Page 58 of To Honor

“Impossible. We’d have learned of it already. ’Tis no small matter, the king being taken hostage.”

“Of course I did not comment on the timing of it, not wanting to reveal too much, but I did ask when it occurred. It seems they may have kept the knowledge secret, though I know not why. The news spread when he was transferred to Bristol Castle.”

“That does have a ring of truth. Bristol is known to house the highest profile of prisoners. Did they say aught else?”

“Aye, that Stephen’s brother Henry summoned a council at Winchester to involve the clergy. He will, of course, need their support, though none know if Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury will give it or side with Matilda. Either way, the siege of Lincoln Castle will have been the catalyst for Stephen’s downfall. And you, my husband, made such a thing occur.”

If true, the news could change everything.

“Not I,” he said, lowering his voice, “but the Guardians of the Sacred Oak and Empress Matilda’s many other supporters.”

Evie said no more as she began to eat her meal in earnest.

The king had been taken captive. They’d wondered if he was with his men that day, the standards giving no hint either way. He would not be released easily, but would it be enough to turn the tide completely in Matilda’s favor? That would depend on public opinion and, more importantly, the church.

“I hate waiting, doing nothing,” he said, more to himself than anyone.

“Perhaps we should not.”

Their eyes locked across the table. Evie’s resolve was admirable.

“What would you have us do instead?”

“You know the story of King Arthur and Elara?”

“I do,” he said. “When I first met Lady Elara at Castle Blackwood, I remembered it.”

“Surely she was named after the fierce woman who defeated a dragon and saved her village.”

“With the help of Merlin’s amulet.”

“Not entirely,” Evie said. “Some believe Merlin’s amulet contained no power, but that Elara, in seeking courage and strength from the wizard, was imbued with her own.”

“Perhaps,” he said. “What idea does the story give you?”

“Just that the courage and determination we need is already inside us. I should have told the man who raised me long ago that his treatment was unacceptable.”

“And you think to do that now?”

“I think he will never listen to Eamon. But I know him, better than most. And would like, at least, to try to get him to see reason.”

“If you’ll remember, we did speak to him once.”

Evie reached across the table and took Gareth’s hand. “Aye. But I did not have the amulet then. Nor did you.”

He was about to remind her that she did not believe in the amulet’s power until Gareth belatedly realized the meaning of her words.

They’d be taking a risk, to return. But she was right. They could not sit here and allow others to decide their fate. And she was also right in believing that he’d never let her go.

Let Ashford try to separate them.

He nodded. “We leave on the morrow.”

28

Everyone knew.

As she and Gareth and Eamon made their way to Ashford’s great hall, her greetings were stifled. Of course, they very likely made quite a spectacle, the three of them. But when they’d ridden directly to Castle Blackwood to seek out Eamon, after his initial surprise, he’d agreed to the plan.