by Lisa Shea
“The cellar …” he stated slowly, his eyes sharpening. “Do not tell me there are tunnels that I missed?”
Kay’s mouth drew into a smile. “Your lists cannot hold everything, after all,” she countered sweetly. “Now it is time to finish reclaiming what is mine.”
She turned to Reese, and he moved over to the main doors, pressing them open. Together the group moved to the top steps, standing in the bright moonlight, their soldiers moving to fill in behind them. The movement on the wall stuttered to a stop as the men guarding it took in the situation and turned to face their new threat.
Jevan pulled his knife blade closer against Galeron’s throat. “You threatened my young boys and the people I hold most dear,” he reminded Galeron in a low growl. “Do not think I have any compunction about gutting you from nose to tail.”
Galeron did not hesitate. “Put down your arms,” he called out to the remaining solders. “They have taken the keep, and we need to regroup. Drop your weapons and come down peacefully.”
There was a long moment of hesitation. Reese stepped forward, his voice carrying across the courtyard. “We have the gold, too,” he pointed out evenly. “We will let you go without harm, if you come down now. Otherwise you will be slain where you stand, and with no chance of being paid either.”
That seemed to settle it for most of them. One by one their swords fell clanging onto the stone or wood, and they filed down the narrow steps. They allowed their hands to be tied behind their back by the soldiers of Weston’s forces.
There was a soft golden glow in the sky, and Kay’s heart swelled with a wave of joy. She had done it. Her keep had been saved. It was all over.
Eric mounted the ramparts, and his voice came short and sharp down to them. “The mercenaries are coming,” he warned.
Kay started to run toward the stairs. Bolts of pain shot through her legs, and they gave way almost immediately. She bit back the scream that welled up within her. Reese was at her side catching her; holding her up. He swept her into his arms, and in a moment he was carrying her up the stairs, Leland close behind them. Jevan prodded Galeron along to stand nearby.
Kay had to admit that the mercenaries’ forces were more than impressive. The troop moved with well-practiced precision and was amply provisioned.
Eric glanced at the small group of troops which had remained by the camp to watch over his wife and father-in-law. The muscles in his jaw clenched.
Kay gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder. “The mercenaries will be gone in a moment,” she promised in a low voice. “I will never see my sister or father hurt.”
She leant forward. “You there! Who is the commander of your troop?”
A tall bear of a man rode to the front, looking up at the group on the wall, his eyes running over each in turn. “I am Joshua,” he responded in a commanding voice. “And who might you be?”
Kay stood tall, giving herself as strong a presence as she could gather. “I am Keren-happuch,” she announced, “Owner and protector of this keep.” She glanced sideways at Galeron. “The man who thought to be my husband, and co-owner of these lands, has lost his bet. He has also lost the gold that is my dowry.” Her mouth turned up into a smile. “I am afraid he can no longer pay for your services.”
Joshua gazed at her evenly for a long moment, then turned his gaze on Galeron. His eyes went to the knife held at Galeron’s throat; to the men who stood in fierce resolve at Kay’s side.
There was a long breath where a breeze moved through the open landscape, causing the leaves on the ring of trees to rustle and flutter.
Then, with the pull of a rein, Joshua turned. His group circled. Without another word the troop of men moved off toward the south at a steady trot. The noise echoed as the force became more distant, moved along a ridge, and then faded completely from sight.
A cheer rang out from her father’s camp, echoed heartily by the soldiers within the keep. In a moment the drawbridge rattled its way down to an open position. It was only minutes before Em was riding in with an escort of soldiers, Eric was running to help her down, and they were entwined in a laughing embrace.
Leland strode down the stairs, mounting and riding out toward the remaining troops. By the time Reese had carefully assisted Kay in moving down the steps and over to her sister, her father’s forces were already consolidating around her in the courtyard. The remnants hurriedly scrambled across the drawbridge, and the large, wooden beams were lifted up, securely closing with a muffled thud.
