Redemption by M J Marlow (librera reader .txt) 📕

one he had hoped would not be among them, and then another. “Her cousin, Rafel; and the lord Talbot. Those two will bear close watch.” He looked at Raven. “Send a guard and have him tell them that one representative from each clan will be allowed.”
“I will go myself,” Raven decided. He looked at Canby closely. “Did you tell the princess how you were injured, Captain?”
“No,” Canby told him, not looking the man in the eye. “I do not want her knowing we might have an assassin in our midst. I leave you to deal with the discovery of their identity.”
“How do you know its not me or my men, Captain?” Raven asked the man bluntly.
“Boy,” Canby said as he straightened to his full height and Raven had to tip back his head to meet the giant’s eyes. “You don’t get to be as old as I am without being able to tell an enemy from a possible ally.”
“Only possible, Captain?”
“You have feelings for her, Raven,” Canby said outright. “Until you bring those under control,” he continued as he locked eyes with the younger man, “you may yet prove to be enemy.” His slow smile made Raven relax. “It’s understandable. I don’t think there is a male alive who wouldn’t want our lady for his own.”
“I’ll take your message, sir,” Raven nodded and strode off.
He had assumed Marit’s companions to be pushovers. The look in Canby’s eyes just then had told him he had been wrong in his assumptions. He would have to tread far more carefully. He went down to the courtyard and turned in time to see Marit joining Canby on the parapet. The man put his arm around Marit’s waist and leaned down so she could say something to him. Their laughter was like a dagger in his heart. The joy on her face as she gazed up at the man was not to be born. She should be looking at me like that, Raven’s mind screamed; and only me. He strode down to the pier with his two brothers at his sides and they took a boat to the shore.
“He is jealous, angel,” Canby told Marit as they stood watching the brothers leave. “It might be wise to ask them to leave and hire other guards.”
“He will get over it,” Marit shrugged, “or he won’t. Having him where we can keep an eye on him is probably better.” She had a thought. “Perhaps we should send some of his men home to their people with an offer of friendship.” He cocked an eyebrow. “The northlands border Atherton. It would be only wise to make overtures to them. Raven himself told me once that his people had fallen on hard times, and we are quite comfortable here.”
“You are a very interesting child,” Canby smiled down at her. He saw her frown and knew what was wrong. “I took a spill down the stairs, my lady,” he said as he bowed over her hand. “Whether it was an accident, or I had assistance, remains to be known.” He put his arms around her, and rested his head on the top of her head. “Brek has fallen in love, angel. He will be leaving our little family.”
“Andrew told me,” Marit sighed. “I guess it had to end sometime. I have been far too happy…”
“And why should that have to end?” Canby broke in and turned her so he could see her eyes. “One man, four men; you deserve to be loved and cherished, angel. All men who spend time in your presence should be on their knees to you.”
“You’re leaving,” Marit saw his hesitation and sadness. She laid her hand on his chest and he frowned and nodded. “Why, Canby?”
“Because you remind me of a daughter I have not see in almost seven years, angel,” Canby told her truthfully. It did not do to lie to this child; she seemed to know. “I have been away from my own lands for far too long. It is time for me to go home.”
“I have been selfish,” Marit sighed. “I was so happy with all of you, I never stopped to consider that you might have other lives, other people…”
“Never regret the time we have had together, angel,” Canby broke in, his large hand cupping her chin and drawing her eyes up to his. “I don’t. None of us do.” He smiled. “I will be leaving once they do,” he told her as he nodded towards the army of tents on the shore. “Once I know you are under no threat.” He turned as he heard someone coming. “Daro,” he nodded to the slightly smaller man. “I will leave you to see our lady to her chamber. I would keep an eye on the situation.”
“Wow!” Daro whistled. “How do they know to show now?” He saw Marit looking his way. “I meant to wait a while before I…” He colored slightly and looked guilty. “Damn, angel. I wish I could stay with you forever, as you deserve…”
“You’re going with Canby,” Marit guessed the reason for his uneasiness. She laid her hand on his cheek and smiled through her tears. “You’re going to leave me with only Andrew for a husband.”
“He is a good man,” Daro told her fiercely. “Saved all of our lives more times than we wish to admit. And,” he said as he kissed her hand and held it against his cheek, “he is very much in love with you. We would not take that from you.”
“You do not lessen what I feel for him, Daro,” Marit protested. “Is that what you both think? That if you leave I will love him more?” They hung their heads and she shook her head at them. “You idiots! I love all of you quite dearly. Having you all around does not lessen my love for any of you.” She saw their fixed expressions. “But you are determined and, as I love you and wish you all happiness, I will not stand in your way. I will miss both of you.”
