Knight's Ransom (The First Argentines #1)

My maid said Sir James had come to bring me a gift, but he refused to leave it with her because of its value. Why would he do this? Does he fear I don’t trust her? Or is he seeking, like the courtiers do at the court of Pree, to heighten my anticipation by suspense? If he thinks I can be bought, he’s acting the maggot. I listened to the worrying news the lord constable brought from Kingfountain. The queen’s land, the duchy of Vexin, has been under revolt. King Devon and Queen Emiloh continue to be plagued by small fires of rebellion throughout their realm. Lord Rakestraw said the king could not attend the tournament because he was too concerned about what would happen in his absence. Why does no one attack Occitania? It seems to me the root of these ills is festering beneath the court of the Wise King. Perhaps all the payments and rewards he disperses to knights from other realms is just a subtle form of bribery.

I am grateful, though, that I discovered Sir Ransom by chance today. He is not the boy I remember from Kingfountain. How handsome he has become. Quiet too. I think he cares for me. He kept looking at me, although I sensed something different in his gaze. I love the color of his eyes. Not quite brown, yet not green either. They reflect his moods. When Da suggested I find someone to marry while at this tournament, I think he meant Sir James or another duke’s son. It may take some time for him to accept that the decision is truly mine.

—Claire de Murrow

Chessy Field, Kingdom of Occitania





CHAPTER TWELVE

The Queen’s Protectors

Ransom had seen Queen Emiloh years ago, when she first came to Kingfountain, but the memory had dimmed over time. Still, he recognized the slope of her nose and the slight curve at its tip, her gold hair that hung in a thousand tiny ringlets, and her strong gait—indicative of a woman who was used to the saddle. He knew she fancied falconry and took pleasure in the hunt, riding great distances with her husband. She was unusually tall as well, of a height with Lord Rakestraw and almost as tall as Ransom.

“Rise, Marshall,” she said.

“Y-Your Majesty,” he stuttered, unable to conceive that this was happening. She wore a cream-colored gown embroidered with flowers and fleurs-de-lis, with slit sleeves and a golden trim. Her husband’s standard, the Silver Rose, was emblazed on the bodice but partly concealed beneath the cloak she wore over the gown.

“I’m grateful my presence comes as a surprise,” she said, flashing him a smile. She looked too young to have borne so many sons, but then her children were all younger than him.

“We’ve taken great pains to ensure it,” said Lord Rakestraw. He gave Ransom a sharp look. “I’ve not even told the Duke of Glosstyr, and he sits on the king’s council. That means, lad, that you’d best keep this secret to yourself.”

“Of course,” Ransom said. “Why are you here?”

“Because the tournament provided a good opportunity for me to travel in disguise,” she answered. “I’m returning to the duchy of Vexin to bring some of our squabbling nobles to heel. They, of course, will be here at Chessy. When they return to their castles after the tournament, they will find that I’m already at the fortress of Auxaunce, ready to call them to account for their disobedience. The king is preoccupied with rumors of other discontent. Many of our lords have caused trouble these last few years. It seems half the nobility isn’t content unless they are fighting each other over a castle or grain mill. So he sent me to quell this one myself, since the duchy in question is my own.”

Ransom stared at her, surprised at her candor. “The king must trust you a great deal, my lady,” he said with respect.

She smiled at the comment. “Lord Rakestraw and I believe no one will take notice of a small force of knights riding to the Vexin. While I speak Occitanian fluently, I am also recognizable. We were hoping to find a young knight we could trust on this mission. An Occitanian knight, we thought, who could help throw any hounds off our scent. Your knowledge of the language makes you an even better choice. This means you will not be participating in the tournament, Marshall. But you will be well rewarded.”

“I would be honored to serve my queen,” he said, bowing.

“Your service is to Lord Rakestraw,” she said. “He is the one my husband has given the duty of seeing me safely to Auxaunce. I think all is well, Lord Dyron. Perform the oath.”

“Of course, my lady,” he said. Lord Rakestraw turned and faced Ransom, putting his meaty hand on his left shoulder. “I hereby accept thee, Ransom Barton, as my sworn man, a knight of my household and due its protection and privileges. This I swear before my queen.”

A tingle went down Ransom’s spine. He heard the gentle lapping of waters and felt a rush of raw emotion. He reached out his right hand and put it on Lord Dyron’s left shoulder. He knew the words and the pose, having seen it done before. This was the reason for the salute he’d exchanged with other knights—a knight taking an oath did so by touching the oath holder’s left shoulder. The salute was a reminder of that oath and the duty of loyalty attached to it.

“I hereby swear my fealty to thee, Lord Rakestraw. I am your sworn man.”

Lord Dyron smiled and lowered his arm. “We ride at dawn. Leave your suit of armor here at camp but wear your hauberk. Bring your destrier, a lance, and be prepared to ride hard. Her Highness is a skilled horsewoman. We’ll be pressed to keep up with her. Once we reach Auxaunce, we’ll have our gear brought to us. I’ll have one of the pages collect yours. Make ready now. We aim to arrive in Auxaunce in two days.”

“How many are riding with us?” Ransom asked.

Lord Dyron turned and looked at Sir William. “Eight knights, plus Her Highness. You and Sir William will ride in front in case we’re stopped by anyone too curious. Your job is to convince them we’re knights from Pree who were sent home by our masters after performing poorly in the early bouts.”

“I will go prepare,” Ransom said.

“Good. Sir William will go with you. Not that I don’t trust you, lad, but I’m a cautious man by nature, and we’re in Occitania right now. I don’t trust them. Not at all.”



An early morning mist hung over the camp—not a thick fog but thin streamers that had settled. Ransom’s page had arrived to help him don his armor, but he dismissed the boy and said he was going for a ride with an old friend. He introduced him to Sir William, and Tanner murmured a polite greeting and hurried off, grateful to have been let off his duties so early. Ransom even gave him two silver livres to spend at the merchants’ tables.