Free Silversword (de Lohr Dynasty Book 7) by Kathryn Le Veque Page B

injury?”
    “Without, Papa,” he smiled wearily at the man. “You needn’t worry.”
    Daniel’s tired gaze lingered on him a moment and in that expression, Chad could instantly see that not all was well. Something had his father on-edge; he could see it in the man’s eyes. Therefore, his pledge to be congenial fled.
    Stefan and Perrin were in the room along with Chris, Arthur, and William. Chad glanced over at his brothers and cousins, acknowledging them, before returning his attention to his father.
    “Henry was victorious at Evesham,” he said to Daniel, “but I am sure you already know that. It looks as if Henry sent his Six to inform you personally.”
    Daniel nodded. Nearing his sixth decade, he was still a handsome and healthy man, more than most. His arm was still around his son’s shoulders as he turned to Henry’s knights.
    “Aye,” he said. “They have come to tell me a good deal. You know these men, do you not? Greet them properly, Chad.”
    Chad knew them, indeed. Everyone did. They were some of Henry’s most trusted men, all of them knights of the highest order; Aidric St. John, Dirk d’Vant, Jareth de Leybourne, Torran de Serreaux, Britt de Garr, Kent de Poyer. Chad knew de Serreaux and d’Vant particularly well, and he’d fought side by side with de Poyer at Evesham. They were good men but their loyalties, and their relationship to the king, were complicated.
    “Good knights,” Chad said evenly. “Didn’t I just see you a few weeks ago on those bloody fields at Evesham? Did you miss me so much that you had to come to Canterbury?”
    The knights grinned to varying degrees. The leader of the Guard of Six was Torran de Serreaux; a big man with dark hair and dark eyes, he was as handsome as he was cunning and strong. His family was very old and his relations, both blood and political, ran deep. He and Chad had a long history and a pleasant one, and he would do his best to keep it that way.
    “Chad,” he greeted politely. “My friend, as much as seeing you brings me pleasure, I am afraid that my visit here is on business for the king.”
    Chad looked at the five other knights. “He usually does not send you in a group like this,” he said. “Moreover, one or more of you usually remains with him. At least, that is how it was before Simon de Montfort managed to capture him. What is so important that you are all here?”
    It was a direct question following a statement that could have been construed as an insult against the Six. They were Henry’s personal guard, men who both protected him and did his bidding, and it was common knowledge that when Simon de Montfort had overwhelmed and captured Henry, Simon had stripped the Six of their weapons but had allowed them to remain with their liege, but it was in a purely captive role. They’d remained with Henry for more than a year in captivity until Evesham, when Henry had been freed by Chad, among others, and the Six, who had been with Henry, had been subsequently armed. They had fought like madmen for Prince Edward and had been instrumental in bringing down de Montfort. Chad had even seen de Leybourne and de Garr participate in mutilating the man. It had been gruesome, but from their standpoint, understandable. Warfare had made it so.
    De Serreaux didn’t seem to take Chad’s statement as an insult, fortunately. He smiled wryly. “Much has changed in this past year, has it not?” he said. “I can hardly believe that we have our freedom once more and a debt of gratitude goes to you. Had you not recognized Henry in de Montfort’s armor, the battle could have been quite different.”
    Chad lifted his eyebrows expectantly. “So you have come to thank me?”
    De Serreaux nodded. “Indeed,” he said. “From Henry’s own lips. He is very grateful for your loyalty. For the loyalty of the entire House of de Lohr. Surely Henry could not survive without your support.”
    Chad sensed something more to that statement. He wasn’t sure what more,