by Amy Mullen
Fear took root in Gemma's brain and shot through to her fingertips. Her body went rigid, and she felt momentarily frozen in place, sitting at the dais with most of her meal still in front of her, uneaten and forgotten.
She tried to stand, but she could not balance. Falling backward, she struggled to right herself before she hit the unforgiving, stone floor. The alarm and urgency in the seneschal's voice flooded her mind with worry. Unable to face another calamity that day, she steadied herself and did something out of character. Instead of following her father, she strode quickly to the steps to join her sister in the solar. For the first time in her nineteen years, she did not wish to know.
Chapter Two
The next day arrived quietly. A shadow of uncertainty clouded the early morning hours as those dwelling within the walls of Blackstone carried on their daily rituals. After breaking her fast, a forlorn Gemma solemnly followed her father to the chapel where Minna's body was laid out waiting for burial.
One by one, those who served and lived in Blackstone Castle filed into the chapel to say a prayer for her soul. Father Darius conducted mass, and the body was taken to the small cemetery near the family plot where Gemma's mother was put into the ground a year before. The air was stiff with sadness over the loss of Minna but also over the uncertainty of how or why she had died.
Gemma watched her father purposely move away and toward the stables as soon as the burial was over. She was desperate to ask him what had happened outside the night before, but his departure was swift. She must wait until his return.
Left alone, she searched for something to do. She meandered aimlessly past the gardens where the roses were beginning to bud. Her mother had doted on the roses, but they failed to thrive. Hesse came along and taught Andrie to cut them down in the fall. They flourished each year after. Many a lazy afternoon was spent tending to her roses. Those same roses seemed a bit sadder and a bit less vibrant a year after her death. It was as if they missed her too.
Her mother had put a lot of time into the gardens. This was her creation, and it grew bigger each year. Now and again Hesse could be found there, teaching Isabel about the flowers, herbs, and vegetables, but it was never the same without her mother.
A few hours slid past before the sounds of chains rubbing together and the hefty thud of the drawbridge announced the return of Gemma's father. He rode into the outer bailey with Oliver and a few of his most trusted knights. His tired horse limped along toward the stables. Gemma watched the group file past and guessed he had returned from Renoir Castle, home to the Bigod family. It was the only property nearby.
Gemma made her move and advanced toward the stables. Father Darius stopped her. He emerged from the chapel waving his arms above his head. "Gemma! Gemma! Have you seen your father? 'Tis urgent I speak with him. He must come quickly to my quarters." The priest dropped his arms, his pale face in a grimace as he went to reenter the chapel as swiftly as he had emerged.
She raced to fetch her father. She was slightly out of breath when she reached him. "Father Darius needs you. 'Tis urgent."
Something akin to fear flashed in Blaise's eyes briefly before he fell into a run and headed for the chapel. Gemma followed. Her mind raced with the possibilities. Surely this could not be about something as simple as Isabel giving Father Darius a hard time with her lessons.
With her brown hair flying behind her, she entered the chapel after her father and almost fell as she made a sharp left. She went toward the steps that led to the living quarters and study on the second floor and came to a halt at the top of the steps. As she watched, her father entered the sleeping quarters to her right. The small room was crowded, but filled with soothing, natural light. Memories from time spent studying there washed over her. It always felt homey there, even as she struggled with her lessons as a child.
She held her breath, and she let it out slowly as she waited to confront her father. Before long, he emerged with his shoulders slumped. His eyes were trained to the floor for a moment. They were red-rimmed and troubled. "Daughter, 'twould seem I am too late. He is gone."
Startled, Gemma took a step backward. "Who? Who has gone?"
"'Tis Smithy. He's not made it through the night. He was shoeing horses last eve, choosing to sup after he was done. While we were eating, he slipped and cracked his head on the anvil. I thought…" he paused, "I thought he would be right this morning, but it seems the blow was fatal. He has gone, and now in just two days we have lost two souls."
