by Carm Nicosi
The serf paused, and motioned with the mug, until he took it. When he merely held the mug, she motioned for him to drink the contents of it. Brant was not sure he wanted to take any chances, with anything, he might be given to drink around there. However, his mind was still pretty fuzzy, so hoping that the drink would indeed help wake him up, he drank it. The serf held out her hand to take the empty mug, so he handed it back to her.
“We will give ye some privacy to get dressed, when ye feel up to it,” she said.
The serf turned to make her exit. The armed guard followed her out.
After they left him, Brant gave in to the groggy unsteadiness he was feeling, and lay back on the bed, wondering if he would soon be fast asleep, again. However, true to her word, in a short time he was feeling much more alert. As he rose to dress, the unsteadiness he had felt upon waking, had left him. Once he was dressed, Brant walked to the open cell door, and exited the jail. Three knights were sitting on a bench, outside in the courtyard. They nodded in greeting, but made no attempt to detain him, so he continued on to the hall. Once he was past them, the knights rose, and followed him.
Brant saw his weapons laying on the Lord’s table, right beside where he had sat for the evening meal, so he went to retrieve them. Gertrude approached with a bowl of porridge, and a cup of milk, setting them down on the table.
“Lady Isabel regrets ‘aving to leave, to take care of some important business,” Gertrude said. “Will ye be staying longer, or are ye planning to leave this morning, as ye said yesterday, Me Lord?”
“Did the lady say where she was going, to take care of this business?” Brant asked the serf.
“Nay, Me Lord. Just that she ‘ad to meet with a Count,” the serf answered.
After getting confirmation, that Isabel had taken Nathaniel with her, Brant informed the serf that he and his men, would be leaving right after breakfast.
Brant sat down at the table to eat some of the porridge, and drink the milk, that Gertrude had placed there. That done, he ascended the stairs to the chamber Isabel had occupied, a day earlier. Looking around the room, he saw the evidence that she was no longer there. Her duffle, and Nathaniel’s clothing, that she had been packing yesterday, were gone. He walked across the passageway to the Solar. If Isabel was still hiding in the Castle, he was not likely to find her now.
He found his duffle was sitting on the bed open, as if someone had gone through his things. However, when he looked inside to see if anything was missing, Brant found a large leather covered binder in the bottom, under his clothing. A note instructed him to take the tomb, and hide it someplace safe. He pulled it out to examine it. Inside was a large stack of parchments, some with writing, others containing diagrams. He tucked the flap back into place to close the binder, and placed it back in his bag. Apparently, Isabel had put the tomb in his belongings, though he had no idea why, or what it was for. He took the repacked duffle and returned to the hall, where his knights were finishing their morning repast. Brant told them they were leaving as soon as possible, while he thought to himself, if they let us.
His men rose, and followed him to the stables to get their horses. When the destries were saddled, the knights mounted, and were allowed to ride out of the Castle gates. Once outside the high stone walls, they rode hard for several hours, to put some distance between them, and that place. When they finally came to a village that Brant recognized as being on one of his properties, he slowed down to avoid tiring the horses.
Feeling that any danger was passed, Brant focused on looking for some logical explanation, for what Isabel was doing. He was her husband. According to the law of the land, he owned her, and all her resources. Yet, her people had supported her, following her authority, over his. They had drugged him, and his men, then carried his weak body to her jail, and left him there, for her to do what she would with him. Did they know her intent? Why would she do that? She had his heir, yet, he awoke this morning alive, and well, so he was not dealing with a greedy bride, who wished him harm. She could have had him killed in his sleep. Instead, Isabel had placed guards to see to his safety. Was he in danger, as she had implied? He was not at war with anyone since Avery’s death. Did he have an unknown enemy? Avery had raged about someone double crossing him. Brant thought he had meant Sir Richard, after finding Esme at Lady Ann’s. Was that assumption wrong?
