by Marie Hall
"This should not have happened," Io repeated.
"Io," Xavier started only to stop when he noticed the man responsible being pushed towards him.
Waverly was given one last shove and he went down on his knees before Io. "He was at Fairfield trying to recruit more people to work the mine," Roth Goodman said as he kicked the man in the arse.
"I closed this mine," Io stated.
"As did I." Xavier was less passionate but he knew the man understood the anger being directed his way.
"My liege, I only did as I was directed." Waverly's sniveling turned Xavier's stomach.
"Io said she ordered the mine closed. Do you call her a liar?" Xavier asked and grabbed the man's shirtfront.
"I was here when Lady Io told you this place was a death trap and to end the workings," Roth offered, perhaps in defense of Io, though it wasn't necessary.
"I.. I…" Waverly stammered.
"Speak," Xavier yelled.
"I shut it down, but when the lady of the house…" Waverly started, only to stop when Xavier shook him like a dog would a rat.
"Io is lady of the house." Why did anyone think anything different? But the man was stunned by the announcement.
"No, sir. No, Lady Brice—"
"Lady Io," Xavier reaffirmed shoving the man backwards.
"Lady Charlotte, my lord. Lady Charlotte and now Lady Sabrina. Lady Sabrina, that is who will be your wife. Is it not? Lady Charlotte assured us all that is what will happen before the year is out. She said Io will be gone long before then. I thought she was as she had not come to the shire in so long," Waverly said as he scooted away from Xavier's intense glare.
"Io is my wife." He looked first to Io who was holding her head in her hands then to Roth who didn't seem surprised the squire was unaware of simple facts.
"What is going on here?"
Xavier spun around as his mother, aided by one of his soldiers, accompanied by the ladies Blake, stepped up.
"The mine collapsed, my lady." Waverly scrambled to his feet, perhaps thinking he was protected. He certainly made a point to get as close to Charlotte as he could.
"Well, that is certainly too bad. The ore from here was good quality," Charlotte said with a shrug.
"People are dead," Io shrieked. "People are dead and all you bemoan is the loss of some silver?" Charlotte turned her face away and gave a disinterested shrug. The action set Io into a rage. Her charge at Charlotte only stopped when Xavier snagged her around the waist. "You horrid evil bitch. People are dead. Children are dead. Children."
Again Charlotte's response was cold. She pushed by and gave the area a brief survey. Waverly stuck to her like a loyal dog but even he backed away with her next comment. "You should begin to dig around this. The ore is still in there."
"Mother," Xavier heard his voice pitch. He made to step towards the woman but Io beat him and she set both her hands on Charlotte and shoved, sending the woman to the dirt.
"How dare you. You intolerable little troll."
"People are dead. They are dead because they went in that place for something that is not there. You sent them in and now they are dead. People are dead," Io screamed as she loomed over his mother.
Charlotte, not one to be bullied for long, climbed to her feet, again with the help of the soldier. She pulled herself to her full height, which was a great deal taller than Io. "Xavier, you will permit this… abomination to assault me?"
"Madame, I suggest you return home," Xavier advised. He was ignored.
"She is not fit to be here. She cannot run your home or these lands that is obvious to anyone," Charlotte went on.
"I did not send people into that mine. People are dead because—" Io yelled and again came at the older woman. "People, some of them children, are dead."
"They are just people," Charlotte said brushing at the dirt on her skirts. "People of no matter to anyone. They can be replaced. Just as you can."
It all happened rather fast and before he could move to stop it Io lunged at Charlotte taking them both to the ground. Xavier found himself having to pull Io off his mother who didn't even seem to know how to defend herself. "Get her from here now," Xavier told the soldier who'd seemed a little too ready to act against Io in some physical manner.
"She is mad," Charlotte yelled and pointed at Io who was struggling hard against Xavier's hold.
"You are a fucking harpy," Io screamed, breaking from Xavier.
The soldier stepped between the women but then Gunther and Roth stepped between her and the soldier. Xavier grabbed her and turned her to face him. "Io, stop. This serves no purpose."
