Medieval 03 - Enchanted

sticky web.”
    Simon’s smile was sardonic.
    “I understand now why the Learned
‘value’ me,” Simon said. “Erik knows that a
well-married Ariane will thwart Deguerre’s ambitions in the
Disputed Lands.”
    “What do you believe will happen between
Robert and your father?” Meg asked.
    “It depends on which man gets careless
first,” Ariane said matter-of-factly. “Behind both men,
kings also spin intricate webs.”
    Almost absently, Dominic nodded. He was caught by
Simon’s statement about being of “value” to the
Learned. It explained Erik’s willingness to become an ally of
the very Glendruid Wolf whom the king of the Scots would just as
soon sweep from the Disputed Lands; and Erik’s father was
very much vassal to the Scots king.
    A cascade of notes poured from the harp, drawing
Dominic’s attention back to Ariane.
    “Were I a man with land and a keep that lay
in the Disputed Lands between Scotland and England,” Ariane
said, “I would drill my warriors as faithfully as priests
toll the hours of the day.”
    Dominic laughed. “I am glad Simon volunteered
tobecome your husband, Lady Ariane. You are a
good match for his quickness.”
    Ariane’s smile slipped. “You are too
kind, lord.”
    “Aye,” Simon said sardonically.

“Too kind indeed.”
    Dominic simply smiled like a Glendruid Wolf.
    “Ariane’s words reinforce my
decision,” Dominic said.
    Simon lifted his tawny eyebrows and waited.
    “In order to hold Carlysle Manor,”
Dominic said, “I feared I would have to take Meg from her
beloved Blackthorne and establish a true keep where the Carlysle
house is. Then Carlysle would have become our primary
residence.”
    Meg made a small sound that was quickly smothered,
but Dominic heard it just the same. He stepped forward and put his
hand on her cheek.
    “Be at ease, small falcon,” Dominic
said with the gentleness he showed to no one else. “I know
your special bond with Blackthorne’s people and theirs with
you.”
    “If necessary, I can—” Meg
began.
    “Nay. ’Tis not necessary,”
Dominic said softly. “Simon will hold Carlysle for me.
Ariane’s dowry will pay to fortify Carlysle against raiders,
renegade knights, and greedy kings.”
    Dominic turned from his wife to Simon.
    “Come, brother,” Dominic said.
“Let us all go to the armory. It is time to tally the wealth
Baron Deguerre sent to you with his daughter.”
    Simon didn’t move.
    “What is it?” Dominic asked.
“Have you no interest in your own goods?”
    “I give them all to you,” Simon said.

“For Blackthorne. For Meg. For the security of your unborn
children. Because it is certain I will have none to concern
me.”

22
    D ominic flashed a silvery glance at
Meg, who shook her head.
    “The number of your children is for God to
decide,” Dominic said. “It is for me to decide which of
my knights shall hold land in fief for me…and which shall
hold land in fee simple, owing nothing to me save the loyalty of a
valued ally.”
    The smile Dominic gave Simon made Ariane feel like
weeping. In that instant the love Dominic had for his brother was
almost tangible. She well understood why Simon was utterly loyal to
such a man, lord and brother and friend in one.
    “Carlysle Manor,” Dominic said,
“shall become Carlysle Keep. And you, Simon, shall be lord
and sole owner of all of Carlysle’s land.”
    Simon’s breath came in with an audible
sound.
    “I would have done it sooner,” Dominic
said, “but I hadn’t the wealth to divide between two
keeps. As Ariane’s husband, you are nearly as wealthy as
I.”
    “’Tis too much,” Simon said, his
voice low. “I am not worthy.”
    Dominic laughed and gave Simon a hard hug.
    “There is no man on earth more worthy than
you, Simon the Loyal,” Dominic said.
    “But—”
    “Were it not for your rallying the
knights,” Dominic said, talking over Simon’s
objections, “I would have died in a sultan’s prison. Is
that not true?”
    “What I did was nothing! You ransomed me with
your own body!”
    “Were it not for you,” Dominic said,
ignoring Simon’s words, “I would be preparing for war
over the jilted daughter of Baron Deguerre.”
    “Aye, but—”
    “Come,” Dominic said, talking over
Simon’s words and taking his arm. “Let us count
Deguerre’s bounty and spend the remainder of the day listing
what you will need to make Carlysle a secure and profitable
keep.”
    Looking a bit dazed, Simon allowed an amused
Dominic to lead