The Duchess and The Warlock

by Michael O'Gara

  Patrice thinks that Delmoz is a handsome man but does not give voice to her thought. She thinks the duke is probably ten years her senior and a young man to have the king’s ear.

  Patrice asks, “Is he married?”

  Williston says, “His wife recently died in childbirth. He is too far above our station to consider marriage to you.”

  Patrice changes the subject, “How bad is our situation?”

  Her father looks at her and says, “It is not the kind of thing young women should be concerned about.”

  Patrice looks her father in the eye and says, “Father, should a young noblewoman not know of things that affect her father and his household.”

  Williston pauses before saying, “It is bad. It will be a close thing.”

  Patrice says, “Thank you, father.”

  A man comes into the room and whispers to the dukes. They get up and leave. An official makes the announcement.

  “His Majesty regrets that he will not attend here. The meal will be served before each is to see to the organization of the castle defense. The enemy approaches and will be here in the morning.”

  The official leaves the hall and servants start bringing the food.

  Chapter 3

  Patrice spends considerable time that evening in her room in the dark without a single candle lit. Betsa and Virgie are in the hall where they will sleep bundled in a blanket. The castle is overwhelmed by the number of people who have taken refuge there. Betsa and Virgie are glad to be inside for they know many folk are sleeping outdoors in the castle’s yards. They are tired but they do not immediately go to sleep. They can hear Patrice. She seems to be chanting though they cannot make out her words. They are nervous because they fear spell-casting.

  Virgie whispers, “She is casting a spell, isn’t she?”

  Betsa whispers back, “If she is, I hope it is one of protection. Go to sleep.”

  They finally drift into sleep when Patrice stops.

  Patrice wakes early. She is disoriented. She realizes she has been dreaming. Was it a dream or a vision? It seems so real, so other worldly. Nothing like this has happened to her before. She is not certain. In the dream she was wed and then soon after widowed.

  Patrice uses the night pot, washes, and dresses in her riding clothes. They are the clothes that will give her the most range of motion. She slings her grandfather’s scabbard on her back, the hilt of the sword over her right shoulder where Patrice can draw it.

  Betsa and Virgie are still sleeping soundly on the hall floor.

  Patrice opens her door and looks at the guard outside. Patrice sees her father approaching.

  Williston says to the guard, “You are needed on the wall. Hurry!”

  The guard sets out.

  Patrice said, “What is happening, father?”

  “The enemy is preparing to attack. There are more than we anticipated. You will have to guard your room.”

  Patrice said, “Yes, father.”

  Williston leaves. Betsa and Virgie have been woken by the activity. People are now rushing down to the main entrances.

  Patrice looks at the Betsa and Virgie. She says, “Empty the night pots and bring lots of water for bathing and drinking. You will stay in my room.”

  Betsa says, “Yes, ma’am.”

  When the battle starts, the women can hear the sounds of the fighting raging outside. They can see a little of battle through the window in the room. The shouts, screams, and other sounds of battle continue throughout the morning. Shortly after midday, relative quiet falls on the castle.

  Williston comes to Patrice’s room. Patrice hugs her father even though he is sweaty and has blood on his armor.

  Patrice asks, “How bad is it?”

  Williston says, “Very. We repelled the first attack. If we repel the second, we might eventually win. Virgie will help with the wounded. Bring your bow and quiver. Betsa will stay here and lock herself in until we come back.”

  Patrice collects what she needs. She and Virgie follow Williston down into the courtyard. Williston points to where wounded are being taken and says, “Virgie, go there and help.”

  Virgie says, “Yes, My Lord.” She hurries away.

  Williston looks at Patrice and motions. Patrice follows her father across the courtyard. Her father climbs the rampart stairs. They cross the rampart to the closest corner tower and go inside. Patrice sees that there are few archers left. The floor is slick with blood.

