The Dark Spawn (Battle Lords of de Velt Book 5)

by Kathryn Le Veque

  But, God, it was difficult for him to relinquish control where Corisande was concerned.

  “We must get her out of there, Sherry,” he insisted softly.

  Alexander smiled at him, patting him on the cheek. “I know,” he said. “We will. But we cannot do anything at this moment and I must have time to plan a well-timed incursion. With this mist, we have little choice but to wait it out. You know this.”

  Cole’s heart was pounding against his ribs, painfully, and for the first time in his adult life, he felt the sting of tears. “I know,” he said. “I know all of that. But give me something to do, something to plan, something to keep myself occupied or I swear I will go running into Scotland and kill every Scots bastard I can get my hands on.”

  Jax went to him, turning him for the gatehouse where his men were already starting to bring in the bodies that had been posted on poles.

  “Take charge of the removal of the bodies,” he said. “If the Scots see this, it could reflect badly on Corisande, so we do not want them to see this. Make sure the bodies are removed as quickly as possible and brought into the bailey so the Scots cannot see them.”

  That realization spurred Cole. “You’re right,” he said, turning to Julian and Addax and Essien. “Help me, please.”

  They surged forward, following Cole as he ran through the gatehouse, out to help the army remove the bodies on poles. Once Cole was occupied and focused on something other than his grief, Jax turned to Alexander.

  “I do not know the landscape north of Berwick,” he said. “If William believes the Scots are somewhere in those hills, then we must know something more specific. It occurs to me that we must find someone who knows those hills.”

  Alexander was listening. “Like who?”

  “Like a Scotsman who is part of The Rough’s army,” he said. “Surely not all of them have fled. I would wager to say there may be one or more of them hiding in the city, mayhap in a tavern or two down by the river’s edge where the boats throw anchor.”

  Alexander was following his train of thought. “And if there is not, I would imagine there is a villager who has lived in this town all his life and who knows the landscape around us.”

  “Find one. And find out what you are facing in those hills.”

  It was an excellent idea. Alexander turned to the Executioner Knights behind him and sent Kress and Achilles into the town, off to find someone who could tell them about the hills north of Berwick where the Scots army was located.

  Someone to help them realize what they would be up against.

  But whatever they were, or were not, to discover, Alexander and Cole would be leading the charge come the morning.

  They could only pray the women could hold out that long.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  MacDuff had escorted Corisande and Gaia to a smaller tent that was near the edge of the encampment, but it was surrounded by several fires, all of them with men huddling near the flame to stave off the mist that had rolled in from the sea. It was heavy now, blanketing the land, and wet to the touch.

  It was like being covered with sea spray.

  The smaller tent had a brazier, a pallet, and little more. It was quite spartan when compared to the grand tent of William. Corisande and Gaia stood near the door as MacDuff went to add fuel to the brazier, watching it spark up and flame. Holding his hands over the heat, he turned to the women by the door.

  “Come in,” he said. “Sit.”

  Corisande didn’t like the feel of the situation. Something about the way MacDuff was looking at her made her feel vastly uneasy.

  “I would rather not,” she said. “When we were brought here, it was in a wagon. Where is that wagon?”

  MacDuff left the brazier and went to the entry, sticking his head out into the misty night. “It is over where we left ye,” he said. “Did ye no’ see it?”

  Corisande eyed him before peering out into the misty night. She knew the general direction she had come from, so she looked off in that area. Oddly, the fog was heavier the higher it went, but not so heavy near the ground, so the visibility closer to the grass was better. She bent low, looking off towards the spot she remembered, and she could see the bottom of two wagons. The bottom of their wheels, anyway.

  She stood back and looked at the man.

  “We would rather sleep in the wagon,” she said. “When are we to be released?”

  MacDuff looked her over, remembering William’s words. He wanted the women released with a message to William Marshal, but they didn’t know that. They hadn’t heard the directive, which would work in his favor, and they weren’t going to know of it if he had anything to say about it.

