Silver Flame. Hannah Howell

in the great hall of Duncoille, sprawled on a seat beneath one of the large windows. In Gamel’s hand dangled some sort of medallion which held his full attention. William realized that his wife had been right to urge him to talk to Gamel. The young man was in too dark and somber a mood to welcome the Delacrosse lass as he should. In the temper Gamel was in the coming meeting with his prospective bride could not possibly go well.

      “Gamel?” William was struck by the desolation he saw in his son’s glance. “What besets ye?”

      Returning his gaze to the medallion, Gamel stared at all he had left of Sine Catriona. It was all he might ever have aside from memories. How could he answer his father? The pain he had felt three days ago when he had awakened to find her gone still knotted his insides. He struggled to understand her reasons, but her desertion was all he could think on.

      “What besets me?” he repeated in a soft, sad voice. “The loss of all I have searched for.”

      “Are ye certain ye truly held it?”

      “Aye, but I had no time, no time at all. Only one night. In the dawn she slipped away from me.”

      “Why? Didnae she feel the same?”

      “She said she was mine but that she had made a vow years ago. That vow has yet to be fulfilled. She talked of some crime which needed to be avenged, things stolen which needed to be recovered. ’Tis an odd tale.”

      “I have both the time and the patience to hear it, son.”

      “My part in it isnae one to be proud of. I didnae act with much sense or even honor.”

      “Ah, weel, there are a few things I did in my early years with Edina that I have little pride in.” He sat down next to Gamel. “When that madness grabs a mon, he sometimes doesnae ken what he does.” He grimaced. “Or says or thinks.”

      “Madness is the only word for it.” Gamel shook his head as he recalled how he had acted. “God’s beard, I stalked her from the moment I set eyes on her, even though she was claimed as wife by another mon—a good mon.”

      “That is something ye had best not tell your mother.”

      A faint smile curved Gamel’s lips despite his black mood. Edina was a sweet, loving woman, but she did possess a temper. The crime of adultery was one thing that could rouse it, for she was a moral woman with a deep belief in the sanctity of marriage.

      “Fear not, Father. ’Twas but a hoax. She wasnae even the mon’s leman.”

      “Why should they lie?”

      “In the hope of turning aside the men who desired her.”

      “Ah, so she is fair then?”

      “By God, is she fair. Small, delicate, possessing the complexion of a dark-haired woman but with thick, pale silver hair. It flows to her knees. And her eyes.” He shook his head. “Huge eyes the shade of violets.”

      “Fair indeed. Are ye certain she was neither wife nor leman to the mon?”

      “Aye. A wench at the inn told Ligulf that they werenae wed or lovers, that ’twas only a ploy. She kenned them weel. Also, the lass was a virgin. Master Magnus was wounded ere he could enjoy the beauty who stays so faithfully at his side. The wound is such that he never will either.”

      Gamel winced. “When she told me that, I could only be glad of it. I regret that now. The mon is a conjurer and lightens a few purses, but he is a good mon nevertheless. Truly. I sensed that even as I wished to spit his heart upon my sword for touching Sine Catriona, for having that right. I fear my jealousy isnae eased much now that I ken the truth of their relationship.”

      “If she stays so faithfully at his side, how did ye come to hold her?”

      Gamel told what he had done, and was not at all surprised to see his father frown. “At least I can say that I didnae rape the lass. The heat that burned within me ran as hot in her. Yet she left me. Why? I cannae understand it.”

      “She didnae explain it, didnae give ye any reason at all?”

      “Nay. Weel, she didnae speak to me of it. She went to Ligulf, slipping from my bed ere dawn had lightened the sky. She told him her reasons. She said, ‘There are wrongs I must set right. Things stolen that I must regain. Murders I must avenge. My heritage has been stained with blood and treachery. I intend to wipe that stain away.’ She said she had vowed to do so six years ago, vowed it for herself and her brothers. She would allow nothing and no one to turn her from it. Not me. Not even her Master Magnus.”

      “Words worthy of some gallant knight. ’Tis strange to hear them spoken by a conjurer’s woman.”

      “So I thought. And what of this?” He held out the medallion for his father to inspect. “She swore it wasnae stolen. I, and Ligulf, feel she spoke the truth. Yet, how did she get it? No conjurer’s woman would own such a fine thing.”

      “Nay. ’Tis a mystery. Strange, the design seems familiar. It touches some memory, but I cannae grasp it.”

      “In her I thought I had found all I had sought. Yet, here I sit, alone, left with naught but memories and mysteries.”

      “Ye mean to search for her?”

      “Aye, I do. I am sorry. That girl coming today…”

      “Dinnae trouble yourself over that. A meeting was arranged, that is all. No promises were made. Howbeit, I will ask ye to think long and hard on this woman ye mean to find. Ye ken little about her. She may be no more than what she appears—a thief and a conjurer’s companion. She could be suffering from some delusion, believing she is something she isnae and never could be.

      “’Tis true that ye are a bastard, but all your kin openly acknowledge ye. A fine marriage could be made for ye. Ye have gained much honor and wealth fighting for the king and in mercenary service in France. There are also the lands I have given ye. The lass who comes today is but one of many ye could choose from.”

      “Tell me, Father, if ye were I, if we spoke of Edina, could ye turn your back on what ye might have with her?”

      William sighed, then grimaced. “Nay, but I didnae wish ye to act without even a thought upon the other choices ye have.”

      “And I see no other choices,” Gamel murmured as he slipped the medallion back around his neck. “The search may not be as difficult as I fear. Each sixmonth they return to that inn, to that town. I dinnae think they would expect me to be there after so long a time, but I will be.”

      “Weel, I wish ye luck.” After a moment of silence William murmured, “Our guests will be here soon. I ken that there is no chance of a match now, but the game must be played out. We must greet them and entertain them.”

      “Of course.” Gamel stood up. “I will hasten to don my finest clothes. Although I shallnae be ready to greet them the moment they arrive, I swear that ye shall find no other fault in my hospitality.”

      “Dinnae worry. Our guests will wish to remove the dust of their journey first so there is no need to concern yourself about insulting them. Ye may escort your mother down to the hall for me,” he added, smiling faintly.

      “My pleasure.” Gamel glanced toward the doors of the great hall. “It sounds as if your horde of offspring are heading this way.”

      “Ah, so they are. I must play nursemaid for a while.”

      “And I shall flee up to my chambers and swiftly, ere I am also put to that use.” Gamel hastened from the hall, pausing to return the effusive greetings of his half siblings as they hurried toward their father.

      In his chambers a hot bath awaited him. Gamel wasted no time in making use of it. As he sat enjoying the soothing heat of the water, he stroked the medallion that hung about his neck and swore he would find Sine Catriona. She had eluded him for only a little while. She had not, could not, escape him completely.

      As Farthing drove