by Shea,Lisa
Constance chuckled even through her headache. Apparently Gabriel had been busy last night! She wondered if there was a person in the building who did not know of their plan.
Audrey helped Constance to her feet, and assisted her in preparing as quickly as possible. Soon Constance was heading down the main stairs toward the great hall.
Gabriel and Ralph were there, talking in serious tones with Charles while Alison and Gaynor hovered nearby, their chatter nervous and high. Constance did not see the children around. Three of Barnard’s men were grouped to one side, conspicuously apart from the rest. When they saw her descend the stairs, they sprung to alertness and headed toward her.
Gabriel and Ralph drew swords in unison and moved in between Constance and the approaching men without saying a word. Several guards from nearby tables rose at the same moment, their hands hovering at their hips.
The trio stopped at the motion, gazing around them with wary concern. The lead man took another step forward, his gaze challenging.
“Lady Constance, your husband insists you return to his home, where you belong. He has sent us to ensure you obey his order.”
Constance moved to stand between Ralph and Gabriel, her eyes steady. “Barnard gave me permission to visit with my aunt for two weeks. I was delayed in my trip, but now I am healthy enough to proceed. I will be heading there, as planned, and as agreed.”
The man’s face creased in confusion for a moment, then a crafty look came over his face. “We can certainly take you there in the coach, if you will come with us. You know you do not like to ride horseback.”
Constance’s mouth quirked into a smile. “Actually, I adore horseback riding,” she countered. “I find it quite refreshing, and will enjoy the trip. Please return the coach to Barnard, with my apologies.”
There was a long pause as the man ran his eyes along the guards in the room, settling on Gabriel and Ralph. He appeared to come to a decision, and nodded. “Yes, we will return to Barnard, and let him know of your choice.”
He turned on his heel, and the trio was gone in a flash.
Gabriel resheathed his sword in one quick move. “That is our cue,” he commented, moving to shake hands with Charles. “Thank you again, and I will be in touch,” he vowed quietly.
Constance moved to give her brother a warm hug. “I am sorry that I have caused trouble for you,” she sighed as she pulled back.
Charles laid a hand gently against her bruised face for a moment, his brow darkening. “It is I who should apologize for letting your life get so out of hand,” he responded in a low voice. “I am the only family you have left, and I have been lax in my responsibilities. Believe me, I will make up for it.”
Alison came forward to give her a hug, then Gaynor did the same. “Good luck,” whispered the younger girl. “I think I am suddenly less eager to get married. It might be worth it to take my time, and consider my options more carefully.”
Constance smiled. “It is good to thoughtfully consider anything you attempt in life,” she advised gently.
Joy poked her head into the room, scanning it for danger, and in a moment four young bundles of energy poured in, gathering around Constance to give her hugs. She picked each child up in turn, providing a fond farewell.
Ava’s voice was high with concern. “Boo-boo!” she cried out, pointing a finger at Constance’s large bruise.
Constance smiled, reassuring the child. “It is fine,” she promised. “It will heal, and it will not happen again.”
“That is good!” agreed Ava, allowing one more hug before running back to Alison’s leg.
Gabriel’s voice was steady. “We really should get going.”
Constance nodded and stood. She followed the two men out the main doors, and in a moment they were mounted and cantering out the central gate.
Constance knew she should be concerned, should be looking over her shoulder as she rode along the path, flanked by Gabriel on her right and Ralph on her left. She found she could not regret the events of the previous day. She felt free … she felt free. Her hair streamed behind her in a long ribbon, the sun shining brightly on her face as they flew down the path.
She glanced to her side, saw Gabriel return her look with a face half tense, half released. She knew the feeling, echoed it back to him. There had been so many days like this in the past, so many times where they rode on together for hours, racing the wind. He was older now; there were lines on his brow, a new strength and breadth to his shoulders.
The hours rolled along in a joyous stream of singing birds and roadside wildflowers. Finally Gabriel indicated they should pull in at the next tavern, a squat building sitting next to a slow running river. A lad of ten ran forward as they approached, taking the reins of the horses and leading them off to a nearby stable. Gabriel strode forward to press open the door of the tavern, scanning the interior before waving Constance and Ralph over to join him.
“Gabe! Welcome!” cried the innkeeper, waving a beefy hand. “Sit anywhere. Ale?”
“Three, yes,” agreed Gabriel with a smiling nod, as the trio moved toward a round table in the back. In a moment their ale had arrived, and the man wiped his hands on his apron before heading out back to prepare three bowls of stew.
Constance shook her head, a grin on her lips. “How is it that you still know every tavern keeper we come across?” she asked jokingly.
Gabriel shrugged, taking a long draught of his ale. “One of my many talents,” he responded, winking conspiratorially.
Constance suddenly was brought back to another tavern, another innkeeper, with a dagger at her back and a last chance caught in her throat. She thought of her vain, foolish hope in passing a message along to Gabriel. Her childish dreams …
She looked down, her cheeks flushing, ashamed that she had even thought to ask for him in her moment of weakness, after how she had lied to him. She took a long pull on her drink, looking away. When she finally looked back at the table, she found Gabriel watching her, concern in his eyes.
