His thin lips puckered as he adjusted the ruby brooch at his neck. “You have it. Now, I beseech you to proceed, Your Grace.”
The bishop continued the ceremony, droning on in a rather annoyed tone, but Cristiana wasn’t listening. Smiling, she nodded toward Thebe, hoping the child understood that all would be well.
A sound akin to thunder rumbled across the bailey. The loud crackle of fire met Cristiana’s ears. Screams ensued. Smoke filled the air. Knights drew blades and charged into the middle of the courtyard, ready to meet their enemies.
At least ten massive barrels, set on fire, rolled toward the crowd! Coughing and hacking, hands to their noses, people darted off in every direction. Screams blared. Horses whinnied, chickens squawked.
Grunts, shouts, and the ring of blades added to the cacophony.
More blazing barrels rolled across the bailey.
The bishop ducked into the chapel. Cristiana yanked her hand from Sir Walter’s—who stood in shock—and bolted toward Thebe. Though the smoke was thick, ’twas not hard to find her, for her cries were like a beacon to Cristiana’s heart.
A man grabbed her ere she reached the child.
“Release me at once!” She pounded his chest and kicked and clawed, but he was far too strong.
“Be still, my lady!”
That voice, that sultry, rich voice. She stopped struggling but couldn’t see his face beneath his hood.
A knight came at him from the right. Without releasing her, he pulled a sword from beneath his cloak and pierced the man’s shoulder. Screaming, the assailant stumbled backward.
The clang of more blades echoed in the courtyard. One of the barrels struck the stables, setting it on fire. Soldiers ran to get water. More smoke billowed through the air. Arrows parted the fog and met their mark in flesh. Warriors screamed and toppled to the ground.
Cristiana couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think.
Hastening her forward, the man plucked a crying Thebe from the ground and then darted across the bailey, shoving and pushing through the hysterical crowd and blazing barrels to the entrance of the kitchen.
Inside, he halted. Meat roasted over a fire whilst pots bubbled with stew, but the cooks and maids must have abandoned their posts in fear, for the room was empty. The man removed the hood of his cloak and smiled her way.
Jarin! But of course ’twas Jarin.
“You came for me,” was all she could think to say.
He lifted her hand for a kiss.
“Jarn! Jarn!” Thebe squeezed his neck so tight, he choked.
“’Tis all right now, little one.” He pulled her back. “Come! Make haste!” Without hesitation, he dashed through the kitchen into the pantry and then out into the main hall, pulling Cristiana along beside him. Sweet angels, why were they running back into a castle full of enemies?
After a quick look around, Jarin ducked down a corridor to his left, through a series of storerooms Cristiana knew all too well, and then down another set of stairs into the wine cellar.
They were trapped! Terror begged her to grab Thebe and run back outside—to escape while they could. But an aura of confidence and courage clung to Jarin, as it normally did, and she realized she had come to trust him with her life. The smell of mold, dirt, and fermenting grapes wafted around her as they halted before two large barrels.
Jarin set Thebe down and began shoving aside the barrels when footsteps on the stairs alerted him. Drawing his blade, he whirled about.
But the most beautiful sight Cristiana had ever seen descended those stairs.
Her sister, Alexia.
They couldn’t get to each other fast enough. The smell of her, the feel of her, Cristiana hugged her so tight, she doubted they’d ever be able to part.
“’Tis you! ’Tis really you! Dear sister!” Cristiana sobbed.
Alexia pushed her back, tears in her eyes. “Finally, you are safe, dear one.” Behind her, two men descended.
Sir Ronar and another large knight she remembered as Damien LaRage. He nodded his greeting to her but said naught.
“And, pray, who is this?” Alexia knelt to gaze upon Thebe, then looked up at Cristiana with a wink. “Surely, you haven’t been gone that long.”
Cristiana chuckled as Thebe shyly answered, “I am Thebe.”
“Well, Mistress Thebe.” Alexia smiled. “Welcome to our party.”
The girl giggled as Cristiana looked up and smiled at Ronar. “Sir Ronar. Have you been taking good care of my sister?”
