Lady of Steel

by Mary Gillgannon

  She moved closer and softly called Hilary’s name. Hilary sat up with a gasp. She stared at Nicola, then looked around as if she did not know where she was. “How did you get in here?”

  Nicola held a finger to her lips and whispered, “The window.”

  “And the guards?” Hilary asked, also in a whisper. She cast a fearful glance at the door.

  “Sleeping. But they could wake at any moment. We must hurry.” Nicola gestured to the window. “You climb out first, and I’ll hand the children down to you.”

  Hilary shook Joanie. The little girl woke up, looked around, and let out a whimper. “’Tis all right, love,” Hilary said. “See, Lady Nicola is here.”

  Joanie stared at Nicola.

  “We’re playing a game,” Hilary said, quietly. “We’re going to climb out the window.”

  “Simon too?”

  “Aye. Simon too.” Hilary nudged Simon.

  The boy woke, saw Nicola and smiled. Unable to help herself, she went to the bed and gathered him into her arms. “Come sweeting. We must hurry.” As Hilary went to the window, Nicola asked, “Where’s Glennyth?”

  “I don’t know. She was with us when we were brought here, but I don’t know where they took her after that.”

  A horrible thought came to Nicola. What if they had killed Glennyth? But that made no sense. Why would FitzSaer have his men bring her here to murder her?

  Hilary stood by the window as if frozen.

  “You can do it,” Nicola said.

  Hilary nodded, but her eyes were wide with anxiety.

  “I’m hungry,” Simon said.

  “Of course you are. We’ll eat soon. But first we’re going to play a game. Hilary is going to climb out the window, and then I will hand you out to her.” Simon giggled. “The other part of the game is that we must be very quiet so the knights won’t know what we’re doing.” Nicola nodded to Hilary. “Please. There’s little time.”

  Hilary boosted herself up on the windowsill, then turned and slid down to the waiting wheelbarrow. Nicola put Simon on the bed, then picked up Joanie and handed the little girl out the window to her mother. Once Joanie was on the ground, Hilary reached for Simon.

  Nicola handed over Simon. “There’s a mule in the orchard. The children can ride while you lead it. Don’t wait for me. I’m going to look for Glennyth.” She indicated the direction of the orchard. “Hurry.”

  Hilary took Simon and Joanie by the hand. Once they were gone, Nicola climbed out the window. She wondered where to look for Glennyth. Besides the house there was a stable and a buttery.

  Nicola searched both buildings before returning to the manor house. The only other place she could think to look was the storage area under the kitchen. But that meant getting inside the house again.

  It was fully light now and at any moment the two knights might decide to check on the captives. Although her arms and legs were almost numb with fatigue, Nicola returned to the window and climbed inside. She eased open the door of the bedchamber and peered into the main living area. The coals of a banked-down fire glowed in the hearth, but the room was empty.

  Nicola crossed to the door leading to the kitchen. Inside it was pitch dark. She got down on her hands and knees and crawled around on the floor, feeling for the latch to the root cellar. She finally found a metal ring and pulled to open the trapdoor, wincing at the loud creak the hinges made. Leaning down, she whispered, “Glennyth? Glennyth, are you there?”

  She waited breathlessly, and then again called the wise woman’s name. Still hearing no response, she started to close the trapdoor. She paused at a shuffling sound. Had she disturbed a rat or some other vermin? As she hesitated, there was a low groan. She slid into the opening and down the stairs. At the bottom, she crouched and felt around. She came upon a large basket. It was empty and starting to fall apart, indicating the storage area hadn’t been used for some time. She moved further into the room. Another low moan. She made her way toward the sound, cursing as she encountered another basket. A few feet more and she stumbled onto a body. Glennyth. The healer’s wrists and ankles had been tied and there was a gag on her mouth.

  Nicola tried to untie the gag. When it would not come free, she used her dagger to cut the strip of fabric. As soon as the gag fell loose, Glennyth blurted, “Curse him, that wretched, filthy swine!”

  “Shhh. We don’t want to alert the guards.”

  “What do you mean?” Glennyth whispered. “Is there no one else with you? The guards are still here?”

