ll show you my war horse.”
“You have a war horse?” Adam gasped.
Gawyn nodded.
“Adam, I thought I saw a cat near the geese. Go chase it away,” Justina ordered.
The boy’s joyful expression faded, and anger danced in his eyes. He whirled, racing away toward the field, mumbling something about troublesome cats.
Justina watched him leave before turning back to Gawyn. “You shouldn’t tell him things like that. We won’t be going to Acquitaine anytime soon. I told you the trip was too long. I can’t be away from my chores.”
Gawyn smiled. “I think you’ll be there sooner than you believe. Remember? Lord Damien requested your presence at dinner.”
Justina scowled. “Is that why you brought all these soldiers?”
“I brought all these soldiers under Lady Aurora’s orders. She is particularly protective of her people. She will see to it that your uncle is safe.”
“You told her about us?”
“I told her about the Hungars raiding a farm. She was concerned about the people living on the borders. She really was hurt you could not travel to Acquitaine and inform her of the danger. So...” He turned back toward the group of soldiers who had dismounted and were awaiting orders. He scanned the men until his gaze fell upon a white and brown horse near the front of the line. He pointed to it. “See that horse? The one with the brown markings?”
Justina nodded.
“Lady Aurora is giving her to you so that your trip will not take so long.”
Justina gasped. She opened her mouth and then closed it, staring at the animal. Finally, she looked at Gawyn. “I... I... I don’t know what to say.”
Gawyn smiled, enjoying her speechlessness. “You can come to dinner and thank her.”
Chapter 4
Just as Captain Gawyn had predicted, Uncle Bruce had insisted Justina and Adam return to Acquitaine and thank Lady Aurora. Justina knew that Uncle Bruce could use the extra horse on the farm. They were very thankful for Lady Aurora’s help. And still, Justina was apprehensive about returning to Acquitaine. Her father’s murderer was in Acquitaine. What would she do if she came face to face with him? And what of Adam? Would he be safe?
Uncle Bruce had insisted, and Justina couldn’t say no. Not only had Lady Aurora given them a horse, but she had stationed soldiers on the borders of the land. Since the soldiers were there, Justina knew Uncle Bruce was well protected. While there was still work to be done on the farm, she felt obligated to thank Lady Aurora. Since the harvest was mostly finished, this was an opportune time to go to the city. There was less work to do on the farm.
She rode the new mare Lady Aurora had given them. She cast a glance at Adam who was delighted to ride with the captain. Justina wondered how long it would be until Gawyn couldn’t take it anymore and made Adam ride with her. She looked down and smiled secretly. Served him right. He was so confident they would accept Lord Damien’s request to dine with them.
He had been right. Still, Justina couldn’t stop the apprehension that grew inside of her the closer they got to Acquitaine. She couldn’t get the image of that face, those cold eyes, out of her mind. What could she do about her father’s killer? What if she saw him again? She would plunge her dagger into his heart for killing
her father! She would make sure she didn’t miss her opportunity this time. As they moved, she placed her hand over the dagger strapped to her thigh. She had planned and visualized the moment for a long time. She knew what she had to do.
“I’m glad you changed your mind.”
Startled, Justina lifted her gaze. Gawyn was riding next to her; Adam on the same horse sitting behind him, his gaze on the two knights ahead of them. “About what?” she wondered.
“Lord Damien’s invitation.”
“I’m glad, too,” Adam agreed.
“I had little choice. I would have ended up in the dungeon if I didn’t personally make the trip to thank Lady Aurora.”
Gawyn grinned gently.
Justina gaped, realizing how her statement sounded. “I meant no offense to Lady Aurora! I meant Uncle Bruce would have –”
Gawyn shook his head. “You have nothing to apologize for. I took no offense and Lady Aurora would not have, either. She really cares for her people and was very upset she had not been informed of the raid.”
Justina nodded. She felt a wave of embarrassment wash through her nonetheless. “Thank you for relaying the message.” Gawyn stared at her so intently that a blush rose in her cheeks.
