Wild Is My Love (13 page)

Alysa shifted nervously at his questions, and was anxious to leave before she revealed something. Even if he was not one of Isobail’s men, later he might be tempted by the woman’s beauty. To protect herself and others, she replied, “I know little, for Princess Isobail keeps to her tower or to herself at the castle. I hear wild talk, but I cannot say what is or is not true. I should not spread rumors which could be false. Besides, it is dangerous to speak against our land’s regent. Perhaps you do not know: Prince Alric is very ill and remains confined to his chambers. It is Isobail who rules our land and people, and I fear for both under her control. I can say no more. If someone heard me, I would be whipped brutally. She has done this to others.”

Gavin clenched his teeth as he vowed, “If she dared to harm you, I would crush her with my bare hands. Do and say nothing where she is concerned. I will discover the truth for myself during my travels.”

Alysa smiled at his reply and concern for her safety. “Isobail left the castle this morning, and she is not to return for nearly two weeks. Be careful if you cross her path.”

Plans filled Gavin’s head; he had to follow and observe Isobail, but he hated to be so far away from this girl. “I must leave this area for a while. Each time you come to the forest, check this place for a message from me,” he told her, pointing to a hole near the base of the tree nearby. “You will meet me again when I return, will you not?” he entreated.

“Yes, Gavin, I will await your message and meet you here again. And I will expect no promises from you. Nor must you expect or ask any from me. Is it agreed?” she demanded.

Gavin was intrigued and mystified, but he nodded. “If you have a message for me, I will look for it when
I return. Stay safe and well, my sweet Thisbe.” His hand reached forward, clasped her neck, and pulled her head forward to seal their lips a final time.

At Giselde’s hut Gavin related his plan to follow Isobail to observe her actions. He let the gray-haired woman know where he was camped, and where he would camp whenever he was in this area. Giselde told him about Earnon’s alleged dream about the village attack, and both decided it was too strange to be true.

“I will return soon, Giselde,” Gavin said. “Listen and watch well, but take no risks. We must be careful while we gather our proof. If something should happen to either of us, or I cannot get near your hut, where can we leave a secret message for the other?”

Giselde thought for a moment, then said, “I know a spot. I will walk a distance with you and show you.”

Near the stagnant pond where she gathered certain plants, Giselde halted and knelt. Turning over a large rock near its edge, she said, “We can leave messages here in case of trouble.”

Gavin agreed, and they talked a while longer. He mentioned he had met a girl named Thisbe near the village, who worked at the castle, and he wondered if the old woman knew her. Gavin had decided that perhaps it was the mystery surrounding Thisbe that intrigued him and kept the irresistible creature on his mind so much. Once he knew more about her, surely he could conquer this curious obsession for her.

Gavin’s words surprised the old woman. If her binding spell had worked, the young prince should not be inflamed by any other woman, so Gavin’s obvious interest in Alysa’s servant caused Giselde to question her skills. Perhaps she had made a mistake during the incantation, or carelessly added the wrong item to her mixture. After Gavin left, she decided she would repeat
the binding spell, sear the images of Gavin and Alysa into each other’s mind until neither could think of nor desire another.

Giselde warned, “You must stay away from Thisbe. She is my granddaughter’s handmaiden. Alysa is with her at most times, for they are close friends. If you are exposed, it could be dangerous for my granddaughter to be seen near you. Thisbe is sweet and lovely, but it would be foolish to have her gather information at the castle, if that is what you had in mind. We have no need of her help; I have spies at the castle, trusted knights named Piaras and Beag.”

Giselde explained who the men were and how they were helping her. “Thisbe is Sir Piaras’s daughter, but she does not know her father works secretly with me against our rulers. Besides, Thisbe’s heart has been captured by Squire Teague, son of Lord Orin.”

Gavin said, “I think not, Giselde, for her eyes lingered upon me too long for a woman in love with another.”

