****
Deep in the forest and far from the château and Chinon the wolves regrouped and tried to figure out a strategy.
“We need not all go to the Temple.” Richard de Gosbeck said. “There is that many of us now, we can split up and do more damage that way.” He grinned.
“It is a good idea,” Raymond Caradas said. “De Floyran’s men were just over seventy in number and we have already dispatched nearly forty of them.”
“No one asked you!” Galeren spat vehemently. “I do not ask for or need your advice, betrayer of betrayers. The only reason you still stand is because Catherine has asked me to spare you and I honour her request, but that does not mean I have to stomach the sight of you, now fuck off out of it.”
Raymond hesitated for a moment. Richard folded his arms and inflated his chest before he said, “Catherine has not asked me to honour any such request.” He stared coldly at Raymond who nodded slowly and then left the group.
“Watch him Parsifal,” Galeren commanded. “I don’t like the bastard anywhere near her; make sure he keeps his distance.”
Parsifal nodded and casually followed after him. Satisfied, Galeren turned back to the group.
“It is likely that when he discovers what has happened, De Floyran will concentrate his forces at Gisors, as this is where the masters are being kept. But even with half our number here, he will still be outnumbered. I propose that fifty of us go to the Temple and free those that are there and perhaps seek out any others that may be scattered about Paris. Caradas reckons that there aren’t but maybe someone at the Temple knows differently. Better to be safe than sorry. The rest of us will go to Gisors. We will leave the King with nothing. Enough have already suffered; I want none left in his grasp.”
“What about the injured?” De Villiers asked.
Galeren looked round and sighed, “They will have to stay here and rest up. They have done enough. They can make their ways to Scotland if they so wish, or wherever their future calls them. They are free now.”
Later, Galeren sought out Catherine and found her resting against a tree, thankfully in the company of Parsifal. He was crouched next to her and they laughed and chatted happily together. Galeren watched for a while noting how much Parsifal had matured in just the last few weeks. He felt no threat or jealousy towards their companionship as their fondness was akin to that between a brother and sister.
Nevertheless, he cleared his throat to announce his presence and Parsifal looked up and then tactfully made himself scarce as Galeren approached. It was amazing to Catherine that the men were happy to stand around discussing matters of great importance, conducting themselves confidently, whilst being completely naked. She was not about to do the same, and was sure that Galeren would not encourage her to walk amongst so many men without a stitch on. As it was, she was covered by a blanket that Parsifal had scrounged from somewhere and she looked up and beamed a smile at Galeren as he folded his arms and towered over her.
“Is something on your mind, my lord?” she said innocently.
“Yes. You, as a matter of fact,” he said and crouched down. He gently grabbed the ankle of her left leg and pushed back the blanket to inspect her injury.
“I know not what to do about your wilfulness.”
“I’m afraid you are going to have to live with it.” She said boldly.
“I expected such an answer.” He growled softly and covered her leg up but retained control of her ankle. “You will be the death of me.”
“I think not. I may have been foolish to trust Raymond initially but in the end it paid off.”
“Yes, fortunately for all of us.”
“Galeren, you can no more expect me to stay and fret in safety and leave those I love to their fate than anyone expects you to. If I am reckless then we are alike and perhaps it is that which attracted you to me in the first place.”
“’Twas not that I can assure you,” he smiled, rubbing her ankle gently with his thumb.
“Don’t you dare say that I have to stay here while you go on to Gisors?”
“That is exactly what I am going to say and it is only because your injury will be a hindrance.”
“A valid excuse for once,” she agreed.
“You mean you will stay without a fuss?” Galeren asked, daring to hope that she would comply for a change.
“No,” she replied. “I merely recognise that it is a valid reason, only I will be ready to travel by the time you are prepared to leave and fully recovered by the time we reach Gisors.”
Galeren sighed but experience told him that it would be fruitless to argue. “Very well but you had better be ready before dawn for that is when we will be leaving.” He sat down next to her and pulled the blanket over both of them and then drew her into his arms.
“Now get your rest trouble.” He said and was asleep and snoring before she had time to think of a clever reply.
The Wolves of Solomon (Wolves of Solomon Book One) Page 60
