Kingdom of Dragons Page 18

  “Who are you?” asked Daniel.

  “Never mind. Who are you?”

  “Daniel Godwyn, youngest son of the Earl of Northumbria. I came to collect Ava. I was just watching her and my friend here was saying that she and my brother suit each other well.”

  “Ava?” The old woman’s eyes perused the room and she looked back at Daniel puzzled. “I don’t see Ava at all.”

  “She’s right there,” said Daniel pointing to her.

  “That’s not Ava,” said the woman. “That is Bridget Byrnes, the daughter of the local pub owner and one of O’Neill’s lovers.”

  “That’s not Ava,” said Daniel with shock and he looked up at Sir Thomas and they both shook their heads in bewilderment.

  “No young man. You’ve been tricked. If that’s what you were told and it doesn’t surprise me. That cunning girl and O’Neill her cousin! Two trouble makers! That’s what they are!”

  “And who are you?” asked Daniel. “Why should I believe you?”

  “Because I’m Fedelma Desmond, the sister of the Late Lord Desmond and I know for a fact that is not my dear niece. In fact I’ve been expecting you. I believe I have been tricked too for I was sent on a journey well out of my way and instead of arriving here I ended up inland somewhere miles from here. I found myself a coach driver and headed back straight away.”

  “Really?” said Daniel.

  “Yes, young man. Now if you’ll excuse me. I must lie down and rest me weary bones and I’m sure Ava will be here soon. Mark my words, I’ll make sure she is with you when you leave.”

  Daniel waited until the old woman was out of sight and then he sighed like a lion. “Right!” said Daniel in building anger and Thomas walked alongside him whispering. “Remember the chivalric code. A knight does not display fits of temper, Sir Daniel.” He added sweetly.

  The code of chivalry was far from his mind as he stormed into the great hall that night. The O’Neill’s were having an enjoyable feast when Daniel stormed in unannounced. He spun around in a circle inspecting the women in the hall but none of them seemed young or beautiful enough to be Ava. “All right! I’ve had enough of this charade!” he yelled at the top of his lungs and everyone stopped what they were doing.

  “Is something wrong young Daniel?” asked the O’Neill.

  “Yes something’s wrong! I’m sick of your games! You threw me in a pit of wolfhounds and then you sent me on a wild goose chase into the hills! Will the real Ava Desmond please stand up!” He was losing his patience as his angry blue eyes scoured the hall again and everyone was now dead silent.

  “Why there is your lovely Ava there,” said the O’Neill and the impostor girl smiled and winked.”

  “She’s no more Ava Desmond than I am!” he shouted and the room was so silent you could hear his anger fuming through his nostrils. They all stared back at him with blank expressions but after a few moments he heard a familiar voice say, “I’m Ava Desmond.”

  He turned around slowly to a pair of enchanting blue eyes and he was stunned to say the least. Moira was standing there and looking back at him and beside her Fedelma, Lord Desmond’s sister. Why was she standing there with her? “It’s me. I’m Ava,” she said again.

  Daniel was dumbfounded and he said northing for nearly two minutes as he walked to her slowly and stood in front of her. Her immaculate complexion and soft blue eyes were enthralling and her tresses of red silk were like heaven. He had decided that Moira was the one girl he could love but now this. She was Ava Desmond, betrothed to his brother Gilbert! And besides she had betrayed him along with O’Neill. Now he understood the pain of love as he often heard his siblings complain as if it was some unwanted disease. Now he understood why. To be forever chained to someone you didn’t love would be a great imprisonment indeed. And would Gilbert love Ava? Would he love her as a respected life partner and treat her with honour and respect? Daniel shuddered to think of the life she would have with his brother. Gilbert would treat her like he did any other woman. He would have his way with her, spoil her for a while and then set her aside when the next one came along. And as Daniel saw the sorrow in her blue eyes he didn’t know if he would be able to give his affection to another and at that moment he thought he would never marry. He couldn’t go through life and live a lie.