  “Aye. That’s why we must hurry.” Nicola cut the ropes tying Glennyth’s wrists and ankles. “Can you walk?”

  “I think so.”

  Nicola helped Glennyth stand, then held her arm until they found the stairs up to the kitchen. Nicola closed the trapdoor, and she and Glennyth tiptoed through the house to the bedchamber. After helping Glennyth out the window, Nicola followed.

  Once outside, Nicola debated whether to go to the stables for a horse. At the sound of voices from the front of the house, Glennyth shot Nicola a look of dread. Nicola grabbed her arm and they took off at a run.

  They were almost to the orchard when someone shouted behind them. Two knights were chasing them. “Sweet Jesu, we’ll never get away!” Nicola cried.

  The footfalls of the men grew nearer. One of the men grabbed Glennyth and she went down. Nicola took a few more steps and whirled around. She bent, retrieved the dagger sheathed on her leg, and held it up threateningly.

  The man pursuing her halted. He looked at her face and his expression changed to one of shock. “Lady? Lady Nicola?”

  Nicola stared at the man. His sloe dark eyes and full mouth seemed familiar.

  “What…what are you doing here?” The man took a step back. He looked horrified.

  “Will, what is it?” his companion asked. “Why are you staring at her like that?”

  “It’s Lady Nicola,” Will answered. “Also known as Lady Mortimer and now de Cressy. She’s your liege lord’s wife, you fool!”

  The man holding Glennyth gaped at Nicola. “What are you doing here?”

  “Freeing Glennyth. I need her to come back with me to Valmar.”

  The man shook his head. “This woman has been plotting with Sir Gilbert. The two of them have a plan to surrender Mordeaux to Prince John’s men and betray the castle.”

  “That’s not true.” Glennyth pulled away from her captor. Her hazel eyes flashed. “I haven’t even seen Sir Gilbert. By the time I arrived at the castle, he’d disappeared.”

  Both men stood silent, absorbing this.

  “What were you told?” Nicola asked. “About Sir Gilbert and the plot?”

  The one named Will answered, “Sir Adam said Gilbert had gone to Chester to meet up with the prince’s forces. They plan to march on Mordeaux, claim the castle, and make Gilbert the lord.”

  “The person behind the plot is FitzSaer, not De Vescy.” Nicola said. “FitzSaer is the one who’s trying to seize control. And he’s using you to carry out his plan. Sir Gilbert didn’t go to Chester. He was locked in the oubliette. I found him there yesterday and set him free.”

  Will looked at his companion, dismay written on his face. “That means we brought Lady Hilary and her children here for no good reason.”

  “And don’t forget what you did to me, you ignorant, hen-witted fools!” Glennyth struck the man holding her on the arm. The man stepped back, alarmed.

  “We didn’t know,” Will said. “We had no idea.”

  Nicola waved dismissively. “All that matters now is getting Glennyth back to Valmar. Lord Fawkes is badly wounded and needs the wise woman’s aid.”

  “Fawkes is wounded?” The other man stepped forward. “How did that happen?”

  “A crossbow bolt in his shoulder. It happened when he was at Mordeaux, trying to get them to open the gate. I would wager FitzSaer was behind it.” The men looked even more appalled. Nicola faced them sternly, hoping to spur them into action. “Go now and fetch mounts for us. The swiftest
horses you have. Lord de Cressy’s life depends on it.”

  As the knights hurried off, Glennyth sank down on the ground. Nicola sat beside her. “Thank you for rescuing me,” Glennyth said. “I truly feared I would die here. How did you find us?”

  “I searched the castle first. That’s how FitzSaer caught up with me and put me in the oubliette.”

  “He imprisoned you as well?”

  Nicola explained the events at the castle.

  Glennyth met her gaze with a wry look. “I would not have thought you so brave and resourceful to do all of that, my lady. No offense intended.”

  “Even a sennight ago I would not have thought myself capable of such things either. But knowing Fawkes’s life is at stake made me desperate. Once I discovered Hilary and the children had disappeared, I was frantic to find them as well.”

