Again he seemed nonplussed. "Then you should speak to my father, though it seems clear enough that he will be happy to take him."
"I do not want to send my son where he is not wanted."
"You are asking me for permission?" He laughed softly. "But why?"
"It is your home." She approached a step closer. "If Francis is there I will visit. I wish to ensure there is no misunderstanding."
"You wish to reassure me that you will not transfer your affections to my father. Or you are warning me that you will? It is clear that your interest in my brother was not what it seemed. I suppose that makes it less incestuous. Does my father know?"
She said nothing, but her hands were shaking. She laced cold fingers together to still the tremor. He had a right to be angry. After a moment she found her voice, "It is too soon, I am sorry."
"Too soon, saints of mercy." He turned quickly and caught her arm before she could walk away. "Tell me," he snarled. "Did you persuade him to face de Nortial?"
"No!"
"Why else did you go to Allesarion but to complete your revenge? Though surely there can be little satisfaction in it. You must know Edouard had nothing to do with your husband's death."
"I know that," she said. "I went to learn the truth," she took a careful breath. His fingers crushed her arm. He understood too much and too little. "It had to be done; this affects more than just Chamfort."
"I know it," he said, cold as ice. "What reason did you give him for your presence in Allesarion? Did you tell him the truth or did he guess?"
"The truth is not simple," she said. "He understood that."
Charles laughed, a dry rasp of sound. "And you say, after learning of such a betrayal, it was not your doing he fought de Nortial?"
"You think he did it because he was lovesick? As always you give him too little credit." It was a low blow, but it silenced him for a moment.
"There were other options," he said at last. The grip on her arm had eased, and he stood very still watching her face. "Edouard would never give up." He was not talking of the contest against de Nortial.
She blinked away tears. What had she expected from him? "His time in Allesarion had changed him." When he did not answer, she went on, wanting it done but with no wish to cause further hurt. "You say there were other choices; do you believe that he thought so?" It was too dark to see his face. She could not defend herself without being cruel.
He turned away from her and walked into the arbor where he dropped on the seat as if exhausted. "He wrote to me, but it was a carefully worded letter, quite unlike Edouard, it said little," he admitted. "The letter arrived after news of his death. At first I did not think he had written it, but he wrote to Elle and the twins too. You are saying he made a choice for the sake of his family?"
"I'm sorry. It was not my place." She brushed silent tears away. "But when you accused me…"
"Answer me honestly, that's all I ask."
"He chose to face de Nortial. He wanted to protect you all. What more can I know?" It was impossible to find the right words.
"My father will not talk about it. Though regret for what happened consumes him." His voice was weary. "He cannot forgive himself."
She thought of all Rupert had endured. "Your father works to protect his family. To do so he had to prove his loyalty to Ferdinand. It was an impossible choice."
"I know that."
"Nothing has changed. It is why he is here with Lorenzo. The matter of the betrothal is settled. Even when it is known, until Gaynor's child is born there will be danger for Etrives and Chamfort." She knew he understood all this; his friendship with Arnaud was built from the same necessity.
He shook his head. "This match will see Elle safe. But Chamfort is not safe."
"Chamfort will survive. That is Edouard's legacy."
He looked into the night. The silence lasted so long she turned to leave. Then he spoke softly. "Of course Edouard would choose to fight. He believed he could best de Nortial." He laughed softly. "Edouard believed he could beat anyone." He was silent for a moment. "I can bear anything but the thought…" He stopped, leaving it unsaid. Shaking his head with an exhausted stubbornness.
There was nothing she could say, and no way to take back what had been said. She could only be practical, even a little maternal. "There is a bed for you inside."
He gave a gasp of laughter at her tone and then held himself rigidly still, as if shocked by his reaction.
He rose and stood for a moment, staring down. "I'm sorry. I have been ungracious." His laugh was bitter. "It is perhaps what you expect of me."
She tried to protest but he did not let her.
