Page 48 of May Queen: May Day

Chapter 13

“What do you mean, you didn’t bring back the tree for the Maypole?” asked Ricard the next morning, meeting up with Lang and Dayton in the great hall.

“Lang cut down the wrong tree,” mumbled Dayton, picking up a piece of bread from the platter at the dais. The meal was well underway and Flora had yet to show up. Ricard figured she was still feeling ill. When he went to look for her yesterday, her handmaid had told him she went to her chamber to sleep since she wasn’t feeling well.

“I cut down the wrong tree?” Lang thumped his hand against his chest. “If I remember correctly, it was you who instructed the villagers to cut it down. So how am I to blame?”

“Hold on, you two.” Ricard raised a halting hand in the air. “Are you saying you did or didn’t cut down a tree in the forest yesterday, after I specifically told you to do it?”

“We did,” said Dayton with a nod.

“Good.” Ricard popped a piece of cheese into his mouth. “I assume, it’s in the village then?”

“Not exactly,” said Lang, pouring himself some wine. He lifted the goblet to his mouth without saying more.

Ricard’s hand shot out and his fingers clasped around his brother’s wrist. Lang’s eyes slowly swept up Ricard’s arm and he let out a deep sigh. “Take it,” he said defeated, handing Ricard the goblet.

“I don’t want the wine, Brother.”

“You don’t?” Lang’s mood lightened and he put his mouth up to the rim of the goblet again.

“I just want answers. Now put down the wine and tell me what’s going on.”

“All right.” Lang gently placed his goblet on the table but held it possessively in two hands. Nash came up behind him and started to refill the cup.

“Hold on, Nash,” Ricard instructed. “No more wine for my brother until I get answers.”

“Aye, my lord.” Nash stopped and waited.

“It wasn’t our idea to leave the tree behind, but it was late in the day and already dark,” Lang explained. “We didn’t have time to cut down the one that Lady Flora said she really wanted.” He held up his goblet. “More wine, please.”

Nash was about to refill the cup, but Ricard stopped him once again. “Wait. Did you just say something about Lady Flora?”

“Did I? I don’t think so.” Lang exchanged glances with Dayton and held his cup up higher.

“What does Lady Flora have to do with any of this?” Ricard’s eyes drilled into his brother.

“I think I know,” said Nash, offering his opinion.

“No one asked you, Squire, now pour the wine,” said Lang impatiently.

“Nay. Go ahead, Nash.” Ricard picked up his goblet and took a drink of wine while he waited for answers.

Nash continued. “I think they are talking about the fact that Lady Flora went with them to the forest.”

“She did what?” Ricard almost spit out the wine. “How could she have gone with them when she was in her chamber feeling ill all night?”

“Nay, she wasn’t,” said Nash as Lang and Dayton shook their heads, but he paid them no mind. “I distinctly saw her riding away with them right after she was talking to that gong farmer, Mug.”

“You have got to be jesting!” Ricard was furious and he felt his hands clenching into fists.

“Nay,” Nash said, shrugging his shoulders. “I call it like I see it, and that is what I saw.”

“Bid the devil!” Ricard blurted out, gripping the ends of the table.

“Calm down, Brother, before you explode,” said Dayton, helping himself to mutton and stewed pears.

“I want the truth and I want it now,” Ricard warned them. “Did Flora go with you to the forest or not?”