Fire Song (Daughters of Avalon Book 4) by Crosby Tanya Anne

Author:Crosby, Tanya Anne [Crosby, Tanya Anne]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781947204058
Publisher: Oliver-Heber Books
Published: 2019-09-20T16:00:00+00:00

19

Giles had no sooner stabled his mount and entered the palace when the king’s steward intercepted him. At once, he was ushered into a private meeting, where Stephen acknowledged his entrance with a nod—so much for washing the dirt from his travels before addressing the king.

He soon discerned why: It was an emergency meeting of the Rex Militum—a secret league, known only to a few. It was perhaps similar to the Papal Guard, only licensed to enforce the King’s Law, by sway, or by sword. Giles was one of eleven men present today, including William d'Aubigny, the Earl of Arundel and Cael d’Lucy, the newly appointed Earl of Blackwood. In attendance, as well, was the Queen Consort of England, and though she was not seated precisely at table, her attendance could hardly be mistaken. Whatever lack of affection she and her husband shared in the bedroom clearly it did not extend itself to his court. Giles had always suspected her to be a driving force in her husband’s politiks, but now he knew it for certes. It was uncommon to see any woman in such a venerable position, and Henry himself, though he’d raised up his daughter to be his heir, never granted such liberties to either of his wives, nor to Matilda.

Adeliza of Louvain had been a quiet lady, with grace beyond her years. She would never have presumed to advise Henry. And though Henry had worshipped his first wife, she, too, would never presume to advise him as Maude did with Stephen. In fact, so far as the Empress was concerned, it came as little surprise that Stephen could so easily rouse the barons against her when even her own father never took her seriously.

Nor, in truth, had the Vatican ever considered bowing to a woman’s sovereignty. The instant Matilda’s first husband died she’d had to cede the Empire to her husband’s successor. Her crowns, such as they were, were only adornments now, and no matter how proudly she wore them (or how stubbornly), she would never wear them on her father’s throne. After all was said and done, Duke Henry was their only true chance to restore the realm to Beauclerc’s blood.

Curious about the agenda, Giles remained silent, listening.

He was not a member of this cloak and dagger company, and he only knew of its existence because one of the members was also a spy for the Papal Guard—of which no doubt, Stephen had already surmised Giles was a constituent. Even as he took his seat, the mood in the chamber turned grimmer and the men sat on tenterhooks. The candle flames stilled over the hush of the room.

King Stephen held a small taper before him, with a wick that had burned so long it nearly consumed itself. He spoke gravely, “Tis no’ enough he insults my wife—his blood—forswearing her right to be my queen. My spies tell me he intends to seize York, and I’ll not sit idly by whilst David mac Maíl Choluim robs me of another bishopric.

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