Back from the Shadowlands, page 3
Stopping just inside the stables, Alexandria looked around. Her husband was nowhere in sight. Not sure which horse Thor would ride to the royal keep, Alexandria decided her husband must be in a stall farther back.
Unfortunately, there were no stable hands around to ask. They were likely exercising the animals. Seeing several empty stalls, she knew she was right and used the only option left to her. She called out hoping Thor heard her over the snorting and whinnying around them.
“I’m here.” Thor entered the stables from outside. “I saw you coming.” Reaching out, he took Siward from her arms. “Your Uncle wanted to show me the colt he’s training for this guy. He is a magnificent animal. When Siward is ready for his first horse, Heimdall will be ready to be ridden.”
“Heimdall?” While the source was obvious, she’d never heard that name before.
“The guardian of Asgard.” Thor supplied. “And a fitting name for the golden mount that will guard our son.”
Heimdall was a worthy name for the zebra dun with the dark mane and tail. Much as Wotan suited his destrier and Loki fit that mischievous, nipping kelpie his wife called a horse. However, Wotan rarely went into skirmishes anymore. While his old friend had served him well, he’d earned his right to live the rest of his days siring future war horses and training young knights for battle. He would ride his son, Caturix, instead.
As dark as his sire, Battle-King was as formidable and foul-tempered as Wotan on his worst day. However, in his favor, he was a well-trained destrier who relished the battle as much as his rider. When Alexandria asked where he’d heard such a name, she learned that he’d read it on an ancient inscription in Burgundy years ago. The locals had been happy to share that Caturix was the war god of the Helvetti. Locking the name in his memory, Thor had known even then that one of Wotan’s offspring would bear that name.
“If Angus is involved, Heimdall will be perfect for our son.” Her Uncle had a way with animals of any kind, especially horses. “Are you almost ready to leave?”
“I am.” Thor agreed. “If I don’t leave soon, I won’t arrive at court before nightfall.”
“Then you must go.” Alexandria motioned for Maryse and Sweyn. “However, the bairns wish to kiss their Papa goodbye.”
While he wouldn’t say it, their Papa wished to kiss them goodbye, too. Nodding, Thor ran his fingers through Siward’s long, unruly curls. “Here.”
He handed Siward to Alexandria before he took Maryse from Maidlin. Spending a few minutes talking nonsense to his daughter, he kissed her fiery curls and handed her back to her nurse. He then took Sweyn from Annas and repeated his prior actions.
He couldn’t do anything more. His offspring were too young to understand their father was leaving. Or that he might never return. Draping his arm around his wife, Thor watched Maidlin take Siward from Alexandria before both girls carried their charges away to play. Pulling Alex close, Thor kissed her temple.
“If I had a choice, I wouldn’t go.” Unlike other times, this departure weighed heavily on him. “I would organize a hunt instead.”
“That wouldn’t begin to sate your bloodlust,” Alexandria placed her hand on his chest. “You’ve been a man of war too long to find long periods of peace comfortable.”
“Aye, but I am willing to learn.” Thor realized his words were true. “I doubt there will be an opportunity to come home between meeting with the king and going to war. While I will return as soon as possible, we know I will be gone far longer than we wish.”
“Aye, we do.” Alexandria agreed. “However, we will be here when you return.”
“I know.” While he would die for his cubs, all he cared about was this woman waiting with open arms when he returned. “I will send word as soon as I can.”
“If you can,” While he meant every word, the likelihood of that happening wasn’t good. “That would be wonderful.”
However, the only word she expected was a royal messenger informing her it was time for their men to meet the king at the royal keep.
“I will try.” He would do it, too. Unbeknownst to his bride, he already had a short note tucked in his pouch to be delivered when Greggorius summoned his men. “Now I must go.”
Caturix and the king were both waiting for him. Glancing over her shoulder, Thor laughed seeing his favorite stable boy standing by the massive destrier quaking in his boots. Insides warring, he’d procrastinated as long as he could.