The sound of footsteps brought her back to her current situation. The tavern keeper came over to the table with a large tray, balancing three bowls on it. He handed them around the table, and Constance focused on eating the warm mixture. It was simple but good, and she ate through her portion in haste, washing it down with the fresh ale.
They were done in record time, and Gabriel walked over to the innkeeper to pay. Constance could hear them talking; heard the innkeeper turn down Gabriel’s money. “Not after what you did for us,” he insisted calmly. “Go, take the lady on her way, and good luck to you. God bless.” Constance watched him with curious eyes, but said nothing as he returned to the group, heading back out into the bright sunshine.
In a moment they were mounted on their horses and riding along the pathway. Constance knew they were making excellent time. At this rate they should be at the bridge in another hour, and to the nunnery before nightfall. Her shoulders relaxed and she stretched out her mount into a long, easy canter, falling into the rhythm of the steed’s movements. Beside her Ralph and Gabriel matched her pace, their eyes alert. No hoofbeat sounded from behind them; the few travelers they passed waved a friendly hand as they went by.
Constance almost felt a sense of sadness as they approached the bridge. It marked the beginning of the end for her and Gabriel. On previous trips to the nunnery it had always been a point of excitement, an indication that the destination was almost upon them. Now it was a sign that she would be soon parted from Gabriel, that the nunnery’s walls would separate them, leaving her isolated within. Would she ever see Gabriel again after that? Just how would she resolve the mess she was embroiled in?
Beside her, Gabriel tensed suddenly, sitting up higher in his saddle. Constance reacted to his change viscerally, pulling in more closely alongside him before looking around to see what had triggered it. The bridge lay in the far distance up ahead, arching over the ribbon of blue …
She let out a long breath. She could just make out the figu
res behind it, the horses grazing in the meadow, the men slowly standing up from the side of the road. Two … three … four …
Gabriel put a hand out to her and she instinctively slowed her horse, keeping it alongside his, bringing it down to a trot, then a walk. Ralph was near on her left side, his hand resting on his hilt. Constance felt as if a steel band was wrapped around her chest, constricting it in tight ratchets. She could not breathe … she had to relax. If they were to get out of this at all, she had to calm herself, to think.
They walked their horses to the near end of the bridge, watching as ten men in leather armor formed a line across the far side. A pile of packs were heaped to one side of the path, and the horses were tethered against the trees. Apparently the men had been eating a casual meal when they rode up. The remnants of bread and cheese were laid out on a large cloth. Constance shook her head in confusion. How could the men possibly have gotten here so far ahead of them?
Gabriel reined his horse to a stop at their end of the bridge, and Constance and Ralph mirrored his actions. All three now had their hands on the hilts of their swords. Constance’s heart pounded in her chest. She very much respected Gabriel’s talents, and Ralph’s as well – but there were simply too many opponents for them to prevail. The moment that one of the soldiers got a grasp on Constance, her two protectors would be forced to drop their weapons, and she did not trust Barnard one whit. He could easily have left orders for the two men to be slain.
Gabriel’s voice came out smooth and even. “You have been here all morning, it appears. Barnard must have known that Constance would never return to him.”
One of the men stepped forward, his dark curly hair shining in the sun. Constance nodded in growing understanding. “Frank – I wondered why you were not there to accompany the coach, if Barnard felt it so critical that I come home. Now I see that he never expected me to set foot in it.”
Frank bowed slightly. “Your husband understands your moods very well,” he commented snidely, his eyes flickering to meet Gabriel’s for a moment. “It is time for you to send these playthings of yours away and return to your proper place.”
Gabriel bristled visibly, but said nothing. Constance looked again at the array of men, then spoke softly to Gabriel. “I am afraid we have no choice,” she admitted under her breath. “With these odds … I cannot see you hurt.”
Gabriel’s voice was tight. “There is no way I will allow you back into the grasp of that bastard without a fight.”
Constance sighed, looking down at her hands. “We had a chance, but it is gone,” she ground out. “The next ford is too far away. If we make a run for it, they will catch us before we make it. Our horses have been on the road all day, while theirs are fresh.”
Gabriel turned and looked at her full on. “The Constance I knew would not have given up so easily,” he insisted steadily.
“It is one thing to risk my own safety,” she returned with emotion. “I will not risk yours. I cannot … the only thing which has kept me sane is knowing you are out there, that you are free …” She turned away, feeling as if her heart would break. She could not jeopardize his life. It did not matter what she suffered. All that mattered was him.
“Connie,” came the soft call, and she turned back to look at him. His eyes were steady and blue, the deep depths of the ocean, and she was lost in them.
“Trust me,” he whispered.
God help her, she did. She took in a deep breath, then nodded.
In a moment, he had spun his mount and was driving at a hard gallop due north. Constance and Ralph moved in with him, staying in a tight formation. She heard the shouts of anger behind her, the scurrying as the men leapt onto their horses and charged in chase. Constance wondered how long they could keep up their lead. Their horses had been ridden hard all day, where the pursuers’ steeds were fresh and rested. Still, for the moment at least, she was free, and she would treasure every hoofbeat, every breath. Her heart pounded as they rode full tilt, flying across the landscape.
