Valley of Valor (Noble Heart Book 6)
Page 2
William nodded and then remembered that Noble could not see him. “Yes, I understand,” he whispered back.
There was a moment of silence and then, “I think I know where we are,” Noble said. He paused. “The valley below us is Glyn Tywyll.”
“Glyn—Glyn Tywyll?”
William’s voice faltered, and Noble knew that the prince, too, had heard the old stories of the dreaded place. “Do not be afraid, Brother. The legends you have heard are only old wives’ tales.”
“I—I know.” There was silence again and then, “I am not afraid! If these men can enter such a place as that without fear, then so can we! Besides, does not the Scripture say, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil?”
“Yes, it does! Hang onto that thought, Brother, and trust God!”
Caddock rose suddenly and glanced over at his prisoners. The other men quickly scrambled to their feet, as well, and he motioned to them to prepare their captives for the march ahead. “You will walk now!” he snapped at Noble and William. “Your horses cannot carry you down the steep path to the valley floor. We will allow your hands to remain unbound for a time, and will not blindfold you, for you will need the use of your hands and eyes for the climb down, but do not think you can escape for I will have no mercy and will simply cut you down if you attempt it!”
The next hour was a rough and, at times, almost impossible scramble down loose, rocky slate. The ground seemed to slide out from under them with every few steps and they searched continuously for something to hold onto to keep them from tumbling down the steep walls. Rocks bounced past their heads from the men still descending above them, narrowly missing them, although small pebbles showered them unmercifully. Noble could not help but wonder how the rogues were ever able to climb their way back out of the gorge.
They made their way cautiously sideways as much as possible, rather than straight down. The horses had gone first, led by several of the men. Noble had all he could do to keep himself upright, but every now and then he lifted his eyes and watched Valiant anxiously, wincing as the horse slid down the rocks almost on his haunches. The horses whinnied in fright every now and then and Noble thought angrily to himself that these men must be crazy to even attempt to bring the animals down this way. No wonder they had not been on horseback themselves.
They reached the floor of the valley at last. Noble turned to see how William had fared and was dismayed to see the boy’s condition. He was pale and covered in dust. Several small cuts on his face from flying rock chips were bleeding and he seemed to be cradling his arm against his chest. He suddenly looked very young and small and frail to Noble, but even as he watched, William straightened up to his full height and took a deep breath. He looked up and saw Noble watching him. A small grin lit his face and he said, “I’m fine, Brother! Just fine!”
Noble could not help but admire the young prince for his strength and bravery. William had lived an easy life compared to most lads his age, but he stood up to the challenges that came along as befitted the son of good King Stephen. He would be a fine man someday, well worthy of ruling the kingdom—if he lived long enough to do so. It was up to Noble, with God’s help, to find a way out of the trouble in which they now found themselves.
There was no opportunity to talk further. They tied their hands in front of them this time, and then one of the men gave him a shove, and another pulled William back further in the line of men. Noble turned his attention to the horses. The pack horse still carried the deer carcass on her back. Her front left leg seemed to be injured for she was limping cruelly. Noble could see several cuts on Warrior’s legs despite the distance between them. They were bleeding, but perhaps with proper attention they would heal—that is, if they did not become infected first. Valiant was too far ahead of them, at the head of the column, for Noble to see if there was any damage done to the fine warhorse. He was not limping, so that was good, but Caddock himself was leading him now, and Valiant seemed none too happy about it.
They were moving through the thick trees and heavy undergrowth at the bottom of the ravine now and it was every bit as dim and claustrophobic as he had imagined from above. No beams of sunlight broke through the trees in shafts of light or cast sunny patches upon the ground. Rather, a gloom of eerie green hung in the air, enveloping everything in varying shades of gray and sage and olive and turning even the skin of the men around him a sickly green. The forest above this dark valley had been peaceful and a sweet place to be on a summer’s day. This murky wood seemed ominous and cold, and a feeling of impending doom lurked within its shadows.
“Father,” Noble prayed as they shuffled through rotting leaves and over lichen-covered rocks, “even this place is part of your beautiful creation. It is our own fears that paint it with dread and superstition. You are here with us, walking this path with William and me. Help us to see this place through Your eyes, Father, and to not be afraid.” When he lifted his eyes again it seemed the green woods were a quiet sanctuary and they waited not for doom, but for the coming of the Master. Noble praised God in his heart, eager to share his thoughts with William when he got the chance.
They had walked only an hour or so when they suddenly came to a small clearing. It was not much bigger than the small cottage that occupied it, and Noble doubted that it would even be noticed from the ridge above the valley. The house was roughly made of stone and timber from the woods around it and did not seem from the outside, at least, to be much larger than a single room. The two windows on either side of the door were dark and held no glass. Broken shutters were all that would keep out the creatures of the night. It appeared to be deserted at the moment, for no one greeted their approach from the doorway and, except for the sound of running water somewhere nearby, all was quiet and still in the clearing and the house itself.