“How could I do anything else?”
Justina lowered her gaze and suddenly found herself staring at Adam. His brow was furrowed in confusion as he stared at her. She quickly averted her gaze to the reins of the horse she clutched in her hand.
“How many guards are at the castle?” Adam asked.
Thank the Lord for Adam, Justina thought.
“Will I get to meet all of them?”
They made it to Acquitaine as the sun was beginning to set. The two soldiers rode in the front, Gawyn and Adam behind Justina. They emerged from the forest to a breathtaking sight. Justina couldn’t help but gasp in awe. The setting sun bathed the wall of the city in a beautiful, rosy glow. Even though Justina had visited Acquitaine a few days ago, she would never get used to the grand sight.
A wide, green valley stretched before them with a road snaking through it. Like little ants, people walked down the dirt road away from the city. A moat surrounded the city and led to the river running beside it. A drawbridge extended over the moat and wagons, knights, and people moved in and out of the large, welcoming wooden gates of the city.
Between the merlons of the city wall, Justina could make out the knights on patrol. Over the wall, she saw rows of thatched houses lining the streets. Acquitaine was a huge, bustling city. Shops, homes, and guilds all resided inside these walls. This was where the square was where Justina and Adam had first seen the Lady Aurora. Yes, it was exciting, but it held darker things. The city was where Justina saw the monster who had killed her father.
Inside the city, was the grandest castle Justina had ever seen, not that she had seen many, but this one was beautiful. Another moat surrounded the castle, wider than the one around the city. Another higher stone wall surrounded the castle.
Beyond the inner wall was the castle itself. Above the wall, Castle Acquitaine rose like a sleeping giant, monumental and shining in the fading sunlight. Towers of stone lifted to the sky and tiny flags flapped in the wind on top of the stone turrets. Four tall, elegant towers rose into the sky, bordered by merlons. One tower was taller than the rest in the back near the river. Justina remembered hearing that this was where Lady Aurora’s father had leapt from and died. She remembered how sad she had been for Lady Aurora.
The gate to the castle was open, the drawbridge extending across the moat.
Gawyn started forward, moving down the road toward the gates to the city. As they neared the walls, Adam turned his head from one side to the other, taking everything in. He pointed at a colorful wagon before them, then his finger shifted to a knight on horseback galloping from the city.
The knight nodded to Gawyn.
They passed through the large iron-bound wooden gates into the city. The roads were crowded with people, all heading out of the city. Justina turned to look at the setting sun. It was getting late and she knew the people were heading to their homes. Some would remain in the city, but most had homes outside the gates.
As they moved into the city, shop keepers called out their wares to the passing crowd. “Don’t forget your warm blanket! Perfect for a cold night!” “Don’t leave without trying Tom’s sweet ale!”
Justina lifted her gaze to the castle before them. It was huge. Castle Acquitaine soared in the distance like a grand mountain. Square towers loomed into the sky on each end of the castle. She twisted to look behind her. Guards walked the battlements at the top of the city walls. The line of people leaving the city seemed unending. She turned forward again. Two days ago, when she and Adam had come into the city, it was to catch a glimpse of his princess. She had been in charge. She knew when they were leaving, how they would go. Now, unease gripped her. She didn’t know what to expect. Her gaze moved up the towering castle to the sky above. She felt insignificant.
Justina dropped her gaze from the soaring towers of the castle to the dusty street. She met the questioning gaze of a woman carrying an empty basket and quickly looked away. How was she different from the woman? How had she ended up catching the eye of the captain of the guard?
The crowds on the road parted for the line of horses as they marched through the city. She swiveled her gaze to the lead horse. Gawyn cantered his animal down the street with confidence. A sense of calm came over her as she watched him handle his horse, his stare on the road ahead. His back was straight despite the heavy plate mail on his chest. He wore no helmet like the rest of the soldiers; instead, he let his brown hair flow free in the breeze. She liked it much better that way and found herself grinning as she watched him.
