The Briton and the Dane: Concordia

by Mary Ann Bernal

  “Meet me at the base of the cliff at first light in two day’s time. We will use the old Roman tunnels because you must not be seen. Concordia will be waiting for you.”

  “Tell me, is she well? And the child?”

  “Who is privy to your identity? Why are you in this village? No one must know of your whereabouts.”

  “I saved a boy from drowning and have been given a few days respite from my journey. They believe I am returning to my lands in the west after a pilgrimage to Rome. Tell Concordia she need not fear discovery.”

  “Very well then,” Winifred replied as she turned to leave, but Chad grasped her arm.

  “I would know the fate of my son.”

  “It was a difficult birthing...your son was stillborn.”

  Chad released Winifred who quickly ran out of the barn and headed towards the trees. He closed the door, climbed the ladder to the loft and fell upon the hay. Tears rolled down the side of his face, his quiet sobs deafening in the stillness as he mourned the loss of his son.

  Chapter Thirty Two

  As the first shades of twilight brightened the darkening sky, Chad walked along the lonely beach, scouring the rugged shoreline and towering cliffs for concealed entry ways to the ancient Roman tunnels. He had not been surprised the corridors existed since Hispania’s coastline harbored its own secret passages; some were built when Rome ruled its empire, but many more came after, when the need for a quick escape prompted the necessity.

  Chad stayed clear of the breaking waves, focusing on the rocky terrain as he searched for anything unusual, such as large stones and brushwood that could easily hide an obscured opening. If he had discovered the ancient Roman tunnels in his homeland, surely he could discover a solitary entrance embedded within the jagged facade. He noticed an overgrown trail, and when he glanced upward, he saw thistles sprouting between the crevices where a large boulder rested. He hurried along the path, wishing to reach the sloping ridge before Winifred arrived, grinning widely as he pictured her surprise in his mind’s eye.

  Since Chad was a trained warrior whose strength and endurance was beyond reproach, he quickly found himself standing before the boulder just as the sun appeared over the horizon. He noticed the prickly weeds glistening at the break of day, but not from sunbeams that had yet to warm the earth. He approached the mountainous wall, pushed aside the underbrush and peered into the dimly-lit corridor. He praised Allah for his good fortune, but he decided to wait for Winifred lest he became lost in the ancient Roman labyrinth. He turned his attention towards the sea, leaning against a wall of rocks that protected the ledge, watching the wind-swept waves rolling across the water’s surface as the sun began its upward spiral. Seagulls foraged for food, their piercing cries shattering the peaceful sound of the breaking waves, which reminded Chad of his homeland.

  The sound of quiet footsteps was masked by the whistling wind as Winifred approached the mouth of the cave. She slipped through the opening, gasping when she came upon Chad whose presence she found unsettling.

  “How did you find this place?” Winifred asked.

  “You forget the Roman Empire also ruled my country,” Chad laughed, “but I have startled you, though that was not my intent. I wanted to spare you the climb.”

  “I am more than able!” Winifred replied, somewhat annoyed by his inference.

  “My lady, you do me an injustice...I meant no offense,” Chad whispered as he kissed the tip of her fingers.

  Winifred withdrew her hand quickly, well aware of her reddened cheeks since her face was unusually warm when he winked. She stepped back, but lost her balance and soon found herself in Chad’s arms.

  “It seems I am in your debt,” Winifred stammered as she steadied herself, accepting Chad’s proffered arm as he led her inside the tunnel.

  “I am not your enemy,” Chad said softly, “yet I fear you do not approve of this meeting.”

  “It is not my place to judge you...”

  “Ah, but you have judged me,” Chad interrupted, “yet you do not know me.”

  “I know your kind,” Winifred told him sternly.

  “And what, may I ask, is my kind?”

  “You ravage women, taking advantage of their innocence and leaving them to their fate once they are with child.”

  “Concordia was willing...”

