Medieval 02 - Forbidden

nature of the weapon you wield, lest you break it in your ignorance and arrogance!”
    “I had to know what the people of the keep were thinking.”
    “Yes,” Cassandra acknowledged. “But it could have been more gently done.”
    “You could have spoken,” Duncan said, turning to Amber.
    “Weapons don’t speak,” Amber said. “They are simply used. Are you through wielding me for now?”
    Slowly Duncan’s hands closed into fists. Just as slowly they opened once more.
    “Return to your room,” he said.
    Amber set aside the wine goblet and left the solar without a look or a word.
    Nor did Duncan call her back.
    But when Cassandra would have followed, he gestured to another chair.
    “Be seated,” Duncan said. “You have no loyalty to me, but you will do what you can to help the amber witch, won’t you?”
    Cassandra’s lips thinned. “Amber is Learned, not a witch.”
    “Answer my question.”
    “Aye. Whatever I can do to help Amber, I will do.”
    “Then stay nearby and speak for the weapon that is too stubborn to speak for herself.”
    “Ah, then you value her.”
    “More than my dagger and less than my sword,” Duncan retorted.
    “Erik should see you now.”
    “Why?”
    “He thought your feeling for Amber would be stronger than your pride. I would like to show him how wrong he was,” Cassandra said bitingly. “’Tisa pity that he isn’t the one to bear the pain of his misjudgment.”
    Before Duncan could speak, Simon and Dominic came into the solar. They looked from Cassandra to Duncan to the untouched supper arrayed on a table near the hearth.
    “I have news that should whet your appetite,” Dominic said.
    “What is it?” Duncan asked, turning away from Cassandra.
    “Sven assures me that the people of the keep are quite willing to accept you as their lord.”
    Duncan smiled and turned to Cassandra.
    “Disappointed?” he taunted.
    “Only in your treatment of your wife.”
    “Then you need not worry for long,” Simon said. “The marriage will be set aside.”
    Duncan and Cassandra turned as one to face Simon.
    “’Tis a true marriage,” Cassandra said. “Ask Duncan if he hasn’t had carnal knowledge of his wife!”
    “Whether she is maiden or madam,” Dominic said, “it matters not. The marriage was conducted under false pretenses. No bishop would uphold it.”
    “Especially if a church or a monastery were offered as a gesture of respect,” Simon said sardonically.
    “You exchanged sacred vows,” Cassandra said to Duncan. “Will you go back on your word?”
    “Vows.” Duncan’s mouth flattened in pain or contempt or both together. “Nay, I won’t go back on my true word.”
    Cassandra closed her eyes in a relief she couldn’t hide.
    “I will keep the true vow I made when my mind was whole,” Duncan said. “I will marry Lady Ariane of Deguerre.”
    “What of Amber?” Cassandra asked.
    Duncan turned to Dominic without answering.
    “Send for my betrothed,” Duncan said flatly. “The wedding will take place as soon as the Church agrees.”
    “What of Amber?” Cassandra demanded.
    Duncan rose and walked out of the solar, looking at no one.
    “What of Amber!” Cassandra shouted.
    Cassandra’s cry echoed through the great hall, following Duncan. Even when the last echo had faded, he heard the words crying within the bleak silence of his mind.
    What of Amber ?
    What of your sacred vow ?
    Amber .
    Sacred .
    Amber. Amber. Amber …
    There was no peace for Duncan in any part of the keep. The cry was a part of him, as deeply embedded as the pain of his old memory and his new betrayal.
    The past turning, returning, tormenting him first with Amber’s voice and then with his own.
    Truly I am safe with you .
    Always, my golden witch. I would sooner cut off my own sword hand than harm you .
    The memory was too sad, too savage. Duncan pushed it away, buried it among the thousand shades of darkness where he could no longer hide.
    Cassandra’s voice pursued him, the Learned woman’s words raining down like drops of fire.
    To deny the truth of the past or the present will destroy you as surely as cleaving your head in two with a sword .
    Remember what I have said when the past returns and seems to make a lie of the present .
    Remember it .
    Long after others slept, Duncan paced the hallsand winding stairways of his own keep. Voices spoke within his silence, words echoing through his seething mind, Amber’s voice describing passion, pride, and honor being used