The prisoners were herded into the stables under close guard. Leland rolled his shoulders in relief as he came over to Kay and Reese. “That is everyone,” he reported. “There is no person – friendly or enemy - left outside the keep walls.”
Em’s arms came close around Kay, drawing her in, and for the first time in days Kay’s pains melted away.
Em pressed her forehead against Kay’s. “I am so proud of you,” she whispered with a smile. “You did it. You saved your keep.”
Leland’s eyes went up to Reese who was standing at Kay’s side. “It was both of them,” he pointed out with an understanding nod. “Their teamwork was what turned the tide in this situation.”
Reese stepped forward to slide his arm around Kay’s waist, his fingers tenderly cinching him to her side. A warm glow infused her. She leant against him, and it was as if the sky had become brushed with golden light.
Jevan’s voice cut into her blissful world. “So, what do we do with this traitor?” he snapped, giving a prod to Galeron. He still held his knife’s blade at Galeron’s neck, and Kay could see a thin line of blood forming along its length.
She let out a deep breath. Everything had worked out quite well. She had Reese by her side. Em and Eric were safe and together. And, after all, Galeron had strove to ensure his aims were achieved without anyone being hurt. He had been an enemy, yes, but he had worked in a logical manner. He had treated them with respect. Even when he had the upper hand, he had ensured innocents were kept safe.
She gently separated herself from Reese, then walked to stand in front of Jevan and Galeron. She looked up into Galeron’s dark eyes for a long moment, then nodded to Jevan.
“Let him go,” she requested, her voice sure and serene.
There was a chorus of grumbles from the circle around her, and Jevan harshly shook his head. “The man deserves to be hung,” he snapped in anger.
Kay drew her eyes to Jevan, remaining still. “He treated your boys well, Jevan,” she pointed out. “There was food and drink for all. No person was mistreated while he stayed with us.” Her eyes moved back to Galeron’s. “His crime was to crave ownership of Serenor a bit too strongly. It is hard for me to fault him in that.”
Leland’s voice rang out behind her. “And what if he comes back, now that he knows our layout inside and out, and launches a fresh attack?”
Kay steadily held Galeron’s gaze. “Would you vow never to return to Serenor, once you departed our walls?”
Galeron immediately nodded, his neck stretched against the blade. “I vow to never return to Serenor on my honor and life,” he agreed, his eyes clear and sure. “It would not be logical for me to try again. I made my best attempt and failed. It is time for me to move on to other priorities.”
Kay searched for any sign of deception within Galeron’s gaze, but he seemed to be completely honest in his statement. She looked again at Jevan. There was a long moment of hesitation as the soldier looked across the men standing around the open courtyard.
Then, with a movement half of frustration, he removed the knife from Galeron’s neck.
Galeron allowed himself to smile, bringing his hand to his neck and wiping offhandedly at the streak of blood. He then gave a long stretch, rubbing his hands on his lower back to relieve the strain there, before standing straight again.
“Thank you, Kay,” he sighed in relief. “I knew I would be able to count on your honorable nature.” He offered his hand to her.
Kay stepped forward to take it.<
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Her world spun as he gave a hard, forward yank. The thrust threw her off balance on her pain-lanced legs, wrapped her around, and in a heartbeat she was pinned hard against his chest, a knife held sharp against her throat. His other hand wrapped firmly around her waist. Her legs throbbed in agony at the twisting movement, and she could barely hold herself upright.
The men surrounding her froze in a tableau of shock, hands partway to their weapons. They were locked in place by the blade against her throat.
Kay choked against the pressure of the knife. “Galeron …?”
He chuckled down at her, his eyes not leaving the ring of furious men. He slowly took a step back to separate from them, then two. “Serenor is a castle of stone, and many others like it exist out there in the world,” he mused in a calm, logical tone. “However, you, my dear, you are quite unique. My new priority is to have you by my side. With our combined efforts, no future project will end in failure. Your escapades last night have proven that beyond any shadow of a doubt.”
