Knight's Rebellion by Suzanne Barclay

Author:Suzanne Barclay [Suzanne Barclay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459268241
Publisher: Harlequin

Chapter Twelve

Gowain hurried down the mountain, hoping Maye’s older brother brought good news. The dour expression that greeted him, said otherwise. “What brings you hither so late at night?”

“A bit of news that wouldn’t wait.” Christened Robert, he was called Rob Chaffin for his bald head. Though his heart was with the. rebels, Chaffin had remained in Eastham village, dispensing drink at his inn and gathering information for Gowain. “A squad of Ranulf’s men stopped by my tavern last night. They wanted ale—not a flagon, mind, but every keg I had.” He grinned. “Seems the shipment of supplies to replenish the stores at Eastham Castle and Malpas went astray.”

Darcy chuckled. “And right fine ale it was. Tasted all the sweeter for knowing we’d deprived Ranulf’s men of it.”

“I was glad you were able to intercept the wagons.”

“Thanks to your information.” Gowain shifted and looked over his shoulder at the mountain, set out black against the night sky. Was Alys even now putting Enid to bed? He wished he could be with them, sharing the moment. Like a family, he thought, not at all surprised to discover the notion was pleasing. It was too soon, the voice of reason warned. There were obstacles to overcome. Not the least of which was her gift. But he had faith. Faith in his ability to win what he wanted. Alys. Then Malpas.

“Ranulf’s loss is definitely our gain,” Darcy was saying, patting his belly. “I’ll wager he was furious.”

Rob Chaffin nodded, his bald head gleaming in the torchlight. “His men said he near killed the horses getting back to Eastham, then set about preparing to march out again.”

Gowain came away from the rock. “Does he know where we are?”

“Nay,” Chaffin said. “They left Eastham at dawn today, Ranulf, Clive and a hundred men, riding east.”

“Where were they going?”

“The soldiers who came into the tavern did not know. They had been patrolling the northern boundary of Eastham looking for you. ‘Tis very odd,” Chaffin added. “According to them, Ranulf has called in all his patrols to guard the castle.”

“You mean, he is no longer hunting us?” Gowain asked.

“So it seems. Even stranger, Hick the Carpenter was pressured into making a burial casket of the finest oak…overnight, mind. Ranulf took it with him, in a wagon, which will slow him down.”

Gowain frowned. “Who was in the casket?”

“They didn’t know that, either. Clive made the arrangements.”

“Mayhap one of Ranulf’s knights was killed in the skirmish with us,” Gowain said. “A knight with important connections.”

Darcy cursed. “If so, Ranulf may think to rouse this knight’s family against us, gain their aid in wiping us out.”

“Possible.” Gowain frowned, considering. “Did Ranulf’s men happen to mention a lady who was traveling with him?”

“A lady? Nay, they did not, but they had little on their minds except ale and a dry bed.”

Gowain nodded. “Likely Ranulf was too furious with me to worry over the daughter of a horse trainer.” He clapped a hand on Chaffin’s shoulder. “We are again in your debt, my friend.

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