Lion of Kent, with Kate Cotoner (August 2010, Carina Press)
My fellow historian, Kate Cotoner joined me in writing "The Lion of Kent", a series of historical stories connected to "Deliverance". "Lion of Kent" is currently drafted as about three novellas about William Raven, the main character from "Deliverance" and his past in England, his career as tournament fighter, and finally as as Templar and crusader in the Holy Land. The three novellas deal with the three medieval noble obsessions: hunting, jousting and war. The first novella (about hunting) was released by Carina Press on 30 August 2010.
Squire William Raven has only one goal—to finally receive his spurs and become a knight. When his lord, Sir Robert de Cantilou, returns from a five-year crusade in the Holy Land, William wants nothing more than to impress him.
After Sir Robert’s return, noble guests arrive from France, bringing intrigue to the castle. William is oblivious to the politics, as he’s distracted by nightly visits from a faceless lover—a man who pleasures him in the dark and then leaves—a man he soon discovers is none other than his master, Sir Robert.
But William can’t ignore the scheming around him when he overhears a plot to murder Robert. He becomes intent on saving his lord and lover from those who would see him killed…
Squire William Raven has only one goal—to finally receive his spurs and become a knight. When his lord, Sir Robert de Cantilou, returns from a five-year crusade in the Holy Land, William wants nothing more than to impress him.
After Sir Robert’s return, noble guests arrive from France, bringing intrigue to the castle. William is oblivious to the politics, as he’s distracted by nightly visits from a faceless lover—a man who pleasures him in the dark and then leaves—a man he soon discovers is none other than his master, Sir Robert.
But William can’t ignore the scheming around him when he overhears a plot to murder Robert. He becomes intent on saving his lord and lover from those who would see him killed…
Chapter 1
England, 1176
William gave no quarter. He struck blow by blow—fast, vicious, with little technique, but enough strength to make up for it, and an uncontrollable anger. John had hit him so hard in the knee that everything felt numb there, and William's reaction was as much pain as surprise, which made him fly into a rage. Everything around him blurred until he was aware of nothing but his enemy. The pain radiated through him, firing his anger. His arm ached with tiredness, yet there was always another blow in him, and even though he could see fear in the other squire's eyes, it didn't occur to him to relent.
"Enough! William!"
He ignored the voice, refusing to obey the order. He wanted John to yield, wanted him to fall to his knees, to give up, to beg for mercy.
"William!"
Strong hands gripped his sword arm, one hand on his elbow, the other on his wrist. He whirled around, wincing when the instructor used the grip against him, changed the angle and almost made him drop to his knees. He gave up the sword, snarled, but there was also a yelp of pain.
"Sir Robert is back, you bloody fool," Ulric hissed and let him go after a punch in the arm.
William straightened, considered taking up the training sword again, but then he realised what the instructor had said, and turned.
Men on horseback had entered the cobbled courtyard. Richly clothed, swords and shields at their sides as if they'd been worried about robbers on the road, they made a bright display against the dull stonework of the castle keep. Sir Robert de Cantilou was their leader, and William thought his lord had changed much since the day he'd left his lands. When had that been? Five years ago?
Robert's dark hair looked now like it would in winter, in a heavy snowfall, the colour more grey than black even though his lord wasn't an old man. He sat proud in the saddle and, William thought with a hint of shame, he wore an expression of amusement. Sir Robert must have seen him fight and lose his control.
"Well, then, now that the squires are listening, too... It's good to be back." Sir Robert slid off his horse, hands adjusting his sword belt. The household gathered in the yard, regarding their master in amazement. He'd arrived completely unannounced, and William wondered why that was. Why had he not sent a messenger first so everything was prepared?
Instead of lowering his gaze, William stared open-mouthed at his lord. Sir Robert was tanned, his blue eyes seemingly glowing in the dark face, and his rich red clothes played around his form in strange, outlandish splendour. His sword hilt now bore a large jewel in the pommel, and the heavy rings on his gloves sparkled in the late autumn sun. He must have made a fortune abroad, but it wasn't the flaunting of wealth that impressed William so much.
(...)
William gave no quarter. He struck blow by blow—fast, vicious, with little technique, but enough strength to make up for it, and an uncontrollable anger. John had hit him so hard in the knee that everything felt numb there, and William's reaction was as much pain as surprise, which made him fly into a rage. Everything around him blurred until he was aware of nothing but his enemy. The pain radiated through him, firing his anger. His arm ached with tiredness, yet there was always another blow in him, and even though he could see fear in the other squire's eyes, it didn't occur to him to relent.
"Enough! William!"
He ignored the voice, refusing to obey the order. He wanted John to yield, wanted him to fall to his knees, to give up, to beg for mercy.
"William!"
Strong hands gripped his sword arm, one hand on his elbow, the other on his wrist. He whirled around, wincing when the instructor used the grip against him, changed the angle and almost made him drop to his knees. He gave up the sword, snarled, but there was also a yelp of pain.
"Sir Robert is back, you bloody fool," Ulric hissed and let him go after a punch in the arm.
William straightened, considered taking up the training sword again, but then he realised what the instructor had said, and turned.
Men on horseback had entered the cobbled courtyard. Richly clothed, swords and shields at their sides as if they'd been worried about robbers on the road, they made a bright display against the dull stonework of the castle keep. Sir Robert de Cantilou was their leader, and William thought his lord had changed much since the day he'd left his lands. When had that been? Five years ago?
Robert's dark hair looked now like it would in winter, in a heavy snowfall, the colour more grey than black even though his lord wasn't an old man. He sat proud in the saddle and, William thought with a hint of shame, he wore an expression of amusement. Sir Robert must have seen him fight and lose his control.
"Well, then, now that the squires are listening, too... It's good to be back." Sir Robert slid off his horse, hands adjusting his sword belt. The household gathered in the yard, regarding their master in amazement. He'd arrived completely unannounced, and William wondered why that was. Why had he not sent a messenger first so everything was prepared?
Instead of lowering his gaze, William stared open-mouthed at his lord. Sir Robert was tanned, his blue eyes seemingly glowing in the dark face, and his rich red clothes played around his form in strange, outlandish splendour. His sword hilt now bore a large jewel in the pommel, and the heavy rings on his gloves sparkled in the late autumn sun. He must have made a fortune abroad, but it wasn't the flaunting of wealth that impressed William so much.
(...)