Dark Warrior (24 page)

“I have done so before.”

“Not as my wife you have not.” He sounded determined that she would not do this.

Mary thought otherwise. “I will not see Jenna and her brother suffer when I am capable of helping. I will return before you realize I am gone.”

“I think not. When I lay in bed without your warm, soft body next to mine, I will worry.”

She placed a gentle hand on his arm. “Nothing will happen to me. I will see them safe and be in our bed before dawn tomorrow. Besides, I am experienced with a bow and can use one if necessary.”

“A bow? Who taught you how to handle a bow?”

“The bowman in the village I was brought to. I was barely eleven and angry over my parents' deaths. Vengeance filled my heart and the thought of piercing my enemy's heart with an arrow filled me with determination to learn how to use a bow.”

He placed his hand over hers. “You did pierce my heart, though it was love's arrow that felled the mighty Decimus.”

She smiled proudly. “I am an excellent bow woman.”

He laughed and kissed her with a gentle haste. “I am glad to know that, though I will not worry less about you. There is no time to spare if we are to do this. We must move immediately to free them. How did you slip past the guards when you freed Roarke?”

“I borrowed clothes from the stables and wore a cap to hide my long hair. Dirt smudges on my face helped greatly.”

“I will get you what you need and wait until you are ready. Then I will call the men from the dungeon so that there will be no one to stop you, but you have only minutes for they know I will not leave the dungeon unattended for long.”

She saw the worry in his dark eyes and thought to assure him. “I will be fine.”

He wrapped his arms around her. “You better be, for I will never forgive you or my own foolishness for letting you risk your life like this.”

He kissed her but there was no time to linger. They had to act now before the young pair would suffer.

In no time Mary was dressed once again as a lad, and before she tucked her blond hair beneath the wool cap, Decimus kissed her again.

“I love you.”

“And I you with all my heart,” she said.

“Travel safe and be careful, I already wait impatiently for your return.”

Holding her hand, Decimus checked the hall to see that they were alone. Together they sneaked down the curving staircase. Mary hid within the shadows, a bow clasped tightly in her hand and a sack of arrows strapped to her back as Decimus summoned his men.

The escape had begun.

M
ary managed to free Jenna and her brother William from the dungeon with little difficulty, and within hours met with the men in the woods who would take them to safety. She did not, however, advise anyone of her fatigue.

Jenna had been shocked and relieved to learn that Mary would help them escape, though she made her concern for Mary known. She worried that Decimus would take his wrath out on his wife if he should learn that she freed them, and she urged Mary not to return.

“I cannot do that, Jenna.” Mary tried to explain. “I would place myself in even more danger. I must return; I have no choice.”

“But you are free,” she cried and wiped at her tears. “For the short time I have known you, you have been so very good to me. Now William and I have a chance to live a better life because of you. Please join us.”

“It is not possible, and I must be on my way. My husband thinks me ill and confined to my bed. He is busy with the escape, but there will come a time he looks in on me and will see that it is not his wife beneath the blanket but pillows.”

“I do not know how I can thank you,” Jenna said, clinging to Mary's hand.

“By living a good life with your brother,” Mary said, then hugged the thin girl and bid her farewell.

Two men took her to the woods and one looked uncertain about leaving her on her own.

“The terrain is not easy, the path not always clear. Are you certain you can manage on your own?”

“Your directions are clear. I will be fine,” she assured him, though worried that her fatigue might catch up with her before she reached the fortress. But she had no choice; she had to return as quickly as possible. She could rest all she wanted to once in the fortress.

She took to the woods in bright daylight, but knew that it would be near to dawn before she reached the Fortress of Hell. She had walked quite a distance before she rested, and no sooner than she sat did she hear a noise. She was quick to her feet and quicker to take bow and arrow to hand and wait, the trees shielding her.

Decimus delayed his men from beginning their search as long as he could then released them, praying Mary and the two young ones were well gone.

It was near to nightfall and he hoped that Mary was safe and close to home, though he knew it would take her the night to reach the fortress. He had walked the familiar path many times.

The darkness was a friend to him; he only hoped Mary would feel the same way and she would find the shadows and sounds of the night her protectors.

Later that night in their bedchamber he paced the floor waiting for her. He attempted to sleep if only for an hour or so but sleep eluded him. He could think of nothing but his wife and unborn child alone in the woods, prey to man and beast.

