Authors: Kathryn Loch
Trey moved to attack.
Instantly, Garin lifted his shield and stepped back, blocking Trey’s weapon. Garin shifted again, raising his sword to block t
he second stroke of the combination. He pushed forward, breaking the attack and launching his own. Trey reeled backward, stumbled and fell. Garin pulled up short, knowing his sword was pointed right at the boy’s throat.
“
Yield!” Trey cried.
Garin backed
away, panting for breath.
“
Well done, Swein,” Geoff barked, pounding him on the back. The other men whooped and cheered.
“
What in bloody hell were you doing?” Garin snarled under his breath as he sheathed his sword. For a brief instant he regretted his
promise to Alyna about never lifting a hand against her father in anger.
“
Setting you up to look your best,” Geoff growled back.
“
You could have warned me.”
“
Nay, then you would have dwelt on it and not reacted. Your instincts have been finely honed, Swei
n, from your battles in the Holy Land, more so than most knights I’ve seen. And I’m starting to think the other senses play more of a role in those instincts than we realize.”
“
Baron,” a serjant called. “Father Thomas and Arch-deacon
Chause
have arrived.
”
Garin spun, muttering curses. “Why did it have to be
Chause
?”
Geoff guided him forward. “What’s wrong?”
“
Chause
was my Latin tutor when I fostered for a brief time at Alston. He thrashed me so many times that I’d go for days without being able to sit.
Knowing him, the survival of my marriage will come down to my ability to translate.”
“
You can’t be serious.”
“
Dead serious.”
“
Well, I can see from their expressions they are both very surprised with what they’ve witnessed.”
Garin strode forward confident
ly until Geoff tugged gently on his arm, signaling for him to stop. Garin bowed deeply. “Welcome to Kirkoswald, Arch-deacon
Chause
and Father Thomas.”
“
Thank you, Garin,” Father Thomas said. “Have you been granted a miracle and regained some of your sig
ht?”
“
I have been granted a miracle but it is not the return of my sight.”
“
Then mean you to start fighting tourneys and battles?”
Chause
asked.
“
Nay, your lordship, but I can and will train my men.”
“
Extraordinary,” Thomas whispered.
Chause
only snorted.
Garin gritted his teeth and forced a smile. “But come, join us at our table. I am sure you are weary from your journey.”
He strode away with subtle guidance from Geoff, hearing Thomas and
Chause
fall in step behind him.
“
Alyna awaits you at the top of
the stairs,” Geoff said, and stepped back.
Garin ascended without hesitation, his sensitive fingers sliding along the wall of the keep in order to maintain a straight line as he moved up the narrow steps. At the top he extended his hands to Alyna. She g
ripped his fingers tightly. He bowed and lifted her hands to his lips.
“
What happened on the list field?” she whispered harshly.
“
Talk to your father,” Garin replied. He straightened and turned. “Arch-deacon
Chause
, Father Thomas, allow me to present my
wife, Lady Alyna.”
She curtsied. “Welcome to Kirkoswald.”
“
Well met, lady,”
Chause
said stonily.
Thomas stepped forward and Garin felt Alyna move. “Dear child,” he said and Garin thought he might have kissed her cheek. “It is so good to see you.”
“
Th
ank you, Father. Please come inside, we are preparing a fine feast this eve.”
They entered the great hall and Thomas made a noise of surprise.
“
What is it?” Garin asked Alyna, fearing somehow the hall was a disaster.
“
I finished the tapestries, Garin. Th
ey hang above our chairs.”
He strode forward, able to negotiate the hall without assistance. Moving behind the chairs, he stopped where his tapestry should be and ran his fingers across the bottom of it. “Good glory, Alyna,” he said. “This is the finest
weave I have ever touched. They must be beautiful.”
“
Aye,” Thomas said, stepping next to him. “They are wonderfully made.”
“
Thank you,” Alyna said and he was certain she blushed furiously.
“
Well, gentlemen,” he said brightly. “If you will excuse me, I
will rid myself of this heavy mail and join you in a moment. Alyna, how long before our meal?”
“
It will only be about an hour. I have bread, cheese, and wine on the table.”
“
Very good,” Garin turned. “Simon, with me,” he said and strode up the stairs.
He battled to remain poised and confident even though his heart thundered in his chest and his knees felt weak.
“
Sweet Jesu,” Simon said, stepping beside him. “I wish you could see your wife.”
“
Why?”
“
She wears her best finery. I mean no offense when I s
ay she is one of the most beautiful women on this blessed island.”
Garin’s lips tugged upward. “Don’t worry, Simon, I assure you I will
see
her when we are out from under the gaze of our church brethren.”
Simon chuckled softly.
****
Alyna could barely c
hoke down her food even though Juliana had seen to a fine feast. Alyna was also grateful to note she had chosen a meal served in trenchers so Alyna and Garin could share. And Alyna definitely wanted
Chause
to see that.