Gemma faltered. She sank back onto the wood stool behind her. It scraped the floor as her slight weight settled upon it, jarring it backward.
Her father gently took her hand. "Let us leave so Father Darius can pray for his soul and move him to the chapel." He squeezed her hand and urged her down the steps and back out into the sunshine.
"We must find Isabel," she said.
"I told Hesse to busy Isabel with anything but lessons today. Education is practical and builds good character, but it is cruel to make a grieving child pretend all is right in the world. She does not yet know of Smithy, of course, but she shall find out soon enough," her father said with a softness he rarely showed.
As they quickly made their way toward the keep, a single thought sprouted and grew in Gemma's mind. She stopped suddenly. Her gaze went down at the fine, deep blue material of her kirtle, and she smoothed out an imaginary wrinkle. Blaise met her eyes, and she knew the answer before she asked, but she asked anyway. "These are not accidents, are they?"
He gazed over her head for a moment. She watched as his eyes traveled up and down the length of the thick wall surrounding their home and then to a foot soldier who walked along the top of that wall, there to protect them. The man's only job was to keep them safe.
Blaise moved toward his daughter and slowly shook his head, his eyes the color of a thunder cloud as he met her gaze. "I fear these are not accidents. I cannot explain why I feel this way, but 'twould seem someone might have been behind these deaths. I have learned death among the young is common, but is most often from disease or battle. I pondered John's guilt or innocence in his wife's untimely demise, but my gut tells me 'twas not him. His grief is too real. He had no reason. Minna was unable to bear him children, but he loved her still."
Gemma nodded in agreement, putting her head down as a new unnamed emotion surged through her slender frame. Someone was harming her people and causing them this pain. Would another die? She had always felt safe within the walls of the castle, and now an unnamed person had taken that from her.
"Are you sure? Could it be 'twas just bad luck?" she asked. "Who would want to hurt us? Why?" She trembled as she thought of her younger, trusting sister. How could she protect her from harm? It was all but impossible to keep her under control on any given day.
"I am not sure. 'Tis just a feeling," he said as lightly as he could. "Just promise me something."
She nodded. "Anything you wish."
"If something were to happen to me…"
"Do not say such nonsense," Gemma said, her voice cracking.
"Just listen, girl," he whispered and stepped closer, "if something happens to me, send Sir Oliver out to find King Henry immediately. I believe he is near London now, though one never knows with Henry. Do what you can to find him and ask for assistance. He will help you."
"You are frightening me."
"I do not mean to, sweet daughter, and I am sure all will be well, but I want you to know what to do. Your brother will be here soon for his wedding. Until then, you have to know what you should do in my stead. You can trust Oliver with your life, and you can also trust those who serve under him. Do you understand me, Gemma?"
With tears, she nodded. She gave her father's arm a squeeze, and went to look for Isabel.
Chapter Three
Gemma's brother, Gavin de Vere, was due to arrive. On that morning, his younger sisters were in the garden selecting flowers from the limited blooms available in early summer. The bouquet was a gift of greeting for a brother n
either knew well nor had seen in a long time. The wedding of Gavin and Helena was of great significance to Blackstone, as they would one day be lord and lady. Each sister was eager to see him again and to greet their future sister-in-law.
Gavin stood to inherit Blackstone upon his father's death, but things were changing in England. King Henry removed heirs as he saw fit and replaced them with stronger families. He was a fair and forgiving king, but he was ruthless when it came to protecting his kingdom.
"When will Gavin and Helena arrive?" Isabel asked as she drew her finger back from a rose bush, having come too close to a thorn. "I am so excited to meet her. Just think; she will be another sister!"
"I'm sure she'll be lovely, "Gemma said, "and I am also sure Gavin would not pick a women cold of heart to marry. The king rewarded him with a lady for marriage, and as it turned out, they have found love between them. That is a good thing, dear sister, and the only way it should be done."
