England's Greatest Knights: A Medieval Romance Collection by Kathryn Le Veque

Author:Kathryn Le Veque [Le Veque, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Romance, Medieval, Anthology, Fiction
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2020-05-29T16:00:00+00:00

“I met up with him on the road,” Radcliffe said. “Just as I was entering de Braose lands, he came across my path.”

The solar of Ludlow was an enormous thing with a hearth that stretched halfway to the ceiling. Smoke curled out and hovered in the air just above their heads. Lewis sat at de Lacy’s iron table, inspecting the vellum that had recently been presented to him. He eyed the man who had presented it from across the table.

He was a big brute, which didn’t surprise him. And he had enormous hands. In fact, Lewis was rather intimidated by the French swordsman that the king had sent, as a courtesy, to complete Lady Elizabeau’s execution. The vellum, neatly written, had explained it all. But Lewis wasn’t a naturally trusting soul.

“And he is from the king?”

“That is what he tells me his missive says.”

Lewis’ gaze moved between Edward and Rhys. “Strange that Lady Elizabeau’s death warrant did not mention sending a French swordsman.”

“Not strange considering this kindness is allowed mostly to royalty,” Edward replied. “This is a special honor. Moreover, he says he just came from France. Rouen, to be exact.”

Lewis lifted his eyebrows. “Rouen?” he repeated with awe. “Isn’t that where Arthur was…?”

“Exactly. He had a job to do there.”

“Is he the one who…?”

“That is what I was told.”

Lewis looked at the enormous swordsman through new eyes, understanding the implication. So it is true what they have said about Arthur, he thought to himself. “I see,” he muttered, rubbing his chin as his gaze returned to Edward. “How did he know that you were from Ludlow?”

Edward shook his head. “He did not,” he said. “We passed each other on the road and he asked me if he was taking the correct route to Ludlow. When I asked his business and he explained it, I thought it best to return with him.”

“Then I am to understand you did not make it to Clifford Castle?”

“I did not. I thought this more important.”

Lewis sighed faintly with displeasure but said nothing as he refocused on the vellum. It was yellowed and cracked, but the ink was fresh for the most part. To his eye, it looked legitimate. But when he took the missive that had been delivered a few days before bearing Lady Elizabeau’s death warrant and compared the signatures, both Edward and Rhys held their breath. It was the moment of truth, a critical point in time that could determine the course of the future for all of them.

It was a painful wait as Lewis inspected both signatures. After several seconds of delay, he suddenly tossed the death warrant aside.

“Very well,” Lewis said as he re-rolled the vellum. “It seems to be in order. What did you say your name was again?”

“Mon nom est Armand de Foix, mon seigneur,” Rhys said in perfect French. “Je suis venu compléter le roi ordre.”

Lewis held up a hand. “In English, please. My French is not very good. My Welsh is better. Do you speak Welsh?”

“Areithia

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