Sophia felt tears well up in her eyes. Nurse touched her hand to her heart and bowed her head as if to say goodbye. Then she turned away from Sophia and Eva, took a deep breath, and stood to wait for the heralds to announce the procession.
After a moment, two men dressed in the house colors appeared in the hall, stood on either side of the entryway, lifted their heralding trumpets, and began to play.
“And, forward at a pace, ladies,” Nurse said.
The group began to move forward in time with the music. As they proceeded down the hall, the heralds walked alongside them, carrying the tune as they went.
Servants and onlookers filed in behind the procession until they all disappeared around the far corner in the direction of the chapel.
Thank goodness Eva was there, for Sophia might have remained paralyzed in that very spot for hours. She shook Sophia out of her trance and guided her to the armoire. They quickly stepped out of their gowns and tucked them inside a linen sack before grabbing a candle and slipping into the secret passage, wearing nothing but their undergarments.
The dark and narrow passageway was much colder with bare feet and little clothing. They hurried as quickly as they could in hopes of coming across the garments Beon had left behind sooner rather than later. Sophia had told Eva they couldn’t speak a word, or even make a sound, for fear of spies. The slightest whisper and they might be detected. They were as silent as mice as they made their way through the dark and dusty passage.
While stationed at the front gate, just as Sir Percy had asked, Beon stopped the monk and his horse drawn cart as he approached. The wagon he toted was stocked with four barrels of wine for the festivities. The monk wore a rather large crucifix and a string of garlic around his neck. The wagon had quite a bit of garlic strewn about it as well.
Beon smiled at the hooded monk, and whispered, “Ho, Brother, you must be one of those vampire hunters I’ve heard about.” The monk lifted his hood slightly to reveal a smirking Seth. “I thought vampires were repelled by garlic,” Beon whispered.
“Aye, but only because of the putrid scent,” Seth laughed.
“I don’t find this amusing. Will it protect the ladies or not?”
“I believe it will prevent Sir Percy and his sisters from detecting their scent.”
“You believe?”
“I hope.”
“You hope?”
“It’s a good repellent for humans and vampires alike. Let’s leave it at that, shall we? It can’t hurt to conceal the smell of human blood.”
“Well, that’s encouraging.” Beon sighed. He was going mad with worry, and this new information wasn’t helping.
“Look, I noticed I could smell nothing other than the garlic when in its presence. It should mask the lavender always lingering around Sophia. I’d wager she rolls in lavender. It’s lovely, indeed, but it makes her stand out.”
“Are—are you serious?”
“About which part?”
“The lavender!”
Seth chuckled. “Are you daft? You know I have an affinity for irony?”
When Beon just shook his head, Seth went on, “Other than being repelled by food in general, garlic itself seems harmless. I’m sure we’ll discover many inconsistencies between the reality of vampires and the folklore. Now you need to calm yourself, Sir Everard.”
Beon looked at Seth. He had never been called ‘Sir Everard’ before.
“Yes, yes. Thank you. You’re right.”
Seth put his hand on Beon’s shoulder and smiled kindly.
Beon was about to turn toward the guards at the gate and tell them to open it when a young page ran up to them.
Winded, the lad exclaimed, “He knows!”
“Be specific, boy, what happened?”
“Forgive me. When the bridal procession came to a stop before the altar, Sir Percy frowned and started whispering something to his sisters. They promptly rose from their seats, left the chapel, and then...” The lad paused to catch his breath again.
“And then?” ask Beon on bated breath.
“And then Sir Percy shouted, ‘you betrayed me, Gall! You!’ And he pointed at Gall as he said it!” the boy repeated, pointing to show them how. “And...oh! This part was scary. Sir Percy was hissing he was so angry. And then...” Again, the lad paused as his voice rose in pitch. “And then Sir Percy asked, ‘What have you done with her?’ I wasn’t sure at first, but then I thought he must be talking about the bride.”
“That’s right,” agreed Seth.
