The Everlasting Covenant (7 page)

“
Where are you bound, maid Anne?
”
the knight who kept the gate asked.

“
I have been through a long morning at the bedside of my nurse, old Minerva. She is dying.
”
She brushed at a tear.
“
I need a space away from her illness and this mania of knights. I will return to her directly.
”

“
You should not wander far,
”
he advised.

“
There are more knights within hearing of my screams than ever before, sir. I mean only to circle the outer wall once to loosen these stiff limbs. Worry not.
”

The protection lining the walls was more than adequate, and so the gate keeper did not argue or detain her. Anne did not dare look over her shoulder to see if Dylan followed. She did in fact walk around the outer wall, to the rear of the keep, a trip that took the half of an hour. There, where the castle was built into the side of a hill, was a shallow coppice of no more than a dozen trees. It was the only place that could not be seen from the wall or tower. Anyone fleeing over the hill could be
spotted, or troops converging on the castle from the far side of the hill could be seen. But this little place where the wall met the hill was hidden. And this was the place where Dylan had spread his mantle on the grass for her once before.

When she entered the little shelter, she turned expectantly, but it was many long moments before he arrived. In his hand was a scythe. He dropped it instantly to take her in his arms.

“
Dylan, my God, you came inside Raedelle
’
s walls,
”
she gasped, holding his face in her hands and covering him with kisses.

“
There is no time, my love. A troop of a dozen men awaits us. Come with me now.
”

“
Now? How?
”

“
If we can make the wood there are two horses tethered. Anne, there may never be another chance.
”

“
Oh Dylan, why did you come inside?
”

“
I have roved this fair countryside for some weeks, but the Raedelle gate is stout at night, for the Giffords conspire to unseat King Henry. Coming inside by daylight appeared to be the only
the
way.
”

Joy penetrated through tears of fear and Anne laughed. He had come!
“
As a peasant man with a crooked back. Oh, Dylan!
”

“
You were so long at your prayers, I thought I would die.
”
He kissed her mouth hungrily, his wildly beating heart pressed against hers. He grasped her hand and covered her palm and fingers with kisses. And then he held her so tightly she was nearly crushed.

“
I was afraid you would never come,
”
she whispered against his ear.
“
I have never been so afraid.
”

“
Listen to me, my love. We must flee by the light of day. I have watched your house, and there is no way for you to escape after the sun is set. It is a long way to the wood. We will have to run. Can you come now?
”

“
Now, yes,
”
she said, kissing him again. His arms tightened about her waist, holding her so near she felt almost a part of him. Finally they would be as one.

“
Are you afraid?
”
he asked her.

“
No, Dylan. I am only afraid of losing you.
”

“
Let me hold you, just for a moment, before we
--
”

“
Old
Minerva,
”
she
said suddenly, stiffening.
“
Dylan, Minerva lies dying.
”

“
There is
no time, Anne. It must be now.
”

“
Wait, Dylan, wait. The guard saw me leave the wall and my dress is a bright color. An hour, my love. Stay here, where you are safe, and let me return to Minerva. I will only kiss her brow, that is all. I will take a dark, poor gown and one of her old shawls and leave Raedelle just as you have come. Less notice will be taken of a peasant leading an old hag down the road than if we run for the wood.
”

He frowned slightly.
“
I do not want to let go of you again. I fear
I
will never have another chance. There is war on the land. Anne, at any moment our chance to flee could be lost.
”

“
But Dylan, for a year and a half we have awaited this. An hour. Please.
”

He held her head against his chest and stroked the silky length of her hair.
“
It is so close,
”
he said breathlessly.
“
You have no idea how terrible it is, the war that is coming.
”

“
We will be far away from it, my love.
”

“
God help us, I hope so. I do not think Henry
’
s army can hold them back.
”
He lifted her chin.
“
Anne, if we fail ...
”

“
Dylan, hush! I have never walked through Raedelle
’
s gate more easily. They are so upset with their conspiracy, they notice me less than ever. I will take a shawl in a basket and tell the guard I am returning to cut wild flowers for old Minerva.
”

As she looked into his eyes she saw a fear and intensity that she had never before seen. In a panicked breath he whispered,
“
Anne, come now:
”

She was afraid for him, never before seeing that look of panic etched into his handsome face.
“
Less than an hour, Dylan. It will be safer. Wait here.
”
She kissed his lips.
“
I love you.
”

It was difficult to keep from skipping back to the gate. Anne had to keep her head slightly bowed so that no one would see the smile she could not hide, the flush of her cheeks. At last. There was not the slightest tugging at her heart for the betrayal her family would feel, for she hated what they were doing. They
were moved to depose a king for want of power and money, not
for a higher principle –
not for England
’
s good.

