Enemy of My Enemy

by Carm Nicosi

  Brant let go of Isabel's arm, glaring at the knight. Obviously, these men, who had been foisted on him, intended to keep him from getting to the bottom of, whatever his wife was up to.

  Isabel turned slightly toward Brant, and said, "As I was telling my mother, hopefully, much of this current difficult situation, will be resolved within a few days. I have decided, I like the room across the passage from your Solar, if that is alright with you." When Brant sent another glare in her direction, she continued, "Aye, My Lord, I can see that it is fine, with you."

  Thwarted in his attempt to get Isabel alone where he could question her, Brant turned, and angrily walked to the table. A serf brought him a tankard, which he immediately took a big draught from in frustration.

  Isabel spotted Rosamund near the hearth, and went to greet her.

  "Tis good to see you well, Rosamund," Isabel said. "I was concerned that my actions, might have repercussions for you."

  "Ye had us all very worried, Me Lady," Rosamund chided. "I was afraid you might not return."

  "Well, as you can see, I am fine. Could you do me a favor, and see if Cora is around?" Isabel asked.

  "Aye," Rosamund answered, and went in search of the requested serf.

  Isabel greeted the others there by the hearth, all the while, hugging her babe to her. She deflected any questions about where she had been, these past few months, offering no explanations. Minutes later, Rosamund appeared with Cora in tow. Isabel went to meet the women halfway.

  "Have you been seeing to that matter, I asked you to take care of for me, Cora?" Isabel asked, without preamble.

  Cora replied, "I did the first time, but Nora said the second time, that ye was gone. She was not going to do it, unless ‘Is Lordship says it is alright. Ye know how she feels about that. So I just gave ‘er some of the money ye left."

  "I see," Isabel said. "If I have Nora get the supplies ready, could you take them to the village? Mayhap, you can have William go with you?"

  "Byron would be better, Me Lady. I think he is sweet on her," Cora countered.

  Isabel laughed, and replied, "By all means ask Byron, then."

  After giving Nathaniel one more big hug, Isabel handed the babe over to Rosamund, and headed to the kitchens, to find Nora.

  Brant watched this exchange from across the room, listening intently to every word. He found himself very uncomfortable, seeing his wife talk so amiably, with his former favorite tart. He wanted to know what this matter, they had discussed was. This was his Castle, he had a right to know about everything going on here. Assuming Isabel would not be telling him about the 'matter', he sent one of his knights to the village, to wait for Cora, and see where she went. Brant himself, suggested that a couple of his men joined him out in the practice yard, to cover his interest in Isabel's activity.

  Twas about a half an hour later, when Brant saw Cora and Byron, leaving to complete their errand in the village. They were carrying what he guessed were supplies from his Castle. He was going to find out where they were taking them, and why.

  Later that day, Brant was directed to the hut in the village, where his supplies had been taken. He tapped at the door, and it was opened by a young woman, who was familiar to him. It took him several moments, to recall that her name was Ruth.

  “May I come in?” Brant asked, pressing forward without waiting for a reply.

  Brushing past Ruth, he spied the only other occupant of the hut, a young girl of about seven years of age. He stopped short, noting how much she looked like Nathaniel. He tried to move closer to the child.

  Ruth stepped in front of him, and said, “Leave us alone, Me Lord.”

  He noted that her voice wavered slightly, and she looked really frightened of him. Yet, she placed herself between him, and the child.

  “How is it, that my wife was here for only a couple of months, and Isabel knows about her. While I have lived here her whole life, and I am just now finding out?” Brant demanded.

  “Me sire went to the ol’ Lord, about how ye hurt me. When I knew I was to ‘ave the babe, I did not want ye to know. But me father said, ye should see to ‘er needs. Yer sire agree to see to her, and not tell ye, cause we was afraid ye might hurt me, again. He ‘ad supplies sent for her, until he died. Cora brought Isabel here about Mary, cause things ‘ave been bad, since yer sire has been gone,” the terrified woman said, before falling silent.