“Percy noticed as quickly as I imagined he would. Are you ready?” Seth asked Beon.
“I’m ready,” he said.
“I’m not finished, sir,” said the page.
“Forgive us. What else?” asked Seth.
“Then they called the prox...pro...p...”
“Proxy?” supplied Seth.
“That’s right, the proxy brides. They called them out into the corridor and then, Sir Percy...this part is scary too...he, Sir Percy I mean, demanded all the brides...all six of them...or were there eight? Anyway, he demanded they all take off their gowns!”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“The coverings,” said the page.
“Huh? Do you mean their veils?”
“Yes, those! He demanded they take them off.”
“Percy definitely knows then.”
“Without a doubt.”
“Am I done now?”
When Seth nodded, the page dashed off the way he’d come.
Fighting off a few chuckles at the boy’s innocence, Beon asked, “Was I that adorable when I was young?”
Seth laughed. “No, you were far too serious, I’m afraid. Still are.”
Beon shook his head and smiled as he turned to the guards and announced, “Wine for the wedding feast. Let the brother pass.”
As the gate lifted, Beon’s thoughts returned to Sophia and he swallowed hard, hoping he’d put the items he left for the ladies in the right place…much time had passed since he’d traveled the passageways.
Chapter 20
Melee
Eva suddenly stopped, sucking in quick bursts of air through clenched teeth. Sophia looked back at her, questioning with her eyes. Eva turned up the sole of her foot to reveal a nasty splinter. Without hesitating, Sophia knelt down with the candle and plucked the thorny wood free. The wound started to bleed immediately, and Eva gasped. Sophia placed her hand over Eva’s mouth.
Once Eva collected herself, she nodded sharply. Removing her hand, Sophia gave Eva the candle. Then she reached down and ripped off the hem of her shift and started wrapping Eva’s foot with the material.
Biting her lip for fear they’d made too much noise already, Sophia took Eva by the hand, and continued on. When they came to the intersection where the clothes should be, they found nothing. Disheartened, Sophia decided to keep going straight a little farther, thinking Beon might not have known exactly which passage they were using.
As worry began to cause a lump to form in the back of her throat, she saw a sack at the next intersection.
“Finally, a stroke of luck,” whispered Eva.
Sophia lifted a finger to her lips and watched the passageway from which they’d just come, sure she was about to see Sir Percy rematerialize as he had done in the cottage. However, it was still daylight, and she didn’t think he could find them as easily as he had at night, but that didn’t mean the man wasn’t crafty enough to sort it out anyway.
In haste, they each put on a tunic, stockings, and boots, along with the belts stocked with silver stakes, and strings of garlic for their necks.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so dangerous before,” said Eva softly. “But why don’t we have swords instead of stakes? This is highly unusual.”
Sophia shot her a look for speaking again. “No time to explain.”
The trumpets were still sounding when they finally reached the little door, and Sophia silently said a prayer of thanks to Nurse for taking her sweet tim
e.
Wincing when the hinges squeaked rather loudly, Sophia peered out and listened, making sure the corridor was indeed empty. Again, taking Eva by the hand, they ducked out from behind the tapestry and ran down to the stairs leading to the cellar.
Finding a place to crouch behind some shelves, Sophia jumped reflexively when someone at the top of the stairs said, “Four barrels? But we only sent for two. Ah well, go ahead and leave two outside the kitchen and take the other two down the cellar, if you would, Brother.”
A moment later, a monk came down the stairs carrying a wine barrel and set it on the floor. The monk removed his hood, revealing the welcome sight of Sir Lyndon as he scanned the dark room.
Sophia let out a sigh of relief.
Eva squealed happily, burst from her hiding place, and ran to him, throwing herself into his arms. As Sir Lyndon took her face into his hands, Eva started weeping. “Oh, Sir Lyndon, it is so good to see you’re alive!”
“Shhh, my love...yes, all is well. It is wonderful to see you too.”
