Lords of Darkness and Shadow (125 page)

She turned in his arms, winding her arms around his thick neck.  Their gazes met and she smiled as he kissed her nose. “I am looking forward to coming to know Arabel better. She seems like a very sweet girl.”

He kissed her forehead, her temple. “She is,” he muttered. “But you should know that she has no control of her bodily functions and must wear a type of garment usually reserved for infants. More than that, she has started her womanly cycle and….”

Cantia cut him off before he embarrassed himself too much; she could see that he was uncomfortable speaking of such things. “Not to worry, Father,” she smiled at him. “It will be no trouble at all.”

He gazed down at her, the warmth in her expression, and felt himself softening towards her even more. He had always known her to be inordinately strong but to take on the care of his disadvantaged daughter deepened his respect for her more than he could express. 

“To know that the people I love best in this world are going to be away from me for an undetermined amount of time is testing my control,” he stroked her face. “I know this is the best course of action but my emotions have the better of me. Up until the day I met you, the only human beings that mattered to me were Arabel and Val. They are my family. And now, with you….”

He trailed off when he saw the look on her face; Cantia was staring at him with wide-eyes.  Tevin’s ardor cooled at the look on her face.

“What is wrong?” he demanded softly. “Why do you look at me so?”

She opened her mouth to speak, seemingly unable to for a moment. She just stood there and shook her head. “What you said… you said that the people you love best will be away from you.”

He nodded, pulling her against his broad chest. “Aye, I did. What about it?”

“I will be away from you also.”

“I meant you.”

She inhaled unsteadily, almost like a sob.  “How can you say that?”

He smiled, amused. “Because it is the truth.”  His grip on her tightened. “Did you truly believe that my attentions towards you are anything less than blind, crazed adoration? Of course I love you, Cantia. Did you not realize that?”

Her eyes welled with tears as he watched.  The hands around his thick neck flew to her mouth as if trying to stifle the tide of emotion. “It’s not possible,” she looked truly upset. “It cannot be possible.”

He smiled gently at her even though his brow was furrowed. “Why not?” he murmured, wiping away tears with his thumbs as they fell. “I did not intend to cause you tears. I’m simply meant to tell you what is in my heart.”

She nodded quickly even as he spoke, as if knowing his reasons for expressing himself even before he said them. She threw her arms around his neck again, hitting him in the throat as she did so.  He coughed, laughing softly as his big arms enveloped her.

“Your reaction is most confusing, madam,” he whispered into her hair. “Are you horrified by my declaration or pleased by it?”

She sobbed softly into his neck. “I’m simply overwhelmed,” she wept softly. “Brac has hardly been gone these few weeks and already I find love again? It doesn’t seem possible. It does not seem right.”

His smile faded and he pulled her out of the crook of his neck, his nearly-black eyes fixed seriously on her. “Why not?” he demanded softly.

She wiped at her eyes, struggling with her composure. “’Tis too soon.”

He cocked his head, watching her lovely hands as they wiped away the tears. “Do you believe that there should be a proper schedule for love or do you believe it simply happens when it happens?”

She sniffled delicately, taking his question seriously. “It happens when it happens,” her lavender eyes came up to capture him. “I think I knew I loved you the moment you lit yourself on fire at Rochester Cathedral.  From that moment on, I just knew.  It terrified and thrilled me beyond comprehension.”

His smile was back and he pulled her gently into his arms once more. “Oh, Cantia,” he murmured. “I cannot tell you how happy you have made me. I’ve never been this happy in my entire life.”

She clung to him, holding him tightly.  He hugged her to him for a long moment, savoring the feel of her warmth against him, her body against his, before his kisses resumed with intensity.  Before long, he had her backed against Hunt’s messy bed, laying her gently upon the straw and feather mattress and snaking his hands beneath her skirts.  Cantia encouraged him to explore her, feeling his hands on her buttocks and thighs, helping him lower his breeches for his swift and heated entry. 

He thrust firmly into her, his hands on her hips as he kissed her with a deep and abiding passion.  It didn’t seem to matter that they were still nearly dressed; all that mattered was that they demonstrate their feelings to one another and feel each other, one inside the other.  

Cantia panted softly as he thrust into her, feeling her climax build and biting off her cry of passion against his shoulder as she peaked.  Tevin answered shortly and she could feel his member throbbing deep inside her as he spilled his seed.  Now there was a new element to their lovemaking, with true love involved that magnified the intensity of the act. The emotions involved were overwhelming and Cantia’s eyes swam with tears at the tenderness of Tevin’s touch, feel of his flesh against her.  When it was over, all they could do was lay there and hold each other tightly.