“Take the horses to the back and let them drink,” Caddock ordered. “Brych, look at the mare’s leg. See if it can be fixed or if we will have to put her down. Croft, go with him and tend to the other two horses’ cuts. If we are going to sell them, I want to get the best price for them that we can. Finn, you and Parry start dressing that venison and get it on the spit. I’m hungry, so be quick about it. Rhain, take our guests,” he said with a sneer, “inside and tie them up. Search them well for weapons or anything else we might be able to sell.” He stopped and eyed Noble and then said, “Parry, go with him. Better to have two. I don’t trust the big one. You can go back and help Finn when you’re done.”
The men scattered to follow his orders. Rhain and Parry pushed Noble and William through the door of the cottage and to a corner in the back. If it was dim in the forested glen, it was darker yet inside. Very little light came through the two small windows and there was no fire in the fireplace or candles lit. As their eyes adjusted to the lack of light, however, they began to make out the features and sparse furnishings of the tiny abode.
A sleeping loft covered the back half of the cottage. A small table stood in front of the fireplace with a rough bench and several stools made of logs beneath it. A bucket stood in one corner and a few pegs and a shelf holding a few belongings hung above it. A pot hung in the fireplace. That was about all there was. The space was fairly clean—or at least it appeared to be so in the dim light—but there was nothing to brighten it or make it feel cozy. Noble wondered how all these men could live in this one small space, or if some of them lived elsewhere.
He did not have long to think about it. Rhain began to search them for weapons or valuables, first one and then the other while Parry stood guard. Though Noble and William were both dressed in good breeches and tunics, they were not of fine cloth since they had been out hunting. Neither had adornments upon them, and Noble had only a few small coins in his pocket, but his heart sank as Rhain pulled his hunting knife from his boot. It had been his last hope of freeing themselves from their captors. Their bows and arrows had already been taken from them, and of course Noble had not taken his sword out hunting.
“Are you well, William?” he softly asked as Rhain and Parry left the cottage. “Have they harmed you? Were you injured in the slide down the rocks into the valley? I saw that you seemed to be favoring your arm. Is it broken?”
“Nay, I’m fine, Noble. A large rock bounced off my shoulder, but it is not broken, I think, although I am sure it must be bruised. But did you see the cuts on Warrior, Noble? His legs looked bad! Do you think he will be alright?”
“I think so, William. The leader Caddock seems to have some knowledge of horses, for taking care of their injuries was his first concern when we arrived.”
“Not for love of them, though! All he seems to care about is getting as much money for them as he can!”
“True, but his love of money may be what saves us, William. If he thinks he can collect a handsome ransom for us, he may be inclined to keep us around a while longer—and we may yet find an opportunity to escape.”
William laughed quietly. “I love it that you thought up our rich father—and that you are my brother, Henry! I have often wished that you truly were my brother, Noble,” he said shyly.
Noble was touched by the boy’s confession. “I have often felt like an older brother to you, William,” he replied softly. “But say! You did a fine job yourself in telling them that Father will be angry that I have lost my third horse this year! I nearly laughed out loud!”
William grinned. “Well, if we are going to tell a lie it might as well be a big one! Oh, I am just teasing you, Noble! I know you would never be dishonest about anything under normal circumstances. Somehow I think the Lord understands and forgives this bit of charade we have pulled off today. And do not worry—I will not become in the habit of telling lies, I promise!”
“See that you don’t!” Noble said sternly, but then broke into a big grin himself.
William suddenly sobered. “How long do you think it will be before we are missed, Noble? Do you think they are looking for us yet?”
“I am sure that they are, William. I was supposed to go on patrol today. Sir Robert would not be happy at all when I did not show up. And most certainly when your tutor tells them you have not appeared for lessons and that no one has seen you all day, they will send out search parties very quickly. You did tell someone you were going hunting with me today, did you not?”
“Yes. I told my mother, and she said as long as it was with you, she knew I would be safe.”
Noble felt as if a knife had been twisted in his heart, but he did not reply. Instead he said, “And I told Sir Michael we were going and where I planned to go. We went a little further than I had planned, but still, they will be looking in the right direction.” He paused. “I am sorry, William. This is entirely my fault. I should have been more alert. It is inexcusable that we were caught so by surprise. I should have never taken you out alone, either. If there had been several in our party they would never have dared to attack us.”
“Don’t be foolish, Noble! You cannot hunt deer in a large party! And I am sure you were as alert as you ever are. You saw how they move through the woods so silently. We were in the middle of them, but I scarcely heard a sound as we journeyed to this place. Do not blame yourself, my brother. I have no doubt that you will be the one to rescue us with God’s help, and then you shall redeem yourself handsomely as you always do!”
William’s cheerful voice soothed Noble. He tried to set aside his feelings of guilt and concentrate on the problem at hand. “Thank you, William. I appreciate your vote of confidence!” he said quietly.