As Brant rode toward his stronghold, more questions assailed his mind. He recalled that only some of the men at the evening meal, were drugged. Some of those who were not, he had thought were his men. However, he was not able to think clearly enough to be sure, or determine which ones, if any, might have been working against him. Then, there was the question of what the leather binder that had been placed in his belongings, was. As soon as he got home, he would have to examine that, to see if he could gain any clues from it. Twas almost like he was lured to her Castle, but why? She had seduced him, after reminding him of her comments, about keeping him in her dungeon, as a plaything. Twas as if she set out to convince him, he did not want to be with her. Then prove to him, she could make his body respond to physical feelings, his mind was opposed to. Why?
Ever since the Lady Isabel had forced her way into his life, Brant had been left wondering, if he knew what was going on. He kept discovering the answer to that question, was no. On the other hand, whatever was going on, his wife was in it, right up to her neck.
It was late in the afternoon, when Brant arrived home. Ann met him in the hall, anxious for any information about Isabel. He carried the duffle through the hall to the stairs, motioning for Lady Ann to follow him up to his Solar. Once there, Brant retrieved the binder from his bag.
“Have you ever seen this?” Brant asked Lady Ann.
“Aye. That was my husband’s. I saw it several times, but never paid much attention. He said it was something he was given to keep, when he was betrothed to Lady Gwenivere, by her father,” Ann replied.
“Your husband was married to another, before you?” Brant asked.
“Nay,” Ann answered. “The Lady and her father, were killed in a robbery, by raiders. However, Edmund always claimed it was no robbery, twas an assassination. He would not explain why, he believed that, though. Where did you get that, anyway?”
Brant answered, “It was placed in my duffle, with this note to hide it someplace safe. Is that Isabel’s handwriting?”
He held the note up for Ann’s inspection. Ann nodded in the affirmative.
“Aye, that looks like her writing,” she answered.
Brant continued, “I believe she may have gotten herself into something dangerous. She was at the Castle when we arrived, but her people drugged my men, and I. This morning, her and Nathaniel were gone. Her serfs claimed they had no idea where she was going, other than, that she was going to meet with some Count.”
Brant paused, looking at Ann, to see if she had any knowledge of the situation, but she looked as confused as he was.
“Anyway,” he continued, “While I try to discover what is going on, please do not mention to anyone, that we have had any news of Isabel.”
Taking this as a dismissal, Ann nodded to him, and left the Solar.
Alone in his bedchamber, Brant opened the binder to look at the contents. The first pages were clearly a betrothal contract. His attention quickly peaked, as he noted the name of Lady Gwenivere’s dower property. He was certain that the listed fief, was now held by his cousin, Niles. Brant had assumed that the fief was part of Niles’ inheritance. Yet, twenty years earlier, it was this Lady’s dowry. How could that be?
Brant decided to search out Rosamund to question her, again, about Isabel and the Duke. However, when he opened the door into the passage, she was there conversing with Ann. He asked her to come into the Solar. When the serf moved to comply, Lady Ann followed.
“Rosamund, did Isabel ever say anything about Niles, other than what you mentioned before?” Brant asked, once they were ensconced in the chamber.
“Nay, Me Lord,” she replied.
“Oh, except when she was told Avery was dead. Isabel said she wondered, who the Duke would get to do ‘is dirty work, now. Do you think ‘er disappearance has something to do with ‘im?”
“He has been here several times, asking if we have any information on her whereabouts, has he not?” Ann asked.
“I have no idea what is going on. Therefore, there is no way to know, who might be involved. I would not think my cousin, would be involved in anything nefarious. However, not knowing what the situation is, I cannot really guess who it involves. All I am sure of, is that Isabel and Nathaniel, were safe and well, yesterday. Isabel seemed to believe there was some danger. So I think it best, that we say nothing about any of this, to anyone, understood?” Brant responded.
Both women readily nodded in agreement. Brant was sure that phrasing it as protecting Isabel, would keep both women silent.
“If you think Isabel may be in some danger, mayhap, it would be best if I return home. That would give her another place to turn to for help. What do you think, Brant?” Ann directed to her son-in-law.
