Disconcerted, William dropped the grass and wandered back to his blanket. He lay there for a while, wondering if animal-speak was something that he really wanted to learn. Sleep finally took him.
***
By the time the sun peeked above the eastern hills, William was up and ready.
The rescue party—William and the four soldiers from Wessex—rode to the spot where they would leave the horses. Leaving two of the men to watch the seven horses, the rest headed toward the secret door in the wall.
Taking cover in the woods, they settled down to wait. The army had rested several miles away to avoid detection. It would take them a little while to get into place to attack the Mercians’ encampment and front gate. William wanted to be in place early to watch for any signs that Morcar suspected the attack. He also reminded the soldiers that, if they came across an ugly hulk with claws, the only thing that would kill them was to lop off their heads.
“Whatever you do, stay clear of those claws,” William cautioned them. “If they don’t disembowel you right then and there, the poison will do you in long before we get back to Wessex.”
Just then, the sounds of battle came to them from the Mercians’ encampment. Immediately after, the cries of men and clash of swords were heard at the front gate.
‘Whew!’ William thought, ‘at least that part of the plan is coming together.’ Then, whispered, “It’s our turn. Come on, men.”
The secret door was where Maud said it would be. William squeezed through it. Seeing that all who were inside the enclosure had their attention directed toward the front gate, he waved his men on. As they quickly covered the open area to the keep, William saw Morcar at the front entrance, directing their defense. William breathed a sigh of relief to find the side door unlocked.
Slowly easing himself into the building, he scanned the dimly lit room for anyone before signaling the men to follow. They headed to the room where Claire said she and Waltheof were being held.
They had almost gained the door when two massive bodies came barreling down the hall at them.
With no time to plan, William started toward the monsters. An open door on his left gave him an idea. Hoping to draw both into the side room with him so the two soldiers could strike from behind, William attacked, moving toward the door.
Only one followed him. William swung his sword at the other’s neck as it moved toward his men. He missed badly and was barely able to parry the claws of his other opponent. Back and forth the two battled with William desperately trying to get past the claws that battered at him relentlessly.
Suddenly an explosion reverberated through the keep. The brute attacking William turned slightly at the sound. Seeing his opening, William swung with everything he had. The monster’s head tumbled, but before it hit the floor, William was running to see how his men had fared.
He saw them as the head he had lopped off exploded behind him. Both were alive, though looking a little messy from the head’s explosion.
“You forgot to tell us about the smelly spray, William,” Lassiter said as he wiped the disgusting goop from his face.
“Would you have believed me?” William asked as he headed toward the room where Claire was being held.
“Probably not,” Lassiter admitted. He and the other man followed the stable manager.
William ran at Claire’s door and, with everything he had, slammed his shoulder into it. Crashing through, he found Claire with a chair raised over her head, ready for battle. The chair dropped with a clatter, and she threw herself into William’s arms.
“Claire, it’s okay,” Will said. She was trembling and breathing hard.
She pushed away just enough to be able to look at him. “I know,” she said. “I was ready to fight, but I was really hoping it was you.”
Will gave her a quick kiss. “We need to go now,” he said. “Your father?”
Waltheof scrambled out from behind the bed.
“Come, Your Lordship,” Lassiter said as he handed William one of the two swords strapped to his back.
William handed it to Claire. Taking her free hand in his, they ran for the side door.
The troops were still occupied at the front gate allowing them to reach the secret door unchallenged. They slipped out and made it to the forest. The way was clear as they worked their way through the trees. The horses and soldiers were ready to go as they broke into the clearing.
“Claire,” William said as he pulled her to a stop still within the trees. As she looked up at him, he pulled her to him, kissing her hungrily. She wrapped her arms around him as if she would never let him go. It was just for a moment, but that moment said more than any words could ever say.
As they hurried hand-in-hand toward Brunneis and Luto, a horse moved in front of them, blocking their path. Waltheof looked down at them coldly.
“Take your hands off my daughter,” came the icy voice.
Chapter 29
“Father?” Claire questioned.
“If you don’t disengage yourself from that commoner—”
“You will not speak of the man who saved—”
“I will speak as I wish,” Waltheof roared. “And you will hold your tongue and step away from him, or you will no longer be my daughter. You,” he glared at William, “are to report to your commanding officer and never come near my daughter again.”
“Take me to my officers!” Waltheof demanded, whirling his horse around to Lassiter.
“Let me take care of this,” Claire muttered to William as they mounted their horses.
They rode to a hill overlooking the battleground. There they found the command post where Waltheof’s head commander and Judith and Maud were.
The rightful heir to the earldom dismounted and beckoning Lassiter to accompany him, headed straight for his general. William started to follow, but Claire caught his arm. “Wait,” she said.
They watched as Judith and Maud joined Waltheof and the others. The discussion became very heated.
“Claire,” Judith called, stepping away from the group.
“I’ll be right back,” Claire assured William, then walked over to her mother. The two talked briefly in whispers before joining the earl and his officers.
