Chapter 19
Gardana’s back ached from the long ride to the stone cottage nestled deep in the thicket of the woods. The horses bounced up and down the dips and valleys with a lumbered gait. Each passing moment felt like an eternity to her as they passed each familiar tree and bush. Eventually, Halden’s stone dwelling came into view. Smoke echoed from the chimney and mingled with the night sky. A single light shone in the window and she could see movement. Halden was hard at work on another potion perhaps. Whatever he was doing, it would all cease tonight.
"Is this the cottage, Gardana?" inquired the soldier on her left.
She nodded. "Aye, it is. Me thinks he is cooking up another potion for the Duchess." Inwardly, she was pleased with the progress of things. If she were right, Halden would not see this coming. She had carefully drained his energy, almost to the brink of the loss of power. A smile of triumph spread across her lips. With any amount of luck, she could retrieve his books before the house was burned.
The man tilted his metal encased head then raised his sword in a gesture of charge. "Forward!" he shouted then pointed the tip of the blade toward the pile of stone. Kicking his heels into the horse, the captain led the party in charge.
* * * *
Halden clucked around the kettle as he watched the vision of the soldiers shimmer beneath the serene surface of the water. So Gardana sought to use his tricks against him! Thankfully, he had not taught her all of his tricks. There was still one left he had to play. "I curse you, Gardana, so that you not know one day of happiness. The Duke will expel you to Scotland where you will live out the rest of your life in sheer misery. After this child, your womb will never know another." His gnarled hands rubbed together, the magical dust falling gently into the bowl. The water turned blood red for an instant before becoming clear again. He always knew Gardana would be the death of him. It was in the runes. From the moment she appeared on his doorstep in her childhood, tired and hungry, he knew his time was drawing to a close. With this knowledge, he still took her in and nurtured her as best as he knew how. Now his time was over. All he had to do now was wait for Death to find him.
* * * *
The soldiers burst through the door with the fury of an avenging army. Bottles and crockery scattered to the corners from the sheer force and shattered. Remnants of the broken earthenware were everywhere. Careful not to tread on anything, Gardana took a ginger step inside. Suddenly her breath hitched in her chest. Halden sat before them on his stool with his head hung in utter defeat and despair. The once fiery hair was now completely white. His once smooth face was a mass of wrinkles, each seemingly deeper than the other. Why was he waiting for them?
She fully expected a fight but strangely he sat silent as the captain stood before him. "By order of Duke Kendrick of Kent, you are hereby remanded to his lordship’s custody until judgment has been passed. Get up, old man."
Like a wounded animal waiting for the final thrust of death, Halden raised his head slowly and blinked sluggishly. "What have I done that I deserve judgment?" The life and light was gone from his eyes. Good. Her plan had worked as she had hoped it would.
She pushed through the crowd and stood before him with her hands planted on her hips. "You tried to poison the Duchess, Halden. You must pay."
Placing his hands on his elderly knees, Halden rose and let his finger slip under her chin. "We know the truth now, do we not, my pet?"
Gardana jerked her head free. What did Halden hope to accomplish by implying she was the one behind the scheme? She stepped back from him. "I know not of what you speak," she barked viciously and turned to the soldiers hovering near her elbow. "I think he is ready to see the Duke."
* * * *
A slow, steady rumble of thunder brought her from the land of slumber though she was reluctant to leave. Isabeau blinked in a leisurely manner and rubbed her eyes. Had she really wed Kendrick last night?
Her gaze swept to her left hand. On the third finger rested a shiny gold band inscribed with the words ‘Always and Forever’ in Latin. She stared at it for a moment, letting her free fingers tread over the deeply embossed ring. It was beautiful and felt so right. Maybe, the doubts she had about the marriage would disappear in time. Kendrick had been so kind and tender to her in the past few months that perhaps the wall of ice surrounding her heart would melt after all.
