by McCall, Mary
Squaring his shoulders, Manuel walked to the massive desk. He reached up and grabbed Intrepid’s hilt with both hands. The tip of the heavy sword clattered on the stones as the blade crashed against the floor. Then Manuel headed for the door, dragging the gleaming weapon along with him.
“Manuel, what do you think you are doing with that sword?” Brianna called, firm rebuke in her tone.
“I am going to save my Mama and Papa,” Manuel muttered over his shoulder without stopping.
Aurick, surprised, spun around and peered at the boy. “You know the way?”
Manuel halted and huffed, wiping his hand over his face as he had seen Bernon do. “’Tis what I have been trying to say, but I couldn’t get permission to talk.” He tossed an accusing glare at Geno. “The bath is down a little ways from the sun, and I memorized the way there, ‘cause of I was not supposed to.”
Aurick rolled his eyes at the impudence as relief flowed through him. “Druce, go with Medwyn to alert the centurions,” he ordered. “We ride when I return. Balen, you stay to guard the ladies..”
Balen hesitated, his uncertain gaze drifting toward Lucretia. “I would like to go to my brother’s aid.”
“I shall stay with the ladies,” William offered. “I will also ride with you when you meet Orlege. I look forward to pulling that Saxon thorn out of my arse.”
“By you leave, Your Grace, I would join Aurick and Balen.” Geno said.
“’Tis what I expected of you, Geno. Manuel,” King William said, turning to the young boy and placing a hand on his shoulder. “Guide them well. You are my youngest warrior now.”
“Aye, Sire,” Manuel puffed out his chest and turned to Aurick. “Commander, we got to go through the shed. ‘Tis the only way I know.”
“Then lead the way.” Aurick lifted Intrepid from the boy’s grasp. “We are right behind you.”
~ * ~
Melita’s bare foot landed on a piece of sharp debris. She stumbled and clenched her jaw to keep from crying out. Sidney jerked on the arm he held twisted behind her back, keeping her upright and drawing forth the whimper she had tried so hard to suppress.
Her mind spun in a maelstrom and she couldn’t focus beyond the pain shooting from her shoulder down to her fingertips and the prayer that she kept repeating in her head, Dear Lord, please save my Bernon.
They arrived at the site where the passage branched into three tunnels, and she slowed her pace. “We have to stop a moment. There are traps.”
Sidney halted, briefly pushing up on her arm. She knew he did it just for the sheer pleasure of hurting her. “What kind?”
Melita closed her eyes, fighting tears, and sucked in a breath. “Lethal.” He jerked on her arm, and she released a pained squeal. “’Tis all I know. I have to disarm them before we go farther.”
“Then do it,” he hissed.
“I need both arms,” she said and sensed his hesitation to release her. “I shall not run. I promise.”
“’Twould do you no good to try,” he snarled then snorted a laugh as if he thought his remark a jest and shoved her away from him.
Melita faltered then caught her footing and rubbed her aching shoulder. She bowed her head, so he couldn’t see the pain in her watery eyes burst into a wrathful blaze. She was sick of the brute treating her so. She was valuable, rare, and precious, dammit, and she didn’t deserve the abuse that he had heaped on her for her whole life.
Her hands trembled as she opened the wall and pulled the lever, disarming the traps. The metallic groan echoed in the passage, sounding to her like a thousand jeering voices mocking her for cowardice and betrayal of the Strangclyf legacy. Her eyes narrowed. She would prove those jeering accusations wrong. She didn’t know how, but damn if she wouldn’t!
“Which way?” Sidney asked, reaching for her.
Sidestepping him, she clasped her hands in front of her and bowed her head in the submissive manner he had always demanded of her. “The tunnel to the left.”
She hurried into the passage, praying he would follow without grabbing her aching arm again. He seemed content with her taking the lead at this point. Melita took some deep even breaths. She had to calm herself and come up with a plan. She could not let Sidney win this time and she had the advantage. In addition to being valuable, rare, and precious, Bernon had said she was brave too, and Sidney didn’t know about these important strengths.
