Bourne (River of Time 3.1 Novella)

by Lisa Bergren

  The others were all quickly dispatched, half beginning their trek on that western road. With Castello Forelli lying on the far northeastern border, most of our allies of the brotherhood were to our west and southwest. Matteo, a young archer, was sent to Castello Rizzo. Lutterius was sent toward the only contact in Umbria. A shiver ran down my back.

  It'd been my idea to summon the brotherhood when we were on the brink of demise. But had coming to save our lives only resulted in the end of theirs?

  What's done is done, my dad said. I straightened and wrapped my skirts around my legs as my sister had done. Dad was right. I had to focus on what we could do, not what we couldn't go back and change. Those men had saved us. And I aimed to repay the favor.

  ***

  ~EVANGELIA~

  Gabi and I held hands a moment before we parted.

  "See you soon," she said meaningfully.

  "See you soon," I agreed. There was never a good-bye between us. Only the promise to reunite.

  Then she and Captain Pezzati entered a narrow trail—a shortcut through the woods—and Luca and I left to find the village of Gallo. We took an old Roman road for a time, heading directly south and then, like my sister, entered a smaller trail that climbed steeply over three hills and dumped us into an abandoned village, little more than a courtyard and crumbling well and the remains of five buildings. We paused at the well, hoping to bring up water for our horses and ourselves, but it was dry.

  Luca groaned, and I tried to gather enough saliva in my mouth to swallow. Not that I'd been able to manage that in the last hour. "Forgive me, m'lady," he said, turning miserable eyes up to me.

  "For what?" I asked with a wry smile. "For allowing the well to run dry?"

  "For not stopping sooner. You must be parched."

  "No more than you. I'll drink my fill at Villa Gallo. How much farther is it?"

  "A half hour or so."

  "Let us be on with it, then."

  But he didn't move to his horse. He turned and looked over his shoulder, northward, squinting.

  "Luca...what is it?"

  He looked at me, surprised, as if he'd forgotten I was there. "Luca," I said. "You're frightening me."

  He shook his head. "Forgive me." Quickly, he mounted and turned to resume our journey.

  But I remained where I was. "Tell me."

  "'Tis nothing," he said.

  "Clearly 'twas something," I insisted.

  He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "'Tis only that I was thinking about Lady Gabriella's fear for our own, back at Castello Forelli."

  A shiver ran down my neck. Mom and Dad. "And?"

  "And I am confident they will be well," he said, reaching a hand out to me, apology in his eyes. "Nay, 'tisn't that. It's my sister. My aunt and uncle."

  I held my breath. Oh. "But are they Forellis?" To my knowledge, I'd never met a Forelli beyond those outside the castello.

  "Nay. But my sister is. And if word spreads of Adela's return...even though I haven't lived alongside her in a decade..."

  "They might come after them."

  He nodded gravely.

  "Quickly," I said, nudging my mare in the flanks. "Let us warn our friends at Villa Gallo, and once we borrow a proper saddle for me, we shall go at once to your kin."

  He caught up with me. "We shall warn our friends, and when you are properly guarded, I shall see to my kin."

  I stared straight ahead. We'll see about that.

  ***

  So I was totally relieved when we rode up to the sprawling villa surrounded by a rather meager wall and saw that clearly all was well. No smoke rose from her rooftop; no soot-covered servants stumbled out. "Sir Luca Forelli and Lady Evangelia Bettarini, here to see your lord at once!" he called up to two guards who looked down at us with a dubious expression.

  At our names, the two shared an alarmed glance and immediately disappeared to let us in. Were only the two of them on guard? We'd have to insist that Lord Gallo's family flee to the safety of Siena for a time. Or bring on more mercenaries to help guard their flanks. I looked around. They were at the top of a hill, but the woods crept close on two sides. I shivered, remembering the flames atop Castello Santi's towers. If our enemies could enter and destroy our friends there, how much more vulnerable were these?

  I laughed at myself, then. When had I become a battle strategist?

  My days of thinking about a date for the Snowball dance or my desire for a new smartphone never seemed so distant as they did in that moment.

