Her Knight's Quest: A Warriors of the Mist Novel (22 page)

Chapter 23

W
ould they never leave? Gideon had better things to do with his time than play host to this gaggle of nobles, but he reined in his growing irritation. He needed their help and wouldn’t risk offending them.

“Captain Gideon, may I have one last moment of your time?”

Sir Gilford could have more than that if he needed it. The knight’s opinions clearly carried a lot of weight with the others, and he’d been the first to promise his aid. “Certainly.”

They walked a short distance from the others. “I will send my men as soon as I return home. As much as I’d like to say your assessment of Duke Keirthan and his plans for Agathia is wrong, I cannot. I will also talk to several of the smaller landholders in my area to see what they can do to assist. Most likely they can only send a man or two, but I suspect you will need all the help you can get.”

He shot a dark look in Sir Gable’s direction. “Despite my neighbor’s promises, I wouldn’t count on his men arriving at your gate any time soon.”

“I thought the same,” Gideon admitted. “I’m more worried about him warning the duke.”

To his surprise, Gilford laughed. “Not likely. He’s too much of a coward. He’ll hide inside the stone walls of his keep until the battle has been decided and then sidle up to the winner.”

Then he held out his hand. “It has been interesting meeting you, Captain. When this is all over, perhaps we can find time to share a few flagons of that wine you mentioned.”

“I would enjoy that, Sir Gilford.”

“As would I.”

He meant that, but there would be no time, not with the gods’ judgment looming on the horizon. He accompanied Gilford back to where the remaining visitors were all mounting up to ride out. Gideon signaled for the guards to open the gate. Once the last one rode out of sight, it felt as if everyone within the keep gave a huge sigh of relief. The meetings had been stressful for Gideon and Merewen, but all those extra mouths to feed and horses to care for had been a burden on all her people.

His lady joined him, her own weariness showing in the slump of her shoulders as she leaned against him. “Think they will fulfill their promises?”

“Gilford pulled me aside to say he will send his men within days. He said we shouldn’t count on Sir Gable, but I’d already figured that out for myself.”

On the whole, Gideon was pleased with the agreements they’d reached with the rest of the landholders from Agathia. Each of them had sworn to send Gideon a number of their knights, men-at-arms, and bowmen to use as he saw fit.

They’d demanded that if anyone’s home came under attack, Gideon would send assistance. He’d agreed, but only if he had the men to spare. That was unlikely to be the case, and the landholders would know it, too, once they thought it through.

The enemy had a small army at his command and could attack on several fronts if he so desired. That meant Gideon had to avoid scattering his limited resources too thinly, thus rendering them vulnerable and ineffective. They had only one real goal: defeat the duke himself. He’d laid out that cold truth for the landowners. They understood his logic; that hadn’t meant they liked it.

Sir Gable argued that Gideon’s first duty was to protect all of the landholders, not just Lady Merewen. He might as well have saved his breath, especially considering he’d earlier insulted Gideon’s honor and questioned Lady Merewen’s right to regain control of her clan’s land. Did he really think any of the Damned would ride to his rescue?

The two of them took comfort in each other’s company for a short time, but then Merewen stepped away. “Jarod sent word that he would like me to look at one of the mares for him, so I should go.”

“After you’re done, get some rest. This past day has been hard on all of us.”

She smiled at him, her love warming his heart. “That it has.”

After she walked away, he climbed to the rampart where Murdoch had been pacing back and forth while the nobles rode out. As Gideon joined him, he said, “That’s a much happier look on your face than you had earlier, not that I blame you. I’m glad to see the last of them for a while.”

As the two of them fell into step, Gideon couldn’t help but agree. “True, but we shouldn’t complain too much. We have garnered more help, even more than I’d dared hoped for.”

“If they follow through on their promises.” Murdoch looked out toward the riders. “Sir Gable isn’t smart enough to see that either we band together or we die separately.”

Gideon didn’t argue the point. The past had taught them to be grateful if someone else joined them in the fight but to only depend on each other. They could only hope that this time would actually be different.

They walked the perimeter of the bailey. Since they had been cooped up inside most of the day, the fresh air felt good. The sun was already fading to the west. Soon Ellie would start serving the evening meal. After that, Gideon had plans that involved only him and Merewen.

“What’s that?”

The mild note of concern in Murdoch’s voice jerked Gideon back to the moment at hand. He looked all around and saw nothing amiss. Then he realized his friend was looking up. Following his line of sight, Gideon spotted what had snagged Murdoch’s attention.

“Looks like Duncan sent Kiva back to us again. Maybe his news couldn’t wait until he got here himself.”

Gideon led the way back down to the center of the bailey to give the big bird more room to maneuver. “That’s what worries me.”

Murdoch watched as the bird did a slow-wheeling turn overhead. “Do you want me to fetch something for you to feed Kiva?”

Gideon wasn’t so worried that he couldn’t take a little time to tease. “The last time the poor bird almost starved by the time you and Lady Alina found him some scraps to eat.”

Murdoch flushed red. “We didn’t want to touch Ellie’s supplies. You know how protective she is about her domain.”

Gideon’s snort said it all. By then Kiva was already winging his way downward. This time Murdoch offered his arm to the bird, freeing Gideon to untie the message pouch as soon as Kiva landed. He braced himself to support the owl, who was far heavier than most of his kind.

“What did Duncan have to say?”

Nothing good. Gideon’s mood grew grim as his eyes scanned the paper. “Duncan has found some answers. By now, he’ll be on his way back, but he won’t be coming alone. He has a little girl riding with him, one whom Duke Keirthan is hunting for.”

All of the Damned had a soft spot for children. More than anyone, the young suffered most when the adults in their lives couldn’t protect them. Or, as in Murdoch’s own case, those were the very adults who were the threat.

