Warriors Of Legend

by Kathryn Le Veque, Kathryn Loch, Dana D'Angelo

  “Your curse failed, Sarah. Despite your treachery, I am still alive.”

  The man behind Sarah moved. Micah’s hackles raised when he saw the flash of a dagger. The man lifted his hand to throw it at Micah.

  “Baron!” Hubert bellowed.

  Micah instinctively ducked and he heard an arrow buzz past his head.

  “Nay!” Sarah screamed.

  Micah looked up to see Sarah teetering with Hubert’s arrow in her chest. The man held her to him. “This is not over, Montfort,” he bellowed. The man jumped from the platform and both he and Sarah plummeted over the other side of the wall.

  “Dear God,” Micah whispered and lunged down the scaffolding. He jumped the last few feet and sprinted to the gates with Hubert and John next to him.

  “The wench took the arrow for him,” Hubert snarled, his expression thunderous.

  They ran through the gates and followed the guards charging toward the base of the wall. The men stopped, hovering in a circle. Micah pushed his way through.

  Sarah’s body, with Hubert’s broken arrow, lay sprawled in the snow, a grisly sight of blood and shattered bone. But Micah saw no sign of the man.

  “God’s teeth,” Micah snapped. “How did he survive?”

  Hubert immediately shoved the men back, scouring the ground for clues. “Here,” he barked. “He made for the woods. He is hurt but still able to make a good pace.” Hubert shouldered his bow and grabbed a torch from one of the men. He took two steps before Micah stopped him.

  “Hubert, wait for us to gather some horses.”

  “No time, Baron.” The young huntsman curled his lip. “Praying your pardon, sir, this one is mine.” He turned and sprinted into the darkness.

  “John,” Micah said. “Send some men after him. I don’t want Hubert going after this man alone. Then you and I are going to figure out how the sod freed Sarah. Fetch William and Tobin.”

  “Aye.” John barked orders to the men.

  Micah’s gaze returned to Sarah. “Foolish girl,” he muttered, then turned for the gates.

  ***

  The cry of alarm through the keep startled Kate awake. She sat up, not really surprised to find Micah out of bed. Quickly, she donned a chemise and a robe but paused as her stomach rolled. Abruptly, she had to grab a bucket as her guts tried to turn inside out. Kate collapsed and retched violently.

  Finally, she gulped a couple of deep breaths as her stomach calmed slightly. What was wrong? Had she caught a fever? Kate felt awful and for a brief moment feared someone managed to poison her. Then she remembered the day and horror cut through her. Sweet Mary, nay, not that. For a wild instant she almost hoped for poison.

  As Kate counted the days, she knew.

  Micah’s child grew within her.

  Pain cut through her, stabbing her heart. Tears spilled down her cheeks. Micah would be furious when he found out. Why now? Just when things improved between them. She had taken every step possible to stave off the breeding but she had failed.

  Kate hauled herself up and staggered through the door. She kept her herb bag locked in the kitchens since the attempt on Micah’s life. She descended the stairs. The event outside had everyone in the middle of it, the keep was deserted. Kate no longer cared. She did not hear sounds of battle or more shouts of alarm. It was probably already over.

  Kate entered the kitchens and grabbed her herb bag, staring at it. She still possessed one option but it also posed a risk to her wellbeing.

  What should she do? She wanted to talk to Micah but she could not bear his fury. Too well, Kate knew how he would react. Could she sacrifice their relationship for a child Micah would hate?

  The tears flowed faster. Her hands trembling, she put a pot of water to boil over the kitchen fire and carefully measured the herbs she needed.

  It didn’t take long to make the tea. Kate stared at the cup of steaming dark liquid. It’s warmth gave her no comfort. It threatened to burn her fingers and sear her soul.

  Her hands trembled violently and tears continued to flood down her cheeks. She refused to think of what might happen to herself.

  Instead her thoughts focused on Micah and his words. Kate choked back a sob. They were married and blessed with a child. This news should be received with a glad heart.

  Kate stared at the dark liquid which would tear the tiny life from her womb. Then she realized, Micah’s wishes aside, there remained only one question she had to answer.