There were plenty of weapons in the coffers, and the treasure should distract him. Mayhap she could grab a dagger and stab him. Or better still, she could run while he was occupied with the riches, seal him inside the coffer, and bring back help. She nodded. Aye, ‘twas a good plan. Now if her feet and arm would just quit hurting, then mayhap she could carry it out.
Was that a scurrying behind them? Nay, ‘twas her overwrought imagination. Sidney would surely act alarmed if the noise were real and his hearing was better than hers, after all. Melita snorted. ‘Twas the reason she hadn’t known the slimy serpent was slithering up behind her in the bath.
Arriving at the cavern at the end of the passage, she went to the wall and opened the entrance to the coffer. Sidney shoved her inside ahead of him.
“Son of a conniving bitch,” he said in angry-awed tones as he held his torch aloft and glanced about the chamber. “The old bastard thought to deny me this wealth!” He turned hard eyes on Melita. “Get the emeralds.”
“Surely with all that is here, you could—”
Sidney backhanded her, cutting her lip and knocking her hip against the side of the desk. “Do not deny me. I have never tolerated insolence from you, and I’ll not start now. Now get the emeralds.”
Zut! For her plan to work, she needed to stay near the entrance. Holding a hand to her sore jaw, Melita bowed her head, crossed the chamber to the cabinet, and removed the small chest. Sidney grabbed the box from her hands and opened it. A sinister chuckle grated in his throat as he stared at the gems through greedy eyes.
Melita inched backward while the gems held his attention. O Lord, help her. This might be her only chance. She turned and ran for the entrance.
Sidney caught her within five feet of the door and jerked her around facing him, his face contorted with rage. “You thought to trap me in here, bitch!”
He slammed one beefy fist against the side of her head. She fell and her back hit hard against the side of the desk. The pain shooting up from her injured feet caused her knees to buckle, and she slid to the floor. All her bravery withered and she cowered back, desperately afraid. She looked up and saw his beady eyes peering at her as an evil leer twisted his lips.
“What a perfect notion!” He gloated while surveying the chamber then laughed. “I am sure your precious Bernon will pay well to get you back. I shall gain more riches by keeping you, so I can carry less now.”
Blood froze in her veins. She backed away from him and drew her legs toward her, pressing against the desk. Zut! If he took her with him, she would never see Bernon again. Merciful God, help her think of a way out of this. She raised a hand and rubbed the side of her pounding head. The hilt of a dagger pressed into her opposite palm.
“Shhh, Mama. Hide this where he cannot see.”
Hearing Genius’ whisper behind her set her heart racing anew. Now she had to protect him too. Keeping watchful eyes on Sidney, she twisted the dagger in the folds of her bath sheet and prayed the old snake wouldn’t notice the gathered material when she stood.
“If you cannot get him before you leave,” Genius whispered, “then stay well behind him in the tunnel. When he falls, run back here fast. I made a trap.”
Melita nodded her understanding then wished she hadn’t as the pounding in her skull increased. She raised to a sitting position and couldn’t suppress the moan that fell from her lips. At least Sidney still went for the same ear.
Sidney turned and scowled at her. “Get some of that cloth and fill it with jewels and coins. I will need something to tide me over while we wait for your husband to fetch you.”
Melita stood, swayed slightly, and raised her hand back to the side of her head as she leaned against the desk. She swallowed against sudden nausea and took a deep breath. I am valuable, rare, and precious, and brave. I am...
“I can see you missed me.” Sidney chuckled as he shoved jewels and coins into his pockets then he sneered. “Move, Barwolf!”
She staggered then caught her balance and crossed the chamber to a pile of cloth, leaving bloody footprints in her path. Grabbing a thick piece of ivory wool, she placed the material on the floor beside an open trunk. While moving the bounty from the chest to the cloth, she took covert glances toward Sidney and found him staring at her. Zut! She couldn’t risk going for the dagger with him watching her so closely.
With a considerable mound of riches in the center of the wool, Melita stopped. “Do you carry this or do I?”
“What do you think?” he asked with a sardonic snort.
