Mary pulled the ragged boy close. “Thank you, Walley,” she said, “but you have stayed too long. They could come at any moment. You must leave at once!”
“Me?” Walley asked. “You’re coming too, aren’t you?”
“I’m afraid I’m too weak, Walley,” Mary said. “I could never endure such a walk.”
“But I can’t leave without you!” Walley stated.
“Walley, I just got out of bed this morning for the first time in days. I can’t walk all the way to Waterfront.”
“Can you walk around the room?” Walley asked.
“I suppose,” Mary said. “But what does that have to do with it?”
“Everything,” Walley said. “We can’t possibly get to Waterfront tonight anyway. If you can walk around the room, that’s a start. Once you’ve started, the Holy Spirit will give you the strength to continue. But we have to start.”
“Very well,” Mary said, “but I’m afraid I will only slow you down.”
“Let’s worry about that later,” Walley said. “We need to get a good drink before we leave. Will you need anything else?” He turned apprehensive eyes on her. They both remembered his last invitation to leave Capri. She had not been able to leave her “things” then.
Touching Walley’s arm, Mary whispered, “I won’t need anything else.”
Mary’s dress blended with the night. Walley had persuaded her to remove her white lace collar. Now she was glad she had. A pigeon, startled by their passage, fluttered into the night sky, its white wings shining brightly. “Mary,” she scolded herself, “you are just going to have to learn to trust and obey. Stop trying to insert your own will into everything.”
Holding Walley’s hand, she was amazed that her feet stayed beneath her. She seemed to grow stronger as she walked. She knew weariness would set in soon, but so far, so good.
The alley behind her house opened into a residential square where all the homes were surrounded by very tall fences. Together they passed unseen through the shadows.
“We’ll have to cross the street here,” Walley whispered. “Can you run?”
“I’ll try,” Mary said, lifting her skirt to her knees. She waited for Walley’s signal and then darted across the street and into some trees.
She was winded but able to catch her breath as they slipped from tree to tree. Another sprint brought them near the eastern edge of town.
Walley stopped suddenly in front of her.
“Whatever—” she began. But Walley shushed her so fast she held her tongue. They leaned against a ruin of a shed, and suddenly Mary stopped breathing. She could hear footsteps coming down the street. Walley motioned her to get down, and her knees had barely touched the earth when two men passed within twenty feet of them.
The two glanced at each other and breathed deeply. Walley crept to the corner of the shed and examined the street.
“It looks clear,” he whispered. “The next alley opens onto the road to Waterfront.”
Mary searched her memory, but she was quite sure the lad was correct.
“Remember,” Walley said, “if anything happens to me, you keep going. Find someone loyal to Philip Stafford, and warn him of attack.”
“Why are you telling me this, Walley?” Mary quizzed.
“Because Philip must be warned, and my task is nearly over,” Walley said.
“What are you talking about?” Mary demanded.
“I only have one more race to run!” Walley grinned. “The street looks clear. Are you ready to run?”
Mary was upset and confused, but there was no more time for questions. She nodded.
Together they stepped from the shadows and into the street. They did not run but walked briskly. Mary thought they had made it, but then she heard a shout behind her.
“Halt! Who goes there?”
Walley pushed her into the shadows. “Run!” he whispered. “I’ll draw them off.”
“Walley!” she gasped, but he was gone.
“I’m here, slowpokes!” Walley shouted to the guards.
Mary could not believe her ears or eyes. Walley stood in the middle of the street, shouting at the guards. He never once looked back at her but dashed farther into the street.
She knew she should run, but she stood transfixed. How could she leave Walley now?
Two men rushed past her hiding spot as they pursued Walley. “Halt!” one cried. “Halt or I’ll shoot!”
“Run, Walley,” Mary whispered. She could see the lad racing for the stone fence that surrounded Master Johnson’s estate. The fence was much higher than Walley’s head, and Mary began to fret. He’ll never be able to clear that wall, she thought. He’ll be trapped!