  The gates opened, and Lord Gallo and his lady strode toward us across the small courtyard in front of the villa. Luca dismounted and then came around to help me. "Close the gates!" he called to the guards. Hastily, they obeyed.

  "My friends!" Lord Gallo said, his round face marked by confusion. "To what do we owe the favor of your visit so soon after parting?"

  "'Tis most grave business, I fear," Luca said. "Gavino, I cannot tarry long. Might you water my horse and send someone to fetch provisions? I must be away at once."

  "My horse as well," I said.

  Lord Gallo looked at us in further confusion. Luca shot me an irritated glance, and I returned one of determination. "Of course," the young lord said, pretending not to notice. He waved to a squire, and the boy ran up, retrieved our horses, and led them away. The noblewoman, about twenty-two and with plain but dignified features, wrapped a wary hand through her husband's arm.

  "M'lord, m'lady," Luca said, "we've rushed to warn you of grave danger. Castello Santi was attacked this morning, and both Lord and Lady Santi, as well as their little son and servants, were murdered."

  Lady Gallo gasped and brought a hand to her mouth. She looked over her shoulder. On the villa steps were two little girls, one holding a baby. None of the children was older than five.

  Luca eyed Lord Gallo. "There was some indication that the attack was retribution for the brotherhood coming to our aid. If Castello Santi fell, your villa may very well be indefensible," he said. "You must retreat to Siena for a time."

  "Impossible," Lord Gallo said, looking dazed. "They would never come this far south. And how are they to know which lords are of the brotherhood and which are merely loyal Sienese answering the Nine's call?"

  Luca paused. "I asked the same question. But Gavino," he said lowly, as Lord Gallo's wife glanced over her shoulder to the children again. "These were trained killers. They may have very well used Santi's loved ones as bait to find out what they wished to know."

  Lord Gallo looked offended, angry. "He would not have betrayed us. Not Santi."

  Luca returned his grim stare. "They entered Castello Santi and murdered everyone they could catch, then burned her. There shall be little left of her walls come nightfall. They cut Nerina's ankles, Gavino—as well as some of his servants—with a triangle, to send us a message. No one knows what Santi did or did not divulge before it ended for them." He swallowed. "Do you wish to take such risk with your own? Here?"

  Lord Gallo looked from Luca to his wife, then his children, visibly shaken. Some of his knights were beginning to appear, summoned by the servants. "I shall get them to the city," he said slowly, deliberately. "Mayhap it's best, for a time. Until this ends."

  "Mayhap," Luca agreed. "Can you pack and go at once? And take Lady Evangelia with you? Deliver her to Palazzo Forelli in Siena?"

  I bit my tongue. It wouldn't do to argue. Not yet.

  "Of course, of course," Lord Gallo said.

  "I've forgotten myself," Lady Gallo said, taking my arm. "Would you not like to come in, Lady Betarrini, and take your ease for a bit?"

  "Some water would be most welcome, and a bit of bread if you have it. But truly, m'lady," I said, putting my grubby hand on hers. "You must gather your kin and be away from here at once. What we've seen this day..." I shook my head and then looked at the kids again. "Please," I whispered. "Trust me when I say you must find safety in the city."

  She met my gaze, fear in her brown eyes, and nodded once. Relieved, I followed her
into a sprawling sitting room and washed my hands in a basin, then immediately poured my own silver goblet full of water, gulping it down before pouring another. A servant stood by, looking chagrined that I'd beaten her to it. But I didn't care. "Pack your things," I demanded, summoning every bit of my lady-ness I could. "You're to go to Siena within the hour. Tell the others, too. No one but fighting men are to be left behind."

  Her eyes widened, and she scurried off.

  Luca entered then, following the maid with a curious expression, then looked back to me. He poured himself a goblet full of water as well and drank it down, wiping his lips with the back of his hand. "Will you go with them, to Siena?"

  "Nay. I go with you, or I return home to Castello Forelli."

  He sighed and looked to the window. "'Tis gathering dark out there, Evangelia. Go with them to the city. There will be Forelli knights there who can see you to the castello come morn, if that is what you wish." He set down his goblet and took my hands in his, love and fear alive in every line of his face. "Please," he whispered. "Please."

