Valentina charged forward until she stood at Gaius’ side. “What is this about? Who are you to come here and threaten my guests?”
The man on the lead horse surveyed her. “We are here to bring Diana, daughter of Leddus of Phrygania, home and to arrest those who have held her captive and compromised her maidenhood. Are you Valentina of Ridgeland?”
“Yes, I am, and you will sheath your swords as we have no Diana of Phrygania here. You have no quarrel with my guest.”
The man glared at Gaius. “Are you not a soldier in the army of King Claude?”
“I am,” Gaius replied.
“Then you will also come with us as a deserter of the crown.”
“I have leave until tomorrow eve.” He pulled a folded paper from his breeches and held it up.
Another of the men leaned down snatching the paper and handing it to the officer in charge who opened the document and read its contents. “I will see the woman you hide in your tent, soldier.”
Gaius did not move save for the muscle twitching in his jaw. From behind him, the flap opened, and Elizabeth emerged.
Noting the woman’s red hair, the officer declared. “That’s her. Take them.”
“No!” Valentina picked up a limb and swung it at the man and horse who had moved toward Elizabeth. He swore as the wood connected with his leg, and spurred the animal in her direction. Valentina reared her weapon back ready to hit again when a blow from the second rider knocked her unconscious.
****
Valentina opened her eyes and raised her hands to cradle the ache in her head.
“Are you awake, donna?” a voice asked.
Careful to shift her face slowly, Valentina found the owner of the voice, a girl, perhaps eight, who sat next to her. Gazing around her, Valentina noted the tiny room with its stucco walls, no window, and a heavy wooden door.
“Where am I?”
“You are in prison in the capitol. How is your head?” The girl groped around for a cloth on the floor and using her other hand to guide her, she wiped Valentina’s forehead and cheeks.
Valentina realized the girl was unable to see.
“My friends. Do you know if they are in prison as well?”
“Only you were brought here. Is it true you are Valentina who houses young lovers to marry?”
“I suppose. Are you a prisoner as well?” She sat up and flinched as the movement brought on a wave of pain.
The girl laughed. “No. I am Sabine, the jailor’s daughter.”
“You do not see.”
“I have been blind from birth, but I am a big help to my father and mother. Father has never had a woman prisoner before. He put you all the way on the end away from the men and closest to our house. It is exciting. Are you hungry?”
“No.”
Sabine stood. “Mother has brewed a tea of willow bark for you to drink. It will ease your pain. Shall I fetch it?”
“Thank you.”
With confidence, the girl walked to the door and opened it. She closed it behind her, and Valentina heard the scrape of the metal key in the lock.
The jailor’s daughter indeed.
****
“Valentina of Ridgeland. Why, you are but a child.” King Claude sneered at the woman who stood before him. “Where is your mother, girl? Surely, she is the one who has been enticing the men from their duty with the bedding of virgins.”
Valentina ignored his crass comment. “No, Sire. I am the one who you seek.”
The king studied her. “You are breaking the law by providing haven for military deserters.”
“They are not deserting, Sire. Only taking temporary leave with which to fulfill family obligations.”
“They are single men, and therefore the kingdom is their family. According to my own edict, there are to be no marital unions of soldiers until they come home victorious from Feinwyth.”
“Your Highness, if you prevent your soldiers from marrying, there will be no future soldiers for the kingdom to send out in its quest to broaden its borders.”
“Posh. Once we conquer Feinwyth, they may go home, marry and beget then.”
“If you permit them to marry, they will be even more motivated to win your war so that they may come home to their families.”
“When they marry during a war, they are distracted and reluctant to go abroad. I am done with their bellyaches and homesickness. The war is to be their first priority, not the marriage bed. Seymour!” The king gestured to a man who nodded. “Bring me the testament on this prisoner.” He brought forth a document in a leather pouch. He opened it, his eyes traveling over its contents. “Where is your husband, Ternay of Ridgeland, who is said to be a Christian priest?”
