The Bravest of Them All

by Laurel O'Donnell

  Nessa ducked behind a thick tree. The half-moon cast light down upon the tree and nearby bushes. She pushed her back up against the tree, taking deep breaths. Her only chance was now. She had a plan, she told herself. It will work. She bent down on her hands and knees and began crawling behind bushes, carefully picking up her hands and gently placing them down so as not to make any noise. She came to the end of the bushes and glanced through the thick leaves at the guard near the camp. He had half turned away so his side was to her. She waited until his gaze was turned away from her before crawling quickly to another tree. Her heart pounded as she pressed her back to the tree. He must have heard her. She had made noise as she scrambled to the tree. He must have known. She waited for him to come and discover her. But as time passed and he didn’t show, she rose to her feet. She chanced a peek around the tree. He was facing the forest! She quickly ducked back, praying he had not seen her. She pressed herself against the trunk of the tree and squeezed her eyes shut as she waited for a cry of alarm. But no alarm came and she gradually opened her eyes, releasing a held breath.

  She looked to her right. She needed to make it to one more tree, where the leaves and canopy of the forest blocked the moonlight. She was confident she would be out of his line of sight. The problem was there were no bushes and nothing to hide behind between the tree she was pressed to and the tree of her freedom.

  She eased around the trunk again, ever so careful. He still stood near the camp, presenting her with his side. He was looking toward the camp.

  Without giving herself a moment to think, she picked up her skirt and raced across the space to the next tree. One step, two, three. Her foot caught on the root of a tree and she lost her balance. She grabbed hold of the tree so she wouldn’t fall and righted herself, quickly hiding behind it. The camp was farther away now, out of the guard’s line of sight. She chanced one more glance toward the camp and the guard. She couldn’t see him any longer; he was blocked by trees and branches.

  She didn’t hesitate. She ran. Deeper into the forest. Guided by the half moon, she carefully avoided shadowed trees as she ran. A whooshing sound of wind sounded in her ears with the beat of her heart. Her breath came in quick gasps. She knew how dangerous this was. It certainly wasn’t something Mel would have done. She had to do it. She wanted to go home so badly. She knew she wasn’t safe just yet. There were still two of Urien’s men patrolling the forest. She would have to be careful to avoid them.

  Her breathing burned in her chest and she slowed her pace to a jog. She tried to use the moon as a guide, as best she could. She wished she had paid better attention to Loren when he was teaching her and Mel about direction and how to use the heavens and nature to guide you. For all she knew, she was going in a circle and would end up back at the camp.

  She paused, breathing hard, and looked over her shoulder. The forest was dark with long shadows, but she couldn’t see anyone following her. She lifted her gaze to the sky. The half-moon shone down upon her through the leaves of the trees. She looked at the trees, remembering moss grew on the north side. It was much too dark to see any moss. She ran her hand over the bark of the tree, but it was useless until the sun rose. She looked up at the sky again. Maybe if she just ran in the direction of the bottom of the moon and kept going that way. At least it would be away from Urien. That was what she would do. She would... She whirled and took a step...

  ...only to be caught in a man’s arms. She gasped. Before she could scream, a hand landed on her mouth, stifling her shout. She shook her head and began to struggle. No, no, no! Her mind continued to repeat.

  The hand around her mouth tightened and another hand wrapped around her waist to pull her close against a hard chest. “Nessa!” The word came out in a harsh whisper.

  At her name, she stilled with dread. Had Urien’s man found her?

  “It’s me. Luke! Luke of Brackley.”

  Startled into disbelief, Nessa finally peered through the darkness at the man before her. She stopped her fight as his dark shadow finally took shape. His hair was longer than she remembered, touching his shoulders, but she couldn’t see his features. It was too dark. Her hands rested against cold metal, his armor. After a moment, she brushed his hand from her mouth. “Luke?” she whispered.

  “Come. My horse is this way.” He took her hand and began to lead her through the forest.

  Stunned with relief, she willingly went with him.

  He chuckled softly. “Looks like you didn’t need rescuing after all.”

