Knowing Yourself - A Medieval Romance (The Sword of Glastonbury Series Book 1)

by Lisa Shea

  She shook her head, almost taking a step backwards. She could not do it. It was too much to ask of her, after everything else she had gone through. She could not tell Reese like this. Not with everyone watching, not in the middle of this crowd -

  Galeron chuckled. “Ah, Kay,” he prodded, “Come now, is it that hard to be truthful with Reese? He is a man of honor, after all. Surely now that you have chosen to leave him you can stop lying to him.”

  Kay winced at Galeron’s choice of words. She saw a furrow of doubt ripple through Reese’s face. She could not do it. Not here. Not like this.

  Galeron cheerfully sighed. “Or would you rather I phrase it? Let’s see -”

  Kay rushed through the words to get them out before Galeron could further twist the situation and drive Reese away from her forever. “This whole week has been a lie,” she burst out, her face flushing crimson with shame. “I am not who I said I was.” Her throat constricted, and she could barely continue, her heart pounding in near panic. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “My full name is not Kay. I am … I am Keren-happuch.”

  The silence hung in the room for a long moment, and Kay’s heart thundered to near bursting. He had already left her once. Would this cause him to turn away completely?

  Reese’s face held disbelief and shock. Finally he gave himself a small shake, turning. “But then who …?” He brought his eyes around to gaze at Em, and his focus went from her round belly to the man who stood protectively by her side.

  Galeron chimed in gleefully. “Yes, indeed, that blonde sphere is her elder sister, Mary Magdalene. With her lawfully wedded husband, I would assume, judging by the jealous streak so easily prodded at.”

  He stood and nodded to Jack, who also got to his feet. “So there you have it, oh honorable Reese. Everything our little Kay here has told you is a lie. She has been merely playing out her silly little game. We all witnessed her seductive manipulations with Uther, how she toyed with him to learn his secrets. Now you realize you were simply another pawn she moved at her pleasure.”

  He spread his arms wide, and the men began moving around the table, herding the people toward the door. “I am afraid I will now have to ask you all to leave. The mercenaries are coming, after all, and I would hate to have to mow you down for not being the agreed on distance from the castle before then.” He casually dropped his hand to his sword hilt. Jack matched his movement, an eager gleam in his eye.

  Eric dropped his hand to his hip in response and swore as it swept empty air. He instantly moved in front of Em, shielding her with his body.

  Reese’s voice was tight and low. He brought his gaze to return to her face.

  “Kay?”

  Kay turned her head away, hearing the pain saturated in that one word, unwilling to look in the grey-green eyes which reminded her of the rolling ocean waves. She knew she would see the hurt and shock at the revelation that every moment of their time together had been based on lies.

  Would he believe in Galeron’s insinuations, and assume that her actions were part of the game and not based on her real feelings? As Galeron had so pointedly stated, Reese had seen her playing a part with Uther, that night in the chapel. Would he assume that her times with him were part of that same play-acting? The thought wrenched at her heart, twisting her in agony.

  But she could not say anything further now, not when it was critical that the castle clear out quickly. She needed for the enemy soldiers to settle down into quiet so that she could set her plan into motion. She had to trust that things would work out, that Reese would forgive her …

  Galeron made a waving motion with his hands. “Shoo, shoo.”

  Kay leant back against the table, her heart racing, her eyes at the floor. In a moment the group was pushed through the door, with Galeron, Jack, and the soldiers following them. The heavy wood door was pulled shut behind them, leaving the solar empty.

  Kay slid slowly to the floor, crumpled, utterly exhausted, her thoughts racing in a million directions.

  She had done it. She had fooled Galeron; had remained behind in the keep. She had kept alive their one chance to retake it before morning, before the mercenaries arrived to make the conquest complete. Her sister was safely out, and Kay breathed in overwhelming relief at that. Her sister would be safe.

  And Reese …

  A cry of anguish spilled out of her. She rolled on her side, curled up, and lett the tears flow unabated. No matter how her sister and father might try to spin the events, no matter how they justified it to him, he might never forgive her for the things she had said and done. She might have just lost him forever.

  She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, steadying herself. She would have the rest of her life to mourn Reese, if he had lost faith in her. But right now she had less than twenty-four hours to regain control of her keep. The first challenge was making sure someone knew what she was up to without Galeron finding out.

  She wiped the tears from her face and made her way over to the window. Eric was supporting Em as they walked through the main gates together, and her father was just behind them. Ahead by the ring of trees her father’s troops were already setting up camp. She had no doubt they wanted to see for themselves if the mercenaries were going to show up tomorrow.

  But how could she be sure that Reese would remember about the tunnels? She had been afraid to utter even a word when Galeron was in the room. Galeron’s insightful mind would have picked up on even the slightest of hints that she was conspiring against him. Had she lost her only chance?

  Her eyes dropped down to the wall – and her heart stopped. Reese was standing there, looking up at her, motionless. She leant forward out the window, holding her breath. She felt as if she were balanced on a knife’s edge.