  “I present to you son of Lord Eustace, my niece Ava Kathleen, Mary Rose Desmond.”

  He swallowed hard and said in a weak tone that faltered. “Ava, it’s a pleasure. My brother will be very pleased.”

  “Ahh Fedelma!” said the O’Neill. “I was wondering when you’d arrive.”

  “I’ll bet you were,” she fumed. “You in fact wondered how long it would take me to work out your silly scheme. You ought to be ashamed tricking this young man! Ava should be proud to marry the son of Lord Eustace, it’s a very eligible match and I promised her father in his dying breath I’d see to it and I will!”

  “I’m sorry Ava,” said O’Neill. “Your aunt is too clever for me.”

  She sighed and looked up at Daniel who was carefully studying her. “I’m sorry Daniel. I guess I just didn’t want to leave but I’m convinced you are a fine young man and therefore your brother must be as well. I would be honoured to go with you,” she said in reluctance and Daniel knew that she was putting on an act for her Aunt. The sooner they could leave the better.

  “Why don’t you stay awhile,” said O’Neill. “Take it easy and relax a few more days or even a few weeks. Let us show you real Irish hospitality.”

  “Thank you. You’ve shown us quite enough. We leave first thing,” said Daniel firmly. “My father will be expecting my return. I’ve been away from England long enough.” Then he turned to his knight Sir Thomas. “Sir Thomas, we leave at dawn.”

  “Yes sir,” he replied.

  No more was said of the matter and Daniel went directly upstairs and went to bed and the following morning when he came downstairs he didn’t know what to expect. In fact he expected he would be told that Ava had escaped in the night and taken off but he was very mistaken in this matter for she had not. She was in the Great Hall and ready to travel with him and her Aunt was lurking close by in case she should try to take off.

  The crowd of O’Neill’s followed them to the beach to see them off and there were many tears and embraces and Daniel was worried they wouldn’t get away and finally she was released by her aunt and she approached Daniel slowly. “I put my niece in your care. Look after her. She was the only child of my dear brother.”

  “Don’t worry she will be well loved and cared for, I give you my word.”

  She nodded and placed Ava’s hand in Daniel’s. He helped her into the boat along with the wolfhound pup that had been given to him which he called Faith for it was his faith in God that set him free from the wolfhound’s den. He handed Ava the pup and their eyes met again and Daniel felt a deep pain inside. He had given his heart to her and she had betrayed him. But what a predicament! She would soon be his brother’s wife. His emotions were in turmoil and he was very silent as they headed back to England. And even Sir Thomas could feel the irritation between them. They got in the boat and headed out to sea in silence.

  .

  .

  Chapter Nineteen

  Things are not always as they seem

  “Things are not always as they seem,” said Brother Antoni one morning in the chapel. “The good Lord said he would return at a time when we least expect it. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark.” And his words, things are not always as they seem stuck in Merry’s mind and it seemed strange as if someone was trying to tell her something but it was like trying to find the missing pieces of a puzzle. Something was going on. Things were not as they seemed. It was far too quiet and there were whispers going on in the halls and she could hear it at night and the guards were passing messages but they would cease talking as soon as she appeared.

  It w
as only a couple of weeks since Gwen had left that Merry came downstairs and found that there were visitors. She peered out the window on the second floor landing and saw an army of men outside on horseback. She recognized the dragon banners and instantly alarm rose up within her. “Why are the Duke’s men here?” she said aloud and she paced down the stairs treading carefully so as to hear everything but the gentlemen hadn’t been introduced yet and she walked into the hall as the captain of the guard was entering to inform her father of the arrival. She walked in slowly and headed to the back of the room and sat down on a bench and picked up a book pretending to read while listening carefully.