  My heart softened. He was so sweet. And all he wanted was for me to be far from harm. You had to admire a guy who wanted to keep you from death. I studied him. Maybe he'd move faster without me. Maybe he'd have a better chance to reach his aunt and uncle, his sister. Be safer, if he didn't feel he had to protect me rather than watch out for himself. "If I must," I said, resignedly.

  "Thank you," he said, lifting my hands to his lips. He kissed my knuckles and looked like he was having serious thoughts about leaning in for a real one on the lips, when Lord Gallo entered.

  "Pardon me, Luca, m'lady," he said, ducking his head.

  "Nay," Luca said, dropping my hands. "Come."

  "We can be ready within ten minutes," he said.

  "Your servants, too, Gavino," Luca asked. "Leave none but a few knights."

  Lord Gallo gave him a momentarily confused look and then nodded once. A servant passed by him, a tray full of bread, cheese, and fruit in her hands. She set it beside me and Luca. "Eat your fill," Lord Gallo said to us. "Fetch them some cloths," he added, speaking to the servant. "Sir Forelli shall need additional provisions for the road."

  The girl bobbed a quick curtsy and scurried out to do as he bid.

  ***

  Outside, Luca took my hands in his and kissed them again as the others milled about, shouting and chatting excitedly. "Do not wither as you pine for me," he said with a grin.

  I was so glad to see him smile—something that had been spookily rare in recent days—that I grinned with him. "Miss you? What shall I miss? You ordering me about?"

  "Nay, me following your every move, wishing I could be holding your hand every time you were in the room, wishing I could hear every word you speak, taste—"

  "Enough of your idle prattle!" I said, pushing him away. He was being silly. But I immediately felt the distance between us with a shiver and wished I could pull him closer again. "You come back alive, Luca Forelli," I demanded with a pretend glower.

  "Now who is ordering whom?"

  "I am ordering you," I said, stepping forward to grab hold of his tunic in my fists, as if I intended to shake some sense into him. But then, before I could talk myself out of it, I pulled him closer and kissed him on the lips.

  Lady Gallo gasped. One of the little girls squealed. But I ignored them. I could only look up and into Luca's beautiful green eyes.

  He didn't move as I eased away, only stood there with shock and love and hope and triumph in his gaze. "I shall wear that kiss, m'lady," he whispered, "like a tattoo on my heart."

  "Yes, well," I sniffed, releasing and smoothing out his tunic. "See to it that you return to me with more fervor than you show even to your sacred brothers."

  He grinned as I started to back away, stepping forward and wrapping an arm around my lower back. He pulled me to him, swift and sure, making me softly gasp. Then he gently tipped up my chin and kissed me so softly, so longingly, that I closed my eyes, giving in to it. It was his turn to release me, leaving me in a daze. Gradually I looked around the courtyard and saw that everyone was staring at us, most with grins on their faces.

  "Be it known," Luca said loudly, still looking nowhere but at me, "that Lady Evangelia Betarrini is my lady." He raised his arms like a triumphant wrestler in the ring of the WWE arena, and I giggled. Even if he hadn't asked me.

  "Really, Luca," I said below my breath, feeling the heat of a blush rise up my neck and cheeks. "Must you act so...victorious?"

  "Oh yes, I must," he said, with a nod, grinning. "I most certainly must." He leaned closer. "I shall count the hours until we are reunited. And then we shall practice that kiss," he added in a whisper.

  "You hope," I chided.

  He raised his eyebrows. "I do." His grin faded as concern again overtook him. "Take close care, my love."

  I took those last two words in. My love. And then I nodded. "You as well."

  His impish smile returned. "First the kiss," he whispered. "In the days to come, the mad profession of love."

  "Is that how it shall transpire?" I asked, raising a brow.

  "Oh yes," he said, tossing me a cocky grin. He settled his hands at my waist, and I resisted the urge to pull him in for another kiss. "How else would it transpire?" He lifted me up onto my mount, this time on a real saddle, regardless of Lady Gallo's disdain.

