The Lady of Fairhaven (27 page)

“
Who bound your wound, my lord?” Anne asked.

“
My lady wife was able to bind me before she was snatched away,” Phillip said with emotion. Looking toward John, Phillip, his face now pale and drawn, whispered, “She has the countenance and face of an angel. She thought to save me.” Then raising his arm slightly, Phillip waved his hand and said, “You must leave me now and go after my family.” Phillip then closed his eyes and drifted into unconsciousness.

It would be three days hard ride for a messenger to fetch Luke home. As John gathered several men for the ride to fetch Phillip’s sons, Anne prayed Phillip would be able to last out the wait.

By dawn’s light Gillian and Alyssa and their two captors trudged into camp where the horses stood ready. The knights continued to tug two unwilling, scared women. Plodding along had drained every ounce of energy from the two captives. It had taken far too long in the secret passageway and river. The icy water had shortened each step, and in the end, both the knights’ strength had waned with the miniscule distance each step gained. A blanket on Alyssa and a cape tied to Gillian helped little against the paralyzing cold, and the wet material did little but avert the men’s gaze to their captives’ curvaceous figures. Long after leaving the stream, the large wounded knight examined where the sun had crossed in the morning sky. He cursed at how close to the castle they still remained.

For several hours the women continued to be yanked along behind the determined men. There would be no escape this evening. Hardly a moment was spent without a hand clasped tightly on to a wrist. No doubt the men were cold and tired too, but they still had boots protecting their feet and heavy clothes breaking the force of the chilly night breezes.

After one of the knights dropped Gillian’s hand, she felt herself begin to wobble. Wilting, limp and exhausted, Gillian was far beyond her reserves. She collapsed next to Alyssa. Looking up, she watched as the knights saddled some horses. Gillian knew that this might be their only chance to escape, but her strength had long ago left her. All she could do was tuck her toes inside the soggy hem of her chemise. But it did little to warm them. While the knight gathered two reins together, both women lay panting, catching their breath.

“
Why do you do this evil act?” Gillian asked. Her eyes, discolored from fatigue and cold looked steadily at this man that controlled her.

“
I serve another,” he said tersely.

“
I would know who would wage his war on women,” Gillian continued.

“
It is Lady Katherine de Ghent that sends me for you.”

“
Lady Katherine?” Gillian shouted. She paused at the implications. “The reason eludes me as to why you would want to further her cause. What has she offered in exchange for your service?”

“
You have asked enough,” the knight replied. His face was flushed red with annoyance. “You will do as you are instructed and silently too. If you comply you will come to no harm.”

“
Truly!” Gillian exclaimed. “That deed is already past. I have but lost my husband in my abduction. I have been most grievously injured at your hands. And I was rendered senseless by your giant. How claim you that I will not receive injury at your hand?”

“
Silence!” the knight roared. “I will hear no more of your prattle! I have said you are not to be harmed and that is how it shall be.”

The two large knights loomed over Gillian. Bending down they tied a length of coarse rope around her neck. The stray shreds of fiber prickled the soft flesh. One end of the rope looped around her tiny waist then restrained her hands. Another chafing loop was run to her nearly frozen feet. These too were tied. Then, a piece of dirty cloth was wrapped around Gillian’s head. Before it was tied, another cloth was slipped inside her mouth, between her teeth. The odor and taste churned the bile in her stomach, readying it for a quick journey up her throat. She swallowed hard, knowing that if she did lose her stomach, it could only find its way through her nose, thus suffocating her.

The knight then leaned over and pulled on the ropes. Finding them satisfactory, both men turned their attention to Alyssa. Bound like criminals, there would be little chance of escape.

Gillian heard the leader come closer. She could hear her new daughter’s muffled cry’s. She could only imagine what horrors he was imposing.

“
Leave the wench alone, Sylvan,” the leader ordered. “She is worth naught if we damage her beyond her value. Have a care!” The voice was harsh and brooking no opposition to its command. .

Phillip’s daughter was carried the short distance to the horses. Shivering had overcome the lass’s energy, ceasing all rational movement in her extremities. A soft mewing noise passing for cries could be heard for some distance in the crisp morning air. Gillian now sensed nothing more than the singing stab of frosty blades of grass against the bottom of her unclad feet.

The large knight groaned as he assisted Gillian on to her palfrey. The wound in his side pained him.

With bindings locking their limbs into immobility and the men holding tight to the reigns, Gillian and Alyssa were at the mercy of their captors. But mercy was not forthcoming. As though pursued by demons, the four covered ground relentlessly and in quick order.

The horses frothed at their bits and lather whipped up from their sweaty, steamy bodies. They all were being pushed past the point of endurance. And if Gillian was correct in her assumptions, they had changed direction several times during the day. The crazy zigzag pattern they had traveled would certainly throw off any trackers, no matter how skilled they might be. How many hours she had sat astride her palfrey, she had no guess.

Knowing the countryside as she did, Gillian swore she recognized the glen she was now passing through as part of Fairhaven. If that were true, a rider could make a straight path and reach her manor in half a day’s ride. But who would dare to consider their destination. It was much safer to travel along their path. Tracking took time, and rescue would be days away even with the most gifted in the lead.

Now late afternoon, the men had only allowed three brief stops along the journey. Two allowed everyone to relieve themselves and the third was to water and feed the horses. Dried bread and small hunks of cheese were passed along to each to hold off hunger pangs. The offering was so small it did little to stem the tide of grumbling, complaining stomachs.

As they rode, Gillian wondered if they would be forced to continue long into the night? While Gillian contemplated the possibility of stumbling through the darkness, the foot of Alyssa’s horse found a rodent hole in the meadow and went crashing down to the earth.