  “How did you find me?” she asked quietly.

  He stopped, shushing her for a moment as they hid behind a tree. He looked back at her. “I’ve learned a few things.”

  She knew he was a battle-hardened knight now. She knew he had fought beside her father and the prince. It had been five years since she had last seen him, five years since he and her father had ridden off with an army of men to do battle with the French. How could he be here now? How could he...? It didn’t matter. Joy and gratitude bubbled inside of her. All that mattered was that he had come for her.

  When he took a step to continue their escape, she threw her arms around him, knocking him back against the tree. “Thank you for coming after me.”

  Luke chuckled a warm, soft sound that rumbled from deep inside his chest. He returned her hug, holding her in a comfortable embrace. “How could I not?” He pulled back to look down at her.

  For just a moment, the clouds parted and the moonlight escaped to touch his face. His eyes were deep blue and gazed at her in fondness. His nose was strong and straight. His jaw was square and peppered with a day’s growth of beard. Nessa couldn’t move, could barely breathe. She wanted the moment to go on. His hands were warm around her, holding her against his hard body. He was devastatingly handsome.

  He stepped away from her and the one moment in time was lost. He took her hand. “We have to leave.”

  Nessa nodded, trying to regain her composure. How could he look like that? Why hadn’t she remembered how comely he was? “There are two sentries wandering these woods.”

  Luke continued their escape through the forest, leading a path of safety for Nessa to follow.

  Nessa was thankful he had his back to her. The half-moon had disappeared behind wispy clouds and darkness fell over the forest, but his image was not as easy to banish from her mind. As she followed, she could see he had filled out. Did his grin still lift to one side? Did that lock of dark hair still fall forward into his eyes? Her joy at having Luke rescue her slowly evaporated. They were not safe yet. She clutched his hand as they moved. Urien would send men after her and Luke couldn’t overpower all of them.

  They moved around trees. Brush crunched beneath their feet. An owl hooted somewhere. Luke stopped suddenly and Nessa almost ran into him. He turned to her, holding his finger to his lips. Nessa froze.

  Luke peered out between two trees. Nessa looked over his shoulder. She saw a horse tethered to a tree near a clearing. She glanced around, but didn’t see anything. Was that Luke’s horse? Or was it one of the sentry’s horses? No, their steeds were secured at the camp. This must be Luke’s horse! Why weren’t they moving to the horse? They could be away! She shifted anxiously. She could be free, home again.

  Luke squeezed her hand in warning to be still.

  And then, a man came into view. The clouds parted for a moment and moonlight washed over the man. Dread filled Nessa as she recognized his grizzly beard and leather armor. It was one of the men from Urien’s camp. He had found Luke’s horse!

  Luke released Nessa’s hand. He held up his hand, a signal for her to wait. He pulled a dagger from his belt and took a step forward.

  Suddenly, a cry rent the air, cutting through the silence like a sword. Luke stepped back, protectively closer to Nessa.

  The guard glanced toward the sound, pulling his sword from its sheath. He grabbed the horse’s reins from the tree it was tethered to and raced off through the forest with the horse.

  In the distance, the sound of
swords clanged and battle cries echoed like faraway thunder.

  Luke glanced in the direction of the battle, and then back at Nessa. “I have to go.”

  Nessa’s mouth dropped open. She looked toward the direction of the battle. It was back the way they had come, back toward Urien’s camp.

  “Wait here,” Luke commanded.

  “I will not,” Nessa objected. It was better to be in the midst of the fight with Luke, than to be alone in the forest. She was afraid, she realized. He was the most familiar, safest thing she knew and she didn’t want to lose him.

  “Nessa,” he pleaded, taking her hand into his. “You would be in danger.”

  Nessa shook her head. “I’m coming with you.” She wasn’t a fool. She would stay well out of the fight, but she would be within eyesight of Luke.

  Luke grimaced. “Fine.” He led the way back. “But you will stay where I say.”

