Medieval 01 - Untamed

surprisingly, both of the undefeated knights were warriors returning from the holy crusade.
    The Scots Hammer had not yet fought. Nor had Dominic le Sabre.
    â€œYou look skeptical,” Dominic said in a voice too low to be overheard.
    Simon glanced askance at his brother. “You look smug.”
    â€œI was afraid Duncan might sense a trap and not come at all.”
    â€œHe brought every Reever who could ride a horse.”
    â€œAye, but only three of his knights are equal to ours,” Dominic said.
    â€œDuncan is equal to two knights.”
    â€œAye.”
    Simon followed his brother’s glance to the rougharena where four knights stood apart from the general rabble of the Reevers. One of them was Duncan of Maxwell. The others were men who waited and watched the games with the eyes of knights for whom strife and death held no mysteries.
    â€œInteresting that Rufus isn’t among the four good knights,” Simon said.
    Dominic shrugged. “Duncan, damn his eyes, is shrewd. He knows Rufus envies him. The Scots Hammer trusts only those knights standing with him.”
    â€œRufus is a fool,” Simon said. “Pity he isn’t the Reevers’ leader. We could lure him into a pig wallow and leave him floundering.”
    â€œSpeaking of pig wallows…have you seen the priest lately?”
    â€œWith a joint of mutton in one hand, a mug of ale in the other, and a sweet bun stuffed between his teeth,” Simon said sardonically. “Yes, I’ve seen him.”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œNear Duncan, where else? The Church has made no pretense of its preferences. You should have sent the priest north with John’s bastard.”
    Dominic smiled thinly.
    â€œI thought of it,” he admitted. “Then I thought I might have a use for the Church’s good offices before Blackthorne Keep was secure in my grasp.”
    â€œHave you need of the priest now?” Simon asked curiously.
    â€œAye. Are the men-at-arms deployed?”
    â€œAs you ordered, lord . Now would you kindly tell me what in God’s name you have planned?”
    â€œNothing elaborate. I am going to charge the Scots Hammer with the attempted stealing of my wife.”
    â€œWhy? I thought it was your death the Reevers wanted.”
    â€œQuite probably, but that would raise no criesacross the land. However, to steal a man’s lawful wife for purposes of unlawful sexual intercourse…”
    Simon’s eyes narrowed. Then his lips thinned into a smile as feral as Dominic’s.
    â€œEven the Reevers couldn’t countenance such an act publicly,” Dominic continued. “The Church would have to be even more publicly horrified. Do you think an excommunicate could lead good knights into battle?”
    â€œYou’re going to kill the Scots Hammer, aren’t you?” Simon said after a moment.
    â€œIf I must.” Dominic shrugged. “And it seems that I must. The Reevers grow too strong.”
    The smile on Simon’s face faded. “It will mean war.”
    â€œProbably. But without Duncan’s leadership, the Reevers will be much easier to defeat.”
    Dominic hesitated, choosing his next words carefully.
    Uneasiness blew coolly over Simon’s skin. There was a darkness in his brother’s eyes that had never been there before, not even after the sultan’s infamous torture rooms.
    â€œIf I die,” Dominic said, “see that Meg—”
    â€œNay! You’ll not die! I’ll protect your back myself. Thomas the Strong will—”
    â€œDo nothing,” Dominic interrupted. “Nor will you. I will accuse Duncan of wife stealing. He will deny it. The issue will be settled in a manner no one may question—Ordeal by Combat.”
    â€œGod’s blood,” Simon said, appalled. “’Tis too chancy. A pebble could turn under your foot or he could get in a lucky blow or one of his men could—”
    Dominic lifted his hand, cutting off his brother’s words.
    â€œIt is the only way war might be avoided,” Dominic said flatly.
    For a time there was silence. Then Simon let out a hissing breath.
    â€œBe that as it may,” Simon said, “if the Scots Hammer kills you, I will have his skull for a drinking cup and his blood for wine.”
    A smile showed briefly on Dominic’s face. “I believe you would, brother. You are hellish quick with that sword.”
    â€œAnd you are hellish