The Silken Cord

by Leigh Bale

  “You dare question my word? I’m Lord of Glyndwr. Open the door. Now.”

  Edwin of Carlinham!

  Wulfgar stepped back as Edwin entered with four guards. Wulfgar’s gaze swept them all, noticing each man brandished a heavy club. Wulfgar didn’t believe Carlinham had the king’s permission to visit, but it didn’t matter now.

  “What do you want?” Wulfgar asked in a lethal tone.

  “I want you dead,” Edwin sneered. “Chain him.”

  The guards swarmed Wulfgar. He fought them, but his hands were bound and he did little damage as they hammered him with their clubs. He soon found his hands pulled high above his head, the chains looped over an iron hook set high in the stone wall. His chest faced the wall, his back to Carlinham. Then the guards left Carlinham alone with him and Wulfgar wrapped his hands around his bindings, jerking at the chains.

  Spitting blood, Wulfgar turned his face to the side. The cold stone felt rough against his cheek. How he wished he could look at Carlinham so he could spit in the man’s face.

  A low chuckle came from Edwin and Wulfgar was conscious of the man standing just behind him. He felt Edwin’s hands at his neck and tensed. With two savage jerks, Edwin tore Wulfgar’s shirt and opened it wide to reveal the bare expanse of his back.

  Stepping to the side where Wulfgar could see him, Edwin showed a sinister smile as he reached for a whip he had tucked into the waist of his pants.

  “I think I’m going to enjoy this.” Unfurling the whip, Edwin stepped behind Wulfgar.

  Crack!

  The lash tore into Wulfgar’s flesh. Edwin’s laughter filled the room. Wulfgar flinched against the burning pain, but refused to cry out.

  “Scream, Wulfgar. There’s no one but me to hear you.”

  Crack!

  Wulfgar jerked and clenched his teeth.

  “Before I’m finished, you’ll beg me to stop,” Edwin mocked.

  Thrice more, the lash fell, until Wulfgar’s back was on fire, his mind numb to anything but hate.

  “Stop!” Robert returned and threw open the door. “King William didn’t give orders to whip the prisoner.”

  Wulfgar breathed with relief. Praise God, the guards were William’s, loyal to him and not Carlinham.

  Robert took the whip from Edwin and moved to the cell door. Wulfgar turned his head to the side and saw Robert’s harsh face as he waited for Edwin to follow him out.

  Edwin peered at Wulfgar, his mouth curved in a cruel smile. “Too bad. I was so enjoying our little chat. Perhaps later we can finish this.”

  “I’ll kill you one day,” Wulfgar growled low.

  “I think you’ll find that difficult, once the king lops off your head. But I can promise you this.” Edwin leaned nearer, so that Wulfgar felt his foul breath hiss past his ear. “Once Ariana is my wife, I’ll remind her every day of your death.”

  Fury blinded Wulfgar. With a roar of rage, he jerked upwards against the chains and used the leverage to climb the wall with his feet. Flipping the link off the hook in the wall, he freed himself from the wall and whipped the chains about, striking Edwin across the face.

  Blood spurted across the wall as Edwin groaned and fell back, reaching a hand up to his nose. Wulfgar jumped on the man, knocking him to the stone floor, pounding his face with his bound fists.

  “Hold!” Robert launched himself at Wulfgar’s back, trying to pull him off Edwin.

  More guards raced into the cell, grabbing Wulfgar’s arms, trying to pull him back. It took six men to get him off of Carlinham.

  Edwin came to his feet, wiping blood from his nose, spitting a tooth out. His dark hair fell into his eyes and he tossed a hateful glance at Wulfgar. “I’ll see you dead for that.”

  “Out,” Robert ordered, leading Edwin to the door.

  Wulfgar showed a jeering smile. “You’ll never live to wed Ariana, this I vow.”

  No response came from Edwin as the guards hurried him outside and slammed the door closed.

  Throwing back his head, Wulfgar laughed long and hard, the sound hollow as it echoed off the cell walls. When he finally quieted, his head slumped to his chest and he stared at his chained hands. Feeling the burn of tears, he turned his mind to Ariana. Pure and sweet, warm and strong.

