Raven took little comfort from Granny’s words. For all she knew the old woman predicted things she only wished would come true. She could trust no one but herself in this, and her decision had already been made. She loved Drake and would do anything to preserve his life. She knew Waldo would punish her, but she doubted he would kill her. His first wife had died under mysterious circumstances, and the king might question the sudden death of a second wife.
“Give me this day and night to rest, Raven,” Sir John said. “I am as anxious to reach Chirk as you are. Be ready to leave at daybreak.”
The dank, foul-smelling dungeon was just as he remembered. Drake lay unmoving on the putrid pile of rotting straw and tried to recall how many days had passed since Waldo had thrown him into the dark chamber beneath the castle.
Every bone in his body ached. Fortunately he could not recall much of the forced march to Chirk. When his feet had refused to keep pace with Waldo’s mount, he had been dragged along behind. His gambeson had saved him from serious injury, but his exposed skin had been scraped raw and at least two of his ribs had been broken during that harrowing journey. He had been given neither food nor water, until Waldo, fearing he would die before Raven appeared, had allowed him small amounts of nourishment.
Had he been given time to heal, he would not be so weak. But Waldo had ordered a beating. There were times during the beating that Drake had wished for death, but the thought of leaving Raven to Waldo’s mercy had instilled in him the will to live. If they would just leave him alone long enough, he knew he would remember something of grave importance about the dungeon, something his fuzzy mind refused to grasp in his present condition.
With painful effort Drake lifted his head and stared through swollen eyes at the winding staircase and the locked door at the top. He had been here before; he was certain of it. And he remembered . . . He remembered . . . His head dropped to his chest. He could remember nothing; the pain pounding within his head robbed him of coherent thought. He closed his eyes and uttered a prayer for Raven’s safety. Would she throw caution to the wind and come to Chirk against his wishes? Knowing Raven, she would do the opposite of what he wanted her to do.
Suddenly a light appeared at the top of the stairs, and Drake heard shuffling footsteps and voices. He forced his eyes open and saw two men.
“Are you alive, Sir Bastard?” a harsh voice grated from the top landing.
Squinting toward the light, Drake saw his brother standing at the top of the stairs.
“I am alive, no thanks to you, brother.” Drake hated the weakness in his voice but could not help it.
“My man brings food and water,” Waldo said. “Enjoy it, for ’tis all you will get. When your whore arrives, you will have outlived your usefulness. Why waste good food on a corpse?”
Had Drake the strength he would have launched himself up the stairs at Waldo for disparaging Raven. It took all the strength he could muster just to form a coherent reply. “You do not deserve a woman like Raven. Blame me for what happened, not her, for she is blameless.”
The guard placed a bucket of water and a trencher of food beside Drake. Drake thought he was hearing things when the man whispered as he backed away, “I will bring food and drink when I can, my lord.” Stunned and not knowing what to think, Drake watched warily as the guard ascended the stairs.
“Enjoy your meal, Sir Bastard,” Waldo taunted.
“Wait! Do not remove the torchlight. How do you expect me to eat what I cannot see? I am no animal.”
Waldo laughed, an eerie sound that drifted down to Drake on a chill breeze. “Look at you. You say you are no animal, but your best friend would not recognize you now, crouching like an animal in that dank straw. Very well. Never let it be said that Waldo of Eyre is a man without a heart. I will leave the torchlight here in the sconce. Think not about escape, for the door will be guarded at all times. Pray for your sins while you await death, Sir Bastard.”
The heavy door banged shut but the light remained, much to Drake’s relief. Though only a dim glow reached him, the torchlight provided sufficient light to afford him his first clear look at his surroundings. He rolled over on his side to reach for the trencher of food and sucked in his breath as pain shuddered through him. When the pain subsided, he pulled the trencher toward him, suddenly ravenous, and wolfed down the contents. He even consumed the trencher, which was made of bread so stale he nearly choked on it. Then he dipped his hand into the water and drank deeply.
