I struggled to run in my soaking wet dress, slipping in mud and on wet grass. When I reached the place where the tree was, I held tight to the trunk. One wrong move and I could get pinned beneath the tree and drown. I inched my way forward, which seemed to take hours.
“Kenrick,” I called, but he didn’t answer. My throat constricted and I prayed I’d be strong enough to get him to shore, and that he’d be alive when we got there.
When he was within reach, I looped one arm around him from the back and yanked his body toward me. I stumbled, nearly falling, but I caught hold of the tree with my free hand. As I struggled back toward the bank, the waters slowed like someone had put a dam in to stop the flow. At last, we reached the shore and I climbed onto the embankment, dragging Kenrick up.
I noticed the bloody gash across his forehead and fell to my knees beside him. “Please, Kenrick, wake up. You’ve got to be okay.”
My head bent closer to his as I listened to hear his breathing. “Please. Don’t leave me,” I sobbed. “You can’t leave me.”
He sputtered, and his lids flew open. His blue eyes were wild as he glanced around. When he saw me, he tugged me into his arms.
“Brielle, you saved me.”
“I thought I’d lost you.” Tears streamed down my cheeks as I hugged him. “You went underwater and I couldn’t find you.” What was my attachment to him? Why did I care so much? He had no right to garner these types of reactions from me. He had become a friend over the course of time he’d spent in Dark Pines, but it seemed like I’d known him much longer. Like we had indeed met somewhere before. Yet, even I knew it to be impossible and quickly brushed the thoughts and feelings aside.
“Shh … I’m all right now.” He smoothed the hair back from my face, his gaze intent on mine.
It was a miracle he hadn’t been wearing his armor tonight, or he could’ve died in the river.
All around us, dusk set in. Already the air had grown cooler. We needed to find shelter for the night because there was no way we could travel down to the eastern bridge before darkness enveloped everything. And there were far too many dangerous things about in the woods.
He cringed as he sat up, his arms still encircling me. “I’m a little dizzy, but I think I can walk, if you help me stand.”
I nodded and pushed to my feet, then reached down and offered him my hands. With a grunt, he pulled himself erect. Blood streamed down his face, and he wiped it away with his hand, leaving a crimson smudge behind.
A horse whinnied behind us, and I turned to see Kenrick’s mount nearby. “Let me bandage your head, then I’ll help you onto your horse. There’s an abandoned barn just up the road where we can find shelter. It’s the closest place.”
Once I finished cleaning and bandaging his cut, he caught my hand in his. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, we must hurry and get in out of this rain before we catch our deaths.”
I didn’t want to mention just how close we’d already come to that. My mind flicked back to the figure I’d seen on the bridge. Had she caused it to collapse? Was she the one responsible for the rise in the river? Or maybe she’d been here to warn me.
Either way, I knew her appearance wasn’t a coincidence. The more I thought about her, the more I realized we needed to get in out of the dark. And off the road.
Kenrick managed to climb atop his horse, then help me onto the saddle behind him.
“The barn is just around the curve.”
The horse took off at a slow trot and I wrapped my arms around his waist; the heat from his body warmed me through my cold, wet clothes.
He guided the horse into the tall grass until we came to the dilapidated barn. Part of the roof was missing, while several boards had been stripped from the outside.
Kenrick slid from his mount. “Wait here a moment. I’m going to check and make sure there are no wild animals or bandits inside.”
He drew his sword then crept toward the leaning building. Long minutes went by as I sat, my arms wrapped around my chest as I shivered, listening to the rain hit the side of the shelter.
Soon he poked his head out. “It’s all clear. You can come in now.” He sheathed his sword then came around to help me down. His hands grasped my waist as he set me on the ground.
Once we were in the barn, I set to work, unsaddling the horse and rummaging through the pouches. I found dried venison and cheese, as well as two woolen blankets, and a skin of water. There was also a small sack of oats for the horse.
