Undeniable Heart (Legend of the King's Guard Book 4)

by Kara Griffin

  The guard nodded and used a key to unlock the heavy door. He opened it for her and she rushed inside. The door banged behind her and the lock secured. Dallis approached the bed where her grandmother lay. She reached out to touch her face and she startled.

  Dallis held her face and smiled to assure her she was well. When her gran saw it was she and not a guard, she relaxed. It was too dark to see clearly. Dallis returned to the door and knocked. The guard opened the door.

  “Good sir, we need items. Please bring us candles, wood, covers, and food. Sir Percy wouldn’t want me to come down with a malady. I’ve yet to attend to his bidding. Have mercy. My gran is aged and it’s cold in here.”

  The guard flinched at her words. “I shall bring you what I can.”

  She thanked him and he closed the door again. Dallis paced the chamber hoping the man would help her.

  He returned quickly and opened the door. “She asked to join you here.”

  Flora pushed past him and rushed to her embrace. Dallis held her, calming the poor weeping lass. The guard left again and locked them inside the chamber.

  “Mistress … I—” She broke into a mass of heart-wrenching sobs.

  “Shhh, there’s no need to speak of the matter, Flora. Are you hurt?” Dallis pressed a hand over the light-brown waves of her hair, hoping to comfort her.

  Flora’s brown eyes shimmered with tears. “Nay, he’s never hurt me, only does …”

  She tightened her embrace on the lass. “I’m sorry sweet lass. I should’ve protected you.”

  “Mistress, I was protecting you.”

  “I could’ve handled him, Flora. But I am grateful to you.”

  “I’m … fearful.”

  Dallis detested the sorrowful tone of her maid’s voice. “I shall get us out of here, Flora. That I promise.”

  “I am with child, my lady. He doesn’t know. You must help me.”

  Dallis pulled back, startled by her admission. “How long do you have?”

  “A few months at most. What am I going to do?” Flora cried harder, tears falling earnestly. “I cannot have my bairn here.”

  “You are going to be a mother. We will help you when the time comes. Worry not. Sit next to Gran, for I hear the guard returning.”

  Footsteps sounded closer and then jingling of keys. The heavy door opened and the guard stepped through the threshold. “I’m to bring ye to the upper chambers. Come.”

  Dallis took hold of her gran’s arm and helped her through the threshold. Flora followed. They traipsed to the solar on the second floor just down the hallway from the lord’s chamber. Inside, she found a much more comfortable lodging.

  “How did you persuade Sir Percy …?”

  “He told me you should have whatever you wished except your freedom whilst he is away. My lord is merciful.”

  She disagreed but nodded. “Where has Sir Percy gone?”

  “Londontown, Mistress, to meet with the nobles. He’ll return within a fortnight. The kitchens are preparing your supper and I shall bring it shortly. The chamber has been warmed.”

  She thanked him again and set about the chamber to light the array of candles and add more logs to the hearth. Now that the chamber was light enough she could communicate with her gran. The dear lady sat on the edge of the bedding. Dallis pulled a cover from the bedding and set it around her shoulders. Most couldn’t understand her gran’s speech for it slurred and she sometimes stuttered. Lady Buchanan was born deaf and heard not a sound in her entire life.

  Dallis took her hand and spoke slowly, moving her lips deliberately so her gran could watch her mouth and discern what she said. “I have missed you, Gran.”

  “My dear, I worried for you. Why can we not leave?”

  She sighed. “Sir Percy wants me to bring the king’s guard here. Until I do we are confined.”

  Her gran wiped at her eyes. “I am sorry, lass. ‘Tis my fault we are here.”

  Dallis sat beside her and set an arm around her frail shoulder. “Nay, I promise I shall gain our freedom.”

  “If I did not come to see Edward …”

  “I understand, Gran, that you needed to see him before he was laid to rest. He was your own brother. You grieved.”

  Her grandmother scoffed. “Grieved, nay. I wanted to make sure he was dead.”

