courtyard. A stairway led from within one of the lower pillared walkways to the balcony, where, we were informed, his Majesty had provided seats for my associates.
My husband looked my way as he was led from the field. Deliver her safe and sound, Albray.
Have I ever failed to do so? the knight responded.
Lord Devere forced a smile as he considered Albray’s boast; the fact was that the knight had saved both our lives on more than one occasion.
The design of the courtyard floor was not unlike that in the armoury—several steps led down to a central circular platform, in the middle of which I positioned myself. I bowed to the Shah and awaited the appearance of my challenger.
Once my associates were seated, the Shah waved his hand and six warriors, all but their eyes masked in black, filed into the courtyard and took up position around me in a circle.
Assassins, Albray observed for my benefit.
To the best of my understanding, the assassins were affiliated with the Melchi who had raised and trained Albray. Should I be worried?
Heavens, no, Albray replied. They are all sporting my weapon of choice.
Predictably the Shah had chosen the local weapon, and I was presented with two Saracen swords akin to those I had just been wielding in the armoury.
I heard my husband’s voice raised in concern. ‘Is this one of the Shah’s famous practical jokes? At the court of de Guise, my lady was required to best only one swordsman!’
‘Come, come, my Lord Suffolk, this is only a friendly demonstration, not a duel to the death,’ the Shah emphasised.
Clearly, something in his tone was not very reassuring to my lord.
‘I was not aware that assassins gave friendly demonstrations,’ he retorted.
The Shah served my husband with a look that implied he was being overly dramatic. ‘Your wife is not complaining,’ he pointed out, as he observed me getting a feel for my weapons. ‘These men do not make errors, Lord Suffolk; your wife is far safer sparring with them than a novice, and they are under my specific instructions to engage the lady one at a time.’
As my husband opened his mouth again, no doubt to issue a sharp rejoinder, Taylor discreetly nudged him; a reminder that it was not wise to debate the Shah’s motives. ‘I never doubted your Majesty’s good intentions, of course,’ my lord said.
The Shah forced a smile and allowed the incident to pass. He gave a nod in his crier’s direction and the servant shouted, ‘Begin!’
The onslaught was immediate. I could feel Albray’s utter delight; he was truly in his element with a blade in his hands. Still, if I could haveclosed my eyes until the frenzied assault was over, I would have happily done so. As it was, I felt as if I was riding a thoroughbred stallion over which I had no control; all I could do was hold on for dear life and hope that I was still alive when the creature came to a standstill. Nevertheless, after the first ten minutes had elapsed, I began to feel a little more confident and actually started enjoying the ride and appreciating the fact that Albray was making me look truly accomplished. Some of the locals even started barracking for my cause, including the Shah himself, who had tears of delight flowing down his cheeks. Now he too had a story to add to the legend of the Lady du Lac and the gypsy rogue, which he would take great delight in telling de Guise upon their next meeting.
‘Play me my gift, minstrel,’ the Shah requested of Cingar without looking at him.
‘Right now, your Majesty?’ Cingar had trouble dragging his attention from the spectacle I was embroiled in.
‘What better time than the present to capture the mood of this moment for posterity?’ his Highness confirmed.
Although the challenge made Cingar boggle a moment, he quickly retrieved his instrument from its case and, looking to the event in progress, began to compose.
At first the tune was one of suspense and peril, but as the gypsy observed how well I was faring
My husband looked my way as he was led from the field. Deliver her safe and sound, Albray.
Have I ever failed to do so? the knight responded.
Lord Devere forced a smile as he considered Albray’s boast; the fact was that the knight had saved both our lives on more than one occasion.
The design of the courtyard floor was not unlike that in the armoury—several steps led down to a central circular platform, in the middle of which I positioned myself. I bowed to the Shah and awaited the appearance of my challenger.
Once my associates were seated, the Shah waved his hand and six warriors, all but their eyes masked in black, filed into the courtyard and took up position around me in a circle.
Assassins, Albray observed for my benefit.
To the best of my understanding, the assassins were affiliated with the Melchi who had raised and trained Albray. Should I be worried?
Heavens, no, Albray replied. They are all sporting my weapon of choice.
Predictably the Shah had chosen the local weapon, and I was presented with two Saracen swords akin to those I had just been wielding in the armoury.
I heard my husband’s voice raised in concern. ‘Is this one of the Shah’s famous practical jokes? At the court of de Guise, my lady was required to best only one swordsman!’
‘Come, come, my Lord Suffolk, this is only a friendly demonstration, not a duel to the death,’ the Shah emphasised.
Clearly, something in his tone was not very reassuring to my lord.
‘I was not aware that assassins gave friendly demonstrations,’ he retorted.
The Shah served my husband with a look that implied he was being overly dramatic. ‘Your wife is not complaining,’ he pointed out, as he observed me getting a feel for my weapons. ‘These men do not make errors, Lord Suffolk; your wife is far safer sparring with them than a novice, and they are under my specific instructions to engage the lady one at a time.’
As my husband opened his mouth again, no doubt to issue a sharp rejoinder, Taylor discreetly nudged him; a reminder that it was not wise to debate the Shah’s motives. ‘I never doubted your Majesty’s good intentions, of course,’ my lord said.
The Shah forced a smile and allowed the incident to pass. He gave a nod in his crier’s direction and the servant shouted, ‘Begin!’
The onslaught was immediate. I could feel Albray’s utter delight; he was truly in his element with a blade in his hands. Still, if I could haveclosed my eyes until the frenzied assault was over, I would have happily done so. As it was, I felt as if I was riding a thoroughbred stallion over which I had no control; all I could do was hold on for dear life and hope that I was still alive when the creature came to a standstill. Nevertheless, after the first ten minutes had elapsed, I began to feel a little more confident and actually started enjoying the ride and appreciating the fact that Albray was making me look truly accomplished. Some of the locals even started barracking for my cause, including the Shah himself, who had tears of delight flowing down his cheeks. Now he too had a story to add to the legend of the Lady du Lac and the gypsy rogue, which he would take great delight in telling de Guise upon their next meeting.
‘Play me my gift, minstrel,’ the Shah requested of Cingar without looking at him.
‘Right now, your Majesty?’ Cingar had trouble dragging his attention from the spectacle I was embroiled in.
‘What better time than the present to capture the mood of this moment for posterity?’ his Highness confirmed.
Although the challenge made Cingar boggle a moment, he quickly retrieved his instrument from its case and, looking to the event in progress, began to compose.
At first the tune was one of suspense and peril, but as the gypsy observed how well I was faring
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