“Where is Hunt?” she asked.
Tevin passed a glance at his daughter before replying. “My men are looking for him,” he said evenly. “In fact, Myles is searching for him personally. We will find him.”
Cantia’s brow furrowed. “But I left him with Arabel,” she said, looking to the young woman. “He was with you, was he not?”
Arabel’s features fell, feeling some panic and sorrow, but Tevin spoke before she could spill her fears and terrify Cantia with tales of her missing son.
“Hunt apparently decided to leave and go find help,” he told her as carefully as he could. “He cannot have gone far. I have dozens of men searching for him right now, so do not worry overly. We will find him.”
Cantia was confused, now with a creeping sense of fear. “Leave to find help?” she repeated. “But why would he do that? He would not even know where to go.”
Tevin could feel her panic. He sought to soothe her before she could veer out of control.
“Sweetheart, perhaps he got scared and ran off,” he said, not wanting to incriminate his daughter as having a hand in Hunt’s departure. “He is a young boy and young boys often do unpredictable things. What matters now is that I have many men searching for him and we will find him. I do not want you to worry.”
Cantia would not be soothed. She looked up at Arabel. “Where did he go?” she wanted to know. “Did he say anything to you?”
Arabel was tongue-tied, looking to her father for help. Tevin opened his mouth to answer for her when the thunder of chargers caught their attention. De Lohr was riding towards them at breakneck speed, pulling his excited charger to a halt several feet from Tevin’s horse, which began to get excited as well. Arabel shrieked as the horse danced and Tevin ably calmed the excitable beast.
“What goes on, Myles?” Tevin demanded. “Where is Hunt?”
Myles was edgy. He yanked off his helm in a frustrated gesture, propping it on the saddle in front of him.
“We are expanding the search,” he said, seeing Cantia and nodding his head in her direction. “My lady, it is good to see you safe and whole”
Cantia ignored the greeting. “Where is my son?”
Myles sighed heavily, hesitance in his manner. “I do not know… yet,” he said, trying not to sound too discouraged. “But rest assured, Lady Penden, that I will find him.”
Cantia had tears pooling in her eyes by the time he was finished, realizing that her son was still missing and no one seemed to know where he was. Tevin could see how frightened she was and he rubbed her back soothingly, trying to ease her as the search went on for her son. Upon the saddle, Arabel watched Cantia and tried not to feel too guilty. She was verging on tears as well.
Myles wiped the sweat off his brow and plopped his helm on again, turning his charger towards the south with the intention of resuming his search when a shout filled the air. It was very loud, causing them all to look towards the source. Out of the darkness of the trees to the east came several figures, one of them carrying a squirming little boy. Cantia gasped when she realized it was Hunt in the arms of Gillywiss.
With a cry of joy, she broke free from Tevin and started to run towards her son, but that joy turned to horror when she realized that Gillywiss had a dirk pressed up against Hunt’s pale little neck. She came to a halt, her eyes wide.
“What are you doing?” she asked as calmly as she could. “Why do you hold my son?”
Cantia could hear broadswords unsheathing around her and she held out a quelling hand to Tevin and Myles, silently asking them to be still. She kept her focus on Gillywiss, whose eyes had that familiar wild look about them. She didn’t like it in the least.
“I was rushing to see what the trouble was and what do you think I found?” Gillywiss was being rather grandiose, like he had been the night they had been brought into the camp and he had made a big show for his people. “Someone had caught this little boy trying to escape from camp. But, it seems that an escaping prisoner was the least of my worries.”
Cantia sighed heavily, trying not to look at her son as he struggled against Gillywiss’ grip. She knew what the man meant without even asking.
“Please,” she begged softly. “You must understand they did not know what they would find when they came here. For all they knew, we were being held in horrible conditions, or worse. They did not know that you have not been cruel to us, but I have explained the situation and they will withdraw, I swear.”
