“Yes, my lord.”
“Where is her father being held?”
“In the cellar below the stairs where prisoners are kept. He has guards twenty four hours a day with orders to kill him if there is any escape attempt on her part. Lady Lillian is beside herself with worry.”
“Thank you Alicia. You will not return, in case someone has noticed your leaving. It’s too dangerous.”
After some consideration, he continued, “What would you think of returning to our land with us?”
“With the lady Lillian?”
“Aye. As long as I have breath in my body, I will not leave this land without her safely in my arms!”
“Yes, yes.” She looked shyly at Renouf, who looked on in complete ignorance.
Eriik smiled, “You are welcome in my household, Alicia, always.”
“Thank you my lord.”
Eriik explained all that had transpired to his men.
“This is not something I’m commanding of you, it’s absolutely voluntary. You are free to go back to the ship with my blessing and no hard feelings. You’ve already come this far for me for personal reasons. You need not go any further. Aye or nay.”
Each and every man raised their weapons above their heads, “Aye!”
Eriik smiled, “Brothers, we have a lot of planning to do.”
Chapter 34
After breakfast the next morning, Lord Montfort held his hand out, expecting Lillian to take it gracefully, however she only looked at him with contempt.
“Don’t make a scene, I’ll be escorting you to your chambers without incident,” he whispered.
“The only person I wish to escort me to my chambers is my father.”
“I’m afraid he’s tied up at the moment.” He laughed at his own joke and took her hand, even as she tried to jerk it back.
“If you’re not careful dear you’ll be sleeping down there with him.”
“Oh, you pig!”
“Shh, you little slut. I won’t have a commotion where the help can see or hear, but if you think I won’t make you pay when we’re alone, then you better think again. Now behave yourself or you’ll be sore tomorrow.”
“You mean sorry?”
“I mean sore.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Oh, but I would, and I’ll enjoy it too, but even more so I’ll be giving instructions for your father to be beaten as well. He’s on the frail side these days so he might not be able to stand a good beating. I guess we’ll have to see.”
“No, no. I’m sorry my lord. I mean no disrespect. I’ll accompany you happily to my chambers, as you wish.”
“Now that is a good girl. I knew I could convince you to be reasonable. Come along. We’ll speak of our upcoming nuptials as we walk. You are excited about them, as any young bride would be, yes?”
“Yes my lord.”
Lillian blinked back tears as they walked. She didn’t know what Simon would do if he noticed, but she didn’t care to find out. Eriik was gone and she was left here to marry the most horrible man she had ever met and try to pass Eriik’s son or daughter off as his. The thought of it was sickening. What fate he or she would meet was too horrible to contemplate, especially if it was born with beautiful golden hair. Even if Montfort thought the child was his, she couldn’t imagine him being anything but a horrid father. Perhaps he would just ignore the boy or girl, as did most lords with their offspring. That would be the best future she could hope for her son or daughter. She prayed the child would have her hair color. She had no misconceptions about what would happen otherwise. At the door of her chamber, she turned to Simon and politely said, “Thank you, I believe I’ll lie down awhile. I’m still a bit tired from last eve.”
“Yes, it was a trying evening. I would insist on staying in your chamber this morning since you’re planning to be in bed anyway, but that will happen soon enough, so I’ll take my leave, I have so much planning to do. Remember Lady Lillian, very soon you will be in my chamber. Don’t forget it.”
She closed the door and tears streamed down her cheeks. She tiredly slipped into bed wondering how she could go on with her life with the repugnant lord beside her night after night. And worse still, not just beside her. She prayed for a miracle and then cried herself to sleep.
Chapter 35
Eriik and his men slipped far enough away to be out of sight, but still close enough to pull off a rescue. All day, Eriik and his advisors devised plan after plan of how to steal into the castle, not only taking Lillian and Lord Devorn out unharmed, but without causing a major battle. Eriik was afraid if a battle became necessary, Lillian or her father would get hurt and that was not an option.
