by Bobbi Smith
Alfrick’s expression turned questioning. “I do not know of what you speak. What news? Has Hereld returned with word that Anslak has refused to pay?”
Edmund only wished it were that simple. “No. Hereld has not yet returned from his journey.”
“Then what is it that causes you such concern?”
“Word came to me just a short time ago that the Black Hawk has escaped.”
There was a moment of silence, then Alfrick roared, “What?!”
“The Black Hawk is gone?” Sir Thomas echoed, completely puzzled.
“How can this be? What of Perkin? Was he not guarding the door? Was he killed in the attempt?”
“Perkin was not killed Father.”
“It would have been better for the man had he been!” Lord Alfrick raged.
“No, Father. It seems that Perkin was drugged—put to sleep by a sleeping potion concocted by my beloved betrothed” Edmund said with savage intensity.
“You say that Dynna helped the Black Hawk to escape?” Alfrick demanded.
“It would appear that way.”
“Where is she?” Lord Alfrick snarled.
“She is missing, too.” Edmund’s answer was flat and hard. “The tower is being searched but it is my belief that she drugged those who would stand in her way and fled with the Viking some time during the night.”
Lord Alfrick was as outraged as his son. “Word of the exchange will be coming any day. Hereld is due back at any time. Find the Viking, Edmund! Use whatever resources you must, but find him.” He paused his eyes glittering dangerously, “And bring him back to me!”
“Yes, Father.”
“Sir Thomas.” Lord Alfrick turned to his man.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Go with my son. Help him in whatever he needs. I must have the Black Hawk back before the Vikings come with the ransom. I want him found!”
Hammond returned just then to report on the search of the tower.
Edmund commanded him to answer quickly.
“I regret, Sir Edmund, that we have found nothing. There is no sign of Lady Dynna or the prisoner anywhere. The only things we found missing were the Black Hawk’s shield and blade, and Perkin’s sword, too.”
The man was dismissed just as another appeared.
“My lord, Sir Edmund, I am Angus. I was guarding the gate last eve.”
“Did you see anything unusual? It would have been late, possibly after midnight.”
“No, my lord. It was a quiet night. Only Father Corwin and Father Osmar passed me as they went into the village.”
“Father Corwin and Father Osmar?” Lord Alfrick said sharply. “What need was there for the good fathers to be venturing forth at such an hour?”
“They said there was an illness in a family. I watched them for a distance as they left. They walked toward the village.”
“When did they return?” Alfrick was instantly suspicious.
“I do not know. I did not see them come back.”
“You may go.” Lord Alfrick turned to his son and Sir Thomas. “Edmund, find the priests and bring them to me. I will meet with them in my private chamber below.”
Edmund’s stride was purposeful as he left the room and headed for the chapel.
Lord Alfrick looked at Sir Thomas. “There is only one place Dynna would go if she were to run, Sir Thomas, and that is to her parents. We will search in that direction. I want the Black Hawk back.”
“But what of Dynna?”
“What of her? She is less than nothing in my eyes. She has embarrassed my son by abandoning her promise of marriage to him.”
“Is there no chance the Viking took her hostage?” Sir Thomas asked, worrying about the princess. He could not bear the thought of her being harmed in any way.
“With Perkin and Matilda both being drugged? I think not. She is the one learned in healing herbs and potions. She planned this. She knew exactly what she was doing.”
Sir Thomas stared at Lord Alfrick, seeing his very real anger and his desire to punish both the prisoner and Dynna. Sir Thomas wanted to argue Dynna’s side, but he said nothing. He could not admit it openly, but he understood Dynna’s decision to flee the coming arranged marriage for yet a second time. Lady Dynna had loved Warren, but Edmund . . . Edmund was nothing like his brother. Sir Thomas still mourned the young man’s unexpected passing. There were times when he watched Edmund and witnessed the viciousness in him and wondered about the circumstances surrounding Warren’s death in the hunting accident . . .
