While Angels Slept (34 page)

“You and your
men came to my village, once,” he said. “You burned it to the ground.”

Tevin was not
remorseful. “In the course of my duties, I have burned many villages. It was
nothing personal against you.”

Gillywiss
couldn’t argue that point; it was the truth.  But he wasn’t finished yet.
“Because of you, my family and I had to flee. Now we live here and you have
torn this up as well.”

Tevin’s eyes
drifted over the settlement, now quieting that his men had ceased their raid.  People
were walking around, picking up the pieces.

“I was looking
for Cantia,” he said, his dark gaze fixing on Gillywiss. “I would stop at
nothing to find her. Surely you can understand that.”

“Will you not
apologize?”

“No.”

Gillywiss contemplated
his reply. “Then we will require restitution, Lord Earl.”

“You shall have
it.  Consider it a reward.”

Gillywiss was
rather surprised by the answer.  There had been no hesitation. It wasn’t an
apology, but he really didn’t care. More and more, he was coming to see that
the warrior felt the same for the lady as she did for him because a lesser man
would not have agreed so readily.  The man had the only thing he cared about
and was showing his thanks.

“If she means so
much to you, why do you not marry her?” he wanted to know.  He was, in truth, a
nosy man. “Why have you not searched for the wife that ran off on you years
ago? Is this lady, this lady who was the very reason you tore up my camp, not
worth it?”

Tevin was rather
taken aback by the fact that this stranger, this outlaw, knew intimate details
about his personal life.  He looked at Cantia who was, by this time, looking at
Gillywiss. She still had Hunt in her arms, all wrapped up around her torso.

“I told you
why,” she said before Tevin could reply. “You will not question him. It is none
of your affair.”

Gillywiss’ brow
furrowed, like a scolded child. He finally made a face at her and kicked at the
dirt, having a hard time looking her in the eye.

“I do not
suppose he would let his daughter take up with a married man, no matter how
much they loved each other,” he muttered. “Yet he sees nothing wrong with
taking up with you.”

Cantia looked at
Tevin, somewhat apologetically, and was surprised to see that Tevin was
actually listening to the man.   Finally, he just shook his head.

“I am not
entirely sure what you have been told, or why you have been told.”  He was
scolding Cantia and she knew it. “However, I will tell you this since you seem
so concerned; I have every intention of seeking out the woman who abandoned me
and my daughter those years ago, but the days have been rather busy for me
lately.  Times are dark and difficult, especially with those in a position of
power. There has been much sacrifice all the way around.”

Gillywiss shook
his head faintly. “’Tis not only with those in power,” he gestured to his
encampment. “Those who have nothing suffer worst of all.  It is as if the land
itself is undone and darkened with such evil, as if Christ and his angels are
sleeping and demons are let loose upon us all.”

Tevin lingered
on his words. “For an outlaw, you are particularly insightful,” he said. “You
understand the wickedness and lawlessness of this time.”

Gillywiss seemed
rather pensive, glancing at Cantia. “And happiness in of itself is rare,” he
said quietly. “Perhaps… perhaps that is why I asked of your intentions towards
the lady.  Happiness these days is difficult to come by and should not be
treated casually.”

Tevin wasn’t
going to get into an in-depth discussion about his feelings for Cantia with the
man so he turned to see who was still lingering nearby. Spying Myles astride
his big charger, he motioned the man forward.

“Round up those
who have stolen from these people and have them deposit whatever they have
taken here in this clearing,” he said, his voice low. “We shall return what
hasn’t already been eaten or otherwise disposed of.  Are you carrying any
coinage?”

Myles dug around
in his saddle, into a hidden compartment where he usually stored coin or
valuables.  He pulled out a small leather pouch and tossed it to Tevin, who
opened it up and counted what was inside.  Then he closed it back up and made
his way back over to Gillywiss.

“Here,” he said,
tossing the man the pouch.  “This should be sufficient for the moment, but I
will send more at a later time.”

Gillywiss deftly
caught the sack, opening it and peering inside. When he saw all of the coins,
his eyes widened and he looked at Tevin with that crazed, wild-eyed look that
Cantia was familiar with.

