A Knight for Love (31 page)

The food
satisfied her and she licked her fingers clean. All feeling had returned to her hands and feet, the fire warmed her, and for the first time in days, she was physically content.

Mentally, however, was another matter. Alyna had heard enough to realize that she and Warin were in great danger. Fear crept through her on silent feet.

They planned to use her as bait to ambush him. How could she warn him?

Chapter Twenty

“It
’s small but well fortified,” Warin observed. From the shelter of the woods, he, Bennet and Gerard gazed upon the motte and bailey keep. From where they stood, they had watched as Baldric and another man dragged Alyna up the stepped path.

He had never felt so impotent as the moment
Alyna had disappeared into the tower. Was she unharmed?

“
Do you think they know we’re here?” Bennet asked.

“Aye,” Warin gr
owled. “The tracks we found yesterday morning were fresh. Someone doubled back to spy on our camp. They know we’re here and they know our number.”

“They chose their target carefully,” Gerard commented.

“I suspected Baldric. He’s a traitor to the Caperun family. Doubtless Philippa is involved but I don’t know the other man.”

“My lord, what do we do?”

Warin sighed and shook his head. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “Lady Alyna is inside and to attack the tower would be risky for her. And the time to mount a siege proper, it could take months….” His voice trailed away as he kept his gaze focused on the keep. Fear for her safety twined through his mind like a serpent, making it difficult for him to center his thoughts.

“Approach them, my lord,” Gerard suggested. “Mayhap
they seized her in error.”

“
It was no error,” Warin replied. “And I doubt words can sway them.”

“If nothing else, my lord,” Bennet added, “it shows the Lady Alyna we are here.”

Bennet had a point. Somehow Alyna must know he was here for her. Besides, if they granted him access, he could assess the enemy defenses from within the bailey.

“Agreed.” Warin swung himself up onto Citadel’s mighty back. “I
’ll go alone.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?”
Horror made Bennet’s eyes round.

“
Aye. Three armed men would never be admitted into the bailey but one man unarmed may be. Once inside, I’ll be able to see their strengths and weaknesses.” With a curt nod to the other two, he whirled his horse about and trotted away.

Once he broke free from the shelter of the trees to join the road twist
ing up to the keep, he urged Citadel into a full gallop. The powerful duo almost reached the drawbridge over the motte before the sentry hailed him.

“Halt!”

They skidded to a stop in a shower of dirt and snow.

“I come for my wife
,” Warin ordered. He would suffer no argument from a mere sentry.

“She
’s not here.”

“I wish to see for myself.” He spurred Citadel and with a surge, the mighty animal crossed over the bridge and through the gateway before the surprised sentry had a chance to react.

He thundered through the bailey and reached the base of the hill on which sat the castle before sawing back on the reins so forcefully that two front hoofs lifted off the ground.

“Baldric!”
he bellowed. “Release my wife!”

“Hold!” Two guardsmen materialized from the gatehouse on the steps. Crossing their spears, they denied him entry.

“Out of my way,” he snarled. Rage enveloped him.

“Warin! Warin de Taillur!”

Baldric’s hated voice pierced the red haze fogging Warin’s mind.

“I want my wife,”
he shouted.

“Oh? Maybe she doesn
’t want you.” A black haired man appeared beside Baldric on the landing to the castle.

“Who are you,” Warin demanded
, lip twisting with contempt.

“Alan de Faulkenburg.” He swept an insolent bow in Warin’s direction. “And this is my keep.”

“De Faulkenburg you say? The king will hear of your treachery.”

Alan ignored the threat. “Are you so certain we have your wife?”

“Aye, I saw her dragged up the hill.”

“And you
’re certain it is her? The light grows dark and one cloaked woman can easily be mistaken for another.”

A sly look shone in the man’s
black eyes, setting Warin’s teeth on edge. His fingers curled with the desire to close around Alan’s throat and choke the life’s breath from him.

Warin instead clenched the reins to staunch his anger. “
You have her,” he snarled. “Do not play me for a fool.”

“And if we have her, how much is she worth to you, say mayhap
—” Alan’s voice took on a considering tone and he rubbed his clean shaven chin. “A keep?”

“You hold her ransom for Caperun Keep?”
Warin’s blood boiled at the audacious plan. A plan he would do all in his power to foil.

“
A small price to pay, isn’t it?” Alan taunted. “Oh, and de Taillur, I must thank you for following us here, you saved us the trouble of sending a messenger.”

Warin scowled. “The trail you left was blatant invitation. I merely accepted it.”

“Well, now you may accept my invitation to leave. We have your wife. She’s unharmed. You know the terms of her release and you have two days to think on it. If we have no word by evening two days hence, she will be killed.” Alan bowed again then sneered. “Have a pleasant evening, Lord de Taillur. I know I will for your wife has a pleasing face and I mean to enjoy it.”

“
Unhand her now!” Warin roared. “Or I will have your head!”

“Will you?” Alan asked, gesturing from the landing. “Not even that great beast of yours can leap this high. Besides, my arrows will fly as soon as you take one step this way.
You’re helpless. Your wife is safe for now but her fate rests in your hands. I await your reply.” With nary a further look at Warin, he and Baldric turned around and disappeared inside.

The door crashed shut and the sound echoed about Warin’s ears like the tone of doom embodied. Through it, he heard Alyna’s shriek.

Her voice, shrill with fear, slivered through the echoes, stabbing his heart. He resisted the urge to shout his frustration at the blank walls, instead clamping his jaw shut as he wheeled Citadel about and charged out of the keep. A plan began to formulate in his mind.