"People are dead," Io screamed in his face and flailed like her life depended on escaping him. "People are dead. This should not have happened."
"Io, stop, settle." He gave her a small shake but he could tell she wasn't listening; she was lost in whatever she was feeling about these events. "Io, settle."
Her fight became so frantic Xavier worried she'd hurt herself if he didn't loosen his hold. The moment he did, she broke free. She managed to push through the men and was only a few steps from his mother when Gunther knocked her to the ground.
"Io, let it go. Give it to me. You cannot—" Gunther grunted as Io's kicking legs landed a little too close to his manhood. The man continued to wrestle with Io, finally coming up with the blade.
"I will send you to hell you fucking bitch." Io's rage peaked and even Xavier was taken aback. He didn't think his wife had this in her. But then again she'd fought four men to defend the children and she'd taken on the disturbed man in an effort to save the last boy and herself.
"She threatens me?" His mother's voice rose above Io's screams. "You will set her out this day. I will not have that wicked beast in my family."
"Get her gone," Xavier again commanded and watched as several men, all from Io's personal guard took hold of Charlotte and the Blakes and dragged them away. Io still kicked and screamed. Except for the curses, Xavier couldn't really make out anything she said. He stepped over to where Gunther held her and pushed the man away. Io grabbed for the knife but she'd no chance of taking it back. Gunther was a skilled knight. That was why Xavier chose him as lead in Io's personal escort. Xavier grabbed her arm as she again reached for the weapon.
"I will end them."
"Io, settle," Xavier soothed. It wasn't that he didn't share her sentiments but it was a matter to be dealt with privately.
"I will end them. Let me go."
"Io, settle now. There are matters here to see too. I will deal with them." He gave her a hard look and mistakenly thought he'd gotten through. He dropped her arm. She pivoted around snagged a small dagger from Roth's belt and raised it as she stepped towards him.
Xavier's left arm came up to block the blow. The fact his own wife tried to kill him lost in seeing her lying in the dirt sent there with the slap delivered by his own hand. The blade was kicked from reach and Io was dragged to her feet.
She struggled to hold them back but the sobs slipped out and when she finally looked at him tears streaked her face. A red mark bloomed dark on the pale skin and she moved to cover it.
"Io," he said and reached for her. He'd only defended his person but regret and guilt settled on him. "Io, I—"
"Never touch me again," she said jerking away. "Never touch me, never speak my name." With those words she turned and fled. She became lost in the throng of people.
"Sir?" Gunther came along side him.
"She did not mean it. You will never speak of this to anyone." His warning was direct and clear. Io wouldn't be accused of an attempt on his life, not when it could mean she found herself on trial and at the end of a rope. "Your lady is distraught and overwhelmed, that is all."
"Yes, my lord," Gunther agreed.
"Go after her. See she is taken care of but let her do what she feels she must to be useful. When things are sorted here, bring me news." Xavier turned to see Waverly staring slack jawed at all of them. "Get the names of those who went into the mine
and hang him."
Xavier looked towards the mine once more then mounted and rode home. He could hardly believe he'd struck Io as he had and he didn't think he could feel worse for the action, even if it was a matter of life or death. He was proud that no matter how Io pushed he never struck her as to harm her. The only place he'd ever landed his hand before today was her arse. He knew it wouldn't be a habit. He couldn't think why he might ever raise his hand in such a manner again. The moment of madness that drove her to stab at him wasn't likely to come over her a second time. The injustice of the situation was too much for her. And even as he told himself these things, he still couldn't think he could forgive his own actions. He couldn't hurt worse had she driven that knife into him. Leave it to Io to again prove him wrong.
Chapter Eight
Io slipped up the steps as quietly as she could. The house was still sleeping and she didn't think anyone would alert Xavier. She headed down the long passage and eased the door to the small chamber open.
She hadn't been in this room for six days. She hadn't been in this house at all. But today she needed what waited here for her.
"Sarah?" she called, slipping inside and closing the door behind her.