“If Duncan comes under attack, he might not be able to protect her by himself.”

“He’ll need help.”

Murdoch didn’t sound happy about the prospect of several days of hard riding, but they both knew logic dictated that he should be the one to go. As their leader, Gideon needed to remain close to the woman they were all sworn to protect.

He handed Kiva off to Gideon. “Tell Duncan to be on the watch for me. I’ll go get packed now.”

“Take five of the men with you.”

Murdoch immediately rejected Gideon’s offer. “If Keirthan attacks the keep again, you’ll need every man you have, especially with Kane and Averel gone. I’ll make better time and draw less notice traveling alone. Besides, I’ll have Shadow with me.”

Gideon stroked Kiva’s chest to keep the tired bird calm. It didn’t work because the owl drummed his wings and dug his claws into his arm, a reflection of Gideon’s own agitation.

“I don’t want you out there alone.”

Before he could say anything else, an offer of help came from an unexpected source. Sigil planted himself in front of them and said, “I could ride with Murdoch.”

*  *  *

Neither man said a word; they simply stared at Sigil with those unnaturally pale eyes. They’d be insane to trust him, but he’d grown tired of doing nothing. He might not remember simple things like his own name, but he was a warrior and used to serving a cause.

Murdoch spoke first. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Sigil nodded but focused his attention on Gideon, knowing the captain would be the one he needed to convince. Murdoch had long since stopped treating Sigil as a prisoner.

“I will not be missed here, and you’re clearly not happy about sending Murdoch on his own.”

Gideon pointed out the obvious. “You could end up fighting against men you’ve served with.”

“That’s true, but if this Duke Keirthan is as bad as you say he is, they’ve chosen the wrong side in this battle.”

Gideon arched an eyebrow in surprise. “As did you.”

Sigil shrugged, fighting to remain calm while inside he was anything but. His instincts screamed that this opportunity could be the first real step toward finding himself. “So you tell me, Captain. If I served the wrong master, my honor demands that I make amends regardless of the cost.”

Gideon slowly smiled, and the enormous owl settled down. “That attitude is something my men and I have some experience with. Murdoch, I’ll leave the final decision up to you.”

Murdoch’s big hand came down hard on Sigil’s shoulder. “We ride within the hour.”

Gideon started for the corral. “I’ll see to Kiva and ask Jarod to saddle your horses. Then we’ll meet at the gate.”

“We’ll be there. Sigil, let’s go.”

Murdoch started for the hall, but Sigil remained frozen where he stood. They’d accepted his offer. Amazing. Surely that meant on some level they trusted him—at least a little. It was amazing how much that meant to him.

“Hey, Sigil, are you going stand there all day?”

Feeling better than he had in ages, he took off, running to catch up with Murdoch. Inside the hall, the warrior headed for the kitchen and stuck his head in the door.

“Ellie, I’ll be needing supplies for four for six days.”

Sigil found it amusing that the man was careful to remain outside of Ellie’s domain. Even as a newcomer to the keep, Sigil knew it was risky to interrupt that woman’s tightly managed schedule. She looked up from the bird she was dressing. From the look she gave them, he could only be glad she was holding a spoon, not a carving knife. “You’ll have to wait until I get this on the spit to roast.”

Murdoch probably figured telling her that Gideon wanted them gone within the hour wouldn’t carry much weight with Ellie. Instead, Murdoch played on her sympathy.

“I know this is a bad time, Ellie, but we received word that Duncan is riding this way with a small child who is being hunted. He may need our help keeping her safe.”

Ellie didn’t look any happier, but she handed off the bird to her assistant and wiped her hands. “I’ll have your supplies ready shortly. Now get out of my kitchen so I can work.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m not doing it for you.”

They backed away, waiting until their backs were turned before grinning at each other, happy that Murdoch’s ploy had worked. The two of them headed upstairs to pack. It wouldn’t take Sigil long. All he owned were the clothes on his back, one spare outfit, and the few odds and ends that Lady Alina had given him that had belonged to her late husband.

There was one more thing he needed if he was going to be of any help to Murdoch and Duncan. He’d better ask now before Murdoch disappeared into his quarters.

“Uh, Murdoch?”

Odd. The warrior had been heading toward Lady Alina’s quarters rather than his own. Murdoch spun back in Sigil’s direction, looking suspiciously guilty for a second before his face quickly became a blank slate.

“What now?”

Sigil’s temper flashed hot as he snapped, “Sorry to bother you, but I’ll need something other than a practice sword if I’m to be of any use to you.”

Murdoch slapped his forehead. “By the goddess, of course you do. Come with me. I have the sword they found near your body. If it’s not yours, then we can check the armory for something more to your liking.”

Inside Murdoch’s quarters, he unwrapped the sword and held it out. Sigil accepted the weapon, smiling as he tested its heft with a few practice swings. It was a quality blade, one that felt familiar to his hand.

He sheathed the sword and fastened the belt around his waist. It was a perfect fit, making it even more likely the weapon had indeed been his, one more piece of his prior life back in place.

“How is the sword, Sigil? Will it do?” Murdoch asked as he gathered his things.

“It’s fine. In fact, I’m sure it is mine.”

He drew the blade again, running a fingertip down its length. There was one more question to be asked before he returned to his own quarters.

“All things considered, Murdoch, it strikes me as odd that you and Captain Gideon would trust me to fight at your side. If I served Duke Keirthan, aren’t you concerned that I would join his forces again if given the chance?”

Murdoch stopped what he was doing, turning to face him, his arms crossed over his chest. “Betray us, and you won’t live long enough to serve your former master. However, if you give me your word that you will not betray our cause for the duration of this mission, then you’re welcome to come. If it would compromise your honor to do so, then I’ll tell Gideon that I would prefer to go alone.”