They moved across the drawbridge of the castle and beneath the raised portcullis. Justina looked up at the spikes on the end of the portcullis as they passed beneath the heavy metal gate. She would hate to have it slam shut on her head and cringed slightly at the thought. It was massive.
They continued into the outer ward and then the inner ward where they came to a halt. The two soldiers dismounted, and young boys rushed to take the reins of their horses. Justina shifted in the saddle, looking this way and that. That same unease came back, spreading through her body. What about her horse? Should she just leave it? She was unaccustomed to this luxury.
And then Gawyn stood beside her. He reached up for her, putting his hands around her waist, and eased her from her horse. Warmth blossomed across her cheeks as her toes touched the ground and she found her hands on his strong shoulders. For a moment, she could say nothing, do nothing, but stare into his deep brown eyes. His gaze swept her face.
She felt a tugging on her skirt but didn’t want to look away just then.
“Adam would like to know if he can stable your new horse,” Gawyn said.
Justina blinked. She saw his lips move, but it was a moment longer before she heard his words. “Oh.” She dropped her arms from Gawyn’s shoulders and took a step back from him, suddenly embarrassed. She tore her gaze from those hypnotic eyes to look down toward her skirt. Adam had been pulling on her dress to get her attention.
A boy with red hair and freckles raced up and took the reins, leading her mare away.
Justina watched the boy go. Her new horse! She felt as if a present was being taken away, but the thought was ridiculous.
“She’ll be stabled. We’ll get her when you leave,” Gawyn assured her.
Justina couldn’t take her eyes from her brown and white horse, worried for the mare’s welfare.
Adam stomped his foot slightly but whirled toward the castle in excitement. He couldn’t remain angry for long. There was too much to see.
Gawyn chuckled, drawing her attention. “I remember coming to Acquitaine for the first time.” He looked around the castle. “It can be overwhelming.” He swiveled his head toward her, his bright, brown eyes twinkling. “It’s always crowded and wherever you look, there is always movement
. It’s hard to find space to collect your thoughts.”
Justina nodded in agreement. She felt breathless and wasn’t certain if the reason was the castle or the man standing before her.
A child raced by after a goose, rustling Justina’s skirt.
Gawyn eased her aside, out of the boy’s way. “Come. I’ll show you the spot I go when I need to take a breath and get away from the crowds.”
Justina glanced at Adam to make sure he was following them.
Her brother skipped happily after them.
Justina hurried to Gawyn’s side. “Where is it?”
“It’s much quieter than the inner ward, I can tell you that. It reminds me of where I grew up. A little.” He led them through the inner ward to the far wall, the wall all the way at the back of the castle. It was quieter, but not silent. In the corner, loud barking erupted from numerous dogs as they approached.
Justina looked at Gawyn. “This is it?”
Gawyn grinned at her; that sideways smile made her heart skip a beat. “Adam,” he called. The boy rushed to his side. “See that man there?” Gawyn pointed to a stocky, dark haired man with brown breeches, torn at the knee, and a brown tunic. “Go and ask him about the puppies.”
“Puppies?” Adam wondered, his eyes large in excitement.
“One of our hunting dogs recently had puppies. I’m sure he’ll show you.”
Adam raced over to the man and spoke to him. The man lifted his gaze to Gawyn and waved slightly.
Gawyn nodded to him.
The man led Adam into the kennels.
“This way,” Gawyn said.
Justina hesitated. “What about Adam?”
“We’ll get him on the way back.”
“The way back?” Justina echoed in confusion. She didn’t like leaving Adam, but her curiosity got the better of her and she followed Gawyn into a large tower on the corner. She was sure it was the guard tower. “Are we allowed in here?”
Gawyn smiled at her. “I am the captain of the guard. I can go anywhere I want.”
Legends of Medieval Romance: The Complete Angel's Assassin Trilogy Page 34
