Page 5 of Wolf's Keep

“We are too powerful for him, and he knows it. Instead of sitting back and doing nothing, we should push our advantage.” Ulrik lounged back in his chair and slurped from his goblet, his food untouched.

“Your arrogance will be the death of us, Ulrik,” muttered Lance, but Gaharet shook his head, looking around at his men, his vassals.

“Ulrik is right.” Gaharet gritted his teeth as he made the admission. “Renaud cannot get to the rest of us. Not yet, not directly. If he could, he would have. Denouncing us publicly would only get him laughed out of the county. He has few friends here and we have good standing with the people, but, while our positions, our titles, our closeness to the comte and our land make us powerful,” he said, sending a direct look at Ulrik, “we cannot afford to be complacent. Pushing our advantage would be foolhardy.”

With a grunt and a roll of his eyes, Ulrik looked away. He downed the remains of his wine and refilled his goblet.

“We have already lost too many of us. I am not prepared to lose any more over a mistaken belief that we are untouchable,” said Gaharet. “No one can lay claim to that.”

“Agreed” Lance’s gray gaze shifted from man to man before settling on Ulrik. “We are only seven. Let us not become six.”

Godfrey rapped his fingers against the table, a thoughtful expression on his face. “So, Renaud has picked us off one by one and now he wants to involve the comte, ally with him, so he can get to the rest of us. Clever.”

Godfrey always saw to the heart of things. Though younger than Lance, he had years of experience on Gaharet. His quiet, thoughtful way often meant people overlooked him.

“Conniving is more like it,” growled Aubert.

“We do not yet know if Renaud’s true purpose is our extinction. While he has little power in this county, he need only seek the backing of the Pontiff in Rome. Yet he has not done so. One must wonder why.” Whatever the reason, Gaharet was grateful. They could do without the full force of the church descending on them.

“And we have no proof it is Archeveque Renaud, only speculation,” added Lance. “Focusing on him could close us off from considering the alternatives. Perhaps this threat is from outside the borders. Could this be a plot by the Comte de Blois?”

“Our kind have been murdered, our numbers decimated and now Renaud has an audience with the comte, without Gaharet, to talk about a great evil. In case you have forgotten what we are, it is almost certain that great evil isus.” Edmond shook his head. “Forget the Comte de Blois.”

“We will know soon enough,” said Gaharet. “I will be at that meeting, invited or not.” He frowned. “Renaud is taking an enormous risk bringing this to the comte. If he plays this wrong… Even I would not care to cross Comte Lothair. Renaud will have to tread with care, or he will end up confined in one of Lothair’s towers.”

“Or skewered on the end of his sword.” Ulrik grinned. “Nowthatis a delightful prospect.”

Gaharet had to agree with Ulrik there, too, although having his thoughts align with Ulrik’s did not please him at all. If he had the opportunity to drive his sword through Renaud, he would not have hesitated, but killing the archeveque, especially without the comte’s permission, would only invite more trouble.

“I would not advise underestimating Renaud,” said Lance. “He is a conniving weasel for sure, but he has secured himself the position of archeveque. No simple task. He has survived a long time, despite his nefarious schemes. Lothair would not be the first comte he has crossed, I would wager.”

“Why not just kill him and be done with it?” suggested Ulrik. “We can apologize to Lothair later.”

“Lothair does not accept apologies.” Gaharet pinned Ulrik with his gaze. “You of all people know that, Ulrik.”

Ulrik scowled. A deep growl resonated in his throat, and his knuckles turned white around his goblet. “Leave my family out of this.”

Gaharet inclined his head, diffusing the situation, but his point had found its mark.

“Perhaps you should pull back from your position so close to the comte,” suggested Aimon. “Perhaps we all should.”

“No.” Gaharet shook his head. “I do not think so. It would only make him wonder more. Lothair is not stupid by any man’s measure. We need to know what Archeveque Renaud’s plan is so we can stop him. This is our chance. Renaud on his own is concern enough with the rich church coffers financing his schemes. Allying with Comte Lothair is an entirely different matter. Lothair has an army and, while I might have command of it now, that could easily change.”

Nodding, they resumed eating in silence, all except Ulrik who sloshed more wine into his goblet. Gaharet’s eyes sought Lance, his muscles working in his jaw. His gaze flicked to Ulrik, then back to Lance. Lance grimaced and nodded. Gaharet would have to do something about Ulrik soon. Had he made a mistake in giving Ulrik a second chance? He sighed. He hoped he did not live to regret it.

Gaharet studied his men, glancing at each of them as they ate their meal in silence. Strong men, intelligent, educated, some older than himself, others younger. Aimon, young and bright as a new coin. Lance, whose council he often sought. Ulrik, hot tempered but quick-witted. Godfrey, quiet and studious, and twins Aubert and Edmond, huge, gruff and as wild as the forest, but steadfast assets in battle. All of them seasoned warriors, exceptional chevaliers, fearless in battle and practiced swordsmen.

They looked to him for leadership, and he felt the weight of that responsibility. They were his men, and he would do whatever was necessary to protect them, lead them as best he could, but their situation troubled him. Could they find a way? Would their kind survive?

Gaharet finished his meal, pushed thoughts of Renaud and Lothair aside then rose from the table.

His men followed. Lance held out his hand, halting Gaharet, the others heading for the door, the cool night air and the forest beyond the walls.

Lance put a supportive hand on Gaharet’s shoulder. “It is a dark time you have to lead us through, Gaharet, and there is more than myself that is glad this responsibility falls to you. We need your strength, your connections and the stability you provide. None other could give us that.”

“Thank you, Lance.” He turned to follow his men.

“There is something else we must speak of, Gaharet. You cannot avoid it, you know that.”

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