  “Concordia is young and vulnerable,” Winifred interjected, “while you, my lord, are knowledgeable in the ways of the world.”

  “The right of conquest was mine, and I do not apologize for my actions,” Chad said, “but when I learned she carried my child, I wanted to take her as a wife, and that is why I followed her to her homeland.”

  “Concordia has a husband and is content,” Winifred replied. “Your presence here is unsettling, and nothing good can come of this meeting.”

  Chad stopped abruptly, grabbed Winifred’s arm and turned her towards him when he said,

  “Do you think I am easily deceived? Concordia’s husband was slain when their ship was attacked.”

  “Who do you think rescued her?” Winifred asked as she freed herself from Chad’s vice-like grip. “Surely you do not believe she managed to find her way here on her own?”

  “In truth, I do not know. When my man Jafri and I followed the tunnel, we believed Concordia would be waiting on the beach, and when she was nowhere to be found, we searched the village, but it was as if she had vanished in the night. We visited every town along the coastal road that led to Gibraltar, and still nothing, yet I refused to believe she had been captured or slain. Jafri wanted me to return with him to Marbella where my sister Yara waited, but I would not hear of it. I had to know about the child...I had to know.”

  Winifred’s heart softened for a brief moment when she noticed Chad’s torment, but then she remembered Brantson and all that he had suffered because of his love for Concordia.

  “Brantson was wounded when he escaped his captors. Brother Frederic had also survived the attack, and he tended to Brantson. They were fortunate to be found by Bryce, who knew Concordia’s whereabouts, and so they set out to find her.”

  “This Bryce was also wounded, and he was held prisoner in a sea cave...am I right?” Chad interjected.

  “He was, but he had escaped his captors and...”

  “I know the man,” Chad interrupted “So they are both here then, with Concordia?”

  “If you truly love Concordia, then I beg you to leave now, before Brantson learns of your presence,” Winifred pleaded. “Surely you do not expect Concordia to return with you to your homeland?”

  “It is for Concordia to decide, not you...I do not wish us to be enemies...if Concordia sends me away, then so be it, but she must be the one to tell me. Rest assured, if I leave I will not return...you have my word.”

  “This way,” Winifred told him when they reached a fork in the tunnel.

  They walked the rest of the way in silence, neither speaking until they came upon the opening that led to the top of the cliff. Chad stood against the rocky wall, gazing at the endless sea as radiant sunbeams bounced across the flowing waves, and for a brief moment he was reminded of his villa that overlooked the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

  “Concordia will meet you here,” Winifred said. “Do not venture out too far lest you are seen.”

  “I remain in your debt,” Chad grinned as Winifred mumbled an appropriate response before taking her leave.

  Chad watched the fishing boats sailing away from the shoreline, and wondered if the fishermen would fill their nets or return empty-handed. He walked away from the cavern, glancing upward at the fortress’ sturdy walls where he expected to see warriors patrolling the ramparts, being relieved to discover he was quite alone. He peered over the ledge, a salty mist caressing his face as the waves crashed against the rocks below. He was comforted by the sound of the repetitive breakers pounding the cliffs as white foam splashed across the shoreline. He rested on the grass, placed his arms behind his head and gazed at the sky, closing his
eyes to the warming rays of the sun as he waited for Concordia while wondering if he still held her heart.

  Winifred hurried towards Concordia’s quarters, taking care not to be seen as she skirted the courtyard and made her way past the formidable Keep and the warriors’ training field. She glanced at the recruits speaking amongst themselves and thanked God when she noticed Brantson and Bryce heading towards the hopeful warriors. She had been worried about meeting Brantson once she had arrived at their dwelling since he would readily detect her anxiety. Her truthfulness was above reproach, and whatever she said would have been believed if her hands did not shake and beads of sweat did not drip down the side of her face. She kept her head lowered when she ran past the Chapel and did not see Elizabeth walking through the open door. Winifred hit Elizabeth with the full force of her body, causing both women to fall to the ground.

