by Park, Elsie
Fear entered her being, her heart thumping so hard she thought Roland could hear it. If Festus found out, it would be the end of her quest to arm the peasants with knowledge, their only viable weapon against the indignities set upon them. It would be the end of her own freedom, the end of everything she held dear, perhaps even the end of her squireship with Sir Roland.
“Roland, please don’t tell Fes—”
“You know I won’t, Audri. You can trust me. If that was my intent, I wouldn’t be here warning you, would I?”
Audri shook her head, feeling a calm wash over her.
“Where should we go?” Autumn asked, her voice cracking with fear and emotion. Liliana stood with her arm around Autumn’s shoulders. Audri noticed Roland staring at Liliana with a pensive expression, his eyebrows furrowing in thought.
Autumn’s alarmed voice brought Audri’s attention back to her. “Should we go with the others and hide in—?”
“No,” Audri shook her head. “We don’t know which houses they’ve already checked. The only place we’re sure of is Hauber’s barn. What do you think, Richard?”
“It’s the only option we have right now,” Liliana’s husband, Richard, said. The aged house owner had just come into the common room after shutting the back door. “Yes, the barn is the surest hiding place because it’s already been searched.”
“But how do we get over there without being seen?” Andrew asked, coming out of another room carrying two cloaks.
“The guards will most likely use the main road,” Roland volunteered, observing Andrew with a thoughtful eye. “You’re that young man I saw being dragged into the dungeon weeks ago.”
He’d seen that? Audri looked from Roland to Andrew. The latter stood still a moment before nodding at Roland.
“You called out to me for help, and I did nothing but stand by. I’m . . . I’m so sorry. I will help you now if I can.”
Andrew nodded again, giving Roland a tentative smile as he handed one of the cloaks to his sister and then donned his own.
Roland turned to Richard. “Good man, er, did I hear someone call you Richard?”
Richard dipped his head in the affirmative.
“Is there a back way they can take to the barn?” Roland asked.
“Yes, there’s one Lili and I use to get there. We rent part of it for our goats.” Audri heard Roland suck in his breath, and she turned to him. He was staring at Liliana again.
“Lili . . . Liliana and Richard . . . Griffith?” Roland asked with obvious hesitation, turning from one elder to the other.
Liliana nodded. “Yes, we are Griffiths.”
Audri’s heart flipped as she turned her eyes again to Roland, noting his curious expression. Do they know each other?
“But won’t the barn be locked?” Andrew asked, drawing everyone’s attention to him and the more pressing matter at hand.
Richard walked over to a cloth bag hanging on the wall near the bedroom entrance and reached inside. He withdrew a large metal key and handed it to Andrew.
“Best you stay hidden from Hauber,” Richard warned the young man. “He’s no friend to anyone working against Lord Craven. He’s a capable goat monger but tends to look after himself more than anyone. If he discovers you’re there, he will report you in order to remain on Festus’s good side and keep himself from the earl’s wrath. There’s a high loft you can access by way of a ladder. Hauber is aged and doesn’t go up there, but his hearing isn’t hindered in the least. Be as quiet as possible.”
“But if we unlock the barn, how can we lock it up from the inside if the padlock is on the outside of the door?” Autumn was shaking in fear. “Won’t Hauber suspect something if it’s undone?”
Liliana grabbed some bread, cheese, and dried apples. Wrapping them in a large cloth, she handed the bundle to Autumn. “I’ll get to the barn before he does tomorrow morning and get you two out of there.”
“I’m scared,” Autumn choked, her bottom lip trembling.
Liliana gently placed her hands on each side of the young woman’s face. “I know. Me too, but you must be brave. Now go, there’s no time to linger. Be careful.”
Andrew took Autumn’s hand, and they exited the back door, disappearing into the light storm down an old path Richard pointed out to them.
Richard closed the back door and returned to the common room to stand beside his wife.
Both of them stared at Sir Roland with inquisitive eyes.