Thinking of Kendrick, she turned to his side of the bed. It was empty. Where could he have gone? Most of his men were at the feast so most assuredly they were still so full of ale that Kendrick would not want them to practice today. Mayhap he went to the dining hall. No, he would have awoken her first. Then, without warning, a surge of terror raced through her mind and soared along her limbs. What was going to happen to that poor man in the dungeon?
Without hesitation, she rose from the bed and pulled the cord near the window. In moments, a servant arrived with a flour-dusted apron and a puzzled look on her face. "What ‘tis it, milady?" the girl asked timidly as she wiped her hands on her apron.
"Where is the Duke?"
"He is out at the practice fields, milady. He ordered that you are stay here until he returns."
Isabeau shook her head as her hands tore the gown from her body. "Nay, I will not stay," she stated flatly as she twisted the unruly curls into a loose braid, "while an innocent man may lose his life. Help me dress then send a page to the stable. Tell the squire to saddle my horse."
"But, milady, in your condition...." the girl protested.
She threw open a coffer and sifted through with hurried movements dragging a gown from the bottom. "I am in a fine condition to ride so ask no more questions. Help me dress," she ordered as she handed the surprised girl the gown. The servant nodded and helped her draw the article over her head. She must stop this needless destruction! If anyone tried to poison her, it was Gardana. She was sure of it. The only problem was, she could not prove it. I will find away, she vowed silently.
* * * *
Leaves and thick underbrush crunched under the surefooted horse’s hooves. The deep sounds split the air and heightened her sense of anxiety mixed with urgency. The furious pound of her heart increased fourfold. Would she be in time to save this poor man or would she be too late? Nay, she must make the effort.
Several times along the way, her hair or dark blue cloak caught up in the branches in her path but she managed to clear them all. Slight scratches covered her hands and face but she did not care. All that mattered was halting an injustice.
Thankfully the practice fields were not too far away. Suddenly, the beat of her heart picked up in pace as she felt the man’s spirit call out to her. Please save me, it said. She had never let anyone down in her life and she was not about to start now. Digging her heels into the flanks of the horse, she urged the animal into a run before it was too late.
* * * *
Rounding the grove of trees, Isabeau saw several of Kendrick’s men standing in a semi circle. The further she moved inward, the better she could see the situation. The elderly man knelt on the ground next to a rough-hewn block with a deep indent for his chin. His tunic, deep scarlet in color with intricately embroidered designs, hung on his thin shoulders. White hair swayed in the same breeze that swept the curls away from her neck. She halted and stared at him, completely oblivious to the presence of the others. He is so innocent.
As if sensing her presence, he looked up at her with the most pitiful expression. His eyes were of a soft color, almost undistinguishable from her distance. Her heart melted. This man had nothing to do with the poisoning. She could read the truth in his wise eyes.
Kicking the horse a little more, the animal moved around the rest of the trees and into full view of the others. Unfortunately, it was just in time to see Kendrick’s arm fall. His captain drew his sword and laid it against the thin, bare neck. Without warning the blade rose upwards. "NO!" she screamed as she held her hand out for them to stop. It was too late. The sword crashed down and severed the man’s head from his neck neatly. It r
olled a little away in the grass, landing face up. The eyes glared at her and the lips moved as if in silent prayer. She could not make out the words as she fought the bile in her throat. Her hand flew to her mouth. Did Kendrick not see her? Why did he not stop?
The world around her grew hazy and swirled in lazy patterns. She felt as light as a feather on the waft of the wind. She grew sooo tired….
* * * *
"Isabeau, are you all right? Wake up and tell me that you are all right?" Kendrick’s voice pierced the milky veil of nothingness encapsulating her. His strong fingers caressed her cheek gingerly and urged her to open her eyes. What happened? The last thing she remembered was waking up this morning … "Aye, I am all right, Kendrick," she murmured as she struggled to sit up. Looking down, she noticed she was cradled in his lap like a child and he rocked her gently. "What ‘tis wrong?"
He held her close as though he never wanted to let go. "You have taken ill, my dear. Is the babe all right?"
