Page 58 of King’s Knight

He continued to stroke the pony’s neck but his eyes stayed on her.

“It is wonderful to see you,” she said. In truth, she had missed her friends in Wales and had been thinking much of Rhodri and Fia as she contemplated returning. “You must share some wine with me in the hall and tell me about all that has happened since I left.”

“Nothing would please me more,” he said with a subtle smile. Owain was a prince, Rhodri’s nephew. Still in his second decade, he was already a respected warrior among his people. She knew he lived a turbulent life, raiding, plundering and defending his family. Yet for all that, he spoke poetry around the hearth fire and he had taken the time to teach her to shoot from her pony.

Owain had been there for her transformation from a frightened girl to a woman secure in her ability to protect herself.

She walked beside him toward Talisand’s captain. “You met Sir Jamie?”

“Briefly.”

“Jamie,” she said, as they reached him, “a friend has come from Wales.”

Jamie inclined his head. “Owain introduced himself.”

Merewyn smiled at the two men, each studying the other like two roosters facing off with their hackles raised. “You two should get to know each other. Owain is a prince of Powys,” she said for Jamie’s benefit, “and Rhodri’s nephew. And Jamie is the captain of Talisand’s house knights,” she told Owain. “Both of you are respected commanders of men.”

Jamie offered his hand and Owain took it. Merewyn was happy the two roosters had declared a truce. Together, the three of them walked from the archery field.

“Where is your horse?” she asked Owain.

“I left him with the stable boy.”

“He will be well-tended,” said Jamie.

Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, she asked Owain, “How is Rhodri? And Fia? And the children? I have missed them.”

He grinned at her show of enthusiasm. “Rhodri and Fia and their children are all well. And, if I am included in the ones you have missed, it makes me glad to hear it.”

Jamie frowned and Merewyn wondered at the cause. She considered both Owain and Jamie her friends. But since Jamie had learned she was carrying Alex’s child, he had become very watchful of her.

They passed through the palisade gate and she handed Ceinder’s reins to a waiting stable boy. Crossing the bailey, the three of them entered the hall. Merewyn set down her bow and quiver and asked a servant to bring wine and cheese for their guest.

When the servant appeared with a tray bearing a pitcher, three goblets and a plate of cheese and bread, Merewyn offered to pour the wine.

She handed Owain a goblet and he lifted it to his lips and drank deeply.

Jamie took a sip of his wine and, turning to Owain, said, “You come to England at a time when the king’s men fight the Welsh.” To Merewyn, it sounded like a challenge.

“A difficult time, yea,” Owain answered, “but I did not come because of the fighting between our countries. I came for Merry.”

Jamie frowned at the Welshman’s words. “I am sure she appreciates the visit.”

The captain stayed only long enough to finish his wine, all the while his eyes stayed on the Welsh prince. After she and Owain began to share stories, Jamie excused himself and left the hall.

When he was gone, Owain said, “You have grown lovelier. Your face seems to glow.”

Merewyn did not feel lovely. Dressed in her bowman’s clothing, she was dusty and her brow damp with the exertion of her practice. From where it sat on the table, her bow scolded her for her shabby appearance in the presence of a Welsh prince. Ignoring it, she said, “Mayhap you remember me as only a novice archer in need of training.”

“Nay, I remember you well. One day you were there, like the sun, and the next day, Rhodri had taken you back to England. Every day thereafter was full of clouds.”

“So somber! What happened to my demanding teacher of the bow?”

“I have never been far.”

* * *

Alex drew his woolen cloak tightly around him, glad for his mail and helm as a sharp gust of wind knifed through his clothing. Azor bent his head to the wind but continued on.