Reese’s voice was steely and rang with iron promise. “Let her go, and your death might be swift rather than long,” he vowed.
Galeron gave a twist to his blade, and Kay felt a trickle of warm blood trail down her neck. Reese froze in place, his jaw clenching, and Galeron gave a low laugh. “I have the upper hand here,” he reminded Reese. “I could torture her with every step and still end up with a live hostage at the end. But you – you never know when my wrist might bite a little too deep.”
He pulled Kay back toward the keep, and she stumbled, her legs screaming out their resistance at every step. She struggled to draw a breath, to make some sense of the situation.
“Galeron, this is madness. You could have left on your own, free and clear. Is it logical to burden yourself with an injured hostage? Let me go, and you can escape to wherever you wish!”
Galeron worked his way up the keep steps, his knife steady at her throat, moving into the entryway and then into the deserted barracks area. Reese and the others followed at a safe distance, their eyes alert on every movement.
“Ah, my dear, but this is exactly what my backup plan entailed. If I could not have the keep, I would never leave empty-handed. With you at my side, we can take on any keep we wish and rule it together.”
He tugged her along in front of the cellar door, and then moved into the archway, stepping back onto the landing. He pressed the knife into her throat and she froze in place. She balanced carefully as he released the hand from around her waist. Kay’s heart sank in panic as Galeron brought the large iron grate closed, separating her from Reese. Galeron carefully withdrew the key from his pouch and sealed the lock from within with a loud CLICK.
Her voice nearly broke. “I could never love you, never love any keep the way I love Serenor,” she protested, shaking her head. “Your plan cannot work.”
He smiled paternally at her, tucking the key back into its pouch. “You would be surprised what a person can get used to,” he countered. “Certainly, for a while you would be upset; would hold to your beliefs. But over time you would come to accept your new situation in life. You would come to look on me first as a friend and then as a loved one. The human mind adjusts to the world it is in. Just wait and see.”
Kay’s eyes moved to meet Reese’s and she saw the glow of determination in them. She knew with absolute certainty that the moment it was safe he would come barreling through that gate by whatever means necessary.
His eyes held Kay’s with resolve. “You stay alive,” he murmured. “We will find you, no matter what it takes. You just do what you have to do.”
She drew in a long breath, then nodded at him, sending him every ounce of her love, belief, and resolution.
“I will wait for you,” she promised with quiet determination. “No matter how long it takes.”
Galeron chuckled, shaking his head. “Passion is always hot to start. We will see how it cools, once the separation is begun.”
His eyes swung to look at Reese. “Speaking of which, let me remind you of the terms of my game. I see one flicker of light behind me, and Kay receives a cut. I smell one hint of torch pitch, and Kay receives a cut. I hear any sound of footstep - you know the consequences. If you want Kay to make it out of here alive, you will allow us unfettered conduct through these tunnels and out to sea.” His eyes swept the group calmly. “Kay’s fate is in your hands, gentlemen. See that you care for it properly.”
He closed the wooden door in their faces.
He backed his way down the stairway with Kay, taking each torch that he passed and tossing it back into the depths. Only the one lit one remained as he reached the gaping hole in the wall. That one he took in his hand, finally turning his back on the door.
He drew the knife away from Kay’s throat, holding the torch close to her face while he quickly sheathed it. Then he latched a firm grip on her wrist.
“Do not think I would be above adding a burn or two to your repertoire, should you fail to be anything but docile,” he warned her in a calm tone. “The better you behave, the quicker we get through this next part of our journey.
He ran his eyes down her body, and a smile flitted on his lips. “Think of this as your endurance test, to see if you are worthy to stand by my side,” he added.
Then he was plunging into the darkness, dragging her alongside him. The world narrowed down to the flickering sphere of torchlight, with nothing else existing beyond it.