“Renouf, get Alicia, perhaps she can advise us on this. She knows the place far better than we do.”
Renouf returned with an eager Alicia, not quite sure of what she was there for, but ready to help in any way she could.
“My lord?”
“Alicia, we are at a standstill as how to rescue Lord Devorn and Lady Lillian without waking the gods and bringing a full battle down upon our heads. We were hoping you could tell us something we could use before Renouf escorts you back to the ship in the morning.”
“Back to the ship?”
“Aye. It’s far too dangerous for you here.
“My lord, with due respect, I’ll be doing no such thing. I can give you just so much information, but without me there to show you, you’ll get nowhere. I certainly can’t tell you how to open the door from the tunnel or under the stairs for that matter, or even how to find it. It’s hidden quite well. You’ll be hunting it for hours. I must go with you.
“That will put your life in danger, Alicia.”
“Then so be it, I must go with you for there to be any chance to save my lady and her father. Have you thought what would happen to your child raised in that house? What if it’s born with golden hair? You best be sensible and include me in your plans.”
“You’re truly a brave girl. Alright then, explain what you can, we’ll settle on a plan and Renouf will be by your side every step of the way, understood?”
“Yes, my lord.” Eriik could tell Alicia didn’t mind that part of the plan one bit.
After Alicia told them every detail she could, Renouf escorted her back to his tent and in broken English Eriik had taught him, told her to get some rest. They would move that night.
There was only one way into the house besides the main gate. It was an escape tunnel for the nobles if there was a siege upon the castle. It was well hidden inside the walls and no one was supposed to know where to find it but the family, in this case, Lord Montfort. He hadn’t even told his cousin, James, however, Theona knew where it was so she could keep it clear of debris. He was terrified after Castle Devorn had been taken that he would not have an escape if needed and always made sure the tunnel was kept unobstructed. Theona was sworn to secrecy with death being the punishment. She told Alicia anyway in case she ever needed it. Alicia tried to talk her into escaping the horrible lord many times, knowing how he treated her, but it was to no avail.
Alicia would have to go first to the door from the tunnel to the castle since it was quite tricky to open. The tunnel was only large enough for one man at a time, so Eriik, Bjorn, and Renouf would follow single file. If a fight broke out upon entering the castle, their men would be outside, having stolen unseen to the front wall, swords at the ready, hoping one of the three inside could make it to the gate and get it open in time for them to enter. They hoped that would not be necessary.
When the time came, Alicia and the three men slipped to the tunnel hidden well in the shrubbery. They would never have found it without her. It was a tight fit for the men, but Alicia ran through it quickly, having the door open when the men arrived. They went directly to the hatch hidden well, under the rug in the floor at the stairs. They knew they must free Lord Devorn first in order to convince Lady Lillian to make the escape with them. They were concerned that without her father, she would go nowhere,
fearing for his life. Alicia knew how to open the intricate latch on the trap door because she had taken the lord and his captors food many times. After the latch was open, Alicia was sent back to camp, out of harm’s way. Eriik didn’t want to have to worry about her, along with everyone else. As Bjorn and Eriik descended the stairs, they saw Lord Devorn chained to a chair and the three priests, or rather thugs they recognized from the missionary group, armed, guarding him.
“Yield and there will be no bloodshed. I’ve come for Lord Devorn, even though I would take great pleasure in drawing first blood for my Lady Lillian, stand down and live.”
“There will be no yielding pagan, Ulric had his sword in hand and swung for Eriik’s head, but Eriik stepped aside and struck Ulric’s sword. Lunge and parry again and again until a final surge from Eriik and he struck Ulric downward from shoulder to groin. As blood ran from Ulric’s mouth, the sense of what had happened sunk in, and he would say no more.