By the way he smiled at Alexia, she had her answer.
Footsteps and shouts thundered above them.
“Alas,” Ronar said, “as sweet as is this reunion, I fear we must be on our way.”
Damien helped Jarin shove the barrels aside and much to Cristiana’s surprise, the entrance to a tunnel appeared. Within minutes, they had crawled through and found themselves several yards from the castle in a patch of thick maples.
Horses awaited. No one spoke a word. After helping Cristiana and Thebe onto the back of a brown palfrey, Jarin leapt behind them. Then grabbing the reins with one hand, he held onto them with the other, and they all took off at a mad gallop.
♥♥♥
“Ahhh, Devil’s blood!” Sir Walter fisted hands to his temples and uttered every curse he knew into the stagnant air of his study.
Bishop Montruse stood calmly before him, eyeing him with the same evil intent he oft saw in Drago’s eyes. “I suppose this means you no longer have the Spear of Destiny?” His tone was caustic.
Sir Walter slammed his fists on his desk, shaking the trinkets, pens, ink, and candles that sat thereon. Including the open box with the key still in the lock.
The empty open box.
“’Twas right here!” He pointed toward the velvet cloth lining the inside of the box. “I checked on it right before the ceremony this morn. ’Twas safely wrapped inside. Then I locked it and hid it behind the loose stone on my wall!” He glared at the bishop. “How would anyone know where it was?” He took up a pace, unwilling to believe this was happening. “Devil’s blood! The box was still locked!”
“Fatuous goosewit!” the bishop said, seething. “Seems you have once again disappointed me. Not only me, but His Majesty, the king.” His placid face became twisted and gnarled. “You should have given it to me the moment you took it from that wench!”
Sir Walter retreated from the man’s fury and wrung his hands together. “I needed you to perform the wedding, regardless of the lady’s hesitancy.”
“And I did.” The bishop adjusted the embroidered sash, then twisted the sapphire ring on his finger.
Sir Walter growled. “Now that Lady Cristiana has her wits about her, ’tis quite possible she could return to Luxley, convince the guards and servants to join her, take power, and cast me from this place.”
The bishop blew out a sigh. “What is that to me?”
The man’s stupidity never failed to astound Sir Walter. He gave a tight smile. “Should she be so bold, Your Grace, you may never retrieve the Spear. Only if she and her friends remain outlaws do we have a chance to find it.”
The bishop stared at him, confused.
Sir Walter repressed a growl of frustration and added, “They will have need of its power to defeat us. Should there be naught to defeat, it will go into hiding.”
The bishop snorted. “Then I shall proclaim her a witch like her sister. Will that satisfy?”
“Aye.” Sir Walter smiled, then whirled, his tunic flowing behind him. “To the devil with those knights!”
“’Twould seem they continue to get the best of you.” The bishop’s nose pinched as if he smelled something foul. “No Spear, no lady. I grow weary of this dung heap of an estate. Someone of my stature should be in the palaces of Regalis, not here in the muck and mire with such vulgar plebeians.”
“Then prithee return home, Your Grace. I will continue my quest here.” Sir Walter would do anything to rid himself of this muck-spout! In truth, if the man lingered fur
ther, Sir Walter might have Drago cast a curse on him.
The bishop blew out another snort. “Nay. I’ve had enough of your incompetence. I will send word to the king, requesting more troops. We will find these Knights of the Eternal Realm and their Spear. And when I do, I will burn the lot of them at the stake.”
♥♥♥
Cristiana had never seen the likes of such a magnificent chamber beneath the ground. As all six of them entered with shouts of glee and praises to God, she could only stare in wonder.
“You lived here all those years we were apart?” She glanced at her sister, who was placing her quiver and bow on a table.
“Aye, with the friar.” Alexia gestured toward an older man in a brown robe with a gold crucifix hanging about his neck and a look of enviable peace and love on his face.
“Friar, we have found my sister.” Alexia placed a kiss on his cheek, eliciting a blush.
“As I can see.” He approached Cristiana and took her hands in his. “God’s blessing be upon you, my child.”