The miles rolled by, and their pursuers began to close the gap. Constance leant lower over the mane of her horse, willing him to go faster, willing the bridge to draw nearer. Perhaps if they crossed it, they could lose themselves in the forest beyond, hide out until nightfall …
The bridge came into sight, and her heart leapt – then sank like a stone. A company of a full dozen mounted men waited on the span, facing her party. Even as she watched they spread out, forming a long line. Gabriel did not slow up at all – simply rode straight for the line, and Constance plowed steadfastly at his side. If this was to be his choice, she would not falter.
Then, to her surprise, the line began to separate, began to open up to form a hole – and behind her, she saw those chasing her begin to draw off, to rein in. Confused, she scanned the men before her more closely. They wore leather armor, with full helmets, but they were not in Barnard’s colors. Instead, they were …
She gasped in surprise as the trio flew through the center of the line, reining in and turning as the line reformed in a solid band behind them, separating her from the pursuers who were circling in a confused group some twenty yards away.
The Angelus. She had just been saved by the mercenaries. Questions buzzed around in her head, but she pushed them aside, staying close to Gabriel, taking full measure of what lay before her.
Gabriel rode up to talk quietly with one of the men in the line, then waved Constance to come forward with him. Ralph stayed close in on her other side, and together they joined the full line of men. Constance swept her eyes down the group. First they had come to her rescue in the dungeons, and then they had tussled in a case of mistaken identity. Both times had been dark, and she had barely gotten a glimpse of them. Just who were these soldiers for hire?
She had thought of them as the meanest of cast-offs, but in the full light of day she saw now that she had been mistaken. They were extremely well outfitted, with high quality armor and well-made swords, which each man had drawn and held at the ready. The crew all wore full helmets, hiding their features, but their jaws were set and they were clearly prepared for any action. Their shoulders and arms were well toned and in fine shape.
They were a far stronger military fighting force than any of the men in Barnard’s guard, or her brother’s. She wondered just where this mercenary group had found such men.
Hoofbeat sounded from downstream, and she looked up to see Frank riding toward the line, his face surly. He scanned down the ranks of mercenaries, seeking out a leader. He settled on speaking to the group as a whole.
“You, Angelus, this is not your fight,” he barked in anger. “This woman is the rightful property of my lord and master, Lord Barnard. You would do well not to meddle.”
There was a long silence which none of the Angelus sought to break. Finally Gabriel spoke out. “You see that your case has little merit here. Your troops would not last five minutes against these men. Head home and tell your master that Constance will be taking her prayer time with her aunt, as agreed. If he wishes to discuss her return, he will find her well protected at the nunnery.”
Frank’s eyes narrowed in anger, but looking again at the line of fighting men facing him, he shook his head.
“This is not the end of it,” he promised Gabriel with a snarl before whirling his horse and heading south at a hard gallop. The rest of the Barnard’s force joined in the retreat. In a few minutes they had crossed the horizon and were gone from sight.
Constance let out a long, shuddering breath. She had not realized she was holding it until then. They had won. If only for the moment, they were safe. She turned to look up at Gabriel, opening her mouth to ask him what was going on.
He spoke before she could form any words. “We need to get you into that nunnery,” he stated quickly. “There are still many dangers out there.” He spun his mount, and in a moment he was in motion. Constance did not hesitate; she urged her horse until she was alongside him. To her surprise, the mercenaries formed up around the
m with ease, folding into a long diamond pattern around her without any words or signals. They reminded her of a flock of birds in flight, turning and wheeling as if part of one large entity. The remaining miles of her trip slid by in a rolling echo of hooves and a motion of men. She felt as safely ensconced as if she were being carried in an armored bronze boat. None could breach the wall of skilled soldiers surrounding her.
It seemed only a short while before the large stone walls of the nunnery rose before her. She could see the tavern and main street shops off to the south, but she barely spared a second glance, focusing all of her attention on the nunnery and its large wooden doors, which stood open. As they drew close, she saw that the entire nunnery’s occupants had apparently turned out for her arrival, standing around the entry gate and interior courtyard. The men around her began to slow, and she reined in with them, coming down to a trot, and finally a walk. As they approached the main gates, the mercenaries formed a half circle, reining in to stop in a protective arc. Only Gabriel and Ralph moved forward with her toward the main doors.
Constance’s aunt Silvia stood in a brown habit and wimple next to the abbess. Both smiled fondly at her as she dismounted. Gabriel and Ralph joined her on the ground, walking alongside her to the gates.
Silvia stepped forward to warmly embrace her niece. “My dear, I cannot express how glad I am that you made it here safely,” she welcomed with relief. “We had feared the worst.”
“It is all thanks to these two men, and to the Angelus,” praised Constance with a smile. “I never could have made it this far if not for their concerted efforts.”
The abbess stepped forward at this, her wrinkled face creased into a smile. “We will say prayers for each of you tonight at mass,” she called out to the group of men. “You have done a good deed here today, one which will not be forgotten.”