by Deirdra Eden
“I can’t live either!” I broke and fell to my knees. I soaked the bedding with my tears, gasping for breath between sobs.
“Auriella, look at me.”
I wiped my wet face. My emotions were heightened. The fire scorched me inside. I forced myself to breathe deeply, suppressing the flames.
Hannah’s eyes filled with white light. She grasped my hand with amazing strength. Her words struck with a fierce and powerful edge. “Auriella, you must live!”
Lady Hannah fell onto her pillow. Her lifeless eyes rolled behind her heavy lids. Alwaien reached up and closed his mother’s eyelids over her lifeless stare.
I stood and backed away. This couldn’t be happening. I stared at the necklace in my hands. Hannah’s last plea—you must live—resonated in my mind and shook me to the core. Alwaien embraced me. I crumpled into his arms. The heavy necklace slipped from my fingers and echoed off the stone floor.
A priest came the next morning, and by that afternoon, I was standing outside in the rain, staring down into the pit where Alwaien and a few of our manor servants lowered Hannah’s coffin.
I had no more tears to cry as the rain soaked through the fine black cloth of my gown. My body and mind were numb from having so much tragedy seize me. A ruby rose slipped from my fingertips into the cold earth.
The next morning, I left the manor while it was still dark outside. I rode my horse to the top of a nearby hill and watched the sunrise, as Lucas and I had done many times. Not wanting to be consoled, I returned home in the evening when I hoped everyone would be sleeping. I climbed the trellis to my balcony, entered the room, and flung my cape onto the bed.
“Where were you?”
Hearing a man’s voice, I whirled around. It was only Alwaien, sitting in the corner on a lounge chair. “Riding!” I snapped. “Why are you in my room?”
“Auriella, where have you been riding?” Alwaien stood and advanced toward me.
“It does not matter,” I answered coldly.
“Auriella, you are the lady of the estate now. You have duties in the manor. We see you riding off in the morning, but no one has spoken with you for days. We have all been worried.”
“I can take care of myself.” I sat on the edge of my bed and unlaced my riding boots. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He still wasn’t leaving.
Alwaien came closer and dropped the ruby necklace in my hand. I stared at the large, blood-red stone before closing my fist around it.
“Auriella, mother told me on her deathbed, she wanted me to take care of you.” He reached for my hand. “I wish for your concurrence in marriage. We can rule our estates together instead of splitting Oswestry … Lucas would have wanted it this way.”
I yanked my hand away and clenched the bedpost. I narrowed my eyes and tossed the necklace onto the pillow. “How do you know what Lucas would have wanted? I knew him better than anyone else!” I paused and drew my arm across my face, refusing to let tears fall. “I knew his deepest wish, his strengths, and all his weaknesses!”
Alwaien’s face turned into a crimson scowl, but I continued, “Are you infuriated because Lady Hannah granted half of the inheritance to me? Is that why you want to wed me, so you can take it all?”
Alwaien’s hand shot out wickedly and struck me across the face.
I retaliated and swung at his jaw with a hard fist backed by all my pain and anger. Alwaien fell to the floor and stared at me with wide eyes.
“Get out!” I yelled at him. He scrambled to his feet, holding his jaw. “Get out!” I pointed to the door. “You can have the estate!” Alwaien left, closing the door behind him. I dropped to the ground and whimpered, “I just want my happy life back.”
My happy life wasn’t coming back, and Oswestry held too many painful memories I needed to bury. I had to start over and I knew I couldn’t do that here in Oswestry. I needed to escape to someplace new.
I dressed in clothes of solid black. Jacquine had reluctantly made the dark, men’s clothes for me months ago when I had thought about joining the crusade in disguise. With my sword strapped to my side, I flung a traveling cloak around my shoulders.
I navigated the halls of the manor for the last time and knocked on Ruburt’s door. I pulled the hood over my head to hide my puffy eyes.
Ruburt opened the door. He looked surprised to see me. “Auriella, come in.”
I shook my head. I was glad Cassi was with him so I didn’t need to explain this twice. I glanced down at the rainbow ring on my finger. “I am leaving tonight.” I tried to keep my voice sure. “I can’t ask you to leave Oswestry, but—”
“Of course we’ll come with you,” Ruburt broke in. “Besides, who’ll protect you from the wolves?”
“Or fairies?” Cassi added.
I smiled. I didn’t need their protection, but I needed good friends who would understand.
I waited while Ruburt and Cassi gathered their things, watching carefully to make sure we weren’t discovered. The last thing I wanted was to have someone try to stop us from leaving. Along with our personal belongings, we discreetly packed a few necessary supplies from the kitchen. One at a time, we walked across the courtyard to the barn, where I quietly saddled my horse while Ruburt saddled his pony. Just as the moon showed its crest over the treetops, Ruburt, Cassi, and I rode off into the night, leaving Oswestry behind. I wasn’t running away. I definitely had a direction in mind. I didn’t know how, but I would find a way to become a knight and complete Lucas’s dream.