Lord Alfrick and Sir Thomas left the room and went downstairs to await the arrival of the priests in his private chamber off the Great Hall. Father Corwin and Father Osmar soon joined them, accompanied by Edmund.
“My lord what has happened?” Father Corwin asked seeing Lord Alfrick’s strained expression.
Lord Alfrick revealed the grim news.
“The Viking has taken Lady Dynna along with him as a hostage?” Father Osmar was aghast.
“No. It is believed that she helped to plan his escape.”
“Lady Dynna?” Father Corwin appeared shocked. “But how could she?”
“That is what we wanted to speak with you about. Angus was guarding the gate last night when you left to go into the village. I was wondering if you saw anything unusual on your trek there?”
“I am sorry, my lord but I do not understand.” Father Osmar stared at him in confusion. “I did not go into the village last night.”
“Nor did I,” Father Corwin offered truthfully. “I prayed in the chapel until late and then retired for the night.”
Lord Alfrick gave Sir Edmund and Sir Thomas a knowing look as he asked “Angus, what were the good fathers wearing when they left the tower last night?”
“Their usual dark robes, my lord”
“It is impossible,” Father Osmar denied again.
“Tell me, do you have extra robes?”
“I have several more. They are in my room,” Father Corwin answered.
“As do I,” the other priest responded. “Why do you ask?”
“Angus is certain he saw you, or at least two people dressed like you, leave here last night. Let us check and see if your robes are still in your chambers.”
They hurried to the priests’ quarters and opened the door to Father Corwin’s chamber first. The search revealed that two robes were gone.
“I did not miss them this morning, for I had already laid out my clothes for today,” the priest explained.
“And you saw and heard nothing unusual all night long?” Edmund asked sharply.
“Nothing unusual at all. I prayed long into the night and then retired.” He did not lie. It was not unusual for Lady Dynna to come to the chapel. She often prayed there. Looking at Sir Edmund, he knew what she had been praying for: deliverance from him. He hoped with all his heart that she made it safely to wherever she was going. She deserved happiness.
“You are certain?” Edmund pressed him, hoping he would remember some odd thing in the late hours of the night.
“Of course, I am certain. Do you think I would bear false witness to you?” he challenged Sir Edmund, detesting him, but knowing he could not show that emotion openly.
“Edmund was not questioning your honesty, Father. He is merely anxious to find Lady Dynna,” Lord Alfrick put in. “And you, Father Osmar, what were you doing last night?”
“I retired very early. I was weary from the long day.”
Lord Alfrick nodded in acceptance of his statement.
“Do you need anything else from us, my lord?” Father Corwin asked.
“Only your prayers that the rain stops soon so we can find the Black Hawk before his father arrives with the gold for his ransom.”
The priests left the room, their heads bowed in prayerful reverence.
“I still find it odd that her maid would not know of her plan to escape. Perhaps I should question Matilda more thoroughly,” Edmund said.
“Why would Lady Dynna have given Matilda t
he sleeping potion if she had known of the plan?” Thomas tried to deflect some of his suspicion from the innocent servant. He knew how vicious Sir Edmund’s temper could be, and he didn’t want to see Matilda pay for Dynna’s escape.
“True enough,” Lord Alfrick agreed. “Do not waste your time on the maid. It is more important that we begin searching for them as soon as possible. It is clear that they left the tower before dawn, and so have a goodly headstart on us. The Black Hawk is armed again, so it will not be easy to take him alive, but we must.”
“Dynna will try to return to her family. There is nowhere else for her to go. I will ride out soon as the rain lessens. I am going to bring them back. I will not return until I do.” Edmund’s tone was harsh. His stride was quick and his manner deadly as he started off toward the stables to prepare for the search. Again, he cursed Dynna and the rains that continued to hamper him.
“I will ride with Sir Edmund as soon as the weather improves. Is there anything else you require of me?” Sir Thomas asked his lord. His offer sounded natural, but there was far more to his motive than just the desire to find Dynna and the Viking.
“No. You may go.”
