Corisande wasn’t sure what to say, at first. There were so many answers to that question, but she truthfully didn’t feel like reliving any of it. She was still in the grips of the guilt over Gaia’s sacrifice.
But for her father’s sake, she answered.
“It is difficult to know where to start,” she said. “We were taken as we waited to move forward with the armies yesterday. They took us to their encampment where we spoke with the king.”
Alastor’s eyebrows lifted. “The king?” he repeated. “William?”
Corisande nodded. “He was in the encampment with his men.”
Alastor couldn’t help the expression of shock that crossed his face. “I see,” he said, setting Gaia to her feet. “What did he say to you?”
“He asked my name,” she said. “He wanted to know who was fighting in Berwick. Since every English army flies a standard, I saw no harm in telling him.”
Alastor regarded her a moment. “Did he know you were my daughter?”
Corisande looked at Gaia, the one who had divulged that particularly detail. “He knew,” she said. “Papa, may we sit and rest? I am so very tired.”
Alastor nodded. “Of course,” he said. “Forgive me. I am just so glad to see you that I did not stop to think of your comfort. Please, come; the tents are warm. Are you hungry? There is food.”
Corisande took Gaia by the hand, but not before she ripped the blanket off of her. She cast it to the ground. “Burn that,” she told her brothers. Collecting Gaia’s hand once more, she looked to Cole before she moved. “Are you coming?”
He nodded. “I will be along directly,” he said. “Go ahead.”
Wearily, Corisande moved in the direction of the largest de Bourne tent, finding her way through de Bourne soldiers with cooking fires of their own. Cole, Alastor, Ares, Atlas, and Anteaus watched them go.
“Well?” Alastor turned to Cole. “What happened? Where did you find them?”
Cole sighed heavily. “In the hills where The Marshal believed the Scots to be hiding,” he said. “They are camped up in those hills north of the river.”
“And how did you find my daughters?”
“We were very fortunate.”
The answer came not from Cole, but from Alexander, who was walking up behind them with Addax, Essien, Kress, and Achilles.
They turned to him.
“Fortunate, Sherry?” Alastor said. “Explain.”
Alexander pulled off one glove so he could scratch his scalp. “The Scots were moving them,” he said. “I do not know where, but they were on the move. We caught them just in time.”
Alastor looked stricken. “My God,” he breathed. “They were going to take them somewhere safe, to use as hostages.”
“Probably.”
The mere thought horrified Alastor. “Then you have my deepest gratitude,” he said, looking around at the Executioner Knights gathering. A couple of them, Bric and Achilles, had bloodstains all over them as a testament to the brutality of the rescue. “I am in your debt, truly.”
Alexander held up a hand to ease the excited, relieved father. “We are glad we were able to find your daughters,” he said. But his gaze moved over Alastor’s head to the massive army moving in the distance, heading north to the mouth of the River Tweed. “It looks as if Richmond has arrived.”
Alastor turned to look at the mass movement of troops. “Aye,” he said. “Richmond and de Royans, apparently. They were able to bring troops from Bowes Castle. Well over four thousand men, now moving to the mouth of the River Tweed because the longships were sighted about an hour ago, heading south against a stiff breeze. The progress is slow, but that is working in our favor. The Marshal is calling all armies to Berwick and to the mouth of the river. It seems we take our stand today because as soon as the Northmen come closer, the Scots will try to join with them.”
Everyone was watching the movement. In fact, they could see Savernake and de Winter moving out with them, too, armies that Dashiell and Bric were in command of.
“I suppose I shall join my men,” Bric said what they were all thinking. “They cannot make a move without me.”
The Irish brogue was thick with the jest, but the point was taken. Both Bric and Dashiell mounted their steeds, heading off to rejoin their armies. Achilles tapped Kress.
“We should join Richmond,” he said. “Max and Caius will be expecting us.”
Kress nodded, turning to Alastor and Cole. “We must take our leave,” he said, his gaze lingering on Cole. “It was good to see you in action today, Cole. It has been a while since we have had such an adventure.”
Cole smiled. “I have missed it.”
Flashing a grin, Kress joined Achilles and the two of them headed off to join Richmond and de Royans. That left Peter, Alexander, Addax, and Essien, and it was Peter who bowed out next.
“My father will be looking for me,” he said. “I must join the de Lohr war machine and so must Sherry. My father will come looking for him if he does not comply.”
Alexander grunted. “The success of the entire de Lohr army has been up to me,” he said sarcastically, eyeing Peter. “You are just another pretty blond de Lohr face, Peter. You can fight like the devil himself, but you haven’t a brain in your head, I am sorry to say.”
Peter started laughing. “That’s not what your mother said last night.”
“I do not have a mother.”
“Not after I was finished with her, you don’t!”
Alexander swatted him and Peter roared with laughter, heading off to find the de Lohr army as Alexander mounted his stallion.
“I swear to you that my sword will slip someday and cut off something vital of his,” he said. Then, he snorted. “He’s a fool, but I’m rather fond of him. And you, Cole – well done today. I am glad your lady is safe.”
Cole went to him, taking his hand and holding it for a moment. “I owe you everything,” he said. “I will see you after the battle.”
“Indeed, you will.”
As Alexander headed off, Cole returned his attention to Alastor.
“Does my father still hold the castle?” he asked.
Alastor nodded. “Still,” he said. “He has his entire army positioned inside of it, prepared to fend off the Scots and the Northmen along with the Earls of Orkney should they break through the line of English.”
Cole looked off to the northeast, to the city with the castle crouched like a panther over the dark blue ribbon of the River Tweed.
“Addax and Essien and I must join him,” he said. “With your permission, I will bid Cori farewell.”
Alastor nodded, but as Cole moved past him, he reached out and grasped the man’s arm. “Your father told me about Teviot and Lady Audrie marrying another,” he said. “I told you when that situation was settled, you would have my permission to marry my daughter. That is still true. You have my blessing.”
Cole smiled broadly. “I had hoped you would say that,” he said. “I promised you once that I would love her for the rest of my life, my lord. That has not changed.”
“Good,” Alastor said. “Go, now. Bid her farewell. We have a busy day ahead of us.”