  Could she kill Micah’s child?

  Shame chilled her. “Nay!” Kate screamed and hurled the cup away from her. It smashed into the wall with a metallic clink, its foul contents splashing the wall and floor. Kate collapsed in a heap, sobbing, and realizing the mess exactly represented her heart. Still crying, Kate left the kitchens, sprinting back upstairs.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Micah entered the keep with John right behind him. Movement on the stairs caught his eye and he frowned. A small shadow lurched through the darkness and disappeared through the door to the solar. He thought he heard the sound of crying.

  “Kate?” he called worriedly.

  “What is it?” John asked.

  “I don’t know.” Micah thought about going after her. He decided against it when William and Roger hurried into the keep, with a man at arms hauling Tobin right behind.

  Micah sat in his chair, regarding Tobin and William closely. He did not want to believe William had anything to do with this, in fact Micah was certain he had not but Micah was nothing if not thorough.

  “I suppose you boys know what just happened.”

  “Sarah died trying to escape,” William said tightly. “I saw most of it in the bailey.”

  Micah nodded, his gaze moving to Tobin. The lad’s eyes reflected a haunted misery. “Tobin, you still cared for Sarah even after her treachery.”

  Tobin shook his head. “I hate her.”

  Micah blinked in surprise. “Yet you visited her quite often.”

  “I had hoped to get the truth from her.”

  Micah took another drink of wine. He really didn’t believe the boy but he did not have the means to disprove Tobin’s words. “How do you suppose she escaped, Tobin?”

  “The huntsman climbed the scaffolding—”

  Micah bolted upright. “Huntsman?”

  Tobin’s face paled and he looked Micah in the eye. “All of the villagers know about MacLeary’s new huntsman. He joined the laird just after you took Appleby.”

  Micah thought for a moment. “What about the dungeon? One needs keys to open the locks. How did the huntsman manage?”

  “I do not know.”

  “Did you free your beloved Sarah?”

  Tobin’s face turned red. “She is not my beloved.”

  Micah watched the boy for a moment. He doubted Tobin’s honesty. Micah sensed the fury within the lad. Was it Sarah’s death? Or did he speak the truth, and hate her after she tried to kill her baron?

  Finally, Micah nodded. “You are both dismissed.” As the boys quickly left, Micah leaned forward. “John, see to it Tobin is watched. I want to know everything he does.”

  “Of course, Micah.” John hurried off, taking the burly man at arms with him.

  Micah glanced at the door to the kitchens, and noticed it stood slightly ajar. He frowned, remembering Kate’s flight up the stairs. What happened? Micah approached the door and stepped through. His gaze swept the room, observing the doors leading to the storerooms and the dungeons remained locked.

  “Micah?” John called.

  “In here.”

  John opened the door. “Hugh is going to keep an eye on the boy.”

  “Good,” Micah replied and looked again at the kitchens. Had the excitement of this night frightened Kate? Micah spotted the damaged pewter cup and the liquid pooled on the floor. He stepped closer. A vile odor assailed him and made his stomach clench. Poison?

  Terror cut through him.

  “Oh God…not poison…not Kate.”

  “What is it, Micah?�
� John asked worriedly.

  “Fetch Marjorie, quickly.” Micah spun and charged up the stairs. “Kate!”

  ***

  Kate flinched violently as Micah barreled through the door but she could not stop crying. His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her close.

  “Dear God, what is wrong?”

  The desire to tell him rose powerfully and her sobs tore through her. Kate’s fingers clenched on Micah’s tunic, twisting the fabric into a tight ball in her hand.

  “Ma chérie, please,” Micah whispered, his voice laced with pain and confusion. “It’s not poison is it?” He held her tightly and stroked her hair.

  Bitter agony welled within Kate. If she told him, he would push her away. Dear God in heaven, what was she going to do? Sickening grief spiraled through her and twisted her stomach. Dizziness assailed her and she suddenly realized she was going to retch again.

  Somehow, Kate clawed her way out of Micah’s embrace and lurched to the bucket. Her body contorted as she heaved. Her stomach had little left over. Kate collapsed on the cold stone as the dry heaves wracked through her.