Walley reached the wall and jumped. His hands caught the upper layer of stone, and he scrambled quickly over the top.
Mary drew a deep breath, gathered her skirt to her knees, and fled into the night.
CHAPTER 49
Stonewall
Gandrel had been found dead at his home, and he had not died of old age. Multiple stab wounds covered his body, and his knuckles were skinned and bloody as if he had put up a good fight before going down.
“I want a full investigation,” Philip demanded. “Gandrel’s death must not go unpunished!”
Clarence Tiel was young and had no experience with murder. Indeed, he had only worked in the constable’s office a little over three weeks. “But, sir,” he said, “we don’t know anything.”
“Talk to his neighbors! Ask everyone he did business with! I want to know who killed my friend!” Philip shouted angrily.
“Easy, Philip!” Rhoop interrupted. “The lad is young!”
“Look, Rhoop, someone is planning our demise,” Philip exclaimed. “There’s a bounty on my life, you’ve been threatened, and Gandrel is dead! Where will this end? We have to find the culprit!”
Rhoop didn’t respond. He knew Philip would eventually get his emotions under control.
Katherine had been with Philip when he’d received the news of Gandrel’s death. She couldn’t help wondering if her cousin Mercinor Gammel had had anything to do with it, but murder?
She listened to more questions and fewer answers before rising to leave.
“Where are you going?” Philip asked.
“Home,” she said. “I’m not accomplishing anything here.”
“Katherine, you can’t go out tonight.” Philip was gentle but firm.
“Well, I can’t stay here,” she argued.
“I’m afraid I agree with Philip, Lady Katherine,” Rhoop inserted. “It seems much too dangerous to send you out after dark.”
“Katherine, you are in danger because of me,” Philip said sadly. “All my closest friends are in danger.”
Katherine turned away. Is a close friend all I am to you? she wondered.
“It wouldn’t be right to stay,” she said quietly.
Rhoop eyed the girl closely. “If propriety is your problem, you may stay in the barracks with the refugee children. I’m sure they could use a helping hand.”
Katherine’s eyes began to sparkle. “Could I?”
Both men nodded.
“Could you send someone to my father’s house to let them know where I am?” she asked.
“With pleasure.”
“Where is the old man?” the voice asked.
“Dead!” Mercinor snapped. “He wouldn’t come peaceably.” Gammel wondered how he’d ever gotten mixed up in this. He was sick of these clandestine meetings in the dark, never seeing a human face, only hearing a voice.
“Can’t you do anything right?” the voice asked.
Mercinor bristled, but he held his tongue in check.
“Get the girl!” the voice demanded.
“What girl?” Mercinor asked, stalling.
“Don’t be stupid. Philip
Stafford’s girlfriend! We might be able to control him if we have her,” the voice said.
Mercinor tarried. He didn’t like Katherine, but turning her over to this voice in the dark was unthinkable.
“Do we have the wrong man for the job?” the voice asked.
“What do you mean?” Mercinor snapped. “I’ll do it!”
“Prove it! Bring Katherine here tomorrow night, no excuses. And she’d better be alive!” The dark figure turned and disappeared into the night.
“Pushy old buzzard!” Mercinor grumbled. Being near the Tapestry Inn, he decided a little Barleyman brew might calm his nerves. Turning, he disappeared inside.
Philip and Katherine rode their horses slowly through the streets of Waterfront. Wheat harvest was complete, and people were readying themselves for the barley harvest. The atmosphere was much calmer than it had been during the riotous days after rumors of John Stafford’s death had washed across the nation like a destroying cancer.
This was Philip’s first day away from harvest, and he was taking advantage of the opportunity to see how things were going elsewhere among the people. However, Katherine was determined that the day should not be all work. When they reached the outskirts of town, she slapped her mount with the reins and shouted, “Race you to the top of the hill!”