“I know not.”
“If the coward was hidden at your homestead, be it known that he has burned along with it as the soldiers set fire to it before they left.”
“And what of my guests?”
The king glared at her. “You do not ask the questions, woman. I have run men through for less. Lower your eyes before me.”
Valentina did so, though she determined if he asked her to kneel, he’d have to kill her before she obeyed.
“Where is Diana, daughter of Leddus of Phrygania?”
“I know not.”
“She was with you, was she not?”
“There was no person in my house or tent but the two who were with me. I appeal to you, my lord, for their safety.”
“The soldier has been put on the frontline for his disobedience and his wife was thrown in the river. How do you enjoy that happily ever after, Valentina of Ridgeland? What ending would you choose for yourself? A blade in your belly, or shall I throw you in the river as well?”
“I am prepared to meet my ending, Sire, for I know that which awaits me after. Can you say the same?”
“I do not concern myself with a paradise beyond the grave. Here is my paradise, a world at my beckoning. Why, I sacrificed at the Temple of the Warrior, and victory was handed to us that very day.”
“The victory is thanks to the courage and cunning of your army, King, not a twenty foot high piece of gold. You ought to melt the statue down and hand it in pieces to your soldiers.” Valentina risked a glance up to note his shock.
“’Tis a wonder you are not struck down by the gods for your impudent tongue,” he declared in an astonished tone.
“The Lord Almighty is the only God I fear. You would do well to fear Him as well.”
His scowl turned into a grin. “You amuse me. I wager you prayed to your Lord Almighty to loose your chains, have you not? And yet, here you are. Fool.”
Later in the privacy of her cell, Valentina let go of her stiff posture and collapsed on the coarse pallet on the floor. She drew a shuttered breath and scratched the stone in front of her wishing she could claw her way out.
Oh, Elizabeth and Gaius! Their deaths rested on her shoulders. If she had been more diligent in keeping watch, perhaps she could have hidden them along with Diana. Ternay had warned her, but she had not taken his concerns seriously. And what of Diana? Had she perished in the wood? Valentina should have given her more direction when she left her there.
The key scraped in the lock, and the door creaked open. Valentina remained still.
“Valentina? It is I, Sabine.”
The girl had brought her both daily meals for the six days she had resided here. The child had been a comfort to Valentina, but the sad news of Gaius and Elizabeth robbed her from greeting her young friend.
“I am relieved King Claude did not kill you.” Her voiced neared as she closed the door and approached Valentina.
“Not yet, though he did speak of it.”
The girl sat next to Valentina and smoothed her hair. “Do not cry, Valentina. If you give him the information he seeks, he will let you live.”
“I do not cry. Even when my own beloved child died in my arms, I did not shed a tear.”
Sabine made a sound of amazement. “Mother says one’s tears bring healing to one’s heart
. Have you never cried? Not even once?”
The woman sat up and grasped the girl’s hands kissing them. “I am sure I cried as a babe.”
“And you are one and twenty now? I daresay your tears would heal the hearts of every person in the kingdom.”
“You are precious, child. What news do you bring?”
Sabine’s sightless eyes twinkled, and she grinned. “There is a woman to see you. Father is gone, but Mother was talking to her a moment ago. She followed you and the soldier from the king’s palace and has requested to visit.”
Valentina squeezed Sabine’s hands in joy and fear. Who could it be? Her mother? A dear friend from their community? Diana?
The key turned, and the door swung open. Valentina looked up as Sabine’s mother and another woman entered.
“Sabine? What are you doing in here? Get to the house, girl.”
Sabine gripped Valentina’s hands a second longer before jumping to her feet and running to the door. “Good day, Valentina and Valentina’s friend.”
The flame from the candle in the jailer wife’s hand cast light on Valentina’s friend’s face. Green eyes mesmerized hers, and Valentina was unsure whether to laugh out loud or scream in fear. The second the door shut behind the other woman, they rushed to each other and embraced.