  Patrice can feel her fear trying to gain control of her. She fights to control it. It takes a great effort. Her concentration is broken when her father speaks.

  Williston says, “My dear, I’m sorry, but it is necessary that you be here. If the castle falls your fate will be brutal. We have few archers left, but the enemy no longer has any.”

  Patrice says, “I understand, father.”

  Williston takes off his helmet. Patrice knows what he is going to do and he does it. He kisses her cheek. She embraces him fiercely and puts her head on his chest.

  Williston says, “Daughter, you will crush the life out of me.”

  Patrice lets go and smiles. She can see the worry on his face as she looks into his eyes. She says, “Be safe, father.”

  Williston whispers, “You are a better archer than many here. Make every arrow count so there will be one less for me to meet with spear and sword. I am getting too long in the tooth for this.”

  Patrice laughs. She thinks it must be nervous laughter. She says, “You need a wife to give you something to live for.”

  Williston smiles and says, “You have cheered me. Now I must see to my duty.” Williston leaves.

  It does not escape Patrice’s notice that her father sheds a tear.

  An archer closes and bars the door. He says, “The baron said you was good with a bow, My Lady.”

  Patrice just nods. The man speaks like a commoner and she supposes he is.

  The archer says, “Does you need help stringing the bow?”

  Patrice shakes her head no and strings the bow with practiced ease. She looks for the best unoccupied vantage point. She puts her quiver near the opening from which she will shoot. There are still arrows there. They were obviously left by the previous occupant.

  The enemy comes again with ladders and a battering ram. As they approach, Patrice puts an arrow to her bow and draws it.

  An archer says, “They are too far.”

  Patrice ignores the man. She calculates and let the arrow fly. The arrow hits a nobleman’s horse in the neck and the horse stumbles and falls on its rider.

  The archer beside her says, “I reckons it weren’t too far.” He smiles.

  The sleeves of Patrice’s dress hide the fact that her arms are muscled and wiry. They are more like those of a strong lad than a noble lady. Patrice is lean and muscled due to the hard farm labor she has engaged in.

  The attack starts with full force. Patrice and the few archers in the tower loose all the arrows they have. Almost all the arrows hit their targets. Outside on the ramparts, the battle is raging.

  One of the archers calls out, “The enemy is on the ramparts to the left.”

  Patrice does it without thought or intent. It is instinctive and almost as though she was being guided. She will later realize that she is inspired.

  She rushes to the door and throws open the bolt before she can be stopped. She steps out and draws her grandfather’s sword with one hand and swings it at an enemy who is climbing onto the parapet walk. The sword should have been too heavy for her to handle with one hand, but she swings it easily. The stroke severs the enemy’s head and he falls backward.

  Patrice takes the opportunity to use the momentum of the falling body to try to push the ladder away with her left hand. It does not budge, but one of the men from the tower comes behind her and pushes with both hands. With the push from the two of them, the ladder falls away from the wall along with the men on it.

  Patrice sees one of the defenders fall and a large red haired man is about to br
ing a battleaxe down on him. The enemy has his back to Patrice and she rushes him. He raises the battle axe over his head and Patrice swings her sword with both hands almost severing the man’s partially armored right arm. The axe falls to the ground. The man screams and starts to collapse.

  Patrice reverses direction with her body and does a complete spin and strikes the man from the other side. The blade of her sword cleaves deep into the unprotected side of the enemy. Blood spurts out as Patrice withdraws her sword. He collapses.

  Things seem a blur and Patrice does not think; she just reacts. Two enemy soldiers are now attacking the defender who the man with the axe had tried to kill. She moves forward and slips on the bloody mess on the rampart walkway. She falls backwards, but regains her balance. One of the attacking enemy soldiers pauses in the attack on the single defender and turns toward Patrice. She runs a few steps and drives her sword into the enemy with all her might. She drives the man backward with the force of her momentum and his sword falls from his hands.

