Garran thought on the greater implications of that. He loved his father dearly but he did not like the king nor supported the man’s ideals. He was much more supportive of the government that de Montfort was trying to establish. Still, he loved his father in spite of his politics. And there was a reason why Bose de Moray was so supportive of the king. After a moment, he sighed heavily.
“My father is an old and wise man,” he said. “He is the most rational and unselfish supporter the king has.”
“I know. God would be on our side if de Moray would pledge allegiance to de Montfort.”
Garran shook his head, as if such a thing would never happen. “There is a very good reason why he supports the king so stringently,” he said. “But his reason is not my reason. I do not support Henry and probably never will.”
Tiberius was listening carefully. “What is the reason?” he asked. “Will you tell me?”
Garran nodded faintly. “When my father first met my mother, he wanted very much to marry her but my grandfather would not have it,” he said, his voice softening as he spoke of his beloved father. “In fact, my grandfather somehow managed to cast my father in a very negative light and he was actually slated for execution. The only thing that saved him was King Henry and ever since then, my father has unwaveringly supported him. The man saved his life and he would never side against him.”
Tiberius registered mild surprise. “I never knew that.”
Garran shrugged his big shoulders, glancing at the horses as they were brought out to be saddled. “As you said, we have never spoken of my father’s allegiance to the king, but that is why the man is so supportive of him,” he said. “My father was Captain of the King’s Guard in his younger years, when Henry was also quite young. They became friends and they share a special bond, even to this day.”
Tiberius didn’t have much to say to that, although the elder de Moray’s loyalty to the king now made much more sense. He fell silent as the horses were saddled and then moved to help the stable boys secure his gear to his saddle. He and Garran left the livery and headed south, towards the inn where Bose de Moray was staying. There wasn’t much chatter between them as they moved through the city streets, some crowded and some not, until they reached the southern tip of the town.
This portion of the town was seedier, dirtier, with several brothels and bath houses posing as brothels. Crime was rampant. Tiberius and Garran pulled their horses to a halt in front of The Bruised Thistle, a very big building of waddle and daub amongst small and run-down wooden structures. There were several young boys standing around and Tiberius paid twoof the boys well to have them tend the horses. Taking their saddlebags with them, the knights proceeded into the inn.
The common room of the tavern was, literally, a big pit in the floor. And it was very crowded, mostly with people drinking or gambling or fornicating in the shadows. As the knights passed through the room, women approached them, offering to service their needs for a few pences. Tiberius ignored them, as did Garran, and they headed to an old, unsteady staircase that led to the second floor of the structure.
It was quieter up here but smelled badly of urine, from men relieving themselves against walls and in corners, with no one bothering to clean it up. Tiberius headed for the last door on the left, rapping softly when they reached it. He was preparing to rap again when the door jerked open and a mountain of a man stood in the doorway. Garran barely had time to recognize his father before the man was pulling him into his enormous embrace.
“My son,” Bose de Moray breathed. “You cannot know how pleased I am to see you.”
Garran hugged his father tightly. “Papa,” he said with satisfaction. “It has been a long time.”
Bose let his son go long enough to cup his face between his two big hands, gazing into features that looked very much like his own.
“Garran,” he murmured. “Are you well, my son?”
Garran nodded, smiling at his father. The man didn’t change much from year to year. With black hair and black eyes and the big scar on his left cheek, Bose de Moray was a legendary knight who had dominated the tournament circuit for many years. Now, he lived a quieter life, but he was still dangerous and formidable when the occasion called for it.
“Well, Papa,” he said. “I am well. And you? Have you been well? And how is Mother?”
Bose kissed his boy on the cheek and dropped his hands. “Your mother is very well,” he said. “She sends her love. I have been well also.”
Bose was moving back into his room and Garran and Tiberius followed. As Tiberius closed the chamber door and bolted it, Garran spoke.
“I am very glad to hear that,” he said. “What a surprise to find you in Oxford, Papa. Why are you here?”
Garran had been given several minutes to think on his father’s unexpected appearance on the ride over from The One-Eyed Raven so he would not waste any time getting to the point. Bose didn’t reply right away. He sank into a stiff chair positioned next to the hearth and held out his hands to the blaze, warming them.
“Many reasons, my son,” he said. Then, he glanced at Tiberius. “I had a long and pleasant conversation with Tiberius. Did he not tell you?”
Garran nodded. “He said you came to The One-Eyed Raven looking for me,” he replied. “He did not say why. What is the matter, Papa? What makes you hunt me down in Oxford?”
Bose scratched his head, looking at Garran as the man sat down on the floor next to him. In the tight and cramped room, there was nowhere else to sit. Bose reached out a big, calloused hand and patted his son’s cheek.
“Many reasons,” he repeated softly. “I had heard that de Montfort was convening in Oxford and assumed you would be with the de Shera brothers. I am pleased to see that I was correct.”
Garran nodded. He couldn’t help notice that his father, so far, had not directly answered any of his questions. “Aye, you were,” he said. “But why do you need to speak with me?”
Bose glanced over at Tiberius, who was sitting on the small cot in the room. “My lord,” he said. “Would you mind giving mea few moments alone with my son? If it would not be too much trouble?”
Tiberius was already on his feet, moving for the chamber door. “Of course not,” he said. “I will be right outside should you need me.”
Bose watched the tall, dark-haired de Shera brother as the man opened the door. “Thank you,” he said.
