Page 85 of The Red Wolf’s Prize

William’s eyes shifted to Renaud. “We have heard tale of awoman felling one of our Norman knights at York with an arrow. What say you tothat strange story, lord wolf?”

Renaud hesitated in answering the king’s question. DidWilliam know Serena had been at the battle?

From beside him, Serena spoke. “If the king would know thetruth of it, I slayed Sir Hugue. He was a man without honor. Men like him are ablight on our lives.”

“My lady speaks the truth,” Renaud interjected. “Themercenary was dismissed from my service but apparently harbored a grudge. He attackedme on the battlefield, and when I stumbled over a body, my wife, hidden in thetrees, came to my rescue.”

“You, my lady?” said the king, incredulous. “It was yourarrow my knights speak of?”

“Aye, one of them. I shot him in the neck, and would do itagain. He did much to harm the women of Talisand.”

“Sire,” Renaud interjected, “you should know that Sir Huguefought with Morcar, not your army.”

The king looked puzzled. “How did a Norman come to fightwith the Mercian earl?”

“I know not. But I suspect it was for revenge.”

“Mayhap we are glad the mercenary is dead,” declared theking, “especially since your lady spared our wolf the rogue’s blade. Still, wefind your wife unusually blood thirsty for a woman.” The king’s eyes bored intoSerena.

Renaud was worried when she sat up and returned the king’sstare. “It was not the only arrow I shot that day, My Lord,” said Serenaproudly. “I slayed other Normans at York to save my brother.” Renaud wasshocked Serena would reveal such information to the king after she hadcautioned him not to reveal Steinar’s identity. But then he saw the glimmer inSerena’s eyes and noted the honey that coated her words. She was enjoying herrecitation of the Normans she had killed at York.

“You would be proud to slay my knights, my lady?” Williamasked indignantly.

“Aye, My Lord, to save my brother, I would slay your wholearmy!”

“We demand to know what happened to this brother who foughtagainst us!” insisted the king.

“He lives but lies gravely wounded in a chamber above us,”she said matter-of-factly as a shadow of pain crossed her beautiful face.

Renaud opened his mouth to defend her lest his king seekretribution for all she had done, but William’s outstretched hand stilled hisvoice.

The king’s gaze narrowed on Serena. “You harbor a rebel inthis very demesne—the castle we gave to our knight?”

Serena stood, raising her chin. “This is my brother’s homeas well as mine, My Lord. He is welcome here.”

Renaud could see William’s temper had been roused anddreaded what was coming.

The king stood and pounded the table. “We demand you turnover this enemy of ours!”

“I will not!” Serena shouted back. “Nor do I regret theNorman lives I have taken to protect those I love.”

Renaud had heard enough. Rising from the table, he faced hissovereign. “Sire, my wife has served you well for I would not be standing herehad she not felled Sir Hugue. Could I do otherwise than to give her and herbrother my protection?”

The king huffed and sat down, taking a long draw from hisgoblet. Then he let out a loud, belly laugh. “Ha! The Norman wolf defends hisEnglish she wolf! You see what we have accomplished, FitzRolf?” he remarked tothe silent Norman at his side, “our wolf’s mate slays his enemies and those ofher brother!”

FitzRolf smiled, nodding.

Addressing Renaud, the king said, “Your fellow knights willbe teasing you in London, lord wolf. First the warrior priest, now the knightwhose lady’s arrows slay his enemies. You have given them much fodder fortalk.” The king laughed heartily. “’Tis just what this England needs, wethink—a bonding of our knights with the fair maids of the land. Aye, and wewould have more of it!”

“A good result from your wise command, My Lord,” saidMaugris.

The king smiled at the old man. “We are pleased you agree.”Then to Serena, “Be seated fair lady. We are not currently displeased with you,because you defended your Norman husband. Instead, we have decided you may keepyour rebel brother. But your husband must assure us this brother of yours willnot fight against us in future, and that you will henceforth take up noarms against our army.”

Renaud bowed his head to William, relieved his sire’s angerhad been turned. Taking Serena’s hand, he pulled her into her seat. “You havemy assurance, Sire, and my gratitude.”

“And the lady’s?” asked William looking at Serena.

“Aye,” said Serena and she turned to Renaud and bestowedupon him a glorious smile. “To please my husband who has honored me, I agree toall your demands.”