  “They’re on their way to Valmar?”

  Nicola nodded. “They have a mule, the only mount Morwenna could arrange. It will be slow going, but with luck Hilary and the children will reach Valmar before FitzSaer sends someone after them. And if those foolish knights would hurry up and bring us horses, we should be able to get away as well.”

  Glennyth shook her head. “You forget, Nicola. I don’t know how to ride.”

  “You’ll have to ride pillion behind me. It will be slower that way, but still faster than walking.”

  Will and the other man returned with two horses. “We’re only going to need one,” Nicola said. “Glennyth can’t ride on her own.”

  “Sarcanet is faster.” Will led the chestnut mare over to them. “But she can be skittish. Are you certain you’re strong enough to ride all that way, my lady?”

  “I have no choice.”

  Will held the reins as the other man helped Nicola mount and then boosted Glennyth up. Unused to two riders, the mare shifted and shied.

  “Whoa, Sarcanet.” Nicola spoke softly to the mare and patted the animal’s neck. When the mare settled, she told the men, “Go back to the manor house and pretend all is well. We need to keep FitzSaer from discovering his prisoners have escaped for as long as possible.” She turned the horse and called out to the men. “Thank you for your aid. I’ll make certain Lord de Cressy rewards you for your loyalty.” If he lives. The terrible fear that he would not gnawed at her.

  They hadn’t ridden long before they encountered Hilary and the mule. Nicola cursed herself for not bringing the other horse.

  Simon riding a mule made her uneasy. But his big grin made her realize he was enjoying himself. Indeed, both children seemed to think they were on a grand adventure.

  “What should we do now?” Hilary asked. “Do you each want to take one of the children and I’ll follow on foot?”

  “Perhaps I should go back and get the other horse,” Nicola said. “Riding would be much faster.”

  Hilary shook her head. “I’m sorry, milady. I never learned to ride.”

  Nicola nodded. “Glennyth is the same.” She wanted very badly to take Simon with her and Glennyth. But even his extra weight would be too much for their horse. She couldn’t risk overtaxing the animal and delaying their arrival at Valmar. Fawkes’s wound must be treated as soon as possible. She felt as if she was being torn in two, having to decide between Fawkes and her son. Always before, she’d chosen her son.

  “Are you all right to continue on with the children?” she asked Hilary. “You can manage this?”

  “I think so. If you tell me the way. What of you? You look worn to nothing.”

  Nicola glanced at Glennyth. “We’ll make it.” To Hilary she said, “Can you check the saddlebags? I’m hoping they might contain some supplies.”

  Hilary searched the saddlebags on the mare and came up with a flask but no food.

  “What’s in it?” Nicola asked.

  Hilary pulled out the stopper and sniffed. “Wine.”

  Nicola motioned for Hilary to hand the flask to Glennyth. Some wine might hearten her a bit.

  While Glennyth drank the wine, Nicola gave Hilary directions to Valmar. “You can’t risk taking the main road. You’ll have to go through the forest. After you cross the river, keep near it until you pass the castle. Then look for the pathway at the edge of the forest. If you have trouble finding the way, ask Ethelinda who lives by the river. You know her, of course.”

  Hilary nodded.

  “Now we must go,” Nicola said.

  “Wave farewell to Lady Nicola,” Hilary told Simon. “You’ll see her soon.”

  “Bye, lady!” Simon called.

  “Bye, lady,” echoed Joanie.

  Nicola shot one last longing look at Simon, and then urged the mare forward.

  It was late afternoon when they reached Valmar. Having scarcely slept for a day and a half, Nicola was so weary she could barely stay upright on the horse. Glennyth was not much better.

  The guard in the watchtower must have seen them coming and sent someone after Reynard. When they reached the castle yard, he was waiting for them. Reynard reached up to help Glennyth down. “God’s teeth, I’m glad to see you. When Gilbert arrived and told us you and Hilary and the children were missing, I didn’t know what to think.”

  Glennyth stood unsteadily. Reynard seized her arm. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m not used to riding,” Glennyth said. “Not to mention FitzSaer left me bound and gagged in a cellar for nearly two days.”

