by Mary Yarde
“I am sorry to interrupt.” Marcus spoke fast and with an edge of hysterical excitement. “Ships have been spotted just off the coast.”
“How many?”
Marcus shook his head. “The fog has not lifted and we cannot see them all for an accurate number, but there is enough to cause concern. Budic has called the council. He has asked for you to attend.”
“Tell him I am coming. Have you informed Merton?”
“Yes, he has gone down to the beach; he wanted to see it for himself.”
“See if John is well enough to attend.”
Marcus nodded, turned on his heel and ran from the room.
“Damn him,” Alden said. “Why can’t he just do the world a favour and die?”
“You think it is my father?” She grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at her. She tried to speak, but she found she was trembling too much to utter another word.
“It will be all right,” Alden said, taking her into his arms and placing a distracted kiss on her brow. “Benwick has never been breached. Your father knows it cannot be done. I want you to go and sit with the Queen and do not leave her presence unless I come and get you. That is an order, Annis. Do you understand me? Take what you need and go to her. Promise me you will.” His hand found her middle and he gently traced the outline of her bump. “I will protect you both. I love you,” he whispered and then he was gone.
Annis sat down upon the bed, for her legs would not support her. She had been lulled into her own false sense of security. She knew Alden had been preparing for war; she had known this day would come. But the thought of losing him… She hiccupped on a sob. She had to be strong. She had to be strong for their baby.
She got to her feet and opened the clothes chest, looking for her shawl. She went to shut the lid of the chest and paused, for a drawstring pouch caught her eye. Curiously, she opened it and tipped out the contents into her hand. She looked down at the green jewelled necklace. “By the gods,” she swore. Forgetting her husband’s orders, she fled the chamber, racing past soldiers and servants until she was outside in the courtyard. She looked around her. “You,” she ordered a soldier, who gestured to her that he did not understand the Latin that she spoke. “A horse.” She made a gesture, “I need a horse.”
22
Annis raced out of the castle at a gallop. She had to find Merton. Marcus had said he was at the beach; she hoped he was still there. It was imperative that she talked to him.
She rode the animal hard, circling around regiments of soldiers as they hurriedly prepared for war. She heard Bastian call her name, but she ignored him. By the time she reached the beach, both she and the horse were out of breath.
“Merton.” She called his name as she galloped up to him.
“What in God’s name are you doing woman?” Merton asked, as he grabbed the animal’s bridle and helped her dismount.
Annis took a moment to catch her breath. “This,” she said, handing him the necklace, “I found it just now in my chamber. Tell me it came with you and not with Alden.”
“Your brother gave it to me when I had an audience with your father. What of it?” He handed it back to her.
“What did he say when he gave it to you? It is important, Merton, remember.”
“He said something about you being a fool, but you were still his sister.”
Annis sank down on to the sand.
“My God, Annis, are you ill?” Merton asked, falling down on one knee in front of her and taking her hands in his.
“No.” She shook her head, trying to catch her breath. “But I think I know a way to best my father and how to get Cerniw back.” She smiled. “That…that necklace is as good as a treaty of peace. He will want it back; it means the world to him. More than I do, anyway,” she added bitterly.
“I have no idea what you are going on about, but you need to leave. It is not safe here.”
“Listen to me. This necklace will prevent a war. I need to see my father. Will you come with me?”
“Annis, honey, let me take you back.” He held out his hand to help her stand.
He wasn’t listening; she had to get through to him somehow. “It was your mother’s,” Annis said and his hand fell away, “she gave it to my father.”
Merton stood and gave her a comical look. “Have you been at the communal wine again?”
The sun was in her eyes and she couldn’t see him properly, so she too rose to her feet. She brushed the sand from her skirts. “I have no idea what communal wine is. Please listen to me.”
“Annis, our parents didn’t know each other. Now I don’t know what you think you know, but I do know it isn’t what you think it is.”
“What?” Annis asked, screwing up her nose as she tried to decipher Merton’s last sentence. She shook her head. “They were lovers. When he lay siege to Benwick, they were lovers.”
For a moment he did nothing; he just looked at her and then his face transformed, and he suddenly looked like the madman he had been in Kent.
“How dare you suggest such a thing.” He spoke low, anger penetrating each word.
“It is the truth. I have never lied to you; why would I do so now?”
“I thought we were friends.” Merton growled low in his throat. “I should have known better. You can’t be friends with a Saxon.” He laughed; it was a bitter, mocking sound. “So this is what it has all been about. You are very clever. You had me fooled. Rescuing Alden, making him fall in love with you — the baby. Very good. I applaud you.”
“Merton.” She held her hand out to him in a mute plea. He backed away again.
“We all thought that Benwick has never been breached. Maybe we were wrong, maybe it has been already.”
“You think I would betray you, betray him?” She felt her eyes fill up. “You think I premeditated that Alden would fall in love with me, that he would marry me? I am not that clever, Merton. I rescued him because I love him, not because my father told me to.”
