Page 5 of The Champion

Stryder rolled his eyes as Kit took it and broke the seal on the note.

His brother read it aloud...

“Milord, ‘tis with great honor I give you the key to my chastity belt. Meet me tonight in the rose courtyard.

Ever your lady,

Charity of York”

“A key to a chastity belt?” Christian asked in an amused tone.

“Aye,” Stryder said, his voice thick with ill humor. “And an invitation to a forced wedding if ever I saw one.”

Christian laughed again at that. “And you wonder why I prefer to wear the garb of a monk. It’s the best shield I have found against conniving, would-be brides and even it isn’t fool-proof, as you have seen.”

Stryder handed the key back to Kit. “Tell the lady I am previously engaged.”

Kit arched a brow at that, then headed for one of Stryder’s plate codpieces.

He frowned as he watched his brother place the cod piece inside his hose. “What is it you do?”

“The last time I told one of your would-be paramours, nay, on your behalf, she damn near unmanned me. This time, I wish protection when I deliver the news.”

Stryder joined Christian’s laughter.

“‘Tis not amusing,” Kit said, his tone offended. “You think what you do is dangerous? I defy you to be in my boots for one moment when I face the great Ovarian Horde in your stead.”

“And that is why I send you, my brother. I haven’t the courage to face them.”

“What?” Christian said in feigned shock. “Stryder of Blackmoor afraid? I never thought I would live to see the day a mere maid could send you craven.”

“The day you doff your cleric’s robes and don your crown, your highness, you may taunt me on that front. Until then, I know you for the coward you are as well.”

Christian’s eyes danced with mischief. “Women do make cowards of us all.”

Kit opened his mouth to say something, then must have rethought it. Grabbing a shield, he headed for the door. “If I don’t return by night’s fall, please make sure I am buried on home soil.”

Stryder shook his head at his brother’s play, but then again...

Nay. None of the women would really hurt Kit.

As soon as they were alone, Stryder washed his face and chest in the wash basin, then toweled himself dry.

“How is it after all we have been through together that I never even knew you had a brother?” Christian asked as Stryder draped the towel over his shoulder and moved forward to pour himself a goblet of wine.

Stryder squelched the pain that innocent question conjured. Though he had shared much of his life with Christian, there were many things he had never shared with anyone. Things he would never share with anyone. “We are half-brothers who grew up apart.”

“Ah.” Christian watched his friend take a seat across from him.

Stryder looked tired. His blue eyes were troubled, but then Stryder had never been light of heart. His friend, much like him, had always been overly earnest.

Simon of Ravenswood used to refer to them as the Doomsday Duo. But then, they had all seen far too much of the darker side of man’s cruelty.

It had a way of robbing them of their optimism.

“Have you seen the Scot lately?” Stryder asked.

“It will be a year ago September.”