She tilted her head as she snuggled back into his chest. "Aye, the child is fine as well. What am I doing on the ground?"
A grunt to her left drew her attention then the hated memories flooded her mind again. They had killed an innocent man!
Two of Kendrick’s men dragged the lifeless body to the dug grave and carelessly tossed it in. Her heart pounded in fear and she trembled. Why had he done that? Was Kendrick in that much of a hurry to taste blood again? Pushing against him, Isabeau tried to get her to her feet but was stopped by his strong hands on her shoulders. "Let me go, Kendrick! I want to get as far away from you as possible!" No matter how hard she struggled, he put a halt to it.
"Nay, you will stay right here until you feel well enough to stand. After that, I will take you back to Henstrige and put you to bed."
She whipped her head around viciously and glared at him. "How dare you act as though nothing has happened! An innocent man lost his life over the words of another. You do not know that he was behind it!"
His expression deepened then his eyebrows drew together in an angry frown. "I know all I need to know. If anyone has any hint of harming you or our child, they will die by my sword. ‘Tis simple as that." She was angry but it was hard to stay that way when the rugged handsomeness of his face constantly kept assaulting her senses. Somehow, she must put that aside for now. There was a lot more at stake. She could not raise a son or daughter with this sort of cruelty around. In her kingdom, the man would have been tried fairly and not convicted on false words. In Kent, all that was needed was little proof and hearsay. Unfairness was something she would simply not tolerate.
"Let me go, Kendrick," Isabeau growled through her clenched teeth. "Or else I will say something we shall both regret." Surprisingly, his stunned hands left her body and allowed her to rise to her feet. On unsteady limbs, she wobbled away from him and grabbed the reins of her horse. No matter what it took, she could not be around this barbarism anymore.
With one hand on the saddle, she was ready to mount when a gloved hand on hers halted the motion. Isabeau spun on her heel only to be met with the glittering depths of his twilight blue eyes. "There is something, you must understand, Isabeau. You belong to me and I will do what I must to keep it that way."
Anger shuddered through her veins. What did that make him? Her master? Throwing up her left hand, she pointed to the band on her finger. "So this is your badge of ownership? If so," her free fingers pulled on it and drew it from her hand, "then take it back. I do not wish to have it any longer." She threw it at his chest where it bounced off and landed in the soft dewy grass. Kendrick looked at where the ring landed then looked back at her. His eyes contained a stamp of hurt that quickly turned into something much darker and more dangerous.
Bending down, Kendrick picked up the ring and jammed it on her finger. "Here is where it was put and here is where it will stay. Now if you continue your little tirades like a child," his hand gripped on her upper arm painfully, "then I will be forced to treat you like a child. Would you like that?"
She winced in his grip. "No, I would not but you do not understand what I am telling you. I will not put up with this any longer. I am a woman, Kendrick, and not some child. You may want me to bend to your will but I cannot. Let me go and live my life as I was meant to."
His hand went to her belly where it moved in fluid motion. "Not when you have something that belongs to me inside of you."
Isabeau held her chin up defiantly. "Half the child is mine, Kendrick, and I will do with him as I please."
Kendrick drew her back against his chest and placed one thick forearm against her neck while his other hand remained on her belly. "I am the child’s father so that gives me the right. All right, Isabeau, you wish to play a game of wills so we will play it. In the end, you will find it will be easier to bend to my will than yours." After all this time, he still found a way of destroying the delicate wall of trust that built inside of her. Aye, she still wanted him, wanted him more now than ever. Deep within her soul, she wanted to be no where else but with him but injustice was something she could never deal with. How could she live with herself if men started going to their deaths over hearsay concerning her? She must stop this now before it was too late.