The other two, who had been at a stand-off with Bjorn and Renouff threw their swords down, knelt, and yielded. After they were chained and gagged, Eriik was concerned, “Bjorn, this is taking too much time and we’re making too much noise. I will finish down here, you and Renouf get the gate open.”
“Aye.”
As Eriik started for Lillian’s chamber, as described by Alicia, he stopped dead in his tracks and looked on horrified as Lillian was standing on the stairway with Montfort behind her holding a deadly looking knife to her graceful throat.
“I had a bad feeling when Millicent apprised me of the commotion downstairs. Why can’t you just leave us alone, or better yet, just die! I can’t seem to find Lady Lillian’s hand maiden. Is she the bitch who betrayed me? When I see her again, I’ll make certain her smile is bloody from ear to ear.”
Eriik slowly, calmly, pulled out his bow and placed an arrow in the arrow rest.
“Montfort, I swear…”
“You swear what, Jarl? If you lob that arrow, you might hit me, probably not fatally, but you’ll definitely hit the lady. Now do you really want to take that chance?”
“Are you such a suckling coward that you cannot face me man to man, you must hide behind a woman’s skirts?”
“Oh say what you must, I know that you will not hurt me as long as I have this knife to her pretty flesh, and furthermore, we will be leaving together unharmed. Command your dogs to stay until our carriage is away and she will live.”
“You expect me to take your word for that? Besides, I will never leave her in your hands, never!
Lillian, are you alright?”
“Eriik, just kill him, please.”
“Oh, this is quite amusing, you two. How charming how the maiden kidnapped by the big bad wolf fell madly in love with him. Why that’s simply charming. What fairy tales are made of really.”
Eriik’s men came charging through the gates and stopped at his command and about the same time, Montfort’s knights arrived ready to fight, stopping in mid stride to gape at the sight of Lord Montfort holding his lady at knifepoint.
“Well what are you waiting for, kill them.” Montfort yelled.
Eriik, still holding his bow, said loudly for all his men and Montfort’s knights to hear, “My men will stand down. We are only here for Lady Lillian. Ask her yourself if she wants to stay with Montfort, or if she wishes to come with me, and ask yourself, why is your lord holding a knife to her throat? I wish no man here any injury as long as the lady remains unharmed.”
One of the knights stepped forward and asked, “Lady Lillian, what are your wishes?”
“Sir Knight, I wish to go with Lord Thorennson!”
Montfort brought the knife closer to Lillian’s throat and a fine trickle of blood ran slowly down her throat between her breasts. Eriik was enraged.
The knight took a step back looking dismayed.
“Montfort, if you hurt her, I will flay you like a fish, every slice while you’re awake to feel the knife slice through your flesh. I do not speak idly, I swear!”
“Well, we’re at quite an impasse. Let me leave unharmed and everyone will be fine, including the lady.”
Just at that moment Lillian faltered, looking as if she would faint, and for just an instant it gave Eriik the target he needed, as he already had the arrow at the ready. He let the arrow fly straight and true, exact, right through Montfort’s eye. All Montfort had time to do was utter a short shriek as he feel backward onto the stairs. He didn’t have time to take Lillian with him as Eriik was already at her side, catching her in his embrace. The men in the great hall facing each other really didn’t know what to do. They were enemies, they should be fighting, however the lady and the Norse leader were in each other’s arms.
From quite out of nowhere, an unfamiliar voice rang out.
“I am Lord Regent James Montfort. Regent Lord only until the King approves my title. There will be no bloodshed inside these walls or on my land. I can see quite clearly that Lady Lillian has been held here against her wishes by my cousin and will be leaving soon with our guest?”
“Jarl of Jaedon, Eriik Thorennson at your service.”
“Yes, of course.”
James Montfort looked at his knights still standing at the ready, “Sir William?”
“My lord. You know my name?”
“Yes, Simon convinced all of you I was a half-wit and I played along, otherwise I may very well be dead by now, but I know all of your names. It’s a shame he didn’t value you as I do. Please gather several men to take a message to the king to advise him that Lord Simon Montfort was taken from us too soon in a tragic hunting accident. I’ll pen the letter and seal it.”