  Patrice steps on the man as she withdraws her sword. She slips again on the slick stones. She senses fighting is going on behind her. She quickly regains her balance in time to meet the next attacker. He is a giant of a man.

  Patrice jumps an enemy body and when she comes down her feet slide on the slick blood on the rampart walkway. Patrice falls to her knees and slides forward. She has the sense to thrust her sword upward and the blade goes deep into the enemy soldier’s torso. He falls on her and knocks her over.

  Patrice feels a sharp pain in her right side. She tries to get up, but the big man on top of her has her pinned to the walkway. She still has her sword clenched in her right hand.

  It is sudden. Patrice becomes aware of her surroundings, the sounds, the smells of death, and wonders if this is how she will die. She then remembers the dream-vision. She will not die here. It seems she lies there pinned under the body forever. The pain in her side is now searing and she moans. It is all she can do for the body on top of her is crushing the breath out of her. She feels the wetness on her side.

  Patrice hears cheering and wonders what it is about. Has the enemy been victorious? She thinks that at least she will be dead and spared the humiliation of rape followed by a brutal death. For a second time she remembers the dream-vision. She will not die, yet. It is then that her world goes dark.

  Chapter 4

  Patrice wakes to throbbing pain. She blinks several times and tries to focus. She hears Betsa say, “Go fetch the baron.” It all goes black again.

  Patrice wakes to feel as though she is on fire. She tries to open her eyes, but they are so very heavy.

  She hears a male voice say, “The wound is full of puss. She is dying.”

  Patrice thinks it is not for him to say. She drifts into darkness. She dreams she is married to the man she met in the courtyard.

  Patrice wakes to cool water being gently poured into her mouth. She opens her eyes. It is Betsa. A man is standing beside her. It is the man from the courtyard. What is his name? Ah, yes. It is William.

  William comes and stands over her. He says, “You twice saved my life on the rampart. Anything you want that is mine to give is yours.”

  Patrice only knows she will be married and widowed before she can die. Patrice says, “Wed me. I will not go from this world unmarried.” Patrice slips into darkness. She dreams again of being married. This time the face is clear; it is William.

  Patrice is woken by the sounds of battle. It seems to her that they were not as loud as they had been. Betsa is wiping her brow.

  Patrice blinks several times and croaks, “Water.”

  Betsa gets her water. Patrice sips a little at a time until a full cup is consumed.

  Patrice sighs, “Bring me a little cheese.” Betsa does and Patrice nibbles at it until it is all gone. Patrice looks at Betsa and says, “I will remember your kindness.”

  Betsa thinks that is a silly thing to say. Her lady is dying.

  Patrice remembers the dream-vision; she will not die. She embraces the darkness for it relieves the suffering; being unconscious makes her unaware of the searing pain and the burning heat. She dreams “the vision” again.

  While Patrice is unconsciousness, William is talking with his father. He says, “I gave my word, father.”

  Duke Consar says, “My son, you must be careful with your words.”

  William responds, “They say she will die.”

  Duke Consar asks, “Does she know about her father’s death yet?”

  William moves his head from side to side.

  Consar says, “It is just as well.”

  William says, “We have our own reason to grieve.”

  Consar nods in agreement, “The cost has been high, too high. We cannot even take time to grieve the loss of your brothers. ”

  “It will be over soon, father. We can grieve then.”

  Consar says, “The enemy will certainly launch more attempts. They rest as do we. They are defeated already and that makes them dangerous. If they retreat they will be killed for their treason. They have a better chance by staying and fighting. Desperate men take desperate action.”

  William adds, “It seems the way of war is that the side that loses the least is called the winner.”

  Consar sighs, “True. It is the reality of war.” The duke pauses before adding, “I take it you will wed the girl?”

  “I must if I am to have honor and integrity. I will do it as soon as she is fully awake.”

  “She might never wake.”