“I love you, Cantia,” he murmured, feeling liberated and free that the truth had been spoken. “Never forget that. No matter how long we are apart, know that my love for you will grow by the day and I will come for you as soon as I am able.”

She gazed up at him as he lifted his head, her lavender eyes glimmering. “Know that I shall be waiting every second of every day for that moment when we are together again,” she whispered. 

He smiled faintly, kissing her once more in a painfully sweet gesture before rising from the bed and pulling her up with him.  As he secured his breeches, she smoothed her surcoat and returned to gathering Hunt’s things.  It was difficult for them to focus on the tasks at hand because they very much wanted to fall back into each other’s arms.  Cantia seemed to be the strong one and more than once gently pushed Tevin aside or avoided his seeking mouth as she finished gathering her son’s possessions.  Finally, Tevin simply stood aside and watched her as she finished. She was mesmerizing to watch.

“When this madness is over and Geoff has returned home, I shall take you and Hunt to Thunderbey Castle,” he told her. “I have a white and brown pony that Hunt might like; someone gave it to Arabel as a gift but she cannot ride it.”

Cantia went over to him and indicated for him to hold out his arms, which he did. She deposited a bundle of clothing in them.

“Do you not think to ask Arabel first if she would mind giving her pony to Hunt?” she asked, collecting the rest of her son’s things. “Perhaps she does not want to give it to another.”

“She would rather know the pony was being ridden and loved,” he told her, moving for the door to open it. “She is a generous, reasonable girl.”

“As her father is also generous and reasonable.”

She winked at him as he opened the door, passing by him with her arms full.  Tevin was in danger of pulling her back into his arms, knowing it might be the last time before their separation that he would be able to do so.  Gently, he grasped her arm and kissed her forehead, his lips lingering on her flesh. Cantia closed her eyes with bliss, memorizing the feel is his lips against her.  It was a swift, stolen moment of the sweetest measure. 

Tevin released her and crossed the hall, knocking softly on the panel.  He knocked again a few seconds later when there was no answer.

“Hunt?” he whispered loudly. “Open the door.”

After a moment, the bolt was thrown and the door jerked open.  A little blond head and big eyes gazed back at him expectantly.  As Cantia pushed past Tevin and her son and on into the room, Tevin put his fists on his hips and gazed down at Brac Penden’s son.

“Well, lad,” he said, a twinkle in his nearly-black eyes. “Are you ready for an adventure?”

He couldn’t recall ever seeing a bigger smile.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

It was fortunate that Cantia knew all of the in’s and out’s of Rochester, for when came to sneaking the group of women and children out of the castle under Geoff’s nose, her knowledge was invaluable. 

Within the hour, they were able to pack one satchel per person, including Arabel, so that they could travel swiftly and lightly.  Cantia changed Hunt into durable clothing, layers of it, including a little wool cap all the way from Monmouth.  She was dressed in durable travel clothing as well, as was Val, who took charge of Arabel and made sure she was ready to leave.  The older women moved swiftly and silently, knowing it was essential that timing was everything in this case.   Tevin wanted to get them free of the castle when Geoff was the most distracted.

So they chose the evening meal to make their escape even though it would be dark and more difficult to travel. But it would also make their escape more difficult to detect.  Tevin had been with Geoff for the remainder of the afternoon, keeping him occupied, until the evening meal was served and then he accompanied the man into the hall.  Excusing himself on a pretext, he appeared at the chamber door to find four occupants, ready for travel.

There was palpable fear in the air, apprehension with the certainty of being able to execute their plan without being caught. Taking Arabel in his arms, Tevin led the way down the spiral stairs as Cantia took Hunt in hand plus their two bags, and Val took her possessions plus Arabel’s.  They moved quickly, carefully, like hunted animals.  Hunt kept trying to get ahead of Tevin on the stairs and more than once, his mother hand to yank him back.  As they neared the bottom of the steps and into the range of the great hall where Geoff was in the process of getting drunk, the big yellow dog appeared.

“George, go back,” Cantia hissed. “George, go!”

“Mam,” Hunt grabbed the dog. “I want him to come. He isth my friend. Pleasth?”

Tevin shushed them both; he didn’t want them to be overheard. “Quiet,” he whispered. “Hunt, take the dog.  Move along.”

Hunt grabbed the dog by the rope collar around its neck and, with his mother urgently herding him, followed Tevin to the base of the stairs.  Sounds and smells from the banqueting assaulted their senses.  They could hear the low hum of conversation and the clanking of utensils.  Tevin peered out of the stairwell, his dark eyes on the entry to the banqueting hall and the movement beyond.  He felt like a fugitive, waiting to be discovered at any moment.