The horse screamed as its legs gave way. Alyssa fell nearly half the way to the ground, still attached to the saddle of her mount. The sideways motion cast her off to the side just before the horse impacted the ground.

Unable to dismount her own palfrey, Gillian was forced to sit atop her mount, waiting like royalty to find out the results of the activity below. In the meantime, Alyssa lay unconscious on the ground.

Helpless in their aid to the injured, the two knights finally turned to Gillian to aid her kin. The large knight extracted Gillian from her perch atop her now well-lathered chestnut mare. She slid down his length, wishing she could dismount on her own and avoid any contact with the monster. The knight’s giant hands lingered at her waist, and he gently pressed against her.

“
Untie me so I can attend Lady Alyssa,” Gillian commanded in a tone that the knight could understand.

It was the pause in his response that led the widow to pursue her request. “It is difficult for me to work if I am bound. When I have finished you may tie my hands again.”

“
Of that you can be sure,” the knight replied.

Her hands and feet were freed of the ropes. As she moved to Alyssa, Gillian rubbed gently the raw oozing wounds underneath. With the large knight following close behind, Gillian moved into the forest where she knew herbs would be found. The knight watched her with attention as she moved from one plant to another.

“
How did you know to find these plants here?” he asked.

Her response came quickly. She had planned earlier just what she would say if the man ever grew suspicious. “All plants prefer certain types of soil and moisture. I have made it my study to know where these plants would grow.”

Before their return, the giant had made a fire and covered Alyssa with a warm dry blanket. There was little doubt they would spend the night at this encampment. Alyssa was not travel worthy and her horse so exhausted she could no longer respond to the irregularities of the ground. It was not safe to travel further.

By morning Alyssa was alert. She had spent an uncomfortable night, tossing and turning. The blanket and fire warmed her but she appeared to be feverish. Gillian prayed she had not been consumed with the same fever she herself had lately suffered.

Regardless of what path the knight had previously planned, he led the group straight for Fairhaven. The group was a mere half-day away but made a long stop at midday to make camp.

Luke had worked day and night preparing his manor for impending battle. Whatever the source, he would be prepared. It had been a good year and his stores were full. He could withstand a long siege if need be. His prayers remained with his father. Certainly his holdings would be the first to feel the attack.

In the few days since his return, he had been unable to pull his thoughts away from Gillian. God how he wanted her. The thoughts of her kiss haunted his every waking minute, day and night. Hard work had eased the pain somewhat, but he had nearly worked himself into exhaustion.

Luke’s attention was drawn to Simon as he advanced on the run. “Sir Luke, a rider approaches at full speed. What would you have us do? He carries no banner proclaiming allegiance.”

“
I will attend.” Luke said. In a matter of moments Luke stood atop the wall listening and watching.

“
I am John of Longmore. I need to speak with the lord of this manor. Sir Phillip sent me on a matter most urgent for his son, Sir Luke,” the rider said.

Stepping from behind the wall, Luke yelled down, “Let him pass.”

John was led through the small portcullis and Luke met the man inside the gate. “What news have you from my father?” Luke said.

Before the two friends could shake hands, John spoke, “I bear bad tidings, Sir. Your father has been struck down. He had not passed when I departed, but was not expected to live long.”

“
Who did this?” Luke bellowed. His hand hit the chain mail of his hood before he realized his hair was not exposed. He staggered slightly with the import of the news.

“
It is unknown for certain, but believed to be Sir Oliver Blakeley. The attack came from a secret entrance to the castle. Your father was found wounded in his bedchamber with Lady Gillian’s dead dog.”

Luke had to ask but dreaded the report he would receive. “Where is Lady Gillian now?”

“
Gone, Sir. She and the Lady Alyssa were discovered missing by morning.”

“
Dear God. What has been done to recover them?” Luke growled, already turning to run toward the armory. He paused momentarily and looked down. His imposing body tensed as he thought. Luke then turned back to John. He obviously wanted to hear more.

“
Your father requested my immediate departure, but he insisted that trackers be sent out to search. It is unknown whether the women were taken to Sir Oliver’s camp and there was no apparent move by his men to stage a siege. I fear that by now they have taken Lady Gillian and Lady Alyssa back to Fairhaven or some other unknown place.”

Luke took his friend by the shoulders and said. “Leave me. I have need for some time to think of a plan.” He turned to Simon and said, select two dozen men and have them ready to ride within the hour. Include in that number several trackers. We may have need of them. Have the horses readied and make sure everyone has a spare. We will be riding hard.” Luke patted Simon on the back. “You will be in charge of the castle defenses. Continue on with setting stores within the walls.

Simon and Luke had only met before Luke first left for Fairhaven but had bonded quickly. “Aye, my lord,” Simon said. “I will defend it with all my ability and my life,” Simon said in reply.

“
Aye, I know you will, my friend,” Luke said.

Within the hour a contingent of men rode out of the castle.

The band of fighters and trackers traveled in relative silence. Luke’s black mood deepened with each step Storm took. He mourned for his fallen father. Of that incident he could not rectify. Life or death was not in his power to bestow. Bringing his sister and dear Gillian back safely was a matter of another sort. And to that end there was hope.

Two days passed before Luke drew Storm’s reigns at the spot where Gillian had first been abducted. He handed the horse over to one of his men and walked into the woods. For the first time since he was a small lad, Luke cried. Silent tears filled his eyes as the despair of losing his father and the possibility of losing Gillian overwhelmed him. As quickly as his emotions had welled up, however, they were quietly quashed. As self-appointed protector, Luke had a duty to get to Longmore and see to his responsibilities.

From that moment on, Luke forced his emotions deep inside and worked his mind with the art and precision cultivated through years of training. This trial was what he had been trained to overcome. He would not fail.