A Knight Of Honour Part 20

'I think you worry too much,' Stefan said. 'There is strength in Alain, though it has not yet been tried, but when the time comes-'

They both turned as someone knocked at the door and then Elona entered, carrying a sealed doc.u.ment.

'This comes from the King,' she said. 'His messenger says that it is urgent and awaits your reply, Stefan. I told him you had been ill, but he insisted that I bring it to you.'

'I will see it,' Stefan said and took it from her, breaking the seal. He read it swiftly and then more slowly. 'Baron Danewold accuses me of treason against the King. I am called to court to answer the charges.'

'But how can this be? Why should the King think you guilty of treason?'

'Because he knows that I have been his son's man for many years. He fears Richard and therefore he is wary of any that come from Richard's court. Henry is an old man, my love. He knows that the time left to him is short, and that is why he listens to those who pour poisonous words into his ear.'

'But you have sworn loyalty to him now that you have returned to England.'

'Indeed, I have. Henry is our rightful King while he lives, and I would do nothing to harm him, though I would support Richard if there were a struggle between him and his brother John.' Stefan drew a heavy breath. 'It is a monstrous lie, yet I must go to answer it. If I do not, the King will think I am guilty.'

'But you cannot go,' Elona cried. 'You are far too weak. The journey would kill you.'

'I must answer a summons from the King.'

'But it may be the death of you. Please, my husband, I beg you not to do this foolish thing.'

'I shall go in your stead,' Ralph said. 'He will listen to me, for I have served him faithfully on many occasions.'

'He may arrest you in my stead,' Stefan said. 'But go if you wish with a message from me. Tell him that I am laid p.r.o.ne upon my sickbed after a wound that laid me low for weeks, but that I shall come to him in one month and then I will answer any charges against me. On this I give my solemn word before G.o.d.'

'No!' Elona cried. 'You will not be well enough in a month, Stefan. You cannot travel for many months.'

Stefan looked at her and the expression in his eyes told her that he would not listen. 'Go to the King, Father. Tell him that I shall answer in one month or he will hear of my death...'

Chapter Twelve.

Elona watched Stefan fighting with d.i.c.kon, who was the only one of his men who could be persuaded to train with him. His leg pained him so much that he stumbled when he tried to lunge at his opponent and cursed, and the other men had refused to put him to so much agony. Only d.i.c.kon seemed unafraid of his cursing and his rages.

She caught her breath as she saw him stumble again; his language was not fit for the stables and Elona clenched her hands, curling the nails into the palms to keep from crying out. It was ten days since the King's message had arrived, and Stefan had insisted on beginning to exercise with his men. He had made a remarkable recovery, but his leg was not yet fully healed and the pain made him sweat as he forced himself to do things that he should not have thought of for weeks or months.

He leaned on his sword, shaking his head as d.i.c.kon asked him if he had had enough for one day.

'I must be ready to meet all challenges in a month,' he answered. 'If the King will not listen, I may prove my innocence only by combat.'

He could not think to fight Danewold? Elona wanted to cry out her protest, but she dared not. His temper was at boiling point and any protest from her was labelled as nagging and dismissed brusquely. He would have none of her fussing, but she had noticed that he continued to take the medicine that Alayne had sent to make him stronger.

She knew that he would force himself through any pain in order to defend himself against the charge, and she could only pray that the King would listen and not demand that he choose trial by combat.

Stefan swung himself into the saddle, wincing with the pain. He was able to walk without stumbling now, but Elona knew that he suffered terribly, and that he had little hope of winning in hand-to-hand combat. His strength was nowhere near what it had been, and might not be for months to come.

She looked nervously at d.i.c.kon as he came to help her mount her palfrey. She had feared that Stefan would refuse to let her accompany him, but he had seemed to relent towards her the previous night, and for a moment he had been as he was before the boar dealt him such a deathly wound.

'If I denied you, you would probably defy me and follow without a proper escort,' he told her with a wry smile. 'Besides, I would have you with me, my dearest one. I have been harsh with you of late, but I could not rest as you begged me. I have but one chance, Elona, to prove my innocence by fighting.'

'Yes, I know,' she said, holding back the tears that threatened. 'It is just that it hurts me to see you in such pain.'

'At least I did not need to do your exercises,' he said, a gleam in his eyes. 'And my strength returns daily. Fear not, in time I shall be as well as ever, my love.'

If he was given time, she thought, but kept her fears inside. Stefan must do whatever was necessary and she would not help his cause by weeping. If she begged and pleaded it would unman him, and he needed all his courage for the trial ahead.

He turned now and saw she was mounted, smiling at her as he gave the order to move off. 'Courage, my lady,' he told her. 'G.o.d is just and I am innocent, therefore I must win my cause.'

'Oh, Alayne,' Elona cried as Sir Ralph and his wife came to meet her in the palace courtyard. Stefan had been arrested as soon as they arrived at court, and she had been left alone with his men to find lodgings for herself. 'I am so glad to see you-and Sir Ralph.'