“Valentina, my heart,” Ternay whispered to her as he rained kisses all over her face.
“You idiot. If they catch you, they will arrest you as well.” She pulled off his head covering and returned his kisses. “You cannot pass as a woman. The jailor’s wife must be as blind as his daughter.”
“It does not matter because I am here now. Are you hurt? Do they treat you harshly?” Ternay petted her head, her shoulders, and back as if assuring himself she was not an apparition.
“They are very kind, the jailor and his family. But, please, have you seen Diana?”
“She is well. She stayed in the wood as you told her. When your parents arrived the next day and saw what had happened, they hurried to Phrygania. By then, the soldiers had brought Gaius and Elizabeth to Leddus, who, of course, was furious to have the wrong red head brought to him. We received news of your whereabouts, and I figured Diana had escaped. Reuben stayed behind in case she journeyed to him, and I went home.” He shook his head. “Our house is gone, Valentina. Everything is ashes.”
“We are not.” She kissed him swiftly. “And you found Diana?”
“Yes. Your parents and I took her back to Reuben and married them right then. They traveled with your parents to Salem to await the cooling of Leddus’ anger.”
“What of Gaius and Elizabeth? The king told me she is dead.”
“He lies. She resides with Gaius’ family. However, his fate is darker. He’s been sent to the fiercest of the fighting at Feinwyth.” Ternay set her apart from him and wrenched off the dress. “Here. Put this on.”
“Why?”
“Because you are going to leave as me when the matron returns.”
Valentina’s eyes widened. “No!”
“I am not asking you. I am ordering you. As my wife, you will do as I say.”
“Even if she would believe I were you—which she won’t—you will not go to prison and the executioner in my stead.”
“It’s me they really want. I have been the one doing the weddings and harboring the girls.”
“It’s been both of us, and you shall continue the work even if I die here.”
“You will not die here because you are leaving. Put this on.” He held out the dress, but she refused to take it. “Would you have us both imprisoned because of your inability to bow to your husband’s will?”
Valentina closed her eyes against his appeal and shook her head. Ternay’s arms wrapped around her. “My heart, you must acquiesce to my wishes.”
“Please, Ternay.”
With a finger he lifted her chin. “I will think of something, but I will think more clearly if I know you are safe.”
“Don’t ask me to do this.”
“I am not asking you. I am ordering you. Some husbands do that, you know.” He touched his lips to hers.
“Promise not to make a habit of it.” Valentina’s chest ached.
“Hurry and change. She will be back any moment.” Ternay sat down on the thin pallet and covered himself with the blanket.
Valentina drew the dress over her head and picked up the covering for her head. “They will never believe I am you.”
“Have faith, my heart. Your father waits outside the gate for you.”
The key scraped in the lock. It was Sabine. “Valentina? Your friend must leave now. She is summoned by the man outside.”
Valentina’s throat closed at the sight of the trusting little girl. When it was found that Valentina had escaped, would the jailor be fired, or worse, he and his family killed? Surely, her life couldn’t mean so much to the king. Could it?
Valentina knelt at her husband’s side. She bent over him, grabbed his hands, bringing them to her mouth and kissing them. “I love you. Please come see me again.” Tears spilled from her eyes and covered his face.
“You are my heart. Remember that.” He urged her away from him.
Valentina stood and hurried past Sabine and through the door. Pulling the covering nearer to her nose to cover most of her face. Tears streamed down past her chin and dripped on her dress. Their sensation odd to her eyes, her skin. Is this what it took for her to weep? Leaving her husband to die in her place? A sob escaped her throat.
“Donna? Hello, friend of Valentina,” Sabine called to her.
Oh, no. If Sabine caught up with her, she would realize what had happened. Valentina opened the door at the end of the passage and stepped into the evening. Her father stood at the fence thirty paces in front of her.
“Please, donna,” Sabine said as she appeared next to her. “You must not cry for Valentina. We are taking good care of her.”
