Page 11 of Knight School Chronicles Box Set

“ I t was reckless.”

Rystan didn’t disagree. But thankfully, Fitzwilliam and Thorne also agreed with his action.

“Eamon,” he began, when the instructor stopped him. They sat in an antechamber used for such meetings waiting for Lord Ashcroft who was concerned about that day’s events.

“We do not doubt the bastards deserved to die. But I warned you that going into the village could be dangerous. To take Lady Clarefield with you, alone?—”

“We know your history,” Fitzwilliam said more gently.

His clean-shaved grey beard and kindly eyes reminded Rystan of his own father, though he did not doubt the man was as ruthless as any when necessary.

The horseman’s reputation preceded him, yet now, he was even more the voice of reason than Eamon.

By the time he and Anwen returned, word of the attack had already made its way to Blackwood. Rystan understood Eamon’s anger. He’d personally brought Anwen to Blackwood and guaranteed her safety here. But he had to know she was never in danger.

Rystan would die before he allowed anyone to harm a single strand of hair on her head.

“She needed to speak to the alewife,” he argued, not willing to allow that his own personal affections had been fully the cause. “You said,” he continued to Fitzwilliam. “To take an escort into the village, and I provided that. For Lady Clarefield.”

The two exchanged glances.

“Show me a recruit who could so easily dispel three of Halton’s men to hell while ensuring a lady’s safety, and I will gladly take him as escort on my next visit.”

It was not a boast, but the truth. Without Anwen, he’d have managed the deed even more quickly. But his primary goal had been her safety, and so he had circled the third knight away from her, extending the fight.

Eamon, the stern look he’d worn since asking Rystan into the chamber replaced with a smile. “You are a cheeky bastard, Vale.”

“We have no doubt she was safe,” Fitzwarren added. “And that you could best such men every time. We chose Castle Blackwood for a reason, and the villagers support our mission. But word will get back to Halton, a fact we must contend with. And Ashcroft. . .”

He sighed.

Eamon took up his speech. “Is skittish. And rash. But without his coin, we would not be here.”

“I will pacify him,” Rystan said.

“Aye,” Fitzwilliam agreed. “You will, and I know it well. But perhaps we should discuss the larger matter, and how to keep Lady Clarefield safe, permanently, before he arrives.” Noticing his quick glance at Sir Eamon, he added, “I’ve told him nothing yet, but he knows your connection.

Sees your affection for the lady, and hers for you.

‘Tis easy enough to discern. Most importantly, I trust him as an ally in this.”

But also, Sir Eamon knew the Clarefield family well. He would be blunt.

“Lady Clarefield and her mother have differing opinions on her well-being. I would know your allegiance first, before we discuss any plans openly.”

Fitzwilliam tried to hide a smile.

“He said you were blunt,” Sir Eamon said.

“Very well. My ties to the countess have a long history, but I did not agree with her decision to end the betrothal. I’ve not known her to overreach in such a way, as there is little doubt if you’d agreed to accept the earldom Lady Clarefield would now be your wife. ”

“The countess would say, were she here,” he pointed out. “She simply looked to ensure her daughter’s safety. Marriage to a man who is willing to sacrifice a title to fight alongside a banished empress may prove dangerous.”

“Few are safe, perhaps some more than others,” he responded. “In the current state of affairs.”

On that, they could agree.

“Very well,” Rystan nodded to Fitzwilliam, giving him leave to share their plan.

He did, Eamon listening carefully. Was it a risk to share it with him?

Rystan had not been brought to Blackwood temporarily.

Once he oversaw the development of training operations, he was to remain as an instructor in whatever capacity the others needed him. This plan would see that change.

When he finished, Thorne looked to Fitzwilliam.

“Would we replace him?”

He spoke of Rystan.

“If we need aid, there are many on our list of potential instructors that could replace him.”

Rystan cleared his throat to which both men chuckled.

“We are all replaceable Vale,” Thorne said. “Remember that.”

“Not all,” Rystan replied, thinking of Anwen.

“In love, perhaps not. In battle, we could debate it.”

“Could, but will not,” Fitzwilliam said. “Ashcroft will be here shortly. Before he arrives, do you think such a plan is feasible?”

Rystan looked expectantly to Sir Eamon Thorne, waiting for his response.

“There are many,” he said finally. “Who might not advise it. But as someone who has been in your position, I will make it my personal mission to see it done.”

Rystan looked at Thorne curiously. Been in his position? To Rystan’s knowledge, Thorne had never married. And perhaps that was his point. Either way, he was grateful for the man’s support.

“Thank you,” he said simply.

“Thank me when you leave this chamber with your head still attached,” he said, as all three men rose when their benefactor strolled into the room.

Rystan disliked the man immediately.