  They were only going to know his terms.

  It was time to get to it.

  “Sit yer sister down,” he said. “I would speak with ye alone.”

  Corisande was feeling more uneasy the longer he looked at her, but she did as he asked and forced Gaia to sit down on the pallet. The young woman hugged her knees, fearfully, her gaze on Corisande as she went back over to MacDuff.

  “Well?” she said. “What is it?”

  His focus lingered on her. “Ye’re no’ very friendly, are ye?”

  “Please tell me what you wish to speak with me about.”

  Her resistance only seemed to harden him. He stepped a few feet away, motioning to her, clearly putting distance between them and Gaia. What he had to say was for Corisande’s ears only and she followed, but warily.

  “Have ye no’ heard my name?” he asked quietly.

  Corisande had from the outset, though she couldn’t place it. “I do not know,” she said. “Why? Who are you?”

  “The Earl of Fife,” he said. “Did yer father no’ mention me?”

  “Nay. Why?”

  “Because I came to The Keld those weeks ago tae speak with yer father about an alliance with Scotland,” he said. “Yer father refused.”

  Her brow furrowed. “Then you were the one who attacked our village?”

  That only made him harden. “Yer father was unreasonable and offensive,” he said. “I came with a just offer. Alpin Canmore came with a just offer. We dunna know where Canmore is, but I can guess.”

  That was one thing Corisande did know about, but she wasn’t going to say a word. She was afraid to tell him that Alpin Canmore was dead, afraid that she might be punished for it. Somehow, she was getting sucked into the politics of two countries and she was absolutely terrified.

  She didn’t belong here.

  “I do not know what are speaking of,” she said. “My sister and I will sleep in our wagon tonight and, tomorrow, I want to speak to the king again and ask him when he intends to release us.”

  She started to turn away, but he grasped her by the arm and forced her to remain. “Ye want tae know when ye’ll be released?” he asked, frustration in his voice. “I’ll tell ye. Why do ye think I brought ye here? There are terms tae yer release, my fine lady, and ye can thank yer father for them. He shamed me with his refusal, but I’ll do the shaming now. I have his daughters in my control.”

  Corisande sensed something horrible coming. “What does that mean?”

  His hand was still on her arm and he yanked her closer, eliciting a gasp of surprise and fear from her lips. His stinking breath was in her face as he hissed at her.

  “Ye want yer freedom?” he said. “It will cost ye. One night with me is the price for that freedom. Ye can return tae yer father and tell him the punishment for no’ allying with the Scots was his daughter’s innocence. It’s his punishment for shaming me. Ye’re going tae pay for all of yer father’s sins, lassie, if ye want yer freedom.”

  Shocked and sickened, Corisande tried to yank her arm away. “How dare you say such a thing to me,” she said through clenched teeth. “What a vile, despicable man you are!”

  She continued to pull away, but he grabbed her with both hands, pulling her against his body. Corisande put her hands up against his chest as he sneered at her.

 
; “One night,” he muttered. “Warm my bed for one night and I will release ye and yer sister, and all of the men we captured. Agree and they shall be safe. Refuse and I shall take my frustrations out on yer sister and force ye tae watch. If you want tae save yer sister and the rest of the Sassenach captives, ye’ll do as ye’re told.”

  Terrified, Corisande lifted a hand and tried to slap him, but he pulled back and she only managed to rake her nails across his face. Infuriated, he shoved her to the ground and marched in Gaia’s direction.

  “Nay!” Corisande shouted, grabbing at his ankle and nearly tripping him. “Leave her alone!”

  Gaia started to wail as MacDuff grabbed for her, but he slapped a hand over her mouth to silence her as he looked at Corisande.

  “Ye know what ye must do,” he said, his face red with fury. He removed his hand from Gaia’s mouth and reached down, pulling Corisande off the ground. “Ye can return tae yer wagon and think about it. When ye make the proper decision, I’ll be here waiting for ye. Make the wrong decision and I’ll come for yer sister in the morning.”

