As Robert sat down on the bench with him, Brant said, “It appears Richard was right about me needing practice.”
“Actually, it was Isabel, who thought you might need practice. She does not seem to want anything to happen to you,” Robert said. “Though sometimes I wonder, if she is not gaming us all.”
While she was the last thing Brant wanted to think about, since he was going to have to deal with her sometime, the more he knew the better.
“How so?” Brant asked.
“When Richard approached me for help, and mentioned that the brains behind the plan, was a one and six maid, it seemed like a lark. I get Kate, and you get stuck with some baggage, until she is one and eight,” Robert said, with a concerned look.
"Baggage?" Brant asked. "That is how you saw it? I think you forgot, powerful friends. Do you know why someone is determined to protect her?"
"I have no idea," Robert said. “I was told why did not matter. It was important to protect both of you. Richard alluded to there being some vague threat, to both of you. But the longer this goes on, the more I wonder, if I did not make a deal with the devil. Several times, messengers have arrived with word that made no sense to me. When I asked Richard what that was about, he simply told me I knew all, I needed to know. I am sure Richard and Isabel, knew what the message meant. Just this morning, Richard asked where she wanted to go, to hide out from you. She said she did not intend to hide from you, though when you learn the whole truth, you are likely to be madder than a wild boar. It appears that Richard, and Isabel, have been doing things that I was not a part of. Furthermore, Isabel seems to have secrets, even from Richard.”
When Robert fell silent, and it appeared no further information was forthcoming, Brant rose, and asked if he would like to go a round with the swords.
For the next couple of weeks, Brant was let out into the courtyard to practice, with his weapons. By that time, his armor and sword, no longer felt heavy. In between, he spent time holding his shield, and maneuvering a practice sword, he had been allowed to take into his jail cell. Richard had been in to speak with him several times, about a treaty with Avery, which Brant must honor. He would also be expected, to see to the safety of his wife, until she was one and eight, unless the situation changed. He did not elaborate, on what he thought might change. Which left Brant convinced that he was still not being told the whole story.
Furthermore, as Richard had acted on authority of the Crown, Brant would not pursue revenge against them, did he wish to remain outside of a cell. Brant decided he no longer wished to kill Robert anyway, although he did desire, to get even with him, somehow.
However, Richard's assertion that Isabel had the protection of the Crown, intrigued Brant. Their sires, Eric and Edmund, had been what was sometimes called Marcher Lords. They both ruled their vast holdings, with autonomy. Brant had sworn loyalty, and paid feity to the King, and the King left him alone. His war with Avery did not appear to warrant Royal involvement. If it did, why not just kill Avery? What was Brant not being told?
The morning of his last day of being held prisoner, Brant found himself thinking of the night before. The old woman had brought Alisa to him. He did so enjoy getting her soft little body under his, particularly when he could hold back, when she reached her climax. From then on, she was completely in his control, moaning or whispering “yes,” to encourage him to continue. And if he stopped, begging with her eyes, or a whispered “please,” until he started moving, again. It was so satisfying to have her moan her approval, like an animal in the throws of passion, until he took her over the edge, again. Never before had Brant experienced such lust, where the only thing that mattered at the time, was their bodies moving together.
Before she left last night, Alisa had kissed him gently, and whispered, “Rest well, mi amor.”
He was not sure what that meant, but it sounded like an endearment. Then, Robert appeared at the barred door, bringing Brant back to the present.
“The lookout has sent the signal that your men-at-arms are approaching. They should be here within the half hour, so you need to get ready,” Robert said, as he unlocked the cell door.
Brant rose slowly, and asked, “They are actually, just going to let me go?”
“Well, your weapons are in the hall, as is the Lady Isabel, who wishes to speak to you,” Robert informed him. “However, your men were sent for. They know you are here,” he paused, and laughed, before finishing, “with your wife.”
Two serfs assisted Brant in donning his maul, before going to carry out his trunk, and shield. Then, Robert waved his arm, indicating that Brant should move toward the door.
“You go first, so I know you are not going to club me over the head,” Robert said.
“So they kidnapped me, and forced me to wed some child. Held me in a dungeon for nearly three months, and now, they are just going to let me go? I find that an unsatisfying story, with a lot of holes in it,” Brant said. “However, if it gets me out of here, I believe I can live with being unsatisfied, for a little while.”
He was now out of the jail courtyard, where he could see his destry standing saddled, with some other horses, near a stable. Brant walked directly toward the horse, feeling a strong desire, to get outside of the Castle walls.
“Well, I did say Isabel was waiting in the hall, to speak with you,” Robert reminded him.
The gate was wide open, and about twenty men rode in, bearing Brant’s crest on the lead horse. He recognized them as his men. The Knight Harold led the group.
“It is good to see you, My Lord,” Harold greeted. “We were beginning to worry, that something had happened to you, too. It was a relief, when we found out you were just here, getting wed.”
Brant glared at Robert, before replying, “It is good to see you, too, Harold. What did you mean by, ‘something had happened to me, too’?”
“I am sorry to have to say it, My Lord. Esme went to visit her mother, and the girl has just disappeared,” Harold replied slowly. “We searched Peggy’s Castle and questioned her, but she claims to know nothing, about what may have happened to the girl. She certainly looked to be distraught, about her daughter vanishing, but ...”
“My sister went missing from Peggy’s?” Brant questioned, sharply.
"Aye, My Lord," Harold said, nodding in confirmation.
“The Lady Isabel is in the hall. Go get her, and escort her to my Castle, near Kings Worthy. I want you to see that she is safe, and make sure, I do not hear anything about her. How many men are with you?” Brant asked.
“About one hundred, My Lord. I was not sure that, this might not be a trap,” Harold answered.
“Take half of the men with you, to see to her safety,” Brant ordered the Knight.
Then he mounted his destroy, and rode toward the gate. Robert hurried to his horse, and followed.
When he caught up with his old friend, he said, “I do not think that was a very good idea, Brant.”
“I was told I had to see to her safety, until she reaches her majority. I did not hear any orders about how, I was to do that,” Brant said, as he passed through the gate.
Isabel was sitting near the hearth, waiting to talk to her husband, when several men entered, and approached.