Wild Is My Love (18 page)

“These are our people, Sir Phelan, and we must help them. Worry not. The brigands cannot return if our valiant men are chasing them.”

“What if there are others hiding nearby, Your Highness?” Trahern speculated. “This could be a trick to lure us away so others can pounce upon you after we are gone. Think of your people’s sufferings if you are captured.”

The princess lifted her chin and declared, “I must not think of my own life when those of my loyal subjects are in peril.”

“If there are more brigands lurking nearby, all will be in danger.”

Isobail glanced around as she pretended to weigh her dilemma. “Your words are wise, but painful to accept, Sheriff. Trahern. Help us to load our wounded on the carts and escort us to the castle. Afterwards you must race after those merciless slayers and bring back their
heads. Later I will send others to gather the precious bodies of our dead.”

One of the guards asked frantically, “Are you wounded, Your Highness? Your hands and garments are covered with blood.”

Isobail looked down at her clothes and hands, and wailed dramatically, “Nay, my faithful knight, it is the blood of our beloved Lord Daron. We must defeat these fierce killers, for I can bear no more blood of our loyal vassals and subjects upon my hands. If I were a warrior, I would ride after them myself. Surely I have failed my people…”

Lord Orin clasped her hands in his and pressed them to his heart. “Nay, gentle lady,” he refuted emotionally, then addressed the people. “These strong hands saved my life, dear friends. If not for the courage of our fearless ruler, I would be dead.” Orin related the daring episode to the others, who looked on in awe. Pressing Isobail’s bloodstained hands to his flushed cheek, he told them, “Our cherished ruler tried to save Lord Daron, but his wound was too great. This day must never be forgotten, as our land abounds in luck to have Princess Isobail stand in Alric’s place while he is ill. No kingdom could have a better regent than this noble woman before us. May the gods grant you immortality, which you truly deserve,” Orin concluded fervently, then bent his knee to pay homage to Isobail.

“Rise, Lord Orin. I do only as I must while my husband lies ill. I depend upon our loyal retainers to help me through this trying time. I have much to learn before I deserve your homage.”

But the guards, knights, and servants bent their knees before her, and praises for her actions filled the air. False tears rolled down Isobail’s cheeks, and she vowed, “My heart floods with joy and pride this unfortunate
day. I shall never forget this moment, and I shall work hard to deserve your love and fealty.”

Unknown to each other, two men watched the events before them and worried over their meaning: Baltair and Gavin. When the attack began, Baltair had been gathering special herbs which grew in this forest, and Gavin had just returned from futilely trailing the raiders in the heavily wooded countryside. The events had happened so rapidly—the attack and the timely return of Isobail’s troop—that neither man could have done much except lose his life or reveal himself rashly. Yet both astutely noticed how the brigand who had been struck down from behind had not feared to turn his back on the dagger-armed princess.

As the pitiful caravan departed, Baltair and Gavin approached the clearing to witness the action more closely. They sighted each other, and halted to assess the other’s purpose. Neither made any intimidating moves, and each realized there was no reason” for them to tangle. They glanced at the retreating party, then at each other again. As if each understood they were allies who had come to the same conclusions about this deceitful episode, they nodded slightly to each other before the blond turned to call his golden charger to his side.

Baltair watched him mount and leave, a curious sensation washing over him. Then he smiled, for he knew he was not fighting this dark battle alone. Yet fears and worries assailed him, and as quickly as he could, he hurried back to Malvern Castle to reveal everything to Alric, which would be possible for once with Isobail gone.

It was late when Sheriff Trahern and his men returned to Daron’s gloomy castle to report that the raiders’ trail had disappeared. “It suddenly vanished like the mist, Your Highness. We scoured the area until darkness halted us. I do not understand this mystery; it is as if some terrible god aids and conceals them. We beg your pardon and understanding, Your Highness, but there is no clue to follow.”

