“
Your lady, sir knight,” Pierce said, looking to the floor.
“
The fall was not an accident. That was Edythe’s curse: she overheard milady admit to her hand in Edwina’s death.”
Udele gave a low moan of agony at the further discovery of her sins. She fell from her chair and lay upon the rushes, weeping and shaking.
Conan struggled with his rage, not understanding his mother’s madness. He did not look at Pierce, but heard his voice.
“
The money that Tedric gave to Medwin,” Pierce was saying.
“
Milady gave him the sum
--
”
“
Tedric knew!” Udele gasped.
“
Tedric knew before you were wed that you did not love your bride, but lusted after her younger sister! The disgrace would have made us seem a family of idiots!”
Conan would not look at his mother
--
he would not act as if he heard her excuses.
“
Where did she come by such a large sum?” he asked Pierce.
“
Milady gave me jewels and other trinkets to take to the usurers to trade and borrow. When a larger sum was needed, Aaron, the Jew from the north, provided the sum.”
“
And by whose order did Tedric slay the Jew?” Conan asked.
“
By no order, milord. But he begged more money to keep silent about the loan.”
Conan turned now to his mother, looking down at her in disgust.
“
And this money that Tedric offers me now
--
this ‘fair sum’ to pay for the care and lodging of Edwina
--
did that come from your own purse?”
“
I gave him nothing,” Udele said in a hiss.
“
He could not betray me. He would have had to admit his part in killing the Jew!” Suddenly she began to laugh loudly. The laughter quickly melted into more despairing sobs.
“
Take her from my sight,” Conan ordered coldly. Pierce moved quickly.
“
You would not consider a woman who could do you honor,” Udele wept.
“
You would not hearken to my counsel and look abroad for a woman of wealth and name. These meagerly dowered wenches could not do you proud.”
“
Take her to her chamber and guard her there,” Alaric ordered.
Pierce dragged Udele from the floor and could not, even under force, make her rise. Finally, desperately wishing to remove her and himself from the room quickly, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the stair.
“
I bore him and raised him,” she whimpered to the servant.
“
He was to make this family prosper, allow me wealth and comfort in my retirement, and serve me
...
”
The ramblings drifted away and ended. In the quiet, Conan faced his father.
“
I leave her to you, my lord. I cannot deal with her, for she has cost me too much. Speak not her name to me again, and do what you will. Her madness will be well known in this land, and there is much to set aright.”
“
Will you ride on Tedric now?” Alaric asked.
“
Yea, the time has come. Are you able to lend me aid?”
Alaric nodded and straightened his back.
“
Galen?” he asked.
“
Aye.”
“
Then prepare yourselves and my men. I have one small piece of work before we ride.”
Sir Conan strode into the hamlet. He looked neither right nor left, and his strides were long and determined. Villagers paused in their doorways, watching him as he passed and wondering at his destination. When he stopped in front of the lacemaker’s cottage, they withdrew into their homes and barred the doors behind them.
Conan raised one leg and applied a mighty kick to the door, forcing the wood to splinter and the leather hinges to give way under the blow. The room was glazed in a violet light, making the image of the old woman within hazy and dim.
He faced her angrily.
“
You helped Lady Udele to betray me,” he accused.
Giselle was not frightened.
“
She held the difference be
tween life and death over me. I saw the need to protect my life, sir knight. For now.”
“
Now?” he questioned. His eyes began to focus on the crystal before her. A sense of comfort began to replace his anger, and a vision swam before him. In his inner thoughts he could see Chandra.
“
Come, Sir Conan, and listen to what I have to say,” she invited him warmly.
He moved closer.
“
Sir Tedric will not keep his word. Nor will he accept your treaty at Phalen Castle. It is his plan to await you within Phalen’s walls and charm you with his promise of peace
--
and kill you when you are lulled into agreement.”
“
Chandra?” he asked.
“
It is Tedric’s plan to kill you first and then order her death. She is prisoner in her own keep where the guard is heavy, and the order is to kill her when Tedric sends word that you are dead.”
“
And the child?”
“
Nay, the child is safe, though I cannot say where. Spend no worry on your son. Free the lady.”
“
Yea, and then I will fight Tedric.”
“
Nay, Conan, do not fight him. He cannot face your army nor can he attack you. Go to meet him, but do not enter Phalen’s walls.”
“
He deserves to die,” Conan snarled.
“
Vengeance is for the weak and pompous,” she said softly.
“
You are too strong. If you meet him and kill him, you will have sown the seeds for more war. Let Tedric be. He is too foolish and wicked to survive.”
“
Then you would have the bastard go free?” Conan asked incredulously.
“
He will be justly punished. But you are not his judge. Do not plan to attack him, Sir Conan.”
“
And give him Phalen?”
