Chapter 7 A rat in our midst
It had been fortnight and they still had not received word from the other Bann's. Faye paced outside her tent chewing on her nails and pulling on her braid as she tried to think of what to do. If she sent her own men out it might seem as if she had no trust in the Bann who was already miffed at her for having refused to continue having dinner with him. His constant pressure to think about marriage had driven her to distraction as well as his treatment of his servants.
Her men were getting restless sitting in the camp with nothing to do but practice. They were getting agitated she could see it. Tanis just watched her pace letting her work things out on her own when a guard called out saying there were men approaching.
Faye rushed over to the doors waiting; when she heard the men say it was the Banns. It seems they had met up along the way and had all arrived with their armies in tow. The doors flew open and the three Banns strode in at the same time each wearing their armor and weapons. Faye said a quick thank you to the Maker and then forced herself to calmly greet the Banns.
"Gentleman I am honored that you have arrived and I see by your armor you have made an excellent choice." Her smile was warm and welcoming. The three men bowed "My Lady Cousland we could not just stand by when our Teyrns daughter asks for aid." Bann Linton said his voice grave and serious.
Bann Avery arrived seconds later "Ahh Linton, Kale, Greenwood good to see you again!" he shook the men's hands "Come inside have a drink take load off." His smile seemed a bit false to Faye but she said nothing. "Stanton take care of the Bann's men." He snapped irritating Faye; how her father ever liked this man she would never know.
Faye sized the three men up before her. Linton was about as old as Avery, his long blonde hair was braided on the sides and thick long goatee hung on his narrow face. He had dark golden eyes that seemed to watch everything around him, held small creases giving his age. He was the tallest of the men and broad shouldered a man who had seen a lot of combat. Kale was Fergus's age; in fact they had often gone on hunting parties together. Kale was only slightly shorter than Linton, bald with a tattoo that ran down the side of his face down his neck. He was handsome with piercing blue eyes that scrutinized everything around him including her. Greenwood was a short rotund man, with ruddy red cheeks frazzled brown hair and eyes. He was jovial by nature but careful, she saw how he would smile at what the men were saying but then glance about.
"General Stanton I would have Tanis accompany you." She kept her voice light and she smiled at Stanton who coughed.
"As you wish your ladyship." He glanced over at Tanis who gave nothing away and just followed him.
"All right, come your ladyship, we have much to speak on." Linton held his arm out to her and Faye accepted.
"Then we should march now!" Kale slammed his fist on the table.
"You are being to rash we don't have supplies we need if we head out now the men will starve or freeze before we even reach Highever!" Avery growled downing another glass of wine.
Kale looked over at Faye "What do you think Lady Cousland?"
Faye had been listening to the men argue for over an hour now and they were split down the middle. Avery and Greenwood wanted to wait and gather massive supplies. While Linton and Kale didn't want to waste time in case word got to Howe and he built up defenses.
Faye stood up and the men's eyes all fell to her and she resisted the urge to start biting her nails. Plagued by doubt but finding it the only way she gave her directions.
"We will march immediately gather the men, but choose several men whom you trust and we will send them to gather supplies. They will be a bit behind us, but by the time our resources run short they will arrive with what we need. There is not time to waste I will not let Howe's filth stain my father's land any longer than I have to."
The men roared their approval and she smiled. Stepping out into the cool air she called out to her men. "GATHER YOUR TENTS MEN WE MARCH!" Her call was again met with a roar of approval and Tanis walked over to her smiling.
"So the decision has been made." He said watching her face change from pensive to determined and back again.
"It is I pray it's the right one. How are you and General Stanton getting along?" she grinned mischievously at him.
"Maker he is a hard man but, he's smart and knows what he's doing. I think he might even be warming up to me as much as that man can warm up to anyone." He laughed and Faye giggled.
"Indeed. Well let us gather our things and Tanis, pick out a few men. I am sending a small group to go and gather supplies while we march ahead."
"Of course my lady." Tanis bowed and headed off to the camp. Brutus rushed up to her his whole body waging.
"Soon big boy, soon we will be home." Tyler and Davin emerged from the shadows.
"My lady we must speak to you it is urgent." Davin said his voice low.
"Maker I'm not going to like this...come let's get away from any prying eyes and ears."
Faye led the two outside the castle walls into the nearby wood, saying the three were going out for a quick hunt. Tyler rushed quickly through the forest checking for any spies that might be around. Finding none he returned to her.
"We have stayed in the shadow listening as you have asked and it seems that Bann Avery is playing both sides of the fence." Tyler said carefully. Faye's eyes flashed in anger and her fists tightened.
