Which was almost as depressing to a commander as the more immediate taunts of hot food and music were to the men.
Gyrfalon had something of the upper hand in the war of nerves; and that irritated Falk.
As he entered his tent his warrior’s senses told him that he was not alone; and he bethought himself of the warning messages he had heard that some of the lesser followers to his banner had received that had frightened most of them into leaving. Gyrfalon had not troubled to threaten him; perchance he had come himself or sent one to assassinate him instead without warning? Falk tossed back the cloak to prevent it from hampering his movements whilst making it an apparently casual movement.
He did not need to call on the hidden figure to show itself; the shadows quickly disgorged a slight, cloaked figure that put back the hood it wore on seeing that he was alone. Annis’ pale hair tumbled back from her face and she regarded him solemnly from midnight eyes too large in her pale face.
“Lady Annis! You have escaped?” he started forward. She shook her head and stamped her little foot.
“Will you listen and try not to rouse the whole camp?” she asked waspishly “You brothers share the trait of noisiness if nothing else!”
Falk blinked; and remembered his manners, holding forward a chair for her to be seated. Annis considered; and duly took the chair.
“You had been warmer under canvas had you cut bundles of rushes and laid them under the carpets you use to try to defeat the cold,” she remarked dryly. “And cut alder leaves ere they fell to strew within the rushes that deter fleas and other insects that would otherwise lurk within.”
Annis hated inefficiency.
“I thank you for the advice. Now, how may I be of assistance, my lady?” asked Falk.
Annis bit her lip.
“I scarce know how to begin,” she said ruefully. “I rehearsed in my head all I wanted to say and it all sound trite now I face you. In sooth, what I ask may be too much; but I have to try.”
Falk looked confused.
“Nothing is ever too much to help a lady,” he responded with automatic courtesy.
Annis pulled a face.
“Promise not ere the request is made,” she chided gently. “Besides, what I ask is not merely for myself; but for an innocent.”
Falk was yet more confused. She would not describe Gyrfalon thus; who could she mean? The lame child?
“Who then is this innocent, lady? The lame boy?” he asked.
“Oh if anything occur to Gyrfalon I trust you to take care of him and the other villagers,” said Annis firmly. “Or to try; besieging soldiers having the view once they break in that anything within is for their personal use and satisfaction. No; I refer to your nephew,” she told him bluntly.
“My ….??!!! But I have no nephew!”
Annis laid her hand on her belly and dropped her eyes, blushing.
“It might of course be a niece,” she murmured, “but does that matter?”
Falk exploded.
“By God, has that monster actually forced himself on you?” he cried.
Annis shut her eyes and counted – audibly – to ten.
“Lord Falk,” she said firmly, “please get it into your head that, despite his undoubted manifold faults – many of which have improved – and your own prejudice, I find that which is admirable in your brother. ‘Tis a match to my liking, for my lord had ever used me with courtesy; indeed I talked my way into his bed ere we were married, which is how I be certain that I am with child.”
“Courtesy? Like dangling you over the parapet?”
“Oh, that,” her tone was dismissive. “That were mine idea to get your attention; it worked too. And glad was I of his reassuringly firm grip; for heights terrify me and my head swam alarmingly. And I hoped it be worth such discomfort that by parley, lives might be saved that would otherwise be needlessly wasted in war,” she sighed regretfully. “Alas, I underestimated the depth of the enmity that lay between you and your brother.”
“Do you know why?” he asked bitterly.
She shrugged.
“I know the way my Gyrfalon perceives it; and that he acknowledges himself to be as much at fault as you and your father; for well he knows his hasty temper when slighted or angered.”
“The fault was all his,” Falk cried angrily.
Annis raised an eyebrow.
“Indeed? You did not then marry his betrothed without any word to him that she had transferred her affections to the younger brother? You apprised him of the understanding that had risen between you and Alys?” she asked “And did you, while he led your father’s troops to preserve the safety of your home, do aught but accept the old man’s favouritism when he preferred the son present to the one risking his life for those at home? You urged him to send to see if the rumours of Gyrfalon’s death or dishonour were indeed true?”
Falk flushed.
“It were better to tell Gyrfalon face to face, I thought,” he said “As to our father’s preference, tales had come that Gyrfalon had many times blasphemed and doubted God’s will.”
She snorted.
“Tell him face to face; aye, by all means; but not to marry the wench until you had done so! That were as venal a piece of chicanery as any I have ever heard – ‘oh brother, Alys doesn’t want to marry you any more, by the way, she’s wed to me this very day.’ Sounds fine doesn’t it? As to the tales carried to your besotted sire, I say how can you pass judgement when not yourself there in duress and travail considered by your father too hard for you, against a cruel enemy, when there be no words of hope of aid from home to give you comfort?” she asked sternly “It seem a very harsh thing to do to pass judgement without having walked a mile in another man’s shoes, when you have no idea of the conditions he be labouring under.”
“And can you walk a mile in my shoes?” he asked, stung by some of the truth in her words.
