He no longer wanted death and bad memories following him around. This dagger had meant a lot to him at one time, but now it only symbolized misery, sadness, and deceit. He didn’t need it. If he rid himself of this cursed dagger, mayhap his life would change for the better as well.
He gripped the hilt of the dagger in his hand, looking at it one last time before he raised it above his head and flung it with all his might out into the sea. It landed with splash and disappeared under the water.
“Benedict?” He had been in such deep thought he hadn’t even heard Autumn and Nelek approaching. They rode their horses down the pier to join him. “What are you doing?”
“My lord,” said Nelek, hopping off his horse. “Did I just see you throw your dagger into the sea?”
“It’s not my dagger anymore and nor do I ever want to see it again,” Benedict told them. “Now, tell me, why are you down here? This is no place for a lady and certainly not where I want to see my wife.”
“It’s Sir Oxley,” said Autumn. “He must have overheard part of our conversation and he’s twisting the truth. He’s been telling everyone you killed Ravenscar, and he is trying to rally the men against you.”
“That doesn’t surprise me since the traitor has always wanted the position of lord of the castle,” said Benedict, shaking his head. “But I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I know my knights. Most of them are so loyal to me that they would never betray me.”
“Sir Oxley sent most of your closest knights on the hunting trip,” Nelek told him.
“What? Nay,” he said, feeling foolish not to have checked the hunting party before they left. “I told him to take a half-dozen men only.”
“He took a lot more than that and left the ones that are his closest friends behind,” said Nelek.
“Bid the devil, nay. He’s left my forces weak.”
“They’re about to get a lot weaker. Here comes Sir Oxley now, but not with the hunting party.” Nelek, pointed to a long line of warriors on horseback being led to Ravenscar Castle with Sir Oxley in the lead.
“Those aren’t your knights,” said Autumn. “Who are they?”
“Mercenaries,” spat Benedict. “Now I know what Oxley’s been doing with all the extra tax money. Damn him,” he said, running for his horse. “Sound the alarm,” he shouted toward his castle. “We are about to be attacked.”
Autumn turned her horse to return to the castle, but Benedict’s hand shot out from atop his own horse, to grab the reins to stop her. “Nay. You’re not coming.”
“Benedict, don’t be silly. Of course, I am. I’m your wife,” she protested.
“And that is why you will stay here on the ship with the merchants from town. Hide in the hold. I’ll return for you when the threat of danger has passed.”
“But -”
“I’ll not hear another word from you, Wife. Now, do as I say and do not try to follow. It is much too dangerous. Now that we’re married, you will be their target as well.”
“I cannot sit here and watch while you ride into a battle from which you might not return. Surely, there is something I can do to help.”
“Stay here,” he said again and reached over from atop his horse, pulling her against his chest in a tight hug. He kissed her and ran his hand down the side of her face. “Autumn,” he said, gently cradling her cheek in his hand. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you. I love you.”
Autumn’s heart soared to hear Benedict profess his love for her. Never had she thought the darkness in his soul would be lifted away and replaced by the light of love. She saw now that she was right never to give up hope on him. Benedict was a good, kind man, even if on the surface he still held traces of being a beast.
“Let’s go, Squire,” commanded Benedict unsheathing his sword and holding it in the air. “We have a castle to protect.”
With that, Benedict and Nelek charged their horses toward the castle, riding into the midst of a battle that was doomed from the start. Her eyes teared up as she realized Benedict and what few men he still had that were loyal to him back at the castle were severely outnumbered. There was a good chance they would all die today. She also thought about Nairnie and the children. No one was safe. The late Ravenscar had no qualms about killing women and children, and she was sure Sir Oxley wouldn’t think twice about doing it, either.
“My lady, come to safety in the hold of the ship like Lord Ravenscar told you to do,” said Wallace from behind her.
“Nay, Wallace, I can’t,” she said, staring at Benedict riding away, thinking this might be the last time she ever saw him. “I will not sit by and watch as my husband rides to his death. I will die for him if I have to, but I need to try to do something to help him.”