Chapter 19
Kay’s world was reduced to hesitant footfalls, the pained intakes of each breath, and the darkness that pressed in from every side. She had lost track of time and space. The torch created a flickering sphere of visibility immediately around them, but beyond that was a twisted, dream-like world of dripping water, fluttering bats, falling rocks, and musty, rank smells. The tunnels seemed to twist and turn without logic. She could have sworn that they doubled back enough times to be directly beneath the keep on at least five separate occasions.
There was never a glimpse of light, never the sound of pursuit. Never the remotest sense that saviors were coming to draw her away from her captor.
She tripped over an outcropping for what must have been the hundredth time. She turned her head toward Galeron’s in the gloom.
“Please, can we rest for just -”
His left hand crushed down firmly on her arm, jerking her against him, and the torch flamed toward her face in a threatening gesture. She bit off her request with a quick intake of breath, turning her head from the glare and heat. He continued the forward trudge as quickly as they could manage across the rocky terrain.
A flutter of panic swirled through her heart. Until now Galeron had been many things, but a calm current of logic had always underpinned each of his actions. In this maze of inky tunnels and chaotic turns, however, his demeanor has begun to drastically change. He had taken to muttering to himself at intersections, cursing the uselessness of his lists and charts. His clutching grip on her arm had long since cut off the feeling in her hand. His movements had become short, furtive - the penned-in actions of a caged rat.
He stumbled to a stop before yet another separation of the tunnels, and Kay wearily looked around her. The combination of the strength of his grip, the heat of the flame, and the jagged pain in her legs meant that escape was the furthest thing from her mind. She was barely able to focus on staying upright, on remaining by his side in the labyrinth of stagnant pools and slimy slabs of stone. Kay knew these networks ran for miles and featured deep drop-offs and jagged pits. Every footfall was a risky proposition.
Galeron yanked her into motion, taking the left-hand tunnel, and her arm scraped a sharp-edged protuberance as she made the turn. She hissed in sharply, biting down on her pain, feeling yet another raw wound open up and trickle blood. She almost wished that she could spot a glimmer of light behind them, even if it meant she was injured as a result. At least then she would feel these red path markers she was leaving behind were acting as clues for any who followed.
She chuckled wryly. Unfortunately, she was the one who had the sharp vision. Reese was the one who -
She drew in a quick breath, the thought coming to her. Reese’s talents were in his ability to pick sounds out of chaos, to hear the slightest murmur of information in a sea of noise. If she could just …
Her legs were dragging as she desperately struggled to keep up with Galeron, and she now paid focused attention to what she was doing with them. Galeron had already come to accept that she was less than stealthy in how she was able to move. Perhaps she could use that to her advantage.
The next time she moved her right foot, she let it hop along the surface of the floor, giving out an even rhythm.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
She glanced up at Galeron, her breath caught in her throat, but he did not hesitate a moment in his forward progress. He did not show even the slightest break in his wandering gaze as he pushed forward.
Her heart soared. Perhaps she could do some small part in helping Reese to find her. She knew with absolute certainty that he was behind them; was tracking them. He would rescue her, if only she showed him the way.
Another turn, another slab of pebbled rock, and Kay’s left leg was dragging.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Kay was careful to wait a long minute before her next signal, to give Galeron time to move them forward, to pick out a path amongst the rubble. He stared intently into the darkness between a pair of forks, choosing the one most likely to bring him out to his chosen destination, whatever that might be. Kay did not care any more. Her entire focus, her reason for being in this God-forsaken, dripping, guano-infested tube was to send her signals back to Reese. To draw him in to her.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Galeron pulled up short, skirting them around the edge of a pit at least five feet on a side. Kay glanced down as they eased around its circumference and her heart plummeted. If Reese were to take one step too many in the pitch black he could easily tumble forward into its depths, could be mangled on its sharp-edged bottom … she forced the thoughts out of her mind. Reese would manage it, even in the darkest night, even in the inkiest state of blindness.