Isabeau tried to pull out from under his grip but he was too strong. He held onto her tightly. "My will is made of steel, Kendrick. How will yours hold up when you find the bed cold and empty?" The light slipped from his eyes and his stunned hand fell away only to dangle at his side limply. For the first time, she saw the raw pain on his features. The stab in her heart sent a jolt of hurt along her veins. Almost immediately she wanted to throw her arms around him and ask for forgiveness but she remained stalwart. They stared at each other for a moment as if to size up each other’s strength until a definite snarl crossed Kendrick’s lips. Saying nothing, he mounted his horse in a terse manner and signaled for his men to do the same. He looked at her with a hardened stare as if to say This is not over, Isabeau. I will be the victor. Kicking his horse in the flanks, he urged the horse into a run and tore through the thicket as though the very devil was on his heels.
* * * *
Night fell over Henstrige and bathed the warm earth in a blanket of blue and silver. Stars twinkled like gems in the midnight sky and winked at the tired world. Isabeau gazed up into that wide expanse and let her mind wander. Where was Kendrick? She’d watched him return hours ago but he’d failed to come upstairs. Was he avoiding her out of spite or was he truly that hurt and humiliated?
She never set out to hurt him. That was the last thing she wanted to do. Her sole intent was making him see what was wrong. Why could she not do things right?
Tears, lingering at the corner of her eyes, threatened to rain down her face but she held them back. She had hurt his pride and his ego. He had given her his heart and she had smashed it to tiny fragments before his eyes. Would he ever forgive her?
I must go and find him. I need to make him understand my feelings and perhaps I may understand his.
Pulling on her gown, Isabeau crossed the small expanse of stones and laid a hesitant hand on the iron ring. Would Kendrick want her searching for him? Would he coldly push her away just as she had him? There was only one way to find out.
* * * *
Isabeau crossed the foyer from the main staircase and entered the kitchen where she encountered Hedda supervising the banking of the evening fires. She tapped the elderly woman on the shoulder and caused her to jump with a start. Hedda’s eyes widened as a withered hand clutched over her heart. "Milady, that nearly killed me!"
She patted Hedda on the shoulder. "Forgive me, I did not mean to startle you. Have you seen the Duke?"
Hedda nodded. Curls of white fell into her eyes and remained in her line of vision. "Kendi be in da dining hall but me thinks you might not want to see ‘im."
Her eyebrow rose. "Why?"
A soft cackled emitted from the cavernous mouth. "He be deep in his cups, Duchess, and be very mean right now. When I bring him the wine, al
l he mumbles is something about you. I ask ‘im to say it again, he shout and tell me if I ask any more questions, he have me executed in the morning."
A shudder of shock ran through Isabeau and she shivered. "I cannot believe…."
Hedda held up a gnarled hand and continued to laugh. "He do not mean it, Duchess. He is sorrowful, mayhap more sorrowful than last time. That why I think it best you go back to bed and leave ‘im be."
"But I cannot, he’s my husband…."
Hedda’s mirth disappeared only to be replaced by an expression that could only be described as a mixture of caring and anger. "You are da cause of ‘is trouble. You have done enough for one day. Let ‘im heal himself." The ancient stick pointed toward the door leading back to the stairs.
Perhaps Hedda was right. She was the cause of all his trouble and mayhap she should just leave so that he could heal. Why must she destroy everything? All she wanted him to understand was that there was justice in the world, not just ruthless killing. It was almost like the culling of a herd. Weed out the weakest so only the strong could survive. That poor man was weak and that was why he was destroyed. Help me to understand that man behind the mask, she begged silently. I love him so much.
With slow mincing steps, Isabeau was about to cross the threshold of the outer doorway when she heard the soft murmur of voices. Halting in her tracks, she strained her ear to listen.
"Would you like more wine, milord?" Gardana’s throaty voice echoed through the room and assailed her ears. The sound tore at her soul.
"Aye. One can never have too much wine." The ripple of the wine entering the glass tumbled through the room and continued for several long moments and stopped.
"I know you have had much trouble with your bride, milord. Is there anything I can do to ease your pain?"
"Unless you can get her to love me, then there is nothing."
Desires Promise Page 28