The placement of the table inside the room gave it a view of the doorway but not the entry hall beyond, so Tevin silently slipped from the stairwell  and to the keep entry about twenty feet to his right, which led into an enclosed stairwell that sloped down to the bailey.  He made sure Hunt, Cantia and Val were into the enclosed stairwell before following.  The evacuation of the keep had been successful.

But his heart was still pounding with apprehension as they reached the bailey. It was dark outside as the full moon started to rise.  In the shadow of the great keep, Tevin turned to Cantia.

“Get us to the postern gate,” he commanded softly.

She nodded swiftly, grabbing Hunt, who had the dog, and pulled them along as they stayed close to the mighty keep, making their way to the west side where the interior bailey wall was very close to the keep.  There was a gate that led to yards and the massive exterior wall beyond, so she slipped them all through the thick iron and wood gate.

Once they were through the gate, however, she came to a halt and faced Tevin. “From here, the only way out is through the front gate,” she told him.

He nodded, heading back to the north and the gatehouse. “There are no worries at that point,” he said. “My men are waiting there to take you out of this place.”

Cantia pulled Hunt and the dog along as they scurried after Tevin, crossing the muddy outer bailey beneath the ghostly moon glow until they reached the main gate of Rochester, which was eerily lit with torches and men.  

Rather than a large escort, Tevin thought it best to have a very small but well-armed party so it would not attract the wrong kind of attention; therefore, he only had two knights riding escort, men of the highest caliber. Next to the gate astride their big chargers await Dagan and Gavril, not John and Simon as Tevin had ordered.  He peered curiously at the pair.

“Where are John and Simon?” he asked.

Dagan answered. “They have commanded us to ride in their stead, my lord.”

Tevin’s brow furrowed with annoyance. “They did not say why?”

“Nay, my lord.”

Tevin’s frustration grew but there was no time to track down the two knights who had disobeyed his direct orders. The time to leave was now.  He directed Cantia to a gray palfrey as Val went to her charger and prepared to mount. Tevin went to his sister.

“Are you well enough that you can ride with Arabel?” he asked. “I would rather that she ride with you, leaving Dagan and Gavril free to fend off any assaults should it be necessary.”

Val nodded, holding out her arms for her niece. “I can ride with her and fight, too, if it is required.”

Tevin shook his head even as he handed Arabel up to her aunt. “You will not fight with Arabel in your custody,” he instructed in a low, firm voice. “Your duty will be to protect her at all costs. If there is any fighting, you will ride clear of it and get to safety. Is that understood?”

Val gazed down at her brother, for the first time hearing fear in his voice.  She knew how hard this was for him, being separated from Arabel, and Cantia, but more than that, he was frightened for them because he could not go and personally protect them.  Her emotionless brother was becoming emotional and she hastened to reassure him.

“I will protect her with my life,” she assured him softly. “I hope you would already know that without me having to say it.”

Tevin’s features were tight beneath the moonlight. “I do,” he replied quietly. “But for my own sake, I had to say it.”

Before Val could reply, Arabel put her small hand on her father’s big fingers. “We will be fine,” she told him. “We are going to have a great adventure, remember? I am looking forward to visiting Castle Mandragora. My very own castle!”

She said it so happily that he couldn’t help but smile.  She really had no true concept of danger, having been protected by her powerful father all of her life. She had lived a rather sheltered existence, so all of this was, indeed, a big adventure.

“Listen to what Val tells you and be safe,” he touched her cheek. “My love goes with you. I will see you very soon.”

Arabel grinned and he turned away, savoring that as the last vision of his child before he would see her again. He tried not to let apprehension overwhelm him. Then he focused on Cantia.

She was astride the palfrey with Hunt behind her and the dog sitting next to the horse.  She was facing away from him as he came upon her and he reached out, a massive hand touching the boy’s back before moving on to rest casually on Cantia’s arm. 

When she felt him, she turned to look at him and he could feel his composure slip. There was sadness and longing in her gaze, and he forced a smile. They had already said their farewells, but it didn’t make this moment of separation any easier. But already, it was killing him.

“I have studied my map and Darland is not too far to the south,” he sounded comforting and business-like. “The knights will have instructions to take you south without stopping until they reach the manse.  On a clear night with good weather, it should take two hours at the most. You will get inside the manse, make sure it is bottled up, and go about your daily lives until I come for you. Is that clear?”

Cantia nodded. “When will you come?”

His composure slipped another notch. “I do not know,” he said, his voice considerably softer. “It could be in two days or two weeks. I have no way of knowing. But know that I will come as soon as I can. And I will miss you more with each breathe I take.”

