Free The Beast of Renald (The Northern Knights) by Amber Dane

here to carry out that order to control the Saxons and he’d been awarded a large part of it for his successful mission.
    William removed his leather gauntlets and held them in one hand, adjusting his sword at his side before he gestured over one broad shoulder to a group.
    ‘Take Halvard’s cousin out back and clean him up,’ the king ordered.
    Darc got a glimpse of the top of the man's fair head as he was escorted away. William then turned back to him and clasped him on the shoulder.  ‘My bravest lieutenant second to none but Rufus. A surprise met us on the way here.’ The king's voice dropped to a soft hush and a smile warmed his stern features.
    Darc gave his liege a quizzical look. The guards parted and a tall, broad shouldered man with flame colored hair stepped forward. 
    ‘Well, Darc, seems you do stir up all the excitement these days.’  The light familiar tone was followed by a round of hearty embraces and back slaps.
    ‘Lord of Richmond. Alan! How good it is to see you. A surprise indeed.’ Darc was thoroughly pleased to see another comrade.
    Alan Rufus was another of William’s trusted lieutenant’s living in one of the many cornered Norman castles built under William’s orders. He too had been given large amounts of land and had always been a well-liked acquaintance on the battlefield and on the rare occasions Darc had been at court. Rufus had constructed his Norman fortress as he had near a body of water. Alan’s castle sat overlooking The River Swale.
    ‘We’re thirsty for some of that fine wine of yours to warm these bones. Come.’  William said jovially.
    Once ensconced in one of the larger rooms off to the side of the great hall, the three spoke at length. Darc’s mood changed the moment William brought up his brother.
    Raven Renald.
    ‘He should have died at Senlac. Then this headache he’s become to us all would not have come about. Nevertheless,’ William waved his chalice in his large hand as he sat forward on the cushioned stone bench, ‘what is past is past. I learned early on to adapt and survive. Your brother cannot use the adversity he faced as a child as an excuse. He was afforded the same choices as you and look where you stand.’
    ‘Aye, my liege.’
    ‘Worry not. The bastard will not stay hidden long. Too full of himself and his envy. He will barely be able to contain himself. Raven will show himself eventually. Fools like that always do.
    ‘Forget not the hammering headaches I dealt with in these past two years between Hereward, Malcolm and my very own cousins. Be it brother, uncle or cousin…family…makes them no less than your worst enemy. I know all too well what we hope for but choices belong to the one making them. His crimes are not yours to bear. Carry your brother’s weight no more. Raven’s death is imminent. May the Gods be with you that he meets it at your hands.’
    Alan nodded in agreement as Darc pondered deep over William’s words and his eyes narrowed a fraction. His liege ever keen, knew his thoughts.
    After all these years, a part of him, Darc had come to realize had believed he was part blame in how his brother had turned out.
    Raven had come into the world clawing his way out of their mother’s womb only seconds after him, mouth wide open shrieking like the bird he was so aptly named after.  Their mother had retold the tale over a hundred times during their youth. Many had thought she’d not survive the childbed, but she did.
    Death came for her much later. A pang of sorrow lanced Darc’s chest in remembering her unfortunate passing.
    He would not leave this world until his brother had paid dearly for the atrocities and path of destruction he’d left behind wherever he set a foot.  
    Aye, Raven was a bad seed from the get and there was no fixing him. William’s voice drew Darc’s attention back to him.
    ‘Come,’ William started. ‘Time we finish the matters here, and then make things official so I can be on my way. I miss my