“That may be a good idea. I need to give this more thought, so if you will excuse me, ladies,” Brant said, dismissing the two women.
After the women left, he looked through a few more pages, from the binder. They mainly consisted of diagrams, or layouts of various Castles, and Keeps. All properties, appeared to be those held by either him, or his cousin. So the matter, likely involved both of them, though Brant was not sure if Niles, was a friend, or a foe. As Isabel seemed to be suspicious of Niles, he decided it would be best not to share any information with him, yet.
Twas the height of the harvest time, and Brant had much to do, in seeing to preparations for winter. His tenants paid some of their rent for lands they farmed, in a share of their crops. Therefore, he had put the mysterious binder away, where he believed it would be safe, while he dealt with the harvest. He also increased the number of men he had ride with him, when he left the Castle. Not knowing whether he was in danger, as Isabel said, he was averse to straying too far. He had even sent his best accounts people, to some of the more distant properties, rather than going himself.
Three weeks after his visit to Isabel’s Castle, he still had no word from his people that were watching the place, that his wife or son, had been spotted. Lady Ann had returned home, but messages from her indicated that she had not seen, or heard from her daughter, either. While he was pondering this, and whether there was more he could do to find them, the sentry announced a messenger.
To say the least, the message was not to Brant’s liking. It basically said that Isabel, now one and eight, had petitioned the Crown, on compelling grounds. She was asking for an official order, granting her complete control, and management, of her properties, and vassals. The missive further stated, that unless Brant could prove irrefutably, that she was incapable of managing her estates, the King was wont to grant her petition.
In a few rare instances, woman were allowed control of their holdings, but mostly this only covered dower properties. Brant was sure, he had never heard of the Crown granting control of land holdings to a woman, without her husband’s consent. Yet, according to this message, such was about to be granted to his wife. If that happened, Brant was afraid he might never see his son, again.
The messenger was standing there, nervously waiting for Brant's reply. So, he told the messenger that he strongly objected, to his wife's petition being granted. He would consent to it if, and only if, his son Nathaniel were immediately returned to his care, to be raised in his home. Did the King grant Isabel's petition, without ordering the return of Nathaniel to him, he would have no choice, but to declare war on his wife. Thereby, allowing him to knock down her fortresses, one by one, until he found the child.
By the time Brant finished speaking, the messenger, and his escorts, all appeared to be looking a little pale. When the messenger spoke, his voice seemed to waver, slightly.
"Aye, My Lord. Is that your complete reply?" he asked.
"Aye," Brant said. "I will send my representative, to make my case with the King, shortly. In the meantime, I will write down what I just told you, so you do not forget anything. If you will wait a few minutes, you can take my reply back with you."
The messenger merely nodded, before he and his escorts, beat a hasty retreat, to await Brant's written reply outside.
Twas nearly a month later, when the King’s men returned, to deliver another message. This time, the message was a little more to Brant's liking.
The Lady Isabel was agreeable to returning Nathaniel to his father's home, by no later than, the first day of December. Being as agreement had been reached, Isabel now had complete control of her resources, and people, by order and authority, of the Crown.
Brant was surprised, that Isabel had supposedly agreed to give him the child. Actually, shocked and suspicious, was more accurate. Twas more likely, her agreement was a ploy, to give her time to vanish with Nathaniel. He told the messenger exactly that.
The vassal replied, "The King has assurances from both the Lady, and her supporters, that she will not flee with the child. Though, this is a rather odd petition, in that it claims risk to the Lady, and her family, but does not ask that the marriage be set aside."
"Oh, this seems odd to you?" Brant asked, smiling, and emphasizing the 'you'.
"Aye, My Lord," He answered, awkwardly. "I have been delivering messages like this from time to time, for years. This action always, includes ending the marriage. In any case, I have a written copy of the order, and the contingencies, does one party not honor it."
Brant laughed at the man's discomfort, and said, "Well, if that is all, you may go."
