Lass' Valor (The Pith Trilogy) (6 page)

“Where
are we going, Kate?”

“I’m
looking for a plant.”

“What’s
it for?”

“Lady
D. It has three leaves and whatever you do, don’t touch it. You’ll break out in
a rash that’ll have you itching for a week.”

“What
are we going to do with it?”

“I’m
going to rub it on Lady D’s chair, it’s what she deserves.” Kate knelt down and
spotted the weed she sought. She used her gown to pull out a big stem.

They
skipped back to the hall. Kate hurried and rubbed the leaves over the lady’s
chair. Bonnie pointed to the spots she missed. She was thorough, making sure
that if the lady’s skin touched anywhere on the chair, she’d be itching by the
end of the night.

The
day wore on, and Kate was grateful it went by quickly. Her stomach fluttered
madly. She wanted to retire and have the morning come. Supper became a
tumultuous affair because Lord Richard had returned. He sat at the end of the
table, sending peculiar glances at her. She ignored him as best she could. At
last, supper ended with Lord Richard’s departure. She took Bonnie’s hand and
stood to leave, but Lady D stopped them. Blotches of redness streaked her hands
and arms, making her scratch. Not only that, but her face was blotchy, too.

“Are
ye well, Lady de Morris?” Kate feigned concern.

“Oh,
aye, I seem to be itchy, must be this new material. My dear husband brought
this fabric from Londontown, and I had it made into this gown. I believe I’ll
go and have a bath.”

Kate
smiled. She knew as soon as her body touched water, the rash would spread and
she would itch all over, but she kept that thought to herself. “Aye, a nice
warm
bath.”

“I
need the young one to go to the kitchens and peel onions for tomorrow’s stew.”

“I’ll
help her.” Kate took Bonnie’s hand, but Lady D pulled her away.

“Nay,
you rest. You’ve been with the child all day. It won’t take her long, there are
not many to peel, and cook cut himself this morn so he could use the help.”

Kate
nodded. “All right, don’t be too long, Bonnie.”

Bonnie
nodded, because she’d never spoke in the lady’s presence. Kate knew Bonnie
would be hesitant in leaving her side, but what could she do? She had to obey
Lady D, and send her to the kitchens.

Light
faded quickly, she knew Bonnie would have to walk back in the dark. She decided
to retrieve her when she finished her tasks. Kate went to her chamber and
gathered the items they would need for the journey. She pulled out a satchel,
placing inside: a dagger she’d taken from the hall, a small bow her father had
given her when she was younger, arrows, and a few garments for them both. Once
the large satchel was crammed with her belongings, she set the satchel by the
door.

Kate
positioned her rope on the floor, set the candles in place, and then sat. She
folded her legs beneath her, closed her eyes and waited. Trixie took her place
beside her. Kate hummed a light tune and tried to ease the tension from her
body.

And
then it came, the vision of the gray-eyed, dark-haired warrior. Kate shook her
head. “Please, Goddess, send me a vision about the journey. Will we be safe?
Will I get the child home?” She began to hum again, but the warrior’s
silhouette framed in sunlight, came to her. Answers wouldn’t come this night,
not with his vision intruding. Was he trying to tell her something with his
austere frown? She couldn’t figure it out why he looked at her so.

Kate
jumped when her door suddenly banged open. Lord Richard stepped inside and
closed the door behind him, looking at her indignantly.

She
froze.

“What
do ye want?” She looked up at him from her position on the floor.

“What
every man wants, my wife suggested you might enjoy it. Lord knows she’s no good
at it. You’ll make me a fine wife, once I rid myself of—”

“S-surely
you don’t m-mean what you just s-said,” she stammered. She quickly picked up
the rope, doused the candles, and set them aside.

“Aye,
I do, Kaitlin. You will remove your garments and do my bidding. You are
indebted to me for letting you come here. As your guardian, I command you to do
it.”

Kate’s
face reddened. “Nay, I’ll do no such thing. I don’t understand what … you mean
by this. I shall never submit to you. I will never marry you, and besides, the
king has betrothed me.”

