Kingdom Come (40 page)

Kieran’s expression was warm. “What is it, love?”

She clasped her fingers at her mouth thoughtfully. “Is Simon a supporter of the prince?”

Kieran lifted an eyebrow. “I never knew him to be; but, then again, I did not know the man was capable of turning against me. Anything is possible.”

She nodded as if to agree with his assessment. “Since we know he fled the Holy Land about the same time we did, is it possible he made it home before us and went straight to the prince?” she dropped her hands, shrugging faintly. “He could have told John anything about you, including the fact that you have a holy relic. Who knows? Maybe this visit has something to do with Simon’s return.”

Kieran and Sean looked at Jeffrey. “It is as good a possibility as anything,” Sean said. “Perhaps Simon went to John with the same lies he told Richard.”

Jeffrey’s eyes were fixed on Rory. He regarded her for a moment before turning away, heading from the door.

“Then we shall be vigilant,” he replied firmly. “I will tolerate no slander of my son within the walls of Southwell.”

Jeffrey and Sean quit the room but Kieran paused, returning to Rory and taking her in his arms. He held her tightly.

“Stay here,” he murmured, kissing her tenderly. “Finish eating and go to bed. I will come to you when this is finished.”

She looked at him, her eyebrows flying up. “Are you kidding? Do you really think I’m going to sleep when Prince John is here? My God, Kieran, the man is legendary, even in my time.”

The warmth faded from his eyes. “You are, under no circumstances, to leave this room in any way. Do you comprehend?”

She pursed her lips in an exaggerated pout. “Not even a peek?”

“If you peek, I will spank you so hard that you shall not be able to sit until this child is grown.”

Her pout grew. “You’re mean!”

He kissed her nose, her mouth, swiftly and let her go. “Aye, I am,” he jabbed a finger at her. “But you will listen to me or you will pay the price.”

She made a terrible face at him, sticking out her tongue. His firm stance fractured and he laughed at her, shutting the door behind him.

 With a grin on her face, Rory went to the window to watch something no modern person had ever seen.  She was so excited that she was nearly beside herself, in spite of the fact that John was not a particularly favored historical figure.  She found herself wishing that Drs. Dietrich and Peck were with her just so they could experience the magic, too.  Dave Peck, in particular, would have gotten a huge kick out of all of this.

The arrival of a legendary Medieval prince.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

John wasn’t particularly pleased that Jeffrey Hage ordered his entourage camped outside of Southwell’s city walls. The fact that Lord Hage made no effort to house him in the keep did not sit well with him, either. More than that, two of the powerful Hage brothers, Andrew and Christian, rode out to meet him with a highly armed escort and refused to allow any more than twenty of the prince’s men in to Southwell. That included advisors as well.  And with that final insult, John was furious.  But amidst the fury and posturing, Andrew and Christian were the first to see Simon de Corlet in the prince’s entourage. While Christian ran a tight escort around the prince, Andrew rode back to tell his father and brother.

Kieran honestly wasn’t surprised to hear of Simon’s presence. It simply confirmed what they had been speculating all along, that Simon had fled Richard’s rage and returned to England.  It also confirmed that Kieran didn’t know the man at all; Simon had always seemed quite loyal to Richard. Then again, he’d always seemed quite loyal to Kieran.   But Simon’s appearance did indeed prove something else; the reason for John’s visit undoubtedly had to do with Kieran.  And Kieran was going to be ready for him; the advantage of surprise was most definitely his.

As Kieran went to find Yusef, Jeffrey and Sean went to the great hall, a separate building from the keep, to await John.Now, their plan was set as the reason for the prince’s visit was no longer unknown.Jeffrey, being rather devious minded, made sure the fire in the hearth was low, rendering the hall rather cold, and the only refreshment provided was ale. No wine, which would have been much more appropriate.He didn’t want the prince to feel welcome in the least.  In this cold, cavernous and inhospitable hall, they waited.

It took some time for the prince and his entourage to reach the inner bailey of Southwell. For every one of the prince’s guard, there was a Southwell man and it was a tense ride into the inner sanctum of Southwell’s complex.  There was a good deal of threatening posturing going on, making for slow going.  The king’s entourage was permitted to enter the hall along with Southwell’s fully armed escort.  The tension was palpable.

The prince entered the dark and dreary hall.  He was wrapped tightly against the chill so the event of a cold chamber didn’t particularly bother him.  He was, however, incensed at the lack of hospitality and serving women to choose from. Everyone in the country knew of his appetites and expectations; men hid their wives and daughters from him but somehow, he still managed to take what he wanted. It had therefore become common practice amongst the nobles to ensure a plethora of serving women to entice the prince, hopefully away from their wives and daughters.  As long as the wench had an ample bosom, the ploy usually worked.

Jeffrey was seated at the end of the massively long table that sat near the hearth in the enormous room. Sean stood next to him, watching the man he had desperately come to hate. John knew Sean on sight and knew he served his brother; there was little doubt in the prince’s mind that this Hage brother was a spy but the prince would not waste his energies on the man. At least, not at the moment; men like Sean Hage tended to trip themselves up at some point. When he did, John would be there to pounce.  The prince approached the table, most uncustomarily; he was, in fact, used to being greeted at his arrival and escorted in. But the Hages had made sure not to extend the usual courtesies which bordered on insubordination.

