The Thunder Lord: The de Shera Brotherhood Book One (Lords of Thunder: The de Shera Brotherhood 1) by Kathryn Le Veque Page B

watching several of Isenhall’s servants tend three badly injured men but he turned to his brother when he heard the man speak. He wasn’t oblivious to Lady Jeniver’s sorrow. In fact, the entire entry hall was filled with the injured and dying, the bloody aftermath of a nasty ambush. Distress hung in the air like a fog. It was everywhere, touching everyone. He responded to his brother’s question.
    “They are trying to track down the perpetrators of this ambush,” he said. “I told them to follow the group and single out the leaders, if they are still alive. I would assume you would want someone to punish for this because if we do not, the Welsh might have something to say about it.”
    That was the truth. Gallus nodded slowly. “The entire island of Anglesey will have something to say about it, for certain,” he said after a moment. “While the knights are seeking justice, see to disbanding and housing what is left of ap Gaerwen’s party.”
    “Aye,” he replied quietly. “Do you want me to make arrangements to send them back where they came from?”
    The question filled the air between them as Gallus reluctantly looked to Jeniver, weeping over her father. He thought a moment on his answer.
    “For now, we will house them,” he replied. “When the lady is coherent, I will discover her wishes on the matter. For now, make sure everyone is tended and fed. That is the best we can do this day.”
    Maximus nodded and turned back to the wounded, issuing quiet orders to the servants and soldiers who were tending the injured. As the middle brother moved to carry out his orders, Tiberius came towards his brother from his position near the entry door. He, too, had been helping with the wounded. When he saw that his eldest brother was issuing orders to Maximus, he came forward.
    “What would you have of me, Gal?” he asked quietly.
    Gallus’ gaze was on the grieving daughter. “When ap Gaerwen dies, we must take his body to be prepared for burial,” he said. “Will you assume this task? The man is a king and should be given all due respect.”
    Tiberius lifted his eyebrows. “When?” he repeated. “The man is still alive, Gal.”
    Gallus gave him a knowing look. “You have seen wounds such as his before,” he said. “I have never seen a man survive them. Have you?”
    Tiberius shook his head in resignation. “Nay,” he replied. “When the man’s time comes, I will make sure all propriety is given.”
    “My thanks.”
    Tiberius simply nodded. With his younger brothers moving to carry out their tasks, Gallus turned back to the lady, still on the floor, only to note that his mother was still standing there. She was looking at him with an expression he’d seen before. Honey had a way of making her sons feel important and intelligent, as she was doing now. He could never make a bad decision in the eyes of his mother or in the eyes of his now-dead wife. Both women had a way of giving him strength. He’d lost part of that strength with Catheryn’s passing so he found that Honey’s respect was very important to him. He was a rare man who had learned to value a woman.
    “I thought you were going up to help the surgeon?” he asked softly.
    Honey nodded faintly. “I was,” she said. “I just wanted to make sure you were in control before I left.”
    He knew what she meant. She knew how badly the grief of losing a loved one was affecting him. Honey always knew his mind even when he wouldn’t admit it. Avoiding her statement, he gestured at Jeniver.
    “What do you suggest I do now?” he asked. “Should I give the daughter time to grieve before taking her away?”
    Honey’s gaze moved to Jeniver, collapsed near her father’s blood on the floor. “Do it now,” she said quietly. “But do it gently, Gal. She is in a fragile state right now.”
    Gallus took a deep breath for strength before turning to view the sorrowful woman at his feet. God, he was already hating this, staving off memories of his own