Authors: Kathryn Loch
“
Agreed,” Naworth said softly.
Garin felt as if a huge weight pressed down on him.
We almost did it, Alyna...almost.
He turned away, his shoulders bowed and started to walk toward the keep.
“
Nay!” Juliana’s screech echoed through the bailey. “Don
’t you dare give up on this, Garin.”
He froze, his jaw slack with surprise. Now what was his sister planning?
****
Simon spun in shock, seeing Juliana charge through the crowd, her face red with rage. Her blue eyes sparked with a fury he had never seen
before, focused solely on Peter Naworth. Simon saw something in her hand and his eyes widened. Instantly, he recognized a flash of a dagger.
Simon reacted without thinking as she ran past him. He lunged forward and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“
J
uliana, nay!”
She howled in rage and fury. Simon expertly relieved her of the dagger and it fell to the ground.
“
Murderer!” she screamed at Peter. “I will tear him apart with my bare hands. Let me go, Simon!”
“
Nay,” he whispered, holding her tightly, hi
s lips brushing her ear. “You will not soil yourself with this sod.”
She kicked and thrashed. “You lied to me, Peter! You betrayed me and tried to murder Alyna. You were going to kill Garin.”
An angry muttering rippled through the soldiers in the baile
y.
“
And you would have killed me if it had not been for Simon. I hate you! As God as my witness you will never have Kirkoswald! No matter what the church does to Garin, you will never control East of Eden.”
“
Juliana,” Peter snapped. “Stop this foolishn
ess. You are distraught and not thinking clearly.”
“
Oh I am thinking clearly. For the first time in my life I can truly see you for the vile, evil creature you are. You would murder an unarmed woman, one who was absolutely defenseless to your attack.”
Juliana paused and gazed at the soldiers standing
around them. “Is this who you would have as a baron? A man who knows no honor, who lives by lies and deceit. Would you not respect my brother’s claim to this barony because he is blind but instead favor
a man who has treachery as a bedfellow?”
Another uncomfortable murmur rippled through the crowd.
“
Are we all cowards?” Geoff growled.
“
Nay,”
Ousby
snapped. “Baron Swein, as an honorable knight in your service, I fear I must object to your parlay as potent
ially harmful to our barony.”
Simon looked to Garin who stood staring at an unfixed spot on the ground, his face pallid and Simon feared he would collapse. “I have made my decision. My wife is dying.”
“
Because of Peter’s treachery!” Juliana shouted. “No
ne of this is your fault, Garin.” She had finally stopped fighting Simon and moved closer into his embrace.
“
There’s only one problem with your decision, Baron,”
Ousby
replied. “We won’t let you step down.”
Garin raked a hand through his hair, his expres
sion baffled.
“
Aye,” Sir
Haresceugh
said. “If any of these men step one more foot toward this castle I will personally lop it off.”
Garin turned toward the men. “What’s gotten into all of you?”
“
It’s about bloody time something got into us,” Geoff said.
“
You’re right, Salkeld,”
Ousby
said. “’Tis time we stand for what’s right. We don’t want another baron, Swein, we want you and we will fight to keep you.”
“
But...this siege must end. My people....”
“
We’ve faced worse in the past and conquered it. The l
arger risk to this barony stands before us. You have proven yourself a good baron with or without your sight and I’ll be damned to hell if I’ll let this murdering bastard take it away from you. Who else is with me?”
“
I am,” Geoff said.
“
And I,” Simon sai
d.
Suddenly the entire bailey filled with a chorus of voices. Serjants and men at arms started beating their weapons against shields. Garin’s name echoed through the courtyard and across the walls. Garin remained frozen in stunned disbelief as the men r
allied around him.
“
Silence!” Peter bellowed.
The noise slowly, reluctantly subsided.
“
Swein has made the only practical decision,” Peter said.
“
I will not fight for you,”
Ousby
snarled. “You who has the blood of my baroness on his hands. Only Swein
has my loyalty. He has proven himself a good baron. He has earned the respect of every man here. Which, I cannot say for you, Naworth.”
Peter snapped a curse, drawing his sword. The soldiers responded, hefting their own weapons.
“
Gentlemen!” Garin sna
pped. “This is a parlay.”