She fled through the town, her feet carrying her swiftly, her breath coming in labored gasps from the combination of exertion and anticipation. She raced through the keep, ignoring all the activity in her path, and ran up the back stairs to the chamber that was Minerva
’
s.

Ferris slumped against the closed door, a tear tracing its way down his ruddy cheek. He lifted his head as Anne
’
s foot touched the top step.
“
She is dead,
”
he said.

“
No,
”
she said in a breath, shaking her head.

Ferris grasped her by the upper arms and kissed her brow.
“
It is almost as if she chose to die while you were away. She loved you so.
”
He looked into her eyes.
“
Prepare her, my sweet. Her body needs to be readied by loving hands, and yours are the only ones I know.
”

“
Oh Papa, I cannot,
”
she cried, panicked. Ferris held her away and looked into her eyes.
“
Not Minerva,
”
she said, the tears flowing freely, tears that to her shame were not for her old nurse, but for the cursed delay. She should have fled with Dylan instantly.

“
You would not do this for Minerva?
”
he asked, frowning through the pain in his eyes.

“
Papa, I ..
.
”
It was on her lips to tell him. There was a fleeting hope that he would understand her, even help her. Although Ferris was committed to his cause for the Duke of York and had admitted hatred for Lord deFrayne, he did not encourage his sons to take up the feud. She knew he disliked the continued animosity between the two families. But Ferris, even as the lord of Raedelle, could not control the hatred of the others. And he could not betray the family honor. If he knew Dylan was here for his daughter, he might stand aside as the others captured a deFrayne. She was still afraid to confide in him.

“
I
will do it, Papa. Go to church for me, buy a prayer for her soul and tell the priest.
”

Ferris nodded and walked wearily down the stairs. Anne en
tered the sickroom and looked down at the peaceful face of her nurse and lifelong friend. Minerva was old and had worked hard. In death, she had rest and peace. It was almost as if she smiled. Anne bent over the bed and kissed Minerva
’
s brow.
“
Forgive me, my love,
”
she whispered, a fresh tear dropping onto the wrinkled face.

Then she whirled, grasped a shawl from the coffer at the foot of the bed, and raced down the back stairs through the gallery to her own chamber. She stripped off her bright rose-colored gown and donned a dull tan working apron and tucked her hair under a cap. She dug through her small jewel chest and stuffed her few tr
inkets into her pockets –
things that could be sold for money if Dylan had little. She pushed Minerva
’
s shawl into a basket and scurried again toward the back stair. Though the passage was longer, she would leave the keep through the cook
ery to avoid passing her brothers in the courtyard. She hoped no one would notice her. She could be taken for any village wench.

The tower horn sounded and Anne stopped short. She low
ered her eyes again and resumed walking, aware of running all around her.
Oh dear God, no
,
her heart screamed.
Oh dear God, give me flight, and I will never ask another thing.

Afraid of the truth, she walked swiftly. Her cheeks drained of color and her eyes glazed over. Her heart beat wildly and her stomach churned miserably. The knights armed themselves and began to run. At the wall the men were clumsily struggling to arm the new bronze cannon. Quentin, already astride, held his prancing steed in wait for the opening of the gate.
Wings, dear Father in heaven. Give me wings to clear the wall.

“
A deFrayne troop,
”
she heard a man shout. She lifted her eyes. Twenty or more knights cleared the gates with destriers, spears, and lances, and the mighty oaken portal was closing behind them.
“
A deFrayne troop is being engaged by our riders on the south Driscoll cross.
”

“
No,
”
she said in a breath, shaking her head.
“
Oh please, let it not be so!
”

Archers lined the walls, bows ready and quivers in place. She
looked around, turning full circle, her hair slipping from under the cap and falling to her shoulders. A choking sob escaped her and she covered her mouth. She could not get out, she could not go to him. Was he safe? Would he be killed? The troop who had waited to escort them to safety was being attacked by Gifford riders. But Dylan was not with them. He was in the trees against the wall.

“
From the wall. Archers ready.
”

“
No!
”
she screamed, but to no avail. There was commotion and a flurry of arrows. She knew that Dylan must be running for the tethered horses in the wood.
“
No,
”
she screamed again, fearing she would go mad. Peasant clothes, no armor, no weapon save the scythe he had taken.

“
Is it a deFrayne?
”

“
No colors, my lord. It could be anyone, but he flees and so he dies.
”

“
He
’
s crossing the field! Bowman! Draw!
”

“
Too late. He
’
s in the trees. Send riders.
”

Anne
’
s fists pressed against her mouth and she shook with terror. Her pockets were stuffed with her minor jewels, her disguise was in her basket, and tears flowed down her pale cheeks. Anyone who looked closely might guess that she was prepared for flight. Suddenly, a hand, heavy and strong, rested on her shoulder and turned her around. She looked into the angry eyes of her father.