The Amethyst Amulets

by Cillian Burns

  "Five of my guards died at his hand. Miles is already a dead man,” Nicholas swore, his jaw clenched. “But a quick death would be too compassionate. It will be slow and very painful. For your information, Selwick, I will let you go unpunished, but not just yet."

  Before Selwick could protest having to wait for his reward, Nicholas vanished into the night.

  Julie thought the jolting ride would never end. but as dawn broke, Norville Keep came into sight. The drawbridge lowered and the portcullis lifted when Miles’ hailed the guards. They thundered across the wooden bridge over the moat, and into the bailey. Miles halted his horse and after setting Julie on her feet dismounted. A knight Julie did not know, came to greet them.

  "Good work, Sir Marcus,” Miles muttered as he glanced around. The wall and gate guards seemed alert. They did not turn and stare, but continued to march back and forth, their gaze focused on the surrounding countryside. “I see you have overcome the enemy within."

  The man nodded. “As you commanded, my lord."

  Julie stared at the ranks of soldiers practicing their warrior's arts in the bailey. One man looked familiar. What was his name? Oh, yes, Eldred. She'd not have thought him a traitor to Nicholas, but here he was practicing swordplay with another man in Miles’ employ. She sighed. Could no one be trusted?

  Miles hauled her roughly off the horse and dragged her up the stairs to his keep. She stumbled along, trying desperately to keep her balance.

  "Stop lagging!” Miles snarled and yanked her arm.

  Inside the great hall, considerably smaller than the one at Barstow Castle, she saw only servants, no Eleanor and no Edgar. Their fate worried her greatly.

  "Where is Eleanor?” she demanded of Miles, trying to pull away from his grip.

  "Locked in her room.” He seemed very certain. Obviously, Miles had sent orders to Marcus from his prison cell. Someone within her home was also a traitor.

  "Is Sir Edgar also locked in his room?” she asked, afraid he'd been killed when Nicholas's soldiers were overpowered.

  Miles smiled, a nasty gleam in his eye. “Nay, he lies rotting in the dungeon. Where he will stay, until I am ready to dispose of him and your husband."

  Julie ignored his threat. “And...my husband's men?"

  "They are...” Suddenly, he realized how much information he was sharing with her.

  "Never mind the others. You have your own fate to think upon."

  Not just her own, but that of her unborn son. Would she deliver this child in a filthy dungeon cell? The thought nearly unnerved her. Had Nicholas found both her and Miles gone and set out for Norville Keep yet?

  Miles’ fingers bit cruelly into her arm as he pulled her across the great hall and down a long corridor. At the top of some descending stairs which probably led to the dungeon, he came to a halt. “I am furious enough to push you down these steps and watch as you abort that swine's brat,” he snarled. “But it might also kill you, and I have other plans for you, my fine lady."

  Julie lifted her chin. She was scared to death of this madman, but wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing it. “And what plans would those be?” With knowledge came power.

  "I would lay the whip on your lily white back till it bled, then pound my prick between your thighs till you lie well-tamed beneath me.” A wild light gleamed in his blue eyes.

  With more courage than sense, she cried, “Never! You'll never break me to your will, not even if you kill me."

  "We will see.” Miles’ smile sent shivers down her spine. She clamped her lips together to prevent their trembling. At least for the moment, he wouldn't harm her. She should be thankful he didn't rip the baby from her womb, then violate her as she lay dying. He must have some long term purpose—just what her mind refused to picture. Perhaps it was better not to know.

  He turned to the guard standing beside them. “Take her down and lock her in a cell. See to her needs—food, water, and a bucket to relieve herself."

  Practicality made her say, “I would also like a cloak or some blankets. I'm cold.” She'd been abducted wearing only a dress and slippers and been shivering all the way from Barstow.

  He nodded, suddenly compliant. The mad light in his eyes dimmed, and he appeared sane, at least outwardly.

  "I will send a woman to you.” He spun on his heel and stalked off, perhaps to find Eleanor.

  Oh, Nicholas, Julie prayed, come soon. Both your sister and I need you.

  The guard gave her a small shove. “Getcha down there."

