Royal Feud

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"Thank you, milady, I shall." Wyham bowed and followed Renwold. "I also must wash this dirt away," Devlin said.

"Devlin, I am anxious to hear about your audience with the king."

"I have much to tell you and Belwick. Come to the solar after supper, and I shall tell you both my news."

The heat from the brazier warmed the solar, while the heat from the wine warmed him from the inside out. Devlin took a swallow to wet his throat after all the talking he had done and leaned back in his chait. Hugh's face was grave, and Lucy's eyes were shadowed.

"Tis possible the girl is not as bad as her father and brothers," Lucy said.

"Gerald and Percy were born of Morefy's first wife. Hermione's mother was Morefy's second wife."

"Hermione? Is that her name?" Devlin asked.

Lucy nodded.

"Mother, have you ever seen the girl?" "I remember seeing her once or twice when she was a babe. As I recall, she was a sweet and biddable child. Hermione was sent away shortly after Morefy moved to the valley, just before her mother died. I have not seen her since she returned to Morefy a few years ago, which is hardly surprising, given the animosity of her family toward

ours. "I was only a lad when Morefy came to the valley, but as long as I can remember he has been harassing our villiens, poaching on our lands, and threatening Ishton. Why did Father not just attack him and defeat him? Twould have prevented the current

situation."

"You must remember how it was under Stephen's rule, especially in the early years," Hugh replied. "Anarchy and lawlessness were rampant. Your father was often called away from Ishton during Stephen and Matilda's battles for the throne. He did not want to bring to our lovely valley the death and destruction he had seen in the rest of England, so he tried to live in peace with Morefy."

"Morefy has become much more brazen since Gavin's death," Lucy remarked. "I believe he has been trying to take advantage of Devlin's youth and inexperience." "Aye, milady, just so." Hugh grinned. "He should have realized that no son of

Gavin, Baron Ishton, would be easy prey. Gavin has prepared Devlin well for his duties." Devlin rubbed his weary eyes the palm of his left hand. "Morefy's greed knows no bounds. He has tried intimidation and thievery to win Ishton's lands and property. Now he has blackened my name with the king. There is no reason to think that this marriage will stop him." "Aye, Devlin." Hugh stroked his gray beard. "You are right. We must be on our guard, especially when he and his sons are here for the wedding."

"The best thing we can do is pray," Lucy said. "Tis obvious the good Lord has a purpose for this marriage between you and Hermione. We need but to trust Him, and everything will be fine."

"Tis all very well to pray, Mother," Devlin responded, "but 'tis said that the good Lord helps those who help themselves. Do not worry. I have everything under control. No harm shall come to Ishton."

Hermione crept into the deserted gallery. She had waited several minutes after her father and Gerald had entered the lords' solar to make sure they were not expecting anyone else to join them. Her hands trembled as she inserted the key into the door of the ladies' solar. Damien had not asked her why she needed to use his key, and she had been relieved that she had not had to lie to him.

Fear, like acid, corroded her composure. She dared not make a noise that might alert her father. The door opened and she slipped inside.

After her father returned from London yesterday, Damien had warned her that he was in a foul temper. Hermione had remained in her room ever since, knowing her father was likely to take his rage out on her. Today, Damien had reported that the earl was in a jovial mood. She had to know what was going on-her survival depended on always knowing as much as possible of what her father was thinking and planning.

Daylight weakly filtered through the closed wooden shutters but provided enough illumination to allow Hermione to find her way through the chests and barrels crowding the room. The solar had been used as a storage room since her mother's death and was full of clutter. Cautiously she made her way to the door between the chamber and the lords' solar next door. Every creak of the wooden floorboards screeched down her spine. Every beat of her heart pounded thunderously in her ears. Her nose stung with the bitter smell of her own sweat. She could not bear to think about the punishment he would mete out to her if he found her spying on him.

Hermione carefully opened the connecting door a c***k, just enough to clearly hear their voices. "At first I was angry about the king's command," her father said. "But last night I came up with a way we can turn this marriage to our advantage. 'Tis amazing how a good swiving will give a man a more positive view on a problem."

"Aye," Gerald agreed. "Especially with Senicla, eh, Father?"

Both men laughed.

Hermione cringed as she listened to their vile and explicit conversation. How she longed to be back in the sanctuary of her own room. "So, what is your plan, Father? Shall we kill Ishton and take over his castle?"

"Aye, we shall."

"I was but joking," Gerald said. "Well, I am not. We will kill Ishton and take over his demesne, but we will have to be clever how we go about it." "What are you planning, Father?"

"You and Percy will come with me when I escort Hermione to her wedding. After the ceremony, Percy and I will go home. You will stay, ostensibly to witness the bedding, and the guards will remain with you. I think five men should be enough; let me know if you think you will need additional men.

"It depends on what you plan for us to do at Ishton." "Just so. As soon as I leave Ishton. I will return home and gather up our forces. We will ride back to Ishton and conceal ourselves a mile or so away. Once everyone at Ishton is asleep, you and your men will kill the guards on the battlements and let our troops in through the castle gate. With the element of surprise on our side, it should be an easy matter to overpower Ishton's garrison and seize the castle. When the demesne has been secured, we will kill Ishton and Hermione."

Hermione pressed her fist against her mouth in order to stop the scream. She must not make a sound. "I do not understand why you must kill Hermione," Gerald said. "Not that I have any objections, mind you, but with Ishton dead, the castle will be yours."

"Aye, but I will need to give Henry an explanation as to why I took over Ishton's demesne. 

Especially given my recent accusations against him. What better excuse than the fact that he murdered my daughter on their wedding night?"