it’s beautiful!” her mother whispered to one side.
Borneheld smiled happily and, placing his large strong hands on Faraday’s shoulders, he leaned down and kissed her. Faraday tried not to tense under Borneheld’s hands as his kiss lingered. He smelled of horses, leather and sweat and Faraday found his size and closeness intimidating. She trembled slightly as Borneheld finally leaned back, wishing she could respond to this man as spontaneously as she had been attracted to his brother.
Borneheld took her hesitancy as a compliment. “I can hardly wait until our marriage, my dear,” he whispered. He dropped his hands from her shoulders, but did not seem to know what to say or do next.
Faraday forced a smile, likewise searching for some light remark. She supposed she would develop an easier rapport with Borneheld in the future, but for now she simply hoped that someone would do something that would bring this awkward occasion to an end.
Earl Burdel finally stepped up behind Borneheld and clapped him jovially on the shoulder. “I shall watch her like a hawk, Borneheld, and let no harm come to her. I’m sure that when you return from Gorkenfort you will want the marriage ceremony as soon as possible.”
Faraday looked across at her father in confusion. Burdel? Surely she would remain with her parents until the marriage?
“My dear,” Isend smiled at her confusion. “With the problems in the north both your affianced husband,” he paused to bestow a wide grin on Borneheld, “and I believe that it might be too dangerous for you to return to Skarabost, and the court is no place for a young girl.”
Oh no, Faraday thought in despair, please let me stay with you a while longer.
“So, I’ve decided to send you and your mother to stay with Burdel’s family in Arcen. He will join you in a few short weeks once his business here is concluded. A sensible solution. But to get you there safely and in the quickest possible time, my dear, you will have to leave early in the morning.”
Faraday looked even more confused.
“The Axe-Wielders ride for Smyrton through Arcness and I have managed to persuade the BattleAxe to let you and your mother ride with them. Three and a half thousand Axe-Wielders should provide a safe enough escort. The Lady of Tare will also be joining you for part of the way, so you will not be lacking for female company. Yes, yes, I know that they will be moving fast, but both you and your mother can ride well.”
Borneheld stood to one side, pleased with the afternoon’s events, but now impatient to get back to his men. In truth, he was not particularly happy that Axis should be the one to provide his future wife with an escort to Arcen, but as there were few men to spare as escort it would be foolish to ignore the service he could provide. Besides, Borneheld grinned to himself, Axis would have several weeks to envy the wife his elder brother had won. Axis would never be able to find a wife so well-bred or with such lands.
Isend stared at his daughter impatiently. “Well?”
Faraday looked between her father and Borneheld, feeling a confused mixture of emotions: relief, that she would not have to endure many more awkward moments with Borneheld in the near future; sadness, that she would not be returning home, and a welter of complex emotions about Axis. She managed to maintain a smile on her face, although she felt that everyone in the room must see how false it was.
“It sounds like the best solution,” she finally said dutifully.
Axis strode about the courtyard in the predawn darkness, impatient to get moving and irritated beyond measure that he was to be saddled with a group of women. That one of them was the Lady of Tare did not diminish his displeasure one whit.
“Belial!” he shouted, frowning into the milling men and horses in the courtyard, trying to spot his lieutenant. “Belial!”
“Sir.” Belial appeared at his side, a tall, well-built man with deeply set hazel eyes and a thick line of fine sandy hair over his tanned and beardless face. He wore a plain, grey woollen tunic coat over a white shirt and grey leather trousers, the normal uniform of the Axe-Wielders. Belial was some seven or eight years older than Axis, but despite his service, experience and undoubted expertise he had never harboured any ambition to lead the Axe-Wielders. He preferred that someone else have the ultimate responsibility and care, and he served happily under Axis.
“Why isn’t everyone in formation!” Axis snapped. “It’s late!”
Belial took no offence at his BattleAxe’s short temper. He was always tense and irritable before they moved out. “This is the last cohort to form up. The other cohorts are waiting outside in the streets. In line. Packhorses loaded. Supplies accounted for. Geared up, fed, watered, weaponed, and ready to go.”
Axis glared at Belial but there was so little light the effort was wasted. “Then where are these cursed women!” he growled.
“These cursed women are geared up, fed, watered, ah … packed, and ready to go,” a feminine voice said from behind him.
Axis wheeled around. He could just make out Embeth in the dim light, but it was the huddle of female shapes behind her that caught his eye. Artor’s arse! he thought, only avoiding swearing out loud through a supreme effort.
“I had not expected you to bring every single one of your seamstresses, laundresses and chambermaids with you, Lady Tare,” he said curdy. “Do you think to teach my Axemen needlework about the fires at night?”
“The Lady of Skarabost, her daughter Faraday and I have brought our maids, BattleAxe. We do not travel without our attendants,” Embeth replied firmly.
“Well I hope they can ride, because you’ll have to travel without them if they fall off their cursed horses crossing the first overflowing gutter they come to!” Axis snarled, ignoring Embeth’s gasp at his rough tone. Turning on his heel, Axis disappeared into the throng of men as they mounted and formed up.
Belial shrugged in sympathy at the women, then hurried off to fetch their horses. Embeth turned to the ladies Merlion and Faraday and smiled wryly. “I have heard that his temper improves as the sun rises, my friends. Let us hope that is truly the case!”
“No wonder Priam doesn’t receive him!” Lady Merlion muttered. She wished Isend had found them a more gracious escort – and one with a less unsavoury parentage.
Faraday wriggled in embarrassment at her mother’s words, then abruptly giggled at the image of their maids floundering in a flooded gutter while Axis rode resolutely on.
Her mother was horrified. “Faraday!”
Embeth struggled for a moment, then she too started to laugh, wheezing with the effort of trying to keep it low. Finally she gave up and burst into a merry peal as Belial and several servants came back with their horses. “Onwards and forwards, ladies,” she chuckled, “onwards and forwards!” and scrambled onto her horse.
Faraday was just settling her skirts after mounting her horse side-saddle when a rough hand touched her knee. “Borneheld,” she gasped. The sun had just risen and a shaft of light shone directly into Borneheld’s face as he squinted up at Faraday. “My dear. I had to see you safely off.” Faraday was too high to lean down