“I will be in the Great Hall waiting out the storm, should you want me.”
Lord Alfrick dismissed him. He remained in the private chamber to mull over all that happened and to plan a strategy to deal with Anslak should he arrive to make the exchange before they found his son.
Sir Thomas went out into the Great Hall and saw Father Corwin about to start up the stairs to the chapel.
“Father Corwin . . .” Sir Thomas called out. “Do you have time for a mug of ale before you begin your prayers?”
“I would like that.” His gaze met Sir Thomas’s and they shared a look of understanding.
The two men settled in at one of the trestle tables.
“You seem worried, Sir Thomas. Do you have need to talk with me? Is there something troubling your soul?”
“No, Father,” Sir Thomas said with a chuckle. “I am in no state of sin. I just enjoy the peace of your company.”
“And I, yours.”
“Lady Dynna is a favorite of mine. I am fond of her and am worried about what will happen to her now.”
The priest glanced around to make sure it was safe to speak openly. When he spoke, his voice was low and for Sir Thomas’s ears only. “I am worried, too. Edmund thinks only of his embarrassment. I find I can think only of the pain she would have suffered married to him. He would have been harsh before, but now . . .”
“I know. She is far too fine a woman to be forced into a marriage with him. Warren was a good husband to her, but this one . . .” Sir Thomas knew it was wrong to speak so about Sir Edmund, but he could not help himself.
“Warren loved Dynna. He was a good and true husband to her. He would have made her happy—had he lived . . .” He let the sentence hang, letting Sir Thomas know that he had his own questions about Warren’s untimely passing.
Their gazes met, and each knew he had found a kindred spirit in the other. They remained silent in that understanding as they wondered what they could do to help Dynna.
“We will both pray that she is safe,” Father Corwin finally offered.
Sir Thomas nodded thoughtfully. “That is what I want for her most . . . safety. I would see her happy again.”
“I would too.”
The steady drumming of the rain was hypnotic, and Brage forced himself to stay alert as he kept watch. Time was passing slowly, the gray sky just now beginning to lighten. He would have welcomed rest, but he could not afford the luxury. He would sleep later when the threat of danger had lessened. Now was not the time.
Brage thought of Dynna’s insistence that they share the vigil and did not doubt her desire to help in the duty. Certainly, he knew her to be smart enough to match wits with any man. But if they were found out, it would take brute force to stay alive and free, and she was hardly strong enough to wield his sword against the likes of Edmund and his men.
Dynna was nestled closely against him within the curve of his protective arm. Brage knew she had to be exhausted to be sleeping so soundly. He took the time to study her, his gaze caressing the sweet curve of her throat and the delicate line of her cheek. The darkness under her eyes was another testimony to her weariness, and he felt no guilt in letting her rest. To keep up with him, she would need all the sleep she could get. He kept his arm around her, shielding her, warming her, comforting her, and he turned his gaze back to the vigil.
Later, when the rain finally slowed to a light drizzle, Brage knew they had to start moving again. He hated to wake Dynna, but had no choice. If they wanted to stay free, they could not remain in one place too long.
“My lady,” he said softly as he touched her cheek. “It is morning and we must move on.”
Dynna came awake with a start. She had been dreaming that she was back home with her mother, safe and warm and loved. It was a shock to wake to the reality of the rain and mud and danger. Only the sight of Brage, still so close beside her, calmed her fear. It was then that she remembered his promise.
“You did not rouse me to stand watch,” she said accusingly
“There was nothing to concern you through the night. All was quiet in the rain.”
“That was not our agreement.”
“I felt no need to rest yet,” he answered simply. “Come, let us go while there is still time.”
Dynna realized it was useless to argue further with him, and though she hated to admit it even to herself, she had desperately needed the sleep. She was miserable in her wet clothes, but that misery was worth it to be free of Edmund. “I am ready,” she announced. “We head to the north and west again.”
She saw a flicker of something that looked like respect in Brage’s eyes as he regarded her. She did not know what he expected of her, but she had told him she would match him step for step and she had meant it.