'I came as soon as I knew what was happening,' Alayne said, 'for I knew that you would need me. Besides, Alain is on his way to court. His letter told me that he was due to arrive in England a day or so ago with messages from Duke Richard to King Henry, and I had hoped that I might see him here.'

'Stefan has been arrested...'

'Yes, but he will not be imprisoned,' Sir Ralph told her. 'I have spoken to his Majesty and it is my opinion that he knows the charges are false and yet he must appear to show fairness. Stefan accused Danewold of killing his people and of abducting you, and now he has been accused of treason. If Henry is to punish one, he must also try the other.'

'Of what is Stefan accused?'

'That he plotted with Duke Richard to overthrow the King and that he came to England for that purpose.'

'That is a lie! He came because he wished for peace-to make a new life and have a family. Surely the King does not believe such lies?'

'Henry is a fair man,' Ralph told her. 'Stefan must answer the charges, but I believe that all will go well for him.'

'But he is not strong enough to fight for himself,' Elona Said. 'He has been training, pus.h.i.+ng himself to the limit, but he is in so much pain, and he cannot fight as he did-may not again.'

'I have thought of that,' Sir Ralph said and smiled. 'When the King decrees that he must fight to prove his innocence, I shall offer myself as his champion.'

'You will fight in his stead?' Elona stared at him, her eyes wide. 'But it will be a fight to the death...'

'I shall show mercy to my opponent, never fear.'

But...' Elona looked at Alayne and saw the concern in her eyes. She gave no sign of her anxiety, but Elona felt it. Sir Ralph was still strong and handsome, but he was not a young man and it was a long time since he had fought in truth, though he trained often. 'You are generous, sir-but Stefan would not ask it of you.'

'He is my son,' Ralph told her. 'I would give my life for his if need be-but I can still fight and beat most men half my age.'

Elona could not deny him, for in truth she did not know what he was capable of, nor did she care to offer what must be an insult by doubting his word. She could only pray that it did not come to such a challenge.

Elona was permitted to be present at the trial. She and Alayne sat at the back of the hall and listened as the charges were presented and refuted, waiting with bated breath for the King's answer. It came after some seconds of almost unbearable agony, and it made the two women look at each other in dismay.

'You shall prove your innocence by trial of combat, Sir Stefan-do you accept?'

'Yes, sire,' Stefan's voice rang out strong and true, unafraid. 'I do accept your challenge.'

'Baron Danewold has put up a champion,' the King said. 'You will meet Boris the Boar tomorrow at the hour of nine in the courtyard. It will be a fight to the death, but mercy may be shown if the victor is willing.'

'I accept, sire.'

'Hold!' Sir Ralph's voice rang out in the hail as he walked forward. 'I claim the right to fight as my son's champion. He is but just risen from his sickbed and may name a champion if he so chooses.'

'Aye, that is true.' Sir Orlando stood up in the hail. 'Sir Stefan may choose a champion. It is his right. I also am prepared to fight for him. He once saved my life and I would give mine willingly for his.'

'Nay, Father. . .Orlando...' Stefan began, but before he could say more another voice rang out and a younger man came striding to stand beside his brother and father.

'I claim my right to fight as Sir Stefan's champion,' Alain cried in ringing tones. 'My father is older and not as strong as he once was, though he will likely be angry that I say it. I am my brother's champion. He gave me that right with this sword, for he told me to take it and make him proud of his brother. I shall defend him against all challengers.' He held the magnificent sword Stefan had given him aloft for all to see.

Stefan was silent for a moment, and then he smiled oddly.

'I thank both my brother and my father for the love they show me,' he said. 'It is true that I am not yet recovered from my sickbed and, if the King permits it, I name Alain as my true champion.'

Elona heard Alayne's indrawn breath, and knew that she feared for her son as much as her husband. She reached for her hand, holding it to comfort her as the older woman had earlier done for her.

'Alain is a brave man,' she whispered, 'and strong. I am sure he will win tomorrow.'

Alayne nodded her head, but her face was pale and Elona felt for her. They got up together and went out of the hail. Alain was being congratulated by many of the knights, for his brave speech had aroused admiration and respect.

'I am sorry that your son must risk his life,' Elona said as they went out into the chill air. 'Yet I am glad that he is to fight rather than Sir Ralph, though he would not like to hear me say it.'

'He would have done his best and perhaps he might have won,' Alayne told her. 'There was a time when none could have beaten him in a tourney, but it is many years since he has fought other than to train with his men.'

'Yes, I thought it must be so,' Elona said and smiled. 'Yet he showed love for Stefan in the offer made so bravely. I am grateful to Alain for taking his place, though I know you fear for him.'

'I must not show my fear,' Alayne said and lifted her head proudly. 'It would hurt him if he knew that I was distressed, and I must not weaken his resolve. I have kept him too long at home with me, but I loved him so much and I wanted to have him always with us.'

'Yet a man must prove himself,' Elona said. 'It shamed Alain that he had not done the things that fell to Stefan's lot.'

'Yes, I know,' Alayne said and sighed. 'And he must have his way. I can only spend the night in prayer and hope that G.o.d is kind.'

'You love him as any mother would her son...'