Witnessing the reunion had Sophia in tears as well. After wiping the moisture from her cheek, she froze when the trumpet playing ceased abruptly, and all fell silent.
Sir Lyndon indicated for Eva to quickly get in the barrel. Once she was tucked inside with a lid Sir Lyndon had cut holes into, he turned to head up the stairs.
Drawing his hood up, he paused, looked down at Sophia, and said, “Stay with Eva. I’ll fetch the other barrel.”
Upon returning with a second barrel, Sir Lyndon secured Sophia inside, and then began transporting them to the wagon.
Even though she felt a bit unsteady as the barrel rocked with Sir Lyndon’s movement, Sophia felt surprisingly safe inside. But she knew this sense of security would not last.
Once the sun had set later that day and Sir Percy regained all of his vampire powers, she had no doubts he would search for her. He could find them just as he had before and Sir Percy would not leave Beon alive a second time...
Pressing one hand against the side of the barrel as the movement forced her to rock forward, a sense of panic gripped her insides at the worries going through her mind. But reminded herself that Sir Lyndon was also a vampire and could better protect them this time.
“Brace yourself, my lady,” said Sir Lyndon, his voice muffled by the wood surrounding her. “I’m about to tip you onto the cart with the other barrels.”
As she rocked sideways, rolled a little, and then settled against another barrel with a soft thump, she heard Eva ask, “What was that?”
* * *
“Just the barrel with Sophia in it. Not to worry, my love,” Sir Lyndon responded.
“Oh! What a relief! I was sure we’d been discovered!”
With a chuckle, Sir Lyndon said, “You will be found if you don’t remain silent.”
“Oh dear, I keep forgetting. Please forgive me, Sir Lyndon.”
“Please, call me Seth.”
“That’s your Christian name then? Oh, ‘tis lovely—”
“My lady,” Seth said, cutting her off. “You must be quiet.”
“Yes. Sorry,” said Eva.
Sophia had forgotten to call him ‘Seth’ as well. For as long as she had remembered, he had been Sir Lyndon to her, so she assumed she might still forget.
Sophia shifted to get a bit more comfortable, knowing she might be inside this thing for a while, but when shouts rang out, tension returned to her body. Had they already been discovered?
The barrels bounced a little when Seth took his seat and got the cart moving. As they rocked and swayed toward the gate, she prayed they would get out before anyone guessed at their hiding place. “We’re almost—” began Seth.
Almost what? Sophia wanted to ask but knew it was best to stay quiet.
When the cart rocked again, as Seth disembarked, she held her breath to try and hear what was happening.
After a long pause, Seth said quietly, “Sit tight, ladies, I must dispatch this villain.” He chuckled and then said, “Only jesting. There’s just something blocking the way.”
Hearing his footsteps fade away, Sophia wasn’t sure if he was just saying that so as not to worry them. From what she could hear—that being the constant shouts and the sharp ping of blades connecting—there could very well be several villains to dispatch.
As time dragged on with the sounds of battle going on around them, Sophia began to feel smothered in such a confined space. She was getting to the point she wanted to claw her way out when the clash of steel drew closer. Mentally fighting to slow her breathing, she tried to calm herself, lest she give their hiding place away.
Sophia barely had time to brace against the sides of the barrel when something struck the cart, and the barrels shifted, bumping into each other.
Eva squeaked in surprised, and Sophia prayed she hadn’t been heard.
Suddenly, one barrel popped free of the cart, thumped to the ground, and all of the others followed.
Beon was still standing guard outside the main gate when men came running out of the castle. He assumed Lord Gall and Sir Percy were part of that melee, but it was hard to pick them out from his vantage point.
The clash of knights continued, and Beon was relieved to see them not paying any mind to the monk and his cart of wine barrels. He could hear Lord Gall barking orders to his men to find Sir Percy. Where had the man gone if they were searching for him? he wondered as he too began scanning the grounds.
He could see the cart down near the kitchens. It appeared to be about full now, so he would wager that Sophia and Eva were tucked safely inside two of them by now.
