by Lisa Shea
Lord Bloodworth looked to Roger. “It’s best to plan for surprises. Can you quietly gather your twenty best men? We can say that you’re taking them out for a private celebration, since they missed out on our feast.”
Roger nodded. “Of course.”
Lord Bloodworth turned to Alicia. “I should go back to the party, or they’ll suspect something is up. And you, Alicia, should come as well, with Benet. That way whoever is watching us relaxes. They will believe nothing is out of place.”
Her heart thundered against her chest. “But I have to go with Roger! I’m the only one who was there. There might be fifty warehouses to go through. I might recognize something about the walls, or the stables, which can narrow it down. Otherwise we could be too late!”
Benet shook his head. “It’s far too dangerous, my dear.”
She turned to him. “If it was your wife who was in danger, would you sit back and do nothing?”
He paused at that. “But this is different. Dylan is –”
Her voice took on a growl. “Dylan is my love. I am pledged to him. I took up the sword and traveled hundreds of miles to find him. I have faced down an ambush of soldiers and a man set on torture for him. With God as my witness, I will not fail him now.”
Benet gave a soft smile. “That is your mother’s fire in you. And there’s no stopping it, when the heat blazes.”
She pressed her lips together. “You stay here and guard Ethelfleda. Do your part to maintain the illusion that all is calm here. I will go by Roger’s side and lead them to the warehouse. I will be perfectly safe.”
At last he nodded. “I imagine you’ll go whether I give you my blessings or not. So I ask you – please be careful. For my sake. For Dylan’s. Stay by Roger’s side and do as he instructs. And … good luck.”
She gave his hand a squeeze. “Thank you, Uncle. And you’re right. Nothing would stop me from doing everything I could to rescue Dylan.”
Her gaze blazed with determination.
“Nothing.”
Chapter 17
Alicia was on a horse, riding at Roger’s side, and she could still scarcely believe this was happening. There, before her on the right, was the warm glow of a bakery. And, sure enough, the rich smell of raisin bread rose out from the building.
Her face lit up with joy. “It’s there! That’s it!”
He nodded and urged their horses forward. Behind them rode twenty armed men, their faces set with intention.
Another set of turns, another distance, and the bridge stretched before them. She could see its uneven slats even in the moonlight. Her horse’s hooves didn’t create the same rumbling effect that the carriage wheels had, but she knew it was the correct place.
She nodded. “This seems right. So now we’re looking for a downward slope.”
Roger waved a hand in the air, and they pressed on.
More turns. More twists in the dark night. And then the ground began to sink as they worked down a hill. It seemed to be the same angle as the one she’d ridden down.
They reached the valley, and Roger reined in. He looked over at her.
“Take your time. Think. What happened next?”
Alicia wrapped her fingers around her reins. She nudged her horse into motion.
They rode slowly through the moonlight.
There had been a left turn … then a distance … and then, there, a right. Then a distance which seemed to stretch … stretch … and then a clattering …
She looked to the right.
There was a walled-in warehouse there with head-high grey walls and a wooden building beyond. And was that a stables to the right?
A pair of aging wooden doors stood shut, but they didn’t seem to be barred. They gapped open at the middle.
That was it.
At a motion from Roger the men slid silently off their horses. Roger turned to Alicia. “I’ll leave Walter here at the gate, and you will stay, mounted, here with the horses. Any sign of trouble and you light out for Lord Bloodworth’s house.”
Alicia wanted to argue. To claim she was absolutely necessary for her to go along. But she knew Roger would just refuse, and every second counted.
She nodded.
Roger made a hand signal to his men. He drew his sword and carefully approached the door. A soft push, the slightest of gaps, and one by one they slipped through. The last man remained, a shadow in the slim hollow of the gate.
The street settled into silence. Only the soft whoof of the horses’ breath sounded.
Alicia’s gaze was focused on that gap. That foot-wide gleam in the darkness was her entire life. She could only pray that within the walls the soldiers were catching the men unawares, or, if not, able to fight through them.
The alternative would break her heart.
A distant scratching noise came which might be the sound of metal on metal. She turned her head left and right but could not tell. It was deep in the bowels of the building if it was.
And then … silence.
Beneath her, her steed shifted, adjusting his stance.
What that the sound of footsteps approaching?
She drew her sword from her scabbard and waited … waited …
There was a soft whoof.
Silence.
A figure eased through the gap.
She squinted her eyes. Something was odd about the figure. It seemed … no wait …
It was two men.
One of them held a knife to the neck of the other. She could see a trickle of red coming down from the captive’s neck.
The sharp blue eyes of the captor’s glare.
Zachariah turned …
He stilled.
Alicia tightened her fingers on the sword’s hilt. She was acutely aware that she was now the only thing which stood between Zachariah and freedom.
Between Dylan and almost certain death.
She held the sword at her hip, the tip out and forward. She put the most commanding tone possible into her voice. “Zachariah, let him go.”
Zachariah pulled Dylan so Dylan’s body fully blocked his from view. “You throw down your sword, or I swear I’ll kill him!”