Replete for the first time in days, he fell asleep. He wanted to be rested should the guards return to administer another beating. Mayhap when he awakened his mind would be clear enough to recall what he had been trying to remember.
Raven stared through the mist at the castle where she was born and had grown into womanhood. She and Sir John had halted at the edge of the forest that lay beyond the outer walls. The portcullis stood open and the drawbridge had been lowered over the moat. Though the castle appeared tranquil and inviting, Raven felt a deep foreboding inside her.
“I will go in alone,” Raven said. “You can be of more use to us outside than imprisoned within.”
“I cannot let you go alone, my lady.”
“This is my home, Sir John. Duff has not always been a good brother but I cannot believe he will allow Waldo to hurt me. Besides, I will refuse to cross the drawbridge unless Waldo can prove that Drake still lives. Remain here and be ready to ride if I turn away. I will not enter if Waldo cannot show me Drake.”
“Be wary, my lady. I trust Waldo not.”
“Nor do I, Sir John, nor do I.”
Raven guided her palfrey from the cover of trees and halted at the end of the drawbridge, close enough to be seen by the watchmen on the parapet. Almost immediately a watchman heralded her arrival. In an amazingly short time Waldo appeared on the parapet.
“So you came,” Waldo called out.
“Aye, I came,” Raven shouted in reply. “Where is Drake?”
“Come inside and I will show him to you.”
“Nay. I do not trust you. Show me Drake first. How do I know you have not slain him?”
“My own brother? You wound me sorely, wife. I have kept my word. The Black Knight still lives.”
“I do not envy you if you have taken Drake’s life,” Raven shouted. “The king thinks highly of his champion. You will be punished for what you have done to him.”
Waldo’s laughter drifted over her like an ominous cloud. “The king’s champion abducted my wife and deprived me of my wedding night. Think you Edward will condone that kind of behavior from his own knight?”
“Show me Drake,” Raven demanded. Dread shivered through her. Was there some reason Waldo refused to bring Drake forth? Did her love still live?
“Very well,” Waldo roared, clearly angered by her refusal to surrender herself unconditionally. He turned to speak to one of his men, and Raven felt a modicum of satisfaction at having won the first round. “It will take a while to bring him up here.”
“Do not try to trick me, Waldo. And do not send your men from the castle to seize me, for I can outrun them and disappear forever.”
Ready to turn her horse and bolt should the situation demand it, Raven waited impatiently for Drake to appear on the parapet.
Three whole days had passed since his last beating, allowing Drake to regain some of his former strength. The friendly knight had managed to sneak food and water to him just once, but Drake was grateful for whatever the man provided. He had even wrapped his broken ribs and provided salve for his injuries. He had also told Drake that there were men among Waldo’s army who respected the Black Knight and did not like what Waldo was doing to him.
Unfortunately, fear of Waldo’s wrath prevented them or any of Chirk’s servants from helping him escape. But now that Drake’s mind was functioning again, he began to recall something very important from his childhood days at Chirk, something that gave him hope.
Drake’s thoughts scattered as he felt a draft coming from the ope
n door at the top of the stairs. Someone was descending the stairs. It was two men-at-arms wearing Eyre colors. He sensed danger and braced himself.
“You are wanted above,” one of the men said in a growl. Pain exploded through him as he was seized and dragged up the stone stairs. Light exploded before his eyes, momentarily blinding him after living in the dark for so long. Holding his ribs, he fought to catch his breath as the guards pulled him up along a flight of stairs winding to the parapets.
“Where are you taking me?” Drake said with a gasp.
“Our liege lord commands your presence on the parapet,” the guards informed him.
The parapet! Waldo must have decided to fling him over the parapet to his death. Then another thought occurred. If Waldo no longer needed him alive, did that mean that Raven had refused to return to Chirk? Though it meant his death, Drake was comforted by the knowledge that Raven was still with Granny, where her husband could not hurt her.
He learned how wrong he was when he reached the parapet and saw Raven seated on her white mare just beyond the moat.
Twelve
A knight holds pain in contempt.
