A VOW TO KEEP (The Vengeance Trilogy) (28 page)

Still Royce said nothing as he walked around the man, examining him closely to see what he could learn by his appearance alone.

The prisoner’s gauntness suggested meals had been few and far between. His stench and ragged attire spoke of fortnights on the road. Royce knew from experience that being constantly on the move filled a man’s bones with exhaustion, wearing on him in every possible way.

Two servants entered the hall from the kitchen, bearing trays loaded with bread, cheese, and roasted meat. The man’s lips parted as his gaze followed the trays with longing.

“Who is it you ride for?” Royce asked.

The man’s gaze jerked away from the food and returned to Royce, defiance written upon his face as he held his tongue.

Royce circled him again, stopping to the side of him. “Why do you ride against Lord Blackwell?”

Still no answer. The thief’s gaze roamed the hall, the furnishings, and lingered once more on the food before studying its occupants. His gaze halted on Alyna.

And remained there far too long.

Anger surged through Royce at the man’s impudence, and he moved forward to block her from his sight.

The thief gave him an insolent smile. Determined to teach the man a lesson in respect, Royce seized the front of his tunic, lifting him to his toes, and shook him hard.

Wariness lit the man’s face, his attention squarely on Royce. “You will treat everyone in this hall with respect. Is that clear?”

The man nodded as best he could from his precarious position.

Royce lowered him but did not yet release him. “Your name?”

The thief scowled, but said nothing.

“Answer me.” He shook him again, determined to get some answers.

“Thomas,” said the man at last.

“Where are you from, Thomas?”

Silence was his only answer.

“Where?” Royce tightened his hold of the man’s tunic, his patience ending.

“I call no place home.”

“For whom do you ride?”

Again, he held his silence. His face reddened and his breath came in rasps from Royce’s hold.

Royce wanted to throttle the man but could feel Alyna watching him. Bloody hell. His hands were tied with her in the room. A quick glance at Hugh and Edward brought forward reinforcements. Hugh stood beside him, his hand on his axe, and Edward stepped forward as well, his fingers flexing on the hilt of his sword.

“Who?” Royce repeated. “Whose orders do you follow?”

Thomas took in the three of them and swallowed hard. After a long moment, he shook his head. “He kills anyone who tells. I’d rather be killed by the likes of you than him.”

Something in the man’s expression convinced Royce he told the truth. A different method was needed to gain information from him. One that took less effort than it would to beat an answer out of him.

Royce released him. “If we offer you sanctuary here, will you tell us what you know?”

Cautious hope made the man’s eyes grow wide. “How do I know you keep your word?”

Royce cut the bindings from his hands. “Our word is our honor. We’ll give you food and a bed for the night. Sleep on it. If you attempt to leave, my offer is no longer open. We’ll speak again on the morrow.”

Royce turned to the table to confer with Blackwell and caught Alyna’s expression of relief. Apparently, she had no wish to see the prisoner beaten before her.

Edward grabbed Royce’s arm. “What is it you’re doing? After everything I went through to capture him, you’re going to feed him and put him to bed like some wayward child?” Though Edward kept his voice low, his derision was obvious.

Royce’s temper snapped. He shoved Edward back. “Do not dare question me, Edward. It is not your place. You are here to follow my orders. You’ve sworn your allegiance to Blackwell. Do you take back your vow?”

Edward glared at Royce but at last nodded. “Nay,
Sir
Royce,” he said with contempt then glanced at Blackwell before taking his leave.

Royce motioned for Hugh to take the prisoner out. The man’s wary gaze remained on Royce as he walked away.

***

“He has nightmares of fire. They haunt him,” Gunnell said, her voice low.

“Royce does?” Alyna asked with surprise. She’d visited Gunnell this morning to praise her for coming forward with what she’d seen in her vision. She knew it had taken courage for the healer to speak last eve. “He’s always so confident. It doesn’t seem like he’d suffer from such a malady.

“He’s had them for years now,” Gunnell answered.

“Yet he entered the burning cottage to save the boy.” Her heart fluttered at the thought. She couldn’t think of a more impressive
act of bravery
. “Why does he have the dreams?”

The healer paused. “I don’t know. I wasn’t shown that.”

Something traumatic had caused the recurring nightmares, that much Alyna knew. Is that what had happened when he’d woken on the journey here? A well of sympathy stirred deep inside her. How she wished she could help him in some way. She’d learned that speaking of such matters could minimize their effect, but knowing Royce, it seemed unlikely he would tell anyone of his nightmares.

“You must be pleased you were right about the thieves. Hopefully the one they caught will provide some helpful information.”

Gunnell scoffed. “I didn’t foresee the fire. Royce and the little boy could’ve died in that cottage. Why didn’t I see the fire if I saw the thieves?”

“Oh, Gunnell,” Alyna said with dismay. “You can only share what you’re shown. I’m pleased you found the courage to tell my grandfather and Sir Royce what you did foresee.” She patted Gunnell’s arm, hoping to comfort her.

Disappointment clouded the healer’s brown eyes. Fine lines creased her face and Alyna wondered if the burden of her gift had aged her.

