Lady Thief

by Wend Petzler

  Tilting her head slightly back, her body shaking violently from the bitter cold, her blurred vision focused on Lucian's strained, handsome visage. Smiling, she clung to him as he held her in an almost painful embrace. Shaken by what she saw, Eiry gasped when fear clouded his dark eyes. Her hand trembling, she reached up to cup his rough cheek, trying to reassure him she was going to be fine.

  "Christ Jesu! Eiry, I'm so sorry we weren't here sooner."

  Teething chattering, she was able to say, “I ... knew you would ... not abandon ... me."

  "Never! To leave you would surely cause my black soul to wither and die,” He rasped out. Lucian rested his cheek against her forehead, shaking himself.

  "I hate ... it when ... you say ... you're evil!” She grimaced when the numbness gave way to needles of shooting pain through her legs and arms. Her feet burned, fingers hurt as she thawed.

  Laughing softly, he kissed her cold lips.

  "Lucian, we need to go,” Robin warned, grabbing his bow, notching an arrow in preparation for a fight.

  In one fluid motion, Lucian rose, holding Eiry firmly in his arms. He ran after Robin, the other outlaws had already left, taking the prisoners out and to the boats. They raced past the hidden door. Eiry faintly heard the scrape of rock against rock, the false wall back in its place. Their hurrying footsteps sounded harsh to her ears as they ran down the darkened tunnel, Robin's torch the only light to see by.

  * * * *

  Chuckling, Louie found he enjoyed playing games with Eiry. She would pay dearly for nearly ruining his plans for real wealth and a secure future in the service of the next King of England. His own father had been proud to serve Sir Thomas, content to be second. When Thomas moved his family to the rich lands of Derbyshire, Louie was certain they would enjoy some of the wealth. When he and his father's situation appeared to be going nowhere, Louie took matters into his own hands when Robert De Ferrers approached him one day and paid him a small sack of gold to find out where Sir Thomas’ loyalties lay. The next bag was heavier, and all that was required was for him to prove his loyalty to Robert. The job was simple enough—kill Savoy. With relish, Louie helped the mercenary knights run down Sir Thomas and his entourage.

  All in all, his task had proved most profitable, he grinned, walking down the steep, stone steps down to the converted storage chamber.

  The first sign something was wrong was the peculiar silence. Rushing below, Louie stared in stunned disbelief. The chamber was empty, except for the dead guards whose bodies were pierced by arrows. Roaring for more guards, Louie stood indecisive. He looked to the anti-chamber.

  "Damn!” He ran inside and searched the water to no avail. Eiry was gone.

  Returning to the main chamber, waiting for the guards, he bent his head, panting, unable to think past the terror. Eiry would surely come for his head now. Quiet for a moment, he thought he heard the sounds of muffled, running feet. The outlaws were just leaving and were heading down the tunnel!

  Assured the beaten prisoners would slow their rescuers down, he paused. Would they take the cave lake route? The clatter of metal and shouts was deafening as Robert ran downstairs with his men close behind him. Louie ran to the hidden door and started shoving the rocks away, exposing the false door which he shoved away. The secret tunnel lay exposed

  "This way,” Louie shouted, drawing his sword, chasing after the escapees.

  Furious, Robert shoved his men out of the way, running after Louie. “I want them all dead!"

  * * * *

  By the lake, Lucian paused, breathing hard from the run with Eiry in his arms. Cocking his head, he held his breath when he heard the angry shouts from behind them in the tunnel they had left. The others had heard it, too and rushed to load the injured into the boats and soon shoved off. Lucian placed Eiry on the floor of the last boat and helped push it deeper into the water. He and Robin climbed in and rowed hard, striving to place as much distance between them and the coming sheriff and his men. Tossing their torches into the lake, their world was cast into shadows, except for the faint glow from the rocks high above, casting pale light on the lake.

  Robin glanced down at Eiry who lay shivering at his feet. “Rest, Eiry, we are almost out of here.” Surprised when she struggled to sit up and grabbed his bow, he protested, “What are you doing?"

  Eiry's voice was a raw whisper, sounding gravelly against the splash of oars dipping into water, “Stop the boat!"