  Merry knew from the sharp look in the men’s eyes that this was not a casual visit. “Send them in,” said Lord Godwyn and he glanced at Carwyn and Crewe uneasily. Merry watched as Lord Carwyn moved from his position and went out the servant’s entrance very quickly. Where was he off to and why did he leave in such a hurry, she wondered? He was a mysterious character at times and his true identity she still had not figured out and as far as she knew he had the identity of a dead man. She had learned much from the Elfgar about fake identities and he was very well known and he always seemed to be travelling incognito so as not to draw attention to himself. But why would Lord Carwyn not want to draw attention? There was someone he was hiding from.

  Lord Godwyn stood to his feet as the men were brought in and Merry noticed her father seemed agitated by their presence. “Lord Ashley Bristol, Sir Henry Payne of Mercia to see you sir.”

  Lord Godwyn nodded and the gentlemen stood before him. “Welcome to Berwyck, gentlemen. Please sit down, have something to eat, recline and make yourselves at home,” said Lord Godwyn in unusually friendly tone and Merry grinned for she knew her father was being sarcastic. “It’s such a pleasure to see those dragon banners outside flying in a region that is full of lion supporters. Really, you must visit more often. Fish in the streams and help yourself to the trout which I’m sure you do anyway. Hunt in the forests. The deer are much larger than in the south but please don’t take my magic unicorn,” he grinned smartly and they didn’t laugh at his humour.

  “I see age hasn’t hindered your smart tongue,” said Sir Ashley as they sat down and the servants poured the ale into their goblets.

  “Here at Berwyck we call it humour. We do have fun now and again unlike dragons who view everything in life as a serious ritual?”

  Ashley sighed and glared back at Godwyn, “I’m not here on a casual visit sir.”

  “Yes, as I just stated some serious matter of course.”

  “Surely you have heard by now of situations that have changed in the city. Sir the king . . . is dead and the regent took ill and passed away.”

  There were gasps and sighs and Merry looked up from the book she was pretending to read. Lord Godwyn remained resolute. “Really? That’s not what I heard. I heard that the regent was poisoned and that a usurper has taken the throne and is now spreading rumours that King Edward is dead!”

  “I don’t know anything of the regent being poisoned. His heart failed him, but I do know The Duke of Redforte sent a regiment to Jerusalem to find the king. They discovered he was killed in battle about a year ago.”

  “A year ago?”

  “Yes, sir, I know he was a distant cousin of yours and not only that sir, the Duke of Redforte is our new king.”

  “Our new king? Really? When you say our, of whom do you refer to?”

  “I refer to those who are loyal to the crown!”

  Godwyn stood to his feet in fury. “Loyal! You dare come in here and speak to me of loyalty when you yourself are a lecherous traitor!”

  “Sir!” said Payne taking a step closer to Lord Godwyn. “Something had to be done, mi’lord before the kingdom fell into a state of chaos. Surely you must realize that this cannot be allowed. The Duke of Redforte is a very rich and powerful man. He is doing his best to bring the situation under control.”

  Lord Godwyn was speechless. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing and it was just as Sir Simon and the others informed him and these were men he supported and who had once supported him and now they were siding with the Duke of Redforte just like that and declaring him as king. “I don’t believe what I’m hearing. Surely you have completely forgotten our king and his father who had been the Lord Protector of the Kingdom for generations, defeating our enemies and eliminating hostility between the seven regions instilling an era of peace and tranquility. How quickly men forget their allegiances. As soon as trial or tribulation comes, they revert to ways of doubt and fear. What wretched beings we are!” Lord Godwyn moved around the table and stopped in front of them. “What is it you want from me now that you have brought me this unfortunate news?”

  Lord Bristol smiled. “The Duke wants your allegiance.”

  “My allegiance,” said Lord Godwyn with a soft chuckle.

  “Yes,” said Lord Bristol. “The Duke wants your allegiance. Will you swear yourself and all your household and the region of Northumbria into the hands of Luther Wyvern, the Duke of Redforte and King of Britain?

  “And I have the largest region in the North with many allies,” said Lord Godwyn with a sly grin. “I’m the only one who could possibly be a burden to his plans.”

  “Yes,” said Lord Bristol.

  “And if I refuse?”