Thunder boomed overhead and a bolt of lightning flashed right over the castle. Then the rain started falling mercilessly as the sky opened up and dumped it right over Ravenscar as well. She kicked her heels into the sides of her horse and rode up the hill to Ravenscar Castle, wondering what she could do to help her husband and prevent him from being killed. Only a miracle could make this all end well.
Chapter 26
Autumn rode to the back of the castle, keeping to the outskirts and staying in the shadows while the battle erupted just inside the castle walls. The sounds of shouting and the clash of swords filled the air. All she could think about was Benedict and how he had told her he loved her. She wouldn’t lose him now. Not after they’d come this far together. She loved him as well and had to think of something to save him from Oxley and the mercenaries. But she was one woman without a way to protect herself, up against a small army of bloodthirsty mercenaries and warriors.
She tied the horse to a tree and sneaked over to the postern gate, feeling the stones in the wall around the door, hoping to find a hidden key. Then to her surprise, the postern gate swung open. Nairnie stood there like an angel coming to her rescue.
“Nairnie,” she said, reaching out and hugging her. “How did you know I was here?”
“I had a vision, child. I saw this happenin’ when ye went after Benedict. I’ve already warned the women in the kitchen to take cover, but I canna find the orphans.”
“I told them to head to the undercroft if there was trouble. Move aside, Nairnie I need to help Benedict.”
“I didna open this gate to let ye in and foolishly get yerself killed. I came to tell ye to go hide in the woods or the town for safety.”
“I won’t hide away while not only Benedict but also the people of Ravenscar are in trouble! They need help. I am lady of the castle now and I will do what is required of me.”
“What could ye possibly do, lassie?”
Lightning flashed and thunder crashed, making her jump. The rain continued to pour down, soaking them both.
“I don’t know, but I have to try. Nairnie, I love Benedict! He told me at the dock that he loves me, but I was so shocked I didn’t even get a chance to tell him I loved him, too.”
“Benedict said that?” she asked in surprise.
“He did. Don’t you see? He’s not the beast that people believe him to be. He has a good heart and there is light in his soul. I have a heart, too. If you don’t step aside and let me in, it is going to be broken. I have to do something to help save the man I love.”
Nairnie stared at her for a moment and then she finally nodded her head. Stepping aside, she allowed Autumn to enter. “I understand, Lady Autumn. If I had the chance to go back and try to do somethin’ to save the son I loved and lost, I wouldna want anyone to block my path, either. Just be careful, and think before ye make a move.”
“Thank you, Nairnie. Now get yourself to safety.”
“I love Benedict, too,” she told her. “I might have lost Cato, but the devil be damned if I’m goin’ to lose a second son. I will do whatever it takes to help Benedict, too.”
“Thank you, Nairnie,” Autumn said with a smile. “Now tell me, what do you think we can do?”
Benedict fought two men at once, bringin
g them down with a mighty blow of his sword. The rain pelted down around them, making the courtyard slippery. Servants and the occupants of the castle screamed and ran in fright. If any of them got in Oxley’s way, he just killed them.
“Oxley, you coward,” shouted Benedict, seeing him take down a young woman carrying her child. She was only a servant, but that didn’t matter to Benedict. These were his people and he would fight to the death to protect every one of them.
“You’re next,” said Oxley, fighting his way toward Benedict.
“My lord, we’re severely outnumbered. We need help,” said Nelek, fighting like a madman as well. There were some loyal knights left to fight on their side but, like Nelek said, they were outnumbered. There looked to be little hope of walking away alive.
“Keep fighting, Squire. I’m hoping the hunting party heard the warning bell and is headed back to help us,” shouted Benedict. “I’m just glad Autumn is safe back at the ship.”
“Aye,” said Nelek. “That is, if she listened to you.”
“Of course she did,” said Benedict. “Why wouldn’t she? She’s my wife. She knows better than to ignore my command.”
Oxley ran forward and Benedict’s sword clashed with his.