He would rescue
Alyna or die trying.

*****

Alyna heard Warin’s roar.

“Warin!” She screamed his name as loud as she could and rushed over to the window slit, tugging on the shutters to open them. “Warin! You must take care, they lay a trap!”

The shutters refused to unlatch and in a blind panic that he might leave without her, she dashed towards the stairway. Warin waited below, he had come for her. Those thoughts beat a rhythm through her head as she hastened down the steps. Warin was here, Warin was here.

“Stop her!” Philippa’s screech followed her as she ran.

She made it all the way to the bottom of the stairs before a solid blow felled her, a blow that sent her flying headlong into a barrel. She smacked her cheek soundly on the edge before falling to her knees. Stunned, she remained on her knees for a few moments. Footsteps approached and stopped beside her.

“Do not think to escape,” Philippa warned. “Next time he w
on’t be so gentle.” She pointed to the stocky man who had felled Alyna. “Wimarc is known for his strength.”

Alyna raised her head and glared at Philippa. “Warin will return for me,” she spat. “And you will rue the day you chose to cross him.” Her stomach rebelled and she vomited into the floor beside the barrel.

“You are with child.” Philippa’s voice cracked with astonishment. She prodded Alyna’s stomach with her toe. “You carry de Taillur’s bastard babe.”

“
Nay, no bastard child. We are married by word of the king and I carry the rightful heir to the Caperun lands in my womb.” Alyna raised her head and spoke the words proudly, cradling her belly in her hands.

“So he spoke true that day.
You are wed.” Philippa shook her head in mock amazement then spit on Alyna’s stomach. “The canker blossom has found a husband. Next you will tell me that roses will bloom in winter.”

Alyna grabbed the edge of the barrel and pulled herself up. Deliberately, she wiped her hands on her tunic. Once again, she was the target of her aunt’s taunting and verily,
she’d had enough of it.

“Hold your tongue, if you please,” she
responded with quiet dignity. “Aye, you hold the upper hand here but my husband will return for he loves me.”

And as she said the words, a rush of warmth filled her, for she realized it as the truth. Aye, initially, she had meant the words as a shield against Philippa but as she voiced them, they became
fact.

And she loved him too. Why had she feared baring her soul to Warin? There was no stronger force than true love. How foolish she had been not to speak the words to him. Love was an absolute power, one that could banish even the danger hover
ing so close by at this moment.

I cannot die now,
she vowed silently.
I have a husband to claim and a child to raise.

Alyna rose and swept up the stairs leaving a speechless Philippa gaping at her back.

*****

“What?” Bennet
yelped. “They threaten to kill her?”

“Aye,” Warin nodded. “Her life or Caperun Keep. And I have two days to decide.”

“They won’t kill her that easily,” Gerard spoke with assurance. “With Alyna gone, the ransom is forfeit.”

“Aye.” Warin nodded in agreement. “They gain nothing by killing her because with or without her, I am still lord. They seek to kill us both.” That realization firmed Warin’s resolve. “Gerard, you must return to the keep for more men. Bennet, I need you here.”

“As you wish, my lord,” Gerard said. “I’ll leave at dawn tomorrow.”

*****

“You have a plan?” Bennet guessed the next morning after Gerard left.

“Aye,
the castle is small and the numbers are few. I’ll hide in a hay cart and you’ll act as cart man. Once you’ve delivered the load, wait with our horses where the road enters the forest. When night falls and all in the castle are asleep, I’ll find Alyna and bring her out.”

“The tower is built for defense. It w
on’t be easy to enter.” Skepticism lined Bennet’s face.

“There is a postern,” Warin said. “I saw it as I
rode through the bailey. Alan of Faulkenburg thinks none can pass the motte and curtain wall and leaves it unmanned. I will prove the weakness of his stronghold.”

“Where do we find a
hay cart?” Bennet was still not convinced Warin’s plan would work.

“We wait. There are horses and cattle in the bailey. They need fodder and it must be delivered.”

Bennet stared long and hard at Warin before he nodded. “I’ll do as you ask and more, Warin. You and your lady can rely on me.”

Any misgivings Bennet had he chose to keep to himself and for that Warin was thankful. A
greed, it was a flimsy plan but it was better than no plan.

The two men hid themselves in some shrubs by the side of the road and as Warin had predicted, they didn
’t have long to wait. In the distance came the creak of a wheeled vehicle and the sing song chant of the driver. A two-wheeled cart piled high with hay and pulled by a bony ox rumbled into view.

The two glanced at each other and Warin gave a slight nod. It would serve the purpose nicely.

Warin mounted Citadel and, lowering the faceplate on his helm, moved into the middle of the road. He held up his hand.

“Stop. Give me your cart.” His voice rang out, searing the chill morning air.

The ox driver, an old man wrapped in a wolf skin, did not have to be told twice by the armed knight on horseback. Dropping the lead rein, he backed away, holding his hands up in supplication.

“Please, my lord, do not kill me,” he whined. “Take my cart but I beg you to spare me. My wife waits with my children. I canna leave them alone, the winter is cold and long.”

“And your hat,” Warin ordered. “Give me your hat too.”

“Aye, my lord.” The man took off his hat and threw it to the ground. He stood there shivering with fear, greasy hair plastered to his head.

“Now go.” Warin pointed back down the road. “And if you value your life, do not look back.”

“Thank ye, thank ye, my lord,” the old man groveled, falling to his hands and knees before Warin. He backed up a good distance on all fours before standing up and turning tail to run.