  Dallis smiled for she was always blunt. When her grandmother received news of Edward’s battles against Scotland and how he’d used his power to overrule, she cursed him. Her gran had been wedded to a Buchanan when she was but eleven years and cast away to what her family deemed the barbarians of the north. Dallis laughed on many occasions at her passionate tirades and of her dislike for her brother. Obviously, her gran hadn’t been jesting.

  “We will stay here until I complete the task and then I shall take you home.”

  Gran nodded. “My bonny lass. I fear for you.”

  Dallis feared for herself too. For years the tales of the king’s guard’s gallantry spread far and wide. But the stories she’d heard were only tales and she didn’t believe there existed any such men. In this day not many would go to any length to aid another. It was claimed the guard often protected without compensation.

  Why would they help her? Even if she gained their trust, she’d have to deceive them in order to free her grandmother. Dallis never had to do such a heinous deed to bring the guard to their death. She prayed each day hoping to find a way out of the tarry, but to no avail.

  Gran took hold of her chin and lifted it. “Ye worry, lass. I see in your eyes. The Buchanan’s will come for us.”

  But she understood they wouldn’t. Her clan knew not where they were. They thought she’d gone to Westminster, not the wilderness of Northumberland. None were privy to the fact that Percy apprehended her and her grandmother. All the Buchanan escorts were killed, and no witness escaped to return home and speak of what came of them. Of that, she was certain.

  She stared into her hopeful blue eyes and nodded, though her family would never rescue them. “Have you seen the lad? Where he was taken?”

  Her gran shook her head. “Oh, the poor wee laddie. We must help him.”

  Dallis stood and pressed her hands on the small of her aching back. “I must find him first. He will tell me how I can reach the king’s guard.” When they’d newly arrived, Dallis was taken to the hall where the lad was being questioned. At first, she thought he was Percy’s son, but he wore garments of the Scots, not the English. And his speech verily gave him away. She despaired and considered Percy had the lad killed. Why wouldn’t he? He’d gained answers from torturing the poor lad. If the lad lived, she might be able to gain his help in finding the guard.

  To herself, she said, “I hope by being kind, he’ll offer to tell me about them. The more I know the better I will fare. I’m to deceive them and it appalls me.”

  “I shall go to the kitchens and see if I might hear word of him.”

  She nodded to Flora. “Be cautious of whom you ask.”

  Flora curtseyed and fled the chamber.

  Dallis left her grandmother’s side when a servant lad brought food. She hoped to befriend him and smiled. But he hastened from the chamber without a word. So much for getting help from within Alnwick.

  When Percy sent her on the wretched mission almost two years before, Dallis tried to send missives to her family, four in all, but none likely reached her clan. If the knave had spies entrenched in the local abbey, he probably had them trail her as well. After the debacle of trying to find the guard, she returned empty-handed, all to ensure her gran fared well.

  Dallis spent the next fortnight trying to find someone to get a message to her family. But the men at Alnwick were loyal to Percy. Once she left to seek the guard again, she’d find another way to send for help. Besides pondering a way to send missives, she dealt with her gran’s forlorn mood, Flora’s weeping, and winning over the guard for answers to her questions about the lad and Sir Percy. Day after day, she toiled with nothing to occupy her thoughts but the mission
and their freedom.

  A knock came and Dallis assisted her gran to a chair before she called out.

  “Mistress, we received a message from Sir Percy. He’s been detained in London and won’t return for some time. We’re to provide for you until he comes.”

  “How long will he be?” She approached the man and waited. His gaze roamed the chamber, to her grandmother and Flora, and back to her.

  “He did not say. You are free to roam the grounds and have access to the keep’s hall. There shall be no communications, and of course, you will have guards with you at all times. My lord wrote you should await your journey until his return.” He retreated before she could ask any further question, and left the door to the chamber ajar.

  Dallis sat upon the bed, bewildered and defeated. Why would Percy give her limited freedom? She knew well why. He wanted her in his bed and hoped to win her favor. She scoffed aloud and swore by all that was holy she’d never willingly give herself to Percy. If only his wife hadn’t resided in Londontown. She might’ve won her sympathy and gained her aid. But it was for naught because his wife kept her distance from him.

