by Marie Hall
"Well, you should not worry, Fox. No one is going to run off with our lady," Samuel said and nodded at Xavier, who nodded back.
"No, I will not let them," the boy boasted before turning his attention back to learning to ride something more powerful than a pony.
There was no more conversation as they rode on, and Sir David was waiting for them with news the road and bridge were passable through Galand. They made camp in the large clearing, and as soon as she'd eaten, Xavier took Io by the hand and led her out of camp into the forest.
"Are you going to thrash me now," she asked as they entered the shady area.
"Thrash you, no. But I am going to chide you," he said, pulling her around to stand before him. "You cannot attack the peerage with such vehemence," Xavier started, watching as Io drew in an angry breath before letting it out and dropping her head. "I will not discourage you defending anyone you feel should be, but you must at least try to not kill them with your first strike." He didn't miss her snicker, and when he lifted her chin, she had to force the smile off her lips. "Balbroke believes himself far more important than he is, and his influence is often in question, but that will not be true for many at court. So at least try to keep your cuts shallow, at first." He saw the smile turn into a frown, and then she shrugged. "Try, Io, or I will be spending a great deal of time thrashing you. And we have so many… better things to do." With a tug, he brought her slamming into his chest. Her arms encircled his neck, and he bent his head in anticipation of kissing her when a sound to his left stopped him dead. He pulled back, hushing her protest, and listened again. There was no mistaking the sound, and as he pulled Io down behind a pile of fallen branches, he knew she, too, could hear the sound of horses breaking through the tree line. The noise they made as they came at them left little doubt it was done to intimidate, and Xavier could only pray the rest of camp heard it, too, and was making ready to defend the camp. There was still a good deal of daylight left, but that wouldn't last, so it was a bold move to attack now.
Xavier pulled Io to the ground as the first of about two dozen riders charged the place they took cover, the hooves of the horses as they leaped the pile of brush and sticks nearly brushing both he and Io's backs. Xavier flattened Io on the ground and covered her body with his.
He expected the group to ride through, but something caused the lead rider to pull up and turn and face them. Xavier's blood went cold, and he put everything into making a quick assessment of what kind of danger Io was now in.
"Well, well," one man said as he dismounted and started toward them.
"Well, nothing, be on your way," Xavier said, standing and partially drawing his sword from its scabbard. He knew they were being assessed as well. And at the moment, Xavier could not be happier Io was dressed more commonly than even a lower lady might be. He, on the other hand, wore his wealth. Even if he'd not, the hilt of his blade gave him away as someone worthy of robbery.
"Now, how ungracious of you," the man said as Xavier watched the men he was with start to spread out. "These are not your woods to be demanding we go. Have you no mind to share such richness?" He made a sweeping gesture, but Xavier knew he referred to nothing else but the woman standing at his back.
"There is nothing here to be shared that cannot be hoarded but a few more leagues down the road," Xavier said, nodding in that very direction. "Be ready to run," he whispered to his wife, who held a fist full of his shirt in her hands.
"If I was but a man so selfish," Xavier's opponent said, only a moment before two of the others rushed them. Xavier had his sword drawn and the first man down before the second reached them, but in stepping away from Io to defend them, he left her open to be charged from the other side.
"Io, run," he ordered as he caught her dodging out of reach of the men trying to grab her. "Run," he commanded again as yet another man came at him a bit more carefully with two of his friends now bleeding to death in the grass.
With at least fifteen more men drawing swords and preparing to come at him, Xavier knew there was no escape. Io wouldn't reach camp in time for reinforcements and he couldn't defend against so many alone. He'd do his best to give Io the time to make a run, but it was all he could do. He was ready, until a body dropped behind him and he moved to find Io had taken up one of the swords from a fallen man and… damn her or bless her, he wasn't sure which he wanted to do, was fighting with him.
She held her own but only long enough to take one more man down. The remaining seven swarmed in, and as Xavier ended one more, Io was grabbed and disarmed. "Drop your weapon, or this pretty little neck will no longer have a head."