Philip wasn’t ready for her challenge, but when Katherine raced by, his gelding responded. Philip’s horse, Shadow, was the fastest horse in Northglen, and he would never settle for second place in any race.
The earth flashed beneath Philip, and in a few moments Shadow had passed Katherine, leaving her far behind.
Though Philip pulled on the reins, Shadow ran undaunted toward the towering hills north and west of Waterfront. From far behind, they heard Katherine whistle, and Shadow began to slow his pace. Philip drew rein and was about to stop when Katherine thundered past, shouting, “What’s the matter, slowpokes?”
Philip grinned and followed the saucy girl. Once again, Shadow took up the challenge. Soon they were neck and neck with Katherine’s horse.
They slowed when they came to a small meadow, and there they walked their horses for a few minutes before dismounting. “You should pay more attention to your horse, Philip,” Katherine teased.
“He slowed for your whistle,” Philip said. “I didn’t know he would do that.”
“He won’t for everyone,” Katherine said, smiling. “Only for me.”
“Really!” Philip cried in mock dismay. “Have you been teaching my horse bad manners?” he asked.
Katherine gently stroked Shadow’s flaring nostrils. “He can run like the wind, Philip.” Her eyes shone with admiration.
“Yes,” Philip admitted. “It felt like I was flying.”
“You darling,” Katherine murmured, laying her head on the gelding’s neck. Shadow playfully nipped at her shoulder. She straightened and shook her finger. “Now, behave yourself, Shadow.”
Philip smiled. Katherine loved horses as much as life itself. Suddenly he wanted to hold her. Philip had always enjoyed Katherine’s friendship, her laughter and frolics, but today he wanted more. He wanted to capture her joy, her life, her heart.
Katherine sensed that something was different. Tossing her braids, she met his eyes and then quickly turned away.
“I—I’m sorry, Katherine,” Philip stammered.
“Sorry for what?” she asked, never taking her eyes from Philip’s gelding.
“I’m not sure,” Philip said. “I guess I was afraid.”
“Afraid of what?”
“Afraid of my thoughts,” Philip finished.
“Philip, you don’t have a bad thought in your body.”
Philip stepped close, and Katherine turned to meet him. The wind tossed stray hairs across her face, and her eyes sparkled like stars in a midnight sky.
“Katherine, I … “ Philip began.
Katherine closed her eyes. It seemed her dreams would come true.
Suddenly the breeze carried the distant bray of a trumpet to their ears. Katherine jumped as Philip moved toward the horses. “There’s trouble in town.”
Philip and Katherine traded horses before racing back to town, and Katherine felt right at home on Shadow’s back. She did think it strange to see Philip riding her little gray mare. They hurried out of the hills, and once they hit the flats, they raced toward the outskirts of town.
The sun was low in the western sky when Philip slowed Katherine’s mare to a trot and swung to the ground. “Katherine,” he called, “go straight to Stonewall. Tell Rhoop to send Peter with half the garrison!”
Katherine nodded, watching as Philip strapped on his armor. The young man turned to her. “Shadow bears you well.”
“He’s wonderful to ride, Philip. Thank you for the opportunity.” Katherine started to dismount, but Philip stopped her.
“Don’t get down, Katherine. Shadow is yours,” he said.
“What?”
“Shadow can outrun almost anything on four legs, and I’m hoping he can keep you out of danger,” Philip said.
“But you can’t give him away,” Katherine protested. “He’s your horse!”
“He’s not mine,” Philip said with a smile. “No one owns that horse. He is his own master, Katherine, and I think he’s chosen you.”
Katherine tried to blink back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. Stroking Shadow’s powerful neck, she watched Philip lift his shield from the saddle and strap it to his arm. She thought he looked a little silly. He was a farmer, not a warrior. Weapons looked out of place on his solid but gentle body.
Finding her voice, she asked, “Won’t you need Shadow worse than I do?” Silently she wished the great horse would carry Philip far away from danger.