  Micah’s hand touched her face and pushed her hair back. “Ma chérie, please,” he said. “Please tell me it’s not poison.”

  Kate screwed her eyes shut. How she wished it was exactly that. Kate would rather die than have Micah hate her. Despite her fear, her body uncoiled under Micah’s gentle touch. He waited a moment then carefully scooped her up and carried her to the bed. Kate’s arms wrapped around his neck and she clung to him. She again warred with her desire to tell him. Perhaps Micah had changed his mind, perhaps when faced with reality he would take a new view of things, perhaps he cared about her enough to welcome the news.

  Micah eased Kate on the bed and sat on the edge still holding her tightly. She marveled at how he could be so gentle and compassionate. Yet his anger at her breeding would cut her to the quick.

  “My lord?” Marjorie said from the door. “What is wrong?”

  “I don’t know,” Micah said, his voice strained. “I found a foul smelling liquid spilled in the kitchens. When I came up here, Kate cried and retched but she won’t talk to me.”

  Marjorie stepped forward and Micah released Kate to move out of the way. The old woman touched Kate’s forehead. “What’s wrong, child?”

  Kate simply stared at her, tears still streaming down her face, knowing Marjorie would read plainly what Micah would never see.

  Marjorie’s jaw tightened and she faced Micah. “My lord, I need you to step out for a moment.”

  Micah’s face paled. “Marjorie—”

  “Out!”

  Micah bristled and turned on his heel. His shoulders slumped as he shut the door behind him. Kate’s heart twisted, fear and worry weighed heavily on him.

  Marjorie took her hand and sat on the edge of the bed. “So you are breeding and you are afraid to tell your husband.”

  Kate nodded and brokenly related her what Micah had said as well as what happened this morning.

  Marjorie frowned. “So that’s why he thought the mess in the kitchens was poison.”

  “I couldn’t do it.”

  Marjorie’s hand tightened on hers. “Well then, you have yourself in a bit of a fix.” She paused and thought for a moment. “Kate, you need to tell him. I realize how he will react but it would be better to have it said and done. Do not persecute yourself with dread. If you decide to have this child, then high–strung nerves are not good for you or the babe.”

  “Micah will be so angry with me.”

  Marjorie snorted. “Why do men always blame women for these things? He had a part in it too, remember.” She pressed her hand against Kate’s belly and shook her head. “Eight weeks, I’d wager, perhaps a bit more.”

  Tears rolled anew. “Micah never told me until it was too late.”

  “Kate, you are both equal participants in this. Although, from here out, having a healthy baby falls entirely to you. Micah’s only effort was a romp between the sheets.”

  Kate’s cheeks burned. “Marjorie,” she scolded.

  The healer waved her off. “You need to tell him, Kate.”

  “I cannot…not yet.”

  Marjorie shook her head. “You are not going to be able to keep it a secret for very long. In the meantime, I think you have succeeded in frightening him.” Her brow furrowed. “Now there’s a thought.”

  “What?”

  Marjorie shook her head and patted Kate’s hand. “Worry not, child. I’ve learned quite a few things about dealing with that young steed of yours.”

  Kate suddenly did not like the spark in her eyes. “Marjorie, what are you planning?”

  Marjorie only walked to the door and opened it. Kate saw Micah, leaning against the wall with his head bowed. He pinched the bridge of his nose.

  “My lord,” Marjorie said, her voice soft and grave.

  Micah bolted upright, his eyes wild. “What’s wrong?”

  Marjorie wrung her hands as if extremely agitated. “I…I am not sure.”

  Kate sat up but Micah’s gaze remained locked on the healer.

  “Is it poison?”

  “It could be…” Her voice trailed off with an ominous note.

  Micah’s face turned ashen.

  “Marjorie,” Kate said, anger cutting through her. How dare she do this to Micah?

  Micah strode to Kate and sat on the edge of the bed, wrapping her in his arms once again. “Ma chérie,” he said, his voice shaking.

  Marjorie walked out. Tell him, now, she mouthed and closed the door behind her.