"Your son will be welcome at Chamfort, as will you." He hesitated. "I will not be much there. Your friendship is a comfort to my father."
She did not know how to answer. Before she could think of any small measure of comfort, the sound of horses came to them, the beat of hooves galloping along the drive. He was on his feet and at her side in a moment.
"The roads are watched. It must be a friend," she said.
The speed told them everything. Charles de Chamfort cursed his voice low and hard. He gripped her arm. They ran together to meet the rider.
As they reached the courtyard, she saw it was Jaime and he was alone. He reined his sweating horse to a plunging halt, and leaped from the saddle before the animal had stilled.
"Jai, what is happening?" she asked.
He started for the door but turned back when she called out. The look on his face raised terrifying memories.
"Mariette," he spared Charles a quick glance. "The shadow creature and the dark knights are coming. The Compact's men are close behind me. They should arrive first. When they come we must close the gates."
The shadow creature was coming to Montmercy. Her children were here.
Jaime took her hand. "We will keep them safe." He promised.
She knew he meant it; she knew he would give his life to keep them safe. "Thank you," she said, and wished there was time for more. She could hear a group of riders approaching fast.
As the Compact's men galloped into the keep, Jaime yelled, "Close the gates."
"How long?" asked Charles.
"Soon," Jaime said.
Chapter 104
Mariette brought Rupert, Mathieu and Lorenzo de Etrives to the gallery above the great hall. From the windows, they could look out on the tree lined drive and watch the approach of the shadow knights. It gave them the opportunity to judge their enemy's numbers and strength. Mathieu was looking for the shadow creature.
Mariette stood with them and watched the torches progress along the avenue of trees, towards her home. Her children were hidden in the cellars beneath the castle. They were well guarded. She knew how little that would mean if Rupert and Mathieu could not defend the castle, or if the shadow creature came. But if things went badly then Stefan and his best men would take them away from Montmercy. She trusted Stefan; still it was a struggle not to give in to fear. The creature that had killed Hugo was coming to her home.
In the courtyard below, the men of Montmercy, Chamfort and Etrives stood side by side. The Compact's men, last arrived, stood before the closed gates. Mariette watched the flickering torches draw closer.
"Fifty knights?" said Rupert.
"No more," agreed Lorenzo. "A surprisingly small force," he sounded grim. "If they have come because they know we are here, then they must know the castle will be well defended."
"If the shadow creature is with them, that will not matter," said Mathieu.
The torches had reached the halfway mark. Flames bobbed beneath the trees. She could begin to distinguish horses and the dull glint of the riders' armor.
"Where is the creature?" Mathieu leaned forward, staring into the night. "What game is this?"
"What are we looking for? I don't see anything, just the knights," said Lorenzo.
Even as he spoke, the castle's massive gates shattered. Splinters of wood and metal ripped across the cou
rtyard. The men who stood near to the gates were cut to pieces, those closest dead within moments.
"Sorcery," said Mathieu. "The shadow creature is here." He was running before he finished speaking.
Beyond the ruined gates she could see the darkness, and among the darkness, impossibly, a patch of shadow. It was the shape of a man, but it swirled and reformed before her eyes. She realized Rupert and Lorenzo were gone from her side. It had begun.
She had heard stories of the shadow creature, and had seen the bodies of its victims. Jaime had always believed the creature had killed Hugo. She knew he was right. Her last memory of Hugo was his face in death; the agonized rictus showing how he had suffered.
She watched as the shadow came sweeping through the ruined gates. The men who tried to stop it died, cut down before they could raise their swords. Behind the creature the shadow knights arrived, torches held high.
The Compact's men met them as they swept into the courtyard. The first moments of conflict were brutal. The Compact's men fell back, disadvantaged against mounted opponents. But the Chamfort knights and the Etrives knights stood with them, and these were men with battlefield experience, led by knights of the caliber of Gerald and Antonio. The shadow knights might bring terror to villagers, but here they faced something different. Their progress was halted and the fighting grew fierce and bloody.
