Medieval Master Swordsmen(454)

The children were ready to go outside and run about. They had been caged in the bedchamber far too long since awakening and were bouncing about like animals. With one child in each hand, Derica ascended to the hall below and was met by the majordomo of the castle, a kindly man named Sims. He ushered her to one of two heavy dining tables that lined the hall of Pembroke and quickly ordered the morning meal delivered. Within a very short time, there was more food than they could possibly eat covering the table.

Derica sipped the boiled water with a hint of rose and apples in it; she didn’t like ale for breakfast, which was a common drink. It made her sleepy. She nibbled on a wedge of white tart cheese while the children gobbled gruel with honey. Her mind, for the first time in several days, didn’t seem gripped by anguish this morning.

All of the agonizing grief she felt had dulled to a throbbing ache at the moment, but the tears were still close by. They were always near the surface, ready to be released at the slightest provocation. She dare not look at the silver band around her finger; it was a sure-fire trigger, yet she refused to remove it. She was sure she would never be able to.

“I see that you are eating this morning,” Keller had come up behind her, silently. “A good sign, my lady.”

Derica glanced up into his weathered face, realizing whatever appetite she may have had inexplicably fled. “I suppose it would not be good for me to starve myself to death.”

Keller smiled timidly. “May I sit?”

“Of course.”

He sat down on the bench beside her, a proper distance separating them. It had been two days since he had promised to go in search of Garren’s body and Derica couldn’t help but notice he’d not yet left. Every time she saw him, she wondered when he was going to go about fulfilling his vow. Even now, as he sat next to her, she realized her curiosity was turning to bitterness. Perhaps he had no intention of going, after all, and had only agreed to stop her tears.

“I was hoping to see you this morning before I left,” he said.

Derica wondered if he had read her mind. “You are leaving?”

He nodded. “I have a long journey to Chepstow before me. I apologize that I did not leave right away, but there were some issues at hand that needed my attention.”

She began to feel guilty that she had thought badly of him. “What issues?”

“Nothing to worry over. Local grumblings, ‘tis all.”

It occurred to her what local grumblings might mean. “The Welsh are planning to attack?”

He laughed softly. “Not so much as that. Besides, they could never breach Pembroke. Our position is so strategic that it would take intervention by God himself on their behalf. But they are unhappy as of late. That is normal. Their moods surge with the moon, it seems, and I find myself in the position of soothing local chieftains.”

Aneirin wriggled her way onto Keller’s lap, bread in hand. He squeezed the girl affectionately. Derica watched the two of them, thinking that they would all make a fine family one day and feeling torn that she wanted no part of it. She wanted the children, of course; with Mair’s death, they had understandably fallen under her care. But Keller seemed more than willing to impart himself as their father and it was that thought she had such difficulty with.

Aneirin suddenly jumped up, with Sian on her tail. They ran over by the great hearth where the dogs were gathered. One mutt had a litter of puppies and the children scooped up happy armfuls of licking tongues and wagging tails. Derica watched them, wishing she could be so happy and carefree. The only time in her life she had ever felt that way was when she had been with Garren. Dear God, she missed him.

The ever-threatening tears filled her eyes and she looked away so that Keller would not see. But he caught the gesture.

“My lady, do not fret,” he said quietly. “I shall return as soon as I possibly can. I promised you that I would find Sir Garren, and I shall. Have no doubt.”

She wiped her eyes, struggling for control. “I have faith in you, Sir Keller.”

“I am glad,” he said. “Would you do me the honor, then?”

She looked at him, not sure what he meant. “For what?”

“Escort me to the door of the keep. I would like my last vision of this place as I leave to be your lovely face.”

Derica surmised it was the very least she could do. Rising from the bench, she accepted Keller’s arm when he offered it. As they proceeded across the hall, a distant horn sounded signaling that a rider had entered the through the main gates. Neither Derica nor Keller spared the noise any heed. By the time they reached the door, Derica glanced up into the blue sky and thought it was an exceptionally lovely day. She decided to escort him down into the bailey because she felt like walking in the sunshine. By the time she and Keller were halfway down the retractable wooden staircase, she glanced up into a familiar face in the midst of the bailey. Derica stopped dead in her tracks.