At noon, the sound of wagon wheels rolled on the road nearby. I arose from my earthy bed of grass and noticed the travelers’ heavy armor and wagons full of weapons and supplies.
“Mercenaries,” I whispered and nudged Ruburt awake. “They are successful warriors and will know how I can become a knight.”
We followed them for several hours before they stopped at a clearing in the woods. The soldiers sang songs and whistled as they set up tents and prepared dinner. Ruburt told me to watch them from the forest, but my curiosity got the better of me. I stowed into their camp like a stealthy predator and scurried up a sturdy tree to listen to their heroic stories.
“Once in my travels,” a giant of a man spoke, “after a long day of journeying, we set camp for the night,” he continued as he strode toward the tree where I hid. “The fire was a-dying, and we were about to retire to our tents … when,” his voice lowered to a whisper. I leaned closer to hear, my skin tingled in suspense. “They ambushed us from the trees!” He reached up and shook the limb I rested on. I clung tightly, but he shook harder, until the branch snapped. I toppled from the tree into the big man’s burly arms. The mercenaries burst into laughter.
The big man chuckled. “What are you doing in the tree, wee one?”
“Let go of me!” I wiggled out of his arms then stood as tall as I could. In my most regal voice, I announced, “I have been assessing you travelers for the quality of attack and defense skills you command.”
The men erupted with laughter. I felt myself turn a shade of red.
The big man snorted. “Why will you have interest in this, lassie?”
Without thinking, I answered, “I thought I’d join your band of men and someday become a knight.”
My fists clenched as the mercenaries rolled with laughter.
Ruburt charged into camp with his dagger brandished. “Do you have any idea who this lady is?”
The men of the camp broke into a chorus of laughter once again. One of them pointed to Ruburt. “The knight’s squire!”
Ruburt dismounted and advanced. I gripped his shoulder and pulled him back as the mercenaries drew their swords. “Let me at ‘em!” Ruburt shouted.
“You better put that toothpick away, little man, before you hurt yourself,” one of the mercenaries patronized.
“Please, put it away,” I whispered under my breath.
Cassi tugged on Ruburt’s beard where she was hiding. “Ruburt be like pixie to them.” Ruburt paused and eyed the men before putting his d
agger into its scabbard. He crossed his arms and scowled.
Maybe this was a bad idea after all. I would find another way to become a knight if the mercenaries wouldn’t help me.
“All right, lassie. We can see you and your squire have heart. We can teach you how to become a proper knight,” the biggest man gasped between laughs. “But ye’ll need to prove yourself before joining our group of mercenaries.”
“How do I do that?” I asked.
“You will need to best one of us in a duel.”
The mercenaries looked like giants, and their years of military experience showed. I felt like a child standing next to them, and I probably looked like an easy target. I twitched against a smile. Wouldn’t they be surprised? With modesty and false innocence, I agreed to the duel.
“My name’s Philip,” the big man said. “What’s your name, lass?”
“Auriella.” I innately held out my hand for him to kiss the top. He grabbed my hand and shook it with a firm grip.
“Is there more to your name?” Philip asked.
“Auriella, that is all,” I answered curtly. I wasn’t about to tell him I was actually Lady Auriella of Oswestry.
I thought he was just going to make fun of me again, or at least tell me that I couldn’t become a knight. Instead, he asked, “Very well, Auriella, why do you want to become a knight?”
I stared down at the rainbow ring on my sparkling hand. The truth was painful, but I couldn’t think of a better reason. “My fiancé, went on the crusade with Prince Edward a year ago, but was slain in battle.” My eyes grew hot with tears, but I held them back. I couldn’t let Philip think I was an overly emotional woman. I forced a smile on my face and said, “He taught me how to sword fight.” I hoped to change the subject to my weapon skills. If I wanted to lament and discuss Lucas, I would have stayed at the manor.
“Well then.” Philip stepped back and motioned to the sword at my side. “You know how to use this? Let’s see if you canst best me with that sword.” Sarcasm flowed thick in his words, as if giving me this last chance to withdraw from the duel.
There was no way I was backing down now. I pointed to my staff, which Ruburt retrieved from the few supplies we packed. “I will use this. My sword is sharp, and I don’t want to hurt you too badly,” I said in a strong, sure voice.
“That’s big talk coming from a small lady. Very well,” he said with a hint of playful mockery. “Let’s see if you canst best me or anyone with that stick.”
Philip slammed his sword on a long branch and hacked it from a tree.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
He trimmed the smaller limbs from the branch. “I’m making a staff.”
I furrowed my brow. “Why?”
“Only a coward would use a sword to fight a woman armed with only a staff. If we’re going to fight, it’ll be on equal grounds.” An effortless smile beamed across his face.
