WolfeStrike (De Wolfe Pack Generations #2) - Kathryn Le Veque Page 0,40
in the same direction.”
“Questing is quite far north.”
“About eighty miles. It will take him a few days at the very least.”
The horses were brought around and the knights mounted up, heading out into the cold, misty dawn. Yesterday’s rainstorm had turned the road into a swamp, so they mostly traveled on the shoulder because there were some massive puddles to avoid.
The ride was silent for the first several minutes. Tor was thinking ahead to the Crown and Sword, wondering if that was where Isalyn had gone, when Fraser broke into his thoughts.
“My lord, I must say something, if you will indulge me,” he said.
Tor looked at him curiously. “Speak.”
“I must apologize for Steffan’s actions,” Fraser said hesitantly, as if he weren’t sure he should speak on such a matter. “If Lord Gilbert has not, I will. Steffan was a complicated and difficult man. He has caused his father much grief, so do not judge the entire family by Steffan. He is not representative of Gilbert.”
Tor glanced at him. “Lord de Featherstone is not being judged, at least not by my family,” he said. “You needn’t worry.”
“Thank you, my lord. May I tell Gilbert that?”
Tor nodded, but his gaze lingered on the black-haired, blue-eyed knight who seemed proper and professional. He had since the beginning of their association and Tor was growing curious about him. It seemed to him like such a knight should be serving in a big house with a big army, not serving a wealthy merchant. There was a definite division of class there.
“What is your story, le Kerque?” he asked. “Not to be nosy, but you seem far more loyal to Gilbert than his own son. Steffan was a knight and did not even serve his father.”
Fraser nodded. “I know,” he said, somewhat quietly. “Steffan did not wish to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a merchant, so Gilbert paid Lord de Shera of The Paladin near Chester to train Steffan as a knight. He went to foster there at twelve years of age, very old for that kind of training, but he learned quickly.”
Tor’s eyebrows lifted. “The Paladin?” he repeated. “That is a prestigious castle and the House of de Shera is very powerful. So that’s where Steffan trained?”
“He did.”
“How did you come to serve Gilbert?”
Fraser smiled wryly. “My family is an old one,” he said. “Once, we were wealthy, but now all we have is our good name. The fortune was gone long ago. My father used it to obtain a position for me in the House of de Winter. I trained at Norfolk Castle and my reputation is without compare, but I have a fortune to build. When my father dies, I will inherit Welton Castle, but only the property and the title of Lord Faldingworth. There is nothing else – no money, no wealth to speak of. Therefore, I serve the lord who pays me the most.”
“De Featherstone?”
Fraser nodded. “He is quite wealthy. The money he pays is better than most.”
Tor couldn’t fault the man for doing what he had to do. “Do you see much action?”
Fraser gave him a long look before snorting. “With de Featherstone?” He shook his head. “I’ve been with him for a few years and have yet to see a serious battle. I drill the small contingent he has constantly so our skills stay sharp, but I will be truthful. I wish I was back with de Winter or served some other great house, like de Wolfe. I miss the camaraderie of other knights and I miss the smell of battle. I miss doing what I was born to do. With de Featherstone… there is little action. I am a guard dog and little more.”
“You are going to grow weary of that after a while.”
“I already have. But I need the money.”
Tor could understand that and he felt rather sorry for the man. But in the same breath, he respected him for doing as he must. Each knight had a story and that was Fraser’s.
From that point on, the rest of the ride into town was silent. As they drew near Haltwhistle, the road grew more crowded as they began to blend with the farmers coming in off the fields, bringing in their produce to sell. The mist had lifted a little more by this time and patches of bright sunlight were streaming through the soupy mess, revealing a busy village. As they entered the outskirts of town, Tor paused.