“Yes my lord.”
“Lord Thorennson and Lady Lillian, I do apologize for not being able to offer you much hospitality after this horrific affair but I do have a funeral to plan, however you are welcome to stay as long as you wish before returning home. The staff will show you all the hospitality you were not afforded previously.”
“Thank you Lord Montfort, but the lady and I will see her father home and then my men and I will also be returning home.”
“I can certainly understand your haste in wishing to return so soon. I can only apologize for my cousin and I hope you accept it. I am quite sincere.”
Lillian placed a soft kiss on James’ cheek, “Simon was an evil man but it was his doing and no one else’s, certainly not yours.”
“Thank you Lady Lillian for your graciousness. May God be with you. Good travels.”
Eriik, Lillian, her father, and Eriik’s men turned and marched out of Montfort castle.
Eriik turned to Lord Devorn, “Lord, I must break my word I made to you last we met. I vowed to never walk on your land again, and now I must, in order to take you home.”
“Eriik Thorennson, you are welcome on my land anytime,” Frederick laughed and hugged his daughter.
Lillian looked at Eriik seriously, “You told James Montfort that you and your men would be returning home.”
“Aye.”
“Is that everyone?”
With a gleam in his eye, “Is there someone else who would like to go? I would never presume to force anyone. It would have to be their choice.”
“You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?”
“Aye.”
Lillian blushed an attractive pink, “Yes, you oaf, I want to go home with you.”
“Home?” Eriik questioned.
“Home.” Lillian was radiant.
Eriik swung her up in his arms and hugged her so tight she thought she might break, but she had never been happier.
When they arrived back at their camp, all was packed and ready to go in no time. Eriik called Alicia to him and told her all the events that happened inside the walls after she left and explained to Lillian what Alicia had done to bring them back together.
Lillian hugged her in a warm embrace, “How can I ever repay you? You saved my life, well actually two lives.” She whispered in her ear as she cradled her still flat belly
lovingly.
Eriik chimed in, “Alicia, you will always have an honored place in my, our household, but I’m sure you will be safe here as well if you wish to stay. It’s a long and difficult voyage. Our land is harsh, our winters cold. I want you to know what you’re getting yourself into. It’s your choice.”
Alicia didn’t hesitate, “I wish to come with you.”
“Then let’s get started. Lord Devorn, you are also welcome to come with us to be with your daughter.”
“Thank you, but no. I’m too old and my home is here. I would love to be with my daughter and see my grandchildren but I need to stay.”
“Then we’ll come back here to see you, not to do any mischief mind you. I can’t promise the same from the young ones we’ll be bringing with us however, but I will just be paying a visit, if I’m still welcome,” Eriik grinned.
“More than welcome.”
It was difficult for Lillian to say good bye to her father, but she knew her place was with Eriik and she looked forward to her new life by his side, no pretending, no lies, just honestly loving him. She had a secret she needed to tell him soon or she wouldn’t need to, he would be able to see for himself, but it wasn’t something she could just blurt out. She needed a special time when they could be alone. They stopped for a break just a couple of hours from the ship. Just the two of them, sitting on an outcropping of rocks separated from the rest of the men, Alicia nowhere to be seen. Lillian took Eriik’s hand and looked deeply into his deep sea blue eyes, “Eriik, I have the most wonderful news, I, uh…”
“Do you think it’s a boy or a girl?”
“A, what?”
“I’m sorry, I should have let you tell me, but I already knew, sweet. Yes, it is the most wonderful news.”
“But how?”
“As I told you, Alicia risked her life to sneak out to tell me you were pretending to be in love with that villainous creature to save your father’s life. She told me you were carrying my child and thought it would be nothing short of immoral for me not to know, you being abandoned to live with that creature, and me thinking you were in love with him.”
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