She smiled sadly.
“I think so,” she said. “It seems to me that you have always acted meaning best; and are much the victim of circumstance. It seems to me that the worst damage were those who prated to your father with overzealous piety, changing your father’s heart and thereby breaking Gyrfalon’s. For truly, Lord Falk, I have heard in his voice frustrated love for your father that turned to hate at the old man’s seeming despite. Though it were Alys’s betrayal of the promise he understood her to have made to him that brought things to a head, I suspect that it was the loss of his father’s love and trust that did the real damage and killed a little bit of him inside.”
“And you want me to forgive?” his tone was outraged.
“Few have that much Christianity within them,” she said simply. “Especially when it is easier to hate blindly than to acknowledge any responsibility in oneself for what happened. I ask you to try to understand the way he sees what happened; and not to carry on the feud to our children.”
Falk shook his head.
“And how could I guarantee that, knowing that the children of which you speak will be taught by their father to vilify me?” he demanded.
Annis tutted.
“Gyrfalon has said he forgives all there is to forgive in you; that he accepts you acted in good faith,” she said. “And I will see too to bring up our children to try to see both sides,” she asseverated seriously.
He sighed, shaking his head in incredulity.
“I find it incredible that you should give yourself willingly to my brother,” he said. “I also find it incredible that you feel that he has treated you well. Either he has changed out of all recognition or you have been treated truly barbarously before!”
Annis’ dimple peeped out irrepressibly.
“You have forgotten the possibility, Lord Falk,” she said demurely, “that I might enjoy a turbulent relationship.”
“Turbulent?” he exploded “That were an understatement if he hath not changed; and I have to say,” he added, trying to be objective, “I would anticipate seeing you more injured in such case.” He tried to
be calm, wondering if Gyrfalon had indeed succumbed to some kind of infatuation, shooting her a perceptive look.
She smiled.
“Well if it come down to injuries, truly have I drawn blood from my lord as he have not from me,” she said. “Though it was accidental; but he approved of the principal and I bound the wound straightway. He teaches me swordplay,” she added.
Falk shook his head.
“Truly, I do not understand you,” he said.
“That is not required; my husband does understand me and that makes me content,” she said “You ask if he have changed; when first I knew him he was hot of temper and not tolerant; as might any man be, be he ne’er so douce by nature when in constant pain. I have treated his face that within days of my ministrations the pain reduced; and in consequence so did his temper. That I know have only coloured the last ten years or so; that there lie other things between you that led to the cursed wound. But even so, I beg you to consider my words. Must I kneel as a supplicant? I have never knelt to any but God before but for mine husband – my lover – and my child I will do so if you demand it.”
She rose in graceful movement from the chair and made to bend the knee; but Falk forestalled her with a rapid gesture.
“I will consider,” he said, his tone harsh; the voice suddenly almost like Gyrfalon’s, Annis thought, as he fought back remembered griefs. “And I will not pursue a feud unto another generation, that I do swear, unless I am myself sought out under arms by your son. But as to peace with Gyrfalon, I fear that surely cannot be. Indeed, Lady Annis, I urge and beg you to take this opportunity to leave Gyrfalon and bring up your child in Christian freedom.”
Annis sighed impatiently.
“It is my duty and my pleasure to return to my dear lord and husband,” she said firmly. “I have come as a herald, not for or at knowledge of my lord but on his behalf and that of his heir naytheless; and though not a formal herald I shall take it most discourteous of you, my lord, if you lay rude hands upon my person to prevent my departure. Which action I should militate against strenuously; that I warn you.”
Falk grimaced bitterly.
“You give me little choice but to comply, my lady,” he said grimly. “I am aware of the rules concerning heralds; and whilst one might say that you are not in official capacity and hence do not count, I will accept that you place yourself in my hands under belief that the rules pertain unto your person. I pray for your safety and hope you do not regret your rash action in returning to the arms of the devil you have wed.”
Annis looked down her nose in a gesture Gyrfalon would have known well; and swept from the tent, leaving Falk much to ponder.
He knelt in prayer for guidance; for if Gyrfalon had changed for the Lady Annis’ ministrations, he did not know even so if he might find enough within him to forgive his brother.
Meanwhile Annis must find her way back to Caleb in the monotonous mist; getting past the guards to Falk’s tent were easier going out than in and she grinned to herself thinking that she should let him know that they were less vigilant than they might have been. She hoped she had struck the right direction; and was glad to see the shape of the blackthorn that she had remarked as a landmark looming softly through the mist. She whistled softly, and Caleb replied; and Annis heaved a sigh of relief.
Gyrfalon was striding up and down when Annis returned, the revels having mostly ceased and Gyrfalon having sought his own chamber and his wife; to find only the letter she had left.
“Annis!”
It was a cry of relief and near a groan of pain as he swept her into his arms; then immediately pushed her away and, grabbing her shoulders, shook her wrathfully.