Xavier turned to find Io held at knifepoint by the first man to have challenged him. "Do not, my lord," Io yelled, trying to pull free. "Kill them all."
It was already too late, though Xavier dropped his arm as soon as he saw the blade pressed against her neck. His weapon dropped to the grass and he was quickly grabbed by the others. More than a few punches flew at his defenseless body.
"You fucking bastards, let him go. Stop it," Io yelled, and before one fist found its mark on his eye, he watched Io gain the upper hand, but briefly, and kick one man square in his sac. He could only guess from the sound that earned her a slap, but Io didn't stop raining curses down on them. She wasn't about to be put down without a fight.
Not until Xavier felt the cold metal of a blade set to his neck did her raving cease. "Yes, pretty little vixen, be still now, or it will be his head that is lost," the man holding Io warned.
"Do not hear him, Io," Xavier yelled then bit his tongue when his head was pulled back hard by the hair and his neck even more exposed.
"Let us be; we have nothing of value that you would want," Io told them all.
"Value is in the eye of the beholder," Io's captor said before Xavier had to helplessly watch as he turned her around and groped her breast. "And while you may not be overly valuable, it could be worth my time if but to save coin on a woman who is."
Io's posture went a bit slack and Xavier worried she'd fainted. Rather, though, he watched as the man took the shift as some surrender, loosened his grip, and was punched in the face for his distraction. Io didn't stop swinging, either. She clawed and kicked and put up a wild fight before being slammed to the ground and covered by the vile dog, which now bled from his lip and nose as well as from some deep scratches. He was quick to capture her arms and secure them above her head. Xavier watched her heaving, trying to dislodge the man straddling her.
"You little bitch," he seethed at her before bending down and forcing a kiss on her. Io responded by biting his lip, which earned her a second slap.
"Let her go, you coward," Xavier yelled and felt a warm trickle roll down his neck. The blade had cut, but he'd not sit silent for this.
"Let her go?" the man queried back as he adjusted Io's arms so he could hold both her wrists above her head in only one hand. He then sat back and reached for his codpiece. "Let go a woman with such fight and strength. Why would I do that? She will likely be able to take us all before she dies."
"Io," Xavier called, then again when she didn't look his way. "Io." This time, she turned her head, and eyes full of rage and hate stared back at him. He was going to tell her not to fight, not to resist the rape. Better she survive it than die in her resistance. But that fire burning in her changed his mind. It'd be that fire which sustained her. Rather, he simply mouthed the words "I love you" and sent up a prayer someone was coming.
The man was pulling open his britches, taking a moment to grab hold of Io's gown and rip open the bodice. She held his eyes, though, and that fire still burned. Xavier again mouthed his love for her and willed himself not to close his eyes to this violation. He wouldn't have Io think for a moment he was ashamed of her.
The swoosh and heavy thump startled both of them, and they both looked in time to see the man rock forward then slump to the side. Before Xavier could grasp what happened, a second swoosh and thump sounded to his right. The man holding Xavier's arm let go to g
rab at his neck, and Xavier, upon seeing the arrow protruding from the man, grabbed for his sword and twisted free. A third arrow struck a man heading for Io and was quickly followed by a fourth that struck a man behind Xavier in the leg.
Xavier was on his feet running toward his wife as the men who'd, moments ago, anticipated raping his wife began to panic and flee. The sound of men rushing toward them drowned out Io's screaming, even as he pulled her to her feet and shoved her in the direction of camp. "Run, Io, run, do not look back," Xavier yelled and watched her stumble, find her footing and dash into the woods. He turned in time to block the blade coming down on him. Still fearing his own life, he matched swords through several swings, but his every limb shook. The next swing took him to his knees, but no other fell as Gerald's blade cleaved the man in two.