  He brought his hand to his chest, and after a moment, gave a low bow, holding it in respect. When he stood again, she could see the tenderness, the understanding glowing from his eyes. She staggered back against the edge of the window frame. He understood that she truly cared for him; that her feelings for him had been honest. A fresh wind of hope swept through her. Perhaps he could forgive her for the lies she had been forced to tell.

  Reese glanced toward the gate, and Kay saw Leland waving him down, to head out to meet with the rest. She realized that she was running out of time. If she was going to get a message to him, now was her only chance.

  She looked around quickly. She needed something to write with … the red clock candle! She ran to the end table and grabbed the candle, racing back to the window. Reese was still standing there, looking up at her. Her eyes scanned the wall … a few of Galeron’s soldiers were up there as well, and now some had turned to look at her.

  She had to write something that Reese would understand – but that the soldiers would find harmless. There had to be no hint that any danger lay in the next twenty four hours. Her mind raced for a solution.

  She looked down at Reese and it came to her with a simple clarity. She carefully settled herself astride the window’s ledge, holding onto the edge of the window firmly with her left hand, then leant out with her right to face the outer stone wall of the keep. She pressed the candle against the weathered grey stone, and slowly, carefully, drew a giant, red heart.

  Reese gazed up at her for a long moment, then slowly lowered himself down on one knee.

  Tears sprang to her eyes, and for a moment a flood of emotions overwhelmed her. Here she had been worried about Reese abandoning her for the lies, and instead he loved her, he truly loved her. She rested her head against the warm stone, the tears flowing down her face. She knew he could not hear her, but the words came to her lips just the same.

  “I love you, Reese.”

  He looked down sharply again, as if he’d been called, and panic swelled within her. He could not leave, not before she knew he understood. She waved her hand over her head, catching Reese’s attention again; drawing his eyes back to hers. Then quickly she wrote out, in the heart, “KAY +”. She turned her head to hold his gaze, every fib
er of her being pleading with him to see the connection, to understand her message.

  He stood slowly, staring at the heart, and then suddenly it was as if his body snapped to attention. He looked over the wall at the gathered troops, then back up to her, his movements quick and full of resolve. Then he was in motion, taking the stairs two at a time, sprinting across the courtyard and then running full tilt through the main gates. A pair of soldiers began clearing away the remnants of the large doors, and the drawbridge – sporting a fresh, solidly made hinge, slowly began to raise.

  Kay climbed back into the room and sat down wearily on the bench. The plan had been put into motion. Now she had less than twenty-four hours to see it through.

  Chapter 17

  A wave of exhaustion tumbled over Kay, and she let her head fall into her hands for a long moment, desperately marshaling her strength. Her legs throbbed in pain, her shoulders ached, and her eyes were having trouble staying focused. She could not remember the last night she had slept soundly. Maybe if she spared a few hours to rest, she would be primed to assist when night fell and the outside forces were able to move into action.

  She shook her head, pushing aside the thought with force. She could not let her men come into the situation blind. It was her duty to scout out the situation, to know where the guards had been stationed, and to do all she could to help the invasion succeed.

  She chuckled wryly as she pushed herself back to a standing position. Of all things, for her to be planning an attack on Serenor! Only a few days ago it would have seemed the most unlikely scenario she could possibly imagine.

  She moved slowly over to the door, cautious of her injured legs, and pulled it open. There were no guards stationed on the other side, and the staircase seemed quiet. She took the steps with care, making her way down the long spiral to the first floor. Several men lounged at the various tables, sipping at ale or playing dice. One or two looked up at her approach, then dismissed her without a second glance.

  Good. She would not be watched as she went about her explorations.

  She moved back into the stairwell, continuing down to the lower floor. Her first order of business was to examine the cellar again, to clear out any boxes or bags which might block the tunnel wall. She wanted the incursion to be as risk-free as possible for Reese and the others.

  She reached the barracks floor, and again the few men present paid her little heed as she moved back toward the storeroom and cellar door area. She just had to round the corner and …

  Kay froze in unbelieving shock. An iron frame had been bolted to the stonework around the door, holding a thickly grilled portcullis in place. A pair of hinges on one side would let the gate swing free, but a sturdy lock hung from the other edge, securely keeping the metal grid closed.

  Kay fought to keep from sinking to her knees in abject horror. There was no way the men could get through that metal in one evening, never mind without attracting the attention of every soldier within the keep complex. The plan was lost. She was lost. She was trapped in Serenor, of her own volition, and tomorrow her family would abandon her to her fates. Reese would leave her …

  Her world closed in on her, drowning her …

  “It is a bit of a shock, I know,” came a calm voice over her shoulder.

  She drew in a long breath, not turning to face Galeron, not wanting him to see how much the grill had affected her. She fought to keep her voice as steady as she could. “Yes, I had not expected changes so soon.”

  Galeron came quickly around to her side, his eyes sharp. “You sound awful,” he commented, looking down at her. “What is it?”

  Kay looked down, her mind racing. She could not allow him to be suspicious. There had to be a way to salvage the situation, if only she could think. But her mind was fuzzy, exhausted …

  “I think I need some food,” she admitted truthfully. “Between my leg wound, and the events -”

  “Of course!” agreed Galeron, his gaze gentling. “I should have realized that myself. I apologize. Here, come to the pantry. A meal is exactly what you need.”