“
Aye,” Geoff replied, his voice deadly. “But the gate is the other direction. Naworth, I suggest you take full advantage of it before the men demand retribution for the wounding of their baroness.”
“
Aye!” another knight barked.
“How can we follow a man who mocks our oath of chivalry? Our lady’s blood cries for justice.”
A tense silence descended. Simon held his breath. If Naworth chose badly there would be a fight and Garin could do nothing to stop it.
“
Enough,” Vaux roared, and tossed his helm on the ground. To Simon’s shock, he rounded on Peter. “I rue the day I allowed you to talk me into this foolishness.” He sucked in a deep breath
, his finger jabbing Peter’s chest. “Harold Swein was my friend and his son is just as fine of a man. I had my doubts about his ability to be baron with the onset of his blindness but now I have seen enough. Garin Swein is a far better man than you. He
has earned the respect of his knights and has performed admirably as a battle commander. I can’t believe I stood back and watched you cut down his wife. I should have ran you through myself.” He picked up his helm and motioned to his knights. “Recall
the men, we are leaving.”
Peter spat an oath. “Leaving? Vaux you can’t!”
“
I can and I will.”
Simon couldn’t help the chuckle that bubbled up within him. “Now you have a quandary, Peter. Vaux’s men guard the sally port. You don’t have enough men to hol
d both the gate and the sally.”
“
I’m not quitting the field. I will have East of Eden if I must take it by force of arms.”
Vaux shook his head. “Continue this idiocy and you will lock yourself into a grievous fate.” He paused, his voice lowering to a me
nacing growl. “I will see to it personally.” He turned on his heel, and strode out the gate, barking orders for his men to withdraw.
“
Damnation, Vaux, I will have your head for this!” Peter cried.
Vaux didn’t turn around. He just waved Peter off in disg
ust and kept walking.
“
I will have East of Eden,” Peter said, shaking his fist at Garin. He spun and hurried out of the gate.
The men cheered as the barons left. Simon breathed a sigh of relief and released Juliana as the gates closed.
“
Now we fight,”
Garin said, rubbing his eyes. “Damnation, I didn’t want it to come to this.”
“
Aye,” Simon replied. “But it is the only way.”
Garin nodded and slowly trudged back into the keep.
Juliana wrapped her arms around Simon’s neck, kissing his cheek.
Simon smiled
, only wanting to hold her but he knew he could not with everyone watching.
“
I’m worried about Garin,” she whispered.
“
So am I.”
“
Will he go out with the men?”
“
He has to, Juliana. He won’t fight but he will have to lead his men.” Simon scowled and looke
d at Geoff. “Salkeld, can you sit a horse?”
“
You bloody well better believe it.”
“
All right, then you can stay with Garin and relay everything you see. That will
free me for fighting. I’ll have
Ousby
stay with you too.”
Geoff nodded. “This is going to
get ugly.”
“
Most assuredly.”
Chapter Fifteen
Garin walked into the great hall, a terrible weight bowing his shoulders and threatening to crush him into the floor.
“
Garin?” his mother asked, touching his arm. “Are you a
ll right?”
“
Nay,” he whispered and pinched the bridge of his nose, an awful headache pounded between his temples.
“
I stood at the door and heard everything.”
“
I don’t want to fight, M
other. If Alyna dies this is all pointless anyway.”
“
Garin, even if Alyn
a dies, which I pray she does not, I do not think they will force you into the church. You have proven yourself.”
He snorted in disgust. “If she dies, I will not be baron, no heirs remember.”
“
Garin, you I’m sure you will be able to remarry.”
“
That’s my
point, M
other. If she dies, she will take me with her. I will never remarry so I might as well enter the church.”
“
But what about your people? They are fighting this battle for you.”
He shook his head. “I will never remarry,
M
other,” he said tightly and
walked away. “I am going to spend some time with Alyna,” he said. “Alone.”
“
Very well.”
“
Garin,” Geoff’s voice stopped him. “I know you want to be with Alyna right now but may I....”
Garin abruptly straightened his shoulders. “Of course, Geoff, my apo
logies.”
Geoff stepped next to him and they ascended the stairs.
Garin opened the door to the solar. “Cecily? How is she?”
“
No change.”
He sighed.
