Benedick was not finished.
“You have been accused of prescribing a potion that killed Sir Lydon. How say you?”
“I told you I am not a witch,” she shouted. Then she turned from the abbot and stared off into space. Garrett wondered if she intended to ignore them all and what was taking place.
“I know that to be untrue,” Benedick announced. “Sir Lydon Tomlaine, step forward.”
Garrett smiled as Lydon threw off the cloak and hood he had been wearing and stepped toward Benedick, a bandage still wrapped around his arm. His friend looked a bit worse for his struggle with the poison, but he was very much alive. The gasp of the crowd told Garrett how much Colvin had succeeded in convincing the people of Knockin of Rhianna’s guilt. Rhianna looked not at all surprised so Garrett determined that somehow she knew he lived. Had Mildred been able to visit her?
By then, all the claims of witchcraft had been answered except the claim about his betrothed. Benedick had told Garrett to remain hidden until the whole trial had come to a close. The plan called for one more scheme to discredit Colvin and Moirant forever.
“I must pray,” Benedick announced, his loud voice echoing over the crowd. He stood and moved away from Rhianna. He knelt before a large pile of wood. As he knelt Garrett watched Rhianna. It was then she must have seen the pyre for the first time. She froze, appearing to be consumed with what had been prepared for her demise. Garrett’s heart wrenched. She should not have to stand here like this.
He turned his attention to Benedick and listened to the abbot’s words as they rang through the bailey.
“Oh Lord most high, give me a sign of the guilt of this, your daughter. If she be indeed the servant of the evil one, then send down a flame to light this pile of timbers. If she is your own true daughter and guilty of none of these charges then send down your blessings on this crowd and give unto me the grace to proclaim her as a true child of grace.”
Benedick bowed his head and a hush fell over the crowd. The quiet was disturbed suddenly by a commotion behind the pile of wood. Two of the monks stepped forward, one of Colvin’s soldiers clasped between them. In his arms he held a lighted branch of wood, the charred surface glowing red.
“So, my son,” Benedick stood from his kneeling position. “What were you about to do?”
The soldier stood trembling between the two monks.
Garrett glanced at Rhianna. Although she stood rigid and at attention, she seemed unaware for what was taking place.
“What say you?” Benedick demanded of the soldier who said nothing.
The abbot turned to one of the monks. “What was he doing?”
“He was about to light the timber. Sir Moirant was pushing him forward, instructing where to place the burning stick.”
“You tell me that he was going to cause the pile of wood to burn? That Sir Moirant was giving directions?”
“Aye, Excellency.”
“Have you nothing to say,” Benedick directed his words to the soldier. “Speak now. You have defied the will of God. My son, that is a grave sin. Mayhap a sin worthy of excommunication.”
“Nay,” the soldier yelled. “I do not sin. I was ordered to light the fire. Sir Moirant and Lord Colvin ordered it.”
“Then they have sinned.”
Benedick turned to Colvin. Moirant had conveniently disappeared around the edge of the stable. “My son. Do you know of what you have done? You have defied the will of God.”
Benedick’s voice boomed, reaching into every corner of the bailey. “It was His right to decree this woman to be a witch. Not you! Now, once again, I call upon the Lord most high.”
He fell to the ground, lifted his head to the heavens and roared, “If there be a witch among us, strike her dead!”
Twelve
The entire bailey grew silent. Garrett waited, stunned at how quiet even the young children were. But his people were superstitious. He and Benedick knew they would be waiting for something, anything to happen.
The emotional strain in Garrett increased and a restlessness seized him. He glanced at the overcast sky. If the sun were suddenly to shine... Then, a sigh of satisfaction slipped from his throat. No sooner had he thought of some kind of celestial activity than the clouds separated and a shaft of sunlight lit the bailey.
The accompanying gasp of his people released the anxiety Garrett felt. He glanced at Benedick and grinned. The abbot had hinted this would happen.