  There was a moment of extreme silence. “I don’t think refusal would do you well, Lord Godwyn. It’s not in your favour. It would be seen as an act of rebellion by the crown,” said Payne.

  He thought deeply for a second and then looked at each man very hard. “Well, my father raised me to be a loyal and devout Christian and supporter of the reigning King. He taught me to stand up for what I believe in even if I have to die for it. Surely you are not so simple as to not know where my allegiance lies. You won’t find me bowing to Luther Wyvern. And you cannot stand there and tell me that the king is dead! You tell your master that I would rather die than bow to him as king!”

  There was an unnerving moment of silence and Merry held her breath. “You know sir, you’re not in a good situation to deny your allegiance. Your eldest son is a traitor and when he is found he will be hung for his crimes.”

  “My eldest son is no more a traitor than an infant in its mother’s arms.”

  “He aided the escape of a criminal from the tower. We also have proof he is a spy. When caught he will be tried and hung.”

  “Like I said before. I will not serve your master.”

  “Not even to save your son?” There was another moment of devastating silence and Godwyn was thinking with deep concern. “I’m sure we could clear his name.”

  “I’m sure you could,” said Godwyn. “But I know my son and he will never bow to you either. In fact I know he would feel as I do. He would rather die than bow to your king.”

  Very well,” said Lord Bristol. “We will inform him of your decision. All I can say now is prepare yourself and this region for the consequences.” With those words they swiftly headed out of the Hall and out of Berwyck.

  “I’ll head for London straight away father and I’ll find Lionel,” said Gilbert.

  “No, that’s too dangerous.”

  Carwyn moved out of the shadows and from behind a large heavy drape. Merry saw him leave the room but he must have quietly returned when she didn’t notice and was secretly listening the whole time. “Be careful, that is exactly what they are expecting. Wyvern is cunning. Like the devil himself,” said Carwyn. “Get the men ready for battle. Wyvern won’t take this well. I’m sure.”

  “No, he won’t. Within a few weeks we can expect another visit, an unfriendly one I’m sure,” Godwyn agreed.

  “I have a short journey to take sir. I’ll be back in a couple of days. It’s almost time to set our plans in motion,” said Carwyn. “I think it best we stay scarce for a while.”

  “Where could Lionel be hiding?” asked Gilbert

  “I don’t know,” said Godwyn. “Perhaps Sir Jamie will know more when he arri
ves.”

  “I still think I should go after him.”

  “No!” Godwyn shouted. He was clearly in a bad mood and Gilbert was not helping the situation and Merry got up and slipped out of the room. She retired to her room that night with many thoughts stirring. What did the future hold for all of them and for her and Lord Carwyn.

  Carwyn and his men were ready to leave at dawn the next day and Merry was there in the courtyard waiting to say goodbye to him. Merry carefully studied this man who had bravely won her heart. His chain mail glistened in the morning light and dark locks of hair swept gently across his cheek. His smile was like a thousand candles and it cancelled out all the stormy days she had endured. And she sighed deeply as a tear of joy filled her eyes. “When will you come back?” she asked looking up at him hopefully.

  “Soon, Merry. Now don’t worry. I’ll be back in a couple of days.”

  He leaned over and kissed her on the lips and took her hand in his and gently kissed her hand. “I’ll be counting every minute until I see you again.”

  “So will I. Hurry back!”

  “Merry, will you marry me?” he asked.

  It was so wholly unexpected. She had always imagined a proposal would come in a magical garden setting somewhere on a fine spring day with the wind rustling her hair and her gown. She imagined he would be down on one knee and everything in the kingdom would be perfect. But life just wasn’t like that. She didn’t even know Edmunde’s real name and she discovered his secret solely by chance. She was silent for a moment and she ran her hand through his dark hair. “Of course, Edmund. I would be honoured. Just hurry and come back.”

  “You said yes and you don’t know my real name,” he whispered back amused.

  She grinned sweetly. “Oh Edmunde it doesn’t matter. Just come back safely.”