48

DIVERSION

When I heard a rumble in the hall, I ran downstairs after all. After all, Henry had shown me everything to survive, so nothing had to happen to me.

An all-encompassing storm was raging in the hall. The table fell, the chairs flew, the candlesticks followed. The servants huddled in front of me on the stairway, even the men. Henry was the storm everyone feared.

Finding nothing more to throw, he stood heavy with a bloodied blade, looking for new things to destroy even more. His eyes were clouded with anger. Suddenly he threw the sword away, grabbed one of the two tapestries, and threw the devilishly heavy and expensively embroidered thing across the hall. It landed in front of the crouching servant and kicked up a lot of dust.

Just as he stomped to the nearest rug, I pushed my way through the servant and ran toward him. "Henry!" But he didn't hear me in his anger. "Henry!"

He grabbed the rug and I grabbed his arm. "You're going to tear him apart! Stop!"

Suddenly he grabbed my hand and stared at me. Then he recognized me. he gasped.

"You hurt me." As if he had burned himself, he immediately let go of me. "What happened?"

"Father..." he growled, clenching his fists.

"Sh, shh. Don't. Let's get some fresh air, okay? Come with me, Henry."

He nodded and walked out next to me. It was hot and muggy in the sun. But we went straight through the castle walls into the small forest where Henry could let out his last anger and enlighten me.

I was shaken. Theo would show up here and humiliate Henry again. And because it was his father and commander, he just couldn't stand it and had to endure it at his own castle. And that when he was just two days here. And because it was the custom, he had to leave his own room to his father.

When Henry explained this to me step by step, the rage boiled up again and he made the poor trees believe it. I found it completely understandable.

"Do you honestly have to let him in?"

"He's my commander. My father. An asshole who has every right over me."

"It's unfair. How can you break these chains?"

"Not at all. Never. Until the old man redeems me and dies." A little less angry, he sat down next to me on the floor. "I hate him."

For a few tense minutes he was silent and seething. Then he sighed and let his skull fall against the trunk behind him. "Forget him, Henry. Go over the bridge when the time comes. If you're already dying of anger, when he arrives you'll do something you'll regret."

But Henry wasn't able to listen yet. "Even when I was little it was always said, what your father says counts. For everything. No matter how painful, no matter how humiliating,..." he let out a growling sound. "It wouldn't have taken much longer and I would have killed Al."

"I'm glad you didn't."

"If he ever dares to look at me like that again..."

I wanted to touch him but I was afraid he would shake me off. I had never seen him as angry as he was. I felt so sorry for Henry. Not only was he angry, he was helpless and desperate. For such a proud fellow, this was worse than any physical pain. And I didn't know how to help him. One thing was clear to me, I had to distract him from the image in his head.

I slowly got up on my knees. "Henry..."

He interrupted me. "What do you think I'm going to do with my father when he shows up here!?"

Almost unnoticed, I unlaced my tattered knave trousers. Henry's eyes fell on my fingers for a moment. "What you are doing?"

"You've been smarter before, love."

He shook his head in confusion. "Do you think I'm in the mood now...?" The protest sounded more than half-hearted. For his gaze was back to my fingers, which slid down my hip and gripped the hem of my shirt.

"Things can always change."

"Don't you think as upset as I am I could hurt you?"

"You would never hurt me."

Still scowling, he grabbed my hem, getting to his knees while his jaw worked. He got rid of my shirt a bit roughly and immediately buried his hair on my breasts. As his hands on my hips yanked me towards him, I fiddled with his clothes. He was on my chest more than eager in the matter. "Henry..."

He just growled in agreement, pinned me to the grass and rolled me on my back on all fours. Before I could complain in astonishment, he bent over me and nibbled on my neck. Since then every protest was gone. In the summer heat, a small film of sweat covered and directly. Strands stuck to my cheeks and shoulders. And Henry seemed to love that.

He thrust in with enough force and futility that it would have flattened me if he hadn't grabbed my hips. And just because he was still so upset, it was probably the hardest but most exciting game we've ever had.

Finding release, he bit my shoulder and rolled onto the warm grass with me.

"Wow..." I snorted and only now realized how wicked this position was.

Henry grinned crookedly, showing his sexy white teeth. So my mission was successful. I lay on his strong arm and closed my eyes, satisfied with myself. Until I felt a kiss on my temple. "If you stay with me, my father is welcome to come."

"Where should I go Henry?" Since I've already fallen for you?

He growled blissfully. So we dozed on the cool meadow under the sultry sun and didn't speak. It was not necessary, for words were superfluous. And even though I knew I only distracted Henry for the moment, I was glad. The desperation and also the fear, which he would never admit, had to finish him off. Again I saw the little black haired boy throwing up in fear and starting to stutter.

I clutched his arm. Not even a knight could shake off such a deep-seated panic. Especially not when the man who terrifies you still has such power over you.

Presumably Henry wasn't sane if he lost his temper, but if I felt the need to protect my Henry, I wasn't without it either.

