Pamiers, 1223
Pamiers, 1223Arpais knew the world and its ways well enough to recognize the sounds of swordplay when she heard them. This was no game or practice, unless a warrior’s daughter could be easily fooled.
Had she not awoken to these same sounds countless times in the East when she rode with her father? How many times had she listened to the distant sounds of the Mongols claiming victory over yet another town? It could not be, she told herself in rising fear, not here, not in this sleepy village where Robert had promised she would be safe.
promised She listened for some sign that she was mistaken, but the clink of steel could be no other than the blow of blade on blade, and her mouth went dry. The fighting was close, too close for her comfort, and Arpais gathered her new babe to