Now Benedick announced, his voice loud enough to reach every corner of the courtyard. “This trial has ended.”
Garrett looked toward Rhianna. She seemed unaware of what had happened. She stared straight ahead at the stack of wood assembled by those hoping to burn a witch. He watched as Benedick reached over and touched her shoulder.
She trembled. Then she swayed.
Both his hood and cloak flew from Garrett as he raced forward, his fear heightening with each step. She could not be allowed to collapse now. His people would never understand. Despite the shouts of welcome and relief ringing in his ears, he managed to reach the abbot and Rhianna before she tumbled to the ground. He swung her into his arms and shouted for Mildred. With his arms wrapped around Rhianna, he turned to Benedick.
“We have more to do here. Wait for me. Mildred,” he shouted. He hurried toward the steps of the castle. With Rhianna still in his arms, he spun toward the crowd.
“Close the gates. No one is to leave this place. That means you, Colvin and you, Moirant. I will return directly.”
Garrett raced up the steps to his chamber and gently laid Rhianna on the bed. Mildred had followed him into the room.
“Take care of her. I cannot see to her now.”
He didn’t wait to see if his orders were fulfilled. There was important business in the bailey below.
When Garrett stepped through the castle doors, he was stunned to see Benedick’s monks surrounding Colvin and Moirant.
“They thought to leave,” Benedick explained. “I said nay, not before you had your say.”
“I thank you.”
Garrett stood before Colvin and his co-conspirator. “From this day forward, you both are banned from Knockin.”
“You can’t do that,” Colvin screamed.
“What you did these past days makes your welcome here impossible,” Garrett said, his voice so chilled it surprised even him. “You have thwarted my will,” he continued. “Defied your king and your attempts to involve the church in personal revenge is damning. You could have started a war with Wales. Know you that Edward is not yet ready to wage such a final battle or he would not have sought a hostage. So, I have the right to ban you and your friend. Take your men and never return.”
“I’ll find a way...” Colvin glared at him but never finished what he started to say.
“Open the gates and let them pass. Only them,” Garrett shouted. “Now, for those of you who were willing to do Colvin’s evil work, I must pass judgment on you.”
With Benedick at his side, Garrett called those people forward who had lied about Rhianna. He glared at the woman who had insisted Rhianna killed Lydon with the herbs for a potion.
“Wench, it is long past time you wed. I give you to Peter to wife. He has needed a woman since his first wife died a year ago. You will have more than enough to do caring for his five children and you can help him in the fields. Peter,” he called. “I have a wife for you. See she obeys your every wish.”
The wench was so stunned she said nothing as Garrett turned to Benedick.
“Will you bless their union?”
Benedick nodded as the delighted Peter stepped forward to claim his bride, followed by five of the dirtiest ragamuffins Garrett had chanced to see. “Wench,” he addressed her once more. “Your first duty is to clean up those children and get them some decent garments. I know you have plenty that you can share.”
She opened her mouth to object but Peter grabbed her arm and dragged her before Benedick who had raised his arm in a blessing. While Benedick was involved with the couple, Garrett continued to mete out justice as he saw it. Soon, those involved in lies had been fined or punished and those who had stepped forward to prove them liars had been rewarded.
With that object accomplished, it took little time for the bailey to be emptied and the pyre to be dismantled. However the proceedings had taken much longer than Garrett intended.
“Time to sup, my friend,” Benedick said as Garrett started up the steps.
“‘Twill be a poor meal tonight I fear. I saw the cook and his helper in that crowd.” Garrett pointed to the courtyard.
“Bread and cheese will do. Early in the morn, I will return to the abbey. You have no need of us here.”
“I thank you for today.” Garrett paused, waiting for Benedick to proceed him to table.
“About the woman...”
“Nay,” Garrett interrupted. “I do not care to discuss her.”
“Garrett, think you on this. If she is of royal blood, and Edward learns you have held his hostage from him, he will not be pleased. Remember too, our liege has a long memory.”