  “My lady,” Winifred stammered as she attempted to stand. “I did not see you...are you injured?”

  “I am fine,” Elizabeth laughed as she stood up and brushed the dust off her clothing, “but it seems that you are distracted. If something troubles you, perhaps I might be of help?”

  “I slept late and am worried about Concordia,” Winifred lied.

  “Winifred, you have always been loving and devoted to Concordia, and Lord Stephen and I are grateful you serve her once again, but tell me, any word of your husband?”

  “Nothing yet, my lady, but I am hopeful.”

  “We will know when the army returns,” Elizabeth said kindly. “If you wish, I could write the king and request that your husband be housed with the warriors protecting Wareham. What say you?”

  “If that is possible...oh, my lady...I would be forever in your debt,” Winifred stuttered.

  “It is settled then,” Elizabeth smiled as she embraced Winifred before returning to her quarters.

  Winifred ran along the dusty road and was panting by the time she opened the door to the main room where she found Concordia pacing the floor.

  “Was Chad there? Did you take him through the tunnels? Were you seen? What did he say?” Concordia rambled.

  “Concordia, you must master your emotions. You are behaving like a besotted dolt, and Brantson will become suspicious should he come upon you suddenly!” Winifred chided. “ And Chad knows your husband lives.”

  “Chad could not know Brantson survived...I did not know, how could Chad?”

  “I told him,” Winifred said.

  “Why...how could you?” Concordia asked through watery eyes. “What did he say?”

  “Concordia, listen to yourself,” Winifred replied firmly. “Brantson is your husband, yet you would keep this truth from the man who ravished you? I do not think you should meet him.”

  “You do not understand,” Concordia whispered tearfully.

  “Ah, but I do, my lady. You claim to love Brantson yet you covet Chad, a man who would enslave you in a Godless country. And what of Brantson? Your husband can only forgive so many times before he accepts the truth. Do not test him, Concordia. If he learns of your betrayal...”

  “I am not betraying him,” Concordia interrupted. “I did not seek out Chad, but he found me, and I must see him...just this one time...I must know.”

  “If you believe Chad will honor you as his wife, then I fear you have learned nothing from your enslavement. Selling you to an Emir would make Chad a wealthy man.”

  “Your words are unkind.”

  “But my words are truthful,” Winifred scolded. “Do not let your heart rule your head! For once, heed my counsel...you have no idea what is at stake...I beg you, do not be foolish.”

  “I must know if he spoke the truth, and I must tell him about his son...it is his right.”

  “Chad has no rights...why are you having such difficulty understanding this?” Winifred asked tersely, frustrated by Concordia’s perception of such a grave situation.

  “The meeting will be brief, you have my word, but meet him I shall, with or without your approval,” Concordia whispered as she headed towards the door.

  “I will accompany you,” Winifred told her.

  “It is best you wait for me here, to greet Brantson should he return unexpectedly, and do not be troubled, I will not do anything foolish...you have my word.”

  Chapter Thirty Three

  Concordia did not see Umar heading towards the training field as she ran through the courtyard, accessing the ancient Roman tunnels through the postern gate. She knew where each passageway led, having explored the labyrinth with her brother when they were still children. When they needed time to themselves, for whatever reason, Emidus withdrew to the tunnel room, but Concordia preferred to listen to the sound of waves crashing against the rocks, and she spent hours atop the cliff, listening for her mother’s voice in the wind.

  As she approached the opening, she slowed her gait, and stopped abruptly when she was almost at the entrance. She saw the sun in the sky and heard the seagulls’ shrilling cries in the distance as her eyes adjusted to the brightness, holding her breath when she saw Chad lying on the grass, being grateful that his eyes were closed. She grasped the earthen wall to steady herself when she felt her knees weaken, becoming frightened by her rapidly beating heart.

  “You are not a besotted child, but a grown woman,” Concordia reminded herself beneath her breath. “Conduct yourself as befits your station.”