Time crawled on as did the argument. At one point, William saw Claire and Waltheof locked in verbal combat as Waltheof pointed angrily in his direction. Finally, William saw Claire leave the group. Her cheeks were a flaming red, and Will could almost see sparks shooting from her eyes.
“Claire, what’s going on?” he asked.
“They’re abandoning the people,” Claire spat out.
“What?” William looked back at Waltheof’s group. They appeared to be readying for a departure. “What do you mean?”
“My father is taking the army and heading to a place the family owns in Northamptonshire.”
“To regroup?”
“To hide out,” Claire said contemptuously. “They plan to petition King Edward for the earldom and wait.”
“Will you be joining them?” William asked, trying to steel himself for the answer he might not want to hear.
“When I pointed out their cowardice, they suggested I return to Wessex.” Claire scowled.
“Claire, I’m sorry,” William said, hoping he did not sound too relieved.
“It’s just as well,” Claire snapped. “If I’m lucky, history will never associate me with them.”
William put his arm around her. “Maybe they’ll come to their senses.”
“They think they have. Morcar scared them silly, Will. They probably will never get over the shock.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked, remembering how he felt when, as a young boy, he had lost his family.
“Will, Waltheof informed me that I am no longer a part of the family.” Claire bit her lip. Then, raising her head defiantly, said, “Will, we are on our own. They have an army. They will be fine, but I think we should get going.”
William noticed Lassiter striding toward
them.
“We can gather up our supplies and be off,” the lieutenant said, not trying to hide his disgust.
William nodded at him and turned back to Claire.
“Don’t you want to …” Will nodded toward her retreating family.
“Unless you want to bid them farewell … I’ve already said my goodbyes,” Claire sighed, wiping away a tear.
***
The Northumbrians were just beginning their retreat when Claire and William rode out with the Wessex soldiers. Hoping that the focus of the Mercians would stay on the army as it pulled out, William headed Luto toward the one southern passage he was confident the Northumbrian army would not be using. He thought Claire would not want to be anywhere near where her family was until her heart had time to heal.
As the woods gave way to a narrow passage between two ranges of steep hills, William kept checking the countryside around them. The path was clear, and no one was following them. Still, William motioned Lassiter to join them.
“Send one of the men ahead to check the way,” William told him. Lassiter dropped back and sent one of the men on.
“Claire,” William murmured, “something doesn’t feel right.”
“Do you think Morcar would come after us?” she asked, glancing around uneasily.
William looked over at the beautiful girl beside him. All the questions that had been running through his mind as they rode along came tumbling together into one question that every other question led back to. Why had Morcar arranged to get Claire to Northumbria? If one of the sisters were needed to solidify the combining of the two realms, Maud would have served that purpose. He was sure that more information had been kept from him. Otherwise, he would have a better idea of what was going on.
“Something tells me that I don’t have enough information to answer that,” William replied. “What do you think?”
Claire gulped. She knew she had told Will only what she thought he needed to know to stay alive. What if he needed more? Could there be something to the fact that Morcar and Edyth had been on opposite sides during the Lantian/Piretian War? Something that Morcar had said … ‘After all these years, the Piretian still holds a grudge.’ Claire couldn’t see Edyth holding a grudge. Maybe it was Morcar that held the grudge. Could he still consider the lady an enemy? If so, could Morcar have a way to get to Edyth through her?
“Will, there is something I probably should have mentioned.”
Just then they heard the sound of hoofbeats. The scout was returning at a dead run. Monsters were following him!
Brunneis snorted and stamped a hoof. Luto projected, ‘Behind us!’ and whirled around. Three more of the monsters were coming up behind them.
Calling to the men to guard Claire, William pulled out his bow. Three arrows flew from the bow and hit their target before the first explosion rang through the wood. Two more explosions followed. William touched Luto with his heel, and as the stallion spun and moved between the soldiers and the advancing monsters, William let another arrow fly. There were now only two monsters.
‘Spare them for the moment, if you will. I would like a word.’
“It’s the Lantian!” Claire gasped.
“Show yourself,” William ordered.
The formidable figure of the Mercian stepped from behind the two monsters and sauntered toward the little band. Stopping in front of them, he said, “You possess some extraordinary skills, young man. Though, like my bride-to-be, you have no idea of what you could actually accomplish with them.”
“She is not for you, Morcar,” William growled, nocking another arrow. “No matter who you think you are, I will not let you take her.”
“Who I am,” the Mercian laughed. “Might I suggest you ask the woman who raised you who I am. And while you are at it, ask her why it is futile for you to resist me. But enough of this. I want what you have taken.”
“That, sir, will not happen,” William said.
“Would you give up your life for this woman?”
“A thousand times, if necessary,” William replied. “I would also kill a thousand to save her.”
Turning to Claire, Morcar touched his hand to his heart and asked, “And you, dear Claire. Would you pine for him? But before you answer, remember, if you did so, you might break my heart.”
Claire’s eyes seemed to shoot daggers as she stared at Morcar.
“And you men, would you not welcome a chance to save your hides?”