Garin had changed into his fine b
lue tunic and black Celtic braccas, looking every inch his station. Alyna remained close by his side, constantly feeding him information. Garin’s knights joined them. She enjoyed seeing him laughing and jesting, appearing comfortable and relaxed.
Alyna
made every effort to casually touch his shoulder, hand or arm. While she did not want Thomas and
Chause
to think her wanton, she did want them to understand she did not fear physical contact with Garin.
Chause
bothered her the most, watching Garin through
dinner like a wolf eyeing a rack of meat. Thomas on the other hand appeared surprised at each new revelation and extremely pleased with Garin.
As they finished their meal
Chause
sat back and cleared his throat. “I believe we have a few things to discuss
, Lord Swein.”
Alyna’s stomach coiled and she feared she may retch the meal she just ate. The fact that
Chause
called Garin lord instead of baron did not bode well.
“
Of course, your grace,” he said casually. If he noted the use of the incorrect title he
made no show of it.
“
Father Thomas has given me all the details of this surprising betrothal and wedding. Lady Alyna, I find this very shocking. While I can appreciate your belief to do what you obviously felt was right I must also tell you that I disapp
rove of Father Thomas’ decision to allow you to marry. Had it been me at that meeting things would have turned out much differently.”
“
Your lordship,” Alyna said praying her voice did not shake. “Garin has proven to be a good husband and a fine baron. I
am very happy in my marriage.”
Chause
scowled as if surprised to hear her words. He leaned forward. “Are you speaking under duress?”
She gasped. “Most certainly not.”
“
I would have the ballocks of any man who tried to force her,” her father muttered ho
tly.
Chause
gave Geoff an arched look but Thomas seemed to be fighting back a grin.
“
Your lordship,” Garin said. “I assure you, despite my blindness, I am living my life to the fullest. My lands and people are prosperous, the barony pays its tithes and t
axes, we attend mass and communion regularly, and I am very happy in my marriage. What more can a man ask for?”
“
And what of your military service?”
Garin sighed and Alyna knew he was tired of the question. “I have knights enough to fill the required lev
y. I work and train with my men as you saw, and I am well able to control the defense of this castle.”
“
Not to mention, still a bloody fine wrestler,” someone said but Alyna did not know who spoke.
Garin laughed. “Aye. Care to see me go a few rounds, yo
ur lordship?”
“
That will not be necessary.”
Chause
paused, his eyes narrowing. “You spoke of the defense of this castle.
I have learned Kirkoswald came
under siege not too long ago.”
Garin’s features darkened.
“
That actually proves the point, your lords
hip,” Sir
Ousby
said. “The baron was a fine military commander and he successfully ended the siege in less than a fortnight. The knights and all of his lords want Swein as our baron.”
Chause
scowled as if again surprised to hear such words. He glanced s
everal times at Juliana.
Alyna swallowed hard. With Peter’s death, Naworth had lost all chance to control East of Eden unless he married Juliana himself and his wife was still very much alive. But as Garin had mentioned, she half expected Naworth to try
something and she wondered if he had gone to
Chause
over the matter.
But why would Naworth bother? The action would have led to expensive tithes at the very least. Her brow furrowed. Naworth could no longer gain the barony but his revenge might be see
ing Garin lose his wife and home.
Chause
sat back pinching his bottom lip. “Although you have made a good argument, we cannot risk setting such a dangerous precedent here, I fear I must declare the marriage annulled and the inheritance revoked.”
“
What?”
Garin roared, bolting to his feet.
Shouts of surprise and anger echoed through the hall.
Alyna’s ears buzzed and her vision darkened, she desperately panted for air, fearing she would faint.
Thomas turned white. “Your lordship,” he said harshly. “You can
not annul a marriage which neither party wants ended. And the king is the only one who can take away an inheritance, since Swein has proven his military capabilities, I do not think that will happen.”
“
Be silent, Thomas,”
Chause
snapped. “I can and will
annul the marriage because this man is blind.”
“
But his wife married him knowing about his blindness, she entered the contract in full understanding, there is no legal--”
“
I said be silent!”
“
Nay,
Chause
,” Garin roared. “You cannot do this.”
“
The marriage
will be annulled.”
“
Don’t do this,” Alyna said, finally finding her breath and standing next to Garin. “What about my baby?”
The hall fell absolutely silent. Garin froze, his face draining of color. “What?”
“
I am sorry, Garin,” she said gripping his ha
nd and tears streaming down her face. “I didn’t mean for you to learn about it this way but I am breeding.”
Chause
stared at her. “Is it Swein’s?”
Alyna gasped in horror. “Of course it is.”
Garin snarled and knocked his chair back. He clenched and uncl
enched his fists. “I have never struck a man of God before but insult my wife again,
Chause
, and I will demand satisfaction.”
“
She is not your wife, the marriage is annulled, and that makes the child a
bastard.”
“
Nay,” Garin snarled. “I will not allow yo
u to destroy my life and my family.”
“
Swein, you will
remand
yourself to the church forthwith. That is,” he said and again looked at Juliana, “if your sister chooses to increase the baronial tithe for your care.”