  For one brief moment, Concordia wished she had not been rescued, but the thought passed quickly and she found herself questioning her unwise decision, since her obsession with Thayer had been replaced by an obsession with Chad. She should have returned to her quarters before she was seen, yet she could not leave without knowing the truth, which sealed her fate.

  “I know you are there, Concordia,” Chad said knowingly, even though he had not moved nor opened his eyes. “Do you think I would harm you?”

  “Of course not,” Concordia stammered as she stepped into the sunshine, only to become unsettled when Chad grasped her hand and pulled her towards him.

  Concordia felt the heat rising in her face as she fell on top of his firm body, finding his muscular build stimulating as he held her face in his hands and kissed her greedily upon the lips.

  “I cannot,” Concordia told him, but Chad only tightened his hold, rolled over and pinned her beneath him.

  “Your body speaks differently,” Chad whispered into her ear as he caressed her breast. “Tell me you have not longed for my touch...tell me you do not think of our night beneath the grape vines...tell me, and I will stop.”

  “Leave me be,” Concordia cried as she pushed Chad off of her, wiping away her tears as she attempted to rise, only to find herself cradled in his arms.

  “Concordia, would I have followed you if I did not have feelings for you?”

  “Yet you left me to a fate worse than death when you gave me to your brother!”

  “I had no choice.”

  “I find that hard to believe,” Concordia said angrily as she stood up. “I meant nothing to you the night you claimed your right...it was only when you learned that I carried your son did you decide otherwise. You followed me for your son, and nothing more.”

  Chad did not reply immediately, preferring to watch the waves breaking on the rocks below as he collected his thoughts while Concordia held back her tears, his silence proving she had been right. She was about to leave when he finally spoke.

  “I did not know my true feelings until you went missing, and then it was too late. Jafri and I searched every town along the coast, and once we reached Gibraltar I realized that somehow you had managed to return to your homeland. I had to find you, and our son. When your servant told me about the birthing and the fate of our child, I could have returned to Hispania posthaste lest I was discovered, yet I did not leave. I had to see you even though I was told your husband had survived the attack, if only to beg your forgiveness and to provide comfort in our shared grief.”

  “Was Yara punished for helping me escape?” Concordia asked
. “I can only imagine Thayer’s wrath when he learned of her duplicity.”

  “Yara was given her freedom, and she has wed Jafri with my blessing. They await us...me, in Marbella, but you need not fear Thayer...he is dead.”

  Concordia shook her head in disbelief, weeping quietly as she looked into Chad’s eyes seeking the truth, falling into his arms because his words were not false.

  “You were ill-treated, why would you mourn his death?” Chad asked, taken aback by her unexpected reaction.

  “I mourn for the man who attended King Alfred’s court school, not for the man he became, but then, how could I expect you to understand?” Concordia wept.

  “Would you weep for me then, and pine for me while you sleep beside your husband?”

  “How dare you?” Concordia said, slapping Chad hard across the face.

  “I am tired of your games, Concordia. I followed you because I want you for my wife. I do not care which God you worship, nor do I care about my father’s wealth...I have enough to live comfortably anywhere I choose. You wanted to see the empires beyond these waters, to walk where the mighty Caesars walked, to live a life befitting a princess...in Constantinople, or Athens, or even Rome if that is your wish. Leave with me now...there is a boat waiting...you will not be missed before the sun sets.”

  “Have you forgotten I already have a husband?”

  “Does Brantson set your soul afire? Does he touch you the way I touch you?” Chad asked as he kissed Concordia’s tear-streaked face. “Search your heart and answer me truthfully.”

  “What you ask cannot be...”

  “It can be, if you so will it,” Chad interrupted. “I know the depth of your feelings...you cannot deny your passion...you know I speak the truth.”

  “If I ask you to return to your homeland, would you honor my request?”

  “If you prefer to remain with Brantson, then so be it, if that is truly want you want,” Chad whispered, holding Concordia in his arms, her loose stresses billowing in the wind.