Leaning down, he kissed Alexandria before taking her by the hand and leading her to his mount. Swinging into the saddle, he nodded at his wife before riding through the castle gates. Watching the gates swing shut behind him, Alexandria smiled at the stable boy before heading towards the South bailey.
While her bairns were clueless today was different from other days, she knew better. It was a day that would forever change their lives. She felt this deep inside. She suspected Thor sensed it, too. However, neither of them would admit it. They both knew giving voice to their deepest fears only invited the untenable into their lives.
CHAPTER FOUR
Looking at the landscape around him, Thor knew he wasn’t far from his final destination. He’d traveled this route or a similar one so many times over the years that he barely noticed the passage of time.
While his senses were on high alert, he was preoccupied with thoughts of everything he’d left behind. That wasn’t good considering the reason he was making this journey in the first place. While he doubted the king would convene in the war room tonight, he would expect the Sheriff of Lothian by his side first thing focused on the upcoming skirmish. Thor knew he would likely fail his overlord unless he made peace with emotions he’d never felt.
Shaking his thoughts, he contemplated each step of the coming battle. First, he must determine their final target or targets which he couldn’t do until he learned the king’s true intent. Once that was done, he’d decide the most effective means of ensuring an uninterrupted supply chain was put in place. The next step was determining the logistics and military tactics they needed to accomplish their goals. Once the rudimentary decisions were made, the pieces would fall into place.
However, that was only half of the battle. Flawlessly implementing their plan would be much harder. That took a seasoned leader to accomplish. Fortunately, David had one. While the king would lead his men into battle, no one was under any illusions about who the real commander was.
Thor was fortunate most of the king’s men had fought under his command for so long they’d developed a rhythm ensuring they didn’t outstrip their supply chain. Armies without adequate food and water were sorry armies indeed. He’d seen that happen far too often among less disciplined troops. It wouldn’t happen on his watch.
While not an unconquerable mistake, doubling back to meet up with their supplies used energy his men couldn’t afford to expend. It was better to cover less territory in a day and conserve their strength for battle. He’d drilled that reality into everyone’s head to the point they automatically adjusted their pace as needed.
Unless they met an opposing army on the heath in route, their target wasn’t going anywhere. While that wasn’t always true, he suspected this was a land grab. Not outright war. David was going after keeps, villages, and land, not openly challenging Stephen’s right to the crown. That would likely come soon enough. Not sure how he felt about that possibility, he hoped this skirmish wouldn’t be as dangerous or last as long as past campaigns.
Seeing the gates opening before him an hour later, Thor rode into the bailey and dismounted. Saluting the watchers on the wall, he handed Caturix’s reigns to the stable hand and headed for the great hall. Confident his mount would be well tended, he needed to inform the king he'd arrived before nightfall as commanded. It wouldn’t hurt to fill a trencher on his way to the high table either. His sack had contained a light repast to hold him until he arrived at his final destination. It had been many hours since he’d eaten his fill.
As he did at home, he’d stop by the royal kitchens to give the cook a small token of his appreciation. His gift, while modest, would ensure he was well-provisioned for the foreseeable future. Like Bertie, Amalise ran a tight ship. She knew everything in her kitchen including what came in and what went out. Usually nothing without her permission.
Entering the corridor, he veered left lured by delectable aromas wafting from pots cooling on the hearth and meat dripping on the spits. He wasn’t surprised to find the sturdy cook alone in her immaculate kitchen carefully taking inventory before locking her spices away. He knew the rest of her staff was busy clearing tables and restoring the hall for the evening’s entertainment since the evening meal had recently ended.
“My lord.” Amalise nodded in his direction. “It’s good seeing you. We heard you were coming in tonight, so I saved some of your favorites.”
“I appreciate that.” Laying the small pouch on the counter, Thor took the plate she handed him and loaded it with seasoned vegetables and the slabs of meat Amalise had set aside along with hearty chunks of rustic bread, a generous serving of pork pie, and a sliver of her legendary spiced cake. “This smells so good.”