“The Griffiths,” Roland said, though he seemed to speak more to himself than anyone else in the room.
How does he know their last name? Does he know them? And what does he know about them? More questions entered Audri’s mind over the connection between Roland and her friends.
Roland opened his mouth to say something but a pounding on the front door stopped him.
“Open up in the name of Lord Craven!” a masculine voice shouted on the other side.
Roland motioned for Audri, Gail, and Liliana to sit down on the chairs by the fire as Richard methodically moved to the door. Liliana snatched up a tunic, a needle, and thread from a basket nearby and began mending the article of clothing. Gail grabbed another needle and started threading it. Audri simply sat and looked toward the door.
Richard opened it to reveal the castle sentry and Sir Heath standing there.
“We are here to search for stowaways,” the sentry announced. “You will allow us unhindered access to your home.”
Richard nodded and stepped aside to admit them.
Upon entering, Sir Heath immediately recognized the guests.
“Well, look at that,” he said, a smile spreading across his face. “We’ve found them, Stiller,” he said to the guard. “The very devil and his squire, escapees from the netherworld,” he jested, chuckling over his witty accusation.
Roland grinned and shook his head. No matter the circumstance, Heath always managed to lighten the mood.
The sentry grinned. “Should we continue the search here?” he questioned his superior, clearly unsure whether to explore the home that housed Heath’s friends.
“Yes, go ahead, if only to say we completed our task.” He looked at Richard, his expression brooking no argument.
Richard nodded and swept his hand toward the room, indicating he had no qualms . . . or at least wouldn’t express them.
As the sentry examined areas large enough to conceal a person, venturing into the bedroom and storage area off the main room, Heath stayed with the group.
“So, what are the lot of you up to on this stormy evening?” he inquired favorably, his eyes resting on Gail with affection. Gail blushed and looked down at the basket of clothes, absently picking through it for something to mend.
“Just seeing to the villagers’ welfare,” Audri answered with lifted chin, content that the statement wasn’t a lie. “The Griffiths are old friends, and I take a personal responsibility in checking on our elders.”
“A noble gesture,” Heath approved before he turned to Richard. “Crofter Hauber mentioned you have a key to his barn.”
Richard’s body stiffened. “That I do, sir,” he said through tight lips.
“For the record and safety under the circumstances, can you vouch for having it in your possession?”
Audri looked at Liliana whose eyes had grown large with fear. Their key to the barn had just run out the back door. Audri racked her brain for a believable explanation as to why it would be gone but nothing came to mind. Her palms became sweaty, and she rubbed them on her surcoat while Heath’s eyes were averted from her.
Taking advantage of his age, Richard slowly shuffled toward the sack hanging on the wall, taking more time than was necessary.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, gaffer,” Roland spoke up. “Take a seat and rest those old limbs. I’ll get the key.”
What’s Roland doing? Audri t
hought. How can he get a key that isn’t there?
Richard fixed Roland with a fleeting stare of confusion before playing in on the act. “Oh, thank you, Sir Roland. You are a considerate knight, to be sure.” Richard shuffled over to a stool and audibly groaned as he sat upon it, sighing loudly in relief as he stretched his legs out in front of him. If it had been under different circumstances, Audri would have laughed over the clever performance. “It’s in that sack on the wall,” he said to Roland, nodding his head in that direction.
Roland walked to the sack and dug his hand into it, bringing out, to Audri’s surprise, a large metal key. How in heaven’s name? Not wanting to reveal her astonishment, and utter relief, she turned her eyes to the fireplace and watched the swaying flames.
“Very good,” she heard Sir Heath say. She glanced up to see Roland drop the key back into the bag.
The sentry came out of the storage room. “All clear, sir,” he said to Heath.
Heath nodded his approval. “Well then, that’s it. We’re done. This house was the last in our assigned section.” He moved to a window and parted the curtains. “And none too soon, I see. The sun has set and we’ve lost our daylight.” He turned to where Gail sat sewing a patch onto some chausses. “May we escort you back to the castle, Lady Pritchard? If you’re finished with your visit.”
