One True Knight (The Knights of Honor Trilogy) Read online

  Raulf smirked. “I doubt that,” he said. He turned to the guard. “Roland, tie him to that tree. He can have a front view of the execution of his daughter and his new son-in-law.”

  The guard moved to do as he was told and for a brief moment, he looked over at Jonathan and caught his eye.

  “Roland,” Jonathan said, his voice filled with contempt. “So it was true. I didn’t want to believe it, not after all that I’ve done for you — given you protection, treating you like a brother, but here you are on the other side. How could you betray me like this?” His voice hardened. “Raulf must have offered you quite at few silver coins for that shiny new armor that you’re wearing. Was it all worth it, Roland?”

  The guard broke away from the eye contact, and looked at the rope in his hands as if it was a foreign object. “I had no choice,” he said gruffly.

  “Nay, he had a choice,” Raulf’s hateful voice cut in. “It was either I kill his wife and child, or he could help me. And of course he chose the latter.” He laughed. “I’m sure the promise of coins made the decision to betray you even easier. ‘Tis amazing, if you know your enemy’s weakness, you can exploit it to your advantage. And as you can see, it proved very useful to have one of your trusted men counsel me on your every move, your every course of action.”

  “So that is how you found me all those years. You used this wretched traitor.”

  “Aye, you’ve taught him well in the art of stealth. He was instrumental in my plot, and did a beautiful job, I might add, in incapacitating Sir Philip’s young knight. All has gone according to my plan, and now all that is left is to bring you to your knees.”

  Jonathan saw out of the corner of his eyes that a dozen of his own knights had arrived and were standing behind Gareth, waiting for a signal from him to strike. The other guards that he stationed throughout the castle were no where to be seen. “What have you done with my castle guards?”

  “They’re still around — the few who decided to join me, that is. The others who have refused were either killed or locked up in the dungeon.” He lowered his voice, his tone turning conspiratorial. “Can you imagine? They believe that you’re going to save them.”

  “What do you want from me?” Jonathan asked calmly.

  “What do I want from you?” Raulf said, his voice rising in anger. “I want your life.” He looked at Jonathan with hate filled eyes. “All these years I spent fortifying Blackburn, making sure that it was well protected from the many enemies that salivate over these lands. I did everything that Richard asked of me.” He spat on the ground. “And in all that time he never acknowledged me as his son. I was treated like a servant, forever at his beck and call. Even on his death bed, he refused to acknowledge me. And he served me a final kick in the face when he gave everything to you — the land, the title — everything! And all I got was a paltry sack of coins.”

  “Aye, one sack of coins,” he continued bitterly. He kicked hard at a rock near his foot. “Those coins cannot begin to repay me for the years of service I gave him. I know I deserve more. So you ask — what is it that I want from you? I want you to forfeit the demesne — all of it — to me. And in exchange I will spare the lives of your whore and her worthless father.”

  “And if I refuse?”

  “Then they will end up with the same fate as the rest of your pathetic family,” he said with relish.

  “My family?” Jonathan repeated. He began to feel sick to his stomach.

  Raulf twisted his lips in a secret smile as if he was recollecting what had happened. The hand holding the knife slackened against Rowena’s body, but she was clever enough not to move. “If you must know, I had no love for Lady Beatrice,” he said, making a face as if he smelled something rank.

  “My mother…” Jonathan said faintly as the knowledge sunk in. “You killed my mother.”

  “Aye, your mother. She was the one who knew the truth about my birth, yet she made everyone believe that I was a poor orphan that Richard had taken in.” Raulf shrugged. “She hated me as much as I hated her so she had to die. Now with Richard —”

  “You killed him too,” Jonathan said, finishing for him.

  Raulf smirked. “Aye, I had a hand in quickening his demise. He had the sweating sickness, and was going to die anyway. I did him a favor by adding poison to his wine. You might even thank me for killing the old tyrant, because he was the one who wanted Amelia dead in the first place.”

  “You lie,” Jonathan said.