Gillywiss’ wild-eyed expression faded into a countenance that Cantia had never seen before. It was hard and deadly. His gaze moved to the men behind Cantia, hardened warriors in expensive armor and with expensive weapons. He fixed on Tevin, standing slightly behind Cantia, and assumed it was the viscount because he was standing so close to her. His attention drifted over the enormous warrior with the long hair.
“You are Winterton,” he said, a statement and not a question.
Tevin was fixed on the man. “I am the Earl of East Anglia,” he said in his deep, authoritative voice. “If what the lady has told me is true, I owe you my thanks. But that mercy shall be at an end if you do not let the boy go immediately. Release him to his mother and I shall have no quarrel with you.”
Cantia was watching her son squirm when Tevin’s words registered with her. I am the Earl of East Anglia. Confused, she turned to the man questioningly, but his dark eyes were riveted to Gillywiss.
“The earl?” he repeated. “You are not Winterton?”
“I was. That status has changed.”
Gillywiss thought on that a moment, as did Cantia. Gillywiss seemed to be considering it while Cantia’s sense of confusion only grew.
“So you are authority personified,” Gillywiss said.
“I am.”
“I have never met an earl before.”
“Now you have.”
“Then if that is the truth and you want this boy returned, you will have to make some concessions, Lord Earl.”
Tevin’s hard expression didn’t waiver. “I do not negotiate with outlaws,” he said. “Return the boy or we’ll burn this place to the ground.”
“If you do, the boy will not survive.”
“If you kill him, you will not survive, either.”
“Wait!” Cantia threw up her arms, putting herself between Tevin and Gillywiss so they would stop threatening each other. She turned to Gillywiss with pain in her expression.
“Please give me my son,” she begged softly. “Nothing more will happen to you or your people, I swear. But if you must have a hostage, then I would rather you take me and let my son go.”
Gillywiss wasn’t finished posturing with Tevin yet but he forced himself to look at Cantia’s frightened face. The inherent compassion that the man kept so closely guarded began to flicker, seeping through the cracks of his composure. Cantia somehow had that ability over him, as she’d already proven.
“You are a lady of great sacrifices,” he said after a moment. “What has he ever done for you?”
Cantia knew he meant Tevin. She sighed again, averting her gaze after a moment. “He gave me the will to live again,” she confessed, daring to look at the dark-eyed outlaw. “I tried to kill myself after the death of my husband. No matter what you may think of him, know he has given me my life back and for that, I am grateful. I am sorry that he raided your settlement, but you know why he did it. He was looking for me. Now, please give me my son so we can return home. I would consider it a personal favor.”
Gillywiss’ eyes glittered at her. Then, without another word, he released Hunt, who went running to his mother. Cantia threw her arms around the boy and picked him up, cradling him. She couldn’t help the tears in her eyes as she focused on Gillywiss.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Your mercy is appreciated.”
Gillywiss watched the mother and son cuddle, acutely aware of what else was going on around him as Myles silently ordered the men to mount and retreat. The earl’s soldiers were clearing out. Tevin went over to Cantia
and Hunt, putting an enormous hand on Hunt’s back and peering at the child to make sure he was well. Seeing that the boy was unharmed, merely shaken, he looked at Gillywiss.
“I will again thank you for your service in saving the lady, her son, and my daughter,” he said. “If ever you have need of something in the future, do not hesitate to send word to me. I consider myself indebted to you.”
Gillywiss eyed the very big earl. He was a handsome devil with his piercing eyes and long hair, and even though he’d only been confronted with the man for a few minutes, he could already see the genuine emotion between him and the lady. It was hard to miss. He scratched his head, his focus moving between Cantia and her son, and Tevin.
“You and your men came to my village, once,” he said. “You burned it to the ground.”
Tevin was not remorseful. “In the course of my duties, I have burned many villages. It was nothing personal against you.”