  Gran joined her and took her hand. “What’s wrong?”

  “We are to stay here. I am sorry, Gran, I am not able to free us.” Dallis’ shoulders slumped. She was loathed to admit at least his absence delayed her sojourn to find the king’s guard. Who knew when Percy would return? Yet, his delay also detained them further.

  Her grandmother caressed her hair and said nothing, but her eyes shone with woeful tears.

  The next few days, she explored the castle. In search of the lad they’d seen when they first arrived, she finally had to ask the commander where he was.

  “Mistress? I cannot tell you that.”

  “Why not? He is of no threat to me, you, or Sir Percy. Let me see him. I might gain valued information from him, which may help when your lord returns and I’m off again on the errand.”

  The commander pursed his lips, set his elbow in his hand and seemed to ponder her request. “I suppose it would be beneficial. I’ll have him brought to you.”

  Dallis walked the length of the great hall three times before the lad was brought. The soldiers tossed him upon the floor as if he was rabble. She scrunched her eyes, scolding them with unspoken words. Once they vacated and stood sentry outside the doorway, she knelt beside him.

  “Oh, you poor lad. Come, sit in the chair and I’ll tend to your injuries.” Dallis helped him to sit near the fire. “They’ve harmed you.” Gran set a bowl of water beside her and she took a cloth and wiped the lad’s face. “I’m Dallis Buchannan, and this is my grandmother, Lady Katherine Buchanan, and my maid, Flora.” She motioned to them indicating who was who.

  The lad bowed his head. “Gilroy, m’lady.”

  “I’m sorry they’ve hurt you.” As she cleaned him up, she told him of Percy’s demands. The lad appeared to commiserate with her. By the time she finished, she had his wounds tended, garbed in clean attire, and his stomach filled.

  “You must go to the guard, m’lady. They’ll help you.”

  “What if they don’t? I fear Percy won’t let my gran go free. And if I do bring the guard as he commands, Percy will capture them and use them as barter with King Edward.”

  Gilroy shook his head. “Nay, for the guard be too smart for the likes of Percy. Not me, for I was rash and fell into his trap at the abbey. Och now my comrades are in trouble. You must warn them, m’lady.”

  “Tell me what to do.” Dallis leaned forward and waited.

  “You need to find Brodin Grant. He is the only guardsman unattached, but he is honorable. You have nothing to fear from him. If you send a message as his betrothed, he’ll be sure to come to you.”

  “I detest using such trickery, but if it’s the only way …”

  “Aye, he’ll be curious who would dare make such a falsity. Once he sees you … You’re bonny and he’ll be gladdened to aid you. Rohan the mead hall owner knows how to reach him. Insist he send for him. Make certain you don’t go to the abbey. Percy’s men are there. You need to tell Brodin what Percy plans and …”

  “And what, Gilroy? Please, I need as much information …”

  “Tell Brodin what befell me. They’ll be looking for me. Tell them I am sorry I let them down.” Gilroy eyes filled with tears. “I shall never see them again and I owe them. There are bags of coins in the ossuary. Tell Brodin where to find them. Be sure to tell him it is my repayment for their kindness.” Tears streamed his cheeks. “They always looked after me.”

  Her heart went out to him, for the lad despaired at what he’d done. “You shall tell them yourself when I bring the king’s guard here.”

  Gilroy shook his head. “Nay, m’lady, I shan’t see them again.”

  “What do you mean? Surely you don’t think Percy will kill you?” Dallis scowled at the suggestion.

  “’Tis likely. I won’t give him the information he seeks. His patience with me will end and so shall I. He is merciless, m’lady, and cares not what happens to others. The codpiece will question me again when he returns, and I will not tell him what he wants to know. I will meet my death with valor.”

  She wiped his face and nodded. Dallis swiped a tear away suspecting he was right. Percy would kill him. There wasn’t much she could do to help him. “I will relate your words to the king’s guard, Gilroy. That is my promise. I worry if I only bring one of the guards, Percy will be wrath.”

  “Worry not, m’lady. If Brodin comes, the others will follow.”