“I cannot hand her into his care when I cannot say she is Welsh royalty. If I say aye, she is the daughter of Alvin and then she is not, Edward will be furious. Nay, I must wait until I have proof.”
Benedick sighed. “So be it, but know that you risk offending our king.”
Garrett nodded, his mood solemn. The respect and friendship of Edward had always been his goal. That original battle in Wales had been to obtain a hostage for Edward, to please his sovereign. Mayhap Benedick was right. He could not risk offending the king. Nor was he ready to hand Rhianna to his liege. In fact, he wanted, nay, he needed to see to her, to be assured that she was all right.
But why was that? What was there about this woman who came from a people he despised that he should be concerned with her care? He answered his own question. If she was of royal blood, the care Garrett provided would stand him in even better stead with his liege. Still, those thoughts rang false in his mind.
However, for the moment, he had to entertain Benedick. He had no time to ponder those plaguing ideas, for without Benedick’s aid, Rhianna would have suffered even more. After leading the way to the table, Garrett signaled for the blessing and their sparse meal began.
It was as Garrett had said. There was bread, cheese, cold meats, and ale. But no one seemed to mind. The conversation was somber and quiet and Garrett appreciated the solemn mood of his people. Today they had almost seen a great injustice done.
The meal drew to a close and Garrett arranged sleeping accommodations for his guest, then he excused himself. He would now see to Rhianna.
~ * ~
In the chamber above the hall, Rhianna opened her eyes, trying to decide where she was and what had happened to her. Garrett had returned, that much she knew. She remembered him carrying her to this room, the chamber she claimed as her own, but she could remember nothing else.
The memory of this day included her summons to the bailey and then standing in front of the abbot. She knew he was the abbot because his cloak was embroidered with gold threads in the shape of crosses, doves and croziers, the sign of his office. Then the woman who had the responsibility of bringing her bread and ale had stepped forward to condemn her. She had listened to those who offered testimony against her.
She remembered Lydon stepping forward and the gasp from the crowd. The abbot said something, but at that moment she had noticed the twigs and branches piled high, a stake placed in the center. She remembered a tale told by one of her brothers about how, in olden times, Christians were burned at the stake, how they had screamed in pain, writhing against their bonds. Her mind went blank. From then on, nothing registered, not until she awoke here in this chamber.
For one second, she wondered if she was dreaming. She pinched herself and knew she was not. Nor did she remember a fire, or any pain. But what had happened?
When she raised herself on her elbows, she spied Mildred in a chair by the fire. With the movement, Mildred jumped up.
“Oh, my Lady. You have returned to us. I was so afeared.”
“Of what?” Rhianna asked. Had she misinterpreted Garrett’s actions? Had she been condemned to die?
“You were senseless. I feared the shock of the trial...”
Her voice trailed off and Rhianna knew more confusion. “Tell me,” she demanded.
“First, will you accept my apology? Colvin would not let me come to you. I did not argue with him for I did not want to suffer his anger. I—I know it was cowardly.” Her voice faded.
“Mildred, you came in the dead of night to tell me what was happening below. You have nothing to apologize for.”
Rhianna noted the glisten of tears in her maid’s eyes. “Don’t cry,” she murmured, her own voice shaking. “Tell me what happened after they accused me of being a witch. I—I don’t remember.”
Mildred described what had taken place and Rhianna trembled during the telling. If Garrett had not come...
“But how did the abbot know that Colvin and Moirant planned to light the pyre?”
“I don’t know, but my lord Garrett and the abbot planned it all. He’ll tell you about it.”
“He has returned from battle?”
“Aye. He said he would be back when you awoke. Now, I must send word you have regained your senses.”
Rhianna sank back against the furs. Aye, she wanted to see Garrett, needed to see him. To find out what had happened below, she told herself. But she was also so hungry.
“Mildred,” she muttered. “Is there any bread?”