“This is better
than robbery,” he announced, turning to those people hovering behind him. “It
seems to be more lucrative to save the nobility than steal from it.”

His followers
laughed and he tossed the purse to one of the women, watching her and a few
others excitedly count the coins.  Then he returned is attention to Tevin.

“The lady said
you were generous, Lord Earl,” he announced. “It would seem she was correct.”

Tevin gave him a
faint grin in reply, thinking it was time to return to Rochester as the hour
grew late and the darkness grew damp.  He was particularly concerned for
Arabel’s health, so he turned to Myles.

“If you will
take Cantia and Hunt with you, I will take Arabel with me,” he said, motioning
towards the general direction of the main road that lead to Rochester. “Gather
the men. We return.”

Cantia heard his
order, disappointed that she would not be riding with Tevin but understanding.
Arabel didn’t really know Myles and would be much more comfortable with her
father.  Tevin must have been reading her mind because when he was done peeling
Hunt off of her and handing him up to Myles, he took her sweetly in his arms
and hugged her.  Then he kissed her forehead and both hands, preparing to lift
her up to Myles when Gillywiss stopped him.

“My lady,” he
said, his focus on Cantia. “Do you remember what I told you earlier about my
relatives in Paris?”

Cantia cocked
her head thoughtfully. “I am not sure,” she said. “What do you mean?”

Gillywiss
grinned that toothy grin. “I will find this woman,” he said confidently, “so
you can marry your great Lord Earl. I will find this woman who stands between
you and your happiness.”

Cantia could
help but grin because he was.  He was being boastful and, in truth, she didn’t
particularly believe him, but she humored him.

“If it is God’s
will,” she said softly.

“For my sister’s
life and my nephew’s life, I vow to repay you,” he said, back to his grandiose
style. “I will find this woman and bring her back to you.”

Cantia simply
smiled, graciously acknowledging him as Tevin lifted her up to Myles.  She
settled in behind him as Tevin mounted his own charger, collecting his daughter
carefully into his arms.

The last Cantia
saw of Gillywiss, the man was waving at her as if she was departing on a great
and dangerous journey, not as the man who had once been both captor and
savior.  It was rather strange.  The further away she got, the more vivid his
waving became until he was literally jumping up and down.  

As she watched
him, it occurred to her that she had not collected her bags but in the same
breath, she realized she didn’t particularly care. She would leave them for
Gillywiss, since he was obviously so enamored with her things.  Perhaps it
would give the man, that complex, puzzling and intelligent man, a little of the
happiness he had spoken of. He didn’t seem like a very happy man. Besides, from
what she had seen, he liked her things far more than she did. 

The thought made
her smile.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

     They reached Rochester in
the middle of the night, a castle and keep lit by dozens of flaming torches
casting soot and smoke into the darkened sky. It was a massive bastion against
the night, a sight that Cantia found extremely comforting. Finally, after a
wild, dangerous and unpredictable few days past, she was home. The outcome
could have been so much different and she did not take her safety, or anyone’s
safety, for granted.

     The women who tended Arabel,
having been summoned by a soldier who had run all the way from the gatehouse,
were waiting as Tevin entered the fire-lit inner bailey. Tevin handed his
sleepy daughter into their waiting arms.  As the returning army around him
disbanded, he dismounted with the intention of helping Cantia and Hunt.  Before
he could reach them, however, he called out to the senior soldier who had
charge of Rochester in his absence. The big, war-worn soldier was lingering
nearby.

     “Have Simon and John
returned from Dartford yet?” he asked.

     The soldier shook his head.
“Not yet, my lord,” he replied. “I will send word as soon as they are sighted.”

     “Any word of trouble from
the bridge?”

     “None, my lord.”

     Nodding, Tevin continued to
de Lohr’s charger were the man was still astride along with Cantia and Hunt. Hunt
was sleepy, grumpy, and practically fell into Tevin’s arms as the man reached
up for him.  But that grumpiness was forgotten when the big yellow dog came
charging out of the darkness and Hunt was reunited with his very best friend. 
Cantia watched the reunion as Tevin helped her down from the horse and set her
on her feet.

