by Lee Scott
Nate’s release of held breath expressed the relief he felt to see both women still conscious. Should anything have happened to either one, a battle would rage between their family and him. He wasn’t equipped to wage such a fight.
As soon as Nate had ordered fresh water and food to be delivered and the chamber pot emptied, Katherine swept into the room. Her scarlet silk gown stood in direct contrast to the drab dark interior of the dungeon and the chemise clad women within. Katherine stood outside the cell door and examined the plain clothes and weak condition of Alyssa and Gillian.
“I see you are doing well,” Katherine said. Her lip curled in an evil sneer. “I believe, Lady Alyssa, that you shall accompany me to the tower. I have need of some female society. Truly, your family would take offense if they found you in the basement of our well appointed manor without proper accommodations.” Katherine motioned for Nate to unlock the cell.
Alyssa, however, did not respond as Katherine had expected. Her days and nights in the dungeon had robbed her of some of senses. Even now, Alyssa was experiencing an allusion she had dreamed of that night. She shifted as if expecting the rats that infested the dungeon to swarm over her. She swatted at the non-existent rodents and stopped only when Gillian calmed her flailing hands with her own steady ones. Only the calming grasp by Gillian finally settled the wayward motions.
Now aware of her whereabouts, Alyssa cried out, “What of Lady Gillian?” Her hand grasped onto Gillian. Unwilling to leave her friend alone in the dark, she hung on to her arms.
“We will find a place for Lady Gillian. You can be certain of that,” Katherine assured the frightened woman without promising anything.
Gillian knew she would be remaining alone in the dark. It frightened her, but she felt obligated to encourage Alyssa. She might have been the cause of the destruction of the family, but she could certainly influence the welfare of Phillip’s youngest child.
“I will be well, Alyssa,” Gillian promised. “Your father would wish you to be away from this place and cared for. Do not fear for me.”
With these simple words of assurance, Alyssa stood slowly. She had tried her legs out only several times a day since her imprisonment. Her body wobbled with her unsteady legs locked into place.
Nate reached forward and secured the woman at the waist as he helped her out of the horrible place. Gillian sat still watching the trio retreat, plunging her world back into the complete darkness she feared above all else.
Luke and Oliver headed the group of horsemen as they rode swiftly away from Longmore. Riding together only served to compare and contrast each man. Oliver’s face was edged with guilt, while Luke’s pain and concern was etched deep into his every expression. In most respects, the two were more similar than either would care to share.
Both powerfully built, their visage showed an imposing and deadly display to any man who would defy their will. A short supply of patience rushed the two, forcing their entourage into a rapid pace. Each man was determined to retrieve the ladies who had been so vilely placed in harm’s way.
Only the insistence of trusted knights halted their progress for meals and an encampment for the night. Glad for the imposed rest but impatient, Luke still champed at the bit to travel all night to recover his love. And even the exhaustion of the hard ride along the trail could not defeat the anxiety he held at the expense of his sleep.
The two men had split their forces into two groups. Five trackers set off after the trail. Twenty others set off for Fairhaven. Almost immediately, both Luke and Oliver believed the abduction to be the work of Katherine.
Possessing no dwelling of her own, she would secure the place most easily conquered. Their guess was that she had been acting as chatelaine for more than a week and it would be easy to dupe any of the villeins into thinking she was going to continue on in that role.
Luke’s only thought was to ride to Fairhaven and hope to free Gillian and Alyssa. There was little time to lose.
The next morning Luke started out just after first light with a tired band of men following close on his heels. His pace outdistanced them on some occasions and he was forced to quell his dark emotions as well as his pace. He didn’t have to be reminded that it was best to have fresh men and mounts if a battle was forthcoming.
The dark dungeon swallowed up Gillian’s spirits. Alone and afraid, she could only pray, Alyssa was being treated well. Alone with her thoughts, memories of her past with Luke drifted into her mind like sunshine into a dark corner.
The freshness of his body pressed against hers wafted into her consciousness. Everything about the man was well loved and appreciated. When his arms closed around her waist like the strongest span of steel, she smiled. Every ounce of fear melted away when he held her tightly in his arms. His fingers caressed her cheek and his mouth brushed lightly against hers.
She begged to keep his lips pressed to hers, but they moved away so quickly. Unexpectedly, Luke’s fingers scratched at her breast. Gillian’s eyes snapped open and the dark flooded in once again. The scratching nails of a rat clawed into the fine material of the chemise down her chest and into her lap.
Terror colored the tone of the loud mindless scream that tore loose from her throat. One scream after another was released into the darkness of her cell. Her hands rubbed and slapped furiously at the large rodent, now long gone. Had the beast been all over her mouth and neck as she had dreamed? The thought almost made bile rise in her throat.
The thought of falling asleep again terrified her. Mayhap she was going mad. Fears of every sort permeated her reflections. Never had she experienced the horror of being alone with something that could spell her end.
Gillian fought the urge to sleep and nodded away the drowsiness that pulled at her eyelids. Determined to stay awake, she dedicated herself to fight off the rats at all costs. They could have her corpse when she died and not a minute sooner.