Kenrick gathered an armload of broken boards, beams, and posts, then shoved bits of dry hay beneath. He produced flint from one of the saddlebags and kneeled down to get a fire going.
Tiny sparks sprayed across the hay, and Kenrick leaned forward to blow on it. After a moment, flames sprang to life, igniting first the straw, then a couple pieces of wood. The flames danced in the darkness, creating a ring of light around our makeshift camp. Already the heat caressed my chilled body.
I knew I needed to get out of my dress and hang it to dry, even with no spare clothing to change into. My shift beneath would cover me enough.
“Can you turn your back for a moment?” I flushed. “I-I need to remove some of my wet garments.”
Kenrick glanced at me across the fire. Our gazes locked. Damp, dark hair swept across the white bandage around his forehead, and his white tunic clung to a sculpted chest. With a nod, he spun so that his back faced me.
As quick as I could, I untied the back of my dress then proceeded to fight to get the sodden garment over my head. When I finally freed myself from it, I draped it over one of the horse stalls. Next, I bent down and took off my boots and stockings. Barefoot, I crept back to the fire in only my shift and sat down.
“You can look now,” I said.
He spun around and glanced at me. I heard the intake of a deep breath, then watched as he grabbed a blanket from the ground. He moved to my side and draped it about my shoulders.
He smiled. “I never thought I’d be stranded out in the wilderness with you.”
I reached next to me and grabbed our food as Kenrick plopped down and slid he boots off. I averted my eyes while he stripped out of his wet shirt and put on the dry one he’d pulled from one of pouches on his horse’s saddle.
We ate in silence; the only sounds were from the snap of the embers and the rain hitting the side of the barn. I snuggled into my blanket and watched Kenrick across the flames.
“My brothers would make fun of me if they knew a lady had to save me today.” He grinned.
I laughed. “Well then, we best keep this a secret, Lord Kenrick. So tell me, how many brothers do you have?”
As he tucked into the venison he told me about his three older brothers, Leonardo, Bartholomew, and Daedric, who were still in search of the Beast, and his father who’d recently retired to head up the Knights of Crowhurst.
In the distance, howls echoed through the night. Chills snaked up my back and I moved closer to the fire. Noticing my unease, Kenrick picked up his blanket and came to sit next to me.
“Don’t worry, I won’t let anything harm you this night
We sat in a boat, Kenrick rowing toward a distant island.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked, dragging my fingers across the water’s surface.
Kenrick laughed. “You really don’t like surprises do you?”
My lips twitched. “No.”
The sun illuminated him as he sat tall, eyes blazing like blue flames. He was perfect. The way his face lit up when he smiled or told a joke. To the kindness he showed me and Gram.
The bottom of the boat hit the sandy lake floor as we made it to shore.
“This, my love, is where I live.” He pointed to the castle, where roses and vines climbed against stone walls. “This is home to the Knights of the Crowhurst Order.” He climbed from the boat, then hefted me into his arms and set me on land.
“Kenrick, it’s beautiful.” I spun, staring
at sparkling waters that surrounded the island. Everywhere I looked there was life. Thick green trees, long blades of grass, birds singing and gliding on the wind. It was like a private paradise.
“Someday, I plan to bring you here to stay,” he whispered as he caught my chin in his hands. When he leaned down as if to kiss me, a boisterous voice interrupted us.
“Ahh, little brother, you’ve finally brought the lass home to meet us!”
I twisted to face a tall, dark-haired man, who looked almost exactly like Kenrick. Dark locks hung to his shoulders, but instead of blue eyes, he had green. He stood a couple inches taller, his shoulders a bit wider.
“Brielle, I want you to meet my brother Daedric … ”
“Brielle, are you well?” Kenrick asked from beside me as the image drifted away.
“Um—I, yes, thank you. Sorry, I must have drifted off for a moment.”
