“But sire —”
Wouter scowled fiercely, and Rob swallowed his words.
The other three outlaws looked almost sympathetically at their companion, but none of them offered to take his place. Before they left, the second commander tugged a sack from his saddle and swung it over his shoulder.
Almost too soon, they found themselves in the heart of the forest. And even though the men wouldn’t admit it out loud, Karina knew that they were scared. It was in the way they held their shoulders, and in the tight grip they had on their swords. Every rustle in the bushes, every caw of the crows overhead made them jump.
Not that she could blame them. She was started by the same noises. As they continued on their way, their footsteps became muffled by the carpet of decayed leaves on the ground. Ever so often a twig snapped underneath a heavy boot, crackling like wood in a fire pit.
Soon, they reached an area where the uneven forest floor became littered with rocks and fallen trees. A few more steps and they were at the base of the incline. All they needed to do now was to climb the rocky cliff. The woodcutter had chosen an optimal location which overlooked a large portion of the forest, but the cottage itself was difficult to get to. In single file, the men scaled the steep incline.
Karina fought to keep up with the men, but the hurried pace caused her to tire. She put her foot on a sturdy rock, and reached for a shrub to allow herself a moment of rest. All of a sudden, something moved near her hand, rattling the leaves. Before she could blink, a long snake slithered across her line of sight. She let out a shriek and jerked back. Luckily she had the presence of mind to grab a hold of the small shrub again before she lost her balance. As she pulled herself closer to the earthen wall, she felt a moment of relief. Except that relief evaporated as soon as she realized that the plant loosened from the soil. Time seemed to slow down as she watched the plant come out of the ground, bit by bit. Fully aware of how steep the drop was, she knew it was only a matter of time that the shrub would become fully uprooted. Then she would plunge to her death.
Karina felt the tears stinging her eyes. She meant nothing to these men. There was no hope that anyone would save her. She was just an ordinary merchant, and had no business meddling in the affairs of those above her station. Closing her eyes tightly, she knew that this was the end.
But the tumble to her death never came. Strong hands closed around her wrists, pulling her up. “I’ve got you, Karina.”
Chapter 16
“Thank you, Geoffrey,” Karina said, her voice husky. “You saved my life yet again.”
He stared into her eyes and seemed to drown in their dark depths. The slow thudding of his heart filled his ears. She was the only one who could do this to him. Being in her presence made him want to forget all his troubles, forget that danger was only an arm’s length away.
Calling upon his absolute willpower, he forced himself from reaching over and sliding his hand along her silken skin. “You are my mistress after all,” he said lightly.
Pink tinged her cheeks, making her look even lovelier than ever. She would have said more, but the commotion at the top of the slope broke the spell that had encircled them.
He sighed. “We better go before they come for us.”
They climbed to the top of the incline and joined the others.
“Jak was right behind me when we climbed the slope,” Clement was saying, glancing nervously around him. His face had turned as yellow as curdled milk. “I didn’t even hear anything, but when I looked back, he was gone.”
“He likely went to take a piss.” Wouter shrugged his shoulder.
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Daud said, shaking his head. “Pissing takes no longer than a minute, and —”
“He’s taking a shit then.” Wouter flicked impatient fingers in the air, dismissing his words. Daud and Clement exchanged doubtful looks, which didn’t go unnoticed by their commander. A flush bloomed on his face. “What now?”
Clement bit down on his bottom lip until it changed color. “I think ‘tis the green demon, sire,” he burst out. Gulping, he ran his palms down his surcoat as he glanced up at the looming trees overhead. The rough tree trunks here were large, and spanned the width of two burly men. A crow cawed in the distance as if it were calling from another world. There was no doubt that the forest was ancient, and that another older presence existed, a presence that wasn’t quite human.
Wouter stared at his second in command. “And you?” he said, his eyes flashing with annoyance. “Have you turned into a woman as well?”
“Nay, sire.” Daud said. “But I can’t help thinking about the green demon either. I know the he doesn’t exist, but since we’ve entered this forest, I feel that someone or something is watching our every move.”
“What nonsense is this?” Wouter snarled.
“’Tis not nonsense,” Karina said, interjecting. “I feel the same thing. There are stories of whole families vanishing from these parts.” She hugged her arms to herself. “Some say that the green demon took them…”
“Lies,” Wouter said, shaking his head in denial.
“Nay,” Karina rubbed the gooseflesh that emerged on her arms. “They can’t be all lies. We’re going to the cottage where the woodcutter and his son used to live. I heard that the man went insane and his young son became mute.” Her voice dropped and she gave a small shudder. “People in town say that the green spirit scared the wits from the man, and stole the boy’s voice —”
“Enough,” Wouter said, giving her a dark look, clearly regretting that he allowed her to join their company. “We’ve wasted too much time with this foolishness.”
He then turned to Geoffrey. “You,” he pointed a bony finger. “How long does the princess plan to stay in the cottage?”
“I’m not certain, sire,” Geoffrey said, dropping his gaze. It was men like this outlaw that raised his ire, but it served no purpose to reveal his true feelings. “They never revealed their plans to me.”
