Page 79 of The Mercenary

“We will appeal to Prince Louis.”

For most Englishmen, the idea of involving the French monarch in their country’s affairs would be as appealing as facing a life of imprisonment in the Tower. But Guy was not any man. His loyalties were to those he loved. And to that end, he would appeal to anyone, including his mother’s king.

“Then let it be done.”

Conrad looked as if he were chewing small rocks. His friend was torn, and Guy could clearly see it. He leaned forward far enough to clasp Conrad’s shoulder. “It is more easily accepted if you consider the end goal rather than the means by which we achieve it. John must be stopped. You know it well, my lord.”

He used the title intentionally. For this man, Guy would kneel if asked, and Guy wanted to remind him of the fact.

“I will tell Sabine. When do we leave?”

Before he could remove his hand, Conrad clasped it in his own.

“You are a good man. Sabine is as lucky as you are, brother.”

When Conrad released him and stood, Guy didn’t move. Nor did he get up when the earl opened the chamber door and left. He sat there, thinking of the discussion he was about to have with his wife, with whom he’d only just reunited.

The days ahead would be dangerous. They could be caught at any time. She risked her life as surely as the four of them did, every day from this day forward.

And yet . . .

He smiled, standing.

They would do it together.

Epilogue

“An abbey,” Guy whispered. “Seems fitting we should find ourselves here, does it not?”

“We’re being watched,” Sabine whispered back, her attempts at keeping Guy quiet not very successful.

They stood with some of the most powerful men in England in this small abbey, waiting for Conrad to speak. As was his custom, her husband refused to submit to the seriousness of the situation. Instead, he leaned toward her as if to whisper something but instead kissed her just behind the ear.

None saw it happen as they were positioned near the back left of the chapel. Conrad stood near the altar, Terric sat behind them and to the right, and Lance had chosen a seat directly in the middle—each of their order placed strategically so nearly every man in the room could be reached quickly. She’d asked Conrad if he really believed one of their own would turn against them. After all, these men had risked their land and titles, their lives, to be here on this cold November day.

“If one or more is actually loyal to John and not the cause, I would be prepared for it,” he had said.

According to Guy, it was a part of Conrad’s nature to be suspicious, but she supposed such caution was necessary when plotting treason against the king.

“We are not being watched,” Guy whispered back. “Everyone watches Langton. I don’t believe they thought he would really attend.”

But the archbishop of Canterbury was indeed present.

As were more than twenty barons and six earls, including Conrad and Terric. She spotted Noreham as they took their positions, and Sabine recognized a few of the men, friends of her father’s, including Fitzwalter.

And, of course, she was only one of two women.

Seeking out Lady Idalia, Sabine caught the other woman’s eye. Idalia was always quick to smile, and she did so now. Sabine had never met a nicer woman. From the day they met nearly a fortnight earlier, they had hardly stopped talking. About their husbands. Their families. The order. Their roles in it. Guy had asked her that morning if she was prepared to part with the other woman.

Indeed, she was not, but the order’s plans required it. They fully anticipated John would send forces against them after this day. So they would disperse to two different locations, both of which could withstand a lengthy siege.

Lance and Idalia with Terric in the north. She and Guy with Conrad at Licheford.

For once this oath was taken, they were at war with their king.

“I believe we are ready,” Conrad’s voice boomed. She could not see him from her vantage point, but Sabine did spy Langton through the crowd. She watched as he made the sign of the cross, the others in this small chapel at Bury St. Edmunds doing the same.

“In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti.”