"But our parents were not a love match at first. They learned to love each other. At least that is what Hesse told me," Isabel said. She mimicked her sister's close inspection of the flowers before her.
Sensing her sister had more on her mind then just flowers and love matches, Gemma tried to lighten her voice. She too hoped Gavin and Helena would help lift the mood of the castle, yet she could not help but wonder if danger was lurking. All had been still since Smithy died. The quiet led her to question her assumptions and left her feeling she might have overreacted.
"Do you want to hear a story? Something about our castle which is not found in many others, even ones that are grander than our home?" She got Isabel's attention almost immediately.
"Oh, aye," Isabel's eyes lit up, "tell me!"
"Well, as an added defense, there are two passageways that lead from the corner towers to the main gate. These tunnels were added after the outer curtain was built, so you can see where they bulge at the bottom. They were built on the inner side of the wall. If you go to the other side of the orchard and walk toward the main gate, you will find it. The same type of tunnel was built into the wall on the other side also leading to the main gatehouse. This allows the lord or lady of the castle to get to the main gate without being seen and to stay out of range of any enemy," Gemma explained, leaving out at least two other tunnels more deftly concealed. She did not want Isabel repeating her mistakes.
Isabel's eyes widened. "Secret passageways, really?"
Gemma's heart pounded as she remembered the other passageways. The first of those tunnels, the one she had used, did not run parallel to the wall but under it. It allowed someone to slip out of the castle entirely unseen and undetected, just as she had. The passageway she had used to go meet Nicholas was actually a part of the tunnel built to run along the bottom of the outer curtain wall nearest the gatehouse and the drawbridge. One would never know it was there without careful inspection of the wall inside. A person could walk to the outer gate through the curtain wall tunnel without noticing it because of the dim light, but she had found it.
Not only had she used it, she had used it often and without hesitation or thought to her own well-being. She still remembered how many steps it took to get through it, so she could traverse the length without the aid of a light. It always scared her, and even now the memory of being within the tunnel caused her heart to beat faster. There was a steep set of stone steps upon entering, but after she went down, she was home free.
Isabel's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Can we go explore it, Gemma? Can we walk through the tunnels?"
With a sigh, Gemma stood. "Not today, love. It is sure to be dirty in there, and your brother will be home soon. You don't want Hesse to have to scrub you in the middle of the day because you dirtied yourself, now do you?"
"'Tis not fair!" The younger girl regarded her sister in defiance, crossing her grubby arms over her chest. "You tell me grand tales and then only mean to tease me with your stories."
Gemma knelt down so she was eye to eye with her sister. "I promise once the wedding is over, I shall take you through so you can walk from the northeast tower to come out near the main gatehouse just like the lord or lady of the castle would do in times of war."
"Do you promise-promise?" Isabel asked, still pouting.
"I promise-promise. Now, let us go find Leda in the kitchen to see what she is preparing for Gavin's return celebration. Mayhap she needs someone to taste the fruit to be sure the preserves have not spoiled."
She watched as Isabel raced along the inner wall, across the bailey, and into the kitchen. There was much to be done, and she refused to dwell on uncertainty. Today would be a new beginning.
A few hours later, Isabel went with her sister back to the kitchen to check on the flowers they had chosen, picked, and then left to soak in water. Isabel was having a hard time containing her excitement. Gemma's spirits lifted as she watched her sister's energetic steps. She was curious about the man Gavin had become. It mattered not that she did not know him well. He was family.
Like other young men his age, he was fostered in another household, where he trained to serve his king. He had left the household before Isabel was born. Henry had recently knighted him, which was a great achievement for the entire family. His rewards for his service to Henry were knighthood and marriage to the woman he loved.
"Do I have to bow?" Isabel said as she inspected the flowers.
"You can do anything you like, love, though I suspect your brother would prefer a hug from his sister."
