Shadowmoor (de Lohr Dynasty #6) (38 page)

Shadowmoor hadn’t faced a real siege in decades. Bramley’s harassment was one thing but a full-blown siege was something completely different. A sense of genuine fear spread through the inhabitants of Shadowmoor as Caston and his men began to mobilize and people began to scatter. Daniel could hear the commotion behind him as he stood on the wall, watching the human tide roll up the hill. Truth be told, he wasn’t particularly worried, but he was curious.

And then he saw it.

The sunlight caught the flash of a banner and, instantly, Daniel was flying off the wall, shouting at the men to open the gates. Startled, the Netherghyll men began to pull on the old iron chains, working alongside Shadowmoor men, heaving and sweating to roll open the heavy gates. When the gap was wide enough, Daniel burst through. Caston, puzzled at his behavior, ran out after him.

“What is it?” Caston demanded. “Why are the gates open?”

Daniel was beaming. “That is not Henry,” he said frankly. “It is my Uncle Christopher. That is the de Lohr army I sent for.”

Surprised, but in a good way, Caston turned his attention to the army that was now coming closer, lumbering up the hill with horses and wagons, becoming more distinct as they drew closer. He, too, could see the de Lohr banners flying, the dark blue and gold, and he could also see the heavily-armed men, well dressed and well supplied. This was a professional army. There were two big knights in the lead, bellowing orders to the men. With a smirk, Caston turned to Daniel.

“So you really are who you say you are,” he said. “Any man can boast that he is a de Lohr but this army proves it.”

Daniel laughed softly. “Nay, my friend, I did not lie about it,” he said, his gaze lingering on the knights. Suddenly, his smile vanished. “In fact… God’s Bones, is that
Maddoc
?”

His eyes widened as he stood there, mouth open, as a knight suddenly broke off from the pack and charged at him astride a big roan warhorse. Daniel stood his ground as the knight ran at him, the horse’s massive hooves tearing at the earth. Dirt and ripped foliage flew. But as Daniel watched the man come towards him, he suddenly broke away from Caston and went to meet him. Something, in that moment, had occurred to him and it was imperative that he speak with Maddoc before introductions could take place to Caston.

To Brighton de Royans’ twin.

The horror last year that Brighton had created had been directed at Maddoc. He had challenged the man for the woman who was now Maddoc’s wife and, in the process, had badly wounded Maddoc. Maddoc had dragged himself from his death bed to rescue the woman he loved, the result of which had been Brighton’s death. After a brutal fight, Maddoc had drown the man in a horse trough. Not a dignified way to die for a knight of Brighton’s standing, but Maddoc had been too weak, and too furious, to care at that moment. He’d knocked the man senseless and drowned him.

Therefore, Daniel knew that Maddoc was going to have much the same reaction to Caston’s appearance as Daniel had. But given that Daniel had come to know the de Royans family, and their generosity, he didn’t want Maddoc to give any indication as to the death of their brother. Daniel still wasn’t sure he should ever say anything, knowing how it would hurt Caston and Easton, and knowing how it would damage his friendship with them. Better to let things lie, he told himself yet again. He just didn’t see the point.

“Maddoc!” he bellowed, holding up his arms as the knight brought the big horse to a stop. Daniel crowed when Maddoc flipped his visor up so his face could be viewed. “Oh, my giddy young man! It
is
you!”

Maddoc grinned, dismounting his horse and heading for Daniel. When the two finally came together, it was in an enormous embrace, each man squeezing the life from the other. They were such dear friends that no other greeting was possible. They were brothers to the core and moments like this between them were rare. Daniel wandered so much that, at times, they had gone years without seeing each other. Therefore, this moment was precious to them both.

“Of course it is me,” Maddoc replied, releasing Daniel long enough to look in the man’s face as if to reassure himself that Daniel, his dearest friend, was well and whole. “I was at Lioncross when your missive to your uncle came, so your uncle asked me to bring the army north. He also asked me to find out what in the hell was going on. What have you gotten yourself into this time, Danny?”

Daniel’s expression didn’t falter. He was still thrilled to see Maddoc, still caught up in that excitement. “What did my uncle tell you?” he asked.

Maddoc’s gaze moved from Daniel’s face to the beastly image of a fortress that was absolutely massive. He could see that repairs were going on but, on the whole, the place looked terrible. He pointed at it. “
This
is Shadowmoor?”

Daniel turned to glance at the structure he’d become so familiar with. “It is,” he said. “How did you find it?”

Maddoc’s brilliant blue eyes fixed on the place. “We knew it was north of Bradford from what you said in your missive,” he said. “I stopped at the cathedral in Bradford and asked the priest. He told me exactly where to find it.”

Daniel clapped the man on the shoulder. “Well and good that he did,” he said. “I am very glad you are here.”

Maddoc looked at him, then. “Are you?” he said. “Then take me inside, feed me, and tell me why I am here. Your uncle wants to know what is going on.”

Daniel’s smile faded then. “It is quite a story.”

Maddoc shook his head, slowly, but with agreement. “With you involved, it could be nothing else.”

Daniel snorted but put out a hand to stop Maddoc as the man took a step towards the fortress. “Wait,” he said, lowering his voice. “There is something you must know before we discuss anything. There is no easy way to say this, so I will come out with it. I am afraid I must take you back to that terrible time in your life when Brighton de Royans nearly killed you and abducted your wife. I will not even ask you if you remember that time for I know that you do. That being said, you must be aware of something – Brighton de Royans’ family is an ally of Shadowmoor.”

Maddoc’s serious young face remained steady but something changed in the brilliant eyes; they began to smolder, the surprise at the mention of the name of the man who had nearly killed him. Whom
he
had finally killed. As the news sank in, he began to show more reaction.

