Page 43 of Knight of Darkness
He looked back whilst she held the fabric of her gown together. “Enjoy your brief moment of victory, Ceridwen. We shall see how smug you are once I have Norwood’s head on a pike outside my gates.”
“Those gates belong to me, Ratcliff.”
“Not any longer.”
“We shall see!” she bellowed as though from the depths of her soul.
He slammed the door, locked it, but held onto the key. No sense taking further chances where that woman was concerned.
*
Throbbing pain droveWymar from his slumber as it slashed its way across his back. ’Twas a reminder of the lash that had been slicing open his flesh whilst imprisoned. Opening one eye, he saw he was in a tent and gave a heavy sigh of relief. He was grateful to those who had risked their lives to save him. He tried to rise but only fell back down on his stomach, the softness of the pallet a welcome reprieve after spending God only knew how many days in that disgusting pit.
A noise at the entrance to his tent alerted him that someone was about to enter and it took every ounce of effort on his part to rise to a sitting position. His head swirled at being upright and Turbert ran to steady him.
“Easy, my lord,” he said, taking Wymar’s arm to hold him in place. “You have had a difficult few days.”
“D-days?” he croaked. “Bring me wine.” Turbert went to a table and poured a cup even as Richard filled the entrance to the tent. After his squire helped him take a drink, Wymar gave him a nod and Turbert took his leave.
“Where is Ceridwen?” he asked attempting to rise.
Richard came to him. “Where do you think you are going? Sit back down, you fool. You do neither yourself nor her any good if you open your wounds again.God’s Blood, you were nearly at death’s door!”
“I may have passed that threshold a time or two. I swear the Devil was about to take me down to hell, if I was not there already when they threw me into that pit.”
Richard helped him take another drink before taking the cup away. “Aye, we thought we lost you there a time or two. We did not risk our lives to save you, however, only to lose you once we got you back to camp.”
“You have not answered my question. Where is Ceridwen?”
Richard ran his hand through his hair clearly frustrated. “Still inside Norwich. Much like you, she did not listen to reason. You may have ended up in the dungeon but she had the feeling she would be held in one of the upper floors of the keep. What information we have been able to gather confirms this to be the truth. It meant that when we liberated you, we were not able to get to her to free her as well.”
“What of the other men who went with me?” Wymar asked, taking a sip of the wine.
“Most perished once you entered the great hall as you probably already surmised. Several were in the dungeon and even now are thankfully back in our camp.”
Wymar nodded. At least some were spared, the brave souls. “And Ratcliff?”
Richard sat on a stool. “He has been lording his position over everyone, much as we expected. A tyrant who is in complete control with no one to gainsay him. We have had no word from Lady Ceridwen, but we have received reports from the servants that confirm she is still inside.”
“Bloody hell!” Wymar attempted to stand but only fell back down upon the pallet. “I am as weak as a babe. How long have I been in and out of consciousness?”
“A se’nnight…” Richard answered.
“That long?” Wymar said in dismay.
“…mayhap more. Honestly, we lost count of the time whilst we did everything in our power to keep you alive to fight another day.”
“I owe you my life, along with the others.”
“You owe me nothing. We have been watching each other’s back for how many years now? I am certain we both have repaid such a life debt more than a time or two.”
“We must needs get to Ceridwen and rescue her,” Wymar said and stood on wobbly legs with his friend’s assistance.
Richard gave a small laugh. “You must know your lady knew she would need our help for her to escape Ratcliff’s plan for her. She did not go into this plan blind. She got his promise of her safety before she entered the keep, but she knew better than to believe he would keep his word. The bastard is a traitor, after all.”
A weak grin formed for the first time on Wymar’s lips. “Had I known who I would be dealing with, I, too, would have planned for him to belie his promise. Her plan for my escape worked well. Now, I still must do all in my power to see her out of Ratcliff’s hands.”
“As resourceful as the lady is, she has come up with something to stall until we can get to her.
