Medieval 01 - Untamed

be as a falcon newly come to my mews. What she eats will come from my hand. What she drinks will come from my lips. When she sleeps, it will be beside me.When she awakens, my breathing will be what she hears and my warmth will be how she herself is warmed.”
    Simon’s eyebrows rose, but he said nothing.
    â€œMeg said that I didn’t know her,” Dominic continued, thinking aloud as he often did with Simon. “She is correct. The error is mine. She seemed willing enough at first, but somehow she is better defended than any keep or city I’ve ever taken.”
    Silently Simon wondered just what had happened after he had left his brother and Meg alone in the forest. But Simon said nothing. He knew Dominic better than to interfere once he began planning how to take a fortified position.
    Or a woman.
    â€œBy the time her monthly flux passes,” Dominic said, “I will know her much better. But not as a husband knows his wife. It will be a different kind of knowledge.”
    â€œHave you told her that she is to be a captive in her own keep?” Simon asked neutrally.
    â€œAye.”
    â€œWhat did she say?”
    Dominic’s eyes narrowed. “Nothing. She hasn’t spoken to me at all since she informed me I would die without sons.”
    â€œGod’s blood,” Simon said, appalled.
    Before Dominic could speak again, the servant returned. Gwyn was right behind him. The servant set food and ale on the table and withdrew. When Simon walked over and began to eat hungrily, Dominic motioned the old Glendruid woman to come stand nearer the fire.
    â€œHave you supped?” he asked politely.
    â€œAye, lord. Thank you.”
    Dominic paused, wondering what was the best way to broach the subject of his Glendruid bride,of curses and hopes, of superstition and truth; and of the secret connections among them. Finally he shrugged and followed the example of the people of Blackthorne Keep. John and Meg had taken the issue head-on. The new lord would do no less.
    â€œTell me about Glendruid wives,” Dominic said simply.
    â€œThey are women.”
    From behind Dominic came odd sounds as Simon smothered laughter or oaths or both at once.
    â€œIndeed,” Dominic said with outward calm. “I’ve noted that very thing about Meg. ’Tis quite reassuring, as I am a man.”
    Gwyn’s faded eyes showed a glimmer of humor. “Was there anything else, lord?”
    â€œQuite a lot,” he shot back. “Tell me how Glendruid wives differ from the normal run of women.”
    â€œThey have eyes of an unusual shade of green.”
    Dominic grunted. “Go on.”
    â€œThey are quite talented with living things.”
    He waited.
    So did Gwyn.
    â€œGod’s blood,” Dominic said, glancing imploringly at the ceiling. “’Tis like pulling teeth. Speak!”
    â€œIt might be quicker if you were to tell me what you particularly wished to know,” Gwyn said serenely. “However, the solar is quite cozy and my old bones savor the warmth. I’ll be glad to begin with Lady Margaret’s birth and work forward carefully to this very day.”
    Dominic put his fists on his hips and studied the old woman. She studied him in return, but less aggressively. Her arrogance, however, was quite equal to his.
    â€œI’ve learned that Glendruid women are stubborn,” Dominic said after a time.
    â€œAye.”
    â€œFearless.”
    Gwyn tilted her head to the side as though considering the matter.
    â€œWe aren’t cowards,” she said after a few moments. She paused and then added, “There is a difference, lord.”
    â€œAye,” Dominic said, surprised at the old woman’s shrewdness. “Among men it is called courage.”
    He reached over and stirred the golden bells absently, considering his next line of attack. The small chiming sounds made Gwyn turn her head to the exotic jewelry.
    â€œIf flowers could sing,” she said in a pleased tone, “they would have voices like that.”
    Dominic glanced at her. “Again you have surprised me, madam.”
    â€œâ€™Tis hardly an achievement to surprise a man who fixes his attention on one thing only and ignores the rest of life.”
    â€œAre you perchance describing me?” Dominic asked dryly.
    Gwyn nodded.
    â€œWhat am I fixed upon?” he asked.
    â€œA dynasty.”
    â€œNo more so than other men.”
    â€œNay,”