The Everlasting Covenant by Robyn Carr Page A

appetite, she took her dinner in leisure at a small table before the fire. She did not rise as usual to her chores. The next day was Candlemas Day, and she dressed herself carefully in one of her new gowns.
    Her mother came to her first, asking to be e xcused for her teasing remarks – asking Anne to remember her family. Anne could not possibly consider such hostile remarks as teasing, but excused her mother anyway. Marcella would be careful, if not kind, and she expected little more. Divina came next, appearing with reddened eyes and trembling lips. Her anguished apology came harder, but her fear of being abandoned by the earl ’ s influence was greater. Divina was terrified that she would be sent to live out her life with nuns.
    As Anne went to mass she heard a murmur run through the keep and found many looking up to the sky and shielding their eyes. There appeared to be th ree suns shining there, and pan icked castlefolk began to run to their huts to pray or murmur incantations, or to burn incense. Anne felt a shudder of horror run through her. A pain in her chest caused her to wonder if the devil had come to earth to finish them all for their wicked ways.
    She fled to the chapel and knelt in prayer. O blessed Father in Heaven, Mother of God, though I have no right, I beg you keep them safe.
    Both of them. She stayed on her knees through the morning, afraid to look again at the sky, afraid she would see it bleed.
    Not very far away, Edward, the Duke of York, also saw the three suns. His soldiers were frightened. But he quickly shouted across the masses of panicked men that it was the sign of the Trinity, and God supported them and they would be victorious. He then led them into battle. And the blood was not in the sky, but on the land.
     

 
     
     
    Chapter F ive
     
    The Gifford men returned to Raedelle with the high flush of victory on their cheeks. Edward ’ s first battle for the crown took place at Mortimer ’ s Cross, only a day ’ s journey from the Gifford keep. The tower guard sent out the summons to open the gate to the returning soldiers when the standard of Gifford green was sighted. Their troop was reduced, but not by loss – they had left behind some of their best soldiers and knights with Ayliffe ’ s and Edward ’ s forces.
    The women -- Marcella, Divina, wives of knights, and serv ants -- ran excitedly from the town and hall. Except for Anne – she lagged behind, looking at each man. Lord Gifford, who appeared tired and worn, but unhurt, slumped slightly in his saddle. Though he was just a bit older than Brennan, he appeared too old for such fighting, he seemed spent by the battle. Not so Sir Quentin, their mightiest, who sat high in his saddle, looking proud and elated. By his expression, he had finally proven himself in more than a contest. Bart, wearing a look of giddy excitement in addition to pride, must have also done well. But Trenton looked dazed. Perhaps, Anne thought, he is sur prised that he survived.
    While Anne stood back, Marcella and Divina ran to the men. She strained her eyes, but did not see Brennan. Behind the dismounting troop of two dozen knights, she noticed serfs or commoners seated on or lying across horses with their heads down. Prisoners. They were prisoners. Six of them, far to the rear of the troop. Ferris stood before her, looking down at her with distinct sadness in his eyes. She stared up at her father, afraid to breathe. Had it happened? “ Brennan? ” she asked in a whisper.
    “ In the best of health, child. A powerful soldier, Lord Forbes. Would that I had his strength, his cunning. ”
    “ Papa, where is he? Why has he not come? ”
    “ He is with Edward, lass. Where we should be. ” Marcella ’ s joyful shriek rose from the crowd of knights and horses as she threw her arms around Bart ’ s neck and embraced him enthusi astically. Quentin, still astride, laughed at his mother ’ s excite ment. Trenton looked away. Anne glanced around her father ’ s