  By this time, he was dragging them out of his tent and heading towards the two wagons that were parked on the perimeter of the encampment. There were men patrolling the perimeter with torches; they could see them through the mist. MacDuff dragged and pulled, hauling them all the way over to the wagons before lifting Gaia into one of them and then practically tossing Corisande in behind her.

  “There,” he snarled at Corisande. “Make yer choice and make it fast. I’ll be waiting for ye.”

  With that, he whirled on his heel and stormed back through the mist. When he faded from sight, Gaia looked to her sister in horror.

  “What choice?” she sobbed. “I heard him say something about Papa’s sins. What did he mean? What is he going to do to me?”

  Corisande looked at her little sister with horror and disbelief. Gaia may have been spoiled and annoying, but she was still her sister. She had to protect her.

  She couldn’t let anything happen to her.

  She pulled Gaia into a frightened embrace.

  “Oh, God,” she breathed, fighting off tears. “He’s not going to do anything to you. I will not let him.”

  Gaia didn’t want to be hugged, at least not at the moment. She pulled back to look her sister in the eyes. “What was he speaking of?” she asked. “Cori, I know you think I am silly and lazy, and mayhap I am, but I have seen ten years and eight. I am educated, like you, and I am not stupid. I am not a child.”

  Corisande looked at her, seeing the young woman, but also still seeing the little girl she knew. “I know,” she said. “It is difficult for me to realize how grown up you are. I will always want to protect you.”

  Gaia was surprisingly serious in the midst of their turmoil. “I understand,” she said. “And although we have had our differences since I returned home, you are still my older sister and I love you. I know I am naughty and silly, but I do love you. Won’t you please be honest with me and tell me what he said?”

  Corisande wasn’t entirely sure she should, but the more she looked at Gaia, the more she could feel herself relent. Perhaps if Gaia knew what was going on, she could protect herself should it come to that. All Corisande knew was that she was backed into a corner and she didn’t see any way out.

  The reality of it was starting to tear at her.

  “You remember the battle at The Keld a few weeks ago?” she finally said.

  Gaia nodded. “Aye.”

  “That man, MacDuff, was responsible for it.”

  Gaia’s eyes widened. “What does he want from you?”

  Corisande closed her eyes tightly before averting her gaze. “Oh, Gaia,” she whispered, feeling the horror and pain to her very bones. “For the first time in my life, I am happy. So happy. Cole and I are to be married. Did you know that? Papa gave his permission.”

  Gaia appeared surprised for a moment but, just as quickly, her expression relaxed. “I suppose I knew it would happen,” she said. “Oh, I pretended I did not, but I knew he was fond of you. I could see it in the way he looked at you. And I saw the way you looked at him. I… I am sorry for pinching him. I should not have done that.”

  Corisande looked at her and grinned, a moment of levity in the midst of a dire situation. “Not to worry,” she said. “Cole told me that his hand slipped onto your buttocks.”

  Gaia grinned. “He spanked me!”

  “You deserved it.”

  Gaia’s expression of outrage held out for a mere second longer before she giggled. “I suppose I did,” she said, but quickly sobered. “I am glad you are happy, Cori. I’m very glad Cole makes you happy. But what does that have to do with what the man said to you?”

  Corisande lost her humor almost immediately. Heavily, she sighed. “He gave me his terms for our release,” she said, struggling to get the words out. “He told me… he told me that one night with him would gain our release and the release of the English soldiers they captured with us. He’ll free all of us.”

  Gaia’s eyes widened when she realized what she meant. “You mean…?”

  Corisande nodded. “He wants to bed me.”

  “And then he’ll let us free?”

  Corisande nodded again. Then, she burst into tears. “My God,” she wept softly. “What will Cole say when he finds out? He will not want me after another man has touched me. But if I do not agree, MacDuff said that he will force himself upon you and make me watch. I have no choice if I am to protect you. Protect everyone.”

