Page 77 of Pippa of Lauramore
Iknow I’ve met my end as the glasseln dives for me. Then, just as I tense for impact, several arrows fly from the dark of the forest toward it. The beast falls from the sky to the ground. It pulls itself up and looks for its attacker.
Several archers burst from the trees behind us and send another series of arrows at the glasseln, making it shriek.
Percival appears like a glorious king of legend, leaps from his horse, and charges toward the cat. Father’s knights are right behind him.
Strong hands pull me away from the madness. The riders have brought torches, and the night looks as if it’s on fire. The glasseln is surrounded, and I can’t see a thing. I pull against the arms holding me.
“Pippa, be still,” Sir Kimble says, keeping me back.
The beast gives one last horrific hiss, and then everything is silent.
Percival turns away, his sword slick with blood. Leonora runs to him, sobbing. He holds her tightly and asks if she’s hurt. She assures him she isn’t.
No one, including my father or Alexander, who have also come, ask if I’m hurt. You would think they would, since I was moments from death and blood is draining from my shoulder.
Archer would have if he were here.
It’s chaos. Marigold is bawling again, and Father is trying to soothe her. Knights examine the glasseln. Their mail shirts shine in the torchlight as they lean over, hesitant to touch the cat although it’s dead.
Percival finally looks up, and his gaze lands on me. His eyes narrow, and he’s shaking with anger. I shrink back. “Pippa! What were you thinking? It’s one thing to put yourself at risk, but Leonora as well? And Lady Marigold!”
Every eye in the party lands on me, and I blink.
“It wasn’t her fault,” Leonora says. “We were kidnapped.Pippa saved us.”
Since every one of them is staring right at me, I witness the play of expressions on their faces. First, they’re incredulous, then horrified…then murderous.
“Who kidnapped you?” Father demands.
I step forward, feeling brave now that his fury isn’t focused on me. “Three men from Errinton. They surrounded us while we picnicked by the lake.”
“They drugged Pippa and me,” Marigold says, her voice weak. She crosses her arms and shivers.
“They took us to a cave.” Leonora looks up at Percival. “Once the poison wore off, we sneaked down the tunnels, climbed the rock walls, and escaped out a large hole in the ceiling!”
I hide my smile behind my hand. She looks quite proud of herself—as she should be.
Percival goes ashen. “Did they drug you as well?”
She shakes her head then leans against his chest and says, “No.”
He wraps his arms around her back and breathes out, obviously relieved.
“Are you all right, Lady Marigold?” Alexander asks the weeping woman. She dissolves into a fit of tears, and he holds her, patting her back as she cries.
I feel odd, standing here by myself. I look away from them.
The knights go to their horses, following my father. He turns to me. “Where is this cave?”
“It’s the one you found me at the other evening,” I answer, and then I feel my cheeks warm.
Father doesn’t notice. “Seven with me. Alexander, you come as well. The rest of you escort the girls back to the palace.”
After they’ve mounted, he kicks his horse forward, and they take off into the woods.
“How did you find us?” Leonora asks the group that’s left.
My uncle glances at the sky. “We heard the glasseln. Ewan feared the worst. We followed its cries.”