Giselde frowned. “You are wrong about her, Prince Gavin. She is smitten with Squire Teague, and he with her. My granddaughter has spoken of their love many times, for Thisbe confides in her. They wait for Squire Teague to be knighted soon, then they will request to marry. Until Prince Alric gets well, they closely guard their feelings for fear Isobail will bind them in marriage to others. Trust me, Prince Gavin, for I know my words are true.”

Gavin did not like what he was hearing, thinking, or feeling. He could not help but suspect that if Giselde was right, Thisbe was not whom she had appeared to be. He recalled the strange words she had spoken to him at their first parting: “You are my enemy, sir, for I have seen you in my dream… I will make certain you are slain.” He had not asked her about her meaning. Perhaps she saw her attraction to him as a threat
to her wedding a knight who would one day become a lord, quite a catch for a servant.

Giselde felt there were certain things she should keep secret from Gavin, and so she said nothing about Alysa’s suspicions of Alric’s poisoning and what Alysa was planning to do about it. Too, she did not want Gavin to know she had tricked Alysa to keep Alric disabled. She tugged his arm and coaxed, “Do not worry over such matters when there is so much work to do. Forget Thisbe; I tell you she is intent on another, and not suitable for a prince. You must choose your woman wisely, for you will be king one day.”

Gavin shielded his warring emotions from Giselde. He smiled and nodded. “You are right. There are countless women from which to choose, with more rank and beauty than a common servant. I will return to your hut in two weeks or such.” He made sure that his tone was convincing, but as he walked away, he plotted how he would gather the truth about Thisbe, the beautiful, seductive woman from the forest.

Soon after Gavin left her, Giselde gathered items for the binding spell, but added additional ingredients to make the potion stronger. “When next you sleep, you will each other’s mind and inflame each other’s passions; you will be entwined forever,” she murmured, then smiled.

On her return to the castle, Alysa met with Leitis in the storeroom and gave her the herbs from Giselde. “Make certain Father gets only the food and drink you have prepared with these healing herbs. I will allow him to get better before I try to see him again. At present, his head is too woolly to hear me and understand his danger.”

Leitis said, “Isobail’s man, the servant who usually feeds Prince Alric, was called to his wife’s side after she
gave birth to a son, so I was able to prepare and serve your father his noon meal myself. Tonight I will add these herbs to his soup and wine.”

The women talked and planned while Leitis concealed the pouch, then went their separate ways.

Guinn watched the ailing Prince Alric intently as he sang for him. The ruler appeared better this evening. While Guinn sang, he inwardly fumed. Were he not afraid of discovery, he would take the pillow and smother his sickly rival.

Guinn did not think he could bear the loss of his lover which was sure to happen if Prince Alric were to recover and demand his wife’s return to his sleeping chamber. But if he were to kill the prince, he knew he would be under immediate suspicion. Guinn forced himself to quiet his envy and dreamed about making love to Isobail while he played his lyre for the cuckolded prince. When he knew Alric was dozing peacefully, the bard slipped from the oppressive room. He rubbed his protesting stomach, and realized he had skipped the noon meal while composing a new lovesong for Isobail. He decided, as soon as he put away his lyre and bathed, to go to the kitchen to eat.

Leitis was frightened as she exchanged the dishes on Alric’s tray while the servant fetched fresh bread from the bakery below the kitchen. With shaking hands she placed the ones the man had prepared on a corner table. After the servant left with the tray, she would discard them. The servant returned with the delicious smelling bread and took the tray to Prince Alric. To make certain the man could not add anything to the food, Leitis followed the servant and observed his actions closely. Since the guard was not on duty outside
the prince’s chambers, she followed him into the outer room and watched the servant’s movements until Alric was eating the food she herself had prepared. Quietly the stout woman returned to the kitchen, pleased with her cunning and delighted that Prince Alric had the strength to feed himself tonight.

“What are you doing?” Leitis asked the bard who was eagerly devouring the possibly tainted food. “Those are mine.”