Amalise nodded as she poured three cabochon rubies onto her palm. Lifting each one to the light, she recognized that while small, each was a fine specimen worth far more than a larger stone of lesser quality. She knew also that they were likely from the stores accumulated in Lord Thor’s mercenary days. Tucking the pouch in her pocket, the cook bobbed a quick curtsey and poured him a tankard of hard ale. Lord Thor was a generous man. He’d been very kind to her over the years and she’d kept an eye out for him in return.
Unlike other people she served, he never demanded anything. He asked instead. If that wasn’t enough, he frequently brought her trinkets of gratitude for little things like ensuring he had a warm plate of food waiting when he arrived. The gifts meant naught to him, but an extra coin here or a small ruby there greatly impacted her family. While she knew the king would provide when she grew too old to run his kitchens, Lord Thor’s gifts ensured they had no worries if the unforeseen happened.
“I’m off to see His Majesty.” Watching him lift his trencher and tankard of ale, Amalise snorted at the idea of the Sheriff of Lothian calling anyone “His Majesty.” The Nordic giant was far more likely to call the king by his given name. She’d heard him do so more than once. Not that the king minded, or if he did he didn’t correct him. He wouldn’t dare. “Thank you for thinking of me.”
“Anytime.” Amalise watched him leave before wiping at an imaginary spot on her counter. Those rubies were thank you enough and he knew it. Then again, he might know it, but she wasn’t telling him so. She didn’t want him rethinking his generosity anytime soon. Not that she thought he would. She and her family were far too valuable to the crown.
Heading for the great hall, Thor appreciated how similar both cooks were. While he bribed Bertie with luxury items like bolts of fine cloth, the old woman had been provided for by Lord Ian before his death and she would continue to be provided for in his daughter’s household. Amalise was a different matter.
Her situation was more tenuous. If anything happened to David or Henry she could find herself with nothing. The trinkets he’d slipped her over the years would ensure she was never penniless no matter the upheaval in the royal keep. In return, the kitchen was always open and his favorites were always available when he was in residence. No matter the time of day or night.
Making his way to his usual seat by the king, Thor set his plate and tankard on the table smirking slightly at the familiar goblet filled to the brim with his favorite wine setting by the king’s hand. While good enough for David’s palate, he preferred hard ale. He’d savor that rich flavor over oily Bordeaux pretentiousness any day.
“I see you’ve been bribing my cook again.” David glanced at the loaded plate noting the succulent pork pie that never made its’ way to him. “What did you give the woman this time? A gold coin or some rubies you won’t miss.”
“What do you think?” While the king acted disgruntled he knew what his Sheriff was up to. He’d occasionally slip a small jewel into Thor’s gift in gratitude for his servant’s unwavering loyalty. While anyone in the know assumed the Sheriff’s bribes ensured the tenderest cuts of meat and the most expensive sauces, he and his king knew better.
He paid the wily woman for acquisitions far more important than the food that filled his belly. Amalise, her husband, and her two sons were a veritable font of information that couldn’t be acquired any other way. Beneath the notice of the people they served, David’s loyal servants saw and heard things he couldn’t. They had apprised him of fomenting rebellion more than once.
“Three small cabochons. Substantially less than my wife paid to get your blessing on her iniquities.” Thor tipped his tankard in the direction of the jewel-encrusted goblet.
Laughing at Thor’s audacity, the king lifted the offending glass to his lips.
“I have enjoyed Zan’s gift more than you will ever know.” Owning the beautiful set meant he no longer repented of covetousness every time he visited Drummond. “As for your impudent suggestion that my goddaughter bought anything, she didn’t need my forgiveness for her iniquities. There was no iniquity to forgive.”
Her marriage to Thor gave them what they both needed. No matter how it came to be. Both men knew that. Alexandria got her savior and he’d eventually received the sworn oath of his most powerful warrior. He would never have received that binding if not for the unsanctioned acts of his goddaughter.