All the soldiers drew their swords in answer.
“Such a waste,” Morcar said, shaking his head. “I’ll promise you this, young man. I will exempt you from a life of servitude … but only you.” His eyes narrowed as he turned to the soldiers. “The rest of you will serve me for eternity.”
Stepping toward Claire, he asked, “Claire, my betrothed, are you sure you want these men to die?”
“I would rather you leave us in peace.”
“That is no longer an option,” Morcar said. With a nod of his head, the two monsters behind him leaped forward.
The one on the left had barely taken two steps toward William before the arrow left William’s bow. The explosion rang out.
The monster on the right pulled a soldier from his horse. Before the man could cry out, the fangs had ripped the man’s throat out. Lassiter’s sword flashed through the air. The headless monster fell to the ground with the soldier he had attacked.
Morcar ran to the right of the group as a knife flew from each of his hands. One struck a soldier in the throat. The third soldier’s horse reared as the knife came at them. The blade buried itself in the beast’s chest.
Morcar was on the soldier before his mount went down. Seconds was all it took to pass on the curse. Then Morcar moved toward Lassiter. The lieutenant was off his horse in a flash. As Morcar came at him, Lassiter crouched low at the last minute and thrust his sword at the brute’s belly.
The Lantian stopped, clutching at the hilt in his gut. He roared, his eyes turning red, as the blood curse claimed him. With claws flashing and fangs dripping, the Lantian drew out the sword that had penetrated all the way through his back.
With a snarl, the silver blade was tossed aside.
Chapter 30
Morcar, looking every bit the monster, lunged toward Lassiter.
The lieutenant whipped out his secondary sword. As the clawed hand came at him, Lassiter came down hard with the silver weapon. The sword sliced into Morcar’s left forearm. When it hit bone, Lassiter felt like he had struck a stone.
The sword bounced from the man’s hand. Lassiter backpedaled, trying to reach for another of his weapons. Morcar came at him too fast. The claws swiped toward the lieutenant’s belly. Lassiter sucked his stomach in, narrowly avoiding the claws. But the Lantian’s other hand struck his jaw like a sledgehammer. Lassiter flew through the air and crashed to the ground. There he lay, crumpled like a rag doll. Morcar closed in for the curse-rendering bite.
“Lassiter!” Claire screamed and sent Brunneis smashing into the Lantian. Expecting the horse to mow the brute down, she was startled when the horse bounced off the Lantian. Morcar sprang back at them, claws extended.
‘Move, Brunneis!’ Claire shrieked her projection. The horse leaped forward, but the Lantian was quicker. The claws connected with Brunneis’ chest and shoulder, shredding her hide. Claire cringed back as both of the clawed hands reached for her.
Claire was startled to see Morcar’s body jerk violently backward. His spine arching, Morcar fell backward, landing on the back of his head. As he hit the ground, the arrow lodged in the back of his neck was driven out the front of his throat.
“Claire, are you okay?”
Claire looked up to see William with the bow still in his hand. “It’s Brunneis,” she cried.
William could see the hanging strips of hide, and the horse’s left leg that was covered with blood. Leaping from the stallion’s back, he ran forward, past what he thought was, Morcar’s dead body. A hand grabbed William’s ankle and yanked, pulling
his feet out from under him. The side of his head slammed into a rock. William fought to make his eyes focus.
Looking back, he saw the Lantian struggle to his feet. As William’s eyes cleared, he saw Morcar grasp the arrow at the front of his throat and pull.
“Impossible,” he gasped.
William, with his mouth agape, watched as the Lantian pulled the arrow out and tossed it aside. Snarling, the immortal turned toward William and tried to speak. But when nothing came out, Morcar angrily grabbed his sword and charged.
William reached for his silver sword, but it was not there. A glint of sunlight on metal off to his right caught his eye. The horseman launched himself toward the sword, rolling forward as he scooped it up and gained his feet.
With two hands on the hilt, he flung the sword over his head parallel to his shoulders as the Lantian’s blade bludgeoned down on him. The sound of metal-on-metal reverberated in his ears as the blow drove him to his knees. Morcar’s next blow came from the side. William blocked the sword, but the force swept the blade from his hand, sending it spinning away.
“You …” Morcar’s voice rasped out.
Before he could say more, a sword flashed from behind Morcar, striking him in the shoulder. It was Claire. She had tried to take the Lantian’s head off, but could not reach high enough.
As Morcar spun away from him, William frantically dove for his sword. Coming up with it, he turned, ready for battle. Then, he pulled up short. Claire, with her toes barely touching the ground, was dangling by her hair below Morcar’s massive fist.
As William froze, a stray thought flashed through his mind, ‘Damn, if she only covered her head like other women, this wouldn’t be happening.’ His sword tip slowly dropped to the ground.
“You …” Morcar stopped and coughed to clear his voice. He tried again, “You or her … You decide.”
William hesitated, looking into Claire’s wide, pain-filled eyes.
Morcar slammed the hilt of his sword into the side of Claire’s head. William cried out and swung his sword up.
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