She bowed her head, hoping he would think her compliant. “I shall not be able to lift more than this.”
“You will fill it until I tell you to stop or you will feel my fist again.”
She rubbed the side of her head then put more jewels onto the growing pile. Mayhap she could get him to answer some of the questions that plagued her. Sidney liked to brag, after all. “’Twas you who tried to kill Bernon in Londontown and here, was it not?”
Sidney grunted. “’Twas Gremian in Londontown. I would not have missed. ‘Twas also that stupid fool who tried to drown you. Only an idiot would do such a thing without having you lead us here first.”
“But ‘twas you who threw my dagger that night?” she persisted, dropping another handful of coins onto the cloth.
“Of course. Gremian has not the arm for such a throw.” He turned a derisive grin toward her. “’Tis ironic. You of all people actually had me worried you might die that night.”
“How did you get away without anyone finding you that night?” She stood up straight and looked at him, furrowing her brows in bewilderment. “If you do not know the maze, then I cannot figure out how you could just vanish.”
“The maze is not the only passage in this old pile of stones.” He gloated and leaned against the side of the desk.
“’Tis another?” she asked surprised, forcing herself not to take nervous glances around the chamber for Genius.
“An old servants’ passage runs through the walls at every level. I forbade its use after your grandfather died and everyone has forgotten its existence.” He chuckled. “My inspiration finally paid off. I’ve been able to come and go as I please with no one the wiser.”
Melita glanced down at the mound of riches on the cloth. “I do not wish you to strike me again, but I truly cannot carry more. I have my doubts about this much.”
Sidney straightened and glowered at her. “Then grab it and let’s go.”
She gathered the corners of the wool and tugged, unable to lift the bundle. “I have to drag this.”
“Do what you must—just come. I want to be well away from here before Orlege arrives.” He turned and headed toward the entrance.
She gaped at him in dismay. “Orlege comes to Strangclyf today?”
“Aye.” He halted and a smug grin spread across his face. “I had to kill one of your enemies, so you should be pleased with me.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked cautiously. He sounded like he enjoyed the killing.
“Lady Lucretia. The bitch was going to tell Bernon our plan for you and about Orlege. I couldn’t let her spoil my triumph. All that was denied me will be mine.” A crazed chortle escaped him, an then he scowled at her. “Move.”
“All right.” Melita grunted and tugged on the cloth, pulling the bundle along in short measures. “When we get to the branch in the tunnel, we have to take the far passage to leave near the back dock.”
Sidney grabbed the torch from the wall and preceded her out of the chamber. At the tunnel entrance, he turned back and scowled over her slow progress across the small cavern. “Hurry up, wench.”
“I am moving as fast as I can.” She glared up at him then swiftly bowed her head. “I am small and this is heavy.”
“Just keep moving. Your size always did make you inferior.” He headed into the tunnel, stopping every few feet to glower at Melita and wait for her to catch up.
She hauled her burden and grunted behind him. What did Genius do that made him so certain Sidney would fall? And how much farther did they have to go before they reached Genius’ trap? Her head pounded so hard that she wanted to vomit. She was beginning to feel faint too. What if she passed out before Sidney fell? She mumbled to herself, “I am valuable, rare, and precious, and brave. I am valuable, rare, and precious, and brave. I am not going to vomit. I am not going to vomit. Oh Lord, I think I am going to toss up everything.”
Letting go of her burden, Melita stopped and leaned her brow against the cool stone wall. Taking a few deep breaths, she swallowed hard against the bile rising in her throat and pressed her hands against her cheeks. She looked toward Sidney. Zut! He was only about twenty feet in front of her. She should throw the blade Genius had given her and make a run for it. She pulled the dagger from the folds of her bath sheet.
“Damnation!” Sidney hollered, tripping over the spear that Genius left propped across the tunnel.
She saw him rising and threw the dagger at him. Then she turned and ran toward the coffers, screaming, “Now!”
Oh Lord, she heard echoing footsteps running behind her. Please, God, help me get away!