"I am here." The sound of a flint being struck and then a small flame pushed back a little of the darkness.
"You did as I asked?"
"You know I did," she said taking the candle to the wardrobe. "They plan to attend as well."
"Yes, I saw him there yesterday speaking with the bishop." Io pulled at the laces on the gown she wore.
Sarah pulled the gown from the chest and laid it out on the bed. Io slipped from the one she wore and crossed to the table where water and rags waited. Sarah continued to pull things from the wardrobe. A veil, stockings, shoes all dyed a deep black.
Io looked back once at the dress on the bed. She'd worn it once before. The day she wed. But that day the gown was a lovely blue and trimmed with expensive lace. Sarah and the others altered the dress for her. The lace pulled from the dress was sold and the coins added to the monies Xavier continued to give her each week as allowance. She'd never spent any of his money before and the sum she'd horded would be sufficient for what she sought to do.
"Have you determined all the families?" Sarah asked as she came over and took up a brush.
"Yes, the stone will not be ready today but the mason assures it will be finished soon and he will see to having it properly laid." Io tossed down the rag and sat so Sarah could arrange her hair.
"And the ones left orphaned, have you arranged their care?" Sarah made short work of binding up the long strands.
"There is only one left. She has no family. Squire Waverly had her mother and father as well as two brothers in there. I do not know yet what will become of her. Samuel says he may know a solution but he needs a few more days."
"And Beth?"
Io's breath hitched. Two days after the mine fell in Io sought her out. To say her family wouldn't be forgotten. Io was arranging for the entire area to be turned to consecrated ground. Those who were buried in the mine would be given last rites and their souls blessed for entry into heaven. Those who died as a result of any rescue attempts would be laid to rest near the entrance. Io commissioned a large marker with everyone's name on it to be erected in their memory.
Io went to the weaver's house to tell her there would be a gathering and a mass. But when she arrived, the door was open and leaves swirled around on the once well-kept floors. Io's scream alerted the men with her and they'd been the ones to cut Beth down. She'd hanged herself from the rafters.
"I told that man—"
"The bishop?"
"Yes. I told him he would give her rites and she would be put in the same ground as her husband and children. If he refuses today, he will regret it." She was in no mood to be trifled with. She stood and Sarah helped her into the gown then laced the stays. Once Io had her stockings and shoes on, Sarah took her back to the chair and sat her so she could place the veil. When Io stood again, she was the epitome of a lady in mourning.
"Io," Sarah sighed.
"Do not. I am set in this. It can be no other way." She turned and smoothed down the folds of the gown. It seemed appropriate the dress she wore when she vowed her life to Xavier would be the one she wore when she broke that vow.
Sarah said nothing else and Io took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping into the hall. She could hear the house stirring. The funeral service was set for mid morning and those from the house who planned to attend would be up making ready. Xavier would be in the hall by now so she headed to his chambers with confidence she wouldn't be seen.
She entered quietly, crossing the room into the apartments Xavier always held as his and made her way to the large table. She'd always known him to use this place to deal with more private official moments. He wrote his letters to the king and to the men holding his other houses from this room. He kept his armor and weapons here too. Some of his more prized booty sat scattered about.
Io looked around now. She'd been in here; Xavier didn't forbid it. Always she found the room neat and organized. Today all she could see where the many rolls of parchment and individual scraps laying scattered everywhere. Too, there were several ledgers open and more than one ink well uncorked.
She couldn't tell what he worked on. Perhaps he intended to change duties again, some of the names written down were scratched out. With a sigh, she shook her head. It was no concern of hers. She lifted her hands and taking a breath to steal herself to this act, she removed the ring from the third finger of her left hand. The one Xavier placed there not even a year ago. The one he said represented his commitment to her. She set it on the table, right where she knew he'd see it, then left the apartments.
She'd no set plan as to how to break free but she knew the solution would present when she could dedicate more effort. For now, she had to watch people she knew, had come to care for, be formally given burial.