Geoff moved past him and Garin waited at the door. He sensed Cecily stand beside him and heard her tiny
gasp. “He kneels at her be
d
side,” she whispered so softly Garin had to strain to hear her. “And bows over her hand, pressing it to his forehead. I daresay, tears flow freely down his cheeks.”
Garin’s heart twisted and his throat tightened painfully.
“
Cat
herine,” Geoff whispered the name of his dead wife. “I failed my oath you. I pray forgiveness.”
Garin bowed his head and squeezed his eyes shut, fearing his own tears would escape.
Quickly, Geoff stood, striding back to Garin. “She’s a fighter, Swein.”
Garin nodded. “She’s been fighting with all of her heart.”
“
I know where she gets it from.”
“
Aye, she would take after her father in that.”
“
Not me...her mother.”
Garin’s brows flew up in surprise.
“
Catherine battled for her life for a week. She said she
would not give up until she held her daughter in her arms. The priest wouldn’t let her. He kept bleeding and purging her.” His voice broke and he shook his head. “She had lost so much blood giving birth to Alyna. I never understood why they insisted
on draining the rest of the life out of her. But finally I stood my ground and let her hold the babe. Catherine cried.” He stopped and took a deep breath. “She cried and died in my arms, clinging to Alyna for all she was worth. I cursed myself for it
then. If I had not let her hold Alyna she might have fought longer.”
“
Nay,” Garin replied but his voice was not his own. “You gave your wife joy in her final hours. She had love and her family around her.”
“
I pray that is sooth,” he said and gruffly pus
hed his way out the door. “Garin, please call me if....”
“
I will, Geoff.”
Cecily sighed heavily. “I know you wish some time with her. I will be at the door if you need anything.”
“
Thank you.” Garin stepped into the solar and waited until he heard the d
oor close. He stripped down to his braies and then crawled in bed next to Alyna. Carefully, he pulled her into his arms, then buried his face in her hair and cried like a child.
****
In the late afternoon, Garin mounted his horse, wearing full mail.
“
Fools,” Simon muttered. “Naworth has split his forces in an effort to cover both the gate and the sally.”
Garin nodded. “Very well, we push hard out the sally. Naworth will have to reinforce his line. When he pulls men from the gate, we send lancers o
ut.”
“
Aye, Baron,” Simon replied. “I’ll have
Haresceugh
lead the second charge.”
“
Good.”
“
Make sure you mind that shield,” Simon warned. “I don’t want an archer to get lucky.”
“
I will, Simon. Rally the men.”
“
Aye, sir.”
Crossbows thunked from the battle
ments, thinning the ranks as Garin’s forces charged through the sally. The crash of horse, shield, weapons and men, echoed through the night. Garin’s stomach twisted into a sickening knot but he, Geoff, and
Ousby
followed the men.
Geoff grunted in disgus
t. “Naworth’s left line buckles already.”
“
Simon,” Garin bellowed over the din, reining in his dancing mount. “Left flank, attack hard, wheel right! Push them back toward the gates.”
“
Aye, Baron,” Simon shouted and barked orders to his men.
Geoff chuckle
d. “I’ve always liked your tactics, Swein.” He hesitated. “Naworth’s trying to reinforce his line.”
“
Ousby
, ready your horn.”
“
Aye, sir.”
Garin waited, his jaw clenched.
“
The line is collapsing,” Geoff said. “Our men are wheeling right and pushing hard
.”
“
Now
Ousby
!”
The wail split the air. Garin heard the creak of the gates and the screech of the portcullis. Voices roared battle cries and the thunder of hooves resounded.
“
Good glory,” Geoff muttered. “I knew this was going to be ugly but I never t
hought it would be this bad.
Haresceugh
just took out half of Naworth’s base line in one charge. They’re wheeling around for another and driving the enemy back.”
“
How’s Simon doing?”
“
He’s cutting them down like a farmer mows wheat. I suggest a concerte
d attack on both flanks.”
“
A fine suggestion, Geoff. Simon! Concerted attack upon the horn, pass the order.”
The orders rippled through the ranks and Garin waited for the proper time. “
Ousby
, ready your horn.”
“
Aye, sir.”
“
How are we looking, Geoff?”
“
N
ow would be a good time.”
“
Ousby
!”