They left the safety of the trees together and headed once again across country, away from the tower. The drizzle stayed with them, and it was late morning before the rain finally stopped and the sky started to clear.
“Maybe now my gown will dry,” Dynna observed, feeling uncomfortable in the sodden garment.
Brage, too, was soaked, but he was used to discomfort. Her words were a statement, not a complaint, but he realized then that he should try to find her something dry to wear. They had been deliberately staying as far afield as they could, but he now angled their path closer to what looked to be a small farm in the distance.
“Wait here,” he ordered as he stopped at the top of a low rise a distance from the hut. He could make out a man and woman working the fields away from the house, and thought it safe to approach.
“What are you about?” she asked, nervous at the thought of being seen.
“Food, Dynna. This looks the likely spot.”
Dynna had been starving since she awakened that morning, but had said nothing, suffering her pangs in silence. She took the fault herself that she had not thought to bring food with her. “But what if you are caught?”
Brage cast her an incredulous look. Raiding was his life. Did she so doubt his abilities that she did not think he could find them a meal? “Rest easy. No one will see me.”
Leaving his shield with her and advising her to stay down, he moved forward cautiously, sword in hand. He took care to stay hidden, and slipped inside the single-room hut, leaving Dynna watching nervously from the knoll.
He had suspected that the family would have little and he had been right. He helped himself to what food they had, a partial loaf of hardened bread and a hunk of cheese, then went through their few belongings and found what he needed to start a fire. He wrapped everything in a cloth and was starting from the hut when he saw the small chest at the foot of the bed. Opening it, he found a roughly made gown that would be far too big for Dynna and a man’s tunic and trousers that seemed smaller. At least they were dry, and he thought no more of it, taking the men’s
garments, too. Brage slipped away from the hut unseen and returned to Dynna.
“Let us be gone, lest they return to the hut earlier than sundown to discover my raid,” he said.
“Did you get food?” Her gaze was fixed on the bundles he carried.
“Enough for a day or so. I will raid again if I must,” he informed her.
Dynna realized Father Corwin would be shocked by his deed, yet without Brage’s daring, they would have gone hungry. She could hardly wait until they were far enough away so they could stop and eat.
Brage made sure they had crossed quite a distance before he started looking for a place for them to rest. He finally found a quiet location on the tree-shrouded bank of a small stream. It was just protected enough to provide the haven they needed.
Brage handed her the bundle of clothes. “I do not know how they will fit, but at least they will be dry.” His gaze swept over her muddy, damp gown, and he knew she had to be uncomfortable.
“It would be heavenly to be dry. I thank you for the thought,” she told him, fighting down the impulse to hug him.
“They are not pretty, but they will keep you warm until your own have dried.”
The smile Dynna gave Brage was so engaging that Brage found himself enchanted. Had he presented her with the finest gown and richest jewelry, he doubted she would have seemed more delighted. He had never seen her happy before, and it pleased him to see her so—and to know that he was the cause.
Dynna took the coarse woolen garments from him and hurried away into the bushes. She glanced back at him shyly, knowing that she was not fully protected from his view.
“You have nothing to fear from me, Dynna. I will turn my back to give you the privacy you seek.” He made the offer before she could ask, having seen the look of uncertainty in her eyes. Even as he promised though, he realized it would be difficult for him to restrain himself.
Dynna murmured her gratitude and hurriedly turned her back to him as she began to strip off the damp gown. It clung to her almost like a living thing, and she was thrilled when she was finally freed of it. She stood unclothed for only a moment before drawing the peasant’s garment over her head It was rough against her, chafing her skin, but she did not complain, for it was dry and warm. From the short length of the tunic she realized it was a man’s garment and as such, much shorter than a woman’s, revealing most of her legs. Dynna quickly donned the trousers and tied the waist tight. She had never worn pants before and she felt strange in them. Gathering up her wet clothes, she started from the secluded place.