  Lucian frowned at her actions, wondering what she was up to, too. When she notched one of Robin's arrows, they brought the boat to a halt, holding it steady. Eiry rose unsteadily to her feet, shrugging off the warm cloaks.

  Drawing the taunt bowstring back ever so slowly, she bit the soft flesh of her bottom lip from crying out from the pain, her muscles cramping from the unholy cold. Calling on the last of her reserves, she mentally cried out for more strength. Father, help me, she pleaded. When his beloved face blurred her vision, she found the strength and pulled the bowstring back even further. Gritting her teeth in a savage snarl, her arm visibly shaking, she aimed at the distant, murky beach.

  "Louie?” she shouted. Listening to the echo of her gravelly voice rippling over the still, black waters, she waited not long when she heard the crunch of boots on the sand. Torches were lit against the dark. Grinning in triumph, she saw the faint color of red hair.

  Surprised, Louie stopped in his tracks, looking violently about. What was she up to? When he heard her voice again, he knew his fate was sealed.

  "For our fathers,” Eiry screamed, letting the arrow fly.

  Louie heard the faint whizzing of the goose fletching just before the iron-tipped arrow ripped right through his greedy heart. He flew backward, landing on his back with his arms flung wide—dead.

  Robert screamed at his men to fall back, running back into the safety of the tunnel. He knew if Eiry could find Louie in the dark, she'd find him, too.

  Eiry collapsed, her aching legs could no longer hold her weight. Lucian caught her as she went down, amazed as she was by the incredible shot she made. Tucking the cloaks closer about her shivering form, he turned around and started rowing, increasing his speed. Struggling to remain awake, Eiry's eyelids fluttered shut. The cold water drained her strength like nothing ever had, not even the long months of plotting and raiding to stay alive. She blacked out.

  Sometime later, Eiry felt a nudge and struggled to open her eyes, seeing Lucian's handsome face before her. Worry shone in his dark eyes when he picked her up. Drowsy, Eiry focused on their whereabouts, recognizing they were at a large cave opening. The boats were abandoned. She looked at her friends being helped by Robin's Foresters step over fallen rocks, trying to keep their balance on the wet, mossy stones. Leaving the cave opening behind, they trudged through the woods, the forest silent. When they reached the road, she peered over Lucian's broad shoulder and gasped in horror.

  "Sanctuary is burning! Those bastards set fire to the castle!” Eiry tried to get down, unable to do anything more than feebly protest as he firmly held her in his arms.

  "I ordered Sanctuary burned."

  Disbelief shown on her pale features. “You did what? Why?” she demanded hoarsely, her eyes questioning his sanity.

  Shifting her shivering body closer, he rested his cheek against her damp hair. “It was the only way to keep it safe from Robert and his men. They cannot claim what was once your parents’ home if nothing remains."

  "We fought so long to keep it safe. Mama and Da died for Sanctuary, and now it's all gone.” Eiry sobbed, heartbroken by what he'd done.

  "No, Eiry, they died for you and your sister. Your parents lived and breathed for you and Lilia—not some piece of land. If I left Sanctuary intact, it would always be in the back of your mind that you'd come back and claim it. Our life is finished here. We have a rare opportunity to rebuild a new one in Normandy. I need you to be with me for the rest of my life. Will you think about it?” he asked, looking down into her wide eyes.

  "Are you asking me
to marry you?” Eiry asked, stunned by Lucian's words. Suddenly, he appeared to lose confidence, looking more like a man afraid of being rejected than the great warrior he was.

  "Yes—if you'll have a man known to the world as the Butcher."

  Eiry's face contorted into a disgusted expression, glaring at him. “I hate that damn name."

  Chuckling, his entire chest rumbled with the delicious sound of precious laughter. “As much as I hate it, too, it has provided a great many opportunities for me and my men in ways of employment. And in finding you.” His deep, sensual voice trailed off.

  Resting her head in the warm shelter of his shoulder, Eiry tightened her arms around his neck, smiling. “Since I'm homeless, I suppose I have no choice but to marry you.” She sighed dramatically, her soft lips caressing the tender skin along his throat.