“Thank you.” She longed to also thank him for taking such good care of her sister all these years, but Jarin’s laugh brought her around to see him, Thebe in his arms, speaking with Ronar as they put their weapons on the table.
He glanced her way, a look in his eyes that bespoke promise and hope.
“Where’s Seraphina?” Alexia asked.
Damien marched up to join them, glanced around, and then headed down a hallway in the back of the chamber.
Ah, yes. How could Cristiana have forgotten that her good friend was here? Elation soared through her as she waited to see Sera again.
Jarin came to stand by her side, and Thebe reached out her chubby little arms. Taking the babe, Cristiana lowered to sit on the sofa, suddenly feeling weak from all the excitement.
Damien stormed back into the room and approached the friar. “Where is she?”
Friar Josef gave him a kind look. “Gone. Left nigh two hours past.”
“Where?” Damien demanded.
The friar glanced over them all, a slight furrow in his brow the only indication of any angst. “Forgive me, but I fell asleep. I thought…well, here.” He moved to a desk, retrieved a piece of parchment, and handed it to Alexia.
Unfolding it, she began reading it aloud.
“My dearest friends,
I am away to see the king with Sir Walter’s confession. I beseech you, do not be angry with me, nor the friar, for you see the Spear appeared in my hand, along with the sign on my wrist. And I knew ’twas God anointing me with the task of clearing all your names and restoring Luxley Castle to its rightful owners. Hence, I am on that very mission. Prithee, do not search for me. I hope I shall return anon with good news.
Ever your loyal friend, Seraphina DeMowbray.”
Damien growled and fisted his hands.
Cristiana lifted up her sleeve and glanced at her wrist. “She’s right. I no longer have the mark.” She held up her hand, amazed that she had not felt it depart.
Alexia set down the letter and leaned back against the desk. “The Spear has chosen her to be its protector now.”
Damien started for the table. “And I have given myself that task as well.” Retrieving his sword and knives, he shoved them into scabbards around his leather baldric.
Ronar followed his friend. “He’s right. We cannot allow her to travel alone.”
“Finally, a rational voice.” Damien smiled at his friend.
Jarin headed their way. “If you two are going, then I am as well.”
Alexia fisted hands at her hips. “Alas, you all intend to leave us? Break up the Knights of the Eternal Realm? Leave us at the mercy of the bishop and Sir Walter?”
Ronar smiled her way. “When have you ever been at anyone’s mercy, my love?”
Cristiana closed her eyes and hugged Thebe, her emotions torn between longing to protect Seraphina and yet not wanting Jarin to leave. Silently, she prayed for God’s will to be done.
The three knights continued to line their belts with weapons.
“Jarn!” As if sensing he was leaving, Thebe reached out for him, and Cristiana put the child down. The little girl dashed toward Sir Jarin, and he swept her up in his arms.
Alexia smiled at the sight, as did everyone. “We have come to love her as our own,” Cristiana offered, slowly standing.
The friar smiled. “Then she is welcome here in our humble home.”
“Home?” Thebe’s gaze shifted between the friar, Cristiana, and Jarin.
Cristiana made her way to the little girl, still in Jarin’s arms. “Aye, darling. This is your new home.” Though she had no idea whether Jarin would continue to assume the role of father. By the look he was giving the girl, ’twould seem so. Still, he had made no promises to her or to Thebe, and she feared he would break both their hearts.
Finished with arming himself, Damien started for the door.
The friar raised his voice. “Nay, Sir Damien. We must allow her to have her own journey.”
The knight faced them. “Alas, you have said the Spear contains no power in itself.”
“Indeed, ’tis true.” The friar gripped the cross around his neck. “The power is found only in Christ Himself.”
Cristiana glanced at Jarin. “As I have learned as well.”
He gave an understanding smile in return.
“In truth? Then, by your own words, she is putting herself in grave danger.” Armed with more blades than a battalion, Damien opened the door. “Join me or not. I am going to find her.” And out he marched.
Ronar hesitated, exchanging a look with Jarin ere facing Alexia.
“Leave him,” the friar said. “Mayhap ’tis his journey as well.”