  "Don't push.” At least Miles had gone, a small thing to be thankful for. She descended the steps and entered an empty cell. Her jailer locked the door behind her and hung the key on a hook across the aisle. Her bravado gone, she sank down on the pallet and wept.

  Nicholas mobilized his army. Mounted knights, archers and foot soldiers departed the castle just before noon. Supplies would slowly follow in wagons and carts.

  They streamed across the drawbridge and took the road to Norville Keep. Their pace was faster than usual, for all felt the haste driving their lord. One of the mercenary knights had been left in charge of the garrison at Barstow Castle.

  Nicholas indicated Sir Harald should ride beside him. Lost in thought, Nicholas said little to the younger knight. His stomach roiled at the thought of Julie in the hands of that devil Miles. Had he harmed her? If so, Nicholas would invent the cruelest and most lingering death ever dealt a traitor. He tried to block the worry from his mind with little success.

  Even though his men moved swiftly, it felt like a crawl to Nicholas. He began riding up and down the line of marching men, encouraging them to move faster. From time to time, he sent a fervent prayer to God, asking He keep Julie safe. If he found her unharmed, he would believe there was a God who answered prayers. Although he had lost his faith when Julianne died, he had gone through the daily rituals. But now, he was truly scared. What if this was God's punishment for his backsliding?

  They arrived at Norville Keep toward evening. Nicholas rode up to the curtain wall and hailed a guard.

  "You up there,” he shouted at a face that peered down at him. “Summon your vile master. I would speak with him."

  An hour passed. No response. Nicholas rode back and forth fuming. Miles was taunting him, trying to make him frantic. Unfortunately, Miles was succeeding. A fist of anxiety clutched at his heart. As time passed and Miles still had not shown himself, the tightness increased until he could scarcely breathe.

  When at last Miles deigned to appear, Nicholas muttered, “About time,” to Harald who gave a sympathetic nod.

  "You desire to converse, Brother?” That self-satisfied look on Miles’ face would disappear when Nicholas ran him through.

  "Will you agree to single combat as before?” Miles would probably refuse, fearing to risk his life and lands again.

  "Nay, I am not that great a fool. We are well supplied here with food and water. Any siege you begin will be lengthy. My archers will pick off your men one by one, and your lady will never be returned to you.” Miles laughed unpleasantly.

  "My lord,” Harald murmured, “would there be some way of gaining secret entrance to the keep? Know you of such?"

  Nicholas shook his head. “Not to my knowledge."

  Miles disappeared, and Nicholas ordered his army to make camp while he tried to think of a way around this stalemate. He could have trebuchets made, but that would take time, something he had little of. Julie was due to have her babe in a week or two. Both he and Lily, along with the amethyst amulet needed to be with her when she birthed the child. The more frantic to find a solution he became, the less his brain functioned. He lay on the cot in his tent trying to sleep, achieving nothing more than a fitful doze before morning.

  Julie heard footsteps on the stairs. In a moment, Miles appeared outside her cell. “Your husband is here, lady, but do not start to hope. He will sit for months before my gates while my archers kill his men one by one."

  "You beast,” Julie cried. “Let me go. What have
I done to you? And what have you done with your own wife? Is Eleanor all right? And Sir Edgar?"

  "None of your business, my lady.” His smile made her shiver.

  "If you have harmed Eleanor, Nicholas will kill..."

  Miles chuckle cut into her threat. “First, he must catch me, which will not happen. And as much as he loves his sister, I believe you rank a little higher with him than she.” He started to turn away, but halted and tossed over his shoulder, “I thought you would like to know your husband is totally powerless.” Laughing, he sauntered up the stairs.

  Julie stared after him. She feared he was right. How could Nicholas gain entry? Then she remembered seeing Eldred and her heart slowed its fearful thudding. Could Eldred be the means for Nicholas to rescue her? Could she have misinterpreted what she saw when they arrived? Perhaps Nicholas had placed the man here for such a time as he needed help. She clutched this possibility to her heart, hoping beyond hope she was right.

  Suddenly, she realized someone was calling her name, someone whose voice was familiar. It was Edgar. He sounded weak and full of pain.