In a nasty mood, Guinn scowled, and snapped, “Fetch yourself others, old woman; I was starving.”

There was nothing the servant could do except allow the sullen poet to eat his fill. Leitis realized one good thing about the accident: if Guinn took ill, that would tell her that Alysa’s suspicions were right.

Alysa stripped off her garments and eagerly stepped into the tub of fragrant water prepared by Thisbe. She laughed softly as she recalled how Thisbe always teased her about taking too many baths for good health and propriety, but she loved taking a short one to awaken her body each morning, and she loved relaxing in a long one after a sweaty ride or a hard day. Alysa closed her eyes and bathed leisurely. How she wished Gavin did not have to travel now.

She bolted upright in the tub and wondered how she could slip away from the castle for a few days to follow him, to discover along with him what was happening in her land. But she would have to do so without exposing her identity. She thought of a few plans, and immediately dismissed them as implausible. Feeling frustrated, Alysa dried herself and slipped into a worn but soft gown. She eased between covers upon which she had placed fragrant drops of scent. With great effort she relaxed and succumbed to sleep…

Alysa shifted in the large tub to allow room for Gavin
to join her. She sighed contentedly as he began to bathe her slowly and sensuously. She was lost in his green eyes and the tingly sensations that warmed her body at his touch. The scent of countless wildflowers filled her nostrils as she floated dreamily in the silky water and her trembling body responded eagerly to his tantalizing caresses.

Gavin bent forward and touched his lips to hers, and they shared a blazing moment of feverish passion. He pulled her across his lap while his mouth lavished attention on her face and neck and his hands roved her inviting flesh. His body ached for hers, yet he continued his leisurely love play.

‘Alysa stroked Gavin’s sleek frame with gentle hands. Her fingers played in his bronze locks and she pressed her naked body to his. As if starving for him, she drew his head toward hers and feasted ravenously on his mouth.

Gavin lifted her from the tub and lay her on a bed of fragrant leaves. Sunlight filtered through the trees overhead and danced off the beads of water on their naked bodies. His smoldering gaze warmed and dried her flesh, and hers did the same for him. He joined her, and their hands and lips began to work lovingly and urgently on each other.

Gavin moved atop her, and her welcoming thighs invited him to possess her. Their eyes met and they smiled, then the dream faded in Alysa’s mind in her castle bed… and in Gavin’s mind on his sleeping mat in the forest not far away…

On hearing the bard had taken violently ill during the night, Earnon, Isobail’s sorcerer, went to Guinn’s room to check on him. He asked the bard questions and examined him, and was alarmed by his findings. “What did you eat and drink, Guinn? When and where?” he asked. “And leave no morsel or drop untold,” the sorcerer demanded sternly.

“Soup and wine in the kitchen last evening,” the poet replied in writhing agony. “Leitis was angry with me for taking those she had prepared for herself and left on the table, but I told her to fetch herself others. I missed the noon meal, so I was ravenous and could not wait.” Guinn cradled his raging belly and groaned in pain. His fair complexion waxed ashen and beads of sweat glistened on his face. “An hour or so after I ate, I was feeling terrible and wanted to go to bed, but his Highness commanded me to sing him to sleep. I obeyed, but my throat became dry and then felt encased in flames. The prince was feeling strong and he wanted more music and singing, even though I told him I was ill. When he was not looking, I sneaked a drink of the wine near his bed. Before the night was half gone, I was hot and cold, and my innards were screaming for release. Perhaps I went too near Prince Alric and he
shared his illness with me. Help me, Earnon, do not let me waste away as he is,” the bard pleaded.

Earnon handed Guinn the drink he had prepared in case his suspicions proved correct, which they had. Somehow Guinn had ingested the drugged food meant for Prince Alric. Alric had been given small amounts for months and his body was accustomed to the mild poison, but Guinn’s was not. Earnon resolved to discover how this mistake had been made and to be assured it would never be repeated, as it could expose them all. “Drink this healing potion, Guinn. Remain in bed, and take this second potion before your next meal. Drink no wine for several weeks. It is only a bout of gripans, but wine intensified the pain, and it can make it return even after you heal. Drink ale instead.” Earnon hoped that his warning would keep the bard away from Alric’s wine in the future.