“What was I supposed to do when I found you gone? How dare you worry me like that?” he cried in anguish “I feared you might not be able to return!”
Annis smiled up at him and reached out a tiny hand to touch his face, utterly unperturbed by his shaking of her.
“Dearest, I had to go and talk to your idiot brother,” she said calmly. “You must surely see that – for as well as you to worry about, I have our babe. And he has promised at least that he will not fight any offspring of ours.”
Gyrfalon frowned.
“A concession I suppose,” he grunted “But such a risk to take!”
Annis made a rude noise.
“I took Caleb. He’s your best fensman and a staunch defender. I knew I had naught to fear from Falk himself; he being mostly harmless so long as you talk fast about honour and duty; and I took care to be seen by none other.”
“I suppose it serves no purpose to shout at you, my lady,” Gyrfalon growled at her “For you go your own way regardless.”
“Is it not that independence of spirit that attracted you to me?” she asked, simply.
“Do not throw mine own folly in my face, wench!” he roared; but she knew he was now but playacting his rage and peeped demurely at him from under her lashes.
“Doth my lord wish then to chastise me for my disobedience?” she asked, her dimple popping in and out.
“Assuredly!” he bellowed; and swept her up into his arms. Annis settled an arm about his neck and sighed contentedly. He gave a faintly malicious grin.
“Truly, my lady, it were as well that you did not prefer Falk to me; for I doubt if anyone but I could school you, that you be not in the least douce, nor are you tractable in the slightest!”
“Infamous,” she retorted, sticking her tongue out at him. “And moreover the pot doth call the kettle black!”
He laughed and bore her away to their deep, warm bed, willing for her to show him again the depth of her love and desire. And as he slept at last, Annis gently stroked his hair and wept for the foolishness of the sire that had scarred her lover’s soul more deeply than ever the girl Alys had added to the scarring of his face.
Meanwhile Falk had another visitor.
“Excuse my, my Lord, this blind woman asked for you” said Sir Lyall, who was escorting The Woman.
“Thank you Lyall” said Falk “She is known to me.” The Sibyl was an old friend, versed in the ancient magic of prophecy, for Falk did not reject magic as unchristian.
When Lyall had left, the Sibyl asked,
“Is Gyrfalon dead, Lord Falk? I am unable to feel his hatred for you any longer.”
Falk stared.
“No, he lives still; it is his castle that I besiege here; and I was alerted to his presence for he seized a hostage, a young girl. Whom I find incomprehensible,” he shook his head, “for she cleaves to him and has willingly wed him! Her father is at best a boor and at worst a murderer; and he had arranged for her a marriage to a man I despise utterly. Even more – aye, Gyrfalon was right on that – even more than Gyrfalon himself.”
“Is this a man named Marfey?” asked the seeress.
Falk nodded.
“You have seen something of him?” he asked.
“I have” she replied “And that is why I have come to warn you. This Marfey sends an assassin to try to kill you; one who bears a poisoned blade. You must take care, Lord Falk.”
“Thank you; I shall do so,” said Falk grimly. “And a rare occurrence to have one that hates me more than Gyrfalon does! Sibyl, is it possible that Gyrfalon could change?”
She frowned.
“I would need to look deep into a carefully prepared bowl of pure water to find that out, my lord; I can only tell you what I feel from having attuned myself to you for your protection, that I feel no hate for you from him. It seems to me that something has happened that has dispelled it.”
“Well, it may be so; but I dare say it be only temporary,” said Falk cynically. “That poor girl! She is completely in his power; he treats her with indulgence because she resembles Alys, but the moment she does something too like or too unalike Alys I have no doubt but that he will rage against her and all will be back to normal. Marfey, however, I can do something about; and I can alert the church troops that guard me that he sends an assassin.”
Falk
hoped the assassin was not so clever at avoiding his troops as Annis had been!
He had not asked how she had got into his tent unobserved; and that unnerved him, that she had been able so to do. Still, perchance he should just tell the knights to be doubly vigilant; and be on his guard himself too. This was a nuisance, to have the pervert ready to strike first while he was tied up with Gyrfalon; and he contemplated leaving the siege for a few days with some picked troops to deal with Marfey.
He would wait the day round to be sure that Gyrfalon had not punished Annis cruelly for creeping out to see him unbeknownst to her husband; for Falk was half inclined to think that Gyrfalon would equate such an act with Alys’s meetings with him, Falk, while Gyrfalon was away at the wars. And he awaited with trepidation what might thus befall to the fragile looking girl.
She said that Gyrfalon taught her swordplay?
Ridiculous! She was too frail to hold a sword; it was surely his way of humiliating her and causing her pain and exhaustion! Falk knew well the way Gyrfalon trained; having been himself on the receiving end. It was inconceivable that so delicate a girl could match Gyrfalon’s stringent standards! The poor girl must have been truly starved of affection and attention before, in her father’s castle, that she take such as being a better degree of attention as might be interpreted as affection!
Falconburg Divided (The Falconburg Series Book 1) Page 18