~ * ~
Bernon held his torch over the placard, frustrated that he must spend precious moments checking his direction. He blinked his eyes against blurring and clenched his jaw against residual nausea while trying to ignore the drum beating a pounding tattoo against the inside of his skull. The tunnel to his right should lead him to the branch before the coffers...he hoped.
He headed down the passage. How had he ever gotten along without the woman? She had sparkled into his staid existence like a dazzling sunbeam, and he had enjoyed his last few frustrating weeks with her more than any other time of his life. Honest to God, she had given birth to him in a way his mother never had. His soul would wither and die if he lost her now.
Just as he arrived at the forked passages, Melita’s scream echoed through the maze followed by the sound of a thousand metallic swishes blowing through the tunnel, ending on a massive reverberating clunk.
With his heart hammering in his throat, Bernon opened the wall and pulled the safety lever then raced down the left passage. About fifty feet into the tunnel just past the first bend, he halted at the sight of thousands of jewels and coins twinkling through hundreds of pieces of flesh and oozing bloody cloth. ‘Twas nothing recognizable in the carnage.
This could not be her! He felt choked and tried to inhale. A suffocating sorrow crashed upon him, gripping his chest so tightly his heart lurched in a painful spasm. He slumped against the wall of the tunnel, seeing no sign of the blades that had caused this mutilation. Almighty God, was his life over when he had only just begun to live?
The sound of shifting stone ahead in the passage reached him and broke through his misery. Dredging up his last remnant of hope, Bernon hurried around the last curve and headed toward the coffers. He reached the cavern and found the wall sealed. Pushing at the base of the wall with his foot, he couldn’t find the spot that opened the access. Rage built up in him over his ineptitude and he kicked the stone in an effort to release some measure of his wrath. The wall slowly opened and Bernon stared for a moment in surprise.
Gathering his wits, he stepped into the coffers. Melita charged toward him with a shiny silver-tipped spear pointed at his chest. He took a dive to his left, avoiding the blade, and his torch went flying. “God’s teeth, woman! Do you skewer me for being late?”
Melita caught herself with a gasp and tossed down the spear. She threw herself on top of Bernon and rained kisses and tears all over his face. “Oh, Bernon, I have neve
r been so happy to see anyone in all my life. I was afraid you were Sidney coming back and...” She broke off, feeling the lump on his skull. “Are you all right? I have been so worried about you, because you didn’t move and I...I...” She sniffed and gulped, then shook her head as if unable to go on.
Bernon took her probing fingers from his tender scalp and kissed her palm. Cupping her face in his hands, he gazed into her watery eyes. “Oh God, I thought I had lost you.” He gave her a fierce kiss, releasing some of his caged emotions, then pulled her into a possessive embrace. “Forgive me for failing you, cheri.”
She reached up and caressed his jaw. “You did not fail me, Bernon. You made me realize I can be brave even when I am afraid. ‘Twas the only reason I could think beyond my panic, so ‘twas you who saved me—with some help from Genius.”
He gazed at her fragile features, marveling that God had given him such a valuable treasure—for such a precious loving woman was truly a rarity among creation. What had Geno said so long ago about his bride being a pearl beyond price? Honestly, she was a worthy prize and he was glad she was his.
“Where is Genius?” Bernon asked, pulling himself together. He looked over her shoulder, hoping she wouldn’t notice the moisture in his eyes.
Genius waved the torch that Bernon dropped when he fell. “I am back here, keeping the coffers from burning while you finish the mushy kisses and stuff.”
“Come here, Genius.” Melita sat up on top of Bernon and put an arm around the boy when he approached. “He saved me, Bernon. He fixed the tunnel so Sidney would trip, then he sprang the traps.”
Bernon pulled them both into his arms. “You know what I am thinking, wife, is you named our son well. And he may just turn into a fine soldier despite his foot, for ‘tis strategy that wins battles and he thinks well.”
Genius flushed with pleasure over the compliment.
Melita gasped and pushed upward. “We have to hurry. Sidney said Orlege plans to attack Strangclyf today.”
She stood up and swayed, expelling a groan. Grabbing the edge of the desk for support, she rubbed the side of her head.