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before her.  He could smile now at the memory of his younger self – so eager to please, so lacking in the knowledge of what it would take to make his own way in the world.
    The idealism of the young boy placed in William’s household was ruthlessly crushed beneath the weight of the intense, back-breaking training he voluntarily submitted to in his quest to become a knight. He took on every challenge.  Never backed down from a fight.  His father made it clear to him at a young age he would be forced to earn his own way in the world.  Rather than fault his father for robbing him of a young boy’s dreams, Nathan was grateful for his honesty.
    What little of his boyish idealism that survived long years of harsh reality meant to prepare him for a life of blood and battle was mercilessly crushed beneath his initial taste of war and death.  The first time Nathan slid his blade into a man’s soft belly beneath his hauberk he almost got himself killed by dropping his sword in surprise at the other man’s astonishment when he realized he would die on the blood soaked fields that day.  Another knight retrieved his sword and handed it to him just in time to deflect the death blow intent on slicing open his helmet and seeking the vulnerable flesh below. 
    From his first taste of death, Nathan carved out his future.  Kill or be killed became his silent motto and he brought the same brutal determination to every challenge he faced in life.  It was his single-minded pursuit of his goal of becoming lord of his own lands that brought him here tonight…to the brink of achieving every wild boyhood fantasy  beyond even his most outrageous imaginings… lands of his own, a fine lady for his wife…a duke’s daughter no less.  Yes there was definitely going to be some grumbling when the king made his intent known. 
    The call for dinner was finally announced and Rhiann found herself seated next to the new queen.  Try as she might to keep a cool distance from the motherly figure Rhiann towered over, Matilda was having none of that.  “Your quarters are comfortable, my dear?  You were able to rest from your long journey?” The new queen inquired as if she truly cared whether or not Rhiann found herself in comfortable quarters.
    Rhiann couldn’t bring herself to slap down the woman’s kindness regardless of how she felt about her husband and his war.  “Yes, thank you, your highness.  It is most kind of you to concern yourself with my welfare.”
    “Not at all, my dear.  Such an awful thing this war, but it is done now and it is a woman’s place to bring healing and peace in its wake.”
    Rhiann sighed inwardly and replied without thinking. “I should prefer a man’s place I think.”
    Matilda patted her hand sympathetically.  “No doubt, but perhaps in time you will come to feel differently.”
    Rhiann was surprised by the understanding in the older woman’s voice.  She supposed she was no stranger to war given the fact her husband was now a king.  Rhiann thanked the servant who laid a full plate in front of her and waited for the king to signal the start of the meal before picking up her fork and partaking of the rich offerings.  It seemed to her the meal was more a feast than a simple evening repast.  She knew she would be unable to swallow more than a sampling of the mountain of food on the plate in front of her.  The reminder of the hungry refugees they passed on their way to London dimmed considerably her enjoyment of her first hot meal in many weeks.             
    “That’s an unusual stone you’re wearing, Lady Rhiann.” The queen’s comment distracted Rhiann from her unwelcome musings.
    Rhiann glanced down at the stone around her neck and quickly lifted the delicate chain over her head. She offered it to the new queen. “How remiss of my escort to have overlooked a potential item of value.”  She was aware of the king’s bristling at her sarcastic remark from his place at the head