He
laughed coarsely. “A betrothal that shall be set aside. You’ll obey me or the
child will suffer. I’ve seen how fond you are of her.” Richard crossed the
room, his eyes glaring like a wolf in the night.

Kate
backed away. “Nay, you’ll not hurt that child.”

“Then
you’ll do as I say, now remove your garments. I’ll not hurt you, if you do my
will.”

She
walked away from him, stalling, hoping to think of some means of escape, but he
blocked the path to the door. She felt an intense pain in her chest as panic
seized control over her.

“B-but
I-I am betrothed, surely you don’t wish to go against the king.” It was all she
could think of to say.

“The
king is a sniveling fool. Your betrothal will not come to pass, Aldwyn will
listen to me. Ah, my dear Kaitlin, there are many things we need to discuss
this night, but after we enjoy our pleasure. One of which is the medallion, I
know you have it. You believe me a fool, don’t ye?”

His
voice lowered to such a pitch that it frightened Kate. Fear mingled with panic
in her stomach, and she thought she’d be ill. Just what had he intended when he
brought her to his home? Surely he wouldn’t go against the king and refute her
betrothal?

“I
don’t know what you speak of, Lord Richard. What medallion?”

Richard
reached out slapping her across her face, the force of it sent Kate to the
floor. She cried out, but didn’t move. She tried to abate the sting in her
cheek by rubbing it. Richard grabbed her arm, jerking her to him.

“Don’t
lie to me, I know ye have it. Where is it?”

“I’ll
never give it to you, never. You are a blackheart. My father told me not to
trust ye. I’ll die before I give it to you.” She pulled away from him.

Richard
laughed wickedly. “If that’s your wish, Kaitlin, I shall find the medallion
amongst your belongings, but first, I’ll enjoy myself. You’ve become rather
appealing. Now remove your garments or I’ll have the child fetched so she can
witness your downfall.”

Kate
searched the room with a quick glance, her mind racing. Terror spread
throughout her insides, shaking every nerve in her body. He stalked about the
room, removing his robe. When he stood before her, she gagged. The man wasn’t
well made, she was ready to lose her supper, but suppressed the urge to gag
again.

He
reached out grasping her arm. Kate struggled, trying to get free from his
clutch, but he threw her on the bed and laid his body atop hers. He pulled at
her garments, his hands moved over her body touching her lewdly. She started to
scream, but his chilling laughter banished her panic.

She
focused her eyes on the canopy above. Reaching behind her, she tried to grab
anything she could from the stand by the bed. Why couldn’t she have left the
dagger on the table? She felt a quill used for writing—that wouldn’t do. Then
she felt the book she’d been reading to Bonnie. The tomb was quite heavy and
she could barely lift it with one hand. She held it with both hands now.

Richard
pawed her breast and kissed her face. How could she stand it, she wondered? He
pressed his body against her, apparently mindless to what she was doing. She
gripped the book tightly, bringing it down on his head as hard as she could. A
loud whacking noise followed and he stilled.

Had
she killed him? Her breath rasped from the exertion and she pushed him off her,
grabbing the tie from his robe and bound his wrists then she gagged him with a
belt. She hadn’t killed him, she realized when she felt his breath when gagging
him. At least she’d made it so that he’d spend the entire night there. He
couldn’t give an alert that she fled. That was, of course, until someone found
him, hopefully in the morning. Her chest still rose and fell rapidly.

Kate
went to the basin and splashed water on her face. The vile man had touched her.
She was disgusted, and tried to calm her indignation. Her torn garment drew her
notice, so she donned a cloak. She picked up her satchel, threw in her rope and
candles, clutched Trixie under her belly then ran for her life.

She
reached the kitchens and called to Bonnie. “Bonnie, lovey, we have to go now.”
Kate was amazed at how calm she sounded.

“Where
are we going, Kate?”

“Home,
but we must hasten. We have to run. Can you do that, Bonnie?”

“To
Ralph?”

“That’s
right … to Ralph.” The village was a mile or so from the manor house. Nightfall
gave cover from anyone trailing them, so they stopped a few times to catch
their breath. Kate held Bonnie’s hand, pulling her along.