I narrowed my eyes and hoped this didn’t mean he was going to go easy on me. If he did, I would hit him harder.
“Your staff is crooked,” I bantered. “Maybe you should have chosen a straighter branch to make your staff out of.”
Philip shook his head and chuckled darkly. “Nah. This staff will leave a nice twisted welt across your backside.”
I smirked. This was going to be fun.
Ruburt turned to me. “Don’t use any fancy moves,” he advised. “Just move in quick and take the victory.”
“Cassi see giant man fall like ant,” Cassi whispered from Ruburt’s beard. She squished her hands together for effect.
The mercenaries stood in a large circle, every man an arm’s length from the next. Philip and I circled a couple of times, testing each other’s reflexes by tapping our weapons. I eyed him. He was huge, muscular, and bulky. If nothing else, his appearance was intimidating.
I evaluated Philip’s dark brown eyes; they were friendly, but intent on winning. His scowl caused lines to form across his forehead. I smiled back angelically. Philip inched closer, towering over me, then attacked.
I blocked his assault and struck back, aiming for his face with the point of my staff like a spear. I stayed light on my feet and watched the flicks of his wrists.
Philip was well-trained and would be less likely to make a mistake in his attack or defense. I blocked another strike, but the blow on my staff knocked me to the ground. He lunged to finish the duel. I skillfully rolled on my back, somersaulted, and sprang to my feet. Philip swung at my knees. I leapt over his staff, and, as he overextended, I intuitively whacked him between the shoulder blades.
“Your agility is amazing.” He huffed, wiped the sweat dewing on his brow, and rolled his shoulders.
“Thank you. I wish I had your strength.”
He started to tire and became clumsy. He was big and strong, but moved slower and didn’t get his swings in as fast. It seemed he was used to relying on his size and strength to quickly win a match. I hit him on the stomach and then on the back of his legs. Philip fell to his knees and dropped his staff. I whirled behind him, thrust my staff across his throat, and squeezed. His big arms swung around the staff and tried to pull me off.
The men whispered on the side-lines. “Philip has never lost a match before.”
“It appears the lass is beating him.”
“Nah, Philip’s going easy on her.”
Philip’s huge hands grabbed my staff. He pulled the weapon away from his throat with ferocious strength. I released the chokehold and twisted away to confront him as he rose to his feet.
Philip’s petulant gaze fixed on me. “No one makes a fool of me in front of my men.” He clenched his teeth together and growled like a bear. I kept my eyes on him and backed toward the edge of the circle of men under a tree. “Wanna fight rough? Do you, lass?” Philip narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw. He gripped his crooked staff and swung at me again and again as I retreated. He swung at my feet. I leapt over the weapon, spun around him, swatted his legs, and knocked him to the ground once again.
Like a mad bull, he tossed the staff at me and charged in an attempt to grab and wrestle me to the ground. I flipped into a back handspring and, with my momentum, jumped and grasped a tree branch above me. I pulled my dangling legs out of the way as Philip charged into the two men standing behind me. His force continued to carry him headlong into the tree trunk, knocking him out cold.
The men of the camp were silent, their mouths and eyes wide in astonishment. They examined their leader, who was now lying unconscious next to the tree. One of the men retrieved a bucket of cold water and dumped it over Philip’s head.
My intention had not been to knock him out, just wear him down until he surrendered.
I wrung my hands together until Philip awoke from his tree encounter, wet and gasping for air. He stood and steadied himself on the tree. “That girl tricked me,” he muttered and pointed his finger at me.
Once Philip regained his balance, he stomped to me, glaring. Water still dripped from the end of his nose. “I thought you were just a foolish maid looking for trouble.”
I was about to drop my staff and run, but his terrifying scowl faded and a huge grin spread tight across his face. “You are an excellent challenger, and you hit like a man!”
I wasn’t expecting that at all. I smiled sheepishly. “Er … Thank you?”
“Maybe you can teach my men a thing or two. Welcome to our band.” Philip gave me a suffocating bear hug. He set me down like a flimsy doll and asked in a joking tone, “Best out of three?”
Throughout the summer and into autumn, the mercenaries traveled all over the country. Philip took me as his apprentice, an honor the men said was bestowed to only a few. I learned new skills, such as archery on horseback, tactics for defending against groups, and fighting men with shields. Not only did Philip help me refine my skills, but he taught me how to run a mercenary business.
My literacy and etiquette aided in negotiations for the mercenary band’s contractual employment. Wealthy landlords were
always looking for freelance military help.
Our next stop was London. This would be a perfect place to purchase supplies and earn money as an independent army.
Near sunset, we rode over the emerald hills toward London. A large stone castle towered above a sea of beautiful thatched roofs and mortar homes. Smoke trickled from the cottage chimneys as twilight approached. A few of the first stars appeared in the indigo sky and mirrored the lights of the city. The only thing that could have made this moment more splendid was to have Lucas riding at my side.