  "My lady, can you hear me?"

  "Yes, Sir Edgar,” she whispered, glancing toward the stairs. No one was in sight. “Are you all right?"

  "Aye, Lady Julianne. I'm fine.” She knew he lied. He didn't sound fine.

  "And you,” he continued after a long pause, “did he hurt you?"

  "No, not yet. What did they do to you?"

  There was an even longer pause. “Nothing that, God willing, I cannot recover from. Have you seen the Lady Eleanor? Is all well with her?"

  Poor man, she thought, having seen the love in his eyes for Nicholas's sister. “No, Sir Edgar, I didn't see her, but I heard Marcus say she was locked in her room."

  "If only that is the worst he has done to her,” the dark knight murmured.

  Julie thought of his handsome face, and wondered if it still was. Had they tortured him, beaten him, done unspeakable, medieval things to him?

  "Nicholas will find a way to rescue us,” she told Edgar with more conviction in her voice than in her mind.

  "We can but hope, my lady,” he replied and fell silent, probably exhausted from talking.

  One of the torches on the wall spluttered and went out, throwing her cell into darkness. She should rest. The baby needed her strength. Sinking onto the filthy pallet, she tugged the cloak she'd been given around her body. Exhausted, she quickly drifted off into a restless sleep.

  Nicholas sat in his tent, a cup of ale in his hand. Absently, he took a long drink and forced his weary brain to concentrate. There had to be a way. Harald's question earlier had started a new line of thought. Aye, Eldred was within, accepted as one of Miles’ men. But they needed to talk and the means seemed unattainable. He knew of no secret way into the keep. If Eldred did, his information was useless unless they could speak together.

  A commotion outside his tent caught his attention. “What is happening?” he called to the guard, who instantly pulled aside the tent flap and stuck in his head.

  "Milord, a man wishes to talk to you. He is unarmed and says you will know him. Should I allow him in here?"

  With a nod, Nicholas rose, hope rising with him. Could Eldred...? A young man of average height and looks entered the tent. He bowed and Nicholas saw in the lamplight that it was indeed his spy in Miles’ keep. “Eldred!” Nicholas clasped him by the shoulders. “I was just thinking of you, wishing we had some means to communicate. How did you find a way to leave unobserved?"

  The other man smiled. “I have kept my mouth shut and my ears and eyes open. Thusly, one can learn much."

  "Then there is a secret way in and out?” He almost tasted victory.

  "Aye, just inside the forest's edge, a tunnel comes out. It begins in the wine cellars. One night I heard the steward boasting that anyone could leave the keep without being detected. Of course, he was drunk or he never would have chanced incurring Sir Miles’ wrath with such outspoken words.” Eldred grinned. “I explored it myself when none were around. It was there."

  "Good man!” Nicholas clapped him on the back. “Will you be missed tonight?"

  "Nay, I am not on duty now."

  Nicholas motioned him to a stool, then sat back down on his cot. “Let us speak of how we can bring about this rescue. I presume you know Miles forcibly abducted my lady once again from Barstow Castle.

  "Aye, I heard and was not surprised to learn you were hard on his heels."

  Nicholas shook his head. “I slept while he stole her away. If aught happens to her, I will blame myself forever."

  "We will free her, milord, never fear."

  "Aye, we will. Now, how do we...” The two of them put their heads together and in low voices planned Julie's rescue.

  The night was at its darkest when Nicholas, Eldred and Harald reached the forest by a roundabout route. After a short search, Eldred found the bush disguising the trapdoor. He felt around in the loose soil until his fingers encountered an iron ring, then lifted the damp and rotting trapdoor. Below, total darkness.

  "The tunnel is low. We will have to stoop,” Eldred warned.

  "If I had to crawl on my belly for a mile, I would do it,” Nicholas rejoined fiercely.

  In silence, the three men dropped down into the tunnel. The sides and floor were wet, the air musty and humid. They bent their backs and walked for a quarter of an hour. Their armor slowed them and their breath came in gasps from the strain of moving in such an unnatural position. Nicholas called a halt to rest for a few minutes before setting out again. Earlier, Eldred had moved the wine barrel which disguised the trapdoor to one side so it lifted easily. They emerged cautiously into the darkness of the keep's wine cellar. Eldred led the way up the steps, pausing at the top to listen.