Earnon then questioned the servant who was supposed to be utterly loyal to Isobail. The apprehensive man swore he had prepared the food and drink himself and taken it to Prince Alric, but in the evening instead of at noon. The servant explained that due to the birth of his son he had been called away from the castle during the morning and had not returned until late afternoon. Guinn had confessed to sneaking Alric’s wine, but neither man could surmise how the bard had gotten the soup meant for Alric.

The servant swore he had added Earnon’s herbs to the bowl of soup. He said he had retrieved the empty containers later, so Alric must have consumed them. Yet the prince did look much improved…

Earnon accepted the man’s explanation but cautioned him against another lapse. The sorcerer knew why Alric was feeling better; for almost two days the prince had escaped his doses of poison. Earnon grinned satanically, and thought,
Weakling of a ruler, you will be in torment again before dusk.

Earnon went to the kitchen to speak with Leitis. He was satisfied no trickery was involved when Leitis told him that the server who was distracted by his first son’s birth, took so long fetching the bread that she assumed the soup was chilled. She had prepared another bowl and set aside the other one to warm for herself later. While she was finishing her chores, she explained, Guinn ate it. Leitis asked Earnon if she had done something wrong, since she
had
fetched the soup from the same kettle…

“No, Leitis,” Earnon said, “but we must be careful with all things that go to our sick ruler. When Guinn took ill and told me he had eaten soup here in the kitchen, I had to investigate any curious matter pertaining to Alric’s food. But Guinn has nothing more than gripans, and it will soon pass. One important matter we must follow in order to protect our ruler, Leitis. If the server misses his task again, make certain no one touches Prince Alric’s food and drink except you.”

After Earnon left the kitchen, Leitis sighed heavily in relief. She had not anticipated the threat of discovery so soon, and lying to the sharp-eyed man had been difficult. Only by feigning surprise had she concealed her terror of discovery. She had realized instantly that Guinn’s reaction to the meal intended for Alric corroborated Alysa’s suspicion that her father was being poisoned. She would have to watch the servant to see where he concealed the deadly herbs, and exchange them for the healing ones Alysa had given to her. Then she would not have to worry about finding clever ways to insure that her beloved ruler did not ingest any tainted food. She would take any risk necessary to prevent his untimely death.

Leitis felt sorry for the bard, even if he was sullen at times. She prepared a goblet of warm milk and added some of the healing herbs to it. Guinn was so miserable that he was delighted with her compassion, and as he
drank the soothing liquid, he related the same information to Leitis that he had told Earnon.

Alysa was sewing in her sitting chambers when Leitis came to see her. “What is wrong, dear Leitis?” she asked. “Do you hesitate with bad news?”

Leitis explained in minute detail what had taken place, including Earnon’s visit to her kitchen and her conversation with the bard. On hearing she was right, but wishing she were wrong, a bittersweet feeling filled Alysa. “How could anyone be so wicked as to plot to slay her own husband and ruler? It will become harder to guard his food, but we shall defeat them. And when Father recovers, we will tell him everything. Now that Earnon is on guard, we cannot make mistakes that might alert him to our actions. If only we knew when and how they are poisoning Father…”

In a castle the first meal of day was a light fare which was served early: bread and ale for most, plus a slice of meat or cheese for the rulers and high-ranking retainers. The main meal of the day was served from about eleven o’clock to noon; it consisted of a variety of meats, among them mutton, pork, beef, bacon, wild game, fish, and fowl, as well as fruits, berries, vegetables, and freshly baked bread, butter, and cheese. There was also ample drink—wine, ale, and milk. At dusk a small meal was eaten, unless there were guests to be entertained.