As for the gift of her father’s favorite goblets, that was merely the fulfillment of his heart’s desire. What could he say? His goddaughter loved him. She wished only to repay his kindness by putting a smile on his face.
“Exactly as I thought.” Thor shook his head. “That woman can do no wrong in your eyes.”
“Not when that wrong is wedding you.” The king laughed softly. “How never mattered; only that she did.”
Thor’s laugh filled the great hall. If he didn’t know better he would think the king was in cahoots with his goddaughter. He did know better. While David wished for their marriage and encouraged it, he was completely in the dark until after the deed was done.
However, he wasn’t surprised that the how didn’t matter. For a saint, his lord was cunning and ruthless when the need arose. The survival of Drummond and his goddaughter was nothing if not a need. With hindsight, he saw that with more clarity than he had at the time.
“Ah.” Thor toyed with his knife. “That’s good to know.”
“Is it?” David stared him down. “Is it good to hear what you already knew?”
“Yeah, I think it is.” Thor stared back. “It’s good to hear you’re still as ruthless as you’ve always been. That being said, what are you contemplating?”
“What do you think?” David sat back in his chair. “Newcastle and Carlisle and everything in between eventually.”
“I see.” Envisioning the landscape, Thor mapped possible routes to accomplish the king’s goal. “It’s not impossible if we plan well.”
Although not doable in a day, who knew what the coming weeks held? They’d start by taking what they could get for now. The future would take care of itself.
“I thought you would see things my way.” He wouldn’t have sent for his Wolf if he’d felt otherwise. “Relax tonight. Tomorrow is early enough to plot.”
“If you say so.” Thor laughed as the king rose to his feet. “We both know that isn’t likely to happen.”
“We both know you already have the major campaign planned in your head.” The king patted his shoulder. “We’ll refine the particulars tomorrow.”
Rising to his feet Thor watched the king leave knowing he was right. He did have the major campaign mapped out in his head. It all came down to attacking the most vulnerable areas first. As for the rest, they would have the finer points worked out in a few hours. If all went well he would be home before he had time to miss Drumond.
After that, he prayed his life would be quiet except for his royal duties for the next few months. He prayed also that his family would have grown by another bairn or two by this time next year. With his wife, one never knew. The woman was full of surprises.
However, he liked the idea and he thought Alexandria would as well. He’d run it by her when he got home. Watching a servant clear his dishes Thor nodded and headed for the stairs. While his king liked to move around his domain, David was staying put in the royal keep for a while. That meant he wouldn’t need to sleep on a bench in the great hall as he often did. Not when a comfortable bed with soft sheets and warm furs that smelled like his wife awaited him near the top of the stairs.
Taking the steps two at a time, Thor arrived at the chamber, unlocked the door, and stepped inside. Locking the door behind him, he was pleased to see a fire in the hearth and several beeswax candles sitting on a clothes trunk. Lighting a couple of candles, he stripped down and washed the dirt from his skin. After all these years, the royal servants knew the Sheriff of Lothian’s habits well.
Drying off, Thor emptied the basin, blew out the candles, and slipped between lightly scented sheets. If he looked hard enough, he would find the sachets that Alexandria tucked amongst the bedclothes and under the pillows at every visit. Lifting the sheet to his nostrils, the Golden Wolf closed his eyes and breathed deeply of the spicey perfume his wife favored.
Opening his eyes, Thor knew he wasn’t likely to fall asleep soon. His thoughts were too tumultuous. Leaning back against his pillows, he covered his eyes with his arm contemplating his last sight of his flame-haired vixen. He’d casually draped his arm around her shoulders and stared down at her.
Compared to him, she was such a tiny, fierce thing. A wily fox to his savage wolf. There were times when he didn’t understand how their lives fit together. He just knew they did. When he tried to see his lady as nothing more than his bedmate and the mother of his children, the warrior within would rise to the surface reminding him that she was so much more.