“Kate,
I can’t run anymore.”

“I
will slow down, but we must keep moving.” They continued, and after making more
progress, the young girl slowed again. Kate finally picked her up, shifting her
so she could hold on to her shoulders, from behind her. They ran the rest of
the way. Bonnie didn’t weigh much, so it wasn’t too difficult, but holding her
belongings and making sure she didn’t jostle Trixie, was a difficult task. When
they reached the smithy’s hut, there, as promised, waited Ralph.

Kate
lifted Bonnie onto the horse’s back then secured the satchel to the harness by
the horse’s forelegs. Trixie jumped into the satchel so Kate wouldn’t worry
about her. She touched the medallion covered by cloth on a string, tied around
her pet’s neck. The only clue to her father’s death was secure. She had all
that she needed. Thank goodness she’d made the arrangements this day, for if
she had waited, Richard would have hurt her, perhaps have even killed her. She
would never have been able to get Bonnie to safety. Kate kicked her heels into
Ralph’s flanks.

All
Kate wanted, was to get as far away from the evil place as she could. They were
in southern England just west of Londontown, so Kate headed north, not really
knowing where she was going. She held the sleeping child and rode through the
night.

They
had made a good distance as the sun began to rise. The hues of yellow and pink
indicated it would be a hot day. She had a hard time keeping her eyes open, and
finally had to stop. Kate felt it safe to rest for a spell. After lifting
Bonnie down, she tethered Ralph.

“Bonnie,
sit beside me and don’t move for any reason.”

“Aye,
Kate.”

“If
there’s trouble or you hear someone, wake me.”

“Aye,
Kate.”

“And
Bonnie, don’t let me sleep long.”

“Aye,
Kate.” Bonnie nodded at her instructions.

As
Kate lay sleeping, Bonnie made a fire. Her papa had taught her how, and she
couldn’t wait to tell him that she had done it all by herself. She found flint
in Kate’s satchel and struck it against the rock just as her uncle showed her.
When the kindling caught, she shouted then quieted, realizing her loudness. She
took the bow and arrows from the satchel. Her Uncle Brendan had taught her how
to use them, but this bow was slightly larger than the one her uncle had made
for her. She had trouble notching the arrow, and keeping her aim fastened on
the clearing.

Kate
would be surprised when she awoke. Bonnie sat in a secluded clearing and
waited. Her uncle told her she had to have... What did he say? Oh, aye,
patience. He’d told her ye could wait a long time before a target came.

Then
she spotted it, a very large hare hopped into the small clearing not too far
from where she sat. She pulled the arrow back, scrunching her eyes closed, then
let go. Amazingly it hit the target. In awe, she smiled. “Wait until Papa hears
this.”

Kate
lay on a grassy spot covered by a small counterpane, and Bonnie smiled at the
pretty lady who had saved her. She knew Kate was tired, but it was getting
late, so she shook her.

“Not
now, Lolly,” Kate grumbled.

“Kate,
wake up,” Bonnie whispered. “Please.”

Kate
shot up, remembering that she slept in the forest. She listened to the approach
of dusk. Only the sound of birds making their return flight to their nests
could be heard. Sighing relief, she released her bated breath.

“Lovey,
are ye all right?”

“Aye,
but the day is fading.”

“You’re
right about that. Why did you not wake me sooner? What do ye have there?” She
saw a furry creature clutched in her hand.

“’Tis
a hare. I used your bow,” Bonnie explained.

“I
cannot believe you were able to notch the arrow, the bow is almost larger than
you.” Kate laughed, disbelieving the girl’s ability. “Did anyone ever tell you
that you’re an amazing girl? Where’d ye learn to shoot an arrow?”

“Uncle
Brendan taught me,” Bonnie said proudly.

“You
mean the one with a heart?”

“Aye,
don’t tell him I told you. He will be angry at me.”

Kate
laughed. At least, the poor man’s niece thought kindly of him and she sensed no
one else did. So he didn’t want anyone to know he had a kind heart, did he? “I
won’t tell, I promise.”