Once again, the messenger and his escorts, beat a hasty retreat, causing Brant to laugh again. This pretty much summed up the last year and a half, of his life. He thought about his father’s hints that Brant needed to start thinking about marriage, and an heir. He wondered what Eric would think of this. He was pretty sure, his sire would not be handling things any better than Brant was. The world was supposed to work a certain way. However, since Isabel invaded his life, how his world worked, had been turned on its ear. Twas classic Isabel. Brant had no idea what in Hades was going on. But if his wife could be trusted, he would shortly have his son back under his protection.
On the 27th day of November, Lady Ann arrived to visit. Knowing how concerned she was about Isabel, Brant had sent word to her. He had briefly explained the agreement, in which Isabel was to return Nathaniel to him. Neither, Nathaniel or Isabel, had shown up, yet. Nor had any of his people, seen any trace of his wife. Ann settled in to wait, as the 28th day of the month passed.
In mid afternoon on the 29th day, Brant was having a tankard of ale, with some of his Castle Knights. Ann was sitting with Esme, and Hannah, sewing near the hearth. Without warning, Beatrice appeared at the top of the stairs, holding a child. Two burly knights walked behind her, as she descended the staircase. Brant was stunned, to see her inside his home.
Walking over to him, she said, "It is good to see ye well, Me Lord. This is Jeffery, and Angus. They will be staying with Nathaniel. Isabel says, I am to see to the care of the child."
The serf handed the child over to his sire.
Recovering from his surprise, Brant said, "I do not recall the sentry announcing company. Would you care to tell me, how you got in my Castle?"
"Lady Isabel escorted us in," Beatrice replied, not really explaining how, they came to be inside the Castle.
Ann had approached, and asked the serf, "Is the Lady here, too?"
"My Lady regrets that twill take a few more days, to complete ‘er business. Therefore, after having accompanied us here, she had to travel on," Beautrice answered.
"What if I do not want Jeffery, and Angus, to stay here?" Brant asked in irritation, recognizing the knights from Isabel's jail.
"I believe that would be a problem, for both your wife, and the King," Beautrice replied softly. "If you ‘ave other questions, mayhap,
we can talk about them in private. Twould be best, would ye cooperate, Me Lord. I am sure ye would like to spent some time with Nathaniel. Isabel said ‘is things were normally placed near the hearth, when ‘e was in the hall?"
Brant could not help but notice, her use of the word cooperate. Richard had told him to cooperate. He had heard it from Isabel. He was getting tired of it. What would they do, if he did not cooperate? Would he find himself back in some dungeon?
Chapter 16
For the next two days, Beautrice took care of Nathaniel, whenever he was not with his father or grandmother, and Jeffery and Angus, stayed nearby. Mid morning on the first of December, Isabel appeared at the top of the stairs, and descended to the hall.
Lady Ann, who was sitting near the hearth with Nathaniel, rushed over to hug her daughter.
“Thank God, you are alright," Ann said. "I have been so worried about you. What have you gotten yourself involved in?"
Taking her son from her mother’s arms, Isabel hugged the child to her.
Isabel replied to Ann’s question, "There is absolutely nothing going on, that you can help with. Though hopefully, my largest concern will soon be resolved. You really need not worry, Mother. Believe me, I have enlisted the aid, of those best positioned to help."
While the two women had been greeting each other, one of the Brant’s Knights, had left the hall to find him. He rushed in, a short while later, with the knight several steps behind him. Without a word, Brant walked to Isabel's side. Grasping her arm, he began leading her toward the stairs. Jeffery and Angus, moved from where they had been having a tankard, to the bottom of the stairs, blocking Brant's path.
Stopping in front of them, Brant asked, "Do you gentlemen have a problem, with me speaking to my wife?"
"Nay, My Lord, there is no problem with you talking to the Lady," Angus answered, looking pointedly at Brant's grip, on Isabel's arm. "However, we are under orders to see that the Lady is not harmed. It seems like some of her recent activity, may have made you a little angry."