  "Until we meet at Castello Forelli," I said, reaching down to take his hand, after he settled my feet into the stirrups.

  "I shall hasten to your side as soon as I can," he said, kissing my knuckles. He reluctantly left me and mounted in that arcing swing I so admired. Then with a hand over his heart, he broke our gaze, said farewell to the Gallos, and rode out of the villa gates.

  CHAPTER NINE

  ~GABRIELLA~

  Under guard of a Forelli patrol who'd run across us, Captain Pezzati and I rode through the castello gates just as the sun set in the winter sky. I wearily dismounted and took Mom's hands and hugged her, then Dad, seeing in their expressions echoes of my own grief. Marcello emerged from the Great Hall doorway then, limping as he hurried over to me. "Ah, Gabriella, Gabriella," he said, holding my head and kissing me on both cheeks before pulling me into his arms. But his body was rigid, angry. "How could you have taken such risks?"

  "I am well, Marcello," I soothed, taking his arm and urging him back toward the Great Hall. He paused to clasp hands with Captain Pezzati. But I pulled him toward the warmth of an evening fire in the fireplace. The last thing he needed was such stress as he battled to recover. I wanted to at least sit down as we figured out our next steps.

  "Are they all back?" I asked. "Everyone from our party?"

  He glanced down at me and shook his head. "Nay. Luca, Evangelia, Rodolfo, Georgii, and Lutterius are still out."

  I frowned. It made sense that Rodolfo and the twins were still absent—they had the farthest to go. But Luca and Lia? I looked toward Captain Pezzati, and he looked equally puzzled. He'd wagered that they'd beat us home.

  "But there is no word from Villa Gallo?" he asked. "No smoke from that direction?"

  "Nay." He shrugged and gave me a wink. "Mayhap the two of them are merely lingering on their way home."

  "Mayhap," I said, knowing he was just trying to distract me, give me something to hope for. It was fine with me if Lia and Luca finally got on with things. And to be fair—their absence didn't have to be the equivalent of life-threatening danger. Maybe they were just hanging out, grabbing the rare chance to chat, hold hands, flirt...without all the castle gossips watching it unfold. But...would they? After what we had witnessed at Castello Santi? I couldn't imagine it. Lia would know we'd be worrying.

  Captain Pezzati was waylaid by other knights, who reached out to clasp hands with him in greeting. I went to the fire crackling in the mammoth stone fireplace and lifted my hands toward the flames, realizing that I'd become chilled in the evening air. "What report from the others?" I asked, partially turning toward my husband as he took his chair
with obvious pain.

  His brow furrowed. "They attempted to infiltrate Castello Rizzo, too, but were turned away by wary guards. Matteo reached her gates ten minutes after they left, and went after them, but lost their trail."

  I nodded, rubbing my temples between my thumb and middle finger. When Marcello fell silent, I looked his way again and knew immediately. Mom and Dad looked stricken too. "Oh, no," I moaned. "Nay, nay. Who else?"

  It was Marcello's turn to rub his temples. "Lord Hercolani. God be praised, his wife and baby were away."

  I put my hand over my mouth and turned back to the fire, feeling ill. "No one else?" I asked, my strangled voice sounding foreign to my own ears. "Everyone else is safe?"

  "So far," Marcello said.

  "You saw nothing suspicious on the road?" Mom asked, rising to stand beside me, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.

  "Nay. All was calm. Some farmers. A shepherd. Not even another knight, besides Captain Pezzati and our own men."

  She took a deep breath. "Good, then. I'd take that as a good omen that Lia and Luca will soon be home too."

  "I hope so, Mom," I said, covering her hand with my own and leaning my head toward hers.

  ***

  ~EVANGELIA~

  We were nearing Siena as the sun grew low in the sky. I shivered and wrapped my cape more tightly around me, wishing I'd taken my heavier one this morning when I set out or thought to ask Lady Gallo for a spare one to borrow. But the city was getting closer, visible in the distance. Soon enough we'd be inside her walls, weaving our way toward the palazzo, where I could settle by a merry fire and later sink into a soft feather bed, beneath piles of blankets to warm me....