* * *
Io stood and listened as the bishop completed making the former mining area a cemetery and began to give rites and bless those who'd perished. He hesitated only a moment when he got to Beth's corpse, glancing back at Io before finishing and moving to the next body still above ground. When each of those who'd died above ground were beneath it, the holy man stepped forward and began the last prayers. Everyone knelt around her. But Io remained standing. When the priest looked to her she pulled back her shoulders and stared back at him.
"My lady," Mathew whispered from his place on his knees beside her.
"I do not kneel for a god who has forsaken me in this life," Io said not quietly. The murmurs rose up momentarily then died away. Something behind her caught the priest's attention and a moment more he again began the prayers. The ceremony was over quick enough and, as Io instructed, Sir Roth stepped before the crowd and began reading names from the roll of parchment.
As each name was called Sarah lifted a small cloth bag from the box at her feet and handed it to Io who then gave it to the head of the family who'd suffered a loss when the mine fell in.
"It is not much," she told each of them as she handed over the coins she'd divided from her allowance based on who each family had lost, "But let it help you through."
The widows and other mourners seemed quite surprised and almost joyous to be handed a bag of money but it wouldn't last them long with owing rents and taxes and no longer having someone able to work for the family. They'd be fortunate to make it through winter.
"Io," Xavier intercepted the next bag Sarah was handing her.
"It is my allowance," she said and snatched the bag away. The woman she intended it to go to hesitated and Io forced it into her hand. "I did not steal. This is money you said I could do with as I pleased."
"Io, you did not have to use your allowance." His nod at the woman sent her scrambling away. She didn't want to be near if the lord decided to stop Io's charity. "There are other measures that could be taken. I will take them, still you ne
ed not—"
"I would not risk their dependence on you, Lord Brice. Or them." She jerked her head towards the spot where Charlotte and Sabrina sat their horses under the shade of a tree. They'd come dressed as if this was some celebration. Sabrina even wore the gown made from the cloth taken from Io. They bellowed how Io had no shame, knew nothing of decency and yet they come among the mourning now as if it wasn't but another beautiful summer day.
Xavier gave her no reply but he lingered close. He was there when the small child left orphaned with no one claiming her made her way to Io. She wobbled and stumbled and several times dropped the flowers, weeds really, she carried. Io guessed her age to be four, maybe five. She was shy and spoke rarely so when she tugged on Io's gown and then pointed to the mine entrance Io had to guess what she wanted.
"Are those for your family?" Io asked getting down on her knees and brushing strands of dark hair from the child's dirty face. The little girl nodded. "Should we put them there then?"
"Make it pretty?" the girl said, then took a few hiccupping breaths.
"Yes, make it pretty," Io said, standing and taking the girl's hand. They walked together to the mound of dirt made smooth to hide the evidence it once was anything more than a grave.
"Mama went to heaven," the girl said, placing the flowers carefully.
Io said nothing, not wanting to tell the child a lie and no longer thinking such a place existed. There was only this life of hellish experiences and then death. At least in death one could rest, find peace. She rather hoped that was true for Beth's sake. Beside her, the child sniffed and Io watched tears well up then drip down. It wasn't for Io to find comfort ever again but she could at least try and offer it to this child. It could be the last she ever knew if Samuel didn't come through.
She lifted the girl to her hip and started back towards the tavern where she'd been staying. Everyone else had gone. Just because people died didn't mean the living didn't have to make their way. Samuel met with her before the services and said he'd a family to take the girl, a good family. Io doubted for any child, especially a girl, left orphaned there was such a thing as a good family. In time, they'd tire of the burden or find some defect that made her unsuitable and, like Io, she'd be set out. She'd be expected to rely only on herself. Io's arms tightened and the little girl squirmed. There wasn't anything else to do. Io couldn't take her, she'd only ever barely managed to care for herself and that was when she was considered to be in someone's care. To try to leave her within Xavier's house was to ensure Lady Blake could do her harm. Io didn't expect Xavier to protect her. She wasn't anyone to him. She wasn't in his care because of the king's decree.