Drake was seized by terror such as he had never known before. Raven looked so small and utterly vulnerable, and his fear for her escalated. “What is Raven doing here?”
“She is here at my command,” Waldo said. “But she demands to see you before entering the keep. She did not trust me to keep you alive. Foolish girl. She fancies herself your savior.”
He slanted Drake an assessing look. “You look better than I expected.” His words held a wealth of contempt and the barest hint of awe. “Some believe you are indestructible, but every man has his breaking point. I do not understand. You look not like a man who should be half-dead from lack of water and food.”
“Mayhap I am indestructible,” Drake replied.
“No man is invincible,” Waldo said with a sneer. He nodded toward one of the guards. “Bring him forward so his whore can see him.”
Drake was dragged forcibly to the crenel, where he could be seen from below. Raven shaded her eyes against the sun and stared up at him. Throwing caution to the wind, he cupped his mouth and called out, “Flee, Raven! Waldo means you harm. Keep yourself safe for my sake.”
“Bastard!” Waldo said in a hiss, pushing him aside. Drake fell to his knees but quickly recovered.
“Now that you have seen your lover,” Waldo called down to Raven, “you may enter the keep. No harm will come to you.”
Duff appeared on the parapet beside Waldo, frowning when he saw Raven standing below. “ ’Tis Raven.”
Drake felt hope stir within him when Duff appeared. Though Duff had never shown much gumption, he was, after all, Raven’s brother and should protect her. “Waldo means your sister harm,” Drake warned. “Do not let him hurt her.”
“Stay out of this, Duff,” Waldo advised. “Your sister is my wife; let me handle her however I see fit.”
“You promised you would not harm Raven,” Duff said, surprising Drake. Duff had never been vocal about anything, preferring instead to follow Waldo’s lead. Drake had always thought Duff a spiritless fellow.
“I have no intention of hurting Raven,” Waldo lied smoothly. “She will be punished, of course. She made a cuckold of me. ’Tis my right to demand redress. But let me assure you she will live to bear my heir.”
Duff looked dubious but offered no further argument. Drake was quick to pursue his small victory. “I would watch Waldo were I you, Duff. Raven is your only sister. As I recall, your other sister died under mysterious circumstances while married to Waldo. Has he explained to your satisfaction how a healthy woman could sicken and die so quickly?”
Duff’s thoughtful expression cheered Drake. He prayed the seed of doubt he had planted would take root, and that it would save Raven from serious harm.
“Weakness does not become a knight,” Waldo chided Duff. “Show yourself to Raven. Convince her to enter the keep.”
Duff walked to the crenel and stared down at Raven. “Sister!” he called loudly. “I promise you will be safe. You must return to your husband. In time he will forgive you.”
“Very good,” Waldo said, nodding approval.
Drake dragged himself to the crenel and peered down at Raven. “Do not believe them, Raven. Flee!”
Waldo forcibly removed Drake and flung him away, where he was immediately seized by the guards and prevented from interfering.
The moment Raven saw Drake, she knew he had suffered excessively on her account. Though she could not see every bruise and injury from so great a distance, she knew from the sound of his voice and the way he held himself that he had been tortured. It took tremendous strength to remain calm, to keep herself from rushing into the keep and begging for his life. Despite Drake’s warning, she was not going to flee.
She gained scant comfort when Duff promised that she would not be harmed, for Duff was not now nor had he ever been her champion. Aware of Waldo’s sly nature, she had a request of her own to make.
“Bring Drake down to the portcullis. I refuse to enter until I speak to him.”
“Bitch,” Waldo muttered beneath his breath. “Very well,” he shouted. “Your lover will greet you at the portcullis.”
Raven did not realize she was holding her breath until she felt herself grow dizzy from lack of air. She released it in a great whoosh and sucked in another breath as she guided her mount over the drawbridge. She passed the barbican and drew rein just short of the portcullis, her heart pounding as she waited for Drake to appear.
She gasped aloud when she saw him supported between two guards. She wanted to cry. He looked terrible. Disregarding her own safety, she crossed the moat and rode through the portcullis. She brought her palfrey to a skidding halt, slid from the saddle, and rushed to Drake’s side.