The small glen was flooded now, and Xavier found himself more in the way than anything else. A few more clashes of swords and a few more dying grunts, and silence settled on them. Xavier dropped to his arse and took a moment to survey the field of battle. None of the men who'd attacked were left standing, and it didn't appear any of Xavier's men took serious injury. He looked around again and bile rose in his throat. "Io?" He climbed to his feet, legs still shaking. "Io?" he called.
"Back at camp," Ian said, taking hold of one arm as Jon took hold his other and helped him steady himself. "Liam and Roth took her back. What happened?"
"I do not know. I mean…" He never in his life felt so sickened by any battle. But seeing Io lying under that animal, knowing he was about to see her utterly destroyed in the most vile way and knowing he could do nothing to help her. He had to bend over and take several deep breaths to hold the vomit down. His failure almost cost him his wife.
"Xavier?" Gerald called. Xavier scrubbed his hands over his face and stood upright. "What happened?"
"They overtook us. We were here alone, and they rushed us. I tried…" He stopped and swallowed several times. "I told her to run, but… I tried." Just the memory of it took him back down to his knees.
"You tried, Xavier, you did everything. And Io is safe; she is fine," Gerald said again, pulling him to his feet.
"I do not know how," Xavier said and shut his eyes, giving thanks to God for the miracle.
"This is how," Luther said, setting Fox down before them.
The boy looked stricken, terrified. Exactly how Xavier felt. Tears streamed out of his eyes and he shook like a leaf in a strong wind. So much so, his quiver, now almost empty, fell off his shoulder to the ground.
"I-I did not… know… I did not know which one," Fox stammered. "I was not sure. I just could not let him hurt my lady. I shot… shot him first. I was not sure… I did not know what was right."
"Oh, God," Xavier cried, and grabbed him up, clutching him tight.
"I did not know what was right," Fox said then pressed his face into Xavier's neck and sobbed.
"You did exactly right, son. Exactly. Thank God for you. Thank God," Xavier praised and took a moment to get hold of himself before loosening his grip and setting the boy down. "You did exactly right. Always save your lady first. That is your only duty, and you did it perfectly."
"He took up position in that tree," Luther said and pointed. "He also sent that little Frog back to alert us."
Xavier's head spun now. But for Io's insistence that they bring this once angry little boy into their care, both she and he would be dead by now. The reports of his mastery of the bow not exaggerated in the least, proved the only thing that saved them this day. And yet this child, who so bravely defended Io was now sobbing against Xavier's waist, clinging to him, still shaking.
Xavier peeled him off and set him back before getting down on his knee and taking the boy's face between his hands. He held the watery gaze until it dried up a bit, until fear was replaced with uncertainty. "Yes, there now," he soothed. "You were so brave. So quick."
"I was not sure," Fox said then sniffed and drew his arm under his nose.
"You made the correct choice, you did. I could not be more proud of you." He let his hands slip down to Fox's shoulders, and he squeezed then, taking hold of his arms, gave him a gentle shake. "You are my hero, this day."
"I am?" The tears suddenly dried up and a flush crept up the boy's neck and face.
"You are indeed, and undoubtedly you will be Io's as well," Xavier assured him.
"Really? I am a hero? I can be one? I am nobody."
"You are someone, my son," Xavier stated firmly, giving him another shake. "And now my hero."
"All, our hero," Luther said and swung the boy back up into his arms. "You saved our lady. You are a hero to us all." Xavier stood, on his own, and looked on as the men all took turns congratulating the youth. His expression softened and he even felt a bit of a smile tug seeing the boy begin to beam with pride. He still shook, but then so did Xavier.
"Best we get back before Lady Io comes looking for us," Jon said, hovering close as they walked the very short distance back to camp.
"I told her to run," Xavier griped under his breath, and within a few steps began to feel his strength returning, anger right on its heels.
Io pulled free again, but now her trembling knees failed to support her and before she got to her feet, Roth captured her again. "Sir Roth," she yelled as his arm wrapped around her waist and held her. "We have to go back; we have to help Xavier."