“Jeffrey Hage,” John rolled the name off his tongue. “’Tis a proud and mighty name you bear, son of Mercia.”

Jeffrey remained seated, spying Simon standing a few feet in back of the prince.  “Your Grace,” he greeted in his deep, rumbling voice. “Your visit is something of a surprise. Is there a purpose?”

John almost smiled; the man was not one for pleasantries or courtesy.  He was straight to the point.  The prince motioned to his retainers, who quickly moved to pour him ale.  He sat on the bench near Jeffrey, eyeing the man with the piercing brown eyes and attempting to decipher his level of hostility.  Drinking the ale, he made a face and pushed it aside.

“Do you not have wine, Hage?” he demanded. “You provide me with this horrific swill?”

Jeffrey fixed him in the eye. “We are all out of wine,” he said flatly. “Would you be so kind as to tell me the purpose of your visit, Your Grace?”

John’s rage was building. With an unhappy sigh, he reclaimed the ale cup. “I have come to do you a favor, Hage, but I am not so sure that I will do this given your bad manners,” he said, watching for a reaction.  He received none. “I have come to help you.”

“Help me?” Jeffrey repeated. “How, and why, would you do this?”

John motioned to Simon, who removed himself from the group and moved forward, his gaze darting back and forth between Sean and Jeffrey.  He nodded at Sean.

“Greetings, Sean,” he said quietly. “It has been a long time.”

Sean, Kieran and Simon had fostered at Kenilworth Castle as children. They had all known each other for years. It was difficult for Sean, given what Kieran had told him, to behave civilly towards the man. He wanted to break his neck.

“Simon,” he nodded faintly. “I see that you have returned from the Holy Land alive.”

Simon nodded. “Indeed,” he replied, looking down at the prince and seeing that the man’s attention was on him. It was apparent that John was expected him to lead the conversation and Simon grew unnerved. “I have returned bearing dismal news, I am afraid. That is why I sought the prince, in fact; I did not feel that I should deliver this news alone and the prince has agreed to accompany me.”

Jeffrey looked at Simon as if the man was the lowest form of life. He resisted his natural instincts to insult him, instead, waiting to see what the man would spout. He sincerely hoped the man would dig his own grave. If even what half of what Kieran had told him was true, then Simon was lucky to be alive at this moment. He was fortunate he hadn’t been gutted the moment he set foot on Hage lands.

“News?” Jeffrey repeated. “News of what?”

Simon looked at him. “Of Kieran, my lord.”

“Oh?” Jeffrey’s eyebrows lifted inquisitively. “What of my son?”

Simon looked at the prince for mute support. “I… I am afraid that something tragic has happened.”

“What do you mean tragic?” Sean demanded. “Is he dead?”

Simon took a deep breath, knowing he needed to speak out before the Hages grew further agitated. He could already see an extreme lack of patience in their expression.

“Nay, he is not dead,” Simon replied steadily. “But I am afraid the man has lost his mind. He’s gone mad and has attempted to betray Richard.”

Sean looked at Jeffrey, who was staring at Simon with a laser-piercing gaze.  “Explain your slanderous statement, de Corlet,” he rumbled.

Simon was intimidated by the tone but continued. “It would seem that Kieran, for reasons unknown, has attempted to betray Richard,” he said. “I was witness to the man’s secret meeting with Muslim generals, men who wanted Kieran to betray and murder the king in the hopes that the Christian armies would weaken.  I myself witnessed Kieran accepting a gift in payment for this deed.  Richard sent men to find Kieran but the man managed to evade all patrols. I am fearful that he will return to England to wreak havoc.”

Jeffrey and Sean simply stared at Simon, digesting his tale. It was Jeffrey who finally shifted in his seat, stroking his chin wearily.

“I see,” he muttered. “And how did you happen to witness this secret meeting?”

Simon shrugged. “I have known Kieran for many years,” he said. “The man had been acting strangely, secretively. I began to grow suspicious. So I followed him one night and was witness to this exchange.”

“Did you confront him?”

Simon shook his head. “From my vantage point, I heard what was said. I did not need to confront him.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Your son has allied himself with the enemy, my lord. I felt it my duty to return home to tell you.”

Jeffrey cocked his head. “Why was it necessary to return home to tell me?”

Simon faltered somewhat. “As I told you, I feared he would return to England to spread lies and wreak havoc. The prince supports my assertions and it is he who has brought me here to tell you of this tragedy. Kieran Hage is no longer loyal to Richard; he has tried to kill him.  The prince offers you his condolences and support in this matter.”

Jeffrey lifted an eyebrow, casting John a long glance; the prince was gazing back at him smugly. “No doubt,” he muttered sarcastically, returning his attention to Simon. “And this alleged gift that was presented to my son in exchange for his turning against Richard; do you know what it was?”

Simon took a deep breath, eyeing John as he did so. “I was told it was a holy relic.”