Horsemen approached them and Merton tore his gaze away from Annis’s face. He had offered her friendship, she had taken his brother’s heart and all this time she was playing some sort of sick and twisted game. He would not have thought her possible of deception.
Bastian pulled up alongside them, his horse breathing heavily.
“Bastian, take Lady Annis and lock her in the dungeons.”
“What?” Bastian said in astonishment.
“No,” Annis whispered closing the distance between her and Merton, she grabbed hold of his tunic. “You are not listening. Bastian,” she turned to Budic’s general, “I haven’t done anything wrong. I am trying to help. I am sorry if I offended you, I never meant to. But believe me, I would never ever betray you. I would rather die.”
“That can be arranged.” Merton said coldly, taking her hands in his and tearing them away from him.
“You should not even be here, my Lady.” Bastian said, confusion showing on his face. “I will have you escorted back to your chambers.”
“You will take her to the dungeon and tell my brother he will find his traitorous, lying, bitch of a Saxon wife there.”
“And what reason should I give him?” Bastian said, his voice growing as hard as Merton’s.
“Tell him the necklace was a signal from her father and that her work here is done.”
It was cold in the dungeon, and dark. Annis stood, shivering, her heart beating so hard and so fast that she feared that any moment it would break through her chest wall and kill her. She tried to take deep, calming breaths and closed her eyes.
She wasn’t fearful that Alden would hurt her, or that he would let anything like that happen to her, but she was concerned that he, like Merton, wouldn’t believe her. That he would not give her a chance to explain. She remembered Merton’s face, how his gentle concerns for her welfare had suddenly given way to anger, and s
he hadn’t meant to make him angry. He was her friend, and now she had ruined their friendship. She wished she had kept her mouth shut now. So much for trying to help the du Lacs — look where it had got her.
Annis opened her eyes at the sound of footsteps and muffled voices. She had not been here that long, although it felt like a lifetime, and being locked in the dark brought back the memories of David shutting that trapdoor and leaving her in the tunnel.
She took a step back as the bolt slid over with a loud clang and the door opened. She whispered her husband’s name as he and Bastian walked into the dungeon. Bastian was carrying a torch in his right hand, illuminating her prison.
“I was trying to help. I haven’t betrayed you. I love you.” She spoke fast, almost babbling, in her attempt to express her innocence.
Alden didn’t say anything at first. He simply looked at her. “Come here,” he said at last, his tone soft, although there was an edge of controlled anger in his words.
She walked towards him, unsteadily and when she was within reach, he reached forward and pulled her into his embrace, holding her close. She clung to him, fearing he would cast her aside at any moment.
“God, I am going to kill him. He had no right sending you here. Are you all right? Is the baby all right?” he asked, leaning his forehead against hers.
She closed her eyes and leant into him. “I didn’t betray you,” she whispered again.
“I know you didn’t. Where is the necklace?”
Annis handed it to him. “It was your mother’s.”
Alden frowned at the jewels in his hand. “I cannot see how it could be.” He gave it back to her.
“It is a long story, but I know it is true because my father told me. Well, actually he didn’t tell me. He was talking to Cynric and forgot I was in the room.”
“What did he say?”
“He was reminiscing with Cynric about his youthful days and he started talking about Arthur and Badon Hill. I really should have left the room, but I was curious, so I kept my mouth shut and listened.” She chewed on her lip for a moment.
“Go on,” Alden encouraged.
“Merton hates me,” she mumbled. “I didn’t mean to upset him.”
“He’ll get over it. What did you hear?”
“My father wasn’t a distinguished warrior back then; he was young and new to warfare and he looked up to his brother, who was, so I am told, exceptionally good at fighting.”
“He was,” Bastian said. “He was a mercenary.”
“Yes, well, that’s a family tradition. All the men in my family want to be mercenaries. It is what they are good at,” she said in disgust.
“What does Badon Hill have to do with my mother?” Alden asked.
“There was a spy,” Annis said, frowning slightly as she remembered, “a Saxon spy in Arthur’s court. I don’t know who the spy was; my father never mentioned any names, only that to have this man spy for them was something of a coup, because it was the one man Arthur would never suspect. I don’t think he spied willingly — my father said my uncle had captured this knight and tortured him until he became a collaborator. I cannot imagine what he went through.”
“I have an idea,” Alden said bitterly. “What does this have to do with my mother?”
“I am getting to it; stop interrupting,” she chided her husband. “I have to tell it in order or it won’t make any sense.” She paused for a moment and when she started talking again she kept her voice low. “The day of the battle the spy was told to make an excuse and stay at the fort in Liddington. The plan was that while Arthur and his men fought on the battlefield, the spy would let my uncle’s army into the castle and they would be waiting for Arthur and his knights when they returned from the fray.”
“That sounds like something your father would do,” Alden said. Annis glared at him in disapproval. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Please…continue.”