He thought several times to go in search of her, but he realized he could not leave the fortress for then he would need to leave someone in his ill wife's care and that was not possible.

He stood by the window, looking into the dark night and praying for his wife's safe return. His heart was heavy with worry not only of her safety, but also of the thought of having to let her go. He had briefly considered escaping with her when the time came and leaving all the madness behind him. Then his senses returned to him and he knew he could not forsake his duty to the innocent. He had to continue his work and help as many people as he could.

The thought did not ease his heartache, nor would it comfort him when he lay in bed alone without his beloved wife. But he was a man of honor and he had no choice in this matter.

He would take what time he had with her and love her with all his heart. That was why she had to return to him.

By dawn
.

Decimus stood by the window and watched the sun rise. Mary was to return by dawn but was yet to be seen. His worry and fear mounted with each passing hour. Then he was informed that someone approached and his heart wrenched with worry.

He waited at the entrance to the fortress. Could it be Mary? Had someone found her? Was she ill?

The wagons and riders approached and in the lead was a man in an iron mask on a sturdy black steed.

The Legend had arrived at the fortress.

Reena was quick to slip off her mare but approached Decimus with caution. “We thought to visit with Mary, if you approve of course.”

Decimus stared at her. He was no fool, Mary had sent for the lot of them when she had sent the note he had learned about. She was up to something and, if he had her here right now, he would find out what she was up to.

“You are welcome to visit
briefly.
”

“How kind of you,” Reena said with a pleasant smile. “Where is Mary?”

Decimus had no chance to answer.

“Mary!” Reena yelled and hurried past Decimus.

He turned to see his wife walking out the door dressed in proper attire, not a smudge on her pale face. He had to restrain himself from rushing forward and scooping her up in his arms. She looked near to collapsing.

“Are you all right?” Reena asked with alarm.

Mary stepped forward on trembling legs. She was bone tired and hungry, and though she was thrilled to see Reena and the others, she wanted nothing more than her husband's loving arms around her.

She managed a weak smiled and looked to Decimus before answering Reena. “I am—”

She was suddenly lifted up into her husband's arms.

“Did I give you permission to get out of bed?” he said, his nostrils flaring and his eyes blazing with an angry heat.

“You have been ill?” Reena asked, close on Decimus's heels.

“Mary has not felt well for days and needs rest.” Decimus was firm in his retort.

“I will look after her,” Reena offered, though it sounded more like a demand.

“That is not necessary. Wait in the hall while I see to my wife.”

There was no doubt that he meant to be obeyed, and Magnus reached out and grabbed his wife by the back of her tunic.

“Do as he says. You will talk with Mary soon enough.”

“She does not look well at all,” Reena said concerned.

“We will make certain she is well before we leave here,” Magnus assured her.

“That we will,” Reena said, folding her arms firmly across her chest. “For I will not leave here until I am certain of it.”

Decimus wanted to scream, shout, and cry out his joy that Mary had returned safely, though she appeared completely exhausted. And that worried him.

“I should have never let you do this,” he said, placing her gently on the bed.

Mary rested her hand on his cheek. “Jenna and her brother are free and I am but tired. Freedom heals them and sleep will heal me.”

He kissed her palm. “You took longer than I expected; I worried that something had happened to you.”

“I came upon your men,” she said quietly. “I thought only one at first and was ready with my bow and arrow. Then I spied another and knew I needed to hide and wait for them to pass. It delayed my return.”

Her near capture filled him with dread, and he silently swore he would never place her in such danger again. He would see her safe and free of harm. “Rest,” he urged and placed her hand on her stomach, his hand covering hers.

“I understand now.” Her eyes drifted closed.

“What do you understand?”

“Why the Dark One does what he does.”

“And why he must continue his work,” he said regretfully.

“Everything changes yet it stays the same.”

Decimus had to lean closer to hear her, her voicing drifting off to a mere whisper as she fell asleep. He did not understand the pertinence of her remark, but then she was tired and probably not making sense.

He waited by her side until he was certain she was asleep. When a soft knock sounded at the door, he hurried to see who dared disturb them.

Reena stood with her hands on her hips, Brigid behind her. He had to admire Reena, for a small wisp of a woman she had courage.

“Is Mary all right?”

“She is with child and has not been well.” He saw no reason to keep that information from them and it was time her pregnancy was known, time for their escape plan to begin.

Reena went to walk past him but he blocked her with his arm across the doorway. “She sleeps.”