  Shivering at the innocent touch, Lucian grinned with absolute happiness. “When we are safe in Normandy, I fully intend on making an honest woman of you."

  Robin, who was listening to the entire exchange, laughed out loud at Lucian's statement. “Are you sure you want Lady Thief to be an honest woman? I find her rather intriguing just as she is."

  Eiry grinned weakly back at the outlaw. “Me, too!"

  Shaking his head, Lucian grinned, unaffected by the closing ranks of the two. “Eiry, I adore you, too. But, if we are to have children, I'd feel a whole lot better knowing you are not doing anything disreputable. Get my meaning?"

  Her mouth dropped open at the mention of children. “I've been robbing and seeking my revenge for so long, I guess the thoughts of marriage and children were put in the background."

  "And now?” Lucian asked, waiting with baited breath for her response.

  Shyly meeting his warming gaze, Eiry smiled at him. “I would love to have your children."

  "Then it's settled.” Lucian was about to add more when he saw riders with torches approach. The lead rider's face was finally made known—George!

  The young knight grinned in relief when he saw people emerging from the forest, especially when Lucian walked out holding Lady Eiry in his arms. When he drew back the reins, he held out his torch to see them better. George gasped when he saw her white complexion, worried when she started to cough. “What happened?"

  "Eiry was trapped in cold water. Have you word from Derrick?” Lucian asked as he placed Eiry on Samson and swung up behind her.

  "None, and the fog makes it impossible to see anything along the coast."

  "Do not worry, the fog will cloak his progress from the Sheriff and his men."

  Making sure Eiry was securely covered by the cloaks, Lucian turned to thank Robin and his men for their help. Looking around, he was amazed by the stealth of the Foresters as they melted into the forest. George and the bulk of Lucian's men were alarmed by the abrupt disappearance of the outlaws. All who remained where the beaten, exhausted men and women who were part of Eiry's band. His men dismounted and hurried to help them onto their mighty warhorses.

  "My lord, what strange company were you with?” George asked in awe.

  A small smile curved Lucian's tired features. “The best of what men can be. They willingly came to our aid, risking their necks to save ours. Come, we must ride.” Alarmed at the absence of Lilia and the villagers who were leaving with them, he looked around them. “Where is the rest of our group?"

  "I sent them on ahead. I pray Derrick is coming.” George was clearly worried by their dire situation.

  "Worry not. Derrick has never failed us, and I know he would not at our time of most desperate need.” Lucian's confidence slipped when large, fluffy puffs of snow fell from the dark sky. The stillness in the air set his nerves on edge. He urged Samson forward. The snow started falling more rapidly, blanketing the road, making it difficult to see.

  He held Eiry closer to him when he felt her body shaking again. She startled him when she started coughing. Worried, he watched helplessly as she gasped in pain, unable to catch her breath. Lucian glanced down at her with worry and held her tighter. Lucian knew real fear and urged his horse to a faster pace. Eiry was growing more ill and needed a physician. He watched as Eiry rested as much as she could, often awakened by the watery, racking cough from her sickening lungs.

  The miles raced under the hooves of their horses and relief was found when he saw through the snow storm the village resting at the bottom of the hill. Lucian searched the dock for Derrick. There was no sign of the ships! Panic set in. He pulled back the reins, seeing only the impenetrable fog engulfing the dark coastal waters of the sea. He set his heels to the heaving sides of his warhorse, not looking at his men, knowing they wore worried expressions.

  Was the sheriff coming after them?

  The villagers were stirring about, preparing for the new day. They halted in stunned silence and stared at the tired knights and their passengers riding through the small town. Lucian rode directly onto the docks and halted at the end. Listening to the constant slapping of the waves against the wood and rock pillars, he thought he heard something creak from without in the dense fog. Whatever it was, it was replaced by the faint sound of thundering hooves coming from the road above the town. Squinting, unable to see anything except snow, he thought he saw a dark figure form. As if a veil was drawn, Lucian saw a rider barreling toward them. It was one of his men set to watch Sanctuary. The knight pulled his horse to a sliding halt before him.

  "My lord, the sheriff and thirty knights are ten leagues from here,” the knight gushed out. “What do you wish to do?"