"My lady," Roth said, bending back so Io's feet left the ground. "Io." He sounded out of breath and Io gave more effort to trying to get away again. "Io, stop. I swear on my life, Lord Brice is being helped."
"He is not. I left him. I ran," Io cried as the guilt of that act flooded back through her.
The totality of what happened in the glen wasn't entirely clear. Io remembered it all, as was her curse, but so much of what happened she didn't understand. Especially Xavier's unrestrained willingness to have her abandon him. Why would he tell her to run when he was so outnumbered? When her fleeing meant his death was assured? What reason did he have for wanting her to be alone again?
That she'd ran, once arrows were flying and Xavier was fighting a smaller group, filled her with guilt and grief. She'd fled thinking he'd follow, but when she turned to find he wasn't behind her, she'd started back, only to be grabbed up by Sir Roth who tossed her over his shoulder and carried her in the wrong direction. She demanded to be let loose, but Roth refused, adding to her anger and grief. How was she in command of any of these men? How? When every time it mattered, her orders would be ignored by them.
"Roth, I have to go back," she screamed. The knight only turned her facing him, pulled her close, and held her in place.
"Io, he is being defended."
"No, we were alone."
"No, Io. Listen to me. I was behind the bulk of the men heading toward you. Come, think. Remember. You were passed by many who went to aid him. Think."
"We were alone," Io explained. "We were alone. I do not understand. We were close to camp, but we were alone. No one helped him."
"Everyone went to help, Io."
"I ran," she said, needing to work to draw in air for some reason.
"As you needed to," Roth said, and Io felt him start to rock slowly, side to side. The motion carried her with him. "You needed to run, to be out of the way, so Brice could fight."
"We need to go back and help him," she tried again, her head spinning a little.
"He has all the help he needs," Roth whispered and continued to sway with her.
She had no idea how much time actually passed; it seemed forever before she heard shouts and the crashing of men coming through the trees. Fear rippled through her and she looked now at who was there to protect her and Roth.
"My lady," Roth whispered and nudged her back a step. She stepped back then looked up at the man. "Look." He nodded to something behind her.
Io turned her head, and her knees gave out. Roth kept her standing until she found her feet, then he let her go. Right into Xavier's waiting arms.
"I am sorry, I a
m sorry," she repeated, trying to get even closer to him. For a brief moment, she felt his arms around her, but then he was shoving her away.
"I told you to run," he yelled, loud and red faced. "I commanded you run, you will obey my commands." He reached for her, she dodged away, mostly out of habit, but when he again reached for her, she pulled back her arm and sent her fist right into his mouth.
"You will not command that of me. Not ever. Your control of me is not so much you will command me abandon you." She took another swing at him, her fist bouncing back at her off his arm. "You will not command me that; I will never obey." Turning her wrist, she aimed a blow at his chest, and it felt good to see him step back. She hit him again. "I will never obey you in that," she yelled and lifted her other fist to strike at him twofold. "I will never, do not command me such." It took great effort to yell and pound on him. "Never," she got out on the next breath. But then she was being crushed against him, unable to move, unable to get enough air to yell again. Breathing became so hard, she wondered if he was trying to smother her. Then his grip relaxed and she felt a space open between them, and though he was close enough, she could smell him. The wood, the leather, and now sweat and blood, he seemed very far away.
"I would have you live, Io," he said, shaking her until her teeth knocked together. "I would have you flee to safety and live."
"At the cost of your life, I will not," she yelled back and pulled away.
"You will," he bellowed.
"I will not abandon you."
"For your life, Io—"
"What life?" she screeched and charged him, nearly toppling them. "What life without you? What life. The one before?" She only had the will to raise one hand and hit on his chest now. "What life? Better to be dead with you than alive without. Better death than everything that was before you. What life without you, Xavier? What life?" With a sob, all strength left her. Before she hit the ground, she was lifted against him. He couldn't want to be dead without her. To leave her, alone. He couldn't want that. "Do not abandon me," she said and pressed her face into his neck. "We are strongest together."