Gail looked up at Heath and then at Audri for approval. Audri glanced at Roland, who nodded, and then she bobbed her head at Gail.
Gail poked the needle through the leggings, set the garment aside, and stood up. “Thank you, Sir Heath,” she said with prim decorum, though Audri could tell she was forcing the formality. “We gladly accept your company.”
Audri and Liliana stood as well. Liliana saw them out, thanking them for the visit. Audri shared a look of relief with the older woman before they parted. They had been spared detection on so many levels tonight—all thanks to Sir Roland. His noble deeds had etched a place in her heart forever.
Who is this man who has been forced into my life? Where did he come from? What brought him to Guildon? If he indeed knew the Griffiths, then surely they’ll be able to enlighten me about him. As the group headed home, her sure step echoed her determination to find out just who Roland was.
The entire night saw nature’s fury in the form of pouring rain, thunder, and lightning. Come morning, filthy avenues of mud lay under a cloudy sky. Those attending the Sabbath meeting tracked copious amounts of muck into the nave, much to Father Bromel’s disapproval. His minuscule sneer at seeing his clean church sullied was lost on most of the worshipers. Only a few attempted to kick the mud from their feet before entering the holy sanctuary.
Audri, standing next to her mother at the front of the nave, felt a twinge of pride wearing newly fitted clothing, courtesy of talented seamstresses having tucked and mended her outfits to mold her trim body. Under her cloak, the dark-red kirtle with a red and brown striped surcoat hugged her figure, showing off her slender curves. Her hair, pulled into a tight braid, was covered with her cloak hood to keep her warm in the drafty church. She hadn’t felt so pretty in so long; she’d forgotten how happy it made her feel. On the other side of her, Gail chattered about how she preferred poached eggs to scrambled but also enjoyed a good hardboiled egg. Audri listened with one ear as she gazed around at the sparse regulars.
Her eyes moved to the doorway as she searched for any sign of Sir Roland. When she spied him just outside the doors, her heart flipped. Sir Roland, with Sir Heath behind him, stomped the mess from his boots on the cobblestones outside the chapel before entering. He hadn’t seen her yet, and she took the opportunity to admire her trainer. Admire? Observe him, she forced her mind to correct. His usually stubble-adorned face was cleanly shaved, giving him an almost boyish appearance. He cut a striking figure in gray chausses and a black tunic under his heavy woolen cloak. He and Sir Heath moved to stand against the back wall where the servants assembled, preferring to position themselves by the exit despite their status. She retained a good view of his appealing form until more worshipers entered and filled the gap between them. She turned back to the front, her blithe thoughts of Roland soon wavering, turning instead to the probable reprimands and penalties he’d have in store for her over yesterday’s events.
Father Bromel entered the nave and began his lengthy sermon.
Audri only caught bits and pieces of the two-hour address as her thoughts kept wandering to Roland and his noble actions the night before. He saved us all from discovery and arrest. But how did he know the Griffiths, and did they know him? The questions had bothered her all night, robbing her of sleep.
The priest finally finished and excused his fidgeting congregation. Standing for two hours during the oration had nearly outdone her. Audri’s legs were already sore from the “warm-up” she and Roland had done two days earlier: running around the outer wall several times wearing full chainmail, practice sword, dagger, helmet, and carrying a crossbow. She was grateful Roland allowed her to rest on the Sabbath. She needed it more than ever.
As was proper, the lower ranking parishioners waited for the nobles to exit first and then took up positions behind them. Her mother, her face showing no more trace of last month’s beating, moved out of the doors, followed by Audri and Gail. The knights respectfully bowed to Lady Craven, who smiled warmly and nodded her head at them as she moved past. They bowed to Audri and Gail next. Gail shyly dipped her head, trying not to smile at Sir Heath as she scooted past the tall knight, but her mouth twitched at the corners.
