Royal Feud

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Delvin drew his sword away and stepped back. Gordon bent over, his hands on his knees as he gasped for breath. Delvin looked around for another opponent. Spotting Roger fighting in a dilatorily manner with Matthew, he called the older knight over. Gordon hurried away as Roger came to take his place.

By the time Delvin was fighting his sixth opponent, his anger and guilt had been somewhat assuaged, and he no longer attacked as vigorously as he had to begin with. Seeing Bernard tiring, he tempered his blow and raised his sword to await 1 counterattack. None was forthcoming as the older knight stood, shield raised defensively. Heavy lines framed Bernard's broad nose as he pressed his lips ttogether in a straight line, accentuating his prominent chin. Bernard's eyes darted behind Delvin. "Milord!" Belwick called out. "May I have a word with you?"

Delvin stepped back and lowered his sword. Bernard visibly relaxed and exhaled ceply as his arms holding his shield and sword fell to his sides. Wiping some sweat om his brow, Delvin walked over to Belwick. "What is it, Hugh?" "I fear for the safety of the men, Delvin." He kept his voice low so Bernard could not

verhear. "You should not take your anger out on them." Tis better I take it out on them than..." Delvin realized what he was about to say.

"Than your wife?"

"Aye," Delvin admitted.

Unable to meet the older man's eyes, Delvin looked away. He realized for the first me that the lists, normally the busiest area of the castle as the men continually trained maintain and improve their skills, were deserted. He watched Bernard walk quickly way from the practice field.

"A true knight controls his anger. He does not allow it to rule him. ife. Not in battle," Hugh admonished Delvin.

Not with his

Delvin sheathed his sword in his scabbard and turned to face his mentor. Hugh was he only person, aside from his mother, from whom he would have taken such a ebuke. "Aye, you are right." Delvin clenched his jaw. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Delvin shook his head. "She will not let it go. She challenges my judgment and questions my commands." The words burst from his lips involuntarily.

"Hermione objects to your decision to imprison Langston?" "Aye. I told her that it was not her concern. That she had to stop undermining my

uthority."

"Delvin, are you sure that your judgment about Langston is not clouded by personal

animosity toward him?" Hugh probed. "Could it be that you are jealous of his

friendship with your wife?"

Delvin's mouth scrunched into a grimace, and his hands curled into fists at his sides as he stared at the ground. The silence stretched as he considered Hugh's words. Hermione had accused him of being jealous. Now Hugh was suggesting the same thing. Could it be true? "Mayhap, I am jealous."

"Marriage is a complicated business. It takes a while for a man to learn how to live with his wife. As you rub together, you will start to shape each other so that eventually you will fit together more smoothly. Unfortunately, the rubbing process can sometimes be very painful."

"Aye, that is certainly true."

"The cure for your jealousy is to spend time with Hermione," Hugh suggested. "Become as close a friend to her as Langston was. Displace him in her affections." Delvin nodded, considering his words.

"As for your authority in the castle, Hermione does have a right to question it." Delvin shot an intense, inquiring look at Hugh.

"She will be in command of the castle whenever you are away on business, so she will have to make these kinds of decisions in your absence. She has known Langston for some time, so she might have a better reading of his character than you do. The question is whether you trust her judgment or not." the king's

"Tis not a matter of trusting Hermione's judgment regarding Langston's character. There is probable cause to suspect him of attempted murder. The harm he could cause far outweighs the cost of my being wrong about him."

"You are the lord here," Belwick said. "Tis your decision to make. Just be sure you are making it for all the right reasons."

"Aye." Delvin nodded.

"And next time you need to cool off, instead of decimating your troops, try jumping into the river instead."

Delvin laughed, his mood lightening, "I have not done that since I was a boy. An

excellent idea, Hugh. I could use a cold swim."

"Take your six victims with you. They all deserve a break, after the way you trounced them."

"Aye, I will do that." Delvin slapped Hugh lightly on the back before he headed

toward the armory.

Hermione wondered about Delvin's wet hair as he joined her at the lords' table for dinner. He politely seated her and served some of the roast duck onto her trencher of bread. The tension that gripped her made it impossible for her to eat. Delvin, in contrast, devoured his meal with a hearty appetite.

"Are you not hungry?" Delvin asked.

Hermione shook her head and silently offered up a prayer. Dear Lord, help me to be humble and to love Delvin more than myself.

"We need to talk," Delvin said once dinner was finished.

"Aye, milord."

"Shall we go to my solar?"

She looked at his sober face, aware he was offering her a choice, not commanding her. Perhaps he felt as keenly as she did the need to make things right between them.

"Aye."

He offered her his hand and, when she placed her hand on top of his, led her upstairs. The open window allowed sunlight to fill the chamber and the spring breeze lightly swept the room, leaving a fresh scent behind.