“Fret not, Sheriff Trahern, I know you did your best, and I do not expect you to do the impossible. I have every confidence that the raiders will make a mistake soon and you will capture them. This very day your timely arrival saved many lives, including mine and Lord Orin’s. This is a sad night for me, but a grave matter must be settled promptly. I have chosen Sir Calum to take charge of this castle and crucial location. I command him to defend it until Lord Daron’s sons come of age and are knighted. Sir Calum must observe the Logris border, as I am certain the evil brigands use it to their advantage.” To Lord Daron’s family, vassals, and servants, she ordered, “Obey Sir Calum as you have obeyed your ruler. The brigands fear my knights; that is why they departed rapidly this afternoon, and why they do not attack when my forces are near. With Sir
Calum in charge, this area will be safe from another attack. Your home and grant will be protected until the sons of Daron take his place.”

Isobail gazed around the room, then continued. “Our hearts are heavy and our blood is hot with hatred, so this is not the time for a merry feast or an urgent talk, my people. We must all return to our homes to mourn the loss of our dear Lord Daron. In ten days let us meet at Malvern Castle to knight more squires to help defend our land and people, and to make plans for our defense. If there are other problems or requests, bring them there. By then my husband should be well enough to advise us. Is there one among you who does not agree? Speak freely,” she said.

Lord Orin stepped forward, saying, “Surely all agree with such wise words, Your Highness, all of them.”

“You are most kind and generous, dear Orin,” she responded. “These days are difficult for all of us, so I will not collect the geld which is owed. Loyal retainers can use this money to aid our poor subjects,” she suggested, referring to the tax paid to the Crown by landholders. “My husband is a good man and will agree with this kindness. If he does not, I shall accept the blame and pay the tax with my jewels.”

After a few more minutes of misleading talk and charming smiles, Isobail dismissed everyone from the Great Hall.

It was after midnight when Trahern slipped into Isobail’s chamber to spend a few hours with her. Their naked bodies clung together, and he teased, “This is dangerous, my sweet, but I cannot resist you.”

Throaty laughter filled his ears as she teased them with her teeth. Isobail replied, “Danger is what makes life appealing. Tonight we shall sleep very little, if any. First I must tell you about Phelan. He saw me slay that raider, and it frightens my Captain of the Guard. Phelan must not learn that their leader agreed to let
me kill his man. He believed the bandit was to slay Daron, fight with Orin, then flee at your arrival. Phelan is worried over my slaying one of my own hirelings. I finally convinced him the bandit panicked and was about to kill Lord Orin to make good his escape. He seemed to believe me, but I worry over such weakness. If the captain becomes a problem, you must get rid of him during a battle.”

“As you wish, my sweet,” Trahern concurred, as he owed loyalty to nothing and to no one except Isobail and himself.

She held him at bay and added, “Another thing. I ordered Sir Beag to return to the castle with us. I thought it unwise to leave him here with Sir Calum. We must allow no one to interfere with our plans. Soon we will cast our eyes on Lord Fergus and Sir Kelton. Before another winter, Trahern, all will be ours. I will be ruler, and you shall be my lover until it is safe to become my consort.”

The news thrilled him. “Unless you desire otherwise, my sweet, I will keep my wife Kordel in my castle until our time is ripe. As Daron’s sister, Kordel provides me with a protective cover.”

“Keep her and use her as you wish until I can make you mine,” Isobail said, then laughed wickedly. “When must you leave my side?”

“I meet with the raiders at dawn. Until that hour I serve only you.” His eyes gleamed with the promise of ecstasy.

“Nay, beloved Trahern, tonight your ruler serves you…”

At Malvern Castle a similar bout of passion was taking place between Isobail’s traitorous daughter and sorcerer. To make certain Kyra did not become pregnant, Earnon was providing her with herbs that’ prevented
such a perilous accident. In fact, Earnon was too smitten with the sensuous Kyra to discover that the server who saw to it that Alric’s food was tainted had been killed that morning—in one of the few genuine accidents to have recently occurred at Malvern Castle: the unfortunate server had been trampled by a wild horse.