She gave Isabel a once over and noticed a smear of mud running up her skirt almost to her waist. While they were out near the well just minutes ago, Isabel had taken off after a 'green, hopping thing' which was later identified as a frog, and she almost went head first into the stock pond near the orchard trying to capture it. The chase ended in failure, but she did manage to capture plenty of mud on her short but exciting adventure. There was no time for another bath, but surely Gavin would understand.
They walked back outside, each too excited to stay in one place for too long. "Are you going to marry Phillip Bigod?" Isabel asked as she stared up at her sister.
"Goodness!" Gemma said, surprised by the sudden question. She stopped walking for a moment. "Why do you ask such a thing?"
"Well," Isabel said, drawing out the word, "I heard you talking to Father the other day about Phillip. You said you would rather hang upside down from the curtain wall for a week with a sack over your head and a rotting fish tied to your foot than to marry him," she said and then giggled.
"I most certainty do not want to marry Phillip, and Father will not force me," she said, though she was not so sure he would not do that exact thing eventually. "Why? Do you think I should marry Phillip?"
"Gavin is going to marry. Father seems to think you should as well." She paused. "I don't think you should have to marry Phillip. His breath always stinks, and his belly is so big he must not be able to see his toes."
Unwillingly, her mind went back to Nicholas. He had her love but broke her heart and tore down her spirit. "Nay, little one. I will not marry Phillip, or any man for that matter."
"Do you believe in love?"
She paused a moment before answering. "I believe in love," she said with a nod, "but mayhap I do not believe I was made for love. It is not my fate. Now off you go to find Hesse."
Isabel gave her sister a long look and then dashed off toward the pond where the nursemaid was walking. Gemma waved to Hesse, who was already lecturing the younger sister and warning her to stay clean. Gemma decided to spend her afternoon with a rest. Dinner was light, as a feast was being prepared for the evening meal to celebrate her brother's return.
A nap sounded refreshing. Her restless nights had continued. She worried constantly about what had happened to Minna and Smithy. A new smith came from the village. He was an apprentice who had worked under the recently passed smith. The ale-master continued to mourn is wife. Everything was off kilter, and she longed to have things right again.
&nbs
p; After her nap, she rose quickly. She felt rested for once and ran down to see if Leda needed any help in the kitchen. The entire household was busy with preparations for Gavin's return, and the chamberlain had opened up and cleaned out his former quarters in the solar. A massive bed had been built for the new couple, though Helena would stay in the nursery quarters with Isabel until the wedding could take place. New linens had been placed on the trestle tables, and fresh candles and flowers were waiting to greet them.
They would not stay there long as a married couple but would visit often and eventually make Blackstone their home. Gavin was in active service to Henry, so it was assumed they would spend more time at court before settling. Gemma wished she knew her brother as she did Isabel. He was gone before she was old enough to form any type of friendship with him. Her hope was they could make up for lost time now.
As she went into the great hall, she noted the reeds had been swept up and replaced, and fresh tallow candles were set and burning around the hall. The smell of fresh breads, roasting meats, and all types of delightful herbs wafted into the hall from the nearby kitchen. Leda was making the best of everything for the celebration. The keep looked wonderful, and it appeared it would be a lovely evening indeed.
But it was not to be.
Gavin did not return. Her father held off the meal as long as possible in hopes they were just delayed, but they did not come. The hall was silent as everyone ate. Her father dined quickly and then left the dais to sit at his desk. He waved Oliver over, and they spoke at great length. Gemma sat in her chair once again picking at her food.
Her father came back to the table and dismissed everyone from the meal. Gemma followed him as he strode quickly away. He glanced back at her and sighed. Isabel bid them goodnight. They each hugged her a little more tightly than usual.
"I shall be up soon, Isabel, and I will tell you my favorite story before you sleep. Be a good girl for Hesse and bathe," Gemma said. After the two accidents of last week, she knew her brother was not held up. Something was wrong, but she did not want Isabel to know it. She watched her sister scamper away before she turned her attention back to her father.