  “I’m a killer but not a liar,” he responded. “Richard was livid when he learned that you were marrying the daughter of his sworn enemy. He asked me to kill her, and in return I could have anything I wanted. I agreed to do it too — for a price, but then I fell in love with her.” A shadow crossed his face. “I had gone to her bed chamber that night to convince her to leave you, and marry me instead. She wasn’t supposed to die. Perhaps she would still be alive today had she not screamed when you burst into her chamber.” He clenched his jaw. “In the end, I hold you to blame for her death.”

  The bile was rising to Jonathan’s throat as he listened to Raulf. His father’s confession…the Grey Knight…He could feel his heart racing, his mind reeling as all the pieces came together. He had never thought Richard was evil enough to commission an innocent woman’s death. And the fact that he was murdered gave Jonathan small satisfaction. But Raulf…”All these years I’ve been searching for the Grey Knight, and it was you all along,” he said. His voice was devoid of emotion even as the sword in his hand tightened.

  Raulf gave a manic laugh. “Congratulations, you’ve finally figured things out! It took you over ten years to discover the truth. You don’t know how many times I wanted to tell you,” he continued, laughing. “I sent so many clues your way and led you on a merry chase across the countryside, but I always came just short of revealing my identity. In truth, I just wanted to see you squirm, struggle, and suffer just like I had. And to see your face now,” he bared his yellow teeth, “it was worth the wait.”

  “I have never caused you harm,” Jonathan said, his voice strangely calm.

  “Nay, you haven’t harmed me physically,” Raulf admitted. “The harm occurred the day you were born. You had everything and I had nothing. I wanted to inflict some hardship, some pain into your perfect life.” His face flushed and he looked as if he was a child that had a toy taken away from him.

  Jonathan expected to find fury brewing in his chest at discovering the identity of the Grey Knight, but instead he felt…nothing. “You led a life that was unjust, yet you chose the path of a killer,” he said slowly. “Richard may have asked you to kill Amelia but you didn’t have to agree, and you didn’t have to end her life. And those people…you could have spared those innocent people…”

  Rauf shrugged. “Not all of them were innocent. But the ones connected to you made the killing all the more satisfying. And I’ll kill this one too if you don’t agree to my terms,” he said as he wrapped his free arm tighter around Rowena’s waist. He smirked at Jonathan as she let out an involuntary gasp. “Unfortunately the other times I didn’t have the pleasure of having your audience. But if I don’t get what I want, I’ll make sure you’ll have audience to this execution.”

  Jonathan flicked an alarmed glance at Rowena, and any sympathy he felt for Raulf was gone when he saw her white face. Anger ignited in him once again. He gripped his sword tighter, suddenly wanting to swing the heavy sword and silence him for good. The only thing stopping him was his inbred sense of honor. “You’re a bastard,” Jonathan said.

  “Aye, you are right on that account,” Raulf said harshly. “I am the bastard son of Richard, aren’t I? Most bastards don’t get their due. When Amelia died, I approached Richard for my payment — to be officially declared his son, but he refused to do it.”

  “No one told me that Richard had another son.”

  “Of course not,” Raulf hissed. “You were too blind and too stupid to notice. But that can’t be helped. Good fortune has followe
d you since your birth. You were wrapped up in your perfect life.” He twisted his face in disgust. “And your mother made it a point to keep you in the dark.”

  Some movement caught the corner of Jonathan’s eye. Raulf’s guards formed a line behind him, waiting for his signal to attack.

  “And these people,” Raulf continued, indicating Rowena and her father, “are connected to your perfect life, and by killing them, I can inflict even more pain and suffering on to you. However, I might be convinced to keep them alive if you would surrender the demesne to me.” Raulf tightened his grip again on Rowena, and pressed the dagger closer to her stomach. “Choose wisely, brother for you will be offered this deal once.”

  “You murder people in cold blood,” Jonathan said. He avoided looking at Rowena, afraid that if he did, he would charge at the whoreson and put her life at considerable risk. “I don’t know if I can trust your word. What if I agree to forfeit the demesne and you still end up killing me and everyone else?”