Alysa tossed and turned in her bed, unable to sleep. She had ordered Leitis to stop giving all herbs, good and bad, to her father. If they could keep Earnon from learning about his servant’s death, the nasty man could not replace his hireling or interfere with Alric’s recovery. All they needed were a few days with careful tending and without injurious drugs, then she could have a grave talk with her father. If she could not get through to him soon, she would bind him, abduct him, and carry him to his father. In Cambria she would make her grandfather, King Bardwyn, listen to her and believe her!

If that drastic action became necessary, she hoped Gavin returned before Isobail, so she could enlist his aid. If she could persuade him to do so after lying to him about her identity…

Alysa flung the covers aside and paced her room. The wildflowers Gavin had given to her had died, but she kept them drying in a bronze goblet. She fingered the buds dreamily now, as she reflected upon him. Surely she was in love, or falling in love, with him. If only she were not a princess, a future ruler whose life was not her own, and if he were not a traveling warrior…

An idea came to mind: Gavin was a warrior for hire, and she possessed enough jewels and coins to pay for his escort to Cambria to her grandfather for aid. In the morning she would leave a note for him, indicating that she was in trouble and needed his help, no matter his price. She would tell him to respond by note as soon
as he returned, that she would check the tree hole each day for his answer.

“Can I trust you, my mysterious warrior?” she asked softly. “What if you learn my identity and realize how valuable my exposure to Isobail could be for you? Nay, you would not betray me,” she protested to herself. “You burn within me as a roaring blaze, and oftentimes I fear such a wildfire will consume me. Yet your eyes and touches say you care deeply for me. You are my only hope, Gavin; please be the man I believe you are, even if I must pay you to help us.”

Alysa pondered what could happen between them on such a long journey if they were alone; but they would not be alone. She wondered what her father would think about Gavin, about her love for a commoner who earned glory and money as a warrior. He was not even a knight-errant, she fretted, knowing that rank might be more favorably looked upon. Could she make a happy consort out of such a restless male? If it came to a choice between the Crown and Gavin, she wondered, which one would she choose? How wonderful life would be if she could have both.

“Where are you, Gavin?” she said aloud again. “What urges your heart to seek the life you do? Could you be happy in one place, with one woman?”

At dawn Gavin gingerly trailed the Sheriff of Damnonia to a large camp where most of the raiders were sleeping. He wished he could get close enough to hear the words spoken between the bandit leader and Trahern, but it was too dangerous. Guards on full alert were posted around the camp. Clearly the leader was not a foolish or careless man.

Within twenty minutes Trahern departed. The fierce leader of the raiders grinned satanically as he watched the sheriff leave. Gavin nodded to himself realizing that
the foreign warrior was as deceitful as those who had hired him. The traitorous Isobail, Gavin decided, was as foolish and blind as Vortigern of Logris had been when he had hired Hengist.

Gavin studied the camp for a time. It was not a permanent one, and there were too many of them for him and his knights to challenge. Besides, he needed to bind Isobail to the treachery. More proof was needed, and the best way to obtain it was by joining the brigands and defeating them a few at a time. First he had to catch their attention…

Nothing could convince him that Isobail had not carried out a death trap for Lord Daron. And he did not have to wonder why she had spared Lord Orin’s life. Obviously she had realized it might be suspicious to kill both men simultaneously, just as she must have surmised that “saving” Orin’s life would aid her plot. Gavin had not bothered to follow the knights in pursuit of the raiders, since it was clear that the sheriff would not lead his men in the right direction. Instead he found a hiding place and used the hours to get some much needed sleep.

After Trahern’s return to the castle the night before, the Cumbrian prince had made contact with his friend Keegan. While Gavin had observed the castle and waited for Trahern to ride out the next day, which he concluded the sheriff would do as soon as it was safe, he had seen his man Keegan, dressed as a peasant, slip into a bailey of Daron’s castle.

