Aisley had washed away most of the blood and was relieved to see the cut near his temples would heal with proper tending. “How did you come by this wound?”
“My doing,” James said. “I had to reach Danford.”
“You injured yourself?” Valiant interrupted.
“Fell off my horse, hit a rock.”
“You’ve been through much, Sir James,” Aisley said. “It was brave of you to come as far as you did unaided. Can you tell me why you needed to speak with Lord Danford?”
“The bandits stole my pouch. A missive from the King was taken, along with my coin and weapons. I had to tell the Earl what was in the letter.”
Violent tremors racked Aisley’s spine at the possible ramifications of James’ need to reach Garrick. Instead of giving into them, she reached for a clean cloth.
“Forgive me, Sir James, I fail to understand how you came to be at Fernley when His Majesty is in London. We received a message from him earlier tonight. My husband has already taken his retainers and gone upon the King’s summons.”
“Nay, nay,” James cried out, trying to sit up. Both Valiant and Andrew held the knight steady and urged him to lie back. “I think he’s heading for trouble.”
“What makes you think so?”
James closed his eyes, seeming to ward away the ache in his temples. “I’d taken my men to Wolcott ten days past,” he said, his eyes remaining closed. “Upon learning more of the situation, I was ordered to report to Lord Danford with the King’s missive advising that Baron and Baroness Wolcott were to be taken to London to stand trial for practicing witchcraft. I should have arrived days ago with the message. I cannot say how another man came by the King’s missive unless it was the one stolen.”
“Then what was in the message was real,” Aisley said.
“It was. I left for Danford as the Baron and his wife were taken away from Wolcott. It is my shame that I’d failed to arrive before now.” Finally, James opened his eyes. “My men were killed in our effort to reach Lord Danford.”
“I am sorry for the loss of your men, Sir James. Your gallantry will be remembered long after this night. Can you tell me when you would have arrived in Danford if bandits hadn’t ambushed you and your men?”
“Five days ago.”
“How long does it take to reach London from Wolcott?”
“Three days, if the weather remains calm and you don’t stop to rest.”
Silently, Aisley counted the days. Jillian and Colton had been waiting in London for two days.
“Do you know when the trial was to be held?”
“I do not.”
“Is it possible it has already happened?”
“His Majesty favors the Earl of Danford. He’d give him time to reach London before allowing the trial. But the roads to London can be hazardous and the Church may not wait for Lord Danford to arrive.”
The knight’s reply increased Aisley’s concerns. She attempted to quiet them by wiping some of the blood from his hair and temples. As she’d already surmised, his head wound would heal if properly stitched. She would have gone to prepare the needle right away, but tears blurred her vision and her hands shook.
Something was terribly wrong and she could think of little else but finding out if Garrick was truly in danger. Her instinct was to follow after him and demand that he come back.
“Let me do it,” Valiant urged, touching his hand to her shoulder. “I can stitch a wound.”
“I don’t know what to do, Valiant, what to think.” She lifted her head, comforted by Valiant’s presence, but she wanted Garrick.
“We can only hope the King has the power to stay the trial until Garrick arrives,” Aisley said. “Unfortunately, I believe the Church can usurp His Majesty’s power.”
“Your troubles are my fault to bear,” James murmured.
“You did all that you could to arrive here as ordered, Sir James. You are not to blame for the actions of bandits,” Aisley consoled.
James snorted in disgust. “Bandits from Welford, I’m almost certain.”
“What makes you claim such a thing?”
“The town is a day and a half’s journey from Wolcott. Many of the townsmen in Welford envy Baron Wolcott’s success and the opportunity to cast a stone at the Baron was granted to them. Considering that, I believe the bandits had been sent by Baron Welford.”
“You should report—ouch. Valiant, you’re hurting me,” she scolded when Valiant grabbed her hand and squeezed it harshly.
“Forgive me,” he said, loosening his fingers. “Talk of Welford reminded me of the woman who came to Danford looking for Angelica.”
