Free Rose Victory - Eagle Series by Eagle Lady Page B

the wooden drawbridge and through the massive gateway into the large outer bailey.  “You are welcome to rest in the quarters provided here until you can continue your journey.”  Byran stopped the cart and gestured for the boy to help the woman down.
    The old woman’s brown, wrinkled face turned stubborn and unyielding, she kept her place in the cart.  Her piercing blue eyes seemed to bore right through Byran, making him uncomfortable.  “The earl must make a decision on the matter today.”
    For the first time Byran hesitated.  “Do you require a ruling from his lordship?  You do not belong to Eagle Rock.”  Byran knew he would have known the woman otherwise.  Maybe she had come from one of his lordship’s other holdings seeking justice.  “Lord Roydon will be holding court for his people two days hence.  You are welcome to wait here.”
    The old woman seemed to realise that cajoling would get her further than demanding.  Her face lost its obstinate expression, to be replaced by one of such pleading defencelessness that the steward swallowed convulsively.   “I am too old to wait, sir.”  Nona’s voice, hardly above a whisper, came through weak and feeble.  “My need is great.  I have journeyed too long and far to die before my task is done.”
    The boy stifled a smile behind his scarf.  Die?  His Nona was ancient but tough as old leather and just as resilient.  He had never seen her sick in his whole life.  But the poor man did not now this and his face paled alarmingly as he watched the woman bow her white haired head in defeat, her small body seeming to shrink in on itself.
    “I will take you up to the castle and speak to his lordship on your behalf but I can promise you nothing.”  Abruptly Byran turned on his seat and urged the horse into a fast trot towards the gate that gave onto the middle courtyard.
    The boy run along beside the cart up the sloping yard towards another pair of gates. The fast pace gave him little time to observe the incessant activity going on all around him as serfs herded animals and merchants and craftsmen went about their duties and concerns.  The man probably thought that the old woman would expire before he could find his master.
    The second pair of gates were also guarded and gave access to the middle bailey through a short tunnel-like structure that traversed the thick walls.  When the young boy came out on the other side, he skidded to a halt in alarmed wonder.  A full scale battle seemed to be taking place on the right side of the courtyard.  Soldiers with swords, pikes and all sorts of other weapons were hacking at each other, but people on the path, as well as on the other side, were going about without the least worry on their faces.
    Then it hit him, the soldiers must be practicing; of course, this must be the training yard.  The alarm disappeared from the boy’s face to be replaced with fascinated awe.  He remained rooted to the spot, his curious eyes drinking in the sight with insatiable eagerness.  How good it could be if he could learn to fight like these men.  To be able to wield a sword and ride… The second impatient call from Nona brought the boy to his senses and he hurried to catch up with the cart, although he kept glancing at the training men as he run.
    The cart stopped at the third gate.  Here the guard scrutinized everyone who wished to enter the inner bailey.  No strangers, unless vouched for by a senior retainer, were allowed into the castle’s inner courtyard.
    “Lord Roydon is on the training field, Master Byran.” The senior guard on duty informed the steward, his eyes roving over the old woman and the curiously muffled boy.  “Apparently I am missing one hell of a fight,” he grumbled.
    “Sir Stefan?”
    “Who else could even think of standing against him?”  The admiration in the guard’s voice echoed in the nods of the soldiers standing near him.
    “I will look for his lordship on the field.”  Byran