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leaving. I shall miss you.” Impulsively she hugged him. “Take good care of yourself. You too, Jamie. Say hello to Aunt Jane for me.”
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    Two hours later, mother and daughter, gowned in velvet and fur capes, with emeralds glittering at their throats, stood proudly in the courtyard as the mounted men cantered by. The Warwick banners, each displaying a golden bear against a field of black, fluttered bravely in the stiff breeze. The de Beauchamp ladies raised their hands and waved as the Infamous Warwick, with his son at his side, departed.
    How could I have doubted your love for me? May God keep you both safe and return you to us with all speed. The feeling of deep pride for the great courage they displayed helped to ease some of Brianna’s apprehension. She had had a private good-bye with her father earlier, as had her mother. This public good-bye was for all the men.
    Following the Warwick men-at-arms, Roger Mortimer, flanked by his sons, rode by and gallantly saluted the ladies.
    Wolf Mortimer, his helmet tucked beneath his arm, his black hair streaming in the breeze, caught and held Brianna’s gaze. His challenging gray eyes held a promise that this would not be the last time they would meet.
    Brianna was clutching the small silver medallion so tightly, it felt as if it were burning a hole in her palm. She sent up a silent prayer: Please keep his wolf safe.

Chapter 3
    â€œK ing Edward has given Lundy Island to Hugh Despencer!” Wolf Mortimer had just returned to Wigmore with a large troop of men he had recruited. The castle now bulged at the seams with Mortimer men-at-arms from Ludlow and Chirk. Henry de Bohun, Earl of Hereford, was there with his own army and also men recruited by Adam Orleton, the powerful Bishop of Hereford. The other Marcher barons had assembled an additional army, and the commanders were gathered in Wigmore’s Great Hall.
    â€œChristus! Lundy Island will give Despencer control of the Bristol Channel.” Roger Mortimer was outraged. “There’s more.” Wolf handed his father a missive. Mortimer scanned the parchment. “The king is mobilizing troops and has ordered all royal castles in Wales to prepare for war.”
    Warwick warned, “The king has done this on the advice of the Despencers. It puts the Marchers in open rebellion against the Crown instead of against the Despencers alone. It could prevent some barons from supporting your cause even though they resent the Despencers’ influence.”
    â€œDid Lynx de Warenne send men as he promised?” Wolf asked.
    â€œHe did,” Mortimer replied. “I have put your brother, Edmund, in charge of his men-at-arms and you will command his Welsh archers along with your own.”
    The Earl of Hereford banged his fist on the table. “The avaricious Despencers have been planning this for some time. Now I see why the elder Despencer took over Queen Isabelle’s castle at Marlborough.” De Bohun had come into his earldom of Hereford as well as the post of Constable of England on the death of his father. Though he was widowed from the king’s sister, Elizabeth, he was first and foremost a Marcher baron. “I’ve fought my whole life to preserve de Bohun lands and castles from the Welsh, I’ll be damned if I’ll let the Despencers have one fucking yard of it.”
    â€œThis army they are gathering will march to Bristol. I suggest we move our forces from Wigmore to Hereford’s castle of Goodrich and then stay put and let them make the first move. If they take one castle, we will descend upon them with fire and sword,” Roger Mortimer declared.
    A deafening shout, ripe with bloodlust, erupted from the throats of the entire assemblage.
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    The king’s strong force marched westward and took control of the queen’s castle of Devizes, which was within a dozen miles of Marlborough Castle. At Easter the king’s army arrived at Bristol and