Audri, not wanting her face to mirror Gail’s pink shade, tried her best to avert her eyes from Sir Roland’s. She realized this action would make it seem like she was ignoring him, but she didn’t know how else to keep her mind from jumbling.
She cleared the door and stepped into the overcast courtyard, taking up a swift pace toward the main keep. She soon felt someone at her right elbow and glanced over, expecting to see Gail. But it was Roland who’d fallen into step alongside her. Audri slowed and looked behind her. Gail was at least twenty paces back, Sir Heath’s arm threaded through hers as they walked.
Audri turned her head forward again, concentrating on her footing in the slippery mud.
“What did you think of the sermon, Audri?” Roland casually posed.
“Must you bother me on the Sabbath?” Audri said, forcing a sigh and hiding her smile, enjoying the opportunity to tease him.
“I gave you leave of physical labor, but you still remain as my squire,” he returned.
Audri stopped and turned to him, acting annoyed and rolling her eyes.
“And I left you alone yesterday for your ‘shopping.’ Wasn’t that a satisfying break from me?”
No, I truly missed being with you, she wanted to say. “If you remember, Sir Roland, you didn’t actually leave me alone. In fact, I suspect you followed me from the beginning, trailing me through town. This kept you in my presence, didn’t it, though it was unbeknownst to me at the time. And by the end of the day,” she lowered her voice, “after discovering my little secret, your attendance was forced upon me by way of your pounding down the Griffiths’ front door. So, no, it wasn’t much of a break.”
Roland lifted his eyebrow at her, and she could tell he was trying hard to keep a smile from his lips. Audri’s mouth twitched as well.
To her left, Sir Heath ushered Gail past them as Audri half-turned for a glance. Gail was craning her neck to look back at her mistress but lost eye contact as others filled the gap between them. Making sure no one was close enough to hear their conversation, Audri confessed, “That being said, Sir Roland, I must thank you for your warning and subsequent protection yesterday. You saved innocent lives from arrest and unspeakable torture.”
“I felt it my duty to do so,” he said.
Audri was both confused and intrigued. “But as a knight, isn’t your duty to serve the lord who employs you, thus turning us in?”
; “My duty is first to the Lord in Heaven and His merciful principles.”
Audri swallowed her emotion down. Standing before her, in Guildon of all places, was a true knight of honor. And he was her knight.
“Speaking of duties,” Roland continued, “you are, of course, relieved of any today. I, however, have a specific matter to attend to.”
Audri’s eyes connected with his. She guessed his matter had to do with the Griffiths. Not only did she long to be there to unravel the mystery of how they seemed to know each other, but she wanted to check on the status of Andrew and Autumn. Liliana should have gotten them out of the barn by now.
It began to rain hard, and they simultaneously glanced at the sky.
“Go inside, get warm,” he said, pulling the hood of his cloak up over his head. He turned on his heel to walk away, but Audri grabbed his arm with both hands and pulled him to a stop. Roland’s muscles flexed beneath her fingers as he turned to face her.
“I’ll go with you,” she stated before leaning in closer to whisper. “I’d like to check on the siblings’ status.”
Roland shook his head. “No. My business there is my own. I will check on their welfare and inform you later.” He pried her fingers from his arm and turned again.
Maggots. “But I’m your squire,” she voiced over his shoulder. “I should accompany you.”
Roland laughed, turning his head to glance at her. “So now you willingly claim that position?”
“Yes,” she said, the wind pushing the hood from her head. “And as a squire I must see to your welfare in all things.”
Roland looked slightly amused. “I fear you won’t be so fervent in your devotions tomorrow when I put you through more tests of skill.”
“Perhaps not, but—”
Roland held his hand up, palm forward, his exasperation clear. “Though I admire your sudden enthusiasm to fulfill your duties as a loyal squire, I have no need of your assistance on this errand. You will return inside. That’s an order.”