“
Bring your witnesses and call upon your friend and teacher, Theodoric, to stand and hear your charges. Take your evidence of Tedric’s treachery to Phalen after the lady is free. Send a message to Tedric from Phalen’s walls and ask him to answer to the charges. Order him to loose your lands from his hold.”
“
Theodoric supports his son,” Conan argued.
“
Theodoric yearns for peace, as Alaric does. Bring your father and Theodoric together. You are the only one who can mend the tear in their friendship.”
“
And if Tedric will not yield my lands? If he will not leave without a fight?” Conan asked.
“
Your oath as a knight forces you to defend innocence. You must protect the lady, protect your friends and family
--
protect yourself. Defend and honor, Sir Conan. Defend and honor. Do not attack and destroy.”
“
‘Twill be difficult to meet Tedric on peaceful ground and
--
” Conan stopped abruptly. The crystal lost its glimmer and the room began to brighten. Before his eyes, the crystal became an ordinary rock and the woman aged, her skin wrinkling as he watched her, and her kindly gray eyes turning dull and small.
“
Reach the lady quickly, Sir Conan,” she implored, her voice sounding weaker and rougher.
Conan looked at her curiously.
“
You said you saw the need to protect your life for now
--
now, the day that you would show me the way to free the lady and liberate my lands?”
Giselle shrugged, feeling tired and weak.
“
I doubt that things could have been very different for you
--
until now. In truth, I could not ever foresee my purpose in this until you came to me. But I could see that there was a purpose. Without my urging, you would have ridden to Phalen, and the
l
ady
--
” She looked up at him with tired eyes.
“
Lady Chan
dra, sir knight. Go quickly.”
He looked at the rock.
“
And that?”
“
It is done,” she said softly.
***
Slightly over one hundred armored men stood about the courtyard at Anselm Keep. Shields bearing the blazon of Sir Conan shone in the sun, and full battle gear hung from the ready steeds. Although Alaric’s armor was old and had been retired for many years, it now shone like new. Galen, garbed in the fine mail that he kept perfect, stood beside his father. Conan’s supplies and implements of battle were stacked neatly beside his horse, and two squires stood ready to help him don his heavy mail.
“
Galen, you will ride with fifty men. Can you bear the command?”
“
Yea, Sir Conan,” he answered proudly.
“
Surround Phalen Castle and allow no one to leave or enter. Do not fight except in defense of your life.”
Conan turned to his father.
“
Take twenty mounted men and ride to Theodoric. Deliver him this message,” he said, handing his father the rolled parchment.
“
He was the first to teach me justice and honor. Tell him I am prepared to meet Tedric and make any wrongs against him right. Ask Theodo
ric to stand as witness to this conference.”
“
Do you think it wise to stand before Tedric’s father and accept the blame for the child?”
“
Was this not Tedric’s wish from the first?” Conan said.
“
Was it not his plan to oppose me long before marriage to Chandra was thought of? He wanted Phalen from the first
--
he did not love Edwina. Was it to place himself beside me and await the perfect moment to oppose me, not only setting himself against me, but our families against one another? And did he kill the Jew to free my mother of her debt, or in hopes that I would accuse him and stand shamed before my king? And Chandra
--
has he held her only because I would gladly have taken her? Has the child I sired become his victory?”
“
And if Theodoric does not see his son’s treachery?”
“
Then we will war, but first Chandra will be free and Theodoric will hear Tedric’s crimes aired.”
“
And where do you go?” Alaric asked.
“
I will see the lady free without Tedric’s consent. She is a prisoner in Cordell, not Phalen, as Tedric would have me believe.”
Alaric did not question his son, though he did not know how Conan could have learned Chandra’s whereabouts.
“
We leave now in three troops. My lord.” He bowed to Alaric.
“
North, to Theodoric. Sir knight.” He bowed to Galen.
“
East with your men, to Phalen Castle. We come together there, and, God willing, this will be done.”
The falcon flapped his wings. Conan stood before his destrier and allowed the squires to help him don his mail. He mounted his horse and took a moment to quiet its prancing. This mount, however new, was already accustomed to the firm hand that commanded him. Neither man nor beast, it seemed, was beyond his control. The banner of the Blue Falcon was raised high and the gate opened for the departing army.
“
When this is done, my lord, you shall have your family at home,” Conan told his father. Alaric thought of Edythe, Galen and a grandson he did not know was his before today. And his wife? He was not sure. There was sadness in his eyes as he nodded to Conan.
Chapter 25
Lady Udele was guarded in her chambers by men-at-arms as well as Pierce, his loyalty now doubted in the keep. Pierce sat on a stool near the door and leaned against the wall, dozing occasionally and then coming awake with a start to look in the direction of his pacing mistress. She would not meet his eyes. She would only hiss her anger and turn abruptly away.
Pierce looked with pity on his mistress now for he knew her to be mad. For so many years he had obeyed her every command, hoping for her happiness, but all that was for naught.
