"Thank you, my lord, for the lovely banquet." She kept her voice firm and without a waver.
He laughed. "Your mettle pleases me. After I rid you of your husband, mayhap I'll keep you awhile."
"Do, my lord." She looked up at him and flashed a sunny smile. "The next time, my blade will find your throat."
He must have blamed his injury on a Seton warrior, for guards close-by snickered. Not for long. The sounds of fists meeting flesh and grunts of pain quickly followed. She doubted his ranks overflowed with warriors who liked or even respected him. Though Raik had not been at Seton a year yet, she knew all there would fight to the death to protect him.
Julian's eyes blazed murderously down at her. His voice degenerated to a guttural rasp.
"Douse her. Her stench is offensive."
When another bucket emptied over her, she cupped her hands and sipped what she could stomach. She sat taller, brushed the debris from her lap and pretended to be refreshed.
A beautiful sunrise crept over the mountains to her right. Slowly, the sky lightened to a soft gray. Would it rain? She near hoped it would so she could cleanse herself. Looking at the filth in the cage, she planned how to rid herself of it. As the rain fell, she would sweep her hands over the floor toward the edges until the refuse fell into the moat. Then she'd hold her arms out to cleanse them in the glorious rain.
She was engrossed in watching the clouds and following the sun's progress on the ground when something caught her eye. She did not allow any tightening or change in her posture as she pretended to scan the sky. Out of the corner of her eye, she returned her gaze to the forest's edge.
Nothing moved there now. She waited and looked a little to the left. It was there, dark and low to the ground. 'Twas like once before. Several bushes further, it appeared again. A black snout inched out then quickly retreated.
Freki! Letia's heart hammered. She lowered her head, pretended to brush something from her lap and gazed through her lashes to study the trees. She felt Raik there. Watching and planning. She even knew which line of trees he was in, feeling his presence in the canopy of a huge oak. The warmth of his blue eyes covered her, its heat increased as he studied the top of her prison to her folded legs beneath the shirt. It was a physical feeling. Not icy, as when he was angered. For truth, she felt his fury warm her like the sun, for he did not direct it at her.
He came for her.
Julian would be dead before the night fell.
o0o
Raik's eyes were keener than most. So far-seeing that Ranald used to say he was kin to an eagle. He was at least three hundred paces within the forest in the tallest oak. He hugged the trunk, putting it between himself and the castle. Mud streaked his face. His brown clothing blended in with the tree.
He stared at Letia within the cage. Her face was so badly battered, were it not for her hair and the courageous way she held herself, he would not have known her. A snarl rumbled up from deep within his chest, the sound dark and vicious.
"Shite, Raik," Cormac's voice whispered, "I thought 'twas a rabid wolf beneath us. What do you see? I make out only a cage. Surely 'tis not Letia within."
"It is. He has beaten her."
Now the sun had raised enough, he made out what was happening. Julian had caused buckets of refuse dumped through the slats. Though Letia appeared calm and serene, he sensed she kept her jailer from knowing how she shivered. He prayed the sun would hold and warm her. He noted how she propped herself upright against the bars. She fought to hide her weakness. Had they given her naught but the foul garbage heaped on her? Had the bastard been human enough to allow her water?
He signaled Cormac then eased down the trunk until he was below the treetops. When his feet touched the ground, he was already talking to the men. They gathered around him and Cormac as they described the castle and Letia within the cage.
"We canna attack. Should we misfire anything we aim at them, it will kill my wife. We cannot rescue her until darkness falls." His voice was bitter and impatient.
They sat on the ground while Raik used a stick to outline his plans of the only way they could save her. Though it grated against their pride that they had so little they could do to aid their mistress, the men knew his was the only possible way it could work.
When Raik finished, Everard kept the horses quiet with his gentle whispers. Teams of men faded deep into the forest and began cutting small branches from trees and bushes then returned to camp with them.