Was it a coincidence that I had these flashes? Or was I seeing the future? Things like this never happened before he came and I wondered if he triggered the visions, but I stopped short of asking. Gram would have warned me to keep these odd hallucinations to myself. Not to mention the fact that the Beast attacks seemed to have worsened with his arrival. Did he have something to do with them? These were not thoughts I wanted to entertain tonight, especially since I was stranded out here with him.
“I think I’m overly tired. Perhaps we should bed down for the night. We’ll have a long trek to the other bridge tomorrow.”
Today had been filled with mysterious happenings. The lady I’d seen on the bridge, the rapid rise in the river, and the strange vision of Kenrick. I needed to figure out what was happening. The sooner, the better, because I sensed my life and many others depended on it.
Gram had barely talked to me since I’d come home from being stranded with Kenrick the previous night. That is other than to interrogate me on what happened and warn me about the rumors, which might surface because of it. Then she’d punished me by making me cut wood.
I hated it when she was mad, but it’s not like I could change anything. Nor would I. Kenrick had needed me, so gaining a bad reputation or not, I would still have stayed on with him.
Thomas Horse Trainer cringed as I bound his ankle with bandages. “The swelling is going down, but the cut was deep. You need to stay off your feet for a few days.”
“Then who will care for the horses?” He glared at his foot. “They can’t train themselves.”
“The horses will survive. And you’ll be back to work sooner if you let the medicine work to rid you of the infection.” I closed the jar of salve and slipped it into my bag. He’d taken a fall off a wild stallion, injuring himself when he struck a large rock.
He snorted. “You sound just like Loreen.”
Gram chuckled as she stood. “Then I’ve taught her well.” She patted his shoulder. “Now you listen to Brielle and keep your leg elevated. Your son can handle things until you’re up and around.”
We said our goodbyes and paused at the door of his home while two carts filled with manure rolled by.
“Will you stay angry with me all day?” I peered at Gram.
She sighed. “Hard to tell. Will you start doing as you’re told?”
Before I could answer, Matthew Woodsman skidded to a halt alongside us, his expression filled with fear. “Did you hear? They just found Robert Stablehand’s body in the woods.”
My legs turned to lead. “W-what happened?” I caught his arm.
“Mayor says the Beast got him.” He made the sign of the cross. “Wasn’t much left of his body. An arm, his head … nothing else.”
The village spun before me as nausea gurgled in my stomach and Gram looped her arm through mine to steady me.
“Thanks for the news, Matthew.” She excused us then guided me toward the corner of the trading post. “Are you all right, child?”
My lip quivered. “Gram, I dreamt of his death, of his attack.” I buried my head in my hands. “The vision was a premonition. I could’ve stopped it. We could’ve warned him.”
She gripped my chin and jerked my head so I faced her. “Hush now. Do not speak of your visions.” Gram’s eyes darted around as if she suspected someone listened to our conversation. “If the wrong person heard about your ability, they’d condemn you as a witch.”
Her lips pursed, the wrinkles on her face deepened as if she’d aged fifty years right in front of me.
“That isn’t how you raised me.” I ripped myself from her grasp.
“Yes, well, we didn’t have a Knight of the Crowhurst Order in our village before. Kenrick answers to the church, Brielle. Best you remember that. If he finds out what you can do, he’ll surely forsake you to burn.”
“Truly. You think he would do me harm?”
Gram clasped my arm once more. “Come. Let’s not fight. Today should be happy.”
I frowned at her. “Happy how?”
“You have clearly forgotten we are to pick up your gown from Lady Weaver.” She smiled, dangling her leather pouch of coins in front of me.
“How come you always change the subject when we’re speaking of serious matters or of Kenrick and Raul?”
“I do no such thing. Now, come along or would you rather not see your gown?”
There was no use in arguing with her because as far as she was concerned the matter was over. That’s what Gram always did. With a sigh, I stared ahead. “The dress is ready?” I asked at last.
“Lady Weaver sent word yesterday.” Gram led me toward the Weaver’s.
A small crowd gathered outside the shop. A few rolls of fabric were unraveled at the entrance, stained with boot prints. A glass vase lay shattered on the wooden walkway.
