Page 1 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

Prologue

County of Maine, south of Normandy 1063

“Wolves!” Renaud de Pierrepont’s voice was a low hiss as thehowl of a wolf pierced the thin night air, setting every nerve on end. The heatof the battle lust from the assault at Mayenne had worn off long ago. The windblowing in gusts off the snow caused his sweat to grow cold.

Clutching his mantle tightly around him, Renaud glanced atGeoffroi de Tournai, riding beside him. The knight’s eyes were focused on thedark woods as if trying to penetrate their depths.

“The beast is close,” whispered Geoff.

Renaud’s horse tossed its head, sidestepping away from therock outcropping in front of the trees. Reining him in, Renaud took off hisglove and reached out to stroke Belasco’s sleek gray coat.

The predator howled again.

“Do I imagine it, Geoff, or are there more in the woodsthese last days?”

“’Tis the lack of game, Ren. The wolves suffer along withour men. No knight can fight without meat to sustain him.”

“Cheer up, my hungry friend,” encouraged Renaud. “Thecampaign for Maine is over. Duke William has his victory. We will soon returnnorth to his table in Rouen where food and wine are plentiful.”

Geoff grinned. “And you can claim a share in the duke’svictory since ’twas you who provided the strategy that gave him his victory.”

“It was only a thought I had that appealed to him. Heis the master of strategy.”

“’Twas more than that, Ren, and well he knows it. Williamvalues your advice as few others. ’Tis a fact he is a worthy master. Make nomistake, you will have your reward.”

“I am but William’s man, Geoff. Mayhap one day that will—”

Without warning the wolf leaped from the rocks and sank itsclaws into his hauberk, cutting off his words. Yellow eyes flashed as the beastbared its teeth and reached toward the pulsing vein that held his life’s blood.Gripping the fur of the wolf’s shoulders, he strained to hold the beast at bay.

The panicked horses screamed. His stallion reared, topplingman and beast to the snow-covered ground. Renaud hit the frozen earth with aheavy thud, his breath leaving him with the force of a fist in his gut. Gaspingfor air, he struggled to hold the beast’s snapping jaws away from his neck.

Geoff quickly dismounted and drew his sword but it was afruitless effort.

Renaud and the beast rolled across the frozen ground, lockedin a battle to the death, leaving Geoff no clear target.

Renaud grunted as his bare hand slipped on the wolf’sthroat. The beast jerked its head around and sank its teeth into the flesh ofRenaud’s wrist. He shouted his anger as pain burned through his arm and bloodtrickled over his hand.

For a scant moment, the wolf released its hold on his wristallowing Renaud to grip the wolf’s neck below the snapping, snarling jaws.

Geoff circled the battling pair, looking for any opening tooffer assistance.

Razor sharp claws raked Renaud’s hauberk as the beast soughtto tear the flesh beneath.

Rolling on top of the wolf, Renaud delivered a crushing kneekick to its body. But the wolf’s desperate fight continued.

Drawing upon his remaining strength, Renaud straddled thethrashing animal. With an anguished battle cry, he jerked the beast’s head tothe side and twisted the corded muscles of its neck.

The wolf’s neck gave with a crack. Its body went limp.

The battle was over.

Renaud gasped in the frigid air, his frosted breath escapinghis lips in a rush, as relief flowed through him. His throat burned and hislungs heaved as he looked down upon the dead wolf still clutched in his hands.The smell of blood, like iron and earth, rose to his nostrils.

“Mon Dieu!” He thrust the carcass away.

Geoff sheathed his sword and rushed to Renaud, kneeling athis side. “Here,” he said, handing him a cloth, “wrap this around your wrist’til we can see to it properly. We had best be away. The scent of blood willdraw more.”

Still breathing heavily, Renaud wrapped the cloth tightlyaround his damaged wrist and rose, brushing snow off his mantle with hisuninjured hand. He whistled and his stallion turned toward him from where hepawed at the ground a short distance away. It seemed the animal was as eager ashis master to leave the dark threatening woods.