Raik crept along the forest floor until close enough to whisper Freki's name. The dog stayed crouched to the ground and backed up, instinct telling it to keep the hated humans from spying him. He washed his master's face when they drew even. Raik felt along the dog's body and put salves on its open wounds. He fed him food from his pockets as he coaxed Freki back into the woods while he whispered and soothed the beast.
As he crawled on the ground to return to camp, his gut twisted knowing Letia must suffer through another day. She would believe he had abandoned her. When he reached the tree again, he forced himself to return to his perch and watch her torment.
o0o
Where was Freki? His black snout had disappeared, yet she knew he was there. Really, 'twas for the best. If she could not see him, the guards atop the wall walks couldn't either.
The sun rose high. Still, she saw no signs of Seton's army. She didn't feel Raik's watchful presence any more. Worry gnawed at her. What if he didn't feel her worth saving? Mayhap he was still too angry with her to care.
If she died, he would be free to marry where he chose. She swallowed and prayed he would wed Muriele. She would be a good mother for Aubrey, for she was a strong woman, too. She'd had to be to survive.
Letia's eyes flooded. Hearing movements above, she blinked the moisture away. Always they watched her for any signs of weakness. She straightened her slumping shoulders and tried to distract her thoughts. Mayhap she could fool her jailers into believing she didn't care that she hung above a moat filled with water.
And she couldn't swim.
She bit her lips. Had she said the thought aloud? If Julian knew her terror of drowning, he would glory in it.
She would sing! She cleared her throat and brought the songs of happier days to her mind. She cupped her arms beneath her breast and pretended she held Aubrey in her arms. Lifting her face to the sun, she began singing. How long she sang, she didn't know. Her mouth became so dry she could barely get the words out.
"Ah. Our singing bird is losing her voice? I will think of you while I drink cold ale. Mayhap I'll allow you what's left of the meal after the dogs have their fill." Julian's footsteps and laughter faded as he left the wall walk.
A short time later, the guards above were quietly talking, sometimes arguing. What caused it? Suddenly, two men leaned over an opening above.
"Lady, drink quickly," one whispered.
Surprised, she watched as one man inched a water flask tied to a small rope down beside her. She eased over to the cage's side and carefully grasped it, fearing its loss. She lifted the stopper and swallowed as fast as she could then resealed it and eased the flask back into the open.
"Thank you for your kindness," she whispered. She smiled up at them.
Looking shamefaced, they nodded. She rested back against the bars and closed her eyes. Exhausted from being frequently awakened during the night, her eyelids drifted shut.
Mayhap if she slept a bit, she would awaken to see Raik and his army in the clearing ahead.
o0o
Raik watched the guards and saw their captive intrigued them, going so far as to lean over with their heads in a listening pose. The faint sound of singing drifted on the breeze. His brave wife was defying Julian by acting as if what he did to her mattered naught.
Finally, she stopped. All but two guards moved away after Julian went below. Raik saw them having words then come to a decision. When they turned to hide a flask as they lowered it to Letia, he studied their faces.
He descended from the tree
and prepared for darkness. He dressed in clothing as black and plain as Ranald's outfits. Mixing black dirt with a little water, he smeared the mud over his face and neck. His men did likewise.
Every man wore black or deep brown. Leafy branches stuck out all over them. Were anyone to come upon them, they would have thought that demon's of the night lived in the forest. The men took turns crouching in different positions until their comrades agreed a guard atop the battlements would mistake them for a bush. They crept to the edge of the woods and huddled there amongst the shorter bushes, waiting their chances.
CHAPTER 40
Julian had not had the clearing between the castle and the woods stripped of all growth. Here and there, small trees and bushes stood out in the darkness. Each man studied the one he'd dart to when clouds covered the moon. They would fold themselves close around it as they had practiced throughout the day and make their way bush by bush until they reached the moat.
Raik's men had the advantage now, for torches lined the wall walks bathing the guards in light. Hopefully, that same light made it more difficult for them to peer down into the dark moat. Raik waited, nettles pricking his skin through his clothing. Finally, a cloud graciously provided the cover he needed. Crouching, he ran to his next bush. Glancing around, he was satisfied his men had followed suit.