  William sighs, “It is true and that would be a shame; she is a brave woman.” William pauses before adding, “And beautiful. I would not mind her in my bed if she survives.”

  Consar said, “She is foolish. A woman has no place in battle.”

  “Yet, if she had not acted, I would surely be dead. I admire her.”

  Consar says, “The surviving soldiers revere her. I suppose your marriage to her will not damage the family’s name. She is a heroine and of noble stock, though of a minor lord. Her passing will be mourned and then you will move on.”

  “Yes, father.”

  Patrice wakes when salve is being applied to her side and scraped legs. Patrice turns her head and tries to see. She croaks, “I want to see. Betsa, prop me up.”

  Betsa props her up and it hurts. Patrice looks at her side. It is an ugly gash. She considers it. The wound had been burned so it must have been bleeding badly. It is now showing some yellow puss, but she had expected it to look worse. The healer finishes applying the salve and then puts a poultice on the wound.

  He looks at Patrice, “My lady, it is best to let the poultice draw out the puss.”

  Patrice nods in understanding.

  The healer covers his jar and says, “I must go now to tend the other wounded.” He leaves.

  Patrice asks, “Betsa, where is Virgie?”

  Betsa shakes her head and tears fell from her eyes. She wipes them away and asks, “My Lady would you like some cheese and bread?”

  Patrice says, “Yes, and wine. You may join me”

  Betsa brings it and sits on the side of the bed. They eat and drink in silence. When they finish and Betsa has taken the cups away, Patrice says, “I need you to help me bathe my person and put on a clean nightdress. The bed covers need to be changed. I will roll from one side to the other so it can be done. I assume you have been seeing to cleaning my bodily secretions.”

  “Yes, Baroness.”

  Patrice is shocked. She pauses and asks, “When did father die?”

  “Three days ago.”

  Patrice can feel the tears coming and she wants to sob, but she controls herself. She asks, “How long have I been unconscious?”

  Betsa sighs and answers, “Four days. They say you will die. Lord William intends to grant your wish and has arranged to wed you as soon as you are awake. He thinks you are dying, but you seem to be doing better.”

  Patrice says, “Perhaps I am, though the infection continues.” Based on her
dream-visions, Patrice does not think she will die before she is wed and widowed. She suddenly realizes that means William will die. She knows it will not be long.

  “Perhaps is better than surely, ma’am.”

  Patrice states, “Should I live, I will not forget your service in this time of trial.”

  Betsa says, “I thank you, ma’am.”

  Before drifting into sleep, Patrice says, “I want my father’s armor and my sword.”

  Betsa says, “Your sword is here. I will send a message for your father’s armor to be brought.”

  William receives word that Patrice is awake. When he arrives and is led into her room, she is sleeping.

  Patrice wakes to Betsa gently touching her. Betsa says, “My Lady, Lord William is here.”

  William says, “Forgive my intrusion.”

  Patrice lies still and does not try to sit up. She says, “I am weary.” It is true. She is exhausted just from the effort of being cleaned.

  William asks, “What is your will?”

  Patrice says, “To be wed.”

  William says, “Then in the morning?”

  “Yes.” Patrice can stay awake no longer and falls into sleep.

  William looks at Betsa, “She is weak. We have suffered too much loss.”

  Betsa nods and the tears start as she thinks of Virgie. William mistakenly assumes the tears are for Patrice. He nods and leaves.

  Betsa cleans Patrice in the morning and Patrice is able to stay awake long enough to be wed. The ring William gives her is not a plain gold one, but one set with precious stones. She smiles when William kisses her tenderly. Patrice thinks she could get used to such kisses if she survives. According to the vision, William will not survive. Patrice drifts off.

  Patrice wakes to the sounds of battle. It seems to her that the fever is over or at least it has paused. She remembers the reoccurring dream she’d had. Or was it a vision? The fever has left her confused. She wonders if she is being fanciful. She stays awake long enough to eat and drink before going back to sleep.