  Chapter Four

  Luke didn’t have time to argue with Nessa. He jogged back toward the fighting, barely keeping from running, so she could keep up with him. His men were facing Urien’s men. He had to be there to battle with them, but his mission was top most to see Nessa safe. He held her hand tightly. The darkness made it difficult for him to move too quickly. He had to watch for low branches and bushes. He didn’t want Nessa to get hurt. Slowly, silence descended over the forest once again. No more clangs of crossing swords echoed in the air. No more shouts of agony.

  He slowed his step as anxiety gripped him, and he eventually came to a stop. They had to be close to the battle. He listened for movement; listened for a groan. How could it be over? He had four, well-trained knights with him! They must have retreated. There could be no other reason the fighting stopped so suddenly.

  “Luke,” Nessa whispered.

  “Shh,” he snapped. He didn’t want her to give away their location to whoever was out there.

  She grabbed the edge of his chest armor and tugged. He looked at her. She was pointing to the ground near their feet. He followed her gesture to see a sword glimmering dully on the forest floor. Luke bent down to inspect the weapon. It was difficult to see in the darkness, but he managed to recognize the handle. The elaborate cross and florentine carved into it could only be from Sir Robert’s sword. The clouds opened and moonlight from the half-moon fell over the small clearing. Luke lifted his gaze.

  A man lay on his side, unmoving, not far from where he squatted. Luke stood, recognizing the tunic over the man’s chainmail. Sir Robert. Luke’s gaze swung around the clearing. Two more of his men lay, dead. He recognized Lord Tristan’s heraldry on their tunics. Stunned, Luke could not move. There was only one other man lying on the ground in leather armor. He must have been one of Urien’s men. It had been a massacre.

  Whatever had happened was over now. He carefully eyed the clearing, but saw no further movement. Still, one could not be too careful. “Wait here,” Luke told Nessa. This time, she didn’t argue. He moved forward, until he stood over Sir Robert. He eased him over onto his back. He had seen death many times, but never grew used to it. Sir Robert’s eyes were half-open, his lips wide in a final gasp. There was no reason to check if he was alive. Luke moved to the next man, and then the last, making sure each was gone and there was nothing he could do for them. When he had finished, he stood and looked at his fallen men. Three. One man was missing. Sir Ernest. Had they taken him captive? How had they gotten the upper hand on his men? They were trained fighters. Luke shook his head as guilt assailed him. He should have been there to fight with them. They were his men, his responsibility. As his gaze swept the field, he saw Nessa standing near a tree across from him. Her hair glowed in the moonlight. She looked small standing beside the large tree in the field. He crossed to her side.

  “Are these my father’s men?” she whispered.

  “They came with me to save you.”

  She met his gaze, horrified.

  He pulled her into his embrace, holding her. “We’ll get away,” he whispered.

  She pulled free of his hold, unable to meet his gaze. “We should go now.”

  He nodded his agreement. She shouldn’t be looking at such a brutal sight. It was not meant for the eyes of the innocent. Luke took her hand and turned away, beginning to lead her back through the forest, his senses on alert. Urien and his men were out there. How had this happened? Luke hadn’t seen a camp, so they must have found his men somehow. Or perchance his men attacked them. Luke didn’t know; the only thing he was certain of was that he had to get Nessa home. But now they had no horse, no men to help protect her. He was all she had. It was going to be a long, dangerous a trip.

  They moved quietly through the forest, darkness encompassing them. Nessa tried to keep up with Luke, holding her skirt up as she trailed him. Her mind continued to return to the dead men she had seen in the clearing. They came to save you. Luke’s words rang in her head. And now they were dead. Just like the guards that had accompanied her and Mel into the village. Is that what would happen to Luke? Why hadn’t her father come? He must have sent Luke, but why didn’t he lead a raid? She held no illusions. Mel had always been his favorite. But still, she thought he would come to save her, too. I’m glad he didn’t, she told herself. He might have gotten killed. “Where is father’s army?”

  Luke didn’t answer.

  “Why didn’t more knights come to fight Urien?”

  “I only brought five. I thought a sneak attack better. The rest of the men are at the castle protecting it.”