LIGHTNING STRIKE

In the month that we awaited Theo's arrival, Henry's reputation in the village and at the castle was at its peak. He was considered fair and strict, but also a young man with visions. And because he could often laugh about things and didn't chase the boys who came up from the village curiously to spy on him with punches, but included them in the work with a grin, he was sympathetic to many.

Only I, on the other hand, recognized behind closed doors how desperate he was. With each passing day that got closer to Theo's arrival, his outbursts got worse. Until he smashed the heavy old chair with the worn upholstery. At one point I even thought I could hear him sniffling in his outburst of anger, but I never recognized tears or anything like that.

A storm was raging the night the commander arrived in Nashville. The rain lashed against the shutters, the wind bent the young trees until I feared they would snap, the summer heat gave way to the autumn chill and the fire in the chimney began to tremble as the storm swept across the roof. Even my skirt hem of my new dress was twirled as I sat in front of the fireplace.

I had a thick book on my knees and practiced reading. Actually, I didn't like that Henry was there when I was trying to decipher the intricate letters, but this time it couldn't be any other way.

"I advise you again; read aloud, then it's easier."

"Do you think." That damn... Henry leaned over me.

"That's a V. Like violets."

I shooed him away like a fly. "Let me do it myself, Henry!"

"What's the use of staring at a letter for a thousand years if you can't think of what it is? Let me help you."

"No." The next one gave me problems.

"It's a D. Like thorns."

"Henry!"

He grinned contritely and squatted in front of me, arms folded over the precious book. He looked up innocently. "Forgive me, darling."

"I'm uncomfortable if you help me."

"You don't want a teacher."

"My system works." I have loved flowers all my life. And so that I could memorize the letters, I made a list of letters from A to Z with flower words. For example A like Adonis. Or Z like room caller.

His hand went to my waist and scratched me there. "The fabric feels so good... And the blue suits your eyes."

I smiled flattered. "Isn't it too dark? It almost goes black..."

"Oh, it's perfect." As he kissed me, he wanted to pull the book off my knees.

"No, no. I'm not done yet."

"Come on Elizabeth." I always got goosebumps when he purred my name like that.

Suddenly, lightning struck somewhere out there. The noise was unbelievable and I winced and narrowed my eyes for a moment. Henry grunted disparagingly. "Sounds like a lot of work to me..."

"Do you think there's a fire somewhere?"

"Certainly. But the villagers have a central well and can put it out quite easily on their own."

"What if it was in the woods? Or in our yard?"

"Then it would have been louder. Don't worry, it's all right." He smiled crookedly, got up and went to the window. "See? Not at all-..."

"Henry?" I recognized how he stiffened, but didn't know why. But he turned around immediately anyway, expressionless, and stomped towards the door.

"Have your room and hot wine ready! Don't bother about the food!" He turned back to me. "He gets nothing..."

"Can I assume Theo is there?"

"Not funny? Maybe the lightning tried to hit him. But who has the devil on his side..." He ran a hand through his hair moderately and tied his sword belt again. Then he glared at me angrily, probably without even realizing it.

I was already on my feet and put the book on my chair instead. "Now is not the time for another outburst, Henry. Don't please Theo and act in a way that he can discipline you for." His jaw ground. Not much was missing. "Show him that the hall is and remains empty, then he has no choice but to go to his room."

"In my room."

i grinned "It doesn't matter. What are we doing here that we don't do elsewhere." He swallowed and struggled to calm himself. "You could do it in camp, you can do it here. Where you are the Lord."

Not really convinced, he nodded, kissed my forehead and pulled me down with him. The storm reflected the mood of the entire castle. Everything was dark and quiet, only two candlesticks were burning in the hall. Still, the servants waited for a scene.

Theo was standing in the hall with a security guard. He threw back the dripping hood, choking me. Here stood Henry, thirty years older. God forbid Henry ever hears me say that...

"It's about time you showed up."

Henry's previous anger was no longer visible. He seemed cool and disinterested. "You haven't fallen? What a joy."

Theo growled. "You dared to attack Al."

"It's pretty grotesque that it's bad for you when I touch him. But if he did it to me..."

"Don't think you can get away with this."

Henry grinned condescendingly. "What do you want to do, father? Punish your brat? Since you came to beat me? Then you will be surprised to find a man. And he doesn't like being humiliated."

Theo grinned and sauntered over to him. "Do you think your castle or whatever else you believe it even makes you my equal, is holding me back?"

Henry smirked. "Nothing can stop the devil, can it?"

Theo replied with an identical grin. "You don't have to buck, little Henry. Father also brought you something from his trip. With the blessing of the king."

It didn't really say much, but the atmosphere in the room became leaden. Everyone knew; whatever Theo had brought, Henry wasn't going to like it. And thanks to the king's blessing, Henry would have to comply again...

THE GIFT

The bread was steaming. One could hear Al's feet scraping in the straw on the floor. And that seemed murderously loud, because otherwise it was quiet at the breakfast table.