Annis sighed heavily before she began again. “Your mother was at the camp. She had gone to the field before the battle to speak to her husband, but the weather was appalling and on her way back forked lightning came down from the sky and scared her horse. The horse bolted and the spy saw what had happened and knew she would not be able to bring the horse back under control, so ignoring my uncle’s commands, he got on his horse, left the fort and rode after her.”
“She is talking about Gawain,” Bastian said in shock. “Natanloed’s brother. Brianna’s horse did bolt and Gawain did ride after her. My God, Gawain said he had been set upon by a Saxon war party and Brianna had been taken. He tried to protect her, but one of the bastards put a knife in his back. He died in Tristan’s arms that very night.”
“My father must have known who this spy was. Gawain? Is that what you said his name was?” Annis asked.
“Yes,” Bastian answered. “Gawain and Arthur grew up together; they were very close.”
“That is why my father wanted me to marry Natanleod, so he could blackmail him with this knowledge,” Annis said, with sudden realisation.
“Natanleod was not the type of person you could blackmail. I don’t think your father ever had any intention of you marrying him. He wanted him to die,” Alden answered. “What did your father say happened next?”
“My father took it upon himself to look after Brianna. Maybe he pitied her. I don’t really know what happened next. He said he fell in love with her. He said she was already pregnant when they took her, but he would have willingly married her and raised the child as his own, but it wasn’t to be. Your father came for her and took her from him. And when he learnt that Lancelot had married her, he left Brittany and my uncle’s army followed him not long after.”
“How do you think this necklace will help us?” Bastian asked curiously.
“Cynric must have given it to Merton to give to me for a reason.”
“To provoke his rage, maybe. It is not going to stop a war. Why didn’t you come to me when you found this bloody thing? Why Merton?” Alden asked.
“Why didn’t you show it to me when Merton gave it to you?” Annis challenged back.
“Because I wanted to protect you,” Alden instantly replied.
“And I went to Merton because I wanted to protect you. Merton isn’t scared of Cerdic.” It was badly said and she heard Alden’s breath catch in his chest as he released her, pushing her gently away from him. She caught hold of his hand. “I wasn’t implying you were a coward. He took everything from you — your kingdom, your honour and your dignity; you are allowed to be afraid of him.”
“Is that how you really see me? Someone who is to be what, pitied? God, Annis.” He pulled his hand away from her.
“Thoughts of him awaken you in the night. I am your wife. I know these things.”
“I watch you train,” Bastian stated, his voice filled with compassion. “It is like you are fighting against a ghost.”
He wanted to deny it, but what was the point? “I am afraid, because I never wanted anyone to die as much as I want him to,” Alden said, his voice filled with heated emotion. “My fear…will die…with him.” He caught hold of Annis’s arm. “I am taking you to the Queen, and this time you are going to stay with her, even if I have to barricade the door myself.”
His grip on her was tight as he led the way out of the darkness. Annis blinked as the light momentarily blinded her. She stole a glance at her husband. His jaw was thrust forward and she could see his rage. He let go of her abruptly and walked with furious steps toward Merton, who was sitting astride his horse, looking at him, looking at them.
Annis heard Bastian swear as he pushed passed her, but he was too late; by the time he got to Alden, Merton was already on the ground.
“I forgave you the last time because you thought you were doing the right thing. You so much as look at her again and I swear, we are not brothers.” He kicked Merton hard in the stomach and then sp
at on the ground beside him. Merton did nothing to defend himself, which surprised Annis. That was twice now Alden had hit him and both times Merton had not responded in kind.
“That is enough, Alden,” Bastian said, grabbing hold of Alden and dragging him away from his brother.
Merton held his stomach and struggled into a sitting position before rising to his feet.
“Cerdic has declared war and yet we are fighting each other,” Budic yelled as he approached them, his face was red with disapproval.
Alden shrugged himself free from Bastian’s grasp and glared at the King; the King glared back. Bastian, meanwhile, walked over to Merton and whispered something in his ear. Merton looked at Annis the entire time Bastian spoke.
“Does someone want to tell me what the hell is going on?” Budic demanded, when everyone remained contemptuously quiet.
“It was my fault.” Merton said at last. He looked at Alden as he spoke. “It was a misunderstanding. It was nothing.”
Budic glared at him. “Both of you get yourself back in the hall. You are a disgrace. What kind of example are you setting for the men?”
“There is something I need to do first.” Merton walked over to Annis, ignoring Budic’s audible protest about being thus ignored, and knelt before her, his head bowed. “Give me that bloody necklace, but don’t let Budic see you are doing so,” Merton whispered urgently. Annis didn’t know what else to do; she slipped the necklace into his fingers. He took her hands in his and kissed her knuckles. “I am sorry.” He glanced up at her, a smile tugging the corner of his mouth. “Again. I misjudged you. It won’t happen again.”
He stood, looked her in the face although the smile was gone and then, giving Alden as wide a berth as possible, he got back on his horse and rode hastily away.