“De Royans?” he repeated, his voice like ice. “His family is here?”

Daniel nodded. “Maddoc, there is no time to ease you into this situation so I will be blunt,” he said. “You must listen very carefully to me. Are you listening?”

“I am.”

Daniel squeezed his shoulder in a gesture of comfort. “The home of Brighton’s birth is about ten miles to the north,” he said. “I met them quite by accident and, understandably, was surprised as well as wary. I hated the mention of the name de Royans almost as much as you did. But these people, Maddoc… they are nothing like Brighton was. They are generous and kind. They are quite likable. In fact, Brighton’s brother, Sir Caston, and I have become good friends.”

At that point, Maddoc hissed and tried to turn away, unable to stomach what he was being told, but Daniel grabbed him, preventing him from leaving.

“Nay, my friend,
listen
to me,” he implored. “I believe you will like Caston if you will only give him an opportunity. But know that they are unaware of the fate of Brighton and I do not have the heart to tell them. For now, keep silent on the matter. They have been tremendous allies to Shadowmoor, more than you know. I do not want to ruin that relationship and, frankly, I see no need to tell them what has become of Brighton. For Shadowmoor’s sake, do not tell them what happened. I know this will be harder on you than it ever was for me, but I am asking you, as my dear friend, not to say a word. Can you do this, Maddoc?”

Maddoc’s expression was full of angst, the bright blue eyes flickering unsteadily. There was great emotion there, deeper than he could express. But Daniel had made a request of him, in the name of friendship, and he would not disappoint the man. It all narrowed down to that one little request. For Daniel, Maddoc would try to overcome his inherent hatred of anything that had to do with the de Royans name. After a moment, he nodded his head.

“Aye,” he said. “If you ask this of me, I will do it.”

Daniel had to admit that he wasn’t certain what Maddoc’s reaction would be, considering Brighton had been his mortal enemy. But he was pleased that the man complied without much of a fight. He also knew he had agreed strictly because of his friendship with Daniel. He trusted Daniel completely, even with something that had such a bitter taste to him. Daniel breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank you,” he said sincerely. “Know that Caston and his father, Easton, are good men. I do not know how or why Brighton went so terribly wrong, but his brother and father do not have the same evil streak in them that Brighton had. Give them that consideration.”

Maddoc drew in a deep steadying breath at the unexpected turn the situation had taken. Had he not been so surprised by it, he might have even laughed at the irony. “I will try,” he said.

“Good.”

“But of all the homes in all of England,
you
had to find the house of the man who tried to kill me? Who tried to steal away my wife?”

Daniel snorted wryly. “I thought the same thing, believe me,” he said. Then, he sobered. “But there is something more.”

“God, what now?”

“Caston de Royans is Brighton’s twin. They look exactly alike.”

Now, Maddoc could not help the deluge of emotion that filled him. He rolled his eyes and hung his head. “Are you serious?”

“I am.”

Maddoc snorted unpleasantly. “What is this devilry?” he hissed. “Am I to be punished for defending what was mine? For protecting my life? Am I to look into the face of a dead man as a reminder of the worst time in my life?”

Daniel could see that he was becoming agitated. “Steady, lad, steady,” he said softly. “Caston is a good man. Remember what I said. After a while, you will not see Brighton when you look at him. Trust me on this matter.”

Maddoc simply shook his head. “Danny, I do not know if I can do this,” he said. “After everything that happened….”

Daniel cut him off. “You can and you will,” he said. “You will do this because I ask it of you, because we love one another, as brothers. I would not steer you wrong. I know this is difficult for you, but you will remember that Caston and his father had nothing to do with it. They have no idea what Brighton did and, given what I have come to know of them, I am sure they would strongly condemn his actions. But keep a level head, man. It is important to what I am trying to accomplish here.”

Maddoc lifted his head, looking at him. “What
are
you trying to accomplish?”

Daniel grinned and tugged on his arm, pulling him towards the fortress. “Come and see.”

*

The great hall
of Shadowmoor was much different than it had been the first time Daniel had ever seen it.

Back then, it had been old mutton and pea stew because it was all they had, but in honor of the arrival of the de Lohr army, it was stuffed to the rafters with soldiers and knights, all of them eating from a big cow that the de Lohr army had slaughtered the day before. The carcass was roasting over a massive fire in the kitchen yard and everyone was enjoying the succulent beef. The smells of food and the light from the fires spread throughout out the bailey of Shadowmoor and filled the night air.

It was a festive mood, too. A few of the Netherghyll soldiers had brought along their instruments and the sounds of the drums and citole could be heard in the hall. One soldier, who’d had a bit too much to drink early on, was singing a song called
Tilly Nodden
that had everyone joining in at the appropriate chorus. It was loud and irreverent at times, but it was also joyful.

It was good to hear the life again within the old walls, Liselotte thought, as she moved through the hall with the female servants, overseeing the meal and insuring that the men were satisfied. It was the Netherghyll army inside the hall, mostly, while the men from Lioncross Abbey had massive bonfires throughout the bailey and were enjoying themselves beneath the cold, dark sky.

But even as she moved through the hall and the men, she was on the lookout for Daniel. After fleeing him earlier in the day, she had retreated in shame to her chamber where she’d locked herself in, fearful that Daniel might come after her and try to use manipulation and sweet words to convince her that marriage wasn’t necessary. She didn’t want to hear him.

But she soon became angry at herself because the heartbreak she had feared, the pain she had convinced herself didn’t matter in the long run, began to matter a great deal. She was hurting, badly, as if her heart had been ripped from her chest by a man who had told her, from the beginning, that he wasn’t the marrying kind. God, she’d so hoped to change his mind. He was such a part of Shadowmoor that she knew they would all be shattered when he left. And he would leave; she knew that now. There was nothing left for her to do but face that reality.