After the screams had faded to cries and then to sob’s, they diminished finally to hiccups of control. Gillian was weak and the emotional outbursts drained what little strength she clung to. Surely someone would come by with an offering of food soon. She was hungry: so much so that her stomach grumbled in protest at the lack of anything else to work upon.
How many days had she been held in this horrid place? How long ago had Alyssa been taken away? Was it a day, maybe two? If asking her stomach, she might have said three.
As her misery wound up to new heights, a light from the far end of the tunnel grabbed her attention. Steadily the light grew in intensity and a new fear filled her. Would she be beaten by Katherine? She trembled at the thought. Now outside her door, the lantern light pained her eyes, and she closed them against its intrusion. The rats scratching toenails scraped noisily against the stone as they scampered away from the bright light.
“My lady,” spoke the unknown visitor. “Are you well? Can you answer me?”
Gillian sat still looking at the young man standing before her through nearly closed eyes. The voice sounded familiar to her and yet, who would dare cross Katherine’s wishes to ease her pain.
“Please! Lady Gillian,” the voice entreated again. “If you can hear me, please answer. I have brought you some food. I do not wish to leave it to the rats that infest this pit.”
The young man seemed familiar some how. “I know you,” she said. “You are the blacksmith’s apprentice. How is your arm?”
“Fine, of course, my lady. You tended my injury well. I will always be grateful for your kindness to me,” he said. He held out the food through the bars and waited for Gillian to take it from him.
“Thank you,” she said. “I fear I do not know your name. ”
Smiling, the young man said, “Cedrick, my lady. My name is Cedrick.”
“Thank you Cedrick. Tell me if you please, what news have you from the castle?” As she spoke, Gillian’s fingers shook with the effort of putting the bread to her mouth.
“Well, your man, Sir Giles returned from his hunting trip. He broug
ht back many fine animals for our pots. He was gone overlong and has but just arrived. His anger heated when he saw so many of your faithful men gone.”
“Gone, but why would that be?” Gillian asked out loud.
“He has argued with the Lady Katherine about the change of men loyal to Longmore and to you.” He watched Gillian’s trembling hand falter. “Do not be alarmed, my lady. Giles will bring the matter to right. You need not worry on that account. He is loyal to you, as he was to your father.”
“Thank you for your news, Cedrick. Do you think Sir Giles has strength on his side?” Gillian asked
“Mayhap not at this moment, my lady. But his men who were sent away will join his cause. Combined they may yet tip the balance.”
“Then I wish them success,” Gillian whispered back. “I pray they fight well with few injuries. I am so sorry to be the cause for any mishaps.”
“But it is not only you for whom they fight. The blame, if there be any at all, should rest with the men at fault for taking you and Fairhaven. They wish to have their rightful places restored. Katherine has set each man out to make his own way. Her spirit has been mean and each man to the last wishes to strike against her cruelty. I must admit, they find some measure of gratification in taking up your cause as well.”
“Where do they fight, Cedrick?” she begged.
“In the manor, my lady. The noise, of course, would not reach this place as it is far removed and buried, but they fight with swords for your honor as well as theirs. Your men were displeased to find Lady Katherine sitting in your place when they returned from their hunt. You had made your wishes well known on that matter before you left. Everyone knows sending Sir Giles on a hunting trip would take him out of the way while Katherine’s evil spread throughout the villein, and of course, yourself, my lady.”
Gillian sat stiffly, unable to comprehend the import of his words. If what he said was indeed truth, she could be set free soon. If not, it could signal her quick demise as well as all those who stood against Katherine.
After some degree of silence, Cedrick said, “My Lady, I am sorry, but I must be leaving. If I am caught, it may mean the end for us both.”
“Thank you Cedrick, for both the food and the hope. I will be eager to hear from you soon. Do you think you could manage that?”
“I will do whatever I can.” Cedrick then bowed and left. Within moments Gillian again sat in total darkness.
How had the marriage her father had always hoped to make lead to the desperate situation at present? It would sicken him to know how poorly she had managed his legacy. In truth, even she had to admit that under her management the manor had thrived. In part of its problem, Gillian had relied too readily on the protection of Sir Giles. She had little knowledge of the art of warring. Giles had always held the trust of her father and he always seemed to have the best interest of the castle and its people in mind.
It was only under Oliver’s care that matters had taken a turn for the worst. In any case, the people of Fairhaven were waging a fight for their very existence, without her counsel. She would be at the mercy of the victor.
Not having any sense of time in a sunless soundless world, Gillian’s concern soon turned to worry and then despair. Her ears strained to hear of Cedric’s return. Her mind imagined subtle changes in the total black eclipsed by her earthen enclosure. But Cedric didn’t reappear and her hope began to fail.
Chapter Eighteen
Only a few days after Gillian and Alyssa arrived at Fairhaven, Giles had returned from hunting. He was furious at the departure of so many good men, but what had worried him most was the hiring of such an unworthy lot to replace them. It was obvious to him that it had all been planned months before. Otherwise, this quick action would never have been possible.