Reena looked perturbed, but Brigid handled herself well.

“Would you like someone to sit with her in case she should wake and need assistance?”

Reena was more direct. “We heard that her personal servant was accused of stealing and had escaped before punishment. It
must
have upset her.”

“It was no concern of hers.” He had often wanted to cringe at his own arrogance, but it was necessary to keep up the façade. He was however grateful to Brigid for offering to sit with his wife. He would feel more at ease if someone he could trust remained with her.

He stood aside. “Do not disturb her.”

He forced himself not to smile when he saw Brigid grab hold of Reena's arm. The tiny, thin woman looked ready to lunge at him. He was glad to know Mary had good friends. She would need them.

They walked to the bed and after seeing that Mary was asleep, Reena pulled a chair near the bed for Brigid to sit.

Decimus noticed then that Brigid was round with child and a sudden sadness rushed over him. He would have to send Mary away when she was heavy with his child. He would watch her walk out of his life never to see her or to know his offspring.

He wanted to scream and lash out at someone but he could do nothing, just as he had not been able to do anything about his family's suffering. What good was love when it only brought more pain and sorrow?

He turned and hurried out the door. A scurry of footsteps caught up with him as he descended the staircase.

“Since Mary has not been well, I think it wise she return with us so that she may get proper care.”

Decimus stopped so abruptly that Reena smashed into his back. He turned, grabbed hold of her arm, and marched her down the remainder of the steps.

“Mary stays with me.” He felt his fury boiling. He had only a short time left with his wife and he was not willing to relinquish a moment of it.

“Take your hand off my wife.”

Reena froze along with Decimus. She had not heard her husband use that vicious tone often, but when he did there was not a soul who did not obey him.

Decimus released her slowly. “Your wife speaks when she should not.”

“A trait I admire in her,” Magnus said and held his hand out to his wife.

Reena took it and stood to his side.

“Your reason for being here?” Decimus asked bluntly.

“We came to visit Mary,” Magnus said, recalling how one day his wife burst into his solar and insisted they go see how Mary was fairing. She wanted to leave that day, that very minute. It was obvious she had been worried, then Magnus found out that Reena had received a note from Mary, requesting help. Help with what she had not specified. They left the next day.

“We can set up camp in the woods if we are not welcomed here,” Magnus said, receiving no immediate response from Decimus.

“You may stay,” Decimus said, his own thoughts on the note Mary had sent to Reena. “I will have rooms made ready for you.”

“Thank you for your hospitality,” Magnus replied, though he sounded just as grieved as Decimus. It appeared they both felt the same; Magnus did not want to be there and Decimus did not want him here.

One of Decimus's men rushed into the hall and, after a respectful bow to Decimus, said, “The men are returning, my lord.”

He waved him away and summoned a servant working in the hall. “See that food is brought to our guests and rooms prepared.” He looked to Magnus. “I must see to my duties. Do not get in the way of my men or the workings of this fortress, or you will pay the penalty.”

Magnus waited until Decimus left the hall before he turned to his wife.

Her words prevented his own. “Mary is pregnant.” She lowered her voice. “And I do not think Decimus is the father.”

While Thomas and Magnus set up camp for their men outside the fortress, Reena decided to see what she could learn on her own.

An hour later with a food tray in hand, she joined Brigid. The two women sat at the table near the window and talked in whispers, not wanting to wake Mary.

“I find few who are happy here, and those who claim to be speak out of fear,” Reena said. “One woman wishes she could take Jenna's place as Mary's personal servant. Jenna had often spoken of how kind and considerate the lord's new wife was and many had been jealous. Jenna had also defended Mary against gossip.”

“What gossip?” Brigid asked.

Reena looked to the bed where Mary lay sound asleep. She kept her voice low just the same. “There is talk that Mary was with child before coming to the fortress.”

Brigid shook her head. “But then that would mean that Decimus is not—” Brigid gasped then quickly covered her mouth with her hand and cast an anxious glance to the bed.

“Mary sleeps deeply, probably exhausted by her worries and all she has endured.”

“The father could only be . . .” Brigid looked around the room suspiciously. “The walls have eyes and ears, one can never be too careful.”

“True,” Reena agreed, casting her own suspicious glance. “We will need to be cautious.”

“Do you think the babe is why Mary summoned us?”

“What else could it be?” Reena kept her voice to a murmur. “We must help her get away from Decimus before it is too late.”