Gillywiss couldn’t argue that point. It was the truth. But he wasn’t finished yet. “Because of you, my family and I had to flee. Now we live here and you have torn this up as well.”
Tevin’s eyes drifted over the settlement, now quieting that his men had ceased their raid. People were walking around, picking up the pieces.
“I was looking for Cantia,” he said, his dark gaze fixing on Gillywiss. “I would stop at nothing to find her. Surely you can understand that.”
“Will you not apologize?”
“No.”
Gillywiss contemplated his reply. “Then we will require restitution, Lord Earl.”
“You shall have it. Consider it a reward.”
Gillywiss was rather surprised by the answer. There had been no hesitation. It wasn’t an apology, but he really didn’t care. More and more, he was coming to see that the warrior felt the same for the lady as she did for him because a lesser man would not have agreed so readily. The man had the only thing he cared about and was showing his thanks.
“If she means so much to you, why do you not marry her?” he wanted to know. He was, in truth, a nosy man. “Why have you not searched for the wife that ran off on you years ago? Is this lady, this lady who was the very reason you tore up my camp, not worth it?”
Tevin was rather taken aback by the fact that this stranger, this outlaw, knew intimate details about his personal life. He looked at Cantia who was, by this time, looking at Gillywiss. She still had Hunt in her arms, all wrapped up around her torso.
“I told you why,” she said before Tevin could reply. “You will not question him. It is none of your affair.”
Gillywiss’ brow furrowed, like a scolded child. He finally made a face at her and kicked at the dirt, having a hard time looking her in the eye.
“I do not suppose he would let his daughter take up with a married man, no matter how much they loved each other,” he muttered. “Yet he sees nothing wrong with taking up with you.”
Cantia looked at Tevin, somewhat apologetically, and was surprised to see that Tevin was actually listening to the man. Finally, he just shook his head.
“I am not entirely sure what you have been told, or why you have been told.” He was scolding Cantia and she knew it. “However, I will tell you this since you seem so concerned, I have every intention of seeking out the woman who abandoned me and my daughter those years ago, but the days have been rather busy for me lately. Times are dark and difficult, especially with those in a position of power. There has been much sacrifice all the way around.”
Gillywiss shook his head faintly. “’Tis not only with those in power,” he gestured to his encampment. “Those who have nothing suffer worst of all. It is as if the land itself is undone and darkened with such evil, as if Christ and his angels are sleeping and demons are let loose upon us all.”
Tevin lingered on his words. “For an outlaw, you are particularly insightful,” he said. “You understand the wickedness and lawlessness of this time.”
Gillywiss seemed rather pensive, glancing at Cantia. “And happiness in and of itself is rare,” he said quietly. “Perhaps… perhaps that is why I asked of your intentions towards the lady. Happiness these days is difficult to come by and should not be treated casually.”
Tevin wasn’t going to get into an in-depth discussion about his feelings for Cantia with the man so he turned to see who was still lingering nearby. Spying Myles astride his big charger, he motioned the man forward.
“Round up those who have stolen from these people and have them deposit whatever they have taken here in this clearing,” he said, his voice low. “We shall return what hasn’t already been eaten or otherwise disposed of. Are you carrying any coinage?”
Myles dug around in his saddle, into a hidden compartment where he usually stored coin or valuables. He pulled out a small leather pouch and tossed it to Tevin, who opened it up and counted what was inside. Then he closed it back up and made his way back over to Gillywiss.
“Here,” he said, tossing the man the pouch. “This should be sufficient for the moment, but I will send more at a later time.”
Gillywiss deftly caught the sack, opening it and peering inside. When he saw all of the coins, his eyes widened and he looked at Tevin with that crazed, wild-eyed look that Cantia was familiar with.
“This is better than robbery,” he announced, turning to those people hovering behind him. “It seems to be more lucrative to save the nobility than steal from it.”
His followers laughed and he tossed the purse to one of the women, watching her and a few others excitedly count the coins. Then he returned his attention to Tevin.