"Tell me everything." She hissed.
Tyler went on to say that Bann Avery, when sending out the notices to the other Banns also sent one to Howe informing him of her and the other Banns plans. Howe responded to Avery saying if he destroyed the army he would let Avery marry Faye and turn him into an Arl.
"That fucking bastard!" Faye took off running.
"Shit!" Tyler and Davin rushed after not realizing how quick she was.
They saw Tanis and Stanton "TANIS GRAB HER!" Davin yelled.
Tanis lunged at Faye grabbing hold of her arms enraged she clawed at him trying to get away when Stanton walked over picked her up and flung her over his shoulders. The four walked back into the woods.
"Put me down damn it! If you don't put me down Stanton by the Maker I will run you through!" she screamed angrily. So he dropped her, ungraciously, onto the snowy ground.
"Maker you are fast." Tyler said still trying to catch his breath.
Davin knelt down "Are you all right my lady?"
She glared at him. "Do I look all right?"
"Would someone like to tell me what's going on?" Tanis said and Stanton stood silent.
"Tell me Stanton; are you apart of your Lords treachery?" Faye rose up, her shoulders squared, her eyes focused on his. Maker she was powerful when she needed to be. Stanton thought to himself.
"I do not know what you mean." His voice held truth to it as did the look of surprise in his eyes.
Davin quickly told Tanis and Stanton what the Bann had done and they almost had to take Stanton down when he learned of it.
"Do you have proof?" Stanton asked and Tyler scoffed. "Of course we do, we have the letter from Howe."
"We should not confront him here but later after we have marched a few days." Stanton said. "It will give me time to see which of my men follow the Bann and which will follow me."
"Your loyalty is appreciated General Stanton, I do not forget my friends. You have my word I will see your deeds rewarded. Now let's get back I'm sure there are enough rumors floating about I doubt we need to add any more."
Faye walked away from the men with purposeful strides. To them she looked the picture of nobility but inside she trembled in rage and fear. Everything she was working so hard towards could have crumbled. Her hands clenched again in anger and she forced herself to calm. Avery would be dealt with, she just needed to bide her time. Her thoughts wandered to Alistair and she felt her heart tighten some. "Maker how can you miss a man you barely know?" but she did and the sorrow of what could have been made a tear fall. Brushing it quickly away she forced herself to stay focused. "Maker be with you Alistair, wherever you are."
"Ah there you are my lady." Avery smiled over at her and she took in a cool breath and plastered a fake smile. "Ah Bann Avery what can I do for you?"
"We were wondering when you would like to march, perhaps in the morning? "His voice was hopeful.
"No, once the men are packed we move. I do not wish to waste time, the moon is full and it will guide our path. We leave forthwith." She watched the irritated look flash across his face then recede.
"As my lady wishes." He bowed and left her standing next to her tent. Brutus walked over and growled low. She stroked his head gently. "Keep alert big boy." He barked softly and nudged her in acknowledgment.
The tents were all packed and the men were beginning their march north. Tyler and Davin kept close to her both on Tanis and Stanton's orders. Faye looked around and smiled they were not the largest army but they were impressive to be certain. It looked as if their beginning march would be peaceful and quiet which it was despite the sudden downpour of snow.
"Maker really? Now it has to snow? It hasn't snowed in two sodding weeks!" Faye shouts surprising the Banns at her outburst. "This is ridiculous…" she kept growling and muttering as she tromped through the freshly fallen snow. Shivering she wrapped her cloak tightly around her and then stuck her tongue out to catch a few snowflakes. She smiled remembering when Fergus had showed her.
"Stick your tongue out Faye…like this." Fergus stuck his long tongue out catching the flakes that were falling she was five at the time and he ten. She slowly did the same thing and then laughed excitedly when she felt the cold sensation of the snowflake landing gently on her tongue.
"My lady, are you all right?" Linton asked concerned that she had suddenly grown quiet.
Her smile reassured him "I am forgive me I was remembering when Fergus and I were little, he showed me how to catch snowflakes on my tongue." Her laughter soothed the ache she had in her heart.
"Fergus is a good strong lad my Lady Cousland you will find him still." Linton said and he was pleased at the warm and hopeful smile she gave him.
"Thank you Bann Linton I pray for his safety every day."
"Just like I pray everyone would stop yapping and get moving." Kale growled.
"Do not speak with such disrespect to Lady Faye. "Avery snapped.
"No it's all right Bann Avery I found it rather amusing. As you wish Bann Kale onward but I will not guarantee silence."
He grunted and then grinned "As long as we are moving."
