Medieval Master Swordsmen(460)
The story Aglette gave Derica was a sad one; Bertram had received a message that Derica was at Pembroke almost three weeks prior, but she couldn’t say who had sent the missive. Bertram, contrary to his nature, had spent a day and a night drinking in indulgent self-pity until he finally made the decision to march on Pembroke. More than anything, he wanted his daughter home. He didn’t care about Garren le Mon, revenge or reckoning; all he wanted was his only girl-child home where she belonged. He had missed her terribly, and her absence cut at him like a knife. Knowing how well she might not respond to him, he commandeered her servant and childhood friend to march with the army and relay his terms of her surrender.
Derica had cried at the tale. She loved her father very much. The situation at their parting had been difficult for her, but she had been overwhelmed with her desire to be with Garren. She still was. Nothing Aglette told her could take that away. She was angry with her father for so many reasons that she couldn’t seem to pick just one.
It was late in the day when Derica sent Aglette back to her father with the message that she wished to negotiate. She retreated to her chamber with the children and removed the simple clothing she wore in favor of something more elaborate. She thought that, perhaps, if her father saw her good fortune and good health that he would not be so inclined to remove her from a situation that obviously agreed with her. She wanted to present a strong, collected front.
She was nervous. Everything seemed to hinge on this day and what would be said. She dressed in a sheath of the softest white linen and topped it with a heavy brocade surcoat in rich green. The full skirt swept the floor and gold thread in designs ran throughout. The bodice was laced tight, giving her a glorious figure. Around her neck she wore a necklace of pale cut emeralds that Keller had given her, and her long hair was pinned at the nape of her neck and secured with a golden web. She made an absolutely stunning sight. She only hoped her beauty would dazzle them if her courage would not. The tension was rising and the stakes were enormously high.
Fergus knocked on the door and she let him in. He had been with Keller in the courtyard, discussing his retreat from Pembroke. One look at Derica and he found he had never seen anything quite so beautiful. It was enough to cause him to impulsively take her hand and kiss it.
“You know,” he said, “if Garren saw me do that, he would run me through. In fact, I am not so sure how He is going to take any of this.”
“What do you mean?”
“You, here, living in the same keep with a man who is not your husband.”
He said it rather dramatically, wagging a finger at her. She knew he wasn’t serious, attempting in his own annoying way to lessen a tense situation.
“Fergus, may I remind you that I slept next to you on the ground for several days and you were not my husband. What makes this any different?”
“Garren doesn’t know about that one.”
“He will if I tell him.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“If you tell him anything other than the truth about this situation, you can be assured that I will tell him the story of our flight from Framlingham in a far more impressive fashion. It will not reflect well on you.”
Good-natured threats were about. Fergus snickered at her. “On a serious note, I had a bit of a chat with Keller down in the bailey. The man opened up surprisingly well after he got over his envy of me. It seems that he is quite smitten by you and those children.”
“He’ll get over us. He’ll have to.”
“That’s a rather cold attitude, don’t you think?”
She looked puzzled. “What would you have me say? I was betrothed to the man by force. I have no feelings for him other than gratitude.”
“Make sure he knows it. He is risking much to help you.”
The point was taken. Derica changed the subject. “How are you getting out of here?”
“Keller is going to lower me over the east wall while you speak with your father. I can escape on the sea side while the army is occupied.”
Derica’s expression turned wistful. “I wish I could go with you, but it is better if I don’t. The last thing we need is to have the army track you and I back to Cilgarren, and there is no reason to believe that they won’t. My father won’t be made a fool of again.”
“You should stay here, anyway. I shouldn’t like to think of some mishap befalling you as we flee back to Cilgarren. Leave it to Garren to figure out a way to get you out of here without risking your life fleeing from your father again.”
“Agreed. Besides, I cannot leave the children.”
“A noble thought, especially since I understand how badly you wish to be with your husband.”