Inside the gates, each group had assumed Keegan was part of another group, allowing him to move around easily to do his spying. When the means was presented to him to slip safely into the castle itself, the brave knight had done so. Keegan had gathered many clues from the talkative servants and careless men-at-arms, which he reported to Gavin: Isobail’s flowery speeches, the people’s reactions, and the dismissal of
the geld. Paying close attention to the princess, Keegan had seen Trahern slip into Isobail’s chambers, and with an attitude that left little doubt that Isobail was betraying her husband.

Keegan later related how he could not follow the hunt without arousing curiosity, and so he had remained in the bailey to observe there. Gavin ordered his friend to continue his task until Isobail departed for Malvern Castle. Gavin himself would trail the woman’s party, then meet with his men at the appointed place in the forest near Giselde’s hut. Clearly they were gathering plenty of information, but they had to tie Isobail to the treachery afoot.

Despite the recent tragedy, as Isobail headed homeward she halted in every village and hamlet to ingratiate herself with the people, and so she would not arrive at Malvern Castle for three days.

Baltair entered Alric’s chamber that next afternoon to find the prince sitting in a chair near his window. The seneschal smiled with pleasure to find his ruler much improved. He took the seat nearby and met Alric’s inquisitive gaze. “Yes, my ruler, there is trouble in our land,” he replied to the unasked question.

“Tell me everything, Baltair. You are my most trusted retainer and closest friend. Why have you kept such news from me?”

Baltair’s eyes did not evade Alric’s as he said, “I do not trust Princess Isobail, and I feared to speak openly before her. She has not allowed us a private visit for many months; even now we must speak hurriedly, before Earnon learns I am here with you. Times are bad.”

“Why do you cast aspirations on my wife?” Alric asked.

“I feared she would slay you if you suspected her plot,” Baltair replied bluntly. “Although I have no
proof, I believe she is behind this strange illness of yours, and behind the blackness that plagues Damnonia. It is past time to relate all she is doing in your domain.”

Prince Alric remained silent for a long while as he deliberated on this staggering, but not totally incredible, information. Except for one relapse, he had been getting better during his wife’s absence, especially since Leitis had begun serving his meals three days past. He recalled his daughter’s visit and her words on the night he had been so violently ill. Then he pondered his wife’s first husband’s timely death, reflecting on the way Isobail had entrapped him with marriage and how she had kept him in “protective” solitude. He remembered, too, many little things that told him Baltair could be right, things he had been too blind or foolish or muddleheaded to accept. “If such is true, Baltair,” he finally replied, “I must arrest my treacherous wife and punish her. Send the Captain of the Guard to me.”

Baltair shook his gray head and implored, “You must not make a move against her yet.” His brown eyes were filled with panic as he warned, “She has duped the people and has won the favor of many knights and retainers. We know not whom we can trust, my friend. I suspect that Trahern and Phelan are working with her, as are others. I have told you of her clever doings which blind your subjects. Perhaps they would think your charges come from your illness. I must gather proof and deliver it to your father. We will need King Bardwyn’s help to defeat her. You do not realize how powerful and evil she is, or the grave peril surrounding you. If she feels threatened by you, she will have you slain and make it appear an accident. We must use all caution and wisdom.”

Alric arose weakly and leaned against the window. Peering out, he asked, “How can I allow such evil and betrayal to continue?”

“For your survival and that of your domain, sire.”

Alric half turned toward Baltair, saying, “What of the safety of my child? Alysa is heir to the throne, not Isobail.”

“Unless your wife feels threatened, I do not believe Alysa is in danger at this time. Isobail would not dare slay all loyal lords, the prince, and the heir in such a short time. For now, she is trying to place her men in control, then she will seek the throne. We can trust Piaras. I will ask him to gather information about the fealty of others. While I am gone, Piaras will guard you and be prepared to summon your loyal retainers if Isobail makes a strike at the throne.”

“It is a good plan, Baltair, and we will follow it. Many times my pride has gotten me into trouble. This time I will use the knowledge you have gathered. You warned me long ago not to be enchanted with this woman. I did not listen, and I have paid dearly for my weakness and lust.”