  She buried her face in her hands, sobbing, as Gaia sat there in shock. It was true that she was young and silly, and flirted with men most inappropriately, but she was an intelligent girl. She understood what her sister was telling her and she further understood what such a terrible proposal meant to her sister’s happiness. Corisande, who was sweet and kind, who had suffered terrible luck with the knight from Hexham those years ago, and now had finally found love with Cole de Velt.

  A happy future awaited her.

  And now this.

  Gaia had never done anything worthwhile in her life. She was vain and petty, and shallow if she was honest with herself. She wasn’t worth her sister losing her happiness over and that was exactly what it would come to. Corisande was right – what man would want her after another had touched her?

  Gaia could feel her sister’s desperation, a horrible position to be in.

  But there was something Corisande didn’t know.

  Gaia’s promiscuousness wasn’t something she simply acquired when she returned home from Prudhoe. It was something that had been part of her for the past couple of years, ever since she’d cornered one of the squires at Prudhoe and coerced the young man into kissing her. She had been curious and nothing more, but she discovered that she liked it. Kissing became fondling, and fondling had turned into coupling.

  Gaia wasn’t virgin.

  In fact, she liked coupling a great deal. She liked the feel of a man between her legs. As she watched her sister weep over what would surely be a life-ruining event, Gaia knew she couldn’t let her sister go through with it. Corisande had tried so hard to protect her, to be a good sister. She was everything Gaia wanted to be but couldn’t. She didn’t have it in her.

  Corisande didn’t deserve what the Scots bastard had heaped upon her.

  Gaia knew she had to do something.

  “Do not fret,” she said after a moment, stroking Corisande’s head. “Please do not fret. Mayhap it is not as bad as you think.”

  Corisande had tears and mucus running down her face. “He was plain with his demand,” she said. “I did not misunderstand him.”

  She continued to weep into her apron now, bunched up around her face. Corisande was usually much more in control of herself, but the battle march and the stress of the situation had her in its grasp. Gaia listened to her weep, feeling heartbroken and sad.

  “Lay down,” she said, pushing her sister over onto the wagon bed. “Just… lay here for a while, Cori. Nothin
g is going to happen at this moment. You are tired. We are both tired. Lie down for a moment.”

  But Corisande struggled against her. “I cannot,” she said. “If I must do this, then I’d better get it over with. God, if there was only another way. To think of that man… doing things that only Cole should do…”

  She was off sobbing again and, this time, Gaia pushed her all the way down onto the wagon bed.

  “Shush,” she said softly, stroking her sister’s head. “Rest, Cori. Just rest for now. There is still time… time to do what needs to be done. Just rest.”

  Corisande stayed down this time. Lying on the cold planks of the wagon bed, she wept into her apron. She grieved for the situation, for the fact that, by choice, she would damage something solid and beautiful for the greater good. Not her greater good, but for her sister and the other English who had been captured.

  For the greater good.

  The ultimate sacrifice.

  But her life, as she had hoped for, would be ended. As the mist grew denser and a think layer of water covered everything, Corisande wept herself into a fitful, exhausted sleep.

  Gaia stayed with her sister as the woman slept, stroking her hair, trying to be of some comfort. But when it became clear that Corisande was in a deep sleep, Gaia stopped stroking. Carefully, she moved away from her sister and climbed down off the wagon bed.

  The mist had grown heavier, but it wasn’t so heavy that she didn’t remember which direction MacDuff’s tent was in. With a final glance to the wagon to make sure Corisande was still asleep, Gaia headed off through the mist.

  She was nervous and shivering, terrified someone was going to grab her before she could make it to the tent. One of her failings, among others, was her complete lack of bravery, but that didn’t stop her from going forth. Something deep inside her had stirred with her sister’s situation, something buried and dormant. But Corisande’s tears had awakened it.

  Perhaps she wasn’t completely lacking in courage, after all.

  She just had to have a catalyst.