“He’s right.” Ronar sighed. “We have work to do here.”
“I do not gainsay it.” Handing Thebe to Cristiana, Jarin returned his weapons to the table. “Damien can handle the protection of one lady.” He turned to face them. “Yet, what shall we do in the meantime?”
“What we have always done.” Alexia took Ronar’s hand in hers. “Show God’s love in the village and God’s power to Sir Walter and his warlock.”
Warlock? Cristiana swallowed a burst of fear. Alas, Cedric had been right. “Mayhap our first task is to convince the guards and servants of my ability to rule. If they side with us, I can assume my proper place as lady of Luxley and send Sir Walter on his way.”
Alexia’s face lit with excitement. “’Tis true! You are not wanted by the law! Why had I not thought of that?”
Ronar nodded. “That only leaves the warlock to be dealt with.”
The friar shrugged. “’Twill be no trouble for God.”
Ronar lifted his blade in the air, and nodded at Jarin, who retrieved his sword and raised it high. “For the glory of God, to the Knights of the Eternal Realm!” Ronar shouted.
Alexia grabbed her bow and handed a knife to Cristiana with a wink.
Thebe in one arm, Cristiana raised the blade in the other as Alexia lifted her bow.
“For the glory of God, to the Knights of the Eternal Realm!” they all shouted.
Thebe giggled and lifted her hand. “Tonight with ternal reem!”
Lowering their weapons, they all laughed.
Chapter 40
Cristiana lowered to sit on the soft, green moss and dipped her hands in the water. Cool and refreshing, it tickled her fingers as she moved them back and forth, creating little wavelets in the otherwise still pond. To her right, lit by the moon, streams of silvery water tumbled over a cliff into the pool, the gushing sound soothing her.
Beyond the waterfall, in their underground hideout, Cristiana had left the friar reading, Alexia, Jarin, and Ronar deep in conversation, and Thebe asleep. Unable to sleep herself, she had slipped out for some time alone—to think and to pray.
Above, stars winked at her through treetops, whilst from their branches an owl hooted. A frog leapt onto a log beside her and stared at her with dark round eyes ere croaking and jum
ping away. The scent of summer lilies filled the fresh night air, and Cristiana drew in a breath of it, pondering the amazing events of the day.
To think she’d almost married Sir Walter! ’Twould have been a life sentence of torture and misery for both her and Thebe. Even worse, Jarin had almost departed this world forever, taking her heart with him. But God rescued them all. Including Thebe, who now had a home of her own and people to love her.
“Thank you, Lord!” Cristiana stared up at the stars, wondering how far up heaven was and whether God could see her. But she knew the answer. God could always see her. He had never left her and never would.
In truth, they still had troubles. Luxley remained in the hands of evil men, Alexia and the knights were wanted for treason, and Seraphina was on a mission of great danger. But they were alive and safe, and God was on their side. Good would always win over evil in the end. She knew that now.
But what of Sir Jarin? How was she to endure living and working by his side day after day, knowing she would never be his? He had rescued her over and over, cared for her, protected her, and, dare she say, even loved her. But he had never asked for her hand. Alas, he had made it plain from the beginning he was not a man to settle down. Yet, against her will, against all reason, she had fallen so deeply in love with him, she knew she’d never find her way out.
A breeze stirred leaves around her into a gentle dance, and she hugged herself. “Lord, help me. Give me strength to merely be his friend.”
♥♥♥
Jarin was well aware when Lady Cristiana left the underground chamber. Instantly, both the room and his heart mourned her loss. He’d longed for a moment alone with her, but the day had brought such excitement, and Ronar insisted they catch up on all the happenings since they’d last seen each other. Indeed, ’twas good to hear of all the miracles God had performed on their behalf at Luxley. Nothing surprised Jarin anymore when it came to God’s love and power. They, too, were astonished to hear of all that God had done through Cristiana and of how He had touched Jarin.
“I’m so pleased to hear of my sister’s great faith and love.” Alexia snuggled up beside Ronar on the sofa. “Her heart has always been twice the size of mine.”
She Walks in Love (Protectors of the Spear Book 2) Page 32