“You’re not to worry,” Alyna reassured her. “Before long, we’ll better understand your second sight and hopefully you’ll be able to help others even more.”

“But I didn’t help. Not really. Sir Royce would’ve caught the thief without me. I don’t think I help anyone. I only frighten them.” She covered her eyes with her hands, making Alyna realize how truly upset she was.

“That’s not true. Even Royce said everything you told him proved correct.”

“If I would’ve had the vision sooner, they could’ve caught the lot of them. Sir Royce and his men could’ve waited for the thieves before they set the fires. That poor child wouldn’t have been trapped in the cottage, and Sir Royce wouldn’t have had to brave his own nightmare to fetch him. I see too little too late. This is a curse. A useless curse.” Gunnell’s voice choked with tears.

“Do not despair. The choice is not yours in this matter.” Alyna sought the right words to comfort
her friend
but knew not what else to say. Perhaps action would provide Gunnell with a sense of control over the situation. “There has to be a reason or even a pattern of the things you see.”

“I’ve seen none.”

“Are the visions a result of what you touch? Do they always involve people you know?”

She thought for a moment then shook her head.

“Well.” Alyna tapped her chin with a finger as she pondered the matter. “We’ll keep examining them until we determine the reason. There’s got to be some connection that we’ve yet to comprehend.”

Gunnell said nothing, but the hopeless expression on her face spoke of her despair.

“These things take time, Gunnell. Have patience.”

The healer shifted, linking her hands together and clearing her throat. “I’ve told my husband of your interest in my...”

“Gift?” Alyna suggested.

“He would more likely call it a curse, but aye, my gift.” Gunnell got up and with restless movements, refolded the already folded woven blankets on the bed.

“And?” Alyna prompted her.

“He thinks it wrong of me to involve you. Perhaps he’s right. After all, you’re a lady and ’tis unseemly that you would aid me.” She wouldn’t meet Alyna’s gaze as she paced the small cottage.

“I understand if you do not wish my assistance, but I value your friendship, and not just because of your gift.” Gunnell stopped and stared at her in surprise. “You are a caring and generous person
, and a talented healer,
and I admire you. The choice is yours. If my presence and my questions make you uncomfortable, simply tell me and I will be gone.”

The healer held Alyna’s gaze for a long moment, tears in her eyes. “I would be relieved to have your help, my lady.”

“Excellent. Between the two of us, we will find something to help you.” Deciding enough had been said on the subject, Alyna said, “I stopped by the burned cottages this morning. Many of the repairs will be complete within a few days except for the cottage that collapsed, but seeing the senseless destruction in the bright light of day...” She shook her head, at a loss for words. “’Tis difficult to understand what purpose the thieves had.”

“I had the same thought. I must say I’m grateful ours was not burned and that it was not our son who was trapped.” Her expression grew grim again as her shoulders sagged. “Don’t place hope with me to solve the problem with the thieves. The visions come when they will despite my efforts or lack thereof.”

“What about the things you do just before the visions? Is there a particular spot where you sit that might bring them about or perhaps a food you eat?”

Gunnell thought for a moment, but shook her head. “I don’t remember anything like that, but I’ll pay closer attention. As frustrating as this is, I’m glad I don’t see all things all the time.”

Alyna nodded as she tried to imagine what that would be like. Second sight of that sort would be a burden indeed.

Gunnell’s eyes widened and her expression eased. Was she in the midst of a vision? Her gaze locked onto Alyna with an intensity that made her uncomfortable.

“What is it?” Alyna asked, wondering if something had happened to Nicholas again.

“You have...feelings for Sir Royce?”

Alyna’s face heated. She opened her mouth to deny it, but decided there was no point. How could she expect Gunnell to confide in her if she didn’t do the same?

“I do,” she admitted with a sigh.

Gunnell gave her a small smile. “My apologies, my lady. I don’t mean to pry.” Her smile grew as she sat at the table again. “He is very handsome, is he not?”

Alyna laughed and squeezed Gunnell’s hand. “He is indeed. I’ve never met another man quite like him.”

She didn’t know what Gunnell had seen, nor did she want to. She wouldn’t mention the tingling sensation that came over her when he entered a room, or the rush of longing that filled her when he was near. He was handsome to be sure. His gray eyes caused her heart to
pound
, and his broad shoulders and narrow hips were perfectly formed, but there was more to her attraction than his physical appearance.

He was a man of honor.

While this was a simple quality, she’d discovered how rare it was. His concern for Nicholas when he’d been injured showed how much he cared for her son. His rescue of the village boy despite his fear of fire was heroic. Yet she realized he was capable of violence. Hadn’t she seen a brief display of that in the hall last eve?

Though tempted to ask Gunnell if she had seen how Royce felt about her, she resisted. She knew he found her attractive on some level, which was new and surprising in itself.

But it seemed to her what he felt for her paled compared to how she felt about him. She had no desire to hear Gunnell confirm that. Plus she already knew nothing could come of her feelings. She needed a safe haven for Nicholas and Royce was a knight who
oft encountered
violence.

Never mind the hollowness that weighed her at the idea of staying away from him.

Ready to change the subject, she asked
,
“What have you heard on the balancing of humours of the body?”