Valentina dared not speak fearing she would give herself away. Yet, she could not help but capture the young girl’s face in her hands, bend down, and kiss her on the forehead. As she did so, two of her tears fell into the girl’s eyes. Sabine blinked several times, and understanding dawned on her face. Pushing the girl away, Valentina ran weeping to her father who caught her in his arms. They ran arm in arm into the night as Sabine screamed out, “Mother! Mother!”
****
Valentina sat at the trunk of the tree where she and Ternay had met. The scar from the arrow burned as if in mourning for him. She rubbed it absently. News of Ternay’s death circulated the city even before they had left that night. Valentina remembered Sabine’s words as twenty years’ worth of tears poured from her eyes for her dead husband. She continued to weep for him. She could not contain them even after three days.
The February wind blew across her wet face, and she hunched her shoulders against its chill. In the breeze, Ternay’s voice seemed to carry her name.
Valentina.
“My heart.”
Valentina gasped. It wasn’t the wind. She stood as she searched frantically for the origin of the words.
Ternay ran toward her on the path. Valentina launched herself into his embrace, laughing and crying.
“They put you to death,” she exclaimed.
“They mutilated a cow, poor creature, and presented him as me and you.” Valentina shook her head, and Ternay brushed her tears with his thumbs. “Is this my Valentina weeping?”
“I cannot seem to stop.”
“I do not want you to. Your tears saved both of our lives.”
“What?”
“You cried all over the jailor’s daughter, and she received her sight. They are calling it a miracle. The jailor killed the fatted calf, so to speak, and tossed it in a pit. Said I had attempted to free you from prison, and he had to hack us both to pieces. He smuggled me out, but not before he gave me this from Sabine.”
Ternay handed Valentina a small note made of thin wood. Two simple figures stood together in a child’s drawing holdi
ng hands and smiling. To my Valentina, it read, from your Sabine.
The Red Dress
Amy Le Blanc
Sara Morgan had to admit the dress was a terrible mistake, and that no amount of ice cream was going to make it better. She would have to face her sister, her soon to be brother-in-law, and most everyone one else in the town of Iron Mills, Maine wearing a dress that made her look like…like what? She let the question hum between her ears while she stirred the melting bowl of Rocky Road into soup.
“An idiot,” she muttered to the old tabby cat staring at her from the coffee table. “A giant, redheaded blimpy idiot waddling down the aisle in a dress made for a skinny girl.”
The cat cocked his head to the side, his yellow eyes staring with intent as though listening to her words—all the while watching each action she made, waiting for her one fatal mistake.
“Have at it.” Sara sighed, placing the bowl of creamy mush next to him. “But don’t come crying to me when you get the poops.”
She leaned back on the couch and contemplated her clothing options. Driving anywhere and picking out a new dress was out of the question; not only was it past nine o’clock in a town that went to sleep at seven but the roads were covered with eight inches of snow. Earlier in the day she’d made multiple inventory lists of her clothes, as well as her sister Emily’s, and had come to the conclusion that she still had nothing to wear.
Except the bright red dress hanging on the inside of her closet door.
Sara watched the television go black when she pushed the power button on the remote. It was the kind of peaceful silence that could only be felt here, in the house where she grew up and planned on living and working until she was old and grey. Leaning back against the couch she stretched her legs out in front of her and finally let herself feel tired. She’d been home for less than a week and had already unpacked all her belongings, settled into her office and spent three full days seeing patients without having been bitten once.
Which, for a veterinarian, was the mark of a decent couple of days.
With a smile she stole her bowl back from the cat and stood up. “I think you’ve had more than enough.” She gave the old guy a good scratch before making her way to the kitchen where she rinsed the bowl and stuck it in the dishwasher. Sara gave the place a good look before hitting the lights and kicking off her shoes. She no longer had the energy to walk up the stairs, wash her face and get into her pajamas when the couch, the television and the cat were so much closer.
Be Mine, Valentine Page 2