“You’ll never get away with this, Oxley,” shouted Benedict.
“That’s Sir Oxley to you,” shouted the man.
“Call off your men and I’ll let you go free.”
“Just like you let the prisoner go free, you fool?” snapped Oxley. “You are weak and should never have become the next lord of Ravenscar. You killed our liege lord. I only wish I had thought of it first. But that doesn’t matter now since, in a few minutes, you’ll be dead and everything that’s yours, including your little healer wife, will be mine!” He laughed, making Benedict want to kill him more than ever.
“Nay! I’ll die before I let you do that.” Benedict lunged forward, but Oxley twisted to the side and Benedict shot past him. He tried to stop and turn but the rain made the courtyard slippery, and he lost his footing for a second. It was just the break Oxley needed to knock Benedict’s sword from his hand and push him to the ground.
Benedict reached for his dagger - but his hand came up empty. Now he regretted getting rid of his father’s blade so soon.
“Goodbye, you fool,” laughed Oxley, raising his sword for the final blow.
“Nay!” came the shout of Autumn as she shot out from the shadows. Benedict saw Nairnie standing a short distance behind her.
“No,” he groaned, this being the last thing he wanted. Oxley turned his head for just a second and Benedict jumped up, knocking into him and going for his sword. However, a mercenary got there first.
“I’ve got him,” the mercenary said, raising his sword to Benedict.
“Nay, I want to be the one to kill him,” snapped Oxley. “Just apprehend him.” Two of the mercenaries took hold of Benedict’s arms and he fought like a madman to try to break free. He punched one and grabbed the sword of the other and was about to run it through the man’s heart when Oxley’s words stopped him.
“Put down the sword or she dies, Ravenscar.”
He looked up to see Oxley holding a sword to Autumn’s throat.
“Nay! Don’t hurt her,” he cried out.
“Drop the sword,” Oxley said again. Then without another thought, Benedict did as commanded. His sword clattered to the ground at his feet.
“Sir Oxley, the hunting party is arriving,” shouted a man from the battlements.
“Close the gate!” yelled Oxley, but it was too late. Benedict saw Sir Gawain ride over the drawbridge with the others before the gate came down. “I don’t have time for this,” said Oxley, reaching out and pressing his mouth against Autumn’s in a kiss. She bit his lip, causing him to jerk upright. His hand raised up to hit her.
“Don’t touch her, Oxley. That’s my wife!” shouted Benedict.
“Not for long,” sneered Oxley. “She’ll be my wife as soon as I kill you.” He pushed Autumn hard and she fell to the ground. Then he started toward Benedict.
Autumn watched in horror as Oxley walked toward Benedict with his sword drawn, ready to kill her husband. Benedict, who was weaponless, was being held back by two guards. She knew she had to act fast if she were going to save her husband’s life. So, she blurted out the first thing that came to her mind.
“If you kill him, I won’t help you.”
“Help me?” Oxley chuckled and turned back toward her. “What could you possibly do to help me?”
Her mind went blank. Benedict’s life depended on her answer and she couldn’t think of a thing to say.
“She has the power of the healin’ touch,” stated Nairnie, stepping out of the shadows. The battle continued all around them. Black swirling clouds loomed in the threatening sky overhead.
“What does that mean?” growled Oxley.
“She can be an asset in times of war,” said Nairnie. “Even when ye dinna have the herbs or supplies to treat yer wounded, she can heal them with her touch.”
“Nairnie, nay,” said Autumn shaking her head. She couldn’t heal anyone with her touch anymore. She seemed to have lost that skill. Nairnie knew this. What was she doing?
“Is this right?” Oxley asked Autumn.
Autumn looked at Benedict and their eyes interlocked. She loved him and would do whatever it took to save him. “Yes, it’s true,” she said. “I can heal with my touch but will not do it if you hurt my husband.”
“I have a better idea.” Oxley held the tip of his sword to Benedict’s neck. “You agree to help me without any stipulations or I will kill him right in front of your eyes.”