We pushed our way through, squeezing inside the store, where we found two chairs toppled over and the table on its side, one leg missing. Finished dresses still hung up about the room. All except one. Mine.
Tattered pieces of the lavender gown were strewn about. The lacy sleeves lay at my feet, the silken remains torn apart like the recent wave of dead bodies.
Lady Weaver hurried to greet us. “I’m sorry. The shop was broken into last night.” She paused. “Brielle’s dress has been destroyed.”
A few weeks ago, I’d have been thrilled to have an excuse not to go to the festival. But now I had a reason to go. Raul would be there. And Kenrick.
My gaze shifted to the counter where Sarah stood, a smirk on her lips. I went still. My teeth grated together like a blade on a sharpening stone.
“You.” I seethed. “You did this.”
Lady Weaver looked startled and turned her head to see where I pointed.
Sarah shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Liar! You can’t stand the fact that I had something pretty to wear.”
She glowered. “Why should I care what a poor commoner like yourself has to wear? I’d never be jealous of you.”
I dropped my basket and ran at her. “Then why is mine the only dress destroyed?”
Gram gripped hold of my waist, jerking me backward before I tore out Sarah’s perfect curls.
“Brielle, love, wait outside for a moment.” Her hardened tone left no room for disagreement
Crying, I rushed from the shop. It wasn’t fair. She’d ruined everything.
“You need to mind your daughter.” Gram’s loud voice carried to the street. “She’s nothing but a lying, jealous, witch’s tit.”
“How dare you?” Lady Weaver gasped.
“Oh, I dare much more,” Gram hollered. “Bunch of pompous arses. You might run this town, but you don’t run me.”
Across the street, I noticed Kenrick, but it was Rhyne who hurried to my side.
“What’s going on?” He took one look at me and the gathered crowd.
“Sarah ruined my dress.” I bowed my head, staring at my feet.
Rhyne pulled me to his chest, his hand stroking my hair. “I ought to teach her a l
esson. One she won’t forget.” His rage rolled off him like a herd of cattle stampeding.
“I have nothing to wear. Maybe I should just stay home and forget going to the festival.”
He cupped my chin in his hand, forcing me to look at him. “No. If you don’t go, then she wins. The Bri I know would show up wearing a saddle and a pair of breeches just to spite everyone. And you’d still be the prettiest girl there.”
I laughed, in spite of everything. “I’d definitely draw attention. Although, I don’t think Gram would allow me to wear the saddle.”
She stormed out of the shop, her cheeks crimson with anger. “Don’t worry. You’ll have a dress, and mark my words, it’ll be perfect.”
“Gram?”
She gave me a quick smile. “Rhyne, be a good boy and keep Brielle company for a bit. I’ve got some things I need to take care of.”
“Sure. I just need to let Da know I’m taking a break.” He released me and headed into the butcher’s.
Gram patted my hand then rushed off in the direction of the market place.
I stood there with my shoulders slumped. Nothing like sharing our personal lives with the whole town. I sighed.
Once Gram was gone, Kenrick walked up beside me. “Is everything all right?”
My smile wavered. “I-I’m fine.”
He glared at the storefront. “She’s nothing but a foolish child.”
“Perhaps. But she knows well enough how to bring people down.”
“In time folks will see her for what she is.”
“Lord Kenrick.” Rhyne grabbed my arm, pulling me away from him.
Kenrick’s jaw twitched. “Rhyne.”
They stood, staring each other. I glanced between them. Why was Rhyne being so protective?
“We should probably go now.” Rhyne placed my hand through the crook of his arm. “Da said you can use his rowboat.”
I nodded. “I’m ready to leave when you are. Good day, Lord Kenrick. Thank you for your concern.”
“Milady.” He bowed, then made his way over to his tethered horse.
I walked away with Rhyne, dodging between carts, people, and horses. When I peeked back over my shoulder, Kenrick sat upon his steed, watching me.
Legend of Me Page 10