“Why?” she asked.
Valiant stood tall and stared at James and Andrew, likely deciding what to say. “She was from Welford,” he answered.
Alarmed, Aisley rose beside him. “How do you know this?”
“She told me.”
“Valiant, do you know who sent her?”
“Aye.”
“Zotikos and Haywood are behind this trouble, I know it!”
“Who do you speak of, milady?” James interrupted.
“Enemies of my husband’s,” she said.
“Forgive the intrusion, Aisley, mayhap I shouldn’t hear any of this,” Andrew said.
“Andrew, you’ve every right to listen. My husband thinks he’s riding to rescue his brother. It seems as though he’s heading for danger instead and I know not what to do.”
“I can summon the men of the village to assist in whatever you require,” Andrew suggested.
Aisley reluctantly inclined her head, knowing what she would have to do. “I shall accept, Andrew. Go and gather men that you trust.”
Andrew bowed and left shortly after, giving Aisley and Valiant time alone with James.
“You needn’t worry with me, milady. If you must go, I’ll be fine.”
“I can stitch your wound, Sir James. As I do, might you know if Baron Somerton has been alerted to the situation in Wolcott?”
“Men were sent to Somerton. If you’ve not heard anything from Sir Grayson Forrester, Baron Somerton, before now, it is likely he doesn’t know about his brother.”
Aisley bowed her head and wondered what to do next. Uncertain, she thought it best to finish tending to James’ wound and discuss her options with Valiant and the knight. The three of them might come up with an effective plan.
* * * * *
He’d been caught and caged! A bloody trick had been used and Garrick stumbled into it like an untried page!
Had he taken a moment to question Henry’s messenger more thoroughly, he’d have realized the man was not dressed like a servant to the King. He’d already been anxious to assist Colton. Believing the message was indeed real, he couldn’t have ignored riding to his brother’s aid. But instead of helping his brother, he and his men were caught in the middle of an open field.
“You’ll not hold me for long, Zotikos,” Garrick shouted from his gold encrusted cage.
A short distance away, his men were lying about the ground, slaughtered or left to die by the army Zotikos had managed to summon. Some were Englishmen, others young Saturians. Some of the men were forced to control the destriers and palfreys, which had sensed his leopard half and shied away.
Zotikos took his time watching the foray, laughing softly at the men’s handling of the horses. “Keep the horses well away from the cage,” he said. “They can sense the Earl of Danford’s evil.”
Garrick bared his teeth, wanting to sink them into his enemy’s throat. “If you’re not careful, I’ll send the horses into flight,” he warned.
Zotikos turned back. “You could try,” he said, grabbing the gilded bars. “Both of us know you can do nothing when touching gold. It is all around you, Danford. Had your forebears not been so greedy for gold, you’d have broken me in pieces by now. As it is, you cannot even order me to go. I do wonder how this may affect your pretty little healer. Do you think she is as weak as you, vulnerable? I would hope so.
I’ve plans for her, you know.”
“Speak not of my wife, Zotikos,” Garrick warned, secretly concerned for Aisley. After the attack on him and his guards, he’d been relieved to know his mate remained in Danford where she was safe. Mention of her now increased his worry. “I vow it to you. I’ll soon be free of this cage and I will tear you apart.”
Zotikos snickered, a sound that had Garrick reaching for his favored weapon and finding it gone. “Not before we reach Welford, where you will be tried and burned.”
Hating to touch the cage, Garrick wrapped his fingers around the bars and pulled. Weakness invaded his body, leaving him barely able to support his own weight.
“An innocent man cannot be burned,” he claimed.
“Your brother was tried the day after his arrival in London. Messengers had been sent to tell you of his pending trial. It is most unfortunate that they reached me instead. More were sent upon the conclusion of the trial and my men intercepted them as well. Baron Walcott was to be burned this eve if you failed to come to London and convince him to confess, just as his pretty little baroness did. Confession saved his wife. I can only imagine how it felt when he learned the Earl of Danford, his eldest brother, could not bother to come to his aid.”