     “Hunt,” she instructed
softly. “Take George up to your chamber, please. I will be up shortly.”

     Hunt yawned, hugging the big
dog around the neck. “But I am hungry,” he said. “I want thomething to eat.”

     Cantia shooed him in the
direction of the keep. “I will bring you something,” she said. “Take George and
go now. Get out of those dirty clothes and put a sleeping tunic on.”

     Hunt yawned, and grumbled,
but did as he was told. Cantia watched him head towards the keep, alternately
petting the dog and dragging him by his rope collar.  When the child mounted
the steps to the keep, she turned to Tevin.

     He looked particularly drawn
for some reason.  Weary, yet edgy. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it and
she smiled faintly at him when their eyes met.

     “It is very late,” she said
softly.

     He grunted in agreement.
“Indeed.” His dark eyes were intense on her. “Tell me the truth, Cantia. Are
you sure you are well after all of this?”

     Cantia nodded reassuringly.
“I am, I promise. I told you that Gillywiss and his people did not harm me.”

     “I was not speaking of
Gillywiss. I was speaking of Dagan.”

     Her smile faded. “He did not
touch me,” she said. “He never came close. But the things he said… Tevin, I
have not wanted you to make any move against Charles more than you already
have, but I will be honest and say that the man is coming to frighten me.  If
he offered Dagan my hand in exchange for his release and other promises, who
else has he spoken to? What more poison has he spread?”

     Tevin nodded, eyeing Myles
as he man dismounted his charger.  “I intend to have that conversation with de
Lohr right now.”

     “What do you think you will
do?”

     Tevin shook his head. “I am
not entirely sure, but I will not keep Penden at Rochester to wreak havoc. I
will more than likely send him to one of my other holdings and keep him locked
up for good.  In any case, the man will be removed from Rochester and punished
for what he has done.  I do not want you to worry over it.”

     Cantia’s lavender eyes were
sorrowful yet relieved. “I will not,” she said quietly. “But we will have to
think of something to tell Hunt. He loves his grandfather, you know. He has
lost his father and now will lose his grandfather. That is much loss for a
child.”

     “I know it is, but we will
explain the situation to him the best way we can and he will accept it. He is
young and resilient, and this is where this conversation shall end for now. It
is late and I want you to go inside and go to bed. I will join you in a while.”

     Cantia resisted. “I would
like to see to Val first, if I may.”

     Tevin knew that neither his
sister nor Cantia would sleep well without having seen each other and gaining
reassurance that everyone was well and whole.  He gestured towards the knight’s
quarters.

     “She was in there the last I
saw,” he said. “I do not know if they have moved her.”

     Cantia cocked a disapproving
eyebrow. “You put her in that musty place?” she scolded him. “Shame on you,
Tevin. I will see her removed immediately and put in the keep where she
belongs.”

     Tevin put up his hands as if
to defend himself. “It was not my doing, but de Lohr’s,” he said. “And before
you become too angry with me, know that Val seemed to want it, too.”

     She looked at him curiously.
“What do you mean?”

     He puckered his lips wryly.
“I mean that you were right,” he said, lowering his voice as he moved towards
her and captured a soft hand. “There is something between them, although Val
would not admit much to me. Perhaps she will tell you all of it.”

     Cantia grinned as she
watched him kiss her fingers. “She will tell me everything,” she said confidently.
“But I will not tell
you
.”

     He lifted a dark eyebrow.
“You had better tell me everything if you know what is good for you.” He winked
at her when she giggled. “But move her into the keep if it pleases you.”

     “I will.”

     Cantia removed her hand from
his grip and headed towards the knight’s quarters but Tevin called out to her.

     “One more thing,” he said.

     She paused and turned to
him. “What would that be?”

     His eyebrow was still
lifted, almost in disapproval. “Putting aside the question of how the subject
was even broached with that outlaw, you and I will have a conversation about
what, exactly, you told him about my reasons behind not being able to marry
you.”