  “Then suit yourself,” Raulf said, his face darkening. “It was a mistake to even give you a choice. Perhaps this wench means nothing to you after all. I might as well as kill her now.” Rowena suppressed a cry of pain as his finger bit into her side. He raised the dagger, the blade glinting dangerously in the morning sun.

  “Wait!” Jonathan said, raising his hand. “How can I trust that you won’t harm her? What assurance do I have that you will release her and her father once I surrender the demesne to you?”

  “Despite what you may think, I am an honorable man.”

  “Your definition of honor differs from mine,” Jonathan said sarcastically. “What do you propose that we do?”

  He watched as Raulf started walking forward, pushing Rowena along and using her body as a shield.

  “We will have the steward draw up a contract, with the chaplain as witness, stating that you are handing over the demesne to me. Then you will publicly proclaim that you are no longer interested in Blackburn, and that you will return to King Edward’s service. You will then give the king the signed contract, and convince him that you are relinquishing all your rights to me, your half brother. Once you do all that, I will release your woman and her sire.”

  “‘Tis not that simple. Not even King Edward, will believe that that I would forfeit my birthright to you.”

  Raulf waved his hand, as if it were of no consequence. “Tell them that Richard was delirious when he died and that he gave the land you by mistake. Tell them it was all a misunderstanding. You’re the Iron Hawk, people will believe you.”

  “I’m afraid you’re making things too complicated. The people of Blackburn are already angered over your involvement with the raids, and when they learn that you are also the Grey Knight and linked to the deaths of my parents, they will revolt. I cannot be responsible for an uprising and the loss of more innocent lives. I say we fight and end this today.”

  “The winner gets the land, the title and the wealth that comes with it. I like that,” Raulf said, his lips twisting in a horrid smile. “But he dies,” he said, pointing the dagger at Gareth. “Roland, get him.”

  “I — I cannot kill Sir Gareth or anyone else!” Roland stammered. “This wasn’t part of our agreement!”

  Gareth stared menacingly at Roland, his sword held steady in his hand. “That’s right. Even if you try it, you won’t succeed. And my vengeance upon you will not be pleasant I assure you.”

  Roland blanched as if he knew the truth in Gareth’s words. He swallowed and took an involuntary step back. He looked from Jonathan to Gareth. “I — I am sorry, sire. I told you I had no choice!”

  “Fool!” Raulf shouted at the guard. “Do as I command!”

  But Roland paid no regard to Raulf. He spun around and fled in the other direction. His followers watched him disappear, confusion and alarm written on their faces as they realized they had to face the Hawk and his men on their own. They dispersed like scared rabbits and fled the scene. Gareth shouted for six guards to follow him, and then letting out loud war cries, they gave chase.

  At Jonathan’s signal, the rest of his men moved forward.

  A panicked look crossed Raulf’s face as he realized that he was alone.

  “Give up now. There is no way you can escape from here alive,” Jonathan said. “My men outnumber you.”

  Raulf paled. “I still have your woman,” he said. He pointed the dagger at Jonathan. “You kill me and she dies as well. I don’t think you want to see her dead.” He saw the truth in Jonathan’s eyes, and then he curled his lips into a sneer, as if suddenly aware of the power he wielded. “All I need to do is slit her slender —”

  He made a motion as if to cut Rowena’s throat, and just as he was about to draw the dagger back to her neck, she bent her head, and bit down on Raulf’s hand as hard as she could, drawing blood.

  He howled in pain, and dropped the dagger. Spinning her around, with demonic fury in his eyes, he raised his fist to strike her.

  But Raulf never had a chance. Jonathan leaped at him, blocking Raulf’s arm from hitting Rowena before ramming his iron fists into the other man’s ribs. Raulf screamed.

  He dropped to the ground, crumpling into a ball. He cradled his broken ribs, sobbing and gasping in pain.

  Jonathan flipped him over with his foot. “You hide behind a cloak of anonymity,” he said in disgust, “but you are nothing but a sniveling coward.” He looked down at the trembling man who caused him so much pain and suffering. He expected to fully unleash his fury and vengeance on his old enemy, but he lowered his sword, surprised to discover that he felt nothing but pity.