'Twas a long process, seeming to take forever. Finally, he reached the far right corner of the castle wall, an angle not favorable for the guards for it was in the deepest shadows. With barely a ripple, he slid into the foul water and held still until sure no guard had seen him. His face and head hidden behind a clump of leaves, he slowly made his way across the water until he brushed against the slime of the castle's walls. Water had washed the mud from his hands. He kept them below the waterline as he eased himself along until he was below Letia's prison.
A torch flared yellow light above her cage. Raik covered his head with the branch leaves and submerged his shoulders beneath the black water.
"Wake up, wake up, my lady." Julian called out as he leaned out and waved the torch back and forth. "Servants swept the floor after my hounds were well fed. See what they left you."
"Dump it," he loudly ordered the two guards still on duty. They took their time, reluctant to lift the bucket. As they spilled its contents over her head, they cursed. Julian believed they cursed at her. Raik knew better. They cursed the man.
"Tomorrow will prove your husband thought too little of you to bother himself. Likely he is at this moment contracting for a new bride, one who is beautiful and soft, who knows how to pleasure a man." He chortled, pleased with himself.
Hearing the hurtful words, Raik promised himself that once he got his hands on Julian, his gaping neck would not allow for speech. When Letia replied, his heart swelled with pride.
"Such tasty sustenance. It is most thoughtful of your hounds, my lord. One day, my own Freki will treat you as kindly."
Julian's hearty laughter faded as his footsteps took him further away in his inspection of the wall walk.
Raik dared not look up, fearing his blue eyes would shine like a creature of the night, alerting anyone who peered down at her. The cage creaked as she settled herself. While he waited for the guards to settle into their nightly routines, he studied the bottom of the bridge. Here and there, age had opened gaps between the heavy planks, enough to give him a finger-hold. His biggest problem was noting places for his toes to grip.
All became quiet. Now and again, a man farted or belched; others told jokes and bragged about their sexual exploits. Drawing a sharply honed knife strapped to his thigh, he clamped the blade's handle between his teeth and started the agonizing climb. Timber by timber, he edged upward until he was near enough to touch the solid bottom of her cage.
He reached up behind the darkest corner and groped for a piece of her shirt. Giving it the softest tug, he removed his knife from his lips and whispered her name so softly it was no more than a sigh in the night's breeze. He felt her stiffen. Her hand followed the shirt until her cold fingers touched his warm hand. She choked back a sob and bent to lay her cheek against his flesh.
He pulled himself up so she could see his gestures as he nodded to the rope binding the nearest corner. When he clutched the bars there, the cage tilted. She immediately shoved herself into the opposite corner, balancing the cage.
Raik slashed at the rope, severing all but enough to hold it together. He crawled like a spider to the opposite side. She again shifted her balance as he clung to the drawbridge and worked at that corner. When near ready to sever the last strands, he stopped.
"Cling tight to the bars, love," he urged, afeared that the rest of the ropes would give way and she would slip into the moat. He swung to the top of the cage, sending it lurching like a storm tossed boat then lunged up to grab the pulley holding it. He heaved himself onto the rampart opening, nearly knocking Julian over.
Piers had signaled Letia's slingers, for suddenly a barrage of rocks whistled through the air, silently striking guards.
"Seton is here," Julian bellowed.
His shout alerted not only Chatton Castle's men but it signaled Cormac to begin his attack. Flaming arrows lit up the sky above the castle, giving Seton's archers clear targets. The archers leaped up from the bushes, their arrows nocked then flying high above Letia, striking along the wall walks. Men screamed and fell.
Raik's feet slammed into Julian's gut and sent him backward to the edge of the wall walk. Letia's two guards turned their backs on Julian and disappeared.
Freki added his voice to the noise of battle, his throaty barks and piercing howls sounding like a raving wolf's.
Showers from archers and slingers kept Chatton's guards away as Raik drew his sword. His and Julian's blades clanged together. Sparks shot into the night sky. Julian yanked Letia's blade from his belt. He took advantage of every opening to chop at the rope leading to the pulley.