It was too much even for the servants and they went into hiding. Henry had of course protested when she insisted on staying away from the table. She wasn't his wife and technically this was none of her business. But Henry saw it very differently.

Nevertheless, he now sat alone in front of Theo. He was very comfortable feasting. Thousands of childhood memories plagued Henry. Only his two big brothers left and right of him were missing. Then the picture would be perfect.

Suddenly Theo smiled relaxed. "You'll be dying of curiosity if you don't eat."

"Not quite." It had something to do with the present his father brought for him. Because even if he didn't know what it might be, he still knew that it couldn't bring anything good. Besides, he thought about setting fire to his own bed when his father finally ripped off. For, as was proper, Henry had vacated his room for Theo.

"You have not changed." Theo growled, genuinely disappointed. "You will never make a respectable man. And certainly not a knight. You are a disgrace."

Henry smiled bitterly. "Does my bread taste good?"

Theo slapped him. "You shouldn't forget who has been feeding you for years!"

Again, Raven was the only thing that came to mind. He wished him here. In the camp he put up with his father without any problems worth mentioning, because Raven was there. His presence was reassuring to Henry. After a conversation with him, everything was always so simple and logical.

Henry didn't answer Theo and thought about how to get rid of him. He kept talking undeterred. "Charles was a real man."

The youngest winced when he heard the name of Theo's eldest. He didn't really mourn for his brothers, far too much had happened for that. He remembered exactly what kind of man Charlie was, though. When he stood in front of his little brother, his face twisted in anger. Not angry at Henry, no. He was angry because he too suffered from Theo and Al. Just like Leo, the second brother. Both were looking for someone else, weaker, to feel superior for at least once. And if Henry wasn't fast enough, he had to serve. Otherwise, the two liked to torment animals or those left behind from the village...

"What a scumbag our Charles. Unfortunately, you never once told him that in his life." Henry spoke in a conversational tone, because that always teased Theo so nicely.

In fact, the father jumped up immediately. His face blank and his muscles dangerously relaxed. "Remember instant who you are dealing with, Sir Campbell."

Ah, the commander. Henry smiled into his brooks. Then Al spoke up. "Show him, Commander. You know the firebrands. Always keen to test their strength."

To Henry's Boundless Surprise, Theo shook his head and sat back down. "We have important things to discuss. The king sent me to visit my son and help him with his castle." Hell no... "But I have no interest in helping your arrogant ways, you smug fop."

"Very unfortunate to hear, sir." Prick my best wine barrel!

Theo grinned ghostly. "Ah, you're so stubborn because daddy hasn't given you your gift yet?" God, Henry could kill someone if Theo spoke to him like that. "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten. But first we'll eat."

Henry was unable to say a word. He became so angry at this humiliation that his limbs grew heavy. Theo smiled contentedly. "I don't want to be like that. Al, would you?"

Smiling as if Al had just rolled off a whore, he stood up and waved someone over. It was a porcelain doll that moved like a woman. She had blond hair, almost white, a vespene waist, and ladylike fair skin. She held a fan in her left hand and eyed the maid serving her food like a barnacle.

When she saw Theo, she adored the king's hero as if he were an angel. "Commander."

"Felicitas. Sit down." He pushed the chair for her and gave Henry a menacing look. Because actually he should have done that.

But Henry wasn't able to move. With the blessings of the king...

"This is my son Henry." Theo kicked Henry unnecessarily hard in the shin. "He is enchanted by your beauty, forgive him."

Felicitas took a disparaging look at Henry's muscles, his hair, his face and then his eyes. When she liked what she saw, she beamed at him shyly and lowered her gaze politely. "Sir Campbell."

Again he got kicked. "Miss Felicitas."

"She's from France. Do you like it, girl?" Felicitas raised her fan to her lips, lowered her head and giggled. Henry's breakfast answered. How did he get out of there!? "Then we'll get married."

I tore out all the flowers from the daisies and threw the remains away from me. "An asshole..."

We sat in the little grove, as we so often do, and enjoyed the still slightly warm rays of the sun.

"She's just as wrong as he is. You must be aiming for something in France with this marriage. Otherwise something is just not right." He growled angrily. "With the King's blessing."

Suddenly my anger subsided and deep pain overcame me. Henry wouldn't marry me... He sighed wearily. "And the best is yet to come, Elizabeth. We must go back to war."

"What!?"

"Edward still doesn't have the French crown. Now it's time to act. So back to Calais."

I looked at him undecidedly. What should I do now? I wasn't his wife and so I couldn't officially go with him. So what should I do?

Henry read the question in my eyes and kissed me briefly. "Come with me. As Nash."

"What!? Now that Theo also knows what I look like?"

"He doesn't care about women of a lower status than his." He grinned sadly. "This time I won't make you take a shower either."

"Henry... are you sure?" I was genuinely relieved when he nodded. Because what am I going to do without Henry Campbell?