The castle grounds were alive with combat, but from what he could tell, their plan was moving along without incident. The fact that Sir Percy wasn’t accounted for did pose a problem, however, so Beon continued looking for the man.
Beon was completely taken off guard when he caught movement from the corner of his eye and realized a man was running toward him, sword raised. Quickly realizing he’d just found Sir Percy, or rather, Sir Percy had found him, Beon drew his own blade and braced for the attack.
“Where is she?” growled Sir Percy, his blade cracking sharply against Beon’s as he defended himself.
“Have you lost track of one of your sisters?” Beon asked, playing dumb.
Sir Percy narrowed his eyes in anger and attacked with more vigor. The man’s strength was so astounding Beon feared he might not be up to the task. He’d known Percy would be unstoppable at night, but he hadn’t expected daylight to be a challenge as well.
“At first, I’d only thought you two had dallied. I’m beginning to think it was much more than that.” Percy said striking with such force that Beon fell to one knee.
“I beg your pardon. What are you insinuating?”
“She’ll still be mine,” Percy said as he thrust forward again.
Beon ducked and rolled. Once he came to rights, he countered with a wide sweep of his blade. “Sophia will have what she wants,” Beon said, “and she does not want you.”
Sir Percy easily dodged Beon’s sword and came down like thunder overhead once more. “You won’t be able to escape me again.”
“I know what you are,” said Beon, acknowledging mentally that it was a bold move to call the man out, but he did it anyway.
“Do you now?” asked Sir Percy, appearing unfazed.
“I’ll find a way to stop you.”
Sir Percy came at him again, but with such force this time, Beon’s sword was wrenched from his grip and he felt the tip of his opponent’s blade prick his chest. “Not only are you young and foolish, but you’re too arrogant to live.”
“He’s there!” Beon heard a man shout from the battlements above him.
When Sir Percy saw the mass of Gall’s knights headed their way, he said, “As night falls, you’ll wish you hadn’t challenged me, Everard.”
After watching Sir Percy disappear into the trees, Beon turned his eyes back toward Seth. The knight had started toward the ga
te with the horse and cart but had to pause when a group of battling knights got in his way. Redirecting the horse off of the path to get around them, Seth began working his way closer, but then stopped again to clear something out of the way.
The shouts of women drew Beon’s eyes to the left. Recognizing the two females fighting against men in Bamborough colors as Percy’s sisters, Beon felt regret that Gall did not know he was dealing with vampires. His men—on Gall’s order he was sure—were busy trying to capture the sisters. Either the man didn’t know the truth or Lord Gall was an arrogant fool. Sir Percy had just threatened Beon’s life for challenging him in regards to Sophia, so this affront would certainly get Lord Gall killed. Guilt pricked at Beon’s conscience for failing to do the honorable thing and alert Lord Gall to the true nature of his future son-in-law. Not that he would have listened.
With Seth on his side, Beon felt empowered. Of course, if he became a vampire too, that clash of swords would have gone quite differently. He could admit that the idea intrigued him.
Arianna and Irina displayed the same level of strength as Percy. To most it wouldn’t have been obvious the sisters were immortal magical beings, even now, as they fought fiercely against men twice their size, they mostly seemed spry and clever, but Beon suspected the men had little hope of actually capturing them.
Irina finally shoved one of the knights away from her. Stumbling backward, he bumped into another cart loaded with hay. With just enough of a slope to gain momentum, the hay cart careened toward Seth’s cart of wine barrels. When it struck the cart’s wheel, the strap holding the wine in place broke, and all of the barrels tumbled to the ground.
Fearing Sophia and Eva might be injured, Beon started for the barrels, but he stopped when Seth signaled him to halt. Realizing if he rushed to check on Sophia and Eva their hiding place would be revealed, so he took a breath to calm himself. Trusting Seth to take care of the ladies, Beon watched in awe as Arianna and Irina dashed up the steps to the north wall and were gone before anyone could catch up with them.
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