“The lady said you were generous, Lord Earl,” he announced. “It would seem she was correct.”
Tevin gave him a faint grin in reply, thinking it was time to return to Rochester as the hour grew late and the darkness grew damp. He was particularly concerned for Arabel’s health, so he turned to Myles.
“If you will take Cantia and Hunt with you, I will take Arabel with me,” he said, motioning towards the general direction of the main road that lead to Rochester. “Gather the men. We return.”
Cantia heard his order, disappointed that she would not be riding with Tevin but understanding. Arabel didn’t really know Myles and would be much more comfortable with her father. Tevin must have been reading her mind because when he was done peeling Hunt off of her and handing him up to Myles, he took her sweetly in his arms and hugged her. Then he kissed her forehead and both hands, preparing to lift her up to Myles when Gillywiss stopped him.
“My lady,” he said, his focus on Cantia. “Do you remember what I told you earlier about my relatives in Paris?”
Cantia cocked her head thoughtfully. “I am not sure,” she said. “What do you mean?”
Gillywiss grinned that toothy grin. “I will find this woman,” he said confidently, “so you can marry your great Lord Earl. I will find this woman who stands between you and your happiness.”
Cantia could help but grin because he was. He was being boastful and, in truth, she didn’t particularly believe him, but she humored him.
“If it is God’s will,” she said softly.
“For my sister’s life and my nephew’s life, I vow to repay you,” he said, back to his grandiose style. “I will find this woman and bring her back to you.”
Cantia simply smiled, graciously acknowledging him as Tevin lifted her up to Myles. She settled in behind him as Tevin mounted his own charger, collecting his daughter carefully into his arms.
The last Cantia saw of Gillywiss, the man was waving at her as if she were departing on a great and dangerous journey, not as the man who had once been both captor and savior. It was rather strange. The further away she got, the more vivid his waving became until he was literally jumping up and down.
As she watched him, it occurred to her that she had not collected her bags but in the same breath, she realized she didn’t particularly care. She would leave them for Gillywiss, since he was obviously so enamored with her things. Perhaps it would give the man,
that complex, puzzling and intelligent man, a little of the happiness he had spoken of. He didn’t seem like a very happy man. Besides, from what she had seen, he liked her things far more than she did.
The thought made her smile.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
They reached Rochester in the middle of the night, a castle and keep lit by dozens of flaming torches casting soot and smoke into the darkened sky. It was a massive bastion against the night, a sight that Cantia found extremely comforting. Finally, after a wild, dangerous and unpredictable few days past, she was home. The outcome could have been so much different and she did not take her safety, or anyone’s safety, for granted.
The women who tended Arabel, having been summoned by a soldier who had run all the way from the gatehouse, were waiting as Tevin entered the fire-lit inner bailey. Tevin handed his sleepy daughter into their waiting arms. As the returning army around him disbanded, he dismounted with the intention of helping Cantia and Hunt. Before he could reach them, however, he called out to the senior soldier who had charge of Rochester in his absence. The big, war-worn soldier was lingering nearby.
“Have Simon and John returned from Dartford yet?” he asked.
The soldier shook his head. “Not yet, my lord,” he replied. “I will send word as soon as they are sighted.”
“Any word of trouble from the bridge?”
“None, my lord.”
Nodding, Tevin continued to de Lohr’s charger where the man was still astride along with Cantia and Hunt. Hunt was sleepy, grumpy, and practically fell into Tevin’s arms as the man reached up for him. But that grumpiness was forgotten when the big yellow dog came charging out of the darkness and Hunt was reunited with his very best friend. Cantia watched the reunion as Tevin helped her down from the horse and set her on her feet.
“Hunt,” she instructed softly. “Take George up to your chamber, please. I will be up shortly.”
Hunt yawned, hugging the big dog around the neck. “But I am hungry,” he said. “I want thomething to eat.”