Delvin ushered Hermione to a chair. "Would you care for some wine?" he asked.

"Nay. Thank you."

Delvin stood several yards away, feet firmly planted wide apart, hands clasped behind his back. "Hermione, I am very sorry for the way I treated you yesterday. My instinctive response was that of a warrior. I set out to conquer you, with no regard for your feelings. Tis not an excuse, but an explanation for my behavior. I will try never to do that to you again." "Thank you, Delvin," Hermione said in relief. She

had dreaded this conversation. The fact he realized how much he had hurt her eased her fear. "Your apology means a lot to me,"

"I must admit that 'tis very easy for you to make me angry and lose control." Delvin shook his head. "I have never had this problem with anyone else before." Hermione felt hope rekindle in her heart. His intense feelings toward her, albeit mostly

anger, must mean that she was important to him. "Tis natural for married couples to have disagreements, I suppose," Delvin continued. "I do value and trust your opinions, even if I do not always agree with you.

I will have to learn how to respond more appropriately when you express your views."

"I did not mean to question your authority, Delvin. I was merely concerned about

the welfare of my friend." "I do not wish to discuss Langston again. My decision to keep him in prison is not up for debate."

Although his words were calmly spoken, they were nonetheless final, and Hermione felt some of her hope fade. She had to accept that Delvin would not be swayed on this issue. If she continued to pursue it, she risked further damage to her relationship with her husband. She had Belwick's reassurance that Damien was being treated well in prison. There was nothing more she could do for him but pray. She must put her trust in the Lord and turn Damien over to Him.

"I see." Hermione took a slow breath. "Then I will abide by your decision."

Silence lengthened between them.

Delvin cleared his throat. "I hope my brutish behavior has not entirely destroyed your faith in me. If you are able to forgive me enough to be able to trust me again, I

swear that I will treat you with the respect you deserve." Did not God require that she forgive those who sinned against her? Would He not

forgive her as she forgave others? She looked up into her husband's eyes. "Delvin, I do forgive you."

"Thank you, Hermione."

The smile he offered her caused an answering smile to transform her own face. The Lord had indeed answered her prayers and brought about this reconciliation. ""Tis a lovely, warm spring day." Delvin said. "Mayhap you would like to take a ride

with me? We cannot venture far from the castle, given the continued threat from

Morefy, but we can still have a pleasant ride."

"I would like that, Delvin."

The end of March brought the celebrations of Holy Week. Hermione happily Tdays days preparing for all the activities from which she had been excluded for so long. spent

On Palm Sunday, everyone gathered in the great hall before mass to pick up a freshly cut yew or willow branch. The people then followed Father Thomas as he carried the altar Cross and the consecrated Host in a procession through the inner bailey to the chapel. As they walked, the congregation sang hosannas, commemorating Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

During morning mass on Maundy Thursday, Father Thomas celebrated the Eucharist, commemorating the new covenant Christ established with his disciples during His Last Supper. After mass, the congregation feasted in the great hall as the fasting of Lent was relaxed for this one day since the Church considered the Eucharist and fasting incompatible. Everyone avidly consumed the roast venison, mutton pie with onions and peas, cheese, and pecan tarts, delicacies they had denied themselves throughout the last three weeks of Lent.

On Good Friday the fast was resumed, with only dry bread, beans, cabbage, and salt

served at all three meals.

During the solemn mass held at noon, Father Thomas, dressed entirely in black vestments, prostrated himself before the empty altar, covered only with a simple black cloth. After the lessons, chants and prayers, the priest brought forth the Cross, veiled in black cloth, and placed it on the altar. Father Thomas sang "Behold the wood of the Cross on which hung the salvation of the world," to which the congregation responded, "Come let us adore." After this liturgy was sung three times, Father Thomas unveiled the Cross. The priest genuflected and kissed the Cross, followed by Delvin and Hermione, then the rest of the congregation, their adoration of the Cross symbolizing the worship due to God. The Cross and the consecrated Host were then buried in a special

sepulcher in the wall of the chapel and surrounded by candles.

On Easter Eve, all the fires and candles in the chapel, as well as the donjon, were extinguished. A new fire was kindled with flint, symbolizing the Resurrection of Jesus, the Light of the World, from the tomb closed by a stone. Only the great Paschal candle was lit for an all-night vigil in the chapel. On Easter morning the flame from the Paschal candle was used to rekindle light

and fire in the castle. During mass, the sepulcher was opened and the Cross and Host were carried to the altar, restored to its previous glory. After mass the entire castle community, as well as everyone in Mersthrope, partook of the Easter feast at the castle. Delvin and Hermione wandered together through the inner ward where tables had been set up for the villagers, accepting the villagers' offerings of eggs, dyed red to symbolize the joy of Easter. In return, they offered the hospitality of Ishton in the form of an

elaborate feast.