Medieval 01 - Untamed

night, the groom was lying in John’s hastily refurbished quarters…alone. His Glendruid bride presumably was sleeping in the solitude of her maiden quarters on the far side of Blackthorne Keep.
    Presumably. It wasn’t a topic Simon was foolish enough to bring into the open. He had been awakened in the night by the sound of his brother returning to the lord’s quarters. Frustration had rung in the repeated sound of boot heel meeting wood floor.
    Obviously the wedding night had been less than successful. It not only had ended early, it had left Dominic in a savage state of mind. Simon had listened to his brother pacing the floor for quite some time. Then there had been silence followed by the sound of something metallic hitting the wall with great force.Finding it impossible to sleep himself, Simon had gone to report to Dominic on the mood of the keep’s people and the progress of Duncan and his Reevers.
    â€œWhile Duncan and some of his men will be missed by the people of the keep,” Simon said, “most of the Reevers will not. They are little better than rogues and bandits.”
    â€œIt took no great wit to discover that,” Dominic retorted.
    â€œDuncan and his followers will be at Carlysle Manor within the morrow.”
    Dominic was no kinder to the second offering of news than he had been to the first.
    â€œGod’s teeth,” he snapped. “Even the village fool could have told me that.”
    â€œYour leman grows restless,” Simon said smoothly. “Perhaps you should see to her comfort?”
    Dominic gave his brother a sideways look.
    â€œAm I that obvious, Simon?” he asked with a rueful smile.
    Simon gave a crack of laughter and gestured to the blanket that didn’t quite cover his brother.
    â€œI’ve seen stallions less imposing than you when they mount a mare,” Simon said. “You must have frightened her to death. Go to the leman. Then you’ll have more patience with—”
    â€œI’ve no desire to harrow yet another of Duncan’s fields,” Dominic interrupted harshly.
    â€œAnother?” Simon’s laughter vanished. “’Tis true, then? Lady Margaret is Duncan’s lover?”
    A savage movement of Dominic’s hand was his only answer.
    â€œThere’s no way to be certain,” he said after a moment. “She swears not.”
    Simon’s grunt was unenthusiastic.
    â€œAye,” Dominic agreed sardonically. “I would hardly expect my noble bride to entertain me withtales of her previous lovers.”
    â€œSo you let her sleep alone?”
    â€œUntil she bleeds. That way I’ll be certain I’m not like John, raising another man’s get.”
    Simon grimaced. “I beg a favor from my liege.”
    Dominic’s left eyebrow lifted in silent inquiry.
    â€œSend me out into the forest to bring back a wildcat in my bare hands,” Simon said.
    â€œPardon?”
    â€œIt will be less taxing than walking on eggs around you for a fortnight or two while you wait,” Simon explained.
    Dominic scowled.
    â€œBetter yet,” Simon continued, “go after Duncan and his Reevers. ’Tis certain they will give you the fight you desire.”
    â€œI would rather have my wife.”
    â€œThe leman would be less troublesome.”
    A shrug of Dominic’s broad shoulders dismissed Marie.
    â€œThen one of the local wenches,” Simon said.
    â€œI don’t need a procurer.”
    â€œYou never have before,” Simon agreed. “But—”
    â€œ Enough .”
    No one, not even a man who was both friend and brother, crossed wills with Dominic when he took that tone. Simon shut his mouth and waited.
    â€œIs Sven with the Reevers?” Dominic asked after a time.
    â€œNot yet. It will take time to get close to them. They are a clannish lot.”
    â€œKeep him here, then. Let him put an ear to the ground for any signs of unrest among John’s few knights.”
    â€œI doubt they will trouble you. They are too old to trouble anyone, even their wives.”
    â€œNonetheless, see that each knight gets a freeholdlarge enough to support himself and his family in a manner suitable to his station and years of service.”
    â€œAs you wish. You’ve land enough and then some.”
    â€œAye. See that each gets an ox and a plow, wood from my forests for building, four sheep, a cow, seed, fowl, and some rabbits as soon as