She
then noticed the fire. It was small with perhaps four logs caught with flame. “Now
I really am amazed. How old did you say you were? Are you certain it wasn’t
ten?”

Bonnie
giggled. “Nay, I’m this many.” She held up both hands, indicating seven.

Kate
pulled the dagger from the satchel, thinking she’d better keep it close. She
used it to skin the hare and once that was done, she placed the hare on the
fire. Hunger overrode her guilt for eating the animal.

“Bonnie,
where does Honey live?”

“In
the castle—”

Kate
grabbed her shoulders, turning the girl toward her. “Who is Honey, Bonnie?”

“Mama’s
cousin, King Henry.”

“Oh,
Goddess above, you’re the king’s cousin? Why didn’t I realize that before?”
Kate placed her hands on her head. “What to do, what to do?”

“Aye,
Mama, Papa, and me, were visiting. Cousin Honey was happy we came. He was
happy, I know he was. He had a festival just for us. What if they went home
without me? What if mama and papa aren’t looking for me?” Bonnie’s eyes lowered,
her lips turned and she wept.

“They
wouldn’t do that, Bonnie. We’re a long way from London. I don’t know if we—“

“We
were at Honey’s summer castle, that’s was what Mama said.”

“Do
you know where the summer castle is?”

“Nay.”
She shook her head. “Somewhere in Londontown.”

“All
right, then. Think … think … I can’t chance taking you to Londontown, we would
have to pass right by … we’d risk being caught. Nay, I’ll have to take you to
Scotland.”

“Yah.”
Bonnie let out a shout.

“Shhh,
be quiet.”

“You
can come home with me, Kate. You can meet Mama and Papa.”

“It’s
not going to be easy. We’ll keep going north until you recognize the land. The
distance is greater and will be a longer journey and it could very well be
dangerous.”

Bonnie
set her head on Kate’s lap. “Don’t worry so, Kate. When we get to Scotland, we
can get someone to take us home.”

“No
wonder you’re such a cleaver girl, you’re related to the king.”

After
eating the hare, they put out the fire, and mounted Ralph. Kate tugged on the
reins and headed in the direction she thought was north.

“Kate,
are we on our way to the Highlands?”

“Aye,
lovey, we are. I just hope we’re not being followed, and we make it to the
border before he catches up with us.”

“The
mean man?”

Kate
nodded. The night grew dark, but she needed to keep going through the night.
Not enough distance was put behind them and she became more vigilant during the
darkest part of the night. She couldn’t let her guard down, at least until they
were farther away.

Their
second day went by uneventfully and the quiet forest and gentle breeze calmed
Kate. She only had about six hours of sleep in two days and was exhausted, but
she pushed onward. Ralph continued on, as she drifted off to sleep on his back.
Bonnie nudged her.

“Kate,
wake up, you’re falling asleep again.”

“We
better stop. I’m too tired to continue.”

“Do
ye want me to build a fire again?”

“Nay,
not tonight, something doesn’t feel right. I’ll hide Ralph.” She took him to a
closed off spot, tied his reins loosely to a bush, and then returned to Bonnie.

“I
don’t feel safe, let’s move under that thicket. Be careful of the thorns.”

She
laid a cover on the ground. The spot was tight and they squeezed together.
Bonnie curled up against her and they fell asleep minutes later.

Kate
awoke to the sound of horses pounding the ground, and by the sound of it, there
were many. Was it men from Lord Richard’s keep? She put her hand over Bonnie’s
mouth, and prayed they didn’t find Ralph. As the horses flew by, Kate held her
breath until she could no longer hear them. She and Bonnie continued to rest
until morning, and set out as soon as it was light enough to see.

*****

For
the next five days, they rode over the dusty roads and through the forests.
They were tired and dirty. Kate had several coins tucked in the seam of her
gown, and she hoped to find a village or an inn. Instead, they settled for a
stream and slept on the soft high grass. They stopped early that day because
they both needed rest. After bathing in the stream, they finished off the
remains of their foodstuff. Kate refilled the flask with water. She gave Ralph
a well-deserved rest, and rubbed him down. Trixie stalked away, searching for
her own meal. Kate rested beside Bonnie on the ground, her back was sore, and
her muscles ached because she’d never ridden so long before. She groaned,
rubbing her lower aching back.