“What have you done to him?” she cried, sending Waldo a scathing look.
“You should not have come,” Drake said in a croak.
Tears sprang to Raven’s eyes. Drake was in worse shape than she had imagined. His face was battered, his eyes and mouth dreadfully swollen. His hose was in shreds and his gambeson torn beyond repair. She wanted to take him in her arms but did not dare.
“You have seen your Black Knight, or what is left of him,” Waldo taunted. “Are you ready to become my wife now?”
Raven heard Drake groan and felt his pain as if it were her own, but she kept herself focused on her purpose.
“Release Drake first,” she demanded.
“Not yet,” Waldo said with a snarl. “His release depends upon your willingness to submit to my will. I will have an heir from you, Raven.”
“Nay!” Drake cried. “Make no promises. Waldo cannot be trusted.”
Drake’s impassioned plea nearly destroyed Raven’s resolve, but she squared her narrow shoulders and followed her heart. “I will give you an heir, Waldo, after you set Drake free. You have no right to hold him prisoner. Until you release him, I vow no child of yours will grow in my belly. If you think I jest, husband, you should know that women have ways of preventing conception.”
Raven had a vague idea of some of the things women could do to prevent conception but had no real knowledge of them. She prayed her bluff would convince Waldo of her determination to see Drake set free.
“Drake will remain my prisoner until you conceive my child,” Waldo proclaimed. “Then, if I am in a good mood, mayhap I will release him.”
Aware that Waldo was rarely in a good mood, Raven tried another tactic. “Drake is the king’s champion. Edward will not be pleased with your treatment of Drake. ’Tis the king’s right to mete out punishment if punishment is due.”
“I fear Raven is right in that,” Duff contended. “The Black Knight is the king’s champion. The charges against Drake should be presented to Edward so he can resolve them however he sees fit.”
Waldo’s face swelled with rage. “Are you turning against me, Duff?”
“Nay, I but speak the truth.”
“The truth is that Drake of Windhurst deflowered my bride and abducted her on my wedding night.”
“Nay!” Raven denied. “I went willingly. Duff knew I was never keen on our marriage. I would have accompanied the devil to escape you. You killed my sister.”
Waldo raised his arm to backhand Raven. Duff grasped Waldo’s arm with surprising strength, stopping the blow before it fell.
“You said you would not harm Raven,” Duff reminded him. “Having to bear your child should be punishment enough for her. We both know she despises you. Injuring her will solve naught.”
No one was more stunned by Duff’s defense than Raven herself. It was not like Duff to defy Waldo. Cheered by Duff’s words, she decided it was time Waldo was reminded that there could be consequences from her association with Drake. His reaction might be brutal, and she prepared herself both mentally and physically for Waldo’s wrath.
“Mayhap I carry Drake’s child.”
Waldo did strike her then, his blow knocking her off her feet. She lay on the ground, staring up into his glowering features, wondering if he would kill her.
“Hit her again and you will suffer a slow death,” Drake promised as he struggled to free himself.
Waldo paid him little heed; his rage was centered on Raven now. “Bitch!” he roared. “Are you carrying my brother’s bastard?”
Raven’s held her head high, refusing to be crushed by the likes of Waldo. She shrugged. “Mayhap.”
“How long before you know?” Waldo’s face was so red Raven feared he would burst.
“I am not sure. Two weeks,” she said, stretching the truth. “Three at the most. ’Tis difficult to predict.”
“Guards!” Waldo bellowed. “Take my wife to the solar and lock her in.” Raven was hemmed in by two burly guards. “My dear wife will wait upon me in her chamber until I see solid proof that she is not breeding.”
He turned to Drake. “You had better pray, Sir Bastard, that your whore is not carrying your child. Meanwhile, you will enjoy Chirk’s dungeon until such time as Raven becomes my wife in more than name only. Knowing that your life is in my hands will make her more amenable to my attentions.”
Connie Mason Page 17