Alicia forced her gaze to remain steady. “You’ll kill him no matter what I do. I know and accept that. The only difference is, if I let you leave with him, that you’ll have information I just can’t let you have. So, as I see it, my only choice is to run you down now. That way I know for sure the threat is ended.”
Was that a flit of fear in Zachariah’s gaze?
His voice gained an edge to it. “I don’t believe it. Dylan’s told me all about how you met. The way he thought about you every day.”
Alicia smiled. Dylan always had a way of spinning out tales. Undoubtedly he had spent the past hour drawing out a compelling story for the group, ensuring he gave any rescue as long a time as possible to take place.
“I love Dylan with all my heart and soul,” she stated proudly. “That is why I will do what he would want me to do. He would want to make sure I did whatever it took to bring this threat to an end.”
Dylan went to speak, but Zachariah pulled his knife even tighter at the throat. Alicia was darkly grateful. She had no doubt that Dylan would have ordered her to ride away and not put herself in further danger.
She nodded as if in agreement. “I know, my love. I will do what has to be done.”
She gathered up her reins and leaned forward.
She could see it clearly now – the fear that shone in Zachariah’s eyes. He glanced from the sharp sword in her hand to the sturdy hooves of her horse.
She drew her eyes to Dylan.
His gaze spoke volumes. He wanted with all his heart for her to turn around. To leave him to his fate.
She shook her head. Then she flicked her eyes left.
He nodded.
She settled the reins in her left hand, then brought the sword’s hilt up by her right ear.
She pointed it straight at Zachariah’s eyes.
She had been t
aught repeatedly that swordfighting was as much about the art of deception as it was about physical prowess. She was about to find out if that were true.
She stared at Zachariah as if, no matter what it took, she would see him dead. Even if it meant her beloved Dylan were taken down as well.
She leaned …
She charged.
Zachariah held … held …
He turned and ran.
Dylan dove to the left, and she thundered after Zachariah, weaving her horse around the corner and down the alley.
He ducked right and threw himself up to grasp the top of a wall. He pulled himself over, dropped down the other side, and vanished from view.
Alicia blew out her breath in frustration.
There was a pounding of feet behind her –
She spun the horse –
Dylan stood there, scanning the landscape around them.
Alicia called down, “He went over that wall. I’ve lost him.”
He shook his head, striding up to stand by her side. “God’s Teeth, Alicia, what were you doing? You could have been killed!”
She came down off the horse to stand before him. Her hand went to the cut at his neck. “Oh, Dylan …”
She looked up into his eyes and it hit her again full force.
Dylan was alive.
She folded in against him.
His arms came up around her.
The world was, at long last, at peace.
Chapter 18
Alicia was sitting on a couch before a fire, her uncle and cousin were chatting nearby, Roger was gently pressing a wet washcloth against Walter’s bruised forehead, but all of that was miles distant from her. All that mattered was that Dylan was there by her side, his arm securely nestled around her. She drank down another draw of the mead, scarcely believing it was all true.
Lord Bloodworth nodded in satisfaction. “Roger was right to bring you here to my smaller apartments. If there truly is a spy of some sort in my household, we want to keep news of Dylan’s escape as quiet as possible.” He turned to Benet. “You can all stay here as long as you wish.”
Alicia looked to her uncle. “You have been more than gracious to bring me up to London. I know you did it on my behalf. But you cannot stay away from your shop for too long, Uncle. You have customers who depend on you.”
His eyes held hers. “I will be with you for as long as you need me.”
Dylan patted her arm. “We can discuss this all in the morning. It’s been a long night. Let’s get you some sleep. When we wake, and are fully refreshed, I imagine we’ll all want to have a long talk.”
His eyes drew down to her hip, and his gaze became serious. “With all you have risked for me, you deserve to know.”
Ethelfleda gave a long yawn, and Alicia fondly smiled. “Perhaps some sleep is in order. Come, dear cousin. Let’s get up to bed.”
Ethelfleda stood and took Alicia’s hand. Her face shone with contentment. “I’m glad you’re happy again, Alicia.”
Alicia gave her cousin a tender kiss. “I am too.”
They went hand in hand up the spiraled stone steps to the second level. The first door on the left led to their bedroom. It was sumptuously appointed. There was a large bed done in ruby red with pale-rose curtains hanging down on all sides of the frame. A low fire flickered in the fireplace and a pair of windows looked out over the shimmering torches and lamps which was London at night.
Alicia stripped off her sword-belt and laid it by the bed. The two women took off their outer dresses so they were only in their light, white underdresses. Then Ethelfleda climbed into bed. Alicia blew out the candle on the dresser before she joined her cousin.
It was only a few minutes before soft snores were coming from Ethelfleda’s sprawled body.
Alicia lay on her side, looking at the windows and the vast city beyond. She could still not quite take it in. After so much heartache, after so much vain hoping and praying, all of her dreams had come true. Dylan had returned safely to her. Yes, clearly his work with the Crusades had gotten involved in something complicated, if he were now posing as Martinus. She would have to figure all of that out. But in the end, it didn’t matter what name he went by or what mission he was on. All that mattered was that he was alive – alive – alive.