  “Very well. I will think on this plan of yours, Gilroy.”

  Dallis’ heart tensed. Gilroy had more faith in his brethren than she did. She’d have no choice but to betray the king’s guard. There was no gaining their aid. She would have to do the unthinkable and bring them to Percy. As much as she’d held guilt, she knew what she had to do.

  Gran, Flora, and now Gilroy needed her to save them. How in God’s Good Grace would she do that? Yet, she’d find a way. Somehow she’d get her gran from this wretched place, save Flora from the vile hands of Sir Percy, and if she had any luck at all, she’d shield Gilroy too. She wanted to weep, but she was far too angry.

  Chapter Three

  For months his wrath intensified. Brodin lay back upon the grassy slope of the stream bank. His tartan about his hips and his chest bare and the sun shone upon him. It did little to ease the ireful thoughts running through his mind. After the overzealous practice at arms, he threw his sword on the ground and marched away. If only the stream offered a cooling of his temper, but the waters too warm to affect his heated mien. How many times did he have to argue his position? Yet his decision went on deaf ears. None would agree to let him seek a meeting with the king.

  “We are all disturbed,” Graeme said as he approached and sat beside him. “Do you deem I want my son and daughters raised here? Nay, I want to take them home. But until we speak with Robert, we’re all beholden.”

  “Damn Robert to hell. I say we give up this pursuit. We’ve done our duty, hell, and gave him more years than what we should have, what we were bidden to give.”

  Liam sat on the other side of him and tossed his sword to the ground next to him. “I agree with Brodin. My Makenna is expecting and I’d rather she be on my own land when the bairn comes. We should end this now.”

  “Trying for that son, aye?” Brodin said in jest and shoved his friend’s shoulder.

  “I will have a son. This bairn must be a son,” Liam said with a touch of hopefulness to his voice.

  Congratulations came in the form of their usual laudatory way by pounding on their comrade’s back until he said enough.

  For years they’d done their duty and protected their king without his knowing. If Robert found them, he’d be bound to hold them in contempt for disobeying his command to stay on the isle. Such a treasonous act, according to their king, wouldn’t be disregarded. They would’ve already been executed if the Bruce hadn’t had other, more pressing matters to attend – the u
nending wars with England. That was if their king apprehended them. They’d been able to avoid capture except for Liam’s unfortunate incident where he’d been imprisoned. If it wasn’t for Makenna’s rescue, their comrade would exist no longer.

  Brodin considered what would’ve happened had they stayed on the isle and not returned to Scotland. Many lives would’ve been affected, namely said king who they protected time and again. Yet all that they endured: protecting their king without his knowledge, being away from their clans, having to stay hidden in the cave, forcing their wives and children to isolation … all done in respect of their oath to their king.

  He rubbed his eyes with his knuckles, abating the tiredness of those thoughts. Their oath to Robert was heartfelt, likewise was their vow to each other. None of them would endanger another, at least not if they could help it.

  Heath walked past them and dove into the water, making an enormous splash. When he came up, he walked toward them. “Lillia and I want to expand our family, but she insists we wait until we can return to Fraser land.”

  “We have only one sack of coins remaining. Once that’s gone, what will we do? There are none seeking our aid. And even our vow to protect Robert has gone by the wayside. James sees to him now, as do others. Our king does not need us.” He sat back, stretching his arms behind him. James Douglas was a ruthless soldier and closer to Robert the Bruce than any. Though they respected their comrade, they could not trust him. For James would do whatever necessary to secure Robert’s monarchy even if that meant defaming his comrades.

  “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t return to our homes.” Liam snatched a handful of grass and tossed it near his feet.

  “Think you this is home? It is not. You all have families, aye your clans.”

  Graeme set a hand on his shoulder. “If we return to our lands, Robert will hear of it and he will come for us. I will not endanger my clan. I’ll not have you endanger your clans. It’s bad enough that our wives refuse to leave us. Robert will punish our families and probably execute us. I will not have Scotland in more turmoil because of our plight. Better we settle the matter before we go off to our homes.”