Page 41 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

Serena slowly climbed from the bed, and reached for her robelying at the foot of the bed. Once she was sufficiently covered, she returnedto her chamber, hugging the wall of the corridor so that none below could seeher. She could hear the knights speaking, their murmurs loud enough to reachher. They seemed excited about something, mayhap the messenger who had comefrom their king.

She opened the door to her chamber to find Cassie waiting.

“M’lady!” The handmaiden ran to Serena and embraced her. “Memother told me last night ye were brought back by the Red Wolf. He has sent meto help dress ye, and not, as ye might imagine, in the clothes of a servant. Heasks ye to wear the gowns of yer station as the Lady of Talisand.”

Serena sank onto the edge of her bed, twining her fingersthrough her now flaxen tresses. “Yea, ’tis nay something I can escape thistime.”

“Did he hurt ye, m’lady?” Cassie asked with a worried look asher gaze roamed over Serena.

“Nay.” At Cassie’s surprised expression, Serena added, “Idid not wake when he carried me to his chamber last night. We shared a bed butnaught more. He was likely as drained of strength as was I. Sir Geoffroiawakened us both. I do not doubt the Red Wolf would have done more but for themessenger. He said as much.”

“Yea, a messenger arrived from the Norman king. Sir Maurinand the others were called together as I was coming up for ye. Ye’d best dress,m’lady. Something is afoot.”

Serena rose. “This time I must face them as the thegn’sdaughter.”

Her handmaiden smiled. “Come, let us show the Red Wolf’s menthe real Lady of Talisand.” Pride gleamed in Cassie’s green eyes. “I think thepurple gown of fine wool, embroidered with the golden silk thread yer fathergave ye, would be fitting. ’Tis nearly the color of yer eyes.”

Serena washed her face and slipped on her linen undertunic,happy to have the fine cloth next to her body once again. Cassie lifted theelegant gown over Serena’s head and let it fall in soft folds about her. Herhandmaiden pulled the lacings tight so that the gown hugged her slender form.Brushing her hair ’til it shown like moonlight, Cassie sat back with admiringeyes and then began to braid it.

“Nay, Cassie. This day I will wear my hair unbound anduncovered. It may well be the last time.”

“Then let me secure it with the circlet yer father gave ye.”

Cassie opened the chest at the foot of the bed and pulledfrom it the precious circlet of silver woven with intricate gold leaves and setwith amethyst stones.

Standing back, the handmaiden smiled. “Now ye look likeyerself, m’lady. Willna all of Talisand be happy to see such a grand sight?”

“In truth, I cannot say. It is not what I wanted, Cassie,but it might be for the best. If it is my fate to serve the people at theNorman’s side, so be it. It is my fervent hope I can help him understand theirneeds.”

“Ye can lift yer head high, m’lady. Never forget ye are apowerful thegn’s daughter.”

“I never shall.” She hugged her childhood friend,straightened her shoulders and raised her chin. It was time to greet the RedWolf and his men.

Chapter 12

Standing in the manor’s entry, Renaud crumpled the parchmentin his hand and exchanged a look with Sir Maurin. “William’s summons comes atan inconvenient time, but our sire has need of us, so we must go.” He shiftedhis gaze to the young messenger dressed in the king’s livery. “Get some foodand then be on your way. You may tell the king the Red Wolf rides this day tojoin him.”

The messenger bowed, then headed toward the kitchen. Flankedby Geoff and Sir Maurin, Renaud stood watching his men breaking their fast,wondering what he should tell them.

“Where are we bound, Ren?” asked Geoff.

“To Exeter. It seems Gytha, mother of the dead Harold, hasstirred the city to resist William’s increase in annual tribute and his demandfor fealty. He has marched on the city intending to lay siege and summons me toadd my men to his army.”

“I’ll ready the men,” Geoff said solemnly, and together withSir Maurin, turned toward the hall.

Renaud reached his hand to Geoff’s arm to stop him, butallowed Sir Maurin to continue on his way. “I will address the men, Geoff.There is Talisand to see to as we may be away for some time.”

Renaud stepped to the large doorway leading into the hall.His presence silenced the men’s conversations as all eyes turned toward him. Inaddition to his knights and retainers, there were a number of Talisand’s men inthe hall. The Welsh bard, Rhodri stood to one side looking on with furrowedbrows.

“The king has summoned us to join him in the south for asiege,” he announced.

The men cheered.

When they quieted, he continued. “Knights and archers beprepared to ride at the sixth hour.” Nodding heads and smiles on the faces ofhis men displayed their approval of the new orders. “Sir Maurin will remainhere with enough men to defend the manor and village. Now that I have chosen asite for the castle, and the plans are drawn, the building will proceed apacewith Sir Maurin as overseer in my absence. Talisand’s men and the carpenters webrought with us will see the task done.”

Sir Maurin nodded from where he stood amidst the others, andRenaud was reminded he must speak to the knight about the guard he hadappointed for his errant bride.

As Renaud gave further instructions for their travel toExeter, the continued smiles on the faces before him made clear his men wereeager for battle. It was what they had trained for, and the past months hadshown them little action.