  He took her arm and escorted her around the corner through the workroom. Kay’s heart dropped even further. A similar metal grill was now on the pantry door as well, sealed with a solid lock.

  Galeron followed her gaze and smiled. “My dear, while you might be trusting of your staff, you will find I take a much more pragmatic view on things.” He pulled a heavy key from a pouch on his belt, fitting it into the keyhole. “This key unlocks both gates. If ever you need access to either room, feel free to ask me. I will be glad to come escort you in and out of the pantry or cellar.”

  He undid the lock, pulling open the grill and then the wooden door behind it. Together they moved into the pantry. The small room was lined with wall to ceiling shelves, filled with a variety of breads, cheeses, dried meats, and fruits.

  Kay’s mind was a whirl of confusion. The cellar door was locked. She could hardly ask Galeron to open it for her, to wait patiently while Reese and the others bludgeoned their way through the wall to free the keep from the hostile invaders.

  Everything hinged on that key.

  “Could I see the key?” she asked, her voice fragrant with curiosity. Just what was this nemesis which now confronted her?

  Galeron shrugged, handing over the metal object. It was perhaps four inches in length, constructed of a solid shaft with a fairly basic pattern at one end. She stared at it in fascination. Such a simple thing to thwart the saviors from entering. Why, it was something a child could carve.

  A flash of hope shot through her. Stephen could certainly carve a key like this, if only he had a model to work from. It only had to work once, after all. If he made it with the hardest wood he had available, and she greased it to turn carefully, it might just succeed.

  It was the only chance she had.

  But how could she make a mold of it?

  She glanced around the room again, and her eyes lit on the blocks of cheese. Not the goat’s cheese – that would crumble and lose the impression. The newer sheep’s cheese would be gooey, unable to hold a form. But … there! She moved over to a rich yellow form and sunk a finger into it. The hole she made stayed perfectly in shape, conforming to her finger’s size.

  She turned with a quick movement, putting her back to the cheese, her mind seeking for something to distract Galeron with. He would sense if she began babbling idle chatter; it had to be authentic.

  A thought blazed in her mind, and she looked up with curiosity.

  “Galeron, now that you have won the game, I am intrigued – just how did you manage to get the other men eliminated? It seemed in each case that you had a hand in the results.”

  Galeron’s face lit up in delight, and he leant against one of the side walls. “My dear, you almost match me in your powers of observation,” he praised her. “Yes, of course I developed a detailed plan for each man the moment the game began. I carefully charted a path to ensure that they would fall one by one.”

  Kay slid the key around behind her with one hand, seeking with her fingers for the cheese. There, it was just behind her now. She pressed the key with careful attention down into its firm top, giving even pressure to make a good impression.

  Kay gave him a smile. “So, Uther, the flamboyant peacock. I recall that you encouraged me to sit next to him. Was that so I could see his true nature?”

  Galeron chuckled, his eyes sparkling. “Oh, my darling, I did more than that,” he admitted with glee. “I scoffed at his stories of conquests in London. I stated in no uncertain terms that I did not believe him. On the ride here I challenged him to bed even three women in the keep within three days, to prove he was the great lover he claimed to be. I knew his pride would not allow him to refuse.”

  Kay’s eyes widened. So it was Galeron’s doings that Uther was so aggressive in those opening days!

  She was becoming fascinated with Galeron’s machinations. “And Alistair? Was he even a threat, with his tenuous nature?”

&nbs
p; Galeron smiled with delight. “Alistair was not tenuous at all when we met at Lord Weston’s keep. I found him intelligent and immensely well read. However, he quickly became almost paralyzed with horror when I regaled him with countless tales of the sickness which infected Serenor. He was soon convinced that, if he got even the slightest scratch, that the disease here would kill him off – after a horribly slow, lingering illness, of course. He became petrified that even the slightest nick could be his last.”

  Kay shook her head. Galeron’s work had certainly been thorough. She wondered what impressions she might have had of the men if she had met them untainted, before Galeron’s lies had done their work.

  She tested the cheese mold with her fingers. The edges of the first impression seemed well defined and firm. Carefully she rolled the key over and pressed the opposite side into the unmarked area of the cheese block.

  “Jack had almost been in the running,” she commented with interest. “Until that day at the village.”

  Galeron nodded. “He might have remained, had I not warned him about Keren-happuch’s hatred of weak men,” he agreed. “I told Jack that Keren despised her father’s mamby-pamby ways with the servants, reviled how cosseted the villagers were. I explained to Jack that she was seeking a real man, a man of firm action and determination.”

  “Of course you did,” responded Kay, seeing the events of the past days in a new light. “Although, to be fair, it seems in each case you simply emphasized a defect which already existed. The men went along with your suggestions, considering them natural.”

  A band constricted her heart, and she had to take in a breath before she asked her next question. “And Reese?”

  Galeron rolled off the wall and took a step toward her with a smile. She froze, immediately withdrawing the key from the cheese. She wrapped it in the fabric of the back of her dress, trying with only minimal movements to wipe any cheese remnants off the key.