He leaped to the right and avoided Charlie’s blade and William’s sword coming from the other side. William was Charlie’s best friend and second in command—and sneaky.
Good. Nicholas liked it. He swung his sword and the force of his blade striking William’s sent the soldier’s blade flying.
Kestrel had told Nicholas about her friends in the future, Lilith, Kim, Constantine, and Jack. Nicholas wasn’t happy that she had lived with two men, but it was over five hundred years from now. The world had changed. There were airplanes and HDTVs, and virtual reality gadgets, video games, and so much more that he couldn’t wrap his head around it all. He would never have believed what she told him of her time if he didn’t know her.
But he did know her. In less than a month, he’d been through more with her than with anyone else in his life. He knew how she reacted to things, what made her laugh and smile, and what annoyed her.
Charlie’s sword came at him but there had been too much hesitation. Nicholas swung left then right, and then ending the session with an upper cut swing that sent Charlie’s blade end over end into the dirt.
“That was very good,” Nicholas told them.
“Good?” Charlie asked with an incredulous laugh. “In all six sessions, we didn’t last longer than a few breaths against you.”
“A few breaths is better than what the king’s guard had in my great hall a few days ago,” Nicholas quipped, sheathing his sword. “You both fought well, and you will not be fighting me, so I have no doubt you will both come out alive in whatever battle you fight.”
They all laughed together, knowing he was correct. If they could last a few breaths with him, they could win the battle.
“You will remember to stay near me tomorrow,” he told them. “All will be well.”
He didn’t tell them about pulling them out of the battle. He trusted Charlie but he didn’t know the rest enough to trust that word wouldn’t get back to the king. This had to be perfect.
“Aye, Sir,” they both agreed.
They were his friends, loyal and trustworthy with much, so far. Nicholas decided he liked having friends and thought about going back home when everyone returned and inviting Lord and Lady Thomas FitzRoy, and Claire, the laundress, and her seven brothers to sit at his table. Kestrel would enjoy Claire and Lady FitzRoy’s company.
When the battle was over, he expected to keep Scarborough, since he hadn’t fought against the victor. But if not, he had enough to build his own castle and live comfortably with Kestrel and Elia and anyone else who wanted to join them, wherever they chose. Still, he liked living in Scarborough.
He wondered what kind of man Henry Tudor was. They were about the same age. Would the new king throw him in some dungeon and forget about him?
He saw Richard, resting on a short wall, watching him as he approached.
“You truly are unbeatable,” the king told him when Nicholas reached him. “And magnificent to behold when you are at war.”
Nicholas bowed his head and walked past him. Richard caught up.
“Why did you not kill Reg?”
“Because my wife asked me not to.”
“She makes you weaker.”
Nicholas cast him a sneer. “If you see it that way, that is your choice, Sire.”
“His was the first accusation to reach my ears against your wife,” the king admitted.
“I thought as much,” Nicholas told him, not surprised by this news.
“Henry declared himself king today by right of conquest,” Richard also informed him. “He is confident.”
Nicholas looked at Richard and nodded. “He is.”
“If I lose, whoever fights for me tomorrow commits treason and will lose his lands.” Richard stared at him. “Swear you will not abandon me.”
“I will not.”
The king, a bit shorter than Nicholas, moved closer. “I will stay near you on the battlefield tomorrow, Nicky.”
“Aye, stay close, but also fight to keep yourself alive.”
“Of course.” The king laughed a haughty laugh. “I do have skills, you know.”
“Of course.”
They reached the camp and Nicholas blended in with the men, eight thousand strong. Another three would be here by morning. Tents were erected in rows and the rows went on almost endlessly. If Richard couldn’t win with all this, that was, as Kestrel would say, Richard’s problem.
He prayed she and Elia made it safely to Elizabeth and her mother. He was thankful the young sister of his heart had contacted him. She had written that she loved him, and was sorry for betraying the House of York, but soon, both houses would be united and there could finally be peace. Aye, Nicholas wanted that for the first time in his life. He’d fallen in love with a Lancaster and joined with her. He wanted Elizabeth to know that he fully supported a union between her and Henry. He contacted her back to tell her, for she had given him her location and was but a day away. He told her he was sending his wife and Elia to her. They would explain his decision. If they continued onward to the town north of Bosworth, which was Elizabeth’s plan, he would meet them when they arrived.
Richard’s forces were ten miles from the battlefield. There was already word from runners that the Tudor army was also waiting and ready to fight.
Tomorrow morning then.
They headed out two hours before dawn. At any other time in his life, Nicholas would have welcomed the day and the passion for battle he possessed. He would have thrilled in the thought of killing his enemy.
But not anymore. He wanted to live in peace, to love his wife and raise their children. He was going to see to it today.
They arrived to find that the king’s other three thousand men had already arrived and were engaged in battle with the Reds.
Nicholas needed to get the king on the field, where he would have been if none of this witch nonsense had happened. Nicholas would