“One thing, Noble,” the young prince asked him, “this place—Glyn Tywyll. I—I do not believe the old stories about it, of course. Well, not really. But what is it? Where is it? Do you think my father and the Guard will find it? I thought it was just an old legend, that it did not really exist. Now that I see it does, I am wondering why I have not heard of anyone actually going there. Do you think my father even knows about it?”
Noble did not answer him. He had his own questions. He had seen for himself that there were no roads to Glyn Tywyll. One stumbled upon it—or not. That is why it was a perfect place for the hideout of this gang of thugs. A place steeped in mystery and superstition. A place of legends and old wives’ tales. A place not marked on maps or found at the end of a road.
Would anyone find them there? He did not know. And if there was to be no help for them from outside, would he be able to find a way to freedom for them? Our Father, there is no one we can depend on like Thee. You are our Help and our Refuge and our Salvation. You are the Way. Yea, though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil, for Thou art with us.”
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CHAPTER THREE
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Sign of the Arrow
Queen Gwyneth knocked at the door of the council room. Her husband looked up with a frown, but when he saw who stood in the doorway his face cleared and he held out his hand. “Excuse me, gentlemen,” he said, as he rose to greet his wife. “My dear, to what do we owe this pleasure?”
“I am sorry to bother you, Stephen, gentlemen,” she said, curtsying slightly to the knights who had stood in her honor as she entered the room. “Please, Stephen, may I speak with you? It is important.”
The king looked at her in alarm. The queen had never before intruded upon a meeting. If she had done so now, it must indeed be urgent. “Come,” he said, escorting her out of the room. “What is it, Gwyneth? Tell me!” he urged as he shut the door behind them.
“It is William, my dear. We cannot find him and we have looked everywhere!”
“Everywhere? Outside the castle? In town? He has never gone off without an escort before, or at least without asking permission, has he?” The king was somewhat aggravated. He did not have time for such childish nonsense.
“No, of course not! That is precisely why I am so worried, Stephen! William is a good boy and an obedient son. The servants have looked both inside and outside the castle, and I have men now scouring the town.”
“When was the last time you saw him, Gwyneth?”
“Last night when he came in to say goodnight. He asked permission to go hunting with Noble this morning and of course I said yes. I have no doubts that Noble would care for him well. They left early—before we had risen. He swore he would be back before his lessons, but his tutor came to me when he did not show up for his studies.”
“He went with Sir Noble, you say? That is strange. Noble did not show up for patrol, either. Sir Robert was quite put out with him.”
“Oh, Stephen! Something has happened to them!” The queen clutched his arm. “You know Noble would never, ever be derelict in his duty! I can see William in his youthful enthusiasm losing track of time, but Noble? Never! Something is wrong!”
“Now, now, my dear!” he tried to calm her. “I am sure it is nothing. It is merely some small delay, I am sure. Perhaps one of the horses went lame. I am sure they will show up at any moment.” She was shaking her head and he could see she would not be calmed, so he said, “Come, my dear. We will speak to Sir Robert and see if he can shed any more light on the subject. If we need to, we will send out a search party. I am sure they will find them—probably just beyond the city walls.”
They returned to the council room and the king quickly explained the problem. “I had no idea where Sir Noble was this morning,” Sir Robert confessed, “however Sir Michael is close to him. Perhaps he may know something more. I will send for him now.”
The queen paced impatiently as they waited for Sir Michael. When at last he hurried into the room she did not wait for her husband but quickly asked, “Do you know where Sir Noble went this morning, Sir Michael? He was to take William hunting, but do you know
where they went?”
Sir Michael glanced at the king and his captain and then said, “Yes, Your Highness. Well, at least I know the general direction he planned to go, that is. Where exactly they may have ended up, I do not know for I do not think Noble himself knew where that would be.”
“The general direction, Sir Michael…” the king prompted.
“Yes, Sire. Sir Noble told me he intended to take the prince east of the city—out toward Snowdon. The terrain is more mountainous there and he thought perhaps the hunting would be better since it is more remote. The road is not well-traveled, nevertheless he was going to leave the road at some point and go into the forest.”
“You shall lead the search party, then, Sir Michael. I will send a dozen men with you,” Sir Robert said. “Prepare to leave immediately. I am sure the queen shall not rest easy until her son is home again.”
“No, and neither shall I,” King Stephen said. “Let us add another five or six men to that number, Sir Robert, and I myself will go with you, as well, Sir Michael. Sir Robert, I want you to lead another party south of the city and Sir Edward will take some more men north. We will put our full effort into this search. I want the prince home again before nightfall!”
* * *
Queen Gwyneth stood in the courtyard as the knights assembled. Her insides quivered, but as usual, she appeared calm and collected outwardly. The king took her into his arms before he mounted his horse and whispered, “Do not fear, my dear. We will bring him home. Just pray for us.”
She nodded and watched with tears in her eyes as the men rode out of the courtyard and through the castle gates. When they were gone she returned to the castle. She climbed the stairs and went to a door at the end of the corridor. The queen knocked softly and at the sound of the voice within, she entered.