  “Cora, knows about her? And she went to Isabel, not me?” Brant asked.

  “Yer sire brought Cora ‘ere, to try and keep ye away from the maids, in the village. Cora were wed once, but when she could not have no babes, her husband set ‘er aside. The old Lord told ‘er about Mary,” Ruth said.

  “In the future, you will let me know what you need for her, alright?” Brant asked.

  Ruth nodded with a reluctant look, that said she would rather confront a pack of wolves. He looked at the child for a few moments more, before turning to leave the hut, without another word.

  As Brant rode back to his Castle, he thought about the night he had Ruth brought to him. He had been about a score years old, at the time. She was about five years younger, and untried. He had spent most of the night riding her body, though she had told him ‘no more’ several times, even begged him to let her go. He recalled at first she had merely, passively lay there, while he mated with her. He had not thought much about her pleas, that he was hurting her. He was heir to these lands, trying out the maids in the village was his right, if he so desired. The Lord was responsible for the safety of his people, from raiders or invaders. And each serf and their family, owed certain labor, and deference to the Lord, and the knights, who protected them. He had to have the archers, and trained forces, to protect his lands, and people. That was the way it was, so why was he feeling as though, he had done something wrong?

  Isabel knew about his treatment of the maid. She had lured him to her Castle, and seduced him, even though he had said, he did not want to do that. Was this a taste of his own medicine? Mayhap there was method, to Isabel’s madness. She certainly was making him think. Now if he could just find some answers.

  Brant was in a much better mood, when he, and the knights who had escorted him to the village, returned to his Castle. Even when he could not fathom what she was about, Isabel seemed to know, just what needed to be done. Mayhap, whatever she was up to, would in fact be resolved soon, as she claimed. He had to admit, his lack of any control over his wife rankled him. But Brant suspected, that doing anything other, than going alone with her, would likely land him back in some dungeon. It seemed unlikely, that she was operating solely on her own agenda.

  Shortly after the evening meal, the sentry announced riders approaching the Castle. Within a few minutes, Niles entered, looking to be in a foul temper. He went directly to Brant, and spoke to him in a low angry tone, all the while, glaring at Isabel. Brant rose, and catching Isabel’s eye, motioned her toward his study. She motioned for Beautrice to watch the babe, before looking to her mother. Catching Ann’s attention, Isabel nodded her head toward the study, indicating Ann should come with them. She made a similar gesture to Angus, as she passed him, and he followed Ann in. Once inside the small room, Isabel seated herself next to her husband, who had taken the seat across from the Duke. She clasped Brant’s hand, in what might look to others as an innocent, affectionate gesture. Brant nearly laughed, wondering what she was up to. Lady Ann had taken a chair, positioned at the end of the two settees, that faced each other. While Angus took up a standing position, near the door.

  When Isabel gave her husband a so what look, and squeezed his hand, Brant said, “Niles has come here, with a most peculiar tale. Actually, he has a rather unbelievable accusation, against you.”

  When Isabel looked blankly at Niles, he began his angry accusation, “Late last night, I awoke to find myself quite groggy, and barely able to move. To my complete shock, I discovered your wife in my private chambers, in my Castle, with two of her knights. She instructed them to move me to the foot of t
he bed, where I was tied with my hands behind my back, to the bedpost. She then, instructed her men to strip my shivies from me. I was left there, unable to move or free myself, in a most embarrassing position, for my serfs to find.”

  Isabel glanced at Brant raising an eyebrow, as if to say, are you crazy, before looking back to Niles.

  “Let me get this straight. You, My Lord, are alleging that I somehow, got over your Castle wall, and past all your security forces. Mayhap, by flying on broomstick? Then, invaded your private chambers, with two men?” Isabel paused, holding up two fingers. Continuing, she said, “Then drugged you. Tied you to a bedpost, naked. And left you there. Do you have any idea how insane that sounds, My Lord?”

  “I know it was you. I saw you. I heard you,” Niles stated, emphatically. Then, turning to Brant, he said, “I demand you do something about her. She must be punished for this outrage.”