  Lucian was lost what to do. They were trapped, if they did not flee soon. Forced to ride out in the middle of a blizzard would surely be a death sentence to Eiry who coughed constantly, tears of pain coursed down her pale cheeks. Behind his waiting knights, he saw his people emerge from the ghostly wall of falling, huge white flakes. Huddling together from the cold, they walked toward them, protected by his archers and squires. He recognized Lilia with Anne and her daughters. The woman rushed forward, sobbing in relief when the knight who held her limp husband gently lowered him to the dock.

  Lilia was weeping when Lucian swung off his horse and gently sat Eiry on the dock. “Is she going to die, Lucian?"

  "No! Eiry won't die, I promise. Anne? Has anyone seen the ships?” Lucian strode over to the young woman as she tended her husband.

  "No, milord, we hid in the forest until we saw you."

  He rose, scanning the heavy fog, frowning when he thought he heard the slap of oars upon the water. Tilting his head, he waited to hear it again when Anne spoke, distracting him.

  "Are we going to leave? Eiry and Allen both need a physician. Eiry needs one the most. I've seen the lung sickness before. If we do na get her warm she will drown from the liquid forming in her lungs."

  The very air left Lucian's lungs. He drew himself up and turned away, staring out over the fog. God, I have not spoken to you in so long, forgive me. Please, I need a miracle! He felt warmth radiating from within his heart, his faith restored when he heard a shout from across the water. When a horn blew, Lucian shouted triumphantly, knowing it was Derrick announcing their approach.

  "George, sound the horn! Let Derrick know we are here.” Lucian faced his men, a grin ever widening on his face, giving his people hope.

  Illuminated by torches, a huge dragon's head emerged from the fog, its mouth wide in a silent roar. It gave way to a Viking long ship with many oars and a mast with the sail furled. The oarsmen raised their oars upward as men with ropes threw them at the knights waiting on the dock. Lucian shouted orders and his men scurried to get ready when the first ship, a grand and massive vessal his father had commissioned built, slid into position along the protesting dock. The storm howled in fury, the snow fell so heavy he could not see a foot before him.

  A wide plank was shoved into place and Derrick ran down it, grabbing Lucian in a bear hug. “Lucian, you must hurry. We were hugging the coastline when we saw riders heading your way. I'll take the women and children, along with the injured.
Are they...?” He halted in mid-sentence when he saw Eiry lying on the dock, struggling to breathe. His throat constricted with pity as he watched Lucian tenderly lift her in his arms. “What happened?"

  "I didn't get to her in time. Get the people onboard."

  "Lucian, I have only two ships."

  "Only two ships?” There were well over forty warhorses, not to mention the soldiers and archers’ mounts. “Fine, get as many warhorses below as possible, people on deck. When it can hold no more, move the ship out of the way for the other to come in,” Lucian ordered.

  Carrying Eiry onto the ship with Lilia trailing close behind, he led the way to the captain's quarters. He kicked open the door and laid Eiry on the bunk bed. Fear assaulted him when she failed to wake. Lucian pressed a kiss on her forehead, feeling her clammy skin burn with fever.

  Christ Jesu, do not let her die, he prayed. “Watch her, Lilia. I have to get everyone onboard.” He hugged the frightened little girl, hoping to reassure her before rushing from the cabin.

  Lucian sought out Derrick. “Is the ship full?"

  "Yea, we canna no hold anymore without sinking."

  "Derrick, I trust Eiry in your care. If something should go wrong, make sure she is well taken care of. Get out of here. We will join you soon.” Leaping off the huge ship, he rushed to his horse, watching the ship move ever so slowly, the oarsmen straining to get her out of the way for the second ship to slide into place.

  Relieved by the immense size of the second vessel, nearly matching the size of the one he had inherited, Lucian felt it possible to get all his people and horses out of England. When he saw the archers and squires unsaddling their horses, he knew an overwhelming sense of pride when they shouted, slapping the animals on the haunches, making more room for people to board the ships. Nearly all were on board when a shout made him turn to the road. Holding the reins of his agitated stallion tight in one hand, the sword in the other, he saw torches from a distance. Robert and his men raced down the hill, riding straight for the village, slowing to dodge the loose horses blocking their way.