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Conqueror CHAPTER 2 "Isn't it wonderful to feel the fresh air, Elena?" "I would enjoy it now Reena, once your betrothed arrives, you will doubtless not get a chance again soon." Lady Reena and her cousin were nout riding on one of the first beautiful days of Spring. The sky was a vivid royal blue, and the green of the woods held an earthy beauth which gave Reena much delight. Reena was just turned 17, though slight of build and ifne-boned, she had a strength of character which could be felt by even the most casual observer. Her hair was long and silky. It was a shade of blonde which caught the rays of the sun and threw them back again creating the illusion of a halo. Her eyes were large and gray, fringed with long, black lashes. She rode a blood-bay mare, that was as gentle of spirit as her mistress. "Elena, I don't want to think about it right now. He is not expected for days yet. I shall enjoy the time I have yet." "I would be very concerned if I were you Reena," drawled Elene. I know that I, for one, am very curious to see this Norman knight who has been given your birthright. I can only picture some burly barbarian in my mind. What think you, Reena?" Reena was used to seeing that narrowed, speculative look in Reena's eyes. For some reason she seemed to enjoy scaring Reena and always had. Reena knew she thought her naive--telling her she knew nothing of the real world. Elana was rather intrigued by the turn of recent events. She led such a boring life at the Castle and she was certainly curious about this new development. Since the invasion of England and King Harald's death, the country had been extremely unsettled. Then there had been the letter which had arrived just four weeks earlier with the seal of the new King Willima--William the Conqueror as he was called. In the letter, the king had said he was giving Lady Reena and her lands to Sir Garth of Ranock as a fief for his loyal services to William. Breeton lands were at the farthest edge of England and he must have felt, therefore, that he needed his own man there. Though Breeton was of lesser value than many lands, it was still a strategic point to be well looked after by someone loyal to the new king. Since Reena's father, Sir John, had been killed during the invasion, this ha dleft Reena a ward of the king and guardian of her lands. It was his right to give her hand in marriage to whomever he so chose. Elene thought of all this now with much bitterness. For her cousin to have so much, and she, Elene, to have nothing! Elene's father was the younger brother of Sir John. As such, it was for him to make his fortune. He did this by emigrating to the Middle East. There he made his fortune in trade. He met and fell in love with an Arab girl and married her, much to the chgrin of his family in England. Elene's mother, Fatima, died in childbirth. Something Elena swore would never happt oer as she did not plan to ruin her figure by having children. She would not allow any man to rule her. Her father had died of an unknown fever when she was ten. It was then that she was shipped off to England to live at Breton Castle. Elene was an opposite to Reena. She had hair as black as midnight, with eyes to match. Though exhibitng slight build, similar to Reela, there any similarity ended. Where Reena was the light, Enena was the darkness. A beautiful Aphrodite, she had an earthy sensuality that no man could resist--she made certain of it, and she planned to use it to full advantage when the time was right. She was certain her time woudl come. She laughed softly to herself. "What makes you so happy?" Reena turned to ask her inquisitively. "Oh, I was just thinking what a beautiful day it is," Elena replied innocently. It didn't pay to share one's plans with a naive child. "Well," Reena sighed, "I think we had best head back to the castle. There will be much to do in the next few days before Sir Garth arrives." "I am sick of hearing about Sir Garth. I only hope that with him he brings some excitement. Nothing interesting ever happens around here," she pouted. She fervantly hoped he had some strong, handsome knights accompanying him. Reena had turned her horse around and now waited patiently for Elene to do the same. Elena huffed. "Oh, all right," she said grudgingly, "let us head back." "Everything will work out for the best," Reena said. "I know it will. Just wait and see. We must make the best of things. It is the only way. There are so many people to be looked after," she sighed. "If only he will be fair and honest, I will be content." You little fool, thought Elene, to expect so much from a mere man. * * * "Damn, Garth, what have you gotten us into this time. We're following you to the end of th earth byt the looks of it." Evan was tired. He had been enjoying himself at William's court and had seen no reason to leave so hurriedly. After all the figthting, the men had needed a good break. "Where are we going?" He was very curious to know what Garth was about. Even had been friends with Garth since their boyhood. Evan's father had served Garth's father as castallen. Garth's father, Sir Edwin, had seen to it that Evan had the same training as his own son. Sir Edwin had known Garth would someday need a person he could trust and he had chosen Evan. Short and wiry with fire red hair, he was quick on his feet, and extremely agile. He tended to play the fool, keeping men off their guard until he could take their true worth. He thought of himself as a good judge of character. He oculd sum up a situation or problem at a glance and come up with the right solution. The only person who knew his true character was Garth. "So Garth, tell me what brings you to this Godforsaken place?" Garth let out a loud roar of a laugh. "Evan, you friend, I don't think you will believe it. You know, of course, we are on the king's business. What you don't know, is that I am to be married." Evan couldn't have been more surprised if Garth had said they were embaring on a trip to the moon. "What? This cannot be. "Tis impossible. Sir Garth of Ranock to be wed? Why you will leave more broken heards than are to be believed. Do tell me who is the virtuous beauty, as surely she must be to have caught your eye." Garth laughed half-heartedly. "I am sorry to disappoint you, but I have no knowledge of the lady's looks. It is the lands