Warwolfe (de Wolfe Pack Book 0)(57)
Aramis didn’t flinch at the harsh order. “And the lady? What will you have me do with her?”
Gaetan sighed sharply, turning to look at Ghislaine, who was still standing where he had left her. He could have quite easily have given a harsh order for Lady Gunnora but because Ghislaine had spoken kindly of her, and because she was a friend of Ghislaine, he backed off his usual command of execution.
“Leave her alive to watch what her foolish mouth has brought upon her people,” he said. “She can see the results of her loose tongue.”
Aramis nodded, whistling over Wellesbourne and St. Hèver so he could relay their orders. The other knights were gravitating in their direction also. Before Aramis could move away to complete fulfill his orders, Téo stopped him.
“Wait,” he said, looking to Gaetan. “Before they go, there is much to discuss, Gate, not the least of which is the fact that Alary of Mercia now knows we are following him. He told Lady Ghislaine through the messenger that he would send a bigger piece of Kristoph back to us if we continue to follow.”
Gaetan had to pull his thoughts away from vengeance against Lady Gunnora and focus on the situation at hand. He depended on Téo to be his rational self sometimes because the man was inherently wise in all situations. He mulled over the man’s words but in the same breath, he realized his men didn’t know the entire story as to why Alary of Mercia had sent back a piece of their colleague and a threat. Taking a deep breath, he struggled for calm.
“You are right, as usual,” he said to Téo, but his focus moved to his men, all of them now huddled in a circle around him. “You should know why this has happened. Last night, as we feasted at Westerham, Lady Gunnora told Lady Ghislaine that her brother, Alary, had stopped at Westerham the night before. It was Lady Gunnora who sent word to Alary that we were following him and that is why he sent back a piece of Kristoph. I have ordered Aramis and Bartholomew and Kye back to Westerham to burn it to the ground. Treachery will not go unpunished, especially now as we embark in a strange new country. We must be seen as the law and the lords of this country now, and that means we punish those who act against us. If we are perceived as weak, we may as well return home. We cannot hold a country with weakness.”
By the time he was finished, the rest of the knights were nodding in serious understanding. The situation now made more sense to them than simply a random act of brutality.
“What of Ghislaine of Mercia?” de Moray wanted to know. “Surely she knew what Gunnora was doing. They sat together during the meal, whispering between them. Surely Ghislaine has something to do with this.”
It was an accusation, but not an unexpected one. Gaetan fixed on de Moray, who could be a malcontent at times.
“Jathan was with them the entire time, as you all saw,” he said for the benefit of all of his men so there would be no doubt. “He heard their entire conversation and said that there was never, at any time, any hint of subversion or treason on the part of Lady Ghislaine. I want to make that clear. If I thought there was, I would be the first person to punish her and I think you know that.”
De Moray’s jaw ticked faintly as he simply lifted an eyebrow and looked away. That wasn’t good enough for Gaetan.
“Marc,” he said to the man. “Is this in any way unclear?”
“It is clear.”
Gaetan didn’t believe him but he didn’t dispute him, at least not at the moment. “We need Lady Ghislaine if we are to find her brother,” he said for de Moray’s benefit and for the benefit of the others. “Nothing is to happen to her. If I discover that any one of you have moved against her, I will consider that an intentional disruption against this mission and a direct threat to Kristoph’s life. She knows these lands and we do not. Right now, she serves a purpose.”
Before de Moray could reply, Aramis stepped towards the man menacingly. “I know you,” he growled at Marc. “I know that once you believe something is true, you will believe it until the end. If Jathan said that Lady Ghislaine had nothing to do with warning her brother that we were coming, then I believe him. If you make any attempt against her, you will have to deal with me personally.”
He reached out to grab de Moray by the shoulder when he finished, but it was not a friendly touch. It was one of threat. De Reyne was between them and, with a couple of the others, he sought to separate them before a brawl started. But Gaetan entered the fray and slugged de Moray so hard that the knight went stumbling backwards.
“Make a move against Lady Ghislaine and you will have to deal with me as well,” he said. “Whatever you think you suspect about her, forget it. That is my command. If you do not wish to follow that command, then you can ride back to Normandy and stay with him. I have no use for you.”
De Moray was a man of great pride but he was no fool. If his comrades, men he loved like brothers, were so convinced of the woman’s innocence, then there was no reason for him not to believe it. But he was a naturally suspicious character and it was difficult for him to move past that. Still, he wasn’t suspicious enough that he would walk away from his brothers. He sighed heavily and threw up his hands in a gesture of surrender.
“If you believe she did not instigate this treachery, then I will take you for your word,” he said, though it was difficult for him to back down. Then he pointed a finger at Gaetan. “But men who trust too easily are often made fools of.”