  How he loved her. His heart swelled and he could barely contain his emotions. He must not give up hope. Not as long as she lived. He must trust in God, for all else had failed him.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The bulk of the king’s army secured the town. Men-at-arms were stationed in the gatehouse, along the palisade walls and on the battlements. Ariana stared at their cruel faces. Fierce men of war. This was the army that had harrowed the north, laying waste to all who opposed King William.

  Wulfgar had helped. And yet, she could remember nothing about him, but his tender embrace as he comforted her.

  As two burly guards escorted her to a locked chamber above the great hall, she doubted she would ever see her homeland again.

  Inside her room, she opened the shutters and stared out the window at the activities down below in the bailey. A group of soldiers came from the stable, leading fresh mounts. Archers lined the battlements as spearmen practiced against a target made of straw. William’s men were still dressed in armor, wearing their individual coat of arms beneath their chain mail.

  Would she ever see her brother again? She prayed Evan was as loyal as Jenkin had been.

  Down in the bailey, soldiers loaded bodies into wagons to take outside the castle for burial. When two guards carried Jenkin’s body out of the gatehouse, tears burned her eyes and she coughed, unable to contain a hollow sob.

  He should be buried in Welsh soil.

  She watched as the horses pulling the wagon plodded outside the castle and up to a lone hill with a single tree overlooking the valley. Peasants from the town dug graves and laid the dead men to rest. A man of God bowed his head and prayed over the graves.

  Clutching the shutters with whitened knuckles, she ignored the tears running down her face. At least she knew where Jenkin was. Somehow, it was fitting for him to remain here, where he might watch over her always. She didn’t think the king would let her leave Cynan and she believed Jenkin would prefer to remain close by rather than returning to Wales. He’d given everything for her. His future, his life.

  All gone.

  What would King William do with her? Would she be taken away to the dungeons at Winchester or given in marriage to Edwin? Both prospects made her shudder, but she was smart enough to know she was a valuable hostage to keep the Welsh under control. No doubt William would wed her to one of his men. But that didn’t mean they would treat her well.

  There was a knock on the door and she turned from the window, wiping her eyes.

  “Enter.”

  A young woman opened the door and poked her head in. “Begging your pardon, my lady. My name is Gwyn. My father was the blacksmith here at Cynan. The king has sent me to wait on you.”

  Gwyn entered, carrying a tray bearing a savory meat pie, several red apples and chunks of golden cheese. As she set her burden down, she reached up and swept a wavy lock of auburn hair back from her face and tucked it beneath a woolen scarf on her head. Ariana knew from her coarse woolen smock that Gwyn was a peasant. From her pert nose and the smattering of freckles across her cheeks, the girl appeared to be about Ariana’s age.

  “Your father is dead?” Ariana asked

  Gwyn knelt beside the brazier and lit a fire before answering. “Yes. Lord Carlinham’s horse stumbled and threw him, so he had my father killed.”

  “Why would Carlinham kill your father when his horse stumbled?”

  Adding kindling to the fire, Gwyn shook her head. “Because my father shoed the horse the day before, Edwin blamed him. Then Edwin killed the horse and gave me to his men to use. One day, I’ll see him dead for it.”

  Her voice was whisper soft and chilling. The confession surprised Ariana. Was Gwyn so certain of Ariana’s hatred for Edwin that the girl w
ould confide in her?

  “Come and eat, princess. You must be starved.”

  Ariana’s stomach twisted with tension. How could she eat? Shaking her head, she turned back to the window.

  “You’ll want a bath and rest before supper. The king will summon you to come down later this evening.”

  Summon! The word burned her mind with outrage.

  Gwyn’s father had obviously served under Wulfgar. Since Edwin had murdered the man, would Gwyn be sympathetic to Wulfgar’s plight?

  “Are you still loyal to Lord Wulfgar?” Ariana asked.

  Gwyn’s gaze slid toward the hallway and she nudged the door closed with her foot. Her voice lowered. “Of course. But Lord Carlinham rules here now. The king will sentence Lord Wulfgar to death.”

  Ariana felt a jolt of fear course through her veins. “Would you help Wulfgar and me escape?”

  Ariana’s question was blunt and unexpected, but she had no time for niceties.