But Giles was still surprised when he confronted Katherine with how he felt. She insisted his loyalties to the manor were now in question and informed him that his small holdings were going to be given to another, “more loyal” knight. Although angered by the insult, at first Gile’s had been happy to leave the manor to seek his fortune and happiness elsewhere. There was no way he would be able to live his remaining years with this woman as his overseer. It had taken him only one day to put together his meager belongings and leave the area. It was when he met a farmer on the road that had once leased some of his land that he found out about Gillian and Alyssa.
It had taken three more days to gather other knights together who had once worked for Gillian and her father. They had attacked at once, fearing more time would only provide those guarding the manor with the ability to store food and call in more men. He was right. Catching the men on the walls by surprise had almost worked. In the bailey, Gile’s men had fought valiantly, but with low numbers they were forced outside the portcullis. And during the battle several of his men had been cut down, leaving only a dozen men remaining to carry on for the cause. But their willingness to continue had never waned. Having fond feelings for Lady Gillian and her father, each man was outraged by the cruel treatment afforded her.
His men nearly exhausted, they pulled back from the manor to regroup and rest. But the men had barely pulled back when sentries stationed along the road signaled the oncoming band of warriors traveling at a swift speed along the road just north of the village. Sir Giles positioned men in the woods to fight again if necessary.
Sir Giles sat upon his steed waiting for the band to round the bend, waiting to see the colors. His palms were wet with nervous sweat. His men were tired from the fight earlier that day and desperately in need of rest and nourishment. It would not bode well to once again engage in a fight. But battle was never convenient and nearly always costly to both sides.
Swiftly, the sound of horses’ hooves filled the air. A cloud of dust kicked up as the horses trotted around the bend and into Gile’s view. It was Luke Thornburgh and he was riding in the company of Oliver Blakely. Giles thighs tightened around his destrier’s flanks and the horse, sensing the tension and anticipating the other horses, once again danced in place. His nostrils flared and his head bobbed against the reigns. Large hoofs beat dust clouds as his body turned in circles. His knees and hands controlled the beast. The animal’s nervous energy matched his rider’s.
Luke slowed. Seeing Giles, he raised his hand in greeting.
“Greetings, Sir. Giles. I trust everything is well at Longmore,” Luke said. His voice was welcoming but his face held no emotion.
“I wish I could say it was so,” Giles replied. His expression hid nothing. Anger and frustration etched deeply into his forehead and the straight grim line of his mouth.
“What is amiss? Do you have news of my sister, Lady Alyssa and the Lady Gillian?”
“Much has happened since last you left. The Lady Katherine has taken over the role of chatelaine of Fairhaven. We found the deed properly done while we were away hunting. Lady Alyssa is held in the tower. We have yet to find out where Lady Gillian is being held. The servants have been promised a beating if they speak.”
“Good God!” Luke said. “We must make haste. The women must be rescued from the influence of Katherine.”
“I agree, Sir Luke, but my men have just waged a battle against Katherine’s men. We were outnumbered and although we inflicted injury to her defenders, my men need rest before we wage another battle.”
Luke grimaced at the implications of waiting. Gillian and Alyssa could be put to death by a fearful Katherine. But only with combined forces did they have a chance to overpower the warriors guarding the castle. There was little choice. The group would rest until morning.
A squire assisted Luke with his destrier, Storm. In an agitated state, Luke stalked off through the woods to calm the blood lust that was surging though his veins. So deep was the desire to kill the bastards that had abducted his family and left his father mortally wounded, his hands itched with the anticipation of striking the responsible men down. His mood was so black he dared not speak with his men.
But his walk prov
ided no ease to his distress. Indeed, the solitude merely whipped his mind into a frenzy. If Gillian and his sister were not well, or not handed over to him in a timely manner, he would forget all knightly oaths and let his fury loose on those responsible.
After some time, Luke returned to the encampment. The men were speaking of fortifications and entrances. Familiar with the castle, Giles offered sound suggestions and his creative approach seemed to please Oliver and Luke. A plan was developed and each man was given his task for the next day.
The morning came soon enough. Although somewhere in his fitful thoughts he finally found sleep, the promise of battle roused him as soon as the dawn tinged the night with a pale light. The lack of sleep held no tangible influence upon his body. Alert and ready to begin, Luke gathered his belongings and readied for battle.
Horses, sensing the tension of nervous warriors, beat the earth with their hooves. As if begging to start out, they whinnied and snorted. Within moments, each man had abandoned any drowsiness and was ready to engage the enemy.
Within two hours Sir Luke and Sir Oliver sat astride their steeds at the portcullis of Fairhaven. They sent greetings and requested entrance. Unless expecting trouble, the portcullis would be held open for the free travel of the villeins.
A message denying their request was delivered to them at the entrance. No explanation was forthcoming. The denial had no effect on Luke and his men. Fairhaven’s defenses were outnumbered and once Giles had secured their entrance there would be little question as to which side would take control.
Luke sat apprehensively near the entrance of the castle. Turning to Oliver and