His head slumped again in slumber. He had been without sleep for two full days. He gave a loud snort and settled his back more comfortably against the wall. In spite of his efforts, he slept.
Udele looked suspiciously in his direction. A wry smile twisted her mouth. She crept toward the door and slowly pulled it open. At the bottom of the stair, she could see the guard talking to someone out of sight. Some matter had called him from his post just outside her door.
The keep was dark, but the risk of being seen was great. After closing the door to her chamber behind her, she tiptoed down the corridor. She was barely away when she heard the guard coming back up the stair. She listened as he settled himself on the stool in the hallway. With a snicker, Udele fled quietly to the back stair.
Only a few guards were posted about the dark streets. Other men, their positions high on the wall, did not notice the slight figure making her way into the hamlet behind huts and shops.
She reached her destination without incident and quietly opened the lacemaker’s door. Giselle was awake and sitting on a stool across the room. The fire blazed on the hearth. On the table beside Giselle, the scarlet cloth was spread and on it rested an ordinary rock.
“
You knew I was coming,” Udele ground out.
“
I did not know when,” Giselle replied.
“
I knew you would come before very long.”
Udele walked to the table and picked up the rock.
“
What is this?”
“
My crystal. It is finished.”
“
And your sight?”
“
Finished,” she said wearily.
“
As is your life,” Udele said almost cheerfully.
“
My lord husband will have you cast from this earth.”
“
And you, madam?” the old woman asked.
“
What will he deal you?”
“
He thinks me mad,” she confided, a
secretive smile playing on her li
ps.
“
He will do me no harm, for he thinks me mad. ‘Tis a bad omen to kill someone crazed.” A gleeful cackle escaped her, and she spun about in the little room.
“
But you see, even now he has little to say about whether I come or go. I was to be held prisoner, but I am here!”
“
Your guard sleeps,” Giselle said, moving from the stool to stand near the fire.
“
I thought you could not see,” Udele snapped.
“
You see as well as ever you did.”
“
Though I would have it otherwise, madam, I can still feel you rise and slumber. I feel your anger and your joy
--
and your madness. It is my curse, for I should have denied you long ago.”
“
You told me all this would have happened without your predictions,” Udele chided.
“
So it would have. But there are some things you must bear responsibility for. Lady Chandra’s life would not be in danger now except for you. Edythe, poor child, would not have suffered so. And Tedric
--
I cannot see even now how you thought that aiding Sir Conan’s enemy would give you more of him.”
“
This is your fault!” Udele raged.
“
Yo
u and your wretched stone, your
predictions! If you had not been here with your lying promises, none of this would be happening to me now!”
“
You are wrong, madam. Had you let charity and goodness guide you and sought only those rewards you deserved, you would have lived long and in comfort. By your wickedness you purchased your fate.”
“
My fate!”
“
Your death,” Giselle returned crisply, moving closer to Udele and facing her without fear.
“
And whose hand will deal me death?” she questioned hotly.
“
Your own hand, lady. Your own and no other.”
“
You are a witch,” Udele spat. She whirled and picked up the rock and tossed it in her hand.
“
And your tricks will not work with me.” She hurled the rock into the fireplace and the sparks flew as it settled into the embers.
Giselle stepped back from the flying sparks and pulled her shawl about her shoulders.
“
There is nothing I can do to help you now,” she said calmly.
“
Your help brought me nothing but pain,” Udele snarled. She reached into the hearth and withdrew the heavy poker, and, holding it effortlessly, she raised it over her head as a weapon. The glowing red tip touched and ignited a piece of hanging lace. Giselle saw the tiny flame behind Udele and a glazed and peaceful look came into the lacemaker’s eyes.
The first blow caused Giselle to fall, but Udele was beyond reason in her madness and struck her again and again, oblivious to what was happening behind her, not conscious of what her own murderous hand had wrought. The lace took light quickly, and like a torch the entire side of the room popped into blinding flames. With a scream of terror she dropped the poker and turned to see that her escape from the cottage was blocked by flames. They leapt out at her face and skirt, stinging her eyes and catching on her long hair as she whirled in terror.
Her screams melted into rending wails like those of a wounded beast. Her hair and gown were afire, and she felt her own death as if she stood apart from herself and watched.
Villagers awakened by the screams attempted to put out the fire, but were successful only in keeping it from taking the entire village. Not much time passed before the lacemaker’s cottage was nothing but ash.
Pierce, who had come in search of his mistress, found her charred remains at daybreak. He wrapped her in his cloak
a
nd carried her toward the hall, looking straight ahead. In his mind he thought only of his mistress as she was at three and ten, a lass whose gaiety enchanted all who saw her smile.
Pierce approached the door to the hall.
“
She will not be welcome in the church,” he said to the guard.
“
Where do you take her?” the man asked.