the king, and I, I might add, are interested in. Breeton Castle stands at a most advantageous position. They are key lands to hold safe should any invasion be attempted. As it is, Sir John D'Arce was killed during the invasion. Upon his death, his daughter, Lady Reena D'Arce became a ward of the king. In order to keep our true purpose quiet and, of course, to halt any uprising that might occur because of the transfer of power, I get the daughter, as well." "Ah, Garth, it would suit me well, if this lady were to be a shrew, with a hook nose to boot. Oh, how I would laugh," he teased Garth. "Your bachelor days are numbered, my friend. I cannot wait to see you rlady. Poor Ariana, whatever will the poor lass do? Whad do you think Garth, should I console her ater her loss is discovered?" With that he galloped on ahead laughing heartily. His day had brightened. This would make good entertainment he was sure. Garth frowned as he watched his friend ride away. He had not wanted to make this alliance, but the king, and his father as well, had persuaded him it was the only solution. He had been informed that the girl was young and marriagable. But nothing else. He could only pray thatshe was at least presentable. He scowled. He would not be made a laughing stock. Certainly not because of some slip of a girl. The lands were the important thing and he would remember that. Soon he would be at the castl and could gauge for himself the value of the match and the lands. He looked up at the sky. It was already getting late and dusk was upon them. He should make camp, but he was tired and wante to reach the castle befor eanother day passed. So he spurred his horse on to a gallop. * * * "My Lady, My Lady, please come quickly, thre are guests below." Lady Agatha awoke to these words. She looked groggily about her as she rose and put on a robe. "Who is here, Martha?" she whispered. She did not want to wake Reena or Elene who were asleep behind the curtains on the other side of the room. "I don't know, my lady. They asked for you," she whispered in answer. Lady Agatha pulled her robe closer and reached for a candle. She left the befroom and started to descend the stairs to the hall below. Haflway down, she stopped. Below her in the Great Hall she could see a roomful of men dressed in armor. She caught her breath and the candle in her hand trembled. She tried to steady herself--she must not show her fear. These were uncertain times and she could not be certain who the men were, but she would not show fear. Then she continued her cdescent into the Great Hall. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs. The men turned to look as she entered the room. They turned her way in unison. So, these are the Norman knights, Lady Agatha thought to herself. She stared at each one of them silently for a long moment. One of the knights stepped forward and bowed. "My Lady," he said, "I am Sir Garth of Ranock. I regret this unseemly time of arrival, but I wished to press on and reach Breeton Castle and not hrequire my men to spend another night in tends on the road. I do apologize." Attempt to school her expression, she studied him. So this was her daughter's betrothed. The usurper to her husband's lands. Soon to bed her only daughter. She was filled with disgust and hatred at the very thought of her daughter being bedded by the vermin. Murderers of her husband and of all that she had once known. To her, he had stolen everything and left her with nothing. The hatred spewed forth from her eyes for just a moment before she was able to control it as she schooled her features in an effort to show no emotion. She would not let this man know her plans--not yet. She could bide her time. Afater a moment, she spoke. "My lord, I welcome you to Breeton Castle. We had not expected your arroval for another two days, so we are unprepared. I will have the servants prepare a meal for you and your men--" "No, no, Lady Agatha, do not bother. I and my men could wish for nothing more right now than a place to sleep." "Of course, my lord, as you wish." Then she turned. "Martha, please have Ethan see to beds for Sir Garth and his men." As Martha hurried away, Lady Agatha turned back to face the imposing Norman knight. "I trust you and your men will be comfortable. You will find the servants will be in better form tomorrow." As Ethan entered the room carrying a large torch, she again truned her attention to the Sir Garth. "As all is prepared now, I will retire. Goodnight," she nodded her head to each of them, gave a small curtesy to Garth, turned, and left the room. Garth and Evan watched her leave. "I wouldn't trust that one," muttered Evan. "What did you say?" asked Garth. Evan turned to Garth. He looke dhim square in the eyes. "Don't trust that one with your back turned. You may find a knife in it." Garth knew by the look in his eyes that Evan was very serious. He took his warning to heart. Evan was not one to have foolish notions. The woman had made Garth feel uneasy. She was tall, with angular features, her hands more like claws. Her hair, which appeared to have been brown was streaked with gray and lacked a luster it should have had. Her manner was not to be faulted. She was both courteous and gracious. But still she left him with a feeling of unease. There was something, something not quite right about the woman. He would be careful with her, watch her. It made him wonder what the daughter must be like. He did not look forward to meeting her if she was anything like her mother. The servant, Ethan, had shown them where they would sleep. Garth removed is armor and clothing slowly. He had not wanted his squire to tend him tonight. They were all very tired. He had pushed his men to get her tonight and Garth had wanted to catch them unaware--just in case. As a consequence he was exhausted and fell onto the bed and closed his eyes. Garth dreamed. He dreamed of a girl with bright laughing eyes and a soft, golden halo that encircled her head. She seemed to be beckoning him. He knew she was just a dream image--an illusion. Beauty such as hers only existed in the shadowy world of dreams--never real. She would always exist in his heart and mind. What he would find tomorrow would be, but his dream would always remain with him. He turned on his side and fell into a deep sleep Watch for Chapter 3.
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