  Reynard made a hissing sound. “I’ll kill him, I’ll kill the bastard!”

  Nicola dismounted. For a moment she also had to struggle to stay upright. Every inch of her body ached. “Glennyth must see to Fawkes immediately,” she told Reynard.

  Reynard regarded Glennyth dubiously. “Perhaps she should rest first.”

  “I’m well enough,” Glennyth said. “How fares Fawkes?”

  Reynard’s expression was grim. “His fever has risen and he seems much weaker.”

  “Then there’s no time to waste.” Glennyth turned toward the castle.

  Reynard joined her. When he saw that Nicola wasn’t coming, he demanded sharply. “Why are you standing there? Don’t you care what happens to Fawkes?”

  “Of course I care. I’ll be there soon. First, I must send someone after Hilary and the children.”

  “Why didn’t you bring them with you?”

  Nicola felt like she would explode with exasperation. “It was impossible to bring everyone back with one horse and one mule. Now I must find someone who knows the route through the forest from Mordeaux. That’s the way they’ll be traveling.”

  “Why didn’t you have them take the road?”

  “FitzSaer won’t be expecting them to go through the forest.”

  “I wish I’d known this before Gilbert set off for Mordeaux. He and his escort could have taken the forest path and looked out for Hilary and the children.”

  “Who did you send with Gilbert?”

  “Oliver and Alexander. They hope to discover what is really happening in the castle.”

  “I can tell you what’s happening. FitzSaer has spun a story that Gilbert intends to betray Mordeaux to John’s army. He’s painted Gilbert as the villain when in fact it’s FitzSaer who means to surrender the castle.”

  Reynard cocked his head. “It seems very odd that you know exactly what FitzSaer intends.”

  “Not so odd when you consider he taunted me with his plans when I was imprisoned in the oubliette.”

  “You were imprisoned? How did you escape?”

  She’d had enough of Reynard. It didn’t matter if he believed her or not. She made a shooing gesture. “None of this matters. What’s important is getting Glennyth to Fawkes.”

  Reynard seemed to recover himself. “You’re right, of course.”

  “Certainly she is, you fool.” Glennyth took Reynard’s arm and led him away.

  Nicola hurried to the stables. Sending a cart would be the easiest way to bring Hilary and the children back, but a cart would never manage the narrow forest trackway. She’d have to send mounted knigh
ts. Three of them, so each horse would only have to carry two people. But who knew the route through the forest?

  Even as she had the thought, she saw Anselm crossing the yard. He’d grown up at Valmar and knew the area well. She motioned for him to approach. “Do you know how to get to Mordeaux by going through the woods?”

  “Aye, milady.”

  “Good. I need you to find two other knights with swift mounts. The three of you must take the path through the forest and look for a woman walking and two children riding a mule. The woman is Sir Gilbert’s wife. She is on the way here with her children. I need you to bring them to here as quickly as possible. You can leave the mule behind if it’s faster.”

  “Of course, my lady.”

  Anselm hurried off. Nicola wished she could go with him. But she must see to Fawkes.

  By the time she arrived in the tower room, Glennyth had peeled off Fawkes’s bandages to reveal his badly swollen shoulder. Seeing the streaks of red around the wound, Nicola gasped in dismay. “’Tis as I feared. The putrefaction has started.”

  “Aye. But the poison hasn’t yet spread to the rest of his body. We have a chance.”

  “What will you do?”

  Glennyth led Nicola away from the bed. “We must drain as much of poison as we can, then I’ll make a poultice to draw out the rest. I’ve already sent Reynard to have the cook prepare a bucket of hot bran and boiled onions.”

  “Bran and boiled onions?”

  “Aye. It must be applied when it’s very hot. ’Twill not be pleasant for Fawkes. Although the fever has already rendered him partially insensible, he’ll still feel this. We’d best give him some poppy.”

  Nicola went the storage chest and took out the vial of poppy juice. She frowned as she shook it. “We gave him quite a bit before I removed the crossbow bolt, but I thought there was more left than this.”

  Glennyth took the vial. “’Tis enough, I think.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four