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In faith, William wasn’t sure how to react. His first instinct was one of anger for the interference, but when he heard Roan’s explanation, he saw the reasons and the logic behind it. The knight didn’t want to risk them getting caught in a foreign land, locked in with no hope of returning alive. Yet going outside of the chain of command was unheard of, especially for The Wolf’s knights.

However, Roan was not one of The Wolf’s knights; he was one of Henry’s, and was very trusted and used to acting on his own. William took that into consideration.

Roan had damn near saved his life in Wales and William felt a certain amount of debt to the man. He knew he was not the ambitious sort and believed him when he said he did not mean to undermine William’s command. His anger faded.

“Then I appreciate your foresight, Roan,” he said steadily. “Fortunately, it seems that their assistance is unnecessary. You will ride with me.”

By the time William and his knights reached his army, the troops were forming another skirmish line and preparing to face the approaching army. Adam had the command, setting up perfectly formed ranks like any experienced general.

“My lord!” William called out to him. “Another fight may not be necessary. I believe I know who they are.”

Adam nodded, puzzled, but nonetheless ordered the troops to remain as they were as William, Roan, Paris and Kieran rode out across the vast moor, pounding toward the distant column of men.

Two riders broke off from the approaching army and rode out to meet them. All of the riders came to a halt several yards apart under the early morning sky, destriers dancing and kicking up dewed sod.

Roan flipped up his visor. “Andrew, you bastard.”

One of the men, dressed in flawless armor, pulled off his helmet and William studied the man with the rich auburn hair intently.

“Well, cousin, where in the hell is this fierce battle that threatens to tear Scotland apart?” he demanded.

Roan smiled. “Over with, fortunately. The Wolf’s troops were victorious and you, little man, were not needed after all.”

Andrew’s face cracked into a smile. “You dragged me all the way up here into the God-awful wilderness for nothing?” he asked incredulously. “I shall have your head for this.”

“Instead, consider that I have a great debt to you and will be eager to repay it,” Roan replied. “Truly, cousin, I appreciate your loyalty more than you can possibly know.”

“As do I,” William said formally. “I do not believe we have had the pleasure. I am William de Wolfe.”

Andrew looked at William. “The Wolf of the border? ’Tis I who have the pleasure, my lord. Your reputation and skills are legendary. I am glad to see that we are not needed, though I expected as much with you leading the army. I am Sir Andrew d’Vant, Sir Roan’s cousin.”

William nodded slightly, an arrogant nod. “I know you are usually paid for your services, my lord, but I must confess I came…unprepared for restitution.” He glanced sideways at Roan. “Yet I can offer you and your men food and lodging at Northwood in hopes that you will consider that payment enough for your efforts.”

Andrew passed a glance at his cousin as well. “You need not worry about payment, my lord, for that has been taken care of,” he replied. “However, I will accept your gracious offer just the same.”

William nodded curtly and reined his animal around, wondering how the man got a hold of Henry’s banner but suspecting just the same.

“Roan?” Andrew yelled at his cousin as he put his helmet on once again. “And just how in the hell do you expect to repay this favor? I have taken all of your money, and you have no men to speak of. Well?”

“I will repay Roan’s debt to you, my lord, when and where needed,” William answered for the knight, drawing surprise from all of them. He looked at Roan. “Your cousin has been a loyal and thoughtful vassal, and served me flawlessly in Wales. In fact, I practically owe the man my life and intend to demand from Henry that Roan serve me permanently. Any debt he has to you becomes mine.”

Roan was stunned. “My lord?” he stammered. My God, he did not want this man to feel obligated to him in the least. He had simply meant to…

William waved him off. “Back to Northwood,” he bellowed.

*

Jordan rode with her husband back to Northwood. With over two thousand men in the caravan, it looked as if the entire fighting population of England was mobilizing. She was sure they made a strange and awesome sight.

She was happy. Truly happy. For everything that she had done, the end result was a pleasant one and she relaxed against her husband. She had her family, and although they had initially protested at returning to England with her, she had convinced them ’twas only for a short while to regain their strength before returning to rebuild Langton. And they would rebuild, with William’s help. He had pledged money, men and materials.

Dunbar was dead. So was Malcolm. She didn’t know what had become of Abner but she suspected he, too, lay dead on the moor. The clan chiefs, licking their wounds, had disbanded and returned to their various keeps, according to William’s spies. With Dunbar dead there was no reason to stay together.

Jordan still had a difficult time believing the stupidity of her countrymen sometimes. How could they have believed in victory when they knew they would be fighting The Wolf? ’Twas not only blind faith in her husband’s abilities, but she had somehow hoped her fellow Scots would be tired of war and death, as she was. But, she knew, as long as there was Scotland and England, there would be wars.

The day had grown remarkably warm but she was blissfully comfortable in her flowing white surcoat, draped like an angel atop William’s horse. Jemma, feeling much better after her ride from hell yesterday, rode with Kieran. Caladora rode back in the wagon with her other kin.

Her heart was so light it was a feather. Her concerns, her worries, were gone except for one. William would be returning to London now to resume his station as king’s champion and the thought depressed her. She would go with him to London, of course, even though she loathed the place, but she would not be separated from him. Never again.