  Isabel glared at him, and before Brant could speak, retorted, “You Sir, abused me more than enough, the night you exposed yourself to me, and then slapped me. I demand that you find whatever little tart, you where involved in some deviant behavior with, and punish her, for leaving you in a compromising position. Do I hear more of this insane tale, I will consider it, an act of war. Know you, that I have been granted control of my own forces, by order of the Crown. Do you continue, I will have to declare war on you, putting Brant in the position of choosing to back his wife, or his cousin. A choice, I do not believe will go your way, My Lord.”

  “This is not an insane accusation. I know you did it, just as I say,” Niles stammered.

  Isabel glanced to her mother, then to Brant, before returning her eyes to Niles.

  After placing an index finger beside her mouth, as if considering, she said, “Common sense, would argue against any truth, in your accusations. If you actually believed, I could get past all your security to accost you while you slept, tis unlikely, you would be here demanding I be punished. Twould be more likely, you would want to know, did I consider us even. You know, so you can be sure, I will not be coming back to slit your throat, in your sleep. I know not, what you hope to gain by this outrageous insult, but I insist, Sir, that you desist, immediately.”

  Finishing, she rose, and left the study.

  Niles looked to Brant, arguing, “I am telling you the truth. She was in my bedchamber, with her men.”

  Brant, copying Isabel’s lead, gave Niles a disapproving look, and said, “I am afraid I will have to agree, with my wife. This is most unlikely. You need to find whatever tart, left you in a most embarrassing position, and punish her. Send the tart away.”

  Niles then looked to Lady Ann, who said, “You exposed yourself to my daughter, and slapped her? What kind of disreputable, miscreant are you? You disgrace your title, Sir.”

  She also rose, and walked out. This left Brant, Niles, and Angus, in the room.

  “What I say is true, Brant,” Niles stated, trying to sway his cousin.

  “It seems an unlikely story. However, if you find your tart, I will try to determine if there is any risk, that you may have your throat slit, while you sleep. Agreed?” Brant responded.

  Niles was furious. He was a Titled Lord. He had been abused quite badly, by a woman. Worse than that, a woman who held lands, that were nearly twice the size of his lands. He could not even chance, having her declare war on him. He had no intention, of letting Isabel get away with what she had done. However, Brant was not going to help him, so he merely nodded in agreement. He could not risk Brant’s ire, either. Niles had hoped, that he could set his cousin against his wife. Thereby, getting Brant to remove one of Niles’ problems, for him. What she had done was a very grave offense, that could Niles prove it, would carry dire consequences. He had not expected that Isabel would so adeptly turn the situation, to Niles partaking of some deviant behavior, with a serf.

  After making her exit from the study, Isabel took Nathaniel up to the chamber she had settled into, across from Brant. She had been there only a short time, when Lady Ann knocked on the portal. Isabel opened the door, to tell her mother she was very tired, and assured her they could talk, in the morning. Ann wanted to argue, but decided it could likely wait until morning. So she wished Isabel a good night, and made her way down the passage, to her chamber.

  A short while later, Brant came up the stairs behind Nora, who was showing Niles to a guest room. He knocked on the portal across from his Solar, and called his wife’s name. He noticed Niles lingering in the doorway briefly, before following Nora into the guest chamber.

  Beautrice opened the door to Isabel’s chamber, looking to see that the passage was clear, except for Brant, and quickly made her way across the passage, with Nathaniel. He was slightly surprised, that the child was being taken to his chamber. However, the door was wide open, so he entered to talk to Isabel.

  “Are you done, as regards my cousin?” Brant asked his wife.

  Isabel met his eyes, and replied, “Did I have the means, to get inside his Castle, believe me, I have no future plans to do so, at this time.”

  He smiled, noting that she neither confirmed, nor denied, being there. She only assured him, she had no future plans, to go there. Brant wanted to stay, and question her further, but Isabel claimed fatigue. So he wished her good night, and crossed the passage to the Lord’s chamber.