  Kate buried her face against Micah’s chest, furious at Marjorie for putting her in this position and for purposefully frightening Micah. If Kate didn’t tell him, he would believe the worst. “I think Marjorie is getting revenge on us for the bedding ceremony,” she muttered.

  “What do you mean?”

  Kate looked up at him. His blue eyes darkened with concern. She took a deep breath. “Micah, please don’t worry, ‘tis nothing as terrible as Marjorie implied.”

  “What is it?”

  “I know exactly what is causing this and it’s not poison.”

  His eyes blazed with a mixture of hope and confusion. “Tell me, please, Kate.”

  Tears again trickled down her cheeks. “Micah, I am breeding.”

  Micah froze. Kate wanted to disappear. He sucked in a tortured breath. “Are…are you certain?”

  “I am…I am so sorry, Micah. I know you did not want this.”

  His arms tightened around her so hard, he almost squeezed the breath from her lungs. “Thank God,” he whispered and kissed the top of her head.

  Confusion battered Kate and she stared up at him in astonishment. She saw no sign of anger or hatred, only obvious relief.

  Micah gently wiped away a tear with a fingertip. “I feared losing you.”

  “But…you…don’t want children.”

  He gazed at her a long moment. “I was wrong.”

  Her head spun. “You’re not angry?”

  Micah shook his head. “I wished you would have told me but after what I said…I don’t blame you.” He settled his back against the headboard and pulled her to his chest. He stared at her for a long moment then gently placed his hand on her belly. “‘Tis a strange sensation to learn my seed grows within you.”

  Relief washed over Kate like a wave and she closed her eyes. “You aren’t angry?” she asked again.

  “Nay,” Micah replied. “Good glory, Kate, I was a fool to say what I did. Thank you for ignoring me.”

  She sat up. “I didn’t ignore—”

  He smiled brightly and touched his fingers to her lips. “I jest, my sweet.” Micah pulled her back into his embrace.

  Kate said nothing, still trying to convince herself she did not dream the whole conversation. They sat in silence for a long moment. Abruptly, Kate frowned. “What happened this morning?”

  Micah told her about Sarah’s disastrous escape attempt. “I doubt Tobin speaks the
entire truth. I probably should lock him away, but if I let him be, he might tip his hand. Then I can use the evidence like a hangman uses rope.”

  Kate shivered and burrowed closer. “Be careful, Micah.”

  “I will, my sweet.” He paused and tugged on her chin until she looked up at him. “Heed my words now. I want you to be careful as well. I want my wife and child both happy and healthy.”

  Kate smiled, joy rioting within her. “I will, Micah.”

  “However,” Micah said sternly. “I will wring Marjorie’s neck.”

  Kate laughed, her muscles uncoiling. She hugged Micah tightly.

  He kissed her. “Please don’t scare me like that again.”

  “I’m sorry, Micah. I just didn’t know what to do. Then Marjorie took things in her own hands.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.” Slowly, he released her. “Get some rest. I’m going to find Marjorie.”

  “Micah—”

  He held up his hand. “Worry not, chérie. I won’t be too hard on her. After all, if I throttle her, who will watch over my wife and child during this time?”

  Her jaw went slack. “Micah? Micah de Montfort, is that really you?”

  He laughed. “Aye, but he is not the same man you first met.”

  “I’ll say,” Kate whispered as he left the room.

  ***

  Micah paused at the top of the stairs fighting to get his emotions under control. Joy, confusion, relief…fear, all careened through him, leaving him reeling.

  Fatherhood.

  He sincerely regretted his words weeks ago. He wanted a family and now he found himself ecstatic. Being a father meant giving his heart…his soul to a child. Could he do it? More importantly, could he trust his new wife that deeply? Micah’s heart screamed an answer and he actually listened.

  Aye!

  Micah straightened his shoulders and remembered his thoughts from this morning. By the saints, I am acting like a dandy.

  Now he realized exactly what Marjorie had done. He should be absolutely infuriated with her…but he couldn’t find it in his heart. Strategically, the ploy was brilliant. Capitalize on his fears to make the news of a babe actually a welcome relief. If that failed, by manipulating him, Marjorie had put herself in the place to receive his anger. Micah might have been furious with Kate but he would have vented it at Marjorie.