“She is a rare female,” Daro said as they watched her walk away. “If only we’d found her sooner,” he frowned. “We might have spared her some of the damage she’s endured.”
“It made her the glorious creature she is, brother,” Canby told Daro and they both turned to watch the camp. “Once she has healed, she will be unstoppable.” He nodded towards the tents. “I feel sorry for any of those there who think they can push our lady around.”
Raven, Badger, and Fox got off the boat and approached the camp. They were shown to the prince Rafel’s tent where Lorenz, Martyn, Taryn, and the lord Talbot were waiting. With them were several young women and men, quite obviously from Stormkeep. There was just a look about them that warned of dangers if they were crossed that Raven had come to associate with that house. He bowed his head to the men and met their eyes easily. They might consider themselves his better, but there was no better to a Northlander. Men rose and fell by merit, not by bloodline.
“The lord Atherton and his lady send you greetings and query,” Raven told them bluntly. “As they did not invite this visit, they are at a loss as to its purpose.”
“We come as escort to those who had evidenced a desire to join their household,” king Taryn told him. As the senior member of the escort party, he was deferred to. “And,” he continued, “as her uncle, I was desiring to hear news of my niece.”
“The lady Atherton is quite well,” Raven told him. “She is looking forward to the arrival of another child.”
“She is pregnant!” Rafel hissed, struggling to control his reaction. His cousin was quickly adding to the number of people who would take the throne before he could. “How – nice!”
“Yes,” Raven nodded. “The lord Atherton is quite ecstatic at the news.” He looked at the younger people. “I am certain the lord and lady will welcome the additions to their household. Boats will be sent for you. As for the visit, they have asked that only one person from each of the clans present here accompany my brothers and I back to the fortress. The lady Atherton is in a delicate condition and the lord does not wish her health taxed unduly.”
“His wish is noted,” Taryn nodded. “We would not want to cause her any alarm or strain.” He looked at Talbot, frowning. “The lord Talbot will remain here to oversee the camp.”
Raven nodded and turned on his heel. He led Taryn, Lorenz, Martyn, and Rafel to the boat and they were taken across. The four men entered the hall where Andrew and Marit were already seated and waiting. Andrew rose to his feet and bowed his head to each in turn. Then he helped Marit to her feet. Taryn frowned as he saw how pale she was. She had been pushing herself, as usual.
“Niece,” he growled as he pulled her into his arms. “Your cousins send you greetings. My Tessa asks that you consider a visit to her and her husband. They wish to introduce their children to you. But,” he said as he cupped her chin in his large hand and looked at her face and eyes, “it appears you have been pushing too hard.” He looked at Andrew and the man stepped closer to Marit. Taryn liked the tall, rugged man. He very definitely loved his wife and would see people dead before he allowed them to harm her. “You will need to keep a very close eye on her, lord Atherton. Marit does not know when to stop.”
“I am very aware of that strength in her character,” Andrew replied, his arm going around Marit’s waist. “We are told that you bring us additions to our household.”
“Twenty of the younger members of our house,” Taryn nodded. “They are at the age where travel is encouraged and, hearing of Atherton from my son, they wished to explore. They will be your retainers for the traditional span of five years, and will serve you well.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” Andrew bowed his head, speaking for Marit and himself. “It will allow those of the Northlanders in our guard who wish to return home to do so.” He saw Raven flinch. “Or, at the very least, to accompany our offer of friendship to their people.” He looked at Rafel and found himself instantly disliking the young man. He was a handsome boy, but there was something very dark in his eyes, hidden behind the civility that made his skin crawl. “Prince Rafel. My wife has told me of you, cousin. We hope you will visit us here often.”
“We have missed Marit at Sylvan Ford,” Rafel smiled as he stepped forward and kissed Marit’s hand. “Life has been so boring without her there.” He saw her eyes and wondered where the joy was. “Her father is very busily trying to find me a wife of my own. So far none of them match my cousins.”
“How is Reyma?” Marit asked, her voice tight.
“She has just given Tavin twins,” Taryn spoke up. “They are beautiful children, Marit. Boys.”
“We must not ignore our other guests,” Andrew said as he looked at Lorenz and Martyn. “Lord Thaxton. Lord Solliston. It is good to see you again.”
“Lord Atherton,” Martyn bowed his head; as did Lorenz. “You are a long way from Verdis and your life on the waters.”
“I found life on a ship could not compare with life as my lady’s husband,” Andrew told him, pulling Marit a bit closer. She smiled up at him as she felt his love giving her strength; protecting her. Andrew looked over at Brek. “Major Domo Brek.