'As you will yours,' Alayne told her. 'And, if I am not mistaken, you are already carrying Stefan's child-does he know?'

Elona shook her head. 'I could not tell him, knowing that he must push himself to this meeting with the King. If I had, he might not have found the strength to do it.'

'Let us go to the chapel and give thanks,' Alayne said, taking her hand. 'For my son must win this challenge or Stefan's guilt is proven and it will all be in vain. We shall lose them both at a stroke.'

Elona had not seen her husband all night, for he had kept a vigil in the chapel with Alain, praying for right and justice to prevail. She had hardly slept, for her fear that something would go wrong lay like a shadow over her.

Alain was young and untried in battle, though he had been the victor in more than one tourney. Supposing he should fail? His failure would be taken as a sign that Stefan was guilty and he would be executed for treason against the King.

But now the long night was over and she and Alayne sat together with their sewing in the house close by the palace gates, which Sir Ralph had secured for them. Neither of them had any interest in the work, but they made a pretence of it to calm their nerves. Yet as the hour crept on and nothing was heard, they both began to pace the room, their nerves stretched almost beyond bearing.

What was happening? Had Alain won his fight-or would he fail and thus prove Stefan guilty of treason? Neither woman could speak of what she feared, but both were in agony.

And then, when they felt they could bear it no more, they heard the sound of heavy footsteps and in a moment Sir Ralph entered the chamber where they sat.

'All is well,' Alayne said after one glance at her husband's face, and then burst into tears. 'Forgive me... I am foolish to weep now that all is well.'

'My beloved,' Ralph said and took her in his arms. 'I came as soon as I could, for I knew you would be in agony.'

'Alain won?' Elona's heart leaped. 'Is he hurt or injured?'

'He will no doubt have a few bruises. But he is well enough,' the proud father said with a huge smile. 'Danewold's champion was a huge bear of a man, strong and fearsome, but he had no intelligence. Alain gave him a lesson in swordplay and then disarmed him. I have seldom seen a man fight with more skill or determination and yet show mercy. I was so proud of him-so very proud.'

'He has proved himself,' Elona said. 'For to save your brother's life is surely enough to gain any man his knighthood?'

'The King insisted upon it,' Ralph said. 'I do not think Alain truly wanted it, for he believes he must earn his spurs m battle-but from this day forth he will be known as Sir Alain de Banewulf.'

'He did not come back with you?'

They would not let him,' Ralph said. 'There is to be feasting and I was at last released to bring you both to the great hall. Both Alain and Stefan are being made much of by their friends, and I fear that they are being forced to drink more wine than is their wont.'

'Then we must go to them and join in the festivities,' Alayne said. 'I would have my son know how proud we are of him this day...'

'What will happen to Baron Danewold now?' Elona asked.

'He will cause trouble for neither you nor Stefan again,' Ralph said. 'Had he surrendered to the King and not brought false charges, he might have been banished for a period of years, but now... he will pay the final penalty.'

Elona was silent. The laws were severe and she knew that only good fortune and Alain's strong right arm had saved Stefan from a similar fate.

Elona smiled as Stefan stirred and groaned. He had slept soundly since his men had carried him to their chamber, laying him in his bed to sleep off the excess of the previous night. Knowing his abstemious habits, she had been surprised to see him drinking freely of the wine the courtiers forced on both him and Alain that night, but supposed that he must have allowed his relief and pleasure in his brother's victory to go to his head.

'Are you feeling ill, my lord?' she asked as he opened his eyes and looked at her. 'I fear that you indulged in a little too much wine last night.'

'I took some of Alayne's medicine before the banquet,' Stefan told her. 'And it seemed to act strangely with the wine. I should not otherwise have drunk so much. I must ask you to forgive me for my behaviour, Elona, for I cannot remember what happened after they gave me the first gla.s.s of wine.'

'There was nothing to forgive,' Elona said. 'In truth I was glad to see you enjoying yourself with Alain-and you slept well. The best sleep you have had in many weeks, my lord.'

'Yes, and I feel better for it,' Stefan said. 'At least, my leg does not pain me as much as it has of late, but my head feels as if a thousand cymbals are cras.h.i.+ng inside it.'

'Alayne gave me this for you...'

'Nay, I'll take no more of her cures for the moment,' Stefan said. 'The headache will pa.s.s and I must begin to live without such cures to help me.'

'Stay in bed and rest a little longer,' Elona said as he threw back the covers. 'There is no need for you to force yourself to work harder than you can now that your innocence is proven.'

'Thanks to my brother,' Stefan said and smiled at her. 'Did my father tell you? Alain fought like a man possessed. I have never seen a display of better skill. I pitied Danewold's champion, for he was beaten from the beginning and never stood a chance.'

'You did not know that Alain could fight so skilfully?'

'He claims it was the sword I gave him. He said that once he was handed his sword by his squire he felt as if he had the strength of ten men and knew that he could not be vanquished.'

'It was a magnificent sword. I saw it when he held it aloft in the great hall of the palace.' Elona looked at him curiously. 'Does it have magical powers, Stefan?'