  Raulf blinked when he saw the lowered weapon. “You’re not going to kill me?” he asked in a faint voice.

  “‘Twould be just so easy, so tempting to drive this sword through your cowardly heart and end your miserable life, he said. “But when I became a knight, I became bound by honor. If we are of the same blood as you claim, I would taint my hands by killing you.” He paused and looked dispassionately at the cowering man. “I will take you to King Edward and let him determine your fate.”

  He motioned for a guard to tie up Raulf and for another to free Rowena’s father from the tree. He then turned to help Rowena off the ground.

  She stared at the sobbing man on the ground, her eyes wide with disbelief, as if she couldn’t believe that it was all over.

  “Are you hurt, my lady?” Jonathan asked, concern in his voice.

  At first Rowena couldn’t answer and all she could do was shake her head. Jonathan placed an arm around her shoulders, drawing her gently to his muscular chest. She closed her eyes, and took in a shuddering breath. She could feel the strong, steady thud of his heart. And the fear and tension that had gripped her throughout the entire ordeal began to fade. “I am unhurt,” she said.

  A noise sounded behind them, and Gareth appeared, dragging Roland in his wake. His eyes narrowed dangerously at the man on the ground. “Allow me to kill him, sire.”

  Jonathan shook his head. “There is no satisfaction in killing cowards. We will let King Edward deal with him.”

  Gareth took in a deep breath, understanding the truth in his words. “Aye, the knight’s code,” he said, unable to keep the disappointment from his voice. He tossed the guard next to Raulf, allowing the man to fall to the ground like a sack of wheat. “An honorable knight cannot kill a defenseless coward.” He stared at Raulf and spat on the ground. “Then allow me to escort this worthless bastard to the King. I need to witness the justice served so in my heart I’ll know that my brother can rest in peace.”

  Derrik supported her father over to the small crowd just as Gareth finished speaking. His face was set with determination “If you can use a good man, take me with you, sire,” he said.

  Gareth glanced at the young knight and nodded his assent. “I could use an extra man,” he said.

  “Sir Derrik will be of great help,” her father said in a gruff voice. “King Edward will mete out his punishment, and this criminal,” he st
ared hard at Raulf. And then he looked over at her, his voice softening before continuing, “will no longer be able to harm my only daughter.”

  Rowena stared back at her father in surprise. Did she actually hear the concern and love in his voice? Was she mistaken all these years, thinking that her father never cared for her, that he blamed her for her mother’s death?

  “Take these prisoners to the dungeon,” Jonathan said, nodding to Gareth. “We will make arrangements for their escort within the hour.”

  The guards dispersed, and the prisoners were led away.

  Rowena made a move to follow her father and Derrik back to the hall, but Jonathan stopped her.

  “That was a brave and foolish thing you did,” he said, turning her around to face him.

  “You needed for him to be distracted,” she said lightly, “to get his guard down so you could attack…”

  “Still, I don’t know what I would have done if that whoreson actually harmed my wife…” He trailed calloused fingers along her face.

  “Your wife?” she repeated in surprise. “I thought we are going to annul —”

  He put a finger to her lips, shushing her. “Nay, I have never agreed to such a thing. We are married and shall remain so,” he said. He titled her face up. “I wanted you from the moment I saw you in the alley way.” He kissed her softly on the lips. “I fought it. Aye, I fought hard against it, but in the end my heart knew what my eyes refused to see. Do you realize how much I love you, Rowena?” he asked, looking searchingly into her eyes.

  She slowly shook her head. He smiled at her loss for words and continued. “‘Tis an immeasurable amount, I assure you. I love you, Rowena, and I will continue to love you until I take my dying breath.”

  The warmth reflecting in his eyes made her heart melt, and she let out a breath that she didn’t realize she was holding. The knight that she dreamed about, indeed searched for all her life, really did exist. And he was right here, standing in front of her. “I love you too, Jonathan,” she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.

  Jonathan bent his head, and kissed her deeply. And Rowena kissed him back, allowing the soft glow of love to surround them, to wrap around their hearts and minds, and bind them together for all eternity.