As Prince Alric’s illness had worsened, most of his meals were small and light, and usually served in his chambers. When he was at his weakest, he was compelled to remain in bed and accept his server’s assistance, which usually occurred after the noon meal…

Now Alysa’s eyes widened in comprehension. “When Father first took ill, Isobail was always with him at the midday meal. Even now that her trusted servant has
taken over his care, Father is always sickest during the afternoon. By dusk he is so weak that he nearly passes out until noon the next day. No doubt the dose is given to him at noon. You must concentrate on swapping the main meal. Once—” Alysa halted and frowned. “My reasoning cannot be right; Guinn received the poison at the evening repast. Oh, Leitis, I thought I had solved our mystery.”

“You have,” Leitis said excitedly. After she explained how she had served Alric his noon meal yesterday because the servant had been called away, it made perfect sense to them, especially when Leitis revealed how nervous the man had been about missing the midday meal but not the dawn or dusk meals. “I know you are right, Alysa. When I asked him moments ago if he wanted me to serve the prince at noon while he tended his wife and child, he immediately refused. Do not worry; I will find a way to thwart him again today, and I will watch him to discover where he hides the poison:”

“I shall be grateful forever, dear Leitis,” Alysa exclaimed, and hugged the woman. “But you must take no unnecessary risks. I could not bear it if you were harmed for helping me.”

“If I am exposed, pretend you know nothing of my deeds,” Leitis commanded. “If you come to my defense, it will put them on guard against you, then you could not save our ruler after I am gone.”

Tears blurred Alysa’s eyes as she realized that Leitis was willing to sacrifice her life to save her father. She embraced her once more before the servant left.

Alysa paced her chamber anxiously, for she had grasped another fact that she knew she must handle herself. She recalled how her father had reacted violently after drinking wine that night she had visited him, and recalled what Leitis had said about Guinn sneaking sips of her father’s wine last night. While the midday meal had to be the main source of poison, the
ever-present goblet of wine also had to be laced with it. Somehow she would summon the courage to use the secret passage to exchange the wine in her father’s room.

There was another whose intrigue had been seized by Guinn’s illness: Kyra. While boldly visiting the handsome bard in his chamber, Guinn again related all that had happened to him. Kyra was pleased with her cleverness when she enticed the guard to reveal that Prince Alric seemed slightly improved today. She needed to ask questions about such things, and knew Earnon was not the one to approach. The woods witch would know such things, she decided. Yes, she must visit that old woman and buy some information, and perhaps a potion or two.

“Are you sure you want to go riding with Kyra?” Thisbe asked her mistress as she helped Alysa change her clothes.

Alysa frowned and shook her head. “No, but yesterday I promised I would go with her. She is dangling friendship before me, and I must discover why. I know she is up to some mischief, and this is the only way to seek answers. A truce with her might provide them.”

Alysa was surprised but relieved to learn Kyra had just ridden off by herself. Obviously her stepsister was not afraid of the fierce bandits who roamed the countryside and had attacked nearby only the day before. She decided to follow and observe her stepsister.

Alysa was shocked to discover that Kyra had gone to Giselde’s hut. She remained hidden, watching for her stepsister to leave so she could discover what she was doing there.

Meanwhile, inside the hut, Giselde disguised her
voice and manner, as she usually did with Kyra, asking in a shrill tone, “Why came ye ‘ere, girl? Who tol’ ye where tae fin’ me?”

Kyra eyed the hunched figure with wild hair and the scowling face which could terrify a child. She stared at her gnarled and dirtied hands and her torn dress. The old woman’s skin was wrinkled, and her distorted expression implied her sight was bad. “I have been here before,” Kyra replied. “Have you forgotten me? Has your mind faded like your dress?”

Giselde dramatically shrugged and snorted. “Tae many come ‘n’ go tae bother with names er faces. What be yere needs?”

Kyra asked, “Tell me how I would know if someone is trying to poison another slowly and secretly. I will pay you well for such facts.”

