Free Angie Arms - Flames series 04 by The Strongest Flames Page A

Garrick will look, if he was sent for you.  Tomorrow we will send the children away as planned.  Garrick has taken his army with him, so I will not ask the Countess to spare any men.  We will have to find help somewhere else.”
    Keri nodded , and walked slowly up the steps beside the limping man, a feeling of futility creeping upon her.  

Chapter 4
     
    Garrick’s back ached as he shifted his leg from one foot to another.  The King summoned him, and now he waited, as he waited since dawn this morning as the sun marched its way across the sky and was setting again, still Garrick waited.  The morning was cool as he and his men prepared to set sail, but the last minute summons from the King brought him here, and the ship with his army sailed without him.  Apparently that was the King’s order, while Garrick was left waiting.  He sweated throughout the humid afternoon on the dock, and now the chill was back in the air.  All he wanted to do was get the inevitable over with, so he could get food in his grumbling belly.
    “Lord Garrick,” the steward said , from the top of the gangplank.  “His majesty will see you now.”
    It’s about damn time , he thought to himself, as he made his way up to the deck of the King’s ship.
    He knew why he was here , and not with his men.  Lord Damien did not appear at the King’s summons, nor did he send his army to join Richard on his conquest to take back Normandy.  Garrick knew Damien well enough to know he would not begrudge the King his army, but Garrick knew the King well enough to know, he wanted not only Damien’s army, but Damien as well.  The King would take a hard line with Damien and insist he be here, as he insisted Garrick be here.  Damien wasn’t stupid, he knew if he did not meet the King here, he would need all his men to defend against those sent to punish him. 
    The steward opened the door and motioned him inside, bowing as Garrick entered , and then the door was shut firmly behind him.  The King sat at his dinner table, where food abounded.  The aromas would make Garrick’s mouth water if he was not so damn thirsty after waiting all day.
    “Garrick,” the King said , jovially enough, but did not rise.  “I regret I will only have your army fighting with me, and you not leading them, but I have another task for you.”  Richard picked up his wine and took a long swallow from it, before sitting the goblet back on the table. 
    Garrick refused to show any sign that th e King’s delay in seeing him caused him any discomfort.  He kept a steady gaze on the King’s face, and did not let it falter. 
    “Damien refused my summons.  I have no doubt he is right this moment conspiring with John,” Richard said , with a sneer.
    Plowing his wife was more like it, Garrick thought.  Exactly where Garrick wanted to be, at his own home, with his own wife, not here in the King’s state room tied to a dock, with his belly grumbling, and his mouth dry with thirst.  Still his gaze did not falter.
    “I thought I might give him one more warning.  Threaten to send the Bastard after him , but he knows the consequences just as you did.”  The King rose from his chair, took his wine in hand, and walked around the table to stand in front of Garrick. 
    Sometimes Garrick thought the man tried to goad him.  After all , Garrick held the title of Lord, which Richard himself bestowed upon him.  Yet Richard never stopped calling him bastard in front of his face.  No one else dared.  Garrick kept a passive face, despite the anger that was beginning to bubble inside.
    “I want you to take care of Lord Damien,” Richard said , as he took a drink, then turned away to walk to the portal, and look out at the sea.
    “Am I to convince him to join your campaign?” Garrick asked , watching the King closely.
    He saw the back of Richard’s head move , as he shook his head no.  “I already gave him his chance.  It’s just as well, I don’t trust him.”
    Garrick