“You’re useless,” Wouter made a sound of disgust. “I don’t know why I brought you along.” He moved to walk away and jerked his head at his followers. “You three, start cutting away at the vegetation. If we move swiftly, we should be able to take them unawares.”
But the lush shrubbery proved almost too much for them. Even Wouter had to join in. They slashed through the branches and underbrush, but they barely made a dent. There wasn’t much for Geoffrey, Karina or Eli to do except wait for the outlaws to clear a path. And as they waited, Geoffrey’s idle limb became stiff, although this was the least of his worries. They were getting closer and closer to the cottage. He couldn’t afford to wait any longer. He needed to act now before it was too late.
Looking to the right, he saw his opportunity. This was it.
He tugged at Karina’s sleeve, and surreptitiously gestured Eli over. “I want you to do something to distract them,” he said urgently, his voice low.
“What is it that you want us to do?” Karina asked.
“It doesn’t matter. Pretend to fall. Just do something to take their attention away from me.”
“But what if it doesn’t work?” she cast a doubtful glance at the men. “I don’t know —”
“You said you wanted to assist me, is that not correct?”
An anxious look appeared on her face. “I do but —”
“Think of something,” he said, pushing her gently along. “Eli will assist you.”
The boy puffed up his small chest with importance and followed her.
Karina glanced over her shoulders at Geoffrey before hurrying after the outlaws. Picking her way through the tangled mess of broken roots and branches, she suddenly stopped.
She then pointed a finger and screamed.
“Ma dame!” Eli scrambled over to her. “What happened?”
The outlaws paused in their cutting and turned to her.
Shaking her head, she said, “I — I saw a face appear on that tree!”
Wouter let out a loud cur
se while his men remained rooted, staring at the spot that Karina had indicated. And it was at that point that Geoffrey seized his opportunity. Throwing himself to the side, he rolled underneath some thick bushes.
***
“Are you all right, ma dame?” Eli asked, a worried frown on his young face. The boy had a natural talent for acting.
“You said that you saw something appear on that tree.” Daud said, his face white.
“Aye,” Karina said, bringing a shaky hand to her brow. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself. “I’m not going mad. I know that I saw something there looking at me.”
“I don’t believe this,” Wouter muttered angrily. “Men, keep cutting at the vegetation. And you keep quiet, woman.” His eyes narrowed. “If you don’t do as I say, I’m leaving you behind.”
“Nay,” she said, giving a small shudder, “please don’t leave me behind.”
The leader started to walk, but then he stopped. Looking around him, a puzzled expression entered his face.
“Where’s the cripple?” His slanted gaze landed on Karina. “He was with you just a moment ago.”
“Geoffrey?” Her eyes widened in feigned shock. She made a show of looking around her as well, and started to open her mouth to speak.
“Nay,” Wouter snapped. “Don’t tell me that the green demon got him.”
“I don’t like this,” Clement said, speaking up. His eyes were bulging as if they were ready to fall from their sockets. Bringing a trembling hand up to his face, he absently brushed an insect aside. “The man simply vanished — just like Jak.” He looked behind him. “And I heard nothing —”
A noise sounded in a bush behind them. All three men jumped. As quick as lightning, they raised their swords in the air.
“Jak,” Clement gasped as if he had just seen a ghost. He lowered his weapon. “You’re alive.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” the giant said, his thick brows wrinkling. He tossed someone down at his feet.
“Who is that?” Daud asked.
“Blast if I know,” Jak said. “I found him lurking in the bushes, and I circled back to capture him.”
When the man crawled to a sitting position, Karina caught a glimpse of a familiar countenance.
“Sewallus?” she asked, momentarily confused. What was he doing here in the forest?
“You know who this is?” Wouter asked, frowning.
“’Tis the guild master’s son,” Eli said.
“I remember now,” Wouter said, studying the young merchant. “All along, ‘twas you who scared my men.”
“I — I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You know exactly what I mean,” the commander said, a dangerous glint in his eyes. He walked over to Sewallus, his steps slow and deliberate. “Why are you following us?”
“I was only trying to keep an eye on the cripple,” Sewallus said, gulping.
Wouter nodded to Jak. In response, the large knight grabbed Sewallus by the arm.
“I didn’t do any —”
The knight maneuvered behind Sewallus, wrenching the thin man’s arm up toward his shoulder blades. He let out a high-pitched shriek.
“Please! Don’t hurt him,” Karina cried, moving to grab at Jak’s beefy arms. But the giant brushed her aside.
Meanwhile Wouter continued to fix his cruel stare on Sewallus. “I find that I don’t believe your pathetic lie,” he said. “You’re working with the cripple, aren’t you?”
“Nay,” he shook his head vigorously. “I’m not working with anyone.”
The men peered down at Sewallus. With his face white and quivering, he slid on his backside, trying to move away from them.
Wouter shook his head in disgust, and flicked his wrist in the air. “Kill him, Jak.”
“Nay!” Sweallus sobbed, his eyes widened with fear. “I meant no harm!”
“Sire, wait,” Daub said. “Perhaps he can be of use to us after all.”
Wouter turned to face him, one thick eyebrow cocked.