The last sentence was whispered. Cantia smiled sadly, careful with her body language with Hunt so close.  She wanted very much wanted to throw her arms around Tevin and hug him tightly, but dare not make any attempt.  The pain of not being able to touch him was almost too much to bear.

“Then we shall look for you every day,” she said softly. “Please... please take great care, my lord.”

All he could do was nod, his eyes conveying a thousand words his mouth and body could not.  The moment of separation was here but he realized he wasn’t ready for it.  He knew he had to get away from her or risk breaking down in some manner, so he quickly turned for Dagan and Gavril, swallowing the lump in his throat.  He was struggling.

By the time he reached his knights, his manner had turned snappish. “Have no doubt I will find John and Simon and they shall feel my wrath for having disobeyed my orders,” his rumbled. “But for you, know this; follow the road south until you come to a fork in the road. It will be the first fork, a big one, and you will bear left.  Follow this and you will pass through two small bergs.  When you come to the third berg, that is Darland, and you will ask the lady where the manse is.  She will direct you to it. You will remain with the lady and with Val until I come for you. Defend them with your life, for this is nothing in this world more important than those three women and that small boy.  Do you understand?”

Gavril and Dagan nodded firmly. “Aye, my lord,” the answered in unison.

Satisfied, Tevin motioned towards the gate. “Then make all haste.”

The knights swung into action, snapping orders to the soldiers manning the gate.  As the portcullis shrieked and began to lift, Tevin stood back and watched the party move out. He felt like his whole life was leaving him, watching Cantia in the moonlight as she spurred the little horse forward.  The hardest thing he ever had to do was not issue a recall order.  He knew they had to go; it was for the best. He blew a kiss at Cantia when he was sure no one could see him.

With a heavy heart, he turned back for the great stone keep of Rochester.

***

Cantia realized she was very close to weeping as they left the castle swiftly, silently, moving forth into the moonlit night like wraiths upon the land. Because the moon was so bright, there was no need for torches, a fortunate event considering they did not want to attract attention.  Onward into the cold darkness, the party from Rochester traveled south and Cantia missed Tevin more with each successive step.

The road was not in the best of condition and more than once, the horses tripped in the ruts.  Even though it bright and their path well-lit, they ended up slowing their frantic pace because to go any faster, with the conditions, was dangerous.  They were surrounded by open fields so their field of visibility was wide, adding to the decision to slow their pace.  There were no places to hide for bandits or others who preyed upon open travelers these days, so as long as the knights had a clear field of vision, they were comfortable with the lesser pace.

Hunt had fallen asleep against his mother at some point and Cantia held the boy’s hands at her waist, his little arms wrapped around her so he wouldn’t slide off.  In spite of her separation anxiety from Tevin, she was beginning to enjoy the travel with the ghostly moon and fairly mild weather. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and occasionally, a night bird would sail across the darkness. The more distance they put between them and Rochester, the more they all began to calm and settle in for the trip. With any luck, the hard part was over.

Dagan and Gavril eventually came to the fork in the road that Tevin had described and took the road to the left as instructed.  They then continued on along a smaller section of road, now being intermittently dotted by clusters of dense, black trees. The trees made the knights nervous so they slung their shields, weapons at the ready, and that made Cantia nervous as well. Men prepared for battle invited apprehension and she found herself looking around, seeing if she could spy robbers hiding out in the growth. Her somewhat pleasant trip was turning apprehensive again.

Somewhere, an owl hooted as they passed through a particularly dark section of trees.  It smelled heavily of leaves and wet, eerie phantoms lurking in the blackness. With Cantia caught up in watching the surrounding area for an army of murders to come flying out at them, Dagan, covering their rear, was watching Cantia. 

When he had been summoned to escort the lady and her son out of Rochester, he had been in the vault in discussion with Charles again.  Their conversation had been quiet and not overheard.  During the course of that conversation, he’d come to a great many conclusions, not the least of which was the fact that he had decided to accept Charles’ offer. 

It hadn’t been a simple choice, but one he felt was best for him.  The difficultly had been in figuring out how to separate the lady from du Reims because the man was rabidly protective over her, and when he had been summoned to escort the lady and her son from Rochester, he considered it an omen. Perhaps God was telling him his decision had been correct, that it was indeed time to take charge of his destiny.  It was an unbelievably fortuitous occurrence, one he accepted eagerly.

Now, there were only a couple of things that stood in his way. As the party from Rochester made their way south, Dagan made plans for Gavril and Val.  True, his plans for the knights were not honorable and for that, he was sincerely sorry.  But his mind was made up; it was the time in his life to take opportunities when presented or remain a lesser knight in du Reims’ stable for the rest of his life. No wealth, no glory, no opportunities for him.  This was his last chance.