“
To her chamber where h
er women will shroud her,” the o
ld servant wearily replied. He accompanied his lady to her grand chamber for the last time.
***
Sir Conan turned off the road to Cordell before reaching Colchester. He sent his troop along the preferred road, flying his banner, while he took a path through the wood. When night fell, he hung his shield on his saddle and removed the mail he wore. His spurs were stacked with his other battle gear, and he kept only the broadsword at his belt He knew the horse could serve him no longer. Only the dangers of gullies and pits in the forest kept him from walking through the night. He rested against a sturdy tree, dozing. Every sound aroused him, and when he did close his eyes he suffered through visions of Chandra and his child.
He feared that too much time had passed, that too many things stood between them. They had loved against the laws of God for so long that he did not imagine many blessings would be theirs. But he would take the pains with the pleasures, of that much he was sure. Even now if he could free her, she would not be able to come to him easily. There would be scandal and hardship.
The sun was high the next day when Conan found paths he recognized. He could sense the presence of men about him. And before long, a man stood before him, a knight garbed in rough leather tunic and chausses that showed the signs of many mendings. Mallory smiled and gave a small salute.
“
Your sister lives and is safe,” he said.
“
It was my own mother who would have had her slain,” Conan replied.
“
Yea, Edythe knows this. Now she cares for your son. She is with Wynne in a small room we provided in a little town near Anglesey.”
“
Then Tedric is holding my son for ransom when my son is not even there,” Conan said.
“
Tedric makes it hard for me to think of sparing him.”
“
He has contacted you?”
“
Aye. He will trade the lives of his wife and the child for free title to Phalen, and with that Cordell as well.”
“
We watched him ride out, but seeing that he did not take his lady, we waited here.”
Thurwell stepped onto the path and smiled his greeting.
“
You tarried so long we thought we would have to finish your business for you,” he said and chuckled.
Conan’s smile was stiff and strained, but the sight of his friends brought him more comfort than he had had in some time.
“
Are you prepared to scale a seawall of slippery rock?” he asked.
Mallory whistled low and looked at Conan with some surprise.
“
At night,” Conan added.
“
Tedric’s army is small. Sir William’s force could take them if they can be drawn out.”
“
And if Tedric’s order is to kill the lady in the event of attack?” Conan asked.
“
She is in the custody of his guard. There will be no attack until she is safe.”
“
And so you must enter the keep by the cliffs,” Thurwell concluded.
“
There is no other way.”
“
I have done so before,” Conan confessed.
Mallory and Thurwell smiled at each other, both thinking like thoughts.
“
We reasoned that you had,” Mallory said.
“
There is naught to fear,” Conan told them.
“
If you should slip, your pain would be short.”
“
That gives me great comfort,” Mallory returned.
“
We will enter the hall through Chandra’s chamber at night. My troop of men will come to Cordell down the road, drawing out some of Tedric’s forces. When that battle has begun, Sir William can take the hall and we will be ready to defend the lady. I think more than a few will be killed. I fear it cannot be avoided.”
“
And then the damsel will be yours,” Thurwell remarked.
“
I will free her from her imprisonment,” Conan said casually.
Both men stared at Conan and noted the faraway look in his eyes. Now that fulfillment of his dream was at hand, would he let the moment pass?
“
Conan,” Mallory pressed.
“
Do not in a foolish moment allow the lady to think you do not want her.”
Conan laughed ruefully.
“
I first wanted her when she came to my pavilion at Anselm, but there were other things on my mind and I did not realize that my life would be empty without her love. Years have passed since that time. After all that has held us apart, do you think it will be easy for her to forget and come to me in love? KI kill her husband, can she forgive?” Conan shook his head and looked at his friends.
“
Time will tell if there will be any reward for us after all the evil we have seen.”
“
You do the lady wrong, Sir Conan,” Mallory said.
“
You lectured me on love and called me the fool if I did not find a way to take my heart’s desires, in spite of difficulties. Now, will you be the fool?”
***
Chandra sat on the floor and stared into the fire. A fur pelt was the only buffer between her kirtle and the cold stone. She hugged her knees with her arms and wondered how many more of these long nights would pass before the door to her chamber came crashing open and Tedric’s guards rushed in to finish their work and kill her. She had heard Tedric give that order, but she would not be an easy victim. She imagined, with great hope, her rescue.
Chandra had looked down the jagged rocks outside her bedroom terrace and remembered clearly the night that Conan had come to her via that dangerous climb. She considered making that journey herself, but could not sum
mon the courage to risk her life in such an attempt. And a guard had been posted down and far to the left of the rocks to witness any such climb. Tedric had anticipated her des
peration.
The door to her chamber opened and a young maid from the town entered, carrying a tray of cold meats and hard bread. Chandra moved quickly to meet her. She could not remember the maid’s name. She took the tray and whispered,
“
Please, you can help me.”