Again the horn sounded. Garin heard a deafening crash as the cavalry charged.
“
Oh ho!” Geoff barked in glee.
“
What is it?”
“
Vaux brings his men come from the woods. They are forming lines against Naworth.”
Garin felt
a smile tug at his lips. “That old dog.”
“
Naworth’s men are reeling.” He laughed heartily. “They are throwing down their weapons and running, his ranks are deserting faster than they can fall.”
“
Let them go.”
“
By the Rood, what does that idiot think he’
s doing?”
“
What is it?”
“
Peter, he just spotted you and is riding straight for us.”
“
How far?”
“
One hundred paces.
Ousby
!”
“
I’m on him,”
Ousby
snapped and drew his sword. He galloped away.
“
Damnation, another knight just intercepted
Ousby
. Peter got pas
t him.” Geoff drew his sword.
“
Nay,” Garin snapped. “You are in no position to fight.”
“
Simon!” Geoff roared. “Attend your baron!”
Garin automatically drew his sword.
“
Get back, Swein!” Geoff bellowed. His mount snorted and galloped forward.
Garin hear
d the sound of a charging horse rapidly approaching. A mount squealed with a heavy thud. The sound of a charging horse resumed.
“
Geoff!”
“
On your left,” Geoff cried.
Garin instinctively lifted his shield. Something slammed into it and his horse. His
mount staggered and went down, entangled with another.
Garin rolled away, and scrambled to his feet, still hefting his shield. He had lost his sword but it was useless to him anyway.
“
Garin,” Geoff bellowed. “Directly in front of you, one pace, sword in h
and.”
Garin charged, shield-bashing Peter and knocking him down. He dropped his shield and found Peter’s sword arm, slamming his wrist into the ground several times until he released his sword.
Peter grunted and kicked, knocking Garin sideways. Garin mov
ed behind him and into a wrestling hold, pinning his arms. He gritted his teeth, wrestling in full mail was not the smartest thing he had ever done.
Peter lunged backwards, throwing Garin on his back with Peter, facing away, on top of him. Garin’s grip s
lipped but he quickly adjusted, trying to establish a better hold.
“
I’ll kill you
,
Swein,” Peter growled.
Garin heard the sound of a dagger leaving its sheath. Abruptly his arm shifted around Peter’s neck. The dagger shot backward, and struck his mail but
the attack was awkward. The weapon slid across the steel links and the armor held. Garin lurched to his feet, fury sending strength through his body. He tightened his arm, then grabbed Peter’s chin with his free hand and snapped his neck.
“
That was for
my wife,” he growled and kicked the limp body away. He staggered slightly, trying to suck air into his lungs and suddenly dizzy.
“
Garin,” Simon cried, pulling his mount to a sliding stop. “Are you all right?”
“
Aye,” he said, still panting. “What about
Geoff and
Ousby
?”
“
Ousby
just killed the knight plaguing him and Salkeld--”
“
Will someone get this dead horse off my leg?” Geoff roared.
“
Salkeld is in a bit of a fix,” Simon finished.
Garin shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. He and Simon walked
to Geoff and together they freed his leg. “Are you all right?” Garin asked.
“
Aye, my arm hurts like the blazes from the fall but I’m all right.”
“
How goes the battle?”
“
Haresceugh
met up with Vaux and now they are chasing Naworth home,” Simon replied. “
The siege is over and the battle won.”
“
Aye,” Garin whispered, his thoughts focusing on Alyna. Anguish ripped at his heart. “But at what cost?”
****
Garin and Simon returned to the bailey, helping Geoff between them. He limped badly but didn’t seem to
have any permanent damage.
“
You know, Salkeld,” Simon said. “You really should think about putting yourself out to pasture now.”
“
Shut up, Renwick, before I tear your tongue out and lash you with it.”
“
You’re welcome to try,” Simon replied wryly.
Garin f
elt Geoff stiffen. “Both of you be silent or I’ll have you chasing Naworth’s men all the way back home if you have so much energy.”
“
Garin!” Cecily cried.
His heart he
sitated in his chest. Oh God nay
, this couldn’t be possible. Alyna couldn’t have died w
hile he was fighting.
“
Go,” Geoff growled. “Simon, see to your baron,
Ousby
can assist me.”