“I won’t need a horse, Katherine. I’ll be on foot.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone else will be on foot,” Philip responded. He wrapped his huge hands around hers. “Katherine, will you do something for me?”
“Of course, I will, Philip,” she said. “I’ll ride into battle at your side, if you wish.” She actually considered herself a better candidate for battle than Philip.
“No.” Philip smiled. “What I’m going to ask of you is harder than that.”
Katherine frowned. “What is it, Philip?” She could not imagine what horrible task he was about to ask of her.
“I want you to pray,” Philip answered. “Ask the Lord to protect Amity and bring dismay to our enemies.”
“Pray?” Katherine asked, a bit crestfallen.
Philip noted her disappointment. “It’s a harder task than you might think.”
Katherine squeezed his hand. “Of course I’ll pray for you, Philip.”
“Katherine, I don’t think you realize what a difficult task I’m giving you. I may do battle on the field, but so will you. Unseen forces will keep you so busy you may forget to pray. They will discourage you until you feel everything is lost. The devil will try to sidetrack you in as many ways as he can. But you can overcome him! You must do battle to be victorious in prayer.”
Katherine bit her lip. She was thoroughly taken aback. Apparently the role of a prayer warrior was harder than she realized. Maybe she didn’t fully understand prayer or the power of the devil to hinder her.
Philip noted the change in her attitude. “Thank you, Katherine.” His lips touched her fingers, and he turned away.
Katherine bit her lip. Was she to be dismissed so easily?
Suddenly Philip turned back. “Katherine.”
In an instant she was off Shadow’s back and into Philip’s strong arms. “Oh, Philip!” she cried. “I’m so afraid for you. Please don’t go!”
“I have to go, Katherine,” Philip responded. “The people of Amity need me. But don’t worry. The Lord will keep us safe.”
Katherine wa
nted to believe that, but her faith seemed so small.
“Can you pray with me?” Philip asked.
Obediently Katherine bowed her head, but her mind drifted back to those brief moments far out in the country when Philip had held her in his arms. Suddenly her mind came back to the present, and she heard Philip pray, “Not our will, but Your will be done.”
Suddenly a terrible thought struck her. What if it was the Lord’s plan that Philip should die? How could she accept that? Opening her eyes, she studied the man before her. In minutes he might be fighting for his life.
She hugged Philip tighter. She could sense his impatience, but still she clung to him. When she finally released him, her cheeks were damp with tears.
Philip gently brushed her cheek. “You will pray, won’t you?” he asked.
Katherine nodded without speaking. Fumbling for Shadow’s stirrups, she swung into the saddle. Philip reached for her. Their fingers touched, and their eyes met. And then he was off, running toward town. A horn was blowing, and Katherine could imagine the clash of weapons and the sounds of war.
In the shadow of some trees not far from the river, Mercinor Gammel lowered his spyglass and frowned. “It’s working,” he said. Even as he spoke, his conscience smote him. How can I betray my own cousin? he wondered. Still, she asked for it by siding with Philip. He’s out of power now, and I can’t help it if something bad happens to her.
“Great.” His companion grinned.
“You keep Philip busy,” Mercinor said. “Break windows, burn houses, whatever it takes. There is no real need for violence. There will be enough of that when Jan DeKlerk gets here. But if you get a clear shot at Philip, take it. The reward money stands until tomorrow.”
“What are you going to do?” his companion asked.
“I’ll get Katherine.”
Katherine rode Shadow and led her mare through the darkened streets of Waterfront. She thought about how large the town seemed tonight. Stonewall was only a distant tower in the darkening sky.
Suddenly a door opened on a nearby cottage. Candle light filtered into the dark street, and she saw an old man step from the house. He turned and spoke to a girl inside. “Calm the little ones, and do not open this door to anyone! Do you understand?”
Beyond the Fire Page 50