The shadow creature did not wait for its knights to follow. It cut a path through the courtyard and not even the knights of Chamfort or Etrives could stand before the blades of shadow it wielded. The creature shifted shape, formed talons as long and sharp as swords. It cut men down with careless ease, and where the shadow settled men died screaming. In moments the creature had scythed a path through the defenders, growing in strength as it did so. Mariette's breath choked in her throat. The shadow was heading for the castle.
She saw Jaime running forward. Sword drawn, he took position between the shadow creature and the castle doors. Brother Liam was close by. He was chanting in a language she could not understand. He held a silver medallion. The chant and medal seemed to stop the creature for a moment, then with a roar the shadow turned on the monk.
She did not know if it was Liam's chant or the medal in his fist that drew the creature's attention and rage. The young monk had some power, but it was a fragile thing. He had not completed his training. If Brother Milo could not stand against the shadow then Liam would not have the strength. He was safe only for as long as he was protected; the creature had to cut through men to get to him. Jaime moved to stand between Liam and the shadow, his sword glinting against the unnatural darkness.
As the last men fell the shadow surged forward; Jaime stood his ground and slashed at the creature. His sword passed through the shadow. The creature did not seem to be harmed. It turned on Jaime, reaching out a tendril of shadow, sharp as a dagger. Jaime tried to parry the shadow blade with his sword and his blade shattered. The lance of shadow stabbed out. It pierced Jaime's side and slid deep, lifting and holding him. She heard him scream. The shadow blade twisted and, suspended above the ground, Jaime writhed in agony.
Liam rallied and the chant rose, stronger than ever. She could feel the power; it was enough to halt the shadow for a moment, but it still held Jaime pinned in its grip. Slowly the creature started towards Liam. Before it could reach him, Mathieu ran forward. His sword cut to the heart of the shadow. The blade did not shatter, but a tendril of shadow rose to strike at him. It pierced his shoulder and he staggered backward.
The creature let Jaime fall; he tumbled to the ground and lay unmoving. A blade of shadow swept down towards him. Before the shadow could strike, Mathieu staggered forward. With a terrible effort he raised his sword and blocked the shadow blade. His sword shattered. The shadow creature turned on him. A spear of shadow lanced out. Mariette heard Mathieu scream. She saw him fall near Jaime. The shadow lingered over his fallen body.
Charles de Chamfort was fighting his way towards the creature. Rupert and Lorenzo were running hard. She thought it was too late. They would all die. Just as Hugo had died.
Shock held her in place. She could not look away.
She saw Charles stride forward. She had never thought of him as a warrior, or a brave man, but he raised his sword and yelled; she could not hear the words, but the shadow creature turned. It saw Charles. The creature roared as if in recognition.
Charles faced the shadow alone. His father and Lorenzo were too far away.
The creature turned on Charles. Brother Liam was still chanting, but the creature did not seem to notice the chant. The shadow advanced relentlessly toward Charles. He stood his ground. It was suicide and he must know it. He raised his sword; it was the only defense he had, though blades were useless against the shadow. The shadow creature towered over him. A thick blade of shadow formed. Charles looked up at his death.
As the creature prepared to strike, two men came to stand beside Charles. They wore dark armor and no badge that she could see. One was light haired; he touched Charles's shoulder, perhaps he spoke. Mariette could not tell. In that moment the other man stepped past Charles, and raising his own blade faced the shadow creature in his place. The shadow creature turned silently to face the newcomer.
The man held a long, curved blade. The metal glittered in the torchlight drawing the light as if in opposition to the shadow, but the blade seemed too fine and slender for a weapon. Surely it could not stand against the shadow.
Mariette saw a ripple of darkness pass through the courtyard. At first she thought it was the shadow, but then she saw a change in the battle that surrounded the creature. Her own men and the knights of Chamfort and Etrives were joined by new allies, a score of slender figures in the same dark armor as the two men.