She drifted off.
*
Click.
Alicia blinked groggily awake. With everything she had gone through she’d assumed she’d sleep straight through until lunchtime. What had pulled her from her slumber?
Click.
She turned toward the window in confusion. Was some sort of a London night-bird trying to make a nest on her eaves? She had no idea what kinds of birds or other animals might inhabit this city.
A gloved hand reached up from below, feeling around for a purchase.
Energy charged Alicia’s system and she rolled out of bed, drawing her sword with one smooth motion. Only one thought reverberated through her being.
She would not let him get to Ethelfleda.
Another hand – and then a head –
The blue eyes shone in the low firelight.
She brought her sword high and right, her gaze blazing with heat. “You will never touch her. Never!”
She charged the window.
Blue-eyes froze, his gaze latched on her, His arm twitched toward his sword –
He blew out his breath.
He pushed off from the window, his arms wide.
She reached the window just as he slammed into the grassy lawn. He rolled with the impact. She was only one story up so the fall, while not negligible, had not seemed to seriously harm him.
Shouts came from the front steps and a pair of guards ran across the grass from the right. Zachariah sprinted for the far wall. He vaulted up onto it and rolled off the other side, vanishing into the shadows of London’s streets.
The bedroom door flung open and Dylan burst into the room clad only in leggings, his sword in his hand. “Alicia!”
“I’m fine,” she called, still staring out the window at the far wall. She pointed her hand at the spot. She yelled to the guards, “He went that way!”
They sprinted in the direction and in a moment had gone over the wall after him.
Dylan’s voice was hoarse. “Zachariah? He tried again?”
Alicia nodded, her heartbeat slowly settling into its normal rhythm.
Dylan growled. “I knew he wouldn’t let things go – but I had no idea he’d try again just a few hours later. And how did he know where we’d gone to? Did he manage to follow us from the warehouse?”
Ethelfleda pushed herself up in bed. “What’s happening?”
Alicia gave her a reassuring smile. “Nothing at all, my dear. You go back to sleep.”
Lord Bloodworth waved a hand from the hallway, and Alicia stepped out, Dylan at her side.
Uncle Benet was there as well. He glanced nervously at the bedroom door. “Just how safe do you think we are here?”
Lord Bloodworth blew out his breath. “Apparently not safe enough. These London homes were built more for show than for holding off an attack. We’re supposed to live in civilized times! I can add on more guards, but I just don’t know if we should stay here.”
Dylan’s hand rested on the hilt of his sword. “What do you recommend?”
“The family home is about a day’s ride west. I had been planning to return there soon anyway, to see how things were doing as we head into harvest season. This party was a farewell of sorts. We could just leave now, without warning. Even if Zachariah is still watching us, he’d hardly attack a full traveling cohort. And once we make it to my keep, we’ll be quite safe. It is set up to withstand even a full-bore siege. It’ll easily keep out a few miscreants.”
Benet nodded with conviction. “It sounds perfect.”
Alicia paled. “But that will bring you even further from your shop in Canterbury. Maybe you and Ethelfleda should return home. I’m sure you’ll be safe.”
Dylan’s brow sha
dowed. “I’m not so sure. Zachariah was quite willing to torture you to make me talk, remember? I wouldn’t put it past him to gather up any other family members he could get his hands on. And would you stay away if you knew Zachariah was about to hurt sweet Ethelfleda?”
Alicia’s heart leapt into her throat. She knew the answer with every beat of her heart.
She’d do whatever it took to keep her cousin safe.
Dylan nodded at the look in her eyes. “That’s what I thought. So, at least for now, I think it’s wise to do as Lord Bloodworth recommends. Ride out to his estate and get all of you safe. Then he and I can work on a plan of attack to take care of Zachariah once and for all.”
Alicia knew that she wanted to be involved in those plans, but she kept her mouth shut. There was enough time to worry about that later. For now, she had to do her part to ensure they made it to the keep safely.
She looked to the others. “All right, then. We move tonight. What needs to be done?”
She was impressed how quickly everything went into motion. Guards were summoned, coaches were prepared, and soon she was helping a sleepy Ethelfleda down the stairs and into a blanketed nook of the larger coach. Ethelfleda barely murmured as she settled down into her new resting spot and soon the snores began afresh.
As much as Alicia’s mind wanted her to be out with Dylan and Lord Bloodworth in the mounted escort, her exhausted body was grateful to be in the coach with her uncle and cousin. Indeed, even Benet’s eyes were drooping as he sat across from the two women.
Alicia wondered for the hundredth time just what Dylan was involved with. She trusted him completely and had faith that, whatever he was doing, there was a well-founded reason for it. But, still, to think that he had allowed that message of his demise to be sent to her … and that she had spent the past year in abject pain …
Fogs rolled in …
Her eyes fluttered closed …
Jolt.
She started awake as the carriage took another hard bounce, careening at breakneck speed. She lunged for the window to see what was happening, but a hard turn threw her back against her seat.