Heart's War (Heart and Soul) Read Free Page B

land in the north. This had made southern Welsh landholders, including Brynmor, nervous. When Longshanks moved to quell the uprising, the Earl of Montgomery counseled Brynmor to join with the English king, along with nine-thousand of his Welsh brethren. Longshanks stopped the rebellion and Llywelyn had found himself defeated, although it had nearly killed Brynmor to raise his hand against his own.
    Llywelyn leaned forward in his chair. “But past misunderstandings have tarnished what should be a powerful alliance, Powys.”
    Alliance? Brynmor’s thoughts raced.
    “A land divided was able to stand against King Henry, but it will fall to Longshanks. I have forgiven my brother for his treachery against me, therefore , I am willing to forgive you.”
    “Forgive me?” Brynmor’s anger simmered. He had done nothing wrong. He had not plotted to assassinate Llywelyn , and Llywelyn’s land grab had needed to be stopped.
    “Ally with House Gruffydd. Together we will hold the line against Longshanks and protect our nation.”
    Brynmor’s heart battered against his ribs and he clenched his fists. He wanted nothing more than to defend his people. But the fact that Llywelyn did not believe his innocence in the plot to assassinate him vexed Brynmor greatly. He didn’t trust Llywelyn not to turn on him if it became convenient, using the plot and Brynmor’s past alliance with Longshanks as his excuse.
    Llywelyn frowned at Brynmor’s silence. “My brother moves against the English despite my counsel to the contrary. He seeks to start a war we are not prepared for. Yet the Welsh nobility support him, as do the people. They resent Longshanks’s efforts to impose English law upon us. Our independence, our very way of life, now comes under threat.”
    He felt a terrible sinking feeling in his gut. He could not trust either ruler to stand by their word. “By asking me to ally with you, you ask me to stand with your brother. He provokes a powerful English king , not to protect Wales, but because Edward did not grant him all the holdings he originally promised.”
    “It matters not the reason ; it matters that our people are under threat.”
    “ Does it not?” Brynmor asked, aghast. “By standing with him, you encourage his actions. I am a Welshman, and by God I will stand for my own, but I have not, nor will I ever ally with your brother.”
    Llywelyn gazed at him curiously. “Your idealism is admirable, but this is our time to throw off the English yoke once and for all.”
    Damnation! He had a point. Yet Brynmor had witnessed firsthand Longshanks’s cunning and military might when he had fought with the English king.
    “I fear this war will only cause the yoke to settle more firmly about our necks.”
    “If we remain divided , it will most certainly do so.”
    An idea stirred and Brynmor’s eyes narrowed. “If I am to ally with you, then proclaim my innocence in the plot to murder you.” He lifted his hand, gesturing to the audience in Llywelyn’s great hall. “Proclaim it for all to hear.”
    Llywelyn’s jaw tightened and he spoke naught.
    Anger simmered in the pit of Brynmor’s gut. Aye, you will not speak the words. You need cause to turn against me when it becomes convenient. He forced down his ire and spoke pleasantly, “Then once again, I shall take my leave.” Brynmor turned on his heel and left the great hall. Sweet Mary have mercy, this war would destroy Wales entirely.
    ****
    Rose and her mother, along with every able-bodied servant in the keep, scrambled to prepare everything. The herald that had arrived had come to announce that Montgomery would have a noble visitor. King Edward would come calling in three days. They cleaned the keep until it was spotless, while her father loomed over the guardsmen, making sure armor was in good repair and polished. Gwen worked with Cook to prepare the kitchens and a feast the likes of which Montgomery had not seen in years.
    Montgomery was a large and powerful keep,