  “Protecting it from Urien’s men?”

  “No. From his father’s.”

  Nessa scowled. His father would not attack the castle. Not for Urien. He had disowned him years ago. Didn’t Luke know? She opened her mouth to ask him, but Luke continued.

  “Why was Urien going this way?”

  “He was going to the caves.”

  Luke stopped and faced her. “Why?”

  Caught off guard, Nessa met his gaze and shrugged. “He believes the legend. Remember the legend? If you put your hand on the stain --”

  “Yes. I remember.”

  Color rose on her cheeks and she looked away. She and Luke had put their hands on the stain. She had always thought, no wished, that the legend was true. But Luke had eyes only for Mel. “It’s a silly legend, anyway.”

  Luke started through the forest again.

  Nessa followed. “I saw a boulder near a stream. I think we can hide there until father comes.”

  Luke shook his head. “No hiding. We’ll have to make it back to the castle on our own. Are you up to that?”

  “Is that a challenge?” she asked. Luke had always challenged her when they were young, pushed her to do better, played games of speed she was suspicious he had let her win.

  “This isn’t a game, Nessa. We are no longer children.”

  His quip hurt. She knew this wasn’t a game. Not with the men lying dead in the clearing. Knights. But for a moment, it had been good to pretend. She lifted her chin. “I can do it.”

  “It will be a long trek without a horse,” he said, looking toward the rising sun.

  Nessa glanced back the way they had come. A long trek with Urien riding horses and searching for them. When she turned back, Luke was staring at her. As the sun rose over his shoulder, she got another glimpse of his features. He was a man, now. A knight. His jaw was square, his lips set in a hard line, his straight nose marred with a small lump in the center where he had broken it in a fist fight, defending Mel’s honor. But it was his eyes. They had remained the same. Startlingly blue, peering at her as though he could see straight through to her soul. She had always loved his eyes. They reminded her of a clear sky. His black hair hung around his strong shoulders in thick waves. She looked away quickly as a strange heat began to boil in her lower stomach. She could make the trek, but could she keep the love she had always harbored for him a secret during the trip?

  “Why did Urien take you? There was no ransom.”

  She sighed softly. “He thoug
ht I was Mel.”

  Luke scowled in confusion.

  Nessa hurriedly explained. “He didn’t know which one of us was Mel. Everyone always said we looked alike.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t let him take her. She was so scared. I couldn’t...” She looked down. She had done it to save Mel. “I said I was Mel so he would take me and not her.”

  “Ness,” Luke said softly, compassionately.

  She shook her head firmly. “It was the right decision. She wouldn’t have made it.” Nessa swished her skirt around her feet, indicating the mud on the hem. “Her dress would have gotten dirty.” She ran a hand through the locks that had come loose from her braid. “And you know how she feels about making sure her hair is always perfect.”

  Luke caught her hand. “Did Urien hurt you?”

  Nessa shook her head. “He thought I was Mel.”

  His gaze swept her face, searching.

  She shrugged, uneasy under his scrutiny. “No. He didn’t hurt me.” But she was sure he would have if he found out she was not Mel.

  Something dangerous flickered in Luke’s eyes for a moment before he released her hand and turned away. “I’m glad. We should continue. Stick to the forest in the daylight. They’ll be looking for us. We have to keep moving.”

  Chapter Five

  The sun was high overhead as Luke stopped on the riverbank. The rushing water cut off their path. They could wade through the water or attempt crossing at the bridge. Luke didn’t like either prospect. He looked back at Nessa.

  She stared at the ground; those golden locks of hers tumbled riotously about her shoulders and down her back. A strand fell forward, a green leaf caught in its wisps. When she lifted her gaze to him, Luke felt a pang of guilt strike his heart. She had not complained, not once, about the quick pace he had set. Her dress was torn and dirty, smeared with dirt. A red scratch marred her smooth cheek where a ragged tree limb must have caught her. Her lips were parted with her panting breath. Her large eyes were ringed with black. She must be hungry, thirsty, and exhausted.