Since John and Drew were in the room and Dermot and Gil were guarding outside, she was not worried at all and immediately answered: "Come."

Gil entered and nodded to each of them in turn before fixing eyes on Erec.

"Out with it."

"Scouts return with news of Far North."

"And?"

"Nearly half of his forces fled in the night. As you can imagine, the enemy camp was quite chaotic this morn."

"The news of your return has reached them at last." Gwyn smiled.

"It is good that we have thinned out the army ranks, however," Erec felt as though he were fighting a lost cause. All of their efforts and it still was not enough. "What remains of his army is still more in number than we."

"But we have the People's Champion on our side." Drew laughed. "An avenging angel sent in answer to their prayers for deliverance."

Erec watched Drew and decided it must be one of two things. Either the man was deep in his cups, else he must have fallen out of bed in the night and bumped his head upon the stone floor.

Gwyn noticed Erec's face and laughed.

Apparently the all wise and knowing had not yet heard of his greatness.

"There is much talk of you, milord." Gwyn reported. "First there is the tale that you appeared when you were most needed and that you were swept in on the very same winds that carried off our beloved Hugh the Great. It can only be divine intervention, so say these."

"Another tale is told by the soldiers and some that saw you on the moors. These say that you floated above the ground and materialized out of the mists... a demon knight on a black horse wielding a flaming blade ..."

"If I am sent by providence, then how can I also be a demon? And I did not even have my sword drawn that morn..." Erec knew that the superstitious among the people would remark upon his entrance. He timed his appearance to coincide with the full moon for a reason, but this was getting ridiculous.

Next, they would have him sprout wings!

"Tall tales, but they are advantageous to our cause, are they not? Does it matter how they came to be or even what is in the telling, so long as they set our enemy to quaking in their skins?" Drew shrugged and looked to Gwyndolyn who appeared thoughtful.

"The red of the banners and the surcoats perhaps? At that distance and with the mists making everything appear hazy even to the best eye? Superstitious people can be rather creative. Look at all of the tales of the fey folk." Gwyn paused thoughtfully before concluding "And of course, as is always the case with gossip, the stories grow more exaggerated as they are repeated."

Drew laughed and all eyes turned to him. He covered his laugh in a cough before saying with laughter still just as obvious on in his voice as it was upon his countenance. "I was thinking that by the time the news reached Far North, you had become an avenging angel sent on the dark horse of death with a flaming sword of judgment to smite our enemies."

Erec laughed but when he realized Gwyn was nodding as though Drew had spoken in all earnestness, he cleared his throat.

"That is ridic—er—interesting." He said looking at each of them. "Call the men to ranks. We march for the pass tonight. If we reach the pass before Axel learns of our coming, we might be able to hold him there. Defending the pass will be much easier than trying to march through it."

"I am no soldier, but it would seem to me that there might be an easier way..."

"Gwyn, I have learned not to underestimate your opinion. Please, tell us what you are thinking." Drew encouraged with a smile.

Erec, who had opened his mouth at the very same moment to say that very thing, clamped his jaw shut and gave a nod.

"I am thinking that we need to do as you say and march tonight to reach the pass so that we may defend it. But I also think that we should take advantage of what we know about King Axel and give him an opportunity to retreat without losing face."

"And just how do you propose we do that?"

---

"Your Majesty. There are riders coming through the pass. They carry the banner of Hugh II and a white flag of parley. One of the men rides a black horse."

"It is Lord Erec." Axel frowned. "Squire!"

"But your majesty," The soldier continued, "There is a woman with him!"

With a growl and a wave, King Axel dismissed the soldier as the squire entered.

"Make haste, squire. I wear half armor, but bring the gold armor."

Axel did not wait for confirmation or reply, but turned to pace.

Rumor said that the black horse carried none other than an Avenging Angel, his enemy's Champion of the People, murdered and made alive again by divine intervention in their hour of need to pass judgment upon the enemy. This parley betwixt them would be woven into legend by the bards and King Axel of Far North would not be found wanting.

The armor he requested was for ceremonies. Made of a gold alloy, it was elaborately embellished. It was not as effective against missiles as his battle armor, but it was shiny and very impressive to look at. Axel needed something impressive to help counter the exaggerated glory already given to his opponent. Axel smiled.

...his worthy opponent

---

"Your Majesty." Erec rode forward, wearing his half armor just has he had upon his reappearance so that he would be easily recognized.

Drew and Thomas rode behind him in full armor, so that the three of them were like the points of a triangle. Drew carried the banner they made in the king's colors. Thomas carried the white flag of parley.

A knot twisted in Erec's stomach each time his thoughts touched on the fact that Gwyn rode behind them. She insisted upon coming with them, and upon dressing in a flowing white gown with gold trim. She embellished her hair and the gown with white and gold ribbon and bits of glass stones to catch the light. While he wished she wore armor instead, he consented.

Firstly, because Gwyn was stubborn enough to come whether he permitted it or not, and if she came on her own, she might be harmed or captured. Secondly, because he recognized that her chosen attire was more effectual than any armor he could provide as protection for her.

No knight would harm a lady, especially one so heavily guarded as she. That was why he insisted that all of his men wear full armor as it was the better to shield her with, should it become necessary.

Aside, if the soldiers in King Axel's camp believed that Erec was alive by divine grace, then Gwyn's white gown would add to that speculation and grant her the same reverence.

John and Gil flanked her, while Dermot trailed behind. Their party was a small one but they made an impressive sight. Especially with five knights in full armor, polished to a shine riding guard upon a beautiful woman in white upon a white horse, both bedecked in white, gold, and glittering stones.