“We can leave him as a peace-offering for the green demon.” He paused. “Perhaps if we do this, the forest spirit will leave us alone.”
The commanding knight looked as if he was about to deny him, but Karina was surprised when he said, “Fine. Tie him up.” He then beckoned Clement to follow him.
The second commander dropped the sack that he carried and rummaged through it until he pulled out a long, thick rope. He motioned for Jak to help him. Then while one man held Sewallus to a tree, the other wrapped the thick cord around the candlemaker’s torso, binding him to the trunk. All the while the guild master’s son sobbed incoherently. When their work was completed, the two men went to join their commander.
Karina went to her friend. “Why did you come here, Sewallus?”
“’Twas a mistake,” he said miserably.
“Aye, you’re right about that,” she said. “However you didn’t answer my question.”
“I wanted to make certain that…” his voice cracked at the end, and he cleared his throat before starting again. “I just wanted to make certain that Geoffrey wasn’t returning to Treville.”
“Now why would you care?” she said, leveling her eyes on his face. “The stable master means nothing to you.”
“He killed my brother.” Sewallus dropped his gaze.
“But you don’t know this. Someone else must have —” She broke off suddenly when she saw guilt creeping onto his countenance. Then understanding dawned upon her. “‘Tis true, isn’t it?” she said slowly, “you are somehow involved with Osbert’s death…”
“I didn’t mean to do it,” he said, his expression morose. “That night Osbert had too much to drink, and he began attacking my honor.” He looked up and stared unseeing at the tree behind her, as if he was reliving that moment. “I only meant to scare him, and maybe cause him a little injury.” When he began to speak again, his voice was barely audible. “I never meant to kill him.”
As his story unfolded, her opinion of him slipped until there was nothing left except for disgust. “You condemned an innocent man for your crime,” she said.
Sewallus hung his head, and made no attempt to defend himself.
“You’re going back into town,” Eli said furiously, his hand on his hips, “and you’re going to tell everyone that Geoffrey is innocent of all this — that you murdered your own brother.”
Sewallus continued to stare down at the ground, saying nothing.
“Did you hear me?” Eli demanded shrilly.
“Come, Eli,” she said, shaking her head scornfully. “Don’t waste your breath on this cowardly fool.”
She pivoted and found herself face to face with Wouter.
“The man I sent ahead to the cottage has come back with news that ‘tis empty.” He crossed his arms over his chest and glowered at her. “If you value your life, you will tell me what you know.”
Bringing her hands up, she rested them almost protectively at the base of her throat. “I know nothing, sire. ‘Twas not I that spoke with the princess, nor was it I who saw where they went.” She groped frantically in her brain for something else to say, and then blurted, “Perhaps your man missed a valuable clue. If we continue to the cottage, we might find something that can help us locate the princess.”
He gazed at her for a long moment. “You had better pray that you’re right.”
Chapter 17
“I see the cottage!” Eli said, pointing up ahead.
Relief and dread enveloped Karina when the dilapidated structure came into view. It was obvious that no one had lived there for many years, since part of the door was torn from its hinges, and the shutters had all but deteriorated. Large vines and bushes grew all around the wooden house, obscuring its foundation.
Even though it was clear that no one was present, Wouter walked boldly to the house, his determination evident. She could feel a rush of heat rise to the back of her neck. If he didn’t find any clues, what would he do to her?
All to
o soon, the outlaws pushed past the broken door and ushered them through. The smell of damp earth immediately surrounded her. As her eyes adjusted to the dim interior, she saw the clutter of furniture and dust-covered items that the woodcutter had left behind.
“Search the house,” Wouter ordered his men. But only Jak followed his command. The other two knights stood by the door, peering out into the forest.
“Do you think the green demon will be appeased by our offering?” Clement asked.
“I hope so,” Daud said, closing the broken door as best as he could. Several shafts of light came through the rotted shutters, although the room was still mostly in shadows.
“What are you two doing, standing there?” Wouter said, gritting his teeth.
Clement moved to the center of the common room. “We need to prepare in case the — the forest spirit finds us here.”
“Didn’t I tell you to cease with this talk?” Wouter said, his face becoming red.
“Even if we don’t talk about this, the problem won’t go away, sire,” Daud said, his hand clutching at the hilt of his sword. “Clement said that no one was in this cottage. And he’s right. I don’t think we’ll find any clues here. We should leave right now.”
“You would counter my command?” Wouter asked quietly.
“In all matters of war, I wouldn’t question you, sire. But we’re not dealing with men here…”
“I can’t stand this,” Clement said, “I told you that there’s something eerie about this place. I’m not staying here to find out what ‘tis. I’m leaving.”
A loud crackle sounded just outside the entrance.
Clement stopped abruptly and stared at the door.
“What is that?” Daub gripped his sword hilt tightly, causing his knuckles to turn white.
“It looks like the green demon has come for you,” Eli said.
Daub made a move to lunge at the boy, but Wouter stayed him. “You go outside, and find out what that noise is.”
“Nay,” Daud said, raising a palm in the air. “If you want to know what that noise is, why don’t you go?” He took a step back. “If you think I’m stupid enough to confront whatever is out there, then you’ve lost your mind.”
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