Autumn stood up, feeling the anger fill her body. She would not show this man weakness and she would not let him kill Benedict. If he knew how much her husband meant to her, it was going to get him killed. She had to bluff.
“Go ahead and kill him, but then you will have to kill me, too. I will never help you if you take Benedict’s life.”
“Arrgh! Throw him in the dungeon for now,” snapped Oxley. “And kill the old woman.”
Autumn’s heart jumped to her throat. Her eyes shot over to Benedict for help.
“Kill her,” said Benedict and that made Autumn gasp. “It is that old crone’s visions that are the cause of all this.”
“Visions? What kind of visions?” asked Oxley, being superstitious, like most everyone else.
Autumn was about to cry out when Nairnie, very coolly answered. “I told Benedict just this morning that I saw his death.”
“Nay!” shouted Autumn, trying to run to Benedict but one of Oxley’s men held her back.
“My visions are always correct, especially visions of death,” said Nairnie. “Isna that right, Lady Autumn?”
“Yes, there are,” Autumn said just above a whisper. “Oh, Nairnie, why didn’t you tell me this before?” She couldn’t help herself and started crying.
Benedict spoke next. “She also didn’t tell you that she saw Sir Oxley as not only Lord of Ravenscar but with a fleet of ships raiding the coast all the way up to Scotland.”
“You did?” asked Oxley, the tip of his sword lowering. “How do I know this is true? You might just be trying to help him, old woman. After all, I heard the rumor he was like a son to you at one time.”
“He’s no son of mine. He left me!” shouted Nairnie. She made her way toward Benedict. “I despise this man and want nothin’ to do with him again.” Then to Autumn’s surprise, Nairnie spat on the ground at Benedict’s feet. “I answer to ye and ye alone now, Laird Ravenscar,” said Nairnie, kneeling on the ground and kissing Oxley’s feet. That’s when Autumn realized that Nairnie and Benedict were playing a very dangerous game. She had fallen for it, and she hoped that Oxley would, too.
“Get up, you old crone,” said Oxley, lowering his sword from Benedict. “Men, throw him in the dungeon and take the girl to the solar and lock her inside. I’ll be sowing my seed within her as soon as I handle the rest of these fools.”
“Nay, leave her alone,” shouted Benedict as they hauled him away to the dungeon. He fought against the men, but they held him tight. “You so much as touch her and I’ll have your head, Oxley, do you hear me?”
“I hear nothing,” said Oxley with a chuckle. “Now, someone take the girl to the solar and lock her inside.
Autumn caught Nairnie’s eye and silently begged her for help.
“Excuse me, my laird, but the solar is the first place her bastard brathairs will look for her,” said Nairnie.
“Bastard brothers?” he asked.
“I’ve seen them in a vision comin’ to the castle,” she continued. “They are already almost here.”
“My brothers will kill you,” warned Autumn.
“The bastard triplets of the king?” asked Oxley.
“Aye, that is them,” said Nairnie, struggling to get to her feet. “If ye lock her in the tower, instead, ye’ll have more time to fight them off before they get to her.”
“Take her to the south tower,” said Oxley, turning to go.
“The thief boy is in that one, my laird,” said Nairnie. “Perhaps the north tower would be more secure.”
“Aye, take her there,” he said, turning and rejoining the fight.
Autumn knew now that everything Nairnie did was to help her and Benedict. The guard hauled her away and locked her in the north tower. As soon as she heard him turn the key in the lock, she darted for the secret trap door and pulled it open. She quickly lit a candle. Taking it with her, she made her way down the ladder and headed directly to the undercroft where she found Iona, Ishbel, Enar, and Rab huddling in a dark corner.
“Children, it’s me, Lady Autumn,” she said, making her presence known.
“Lady Autumn, we’re so frightened,” said Iona, as the children ran to her and hugged her.
“Don’t worry. Everything is going to be all right. But right now, we need to think of a way to get Lord Ravenscar out of the dungeon.”
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