Garrick jerked the bars with little gain. “Each word you speak is a lie. You’ll not fool me. Not even you can know such things,” he argued.
“I know your brother is dead.”
“Henry would await my arrival before consenting to a trial.”
Clicking his tongue, Zotikos shook his head. “You believe you’ve earned the King’s support. Mayhap you have when it comes to leading men to war. Do remember that I have spies everywhere, especially within the Church. My priest alerted them of the sorcery your brother practices. It’s said that his wife is a witch, much like yours.”
“Dastard, no one practices sorcery or witchcraft in Wolcott or Danford.”
“It isn’t just witchcraft that frightens Englishmen and the Church. The trial revealed that your brother and his wife were responsible for sending wolves to Welford. Some men were bitten. A hunter was killed, leaving a widow to fend for herself and her three children. Wolfhounds were eaten and mangled. The Baron and Baroness themselves believe they can become such beasts. They are considered evil.”
Zotikos leaned against the cage. Garrick was tempted to reach for his enemy’s throat. Instead he clenched his fists.
“Evil stands before me in the form of a well-dressed man,” Garrick sneered. “Every word you utter is a lie. The army you’ve mounted from Welford and infiltrated with Saturians may have followed your orders, but they’ll soon see you for what you are.”
“None will see me for what I am if you are dead.” Zotikos frowned, his gray eyes darkening until they were flat and black. A chill lifted the hairs at the back of Garrick’s neck. “Did I fail to mention your wife and daughter shall be mine as soon as you’re gone? Aisley will burn if she doesn’t kneel to me and I will raise the girl.”
Rage forced a violent roar from Garrick’s throat, warming him in an instant. “You touch my family and I will send you to Hell!” Soldiers from Welford drew back from pilfering weapons from the dying guards.
“A place I’m familiar with. To your misfortune, you’ll find yourself there long before I return.”
“John, why do you provoke the prisoner?” Sedgewick Haywood questioned, strolling toward them with a stolen sword in hand. “Let us move on before anyone from Danford pursues us.”
“My wife and staff believe I am heading for London. Why would you worry over anyone coming after us?” Garrick held himself still and ignored his need to roar. His leopard half wanted to spring, but it was hindered by the cage.
“I have the feeling your lovely new countess is coming to aid you as we speak.” Zotikos laughed aloud, nearly sending Garrick to his knees. “Haywood, after Sir James Witlock’s retainers were killed, you were to take the King’s messenger to Fernley for care. Did you do as I’d instructed?”
“I did, milord.” Haywood kept himself distant from the cage. An ell separated him from Garrick. “I helped him recover and watched him head for Danford as soon as he was able. Was a terrible shame he’d lost his helm and fell from his horse. I’m getting quite good with rocks.”
“You’ve done well. The countess is likely on her way. Let us proceed.”
“Dare do whatever you want to me, but you’ll not threaten what’s mine,” Garrick said.
“Such chivalry probably had Aisley falling at your feet,” Zotikos said, turning to scan the soldiers he’d amassed. “Tell me, have the two of you mated in the way of beasts, Lord Danford? Do you bite your countess? Do you favor the taste of Lady Danford’s blood on your lips? Does she bite you?”
“Werewolves,” a soldier shouted, causing more of the men to echo the words.
“The Earl and Countess of Danford are as evil as Baron Wolcott and his wife,” another man rebuked, sending a wave of accusations and fear through the heavily armed men. “They must come to Welford and answer to the devastation Wolcott’s wolves have caused. Mayhap the Countess will confess to her sins and turn to me for guidance, who can say. Let us hope it is not too late to save her soul.”
Helpless to stop the leopard’s means of defense when he was caged, Garrick slammed into the gilded bars and roared with all the force of a panthera trying to protect his mate, causing the men to take up their weapons.
“My friends, the Earl of Danford has turned to the beast,” Zotikos pronounced. “Let us take him to Welford and remind him he is but a man!”