“You
know what, Kate?”

“Nay,
what, Bonnie?”

“I
can’t wait to see Papa and Mama,” she said sadly.

“I
know, lovey, we’ll get there soon. I just hope we can find someone who will
direct us, because I don’t know if we’re headed the right way.”

“Papa
will make me sit in his chair.”

“If
he does, Bonnie, I’ll sit with you.” Kate hugged her.

“Uncle
Brendan won’t let Papa punish me.”

“Why
not?”

“He
always gets me out of it. He says that I’m just a wee fairy that just likes
venturing.”

“My
father used to call me fairy,” Kate said sadly. “You’re Uncle Brendan sounds
like a very nice man.” She wished her betrothed was just as kind as Bonnie’s
uncle sounded.

Bonnie
rolled on the ground holding her tummy, giggling.

“What’s
so funny?” Kate smiled at the delightful sound of her gaiety.

“He’s
not nice—he’s mean. Mama says ladies don’t like ‘em cause he frowns too much,
but he only frowns at me when I do something to ‘em.”

Kate
didn’t like that he frowned. “What have you done to him?”

“Once,
a longed time ago, when I was wee, I stoled into his bed.”

“Stole,”
Kate corrected her.

Bonnie
continued. “It was late when he came to bed, and I scairt ‘em, and he swore
loudly.”

“Scared,”
Kate corrected her again.

Bonnie
nodded then resumed her story, “Mama came running, och when she got there, she
just standed there staring at Uncle. That’s when Papa came and yelled at Uncle
Brendan. He swore, too. Then he said that I had to contemplate and sit in his
chair the whole next day. I didn’t know what contemplate meant so I just played
with George.”

“Why
was your papa so mad?”

“Oh,
‘cause Uncle didn’t have clothes on and Mama sawed him. Papa pulled her out of
the room. Every time mama saw uncle after that she got a red face.”

Kate
laughed. “I can’t wait to meet your family, sweeten. They sound like fun.”

“Aye,
Uncle Brendan’s going to like ye.”

“Why
do you say that?”

“‘Cause
you’re bonny, but ye’ll be scairt of him.”

“Scared,”
Kate correct her again. “Nay, I won’t be afraid of him, I promise. Let’s get
some sleep now, we’ve a lot more riding to do, I think.”

They
fell asleep and it grew chilly during the night, but at least it was dry. It
hadn’t rained much since they began their trek. When they awoke in the morning,
Kate’s stomach growled.

“I’m
hungry,” Bonnie complained, as she scooped up the cover they had lain on.

“I
know, lovey, me, too. I’ll think of someway to get food. We could catch another
hare.”

“I
can fish. Mama’s uncle teached me how when he was alive.”

“Taught,”
Kate corrected her. “What do you need?”

“A
big stick. Can you make a point on the end? That’s what Uncle Walden used.”

Kate
found a narrow branch that had fallen from a birch tree, lying on the ground.
She whittled the end until it was sharpened into a point. “Now what?”

Bonnie
laughed. “Now ye have to stand in the water until a fish swims by. Then drop
the spear fast and try to catch ‘em. ‘Tis hard, Uncle Walden used to swear and
shout.”

Kate
removed her slippers, lifted her hem, and wadded in the stream. Her gown
floated atop the water’s surface, billowing. She stood waiting knee-deep in the
water, the soggy stream’s bottom felt slimy on her feet, but thankfully, the
water wasn’t too cold.

“Bonnie,
did your uncle say how long this takes?”

“Shhh,
Kate, you’re going to scairt away the fish. It takes a longed time. I used to
sit for hours and wait for ‘em.”

Kate
watched a fish swim by and she tried to spear it, but it got away. She felt its
scales brush against the skin of her leg. “Damn.”

Bonnie
chuckled at her curse.

Another
large speckled-trout came toward her and she tried not to move. She positioned
the spear just right—she would get this one. Slamming the spear downward, it
went right through its middle. The caught fish wiggled on the spike when she
lifted it from the water.