Giselde squinted and looked the girl over intently, “Ye be tae pretty an’ colorful tae be gittin’ pazzin.”

“Not me, old woman… a friend of mine. How would I know?”

Giselde decided to be honest about the effects of poison to see how Kyra would react. She watched the astonishment, then pleasure wash over her face, and realized that Kyra had guessed the truth and was trying to decide how to use her newly found secret. “If it be pazzin, all ye kin do is git it away from ‘im. I got nae potion tae kill pazzin. I kin sell ye ae curse on ye foe, or ae amulet tae protect yeself,” she suggested.

“Yes,” Kyra replied, “make me an amulet of protection.”

Giselde took a dried rose from a basket on her work bench. She held it between her cupped hands and chanted, “Keep safe from ‘arm tha one who ‘olds this charm; if ae soul sends ‘er pain, make ‘im melt in tha rain.” She handed the flower to Kyra and warned, “Keep it in ye pocket dae an’ nite. Tae save ye friend, ye must do as I sae, zackly as I sae. Magic is dangerous,
girl, but mistakes er worse; stray not from my words er ye kin be harmed. Steal ae possession of ye foe, wrap it in henbane, burn it tae ashes, an’ bury them near ae well. If nae one disturbs tha magic grave, ye friend will not die. If tha grave be disturbed, ye friend will enter ‘is.”

“You said I had to remove the poison to save him,” Kyra reminded her.

“Tha spell cannae heal ‘im, only keep ‘im alive. Tae heal ‘im, ye must allow nae pazzin tae cross ‘is lips. Listen closely, girl,” Giselde chided harshly. “If Black Magic comes back on ye, ye kin die.”

“How can I destroy this enemy?” Kyra asked unexpectedly. She held out several coins and an expensive jewel. “Give me a spell or potion to kill h—him, and these are yours, old witch.”

Giselde was glad she was able to conceal her shock at Kyra’s real intention for coming. Joy flooded her entire body and soul. What sweet revenge to have Isobail slain by the hand of her own child! Yet she read indecision in the girl’s eyes.

Giselde fetched several items and turned to Kyra. “If ye be brave an’ sure, girl, I kin teach ye tha killin’ spell.” She waited for Kyra to respond eagerly before she continued, “Pull ae piece of yarn from ae garment still warm after ye foe’s wearin’. Prick tha ring finger of ye left hand an’ catch ae tipple of blood. Pour ye blood into this liquid an’ shake it good before ye soak tha yarn in it. As ye chant, tie ae knot in tha yarn for each dae ye foe tae have left. On tha last dae, wash tha bloody yarn in ae goblet of wine an’ let yere foe drink it. Afore tha new morn comes, ye enemy will die, an’ nae one will guess tha truth. I cannae tell ye what will happen if ye speak tha chant wrong er dinna carry out tha castin’ spell just as I teach ye.”

“Teach me the casting chant, old woman,” Kyra ordered. Giselde swayed and murmured:

“Acumla me Ra,
when this curse is begun,

Acumla me Ra,
grant me power till it is done.

Acumla me Ra,
knots of weakness and of hate.

Acumla me Ra,
let death be their fate.

Acumla me Ra,
let no one change my spell.

Acumla me Ra, Acumla me Ra.”

Kyra asked, “What if I change my mind after I speak the chant?”

“Ya can change your mind till tha last dae,” Giselde replied, slipping back into dialect without Kyra noticing. “Oncest ye mix tha wine, blood, an’ potion an’ give it tae yere foe, ye cannae halt tha spell. After it is done, all that was yere foe’s will belong tae ye,” Giselde said temptingly, knowing it would be the poison, not the spell, which would slay Isobail, if Kyra possessed the hatred and courage to use it. “Ye best do it quickly, girl. When ye hates deep, it gives off forces which ye foe kin feel. If ye wait long, ye foe will defeat ye first.”