  Gwyn’s mouth dropped open and she stared. “It would be foolhardy, my lady. The castle is overrun by King William’s guards. They are much more vigilant than Lord Carlinham’s men. If we were caught…” She shuddered. “We would be killed. Besides, the king has two guards stationed outside your door. One accompanies me wherever I go. The king is very cautious.”

  Ariana sighed. It’d been worth a try, but she couldn’t blame the young woman for being wary. “Leave me.”

  Gwyn’s mouth quivered. “But my lady, the king has sent me to prepare you for tonight. You don’t want to make him angry by appearing before him wearing rags.”

  No, she didn’t want to anger William, but she needed time to brace herself for what was to come. She had no doubt the king would insist she marry Edwin of Carlinham. If it would save Wulfgar’s life, she’d gladly comply. Would the king bargain with her?

  Her cooperation for Wulfgar’s life.

  Her blood pounded in her veins. “I need time alone.”

  Picking up the damp towels, Gwyn went to the door. “All right, my lady. I’ll return later, in time to help you dress.”

  Gwyn closed the door quietly and Ariana breathed with relief. Alone in the privacy of her room, she stared out the window again, watching as William’s army set up their tents outside the castle walls. So many men. She was well and truly trapped. Wulfgar never had a chance.

  Unable to bear the sight of their defeat any longer, she flung herself across the furs on the bed and gave way to her sorrow. Her ragged sobs filled the room.

  Wulfgar. Dafydd. Jenkin.

  All lost to her. She was alone. Despair flowed through her heart. Her soul ached for the love she’d found with Wulfgar only to lose it before she could even tell him how she felt.

  How could she go on? How could she stand to live?

  She must. For Wulfgar and Dafydd’s sake. Though she was a prisoner, she must do everything in her power to try and be a voice for them and for her people.

  Later, Gwyn returned and helped Ariana wash her hair and bathe. Neither of them spoke as Gwyn dressed Ariana in a soft linen gown of mauve. Gwyn brushed Ariana’s golden hair until it glimmered like sunbeams down her back.

  “Don’t look so sad,” Gwyn told her. “The king has given orders that you’re to have anything you desire.”

  Except Wulfgar and her freedom.

  Gwyn dabbed Ariana’s arms and neck with rose water, speaking in a gentle tone. “I overheard the king talking about a marriage alliance for you. Lord Carlinham has asked for your hand, but the king hasn’t agreed, yet. Though he’s handsome as the devil, Lord Carlinham would never be a kind husband.” Gwyn wrinkled her nose with repugnance.

  Tension coiled in Ariana’s stomach. If she couldn’t have Wulfgar for her husband, she wanted none. All men paled when she compared them to him.

  Sitting on the bed, Ariana twined her fingers together and watched Gwyn tidy up the room. A knock sounded on the door.

  “Enter,” Ariana called.

  A guard opened the door. “The king seeks your presence below.”

  Ariana’s stomach clenched. She wanted to refuse William’s summons, but she longed to hear word of Wulfgar. When would they take him to Winchester for execution?

  Standing, she walked through the narrow passage leading to the stairwell. Two guards were there to escort her and Gwyn below. Stiffening her spine, Ariana stared straight ahead as she took hold of the rope railing and walked down the steps. In the great hall, lighted torches had been set about the room and a cheery fire burned in the large fire pit. The scent of tallow and fresh bread filled the room.

  She uttered not a word as she was ushered to the head table where the king sat on a raised dais. Baldwin and various lieutenants sat on the king’s left. Edwin hovered on the king’s right, sipping from a goblet of wine. When Edwin saw her, his brows lowered. What had happened to his face? His eyes were blackened, his lips swollen, and he had cuts and gashes on his cheeks and forehead.

  She couldn’t suppress a wide smile. She longed to congratulate whoever had given him the beating.

  Looking away, he tilted his cup to his lips and gingerly took a sip.

  The hall was filled with soldiers and guards, the room stifling as she stood before the king’s high table. Servants rushed about, filling the men’s goblets with wine and ale. They had either just finished a meal or would soon partake of one.

  A loud thud sounded behind her and she turned to see the large oak door thrown open and two guards accompanied Wulfgar inside. The moment she saw him, her heartbeat picked up and joy suffused her.

