Medieval Master Swordsmen(361)

"You will bring Allan le Mon to me by the end of the week so we may discuss this proposal," he said with a finality that could only come from William Marshal. "I plan to have you wed to Derica de Rosa by late spring. Do you have anything further to say?"

"Would it do any good?"

"No." William was moving toward the door of his solar, a strong indication that their meeting was over. "I shall look for your father in a few days to discuss the arrangement."

Garren was angered, resigned to his future. The most important task of his life would probably also be the most taxing. He wasn't fearful of the mission in the least; what concerned him was a spiteful, suspicious, conniving wife. It would cause him to be on his guard on both fronts, and he did not relish the thought. It would make the undertaking twice as dangerous. When he paused at the door to bid the Marshal farewell, he noticed an odd look to William's eye.

"There is something more I should probably tell you, Garren," the old man said, "and though I am reluctant to do so, it is only fair. The Lady Derica is the only female in her family for generations. I am told they treat her as if she is the Virgin Mary incarnate. She is protected, pampered, and coddled."

Garran rolled his eyes. "I knew it. A spoiled, petty female. Of all the...."

"Wait," William laid a wrinkled hand on his arm. "I am not finished. She has three uncles and three brothers in addition to her father, and I am told they guard her with the ferocity of a pack of wolves. You must know that acceptance as her husband will not be a simple thing. There will be much trial and tribulation with it and you must be amply prepared."

Garran snorted, an ironic smile on his lips. "Nothing about this is going to be simple. What is one more obstacle?"

"You must be ready for the scrutiny, on all sides.”

"Could I not be assigned a simpler task? Abducting the Pope, perhaps?"

William shook his head. "Garren...."

"Or perhaps you would like me to march into Windsor and, announcing I am a spy for his brother, challenge John to a game of 'catch me if you can'?"

"You jest," William smiled weakly. "Good. As long as your sense of humor remains intact, I know you will be successful. It takes humor to temper the serious nature of this endeavor and keep your sanity. I hesitate to suggest it may be the most important one of your life."

There was something in William's tone that caused Garren to sober. "You have already done that."

"I know. But I will suggest it again."

Garren left Chepstow in the dark of night, wondering if he shouldn't keep riding until he reached the sea and still, keep going. He suspected that his life was going to change dramatically. He wasn't used to feeling uncertain about any task he was preparing to undertake, but this particular venture had him reeling. Give him battle, gore, blood, and men set to kill him, and he was in his element. But suggest a marriage in the line of duty, and he felt like a novice.

Above him, a bird of prey hovered against the night sky, calling to its mate. Garren glanced up, noticing the bird was directly over him as if preparing to swoop on his head and peck his eyes out. It couldn't be a good sign. Bad omens abounded in the whispering night, and for the first time in his life, Garren le Mon thought he had a true taste of fear.





CHAPTER TWO



Spring was in full bloom. It was a clear day, if not cold, with great puffy clouds scattered across the sky. The land below was growing green with new sprigs. Norfolk was lovely country in the spring with its gentle fields and relatively flat lands, conducive to the farmers that plowed into the thawed earth. Everywhere there were signs of life, peasants going about their chores, and animals in the field. It was a lovely place to live.

The hulk of Framlingham Castle dominated the landscape, its cold stone facade a strong contrast to the brilliant life surrounding it. It was the only bastion for several miles and the gates remained open for the peasants who conducted business within the walls. And massive walls they were; fourteen enormous towers linked the curtain wall nearly thirty feet in height, creating a huge circle around an equally large inner ward.

Each tower was designed to function autonomously should the castle fall under siege. Two of the towers were particularly large, one on the middle section of the western wall, and one on the east. They were longer, more spacious, and the tower on the western wall harbored a great hall. There were also several outbuildings and stables to house the four hundred men-at-arms needed to maintain the safety and structure of the castle.

Framlingham was the property of the Roger Bigod, second Earl of Norfolk, but the earl chose to live at Norwich Castle to the north rather than in the wilds of Framlingham. He entrusted his castle to Bertram de Rosa, a knight who had served his father, Hugh, for many years. Bertram and his sons were essentially part of the earl’s family and the castle belonged more to them that to the earl himself. They took great pride in the place and ran it with power and efficiency.