Page 80 of The Earl

“You are one of us,” Conrad confirmed. They rode at the lead, the others following behind them, two by two. “The most important one of us.”

A bird called out to them, as if signaling the way toward the king. He would be there. The king would be at this meeting. It was not an ordinary occurrence, to be sure.

“This day would have come without me, or Terric.”

Conrad shrugged his shoulders. “Perhaps. Or perhaps not.”

Cait turned in her saddle, catching her brother’s eye behind them. Terric winked at her.

“I can hardly believe this is happening.” And it was true. It was as if she rode in someone else’s body.

“I will admit, I feared it would come to naught. Even yesterday one of the king’s clerics returned to the negotiations with a message from the king that could have easily sent both sides home without a treaty. Negotiations continued, thankfully, and eventually prevailed.”

Cait took in a deep breath, the crisp morning air a perfect complement to the mood among them. Hopeful, but hesitant too.

“Roysa seems particularly happy that widows will not be forced to remarry in order to keep their property,” she said.

“Your brother insisted on that particular clause.”

“And you, which are you most pleased with of them all?”

Conrad thought for a bit. Cait was content to just ride alongside him, pretending, most unsuccessfully, they were simply out for a morning ride.

“No scutage nor aid is to be imposed on the kingdom except by the common counsel of the kingdom.”

It was the article he’d fought for most this past year, and Cait was proud that such language was included in the treaty. She was proud of him.

“You are quite a man, Conrad, Earl of Licheford.”

What was once a white speck in the distance suddenly loomed before them. Unlike the rebels’ camp, there were only a few tents, one of which clearly belonged to the king. Had Cait been walking, she might have faltered. Thankfully, her mount kept moving forward.

She realized Conrad watched her. Realized they had slowed enough for the others to ride up beside them. Terric had fallen in at her left, Roysa beside him, and Lance and Idalia rode beyond them. Guy’s mount was to Conrad’s right, Sabine sitting tall and proud on her own horse, staring at King John’s tent as if she meant to tear it to the ground.

None spoke for a time, until Conrad finally broke the silence.

“Shall we finish it, then?”

In answer, they moved forward together.

The Order of the Broken Blade.