Incited by Zotikos’ machinations, the soldiers surrounded the gilded cage with a shout.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Aisley, are you certain I cannot dissuade you against this?” Valiant asked, standing beside her as she waited for a destrier to be brought to her.
“Nay, my young friend, my mind is set.”
“Might I remind you what Garrick Forrester is? He isn’t a man to be fooled so easily. For all we know, he could have avoided getting caught and is on his way to London.”
“I want nothing more than to hear Garrick shout at me for leaving Danford.”
Aisley felt more and more certain that Garrick needed help. He’d never call for her because he was too proud, but like he’d sensed Colton’s troubles earlier, she was beginning to sense Garrick’s.
“Please, milady, allow me to go after Garrick alone.” Valiant insisted.
Aisley stared up at the giant young man, admiring him for his willingness to guard her. “You are gallant, but I must do this. We’ve sent men after Sir Brandon and can only hope he will know what to do from there. Meanwhile, I shall take two men and attempt to reach Garrick. We cannot risk taking too many guards and leaving Danford vulnerable. I’ve already posted sentinels in the village and soldiers at any entrance to Danford land. No one will be welcomed here until Garrick and I return.”
Seeming much older, Valiant crossed his arms at his chest and leaned forward.
“What happens if you get caught?” he demanded.
“We’ve discussed that. Follow us at a distance. Stay out of sight until it is right for you to show yourself.”
“Very well, I will do as you ask,” Valiant decided. “I should warn you that my instincts are young.”
Aisley nodded, understanding Valiant’s limitations. “As are mine. I have gained much strength since being converted. I must believe we can do something other than pace about the manor waiting to hear word of Garrick’s fate.”
Purposefully, she did not reveal the sudden weakness invading her body, making it difficult to stand straight and tall. She didn’t know why this happened, but sensed that it was linked to Garrick. Whenever he’d changed in the past, she’d felt it. Mayhap she was feeling his weakness too.
Valiant shook his head. “At times like this, wisdom is more important than strength.”
“Then be wise, Valiant. Remain hidden and track us through the forest.”
&nb
sp; “I pray I do not fail you or Garrick.”
“You won’t.” Placing her hand on his forearm, she squeezed, offering her support. “Now go and ready yourself to leave.”
“Will you need me to look in on Angelica first?”
Thoughts of Angelica lightened her heart. “Nay, I’ve already visited with her. Two men from the garrison have been posted by Angelica’s chamber and Judith will watch over her while we’re gone.”
“Have you thought of how hard it will be for Angelica if something happens to you or Garrick?”
“I have. I want her to be raised by your father and mother. Both were kind to her and I trust them to protect her from Zotikos in the future.”
“Is there nothing I can say to keep you from going after Garrick?”
“There’s nothing. I’d almost ruined my relationship with Garrick by attempting to leave and doubting his word when we’d first met. I’ll never flee again. He is my mate. I must help him.”
“Then so must I,” Valiant said, pushing away when a guard arrived with the destrier.
“I beg forgiveness for our delay, milady,” the man requested, bowing as he handed the reins to Valiant. At first, the horse shied away. It took a simple soothing word from the squire to calm him. “We could not find a lady’s saddle that would properly fit a destrier.”
“It matters not, William,” Aisley said. Taking the reins, she soothed the horse when his ears flattened. “I can ride like a man. I’m dressed for it,” she added, gesturing toward the male breeches, tunic and cloak she’d borrowed from Andrew White.
“May we offer our service to you, Lady Danford?” Andrew offered, approaching steadily.
“Andrew, your willingness to accompany Valiant and I back to the manor will suffice.”
“I speak not only for myself, but another,” Andrew insisted, stepping aside.
A vaguely familiar man stepped to the fore. Older than Andrew by a number of years, the man held himself proud. “You may not remember me, milady. I am Daniel Burkett, originally from Fernley.”
“You owned the tavern,” she recalled, his face becoming more familiar.
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