  “Wulfgar.” She tried to run to him, but a guard grabbed her arms and pulled her back.

  Wulfgar walked the length of the hall and stood beside her, his hands bound in front of him. He clenched his jaw, his eyes sparkling with fire as he surveyed the room. His gaze stabbed Edwin of Carlinham.

  Wulfgar’s shirt had been torn into tatters and his back glistened with sweat and bloody stripes.

  He’d been whipped. Had the king ordered this torture?

  Anger pounded Ariana’s temples. She tossed an ugly glare at William, but her legs and arms trembled when she considered what other tortures the king might have planned.

  Wulfgar’s gaze met hers. “Are you well?”

  Ariana’s stomach turned somersaults. He’d been whipped, yet he sought after her welfare. Gone was the fury in his eyes, replaced by warmth. Jutting his chin, he demonstrated the pride and valor she knew was such a part of him. A comforting smile curved his mouth. How could he show such courage?

  And then she knew. It was for her benefit. To offer his strength to her.

  Oh, how she loved him. In the face of his tremendous valor, how could she show any less courage?

  “Yes, I am well.” Standing in front of the king’s table, Ariana curtsied low before William.

  “Princess Ariana,” the king acknowledged her. “I’ve decided the best way to unite the border is to wed you to one of my lords.”

  Ariana tensed. “I’m a princess of Wales, sire. You have no right to do such a thing.”

  A muscle began to tick in the king’s jaw. “You’re my prisoner. I may do as I wish with you.”

  Like his knights, William still wore his chain mail, but the deep purple of his soft linen chainse declared him a royal. But she also had royal blood flowing through her veins.

  She lifted her head and met the king’s eyes. “Before his death, my father entered into negotiations to betroth me to Wulfgar de Conteville. I’ll accept him as my husband and none other.”

  Wulfgar shifted beside her, but she didn’t look at him. She held the king’s gaze without flinching.

  The king shrugged. “Unfortunately, de Conteville has been condemned.”

  “Then I’ll wed Lord Carlinham in exchange for Wulfgar’s freedom.”

  One of William’s eyebrows rose and he spoke in a dry tone. “You’ll wed whom I tell you to wed, princess.”

  He wouldn’t deal with her. A lump rose in her throat, choking of
f her air supply. She could not speak.

  “In the meantime, sit there.” William pointed at a seat beside Edwin.

  She hesitated. All was not yet lost. Obeying the king, she skirted the table. If she could get into the king’s good graces, perhaps she might help Wulfgar escape.

  She sat beside Edwin, pulling the chair as far away as possible. When he grinned at her discomfort, she bristled, then blinked in surprise. Someone had knocked out one of his front teeth.

  She laughed. Edwin closed his gap-toothed mouth and glowered at her.

  William lifted a goblet and drank deeply, his eyes glowing with amusement. Then he looked at Ariana, his dark eyes boring into hers. “Tell me, Princess Ariana, do you support Lord Wulfgar’s cause, or your own?”

  “I support the cause of my people,” Ariana answered truthfully.

  “Yet, you have championed Wulfgar.”

  She nodded her head. “I believe Wulfgar is innocent of offence against you. I don’t understand all that has happened to convince you otherwise, but I will never believe Wulfgar guilty of treason.”

  She was conscious of the appreciation in Wulfgar’s eyes. Did her approval mean so much to him?

  She glanced at Edwin. “If it means my death, I would revenge myself upon Edwin of Carlinham. In return for the death of my father, I will kill Lord Carlinham one day.”

  Edwin’s eyes flared with surprise. Silence prevailed, her threat more chilling because of her calmness and also because she was a woman.

  The king chuckled. “Perhaps you’ll change your mind about wanting the princess for your wife, Carlinham. She could kill you in your sleep.”

  William took another long drink from his cup, his gaze never wavering. “I can understand your animosity for Carlinham. But why do you defend Lord Wulfgar? He’s a Norman and an enemy to your people. Do you forgive him so freely for the deaths he has caused?”

  She thought of her brothers and father. Wulfgar hadn’t killed them. He’d tried to negotiate peace with her father, not war. Though she would have liked to punish the ones responsible for her brothers’ deaths, no longer could she hate all Normans. Or Wulfgar.