The newcomers carried no standard or badge; there was no way to identify them. As she watched a strange thought came to her. From their size and the way they moved she thought they were women. How could that be? With them came another taller figure. A third man. She saw he wore dark robes. She had seen such robes in Allesarion. He was a magister. She looked back to the slight figures, and saw they fought fearlessly, with deadly skill. She had heard tell of Micia's band of female assassins. Were these Micia's Allesari?
She looked for the other two men. The flames glinted on golden hair where one man stood beside Charles de Chamfort, holding his arm. The other man stood before the shadow. He held his sword in a two handed grip, his body poised and still, as if waiting for something. Along the blade strange runes sparkled to life. The shadow creature stilled; its attention fixed on the man and sword.
A spear of shadow lanced towards the waiting man, and he parried smoothly with the curved blade. The slender blade cut through shadow. Mariette gasped. The runes on the sword blazed, a dazzling light that seared the shadow, severing a portion. The blade had power. She wondered if the man was a magister, but he moved and fought like a knight.
Driven back by the blade and the man's skill, the shadow creature screamed. It was as much a sound of fury as pain. The man struck at the shadow; his blade moved with lethal grace. The creature recoiled. The shadow roared a challenge. Some of the dark knights turned in response; Charles and the other man stood together, waiting to hold them off. Side by side they fought to protect the man with the blade. As she watched, the Allesari moved to form a living cordon between the dark knights and the shadow creature. Brother Liam was beside the magister. She saw their lips move as they chanted in unison.
The shadow creature was consumed by its fight with one man. It had no time to aid its servants. Mariette saw Rupert and Lorenzo and their men surround the shadow knights, cutting through their ranks. The Compact's men rallied, Remy and Bruno among them. In this battle the tide had turned. Facing the knights of Chamfort and Etrives, without their master, the shadow knights were overwhelmed, their numbers decimated. Soon they must surrender or perish. But that victory would not matter; no one at Montmercy would be safe if the shadow creature was not defeated.
Mariette look
ed back to that battle. Man and shadow creature fought. It was a surreal sight. The man's skill against the creature's unnatural speed and strength. She watched mesmerized as the fine blade cut and blocked with deadly skill. But the shadow creature could form many blades and the man could not escape them all. She saw him cut, each time he rallied and fought back. Time and again his blade sliced through the shadow.
The Allesari had formed a circle. Liam and the sorcerer stood together, still chanting in unison. Inside the ring of warriors a circle of flame sprang up; the flames rose and fell with the sorcerer's chant. The circle created a barrier, trapping the shadow creature. Trapping the man it fought. But if the man failed, she did not think the sorcerer's flames would hold the creature for long. Mariette watched that battle at the center of the fiery circle. This was what they all fought for; the shadow creature must be destroyed.
The other fight was over. The few remaining shadow knights were disarmed and pinned by the captors. Finished giving orders Rupert and Lorenzo turned to the battle between man and shadow. They approached the circle with swords raised. Mariette thought it was their intention to join the fight, but one of the Allesari came to halt them.
Her attention was taken by the sight of men carrying the injured towards the hall. With a last glance to the battle raging inside the circle of flames, Mariette left her place and hurried down to help with the injured. The hall was already filling with wounded men. Her people were tending to them. She saw they had everything they needed and gave aid where she could. Then she looked for Jaime and Mathieu. She searched among the wounded but did not find them.
An icy fear settled on her. She went to the door.
A strange calm had settled over the courtyard. The surviving shadow knights had been disarmed and bound. The Allesari guarded the circle. Rupert and Lorenzo's men stood waiting beyond it, swords drawn. Through the flames she could see that the battle between man and shadow continued. It came to her that the shadow was too strong. No man could stand against such a creature.
Traitor Blade: (Books 1-3) Page 100