  "The hinges?” Nicholas murmured.

  "Oiled.” Eldred nudged the door open, inch by inch. The corridor was empty, a single torch providing a small puddle of light. The three crept along the hallway, hugging the shadows next to the wall. A moment later, they found themselves in the great hall.

  Drawing their cloaks around them, they picked their way among the sleeping bodies. Eldred motioned to their left. Another hallway disappeared into the gloom. At the end, a single torch burned.

  "How many?” whispered Nicholas, wedging his cloak tighter between his sword and his chain mail.

  "One."

  This man would not be drugged as his own had been. They would have to tread lightly to keep him from raising a cry.

  Eldred held up his hand and spoke softly in Nicholas's ear. “Let me go first. I know him."

  "Go. We will follow.” The light from the torch burning above the guard's head allowed Nicholas and Harald to watch from a distance.

  Eldred walked openly down the corridor, halting beside the man. He appeared to be asking him a question, while he pointed down the stairs. As the guard turned to look where Eldred indicated, Nicholas and Harald stole up and quickly overpowered him. A blow with the hilt of Nicholas's sword effectively ensured the man's silence.

  Nicholas left Harald to tie and gag the guard with some rope they had brought. He sprinted down the stairs followed by Eldred. “Julie,” he called. “Where are you, dearling?"

  Two small hands reached for him through the bars of a cell. He grasped them. “The key. Where is it, love?"

  "There.” She pointed to a hook on the opposite wall.

  He retrieved it and opened the door, catching her in his arms for a quick kiss. “We must be swift, Julie,” he whispered, reluctant though he was to pull his lips from hers and forgetting to call her by his wife's name. “Someone may discover us here."

  "Oh, Nicholas! Thank God! I prayed you'd come."

  He smiled at her. “And I prayed to find you safe. It seems prayers are answered sometimes."

  Julie squeezed his arm. “First, we must let Edgar out of his cell. I fear he might be hurt."

  Nicholas dropped her arm and strode down the corridor.

  "I am here,
my lord.” A man's hand stretched through the bars of the last cell.

  Nicholas peered at him as he unlocked the door. “Bloody hell, Edgar. What have they done to you?"

  "Nothing permanent.” Edgar stepped out into the corridor. The faint torchlight revealed a bruised and bloody face, but his crooked smile was encouraging.

  "Can you walk?” Nicholas looked doubtful.

  "I can walk. I can also fight. Just give me a sword,” Edgar announced grimly.

  "Good man!” Nicholas gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder. Even so, Edgar winced.

  They returned to the stairs to find Harald and Eldred waiting, anxious to be off.

  "I saw you this morning and hoped you'd help my husband,” Julie told Eldred who grinned.

  "We had best hurry.” Harald glanced nervously around. “When is this guard relieved?"

  "In another hour,” Eldred said. “But you are right. We must go."

  "Back through the tunnel?” Harald looked at Julie's swollen body.

  Nicholas scowled. Julie could see he had not thought of this.

  After a moment's hesitation, he said, “My lady cannot creep through the tunnel in her condition.” He paused as if further assessing the situation, and added, “We must pass through the front gate somehow."

  Eldred shook his head. “That will be difficult, milord."

  "Well, then it will be difficult, but we will find a way.” Nicholas took Julie's hand and motioned to Eldred to scout ahead while Edgar and Harald brought up the rear.

  Edgar reached down and scooped up the guard's sword. “Better in my hands than his,” he growled.

  They had reached the end of the corridor, when Julie gasped and bent over.

  Nicholas placed his ear next to her lips. “What is it, dearling?"

  "My water has broken,” she said faintly. “The baby is coming."

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  Chapter 25

  "Are you sure?” Nicholas stared anxiously into her eyes.

  "Oh, yes. One doesn't need previous experience to know,” she said, a bit ruefully.

  Harald moved up beside them. “Do you wish me to carry her, my lord? If we have to fight, surely you would slay more enemies than I."