When Richard faced the prisoner squarely, and prepared to set down his terms, he was suddenly assailed with apprehension. The man before him, sat completely still. Yet, the cold blue eyes, tightly clamped jaw, and clenched fists, gave him the look of a wild animal, poised and ready to strike, with deadly accuracy. Richard had known Lord Eric, Brant's sire, well. He had at most times, been a fair and reasonable individual. However, Richard had seen first hand, the cold-blooded precision with which Eric had attacked his enemies, when raiders had plagued the area, many years back. The younger Lord definitely possessed a similar black temperament. He prayed Brant also inherited a similar practical nature.
Richard took a deep breath, exhaling slowly to relieve the tension he was feeling. Then he began to lay out his case.
“This damn war between you, and Avery, has already resulted in the demise of both of your sires. Then, because you had him severely out manned, Avery pursued assistance from his father’s cousin. Lord Edmund had no love of his cousin’s family, and refused him assistance. A few months past, Lord Edmund was murdered, in a supposed robbery. More likely, twas Avery, or his villains. Shortly after Lord Edmund's death, Avery arrived to claim the Lady Isabel, as his ward, Avery being her closest male relative. Since then, he has availed himself of her people, and resources, to fight you. What is more, due to treaties with Isabel’s father, Avery is demanding that Justin and I, lend forces to his defense. We have only a few months, before we will be required to provide our forces, to aid him. At that point, his army will be nearly as large as yours. That means that you, Isabel, Justin, and I, are all likely to lose a lot of vassals. People that we need, to care for our properties, crops, and livestock, to make our lands prosperous,” Richard paused, looking at Brant pointedly.
Brant continued to sit unmoving, displaying no outward reaction, though the news of his enemies increased resources, was troubling. Even more bothersome, was the fact that the knight, had still not revealed, who the power behind his kidnapping was, or why he had been taken prisoner.
After several seconds, Richard continued, “Though Isabel’s mother still lives, her and her daughter, dare not attempt to oppose Avery's orders, with her people. The Lady is nearly ten and seven, and desires to live much longer. Her cousin’s desperation, leaves that in doubt.”
Richard paused again, looking for any reaction from the prisoner.
Though he gave no outward sign, Brant was getting really annoyed. He still had not been informed who, besides the men in front of him, he should be plotting to skewer with his sword. Nor, had Richard disclosed any reason, for his capture, yet.
“The Lady Isabel has requested the protection of the Crown, and we have been given leave, to see to her protection. Isabel has convinced me, that the only practical means to protect us all, from this disastrous situation, is for the two of you to wed. And I assure you Brant, that you will reside here, until the deed is done,” Richard stated firmly, finally getting to the point.
Brant was dumbfounded. He sat completely speechless, glaring at Richard for several seconds. Then he shifted his glance to Robert, who was wearing the same big grin on his face, that he had worn throughout Brant’s kidnapping.
Finally, Brant found his voice, and asked, “This has got to be an elaborate jest, right?”
Anger flashed in Richard’s expression, as he retorted, “The men who accosted your forces near Lasham, were from Isabel’s lands. Fifteen were killed, many more injured. How many did you lose? I assure you, this is no jest. I will give you some time to consider, how long you wish to endure your current accommodations.”
Finishing his angry retort, Richard turned, and walked out.
"Richard is quite serious, Brant. What is more, marrying the girl, will move her forces to your side, peacefully. And as your oldest friend, I intend to be here, to witness the nuptials,” Robert said, speaking for the first time. Then, he too turned, and walked out, laughing. Brant was left to stare at the door they had just exited through, still not sure if he should take them seriously, or not.
A short while later, a serf entered the jail with a tray, that was quickly pushed through the slot, onto the shelf inside. After the serf left, Brant tried a few bites of the morning fare, but found he had little appetite. He rose, and returned to the adjoining cell, to lay down on the bed, while he mulled over Richard's words.
If what Brant had just been told, was not some elaborate jest, he had been kidnapped by these knights, at the behest of a woman. He certainly could not avenge himself, by killing a woman. He recalled Richard saying she was, 'nearly ten and seven.' Woman? At ten and six, she was a child. How did you get revenge against a child? Spank her? For a few moments, he laughed at that thought, but his surroundings put a quick end, to any mirth.
Richard claimed they intended to keep him a prisoner here, until he agreed to wed the child. He remembered all the times his father had approached him, about various Ladies, trying to get Brant to consider a betrothal. They all seemed to be simple minded wenches, with coy little ploys, that encouraged him to head the other way. His father had known Lord Edmund, yet Brant did not recall him ever mentioning a daughter, had he? He may have. Brant knew he only half listened, when his sire was talking about him finding a wife. He would need an heir one day, but so far, he had found it preferable, to indulge his physical pleasures with the company of serfs, and harlots.
Brant still could not believe this was serious. Then, he recalled laying in the wagon after being drugged. He had heard someone say, ‘let's get moving. The Lady awaits her groom’, after they thought he was unconscious. Very possibly they were serious. What was more, Richard said the Lady had the protection of the Crown. If that was true, then he likely had no choice, about complying with them. Those who opposed the king, could meet with accidents, or just disappear. Brant glanced around his accommodations again, realizing that this was a more than adequate place to make him disappear, indefinitely. Still, a forced strategic marriage seemed a bit of a leap, particularly when it should be easy for the King, to reign in Avery. There had to be more going on here, than just his war with that reprobate, Brant thought. They still had not disclosed all, to him, he was sure.
Chapter 3
Brant awoke with the first light of day, streaming through the window, of his cell. After Richard, and Robert, had laid out their intentions the previous day, he had seen no one, except the serf who brought him food last evening, much to his irritation. This left him alone, with his mind allowed to wander where it might. For a man use to spending his days, dealing with matters pertaining to his lands, or in some battle camp, the forced solitude and inactivity, was already beginning to get to him.
The case Richard had presented weighed on his mind. Avery gaining control of a much larger force, could very well prove disastrous. From that angle, the child’s plan to prevent that, was actually very good. Marriage was common to achieve peace between families, and frequently resulted in major shifts in forces, without bloodshed. The main fly in the ointment, was that he did not want a wife, particularly, one who was determined, to force him to the alter.
Being a practical man, he could certainly see the benefit of wedding the child, and sticking her somewhere safe, until he could destroy her cousin. Then, he would just have to think of a proper way, to punish the devious, willful, brat. He could always set his ‘bride’ aside, once she helped him solve his problems. Still, the means with which they had pursued his compliance, rankled him. He was going to have to make them sweat a few days, if he could take being confined in here.