The cage hung by mere strands. The rope snapped. Letia's screams merged with the horrible sounds of the cage bumping against the castle as it fell.
Their blades locked, Raik heaved forward pushing Julian back until Raik reached an opening. He gave one last heave and spun around to leap into the moat after Letia, but Julian grabbed Raik's sword belt to pull him back.
Raik dragged him over the side with him.
When the cage groaned and began to fall, Letia clung on as Raik had told her. She took in a giant gasp of air, intent on staying alive as long as possible.
As the cage hit the water, it started to collapse as it carried her to the moat's dark bottom. Hand over hand, she fought her way in the gloom to the opened side.
From the shore, Freki's golden eyes sparked when he spied the man who had beaten him near to death. When Julian clung to Raik falling from the battlement, the dog snarled and slavered at the mouth. As they disappeared beneath the surface, he leapt into the water after them.
Water splashed high as Seton's strongest swimmers dove in to save Letia. The water churned. Someone struggled to the top. Julian, his mouth agape in a soundless scream, his arms and legs thrashing wildly, surfaced first. Freki's massive jaws clamped the back of Julian's neck. The huge beast shook his head, thrashing the man in the water as if he was a mere hare. Finally, Freki stopped. He opened his jaws and the man slowly slid into the murky depths.
Blood floated to the surface, staining the water dark red.
Seton's men surfaced, gulped air and dove again.
Raik had slung off Julian to blindly search for his wife. His hands found a wooden bar. Cloth brushed against his fingertips. He jerked at it. It held tight. He felt Letia's struggles, and reaching deeper, found her shoulders. He grabbed her under her arms.
With a mighty kick against the tangled wreckage, he pulled her free. His strong legs thrust them to the surface, Letia's face against his shoulders. Eager hands reached to pull them to safety. He held her close as she coughed and strangled on the water emptying from her lungs.
Once Julian had plunged from the b
attlement, few of Julian's men fought on. Seton's archers soon picked them off. An eerie quiet fell over the castle.
Sounds of the drawbridge lowering brought him to his feet holding her safely against his side. Torches lit up the field as if it were midday. Edulf rode over leading Storm.
Piers followed, tilting his head toward Letia, he questioned Raik with his eyes. He held a blanket ready. Raik lifted her up into the archer's arms.
"Keep her safe 'till I secure this mess."
Raik mounted Storm then took his sword and shield from Edulf. He and Cormac rode to meet the drawbridge as it landed.
Seton's army was in formation, filling the clearing with mounted knights, archers and slingers, and foot soldiers with pikes and maces. Though some of the warriors looked like living trees, their faces mud-black, leaves sticking out of their chain mail and helmets, they were no less fearsome. All waited, their weapons at the ready.
Raik wasn't surprised when the portcullis raised and a lone horseman rode out to greet him. Weaponless, except for a pike holding a white flag aloft.
Castle Chatton fell without further conflict.
CHAPTER 41
At Chatton a fortnight later, Letia awoke with her stomach fluttering from both the new baby's growing movements and her own excitement. Today, they would return to Seton and Aubrey. She felt well rested, her body recovered. Yellow and green bruises still covered her face where Julian's fists had pummeled it. She could open her eyelids wide now, and her cut lips had healed so she smiled without a grimace.
Every night they lay close so their bodies touched. Raik carefully put his arms around her and avoided any spot he feared might cause her distress. As they talked and drew comfort from their closeness, he called himself a fool for not realizing he'd loved her from the time they'd attended Ranald's wedding. He'd argued with Ranald and Warin that no woman was capable of commanding the defense of a castle. He groaned, now. They must have thought him a fool, for Warin had offered proof, that Letia had not only done so once but many times over. Raik admitted too, that her dressing as a squire had not made her mannish. It had upset him so because male clothing fitted closer to her body, making him more aware of her beautiful legs, firm buttocks and slender back.
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