Erec earnestly hoped that the parley flag and the presence of a woman would carry them safely through the advance line and scouts to the edge of camp where they would be met and escorted to meet the king.

It was more than he hoped as he soon realized from the banner and shine coming his way that King Axel was coming to meet them.

When the king and his guard neared, Erec called a halt. Remaining in formation, they waited for King Axel to approach them.

"Lord Erec. It was very generous of you to come to surrender in person." Axel looked pointedly at Gwyn and raised a brow.

"It is I who am honored, your majesty." Erec dipped his head low in lieu of a bow as they were all yet mounted. He chose to ignore the question of Gwyn's presence.

"I have not come to surrender, but to humbly beg for a truce. Your army is too great in number for an easy victory. Sooth, your numbers are too great for ANY victory, but my men are brave and well trained. If we fight this day, we will lose this battle, but you will lose many men also."

"Loss is to be expected in war." Axel appeared at ease, though he could not resist shifting in the saddle as his horse side-stepped a bit.

Erec saw the discomfort his presence caused as was evident by the number of horses that were suddenly shifting. They sensed the unease of their riders. He smiled.

Gwyn was right...again. If she were not a woman, he would make her a captain!

"Aye. War is a losing business." Erec pretended indifference and waited half a heartbeat before announcing: "Word of your presence here has reached Kingstown by now. Our armies will make ready to march."

Erec watched Axel, but the king seemed to have no reaction at all.

"I am certain that you know Kingspass has been carefully guarded for many weeks now. If we fail to hold Brecken Pass, our king's army will meet you in battle on the fields north of Kingspass. Your forces will be greatly reduced by the battle here at Brecken Pass and they will be weary by the long march. You will not prevail a second time."

"Is that so?"

"It is so. We both know that King Hugh II is anxious to expand his borders and prove he is a greater king that his father. With your forces defeated and depleted, King Hugh would march north and he would easily advance our northern border." Erec gave a shrug. "But such is the way of war, is it not?"

Once more Axel showed no reaction whatsoever. Erec kept his face neutral and went on with the reason he came ...

"As Captain of the King's Army, I offer a truce with terms that will benefit both of us."

"I have it on good authority that Sir Cameron now holds that position."

"Only in my absence, your majesty. Hugh the Great bestowed that position upon me for all of my days before his death. And as you can see, I am alive and well."

"So, I see." Axel said in an off-handed way, though Erec noticed his horse was restless. "And what are these terms?"

"I will speak for Hugh II that he will relinquish his pursuits of pushing our northern border further if you will relinquish your pursuit of pushing your southern border."

"In short, I go back to my kingdom, and you go back to your kingdom and we leave everything just the way it was?"

"Your majesty," Gwyn dipped her head low in respect and ignored the looks from her guards as she pushed her way past them and stopped next to Erec.

"My father told me that when this truce was first suggested by two very wise kings, that the people of both kingdoms benefited from many years of peace. If we addressed such a wise king now, mayhap we could restore peace to our two kingdoms."

"It would seem," Axel chuckled and shook his head, "that you have that pleasure this morn. I am he that you seek."

"Your majesty." Erec pulled the reins and mumbled a command. Zeus knelt and Erec bowed his head.

"Impressive." Axel said when Zeus rose and Erec met his eyes once more. "I have seldom seen a war horse so well trained."

"Zeus is an intelligent animal, but do not be fooled by this show of refinement. Zeus has killed almost as many enemies as I have." Erec smiled as Zeus dipped his head as if nodding his agreement. Axel laughed and the tension was broken.

"Come." Axel grinned, "Join me in my tent. We shall settle the terms of our truce in comfort. It shall not be said that I am not a hospitable man, or that I would keep a woman in discomfort."

"As you wish, your majesty." Erec bowed his head again, and followed as Axel turned his horse.

Erec passed a look to Drew. Gwyn saw all of this and noticed that her guards tensed in response. They kept their gazes sweeping about them as they cautiously advanced through the camp toward what was obviously the King's tent. It was two or three times the size of any other tent, and the king's banner flew on poles at the four corners.

They stopped in front of the tent and Drew helped her down. She handed her reins to John and gave him a small smile.

"I know that you have sworn to be my protector, but for now I must trust myself to Drew. I give you care of Prince. Watch him well?"

John returned her smile as he took the reins and with a nod, turned with Gil and Dermot to follow where they were led. No doubt, Gwyn thought, to some sort of livery for the horses.

Gwyn was ushered inside and looked about in awe. She had never seen a tent so lovely as this. It was a tent like any other, only grander in scale. It was embroidered and embellished almost to the extreme and glancing about she saw what King Axel meant when he said they would settle the terms in comfort. She was given a place to recline upon silken pillows.

Gwyn remained silent and looked about. Axel sat upon a chair elegantly carved and leafed with gold and set with jewels. It was a suitable substitute for a throne, Gwyn thought. Erec sat across the table from him in a similar chair, minus the gold and jewel decorations.

Drew and Thomas remained standing near her. Outside the entrance there were two guards posted and another two stood a few steps behind Axel. She thought of John and the others with the horses and doubted they would have such luxuries. No doubt they were under guard.

"When I first settled upon this truce with Hugh I," Axel began without preamble. "It was only that. It was a truce we both held loosely for all these years past."

"And it is such that we beg of you today." Erec answered.

Axel did not reply, but looked over at Gwyn. Erec turned to see her sitting demurely, smoothing out her skirts, which were spread out around her like the petals of a flower.

With a sigh, Axel turned his attention to Erec. "You take an unprecedented gamble in bringing a lady to parley..."