  Once inside his bedchamber, Brant thought about how smoothly she had turned the situation on Niles. How would she get in his castle unseen, fly on broomstick? He laughed. She had threatened him, with worrying that she might come back, to slit his throat. My God, she was good, Brant thought. Even better, right at present at least, she appeared to be on his side. Although, he had no idea what Isabel was about, or why she was goading his cousin. He prayed her, and her supporters, knew what they were doing. Niles was a powerful man, born into a high position, that you did not trifle with.

  Chapter 17

  A couple of hours later, Isabel sat brushing her hair, with a lone candle burning, that barely lit the room. Everyone else in the Castle, was likely fast asleep, by that hour. Suddenly, the door opened, and Niles slipped in. His eyes quickly darted around the dimly lit room, settling on the cradle.

  “Get out,” Isabel ordered. “Or I will scream, and wake the Castle.”

  Niles quickly moved to stand beside the cradle, in a darkened corner, of the chamber.

  "You will not scream, if you value your son's well being," Niles said, displaying a dagger. “You will keep your voice down. Where is the book?”

  “What book?” Isabel replied.

  Niles replied, “You were in my Castle. All the diagrams, showing the passages were in the book. I know you have seen it. Where is it?”

  Isabel answered, “Oh, that book. The one with the birth records, for you, and Brant’s sires. That book?”

  Niles smiled. “Now, we are getting somewhere. You have obviously seen the book. Where is it?”

  Isabel said, “Aye, I have seen it. It was with my father's papers at his stronghold. Though, I do not understand some things. One of Avery's men said you met Eric as he was leaving Lady Peggy’s, and helped Avery ambush him. You had his title, why kill him?”

  Niles stated, “I had the title, he had most of the property. Even worse, most of my properties are in Normandy. Tis pure folly, to try to protect, and manage lands, with the channel between them. The property should go with the title. So what if Eric was legitimate, and my sire was not. My sire was the eldest, he should get the title, and the fiefs. I should have both.”

  “Oh, so it is just greed,” Isabel interjected.

  “It is what is right,” Niles insisted. “Avery’s plan with Lord Eric, went perfectly. The idea worked well with your sire, too. Only, Avery met up with him, to ask him to reconsider helping him. My men met them a short while later. That was a little dicey, as our side, was only two men stronger."

  "So you were involved in my father's murder, as well?" Isabel asked in surprise.

  "Avery was desperate, and I could not
openly side with him," Avery lamented. "His plan to kidnap the girl, should have gone equally well. Then, I would have the property that should go with my title, through the girl. At least, until a sufficient time had passed, to allay suspicion. I know Avery had the girl. I do not know why it did not work. Brant should be dead, not Avery.”

  Isabel replied, “Aye, it was a good plan. Not very honorable. The only big mistake you made, was discussing it in front of me. That, and showing me what a despicable person you are. My only question is, since you discussed the plan, two weeks before Esme was taken, why did your warning arrive, four days after it happened? Was your message delayed? Or, was it merely sent to allay suspicion?”

  Niles chuckled, and said, “That gullible husband of yours, thought I was helping him. If Avery failed to kill him, I knew the warning, sent after the fact, would allow me to stay close to him until another opportunity arose."

  "Aye, you certainly had Brant fooled, into thinking he could trust you. And before, I was too young to be considered a reliable witness against you," Isabel said. "However, I am not anymore."

  "It does not matter what you know," Niles said. "I did not count on you, or the boy. However, that might actually help me. Brant was quite off his game, when he returned here alone, after you two wed. When you vanished with the lad, he was struggling again, not to get despondent. He could easily have overindulged in spirits, and met with an accident. Then, I could control his holding for many years, as the lad’s guardian. Until I acquire an heir, your son is in line to inherit my fiefs, too. Since I also have a copy of the book, I know the secret passage is off this chamber. You are going to be leaving with me tonight, or you son dies.”

  He reached down, to lift the babe out of the cradle, and realized it was just a doll, under the blanket.

  Alarmed, Niles asked Isabel, “Where is the boy?”