Page 59 of Knight of Chaos
Several minutes later, a click resounded in the area and Richard was able to swing the door open for the knights to gain their freedom. They began thanking Richard but looked to Theobald for guidance on their next steps.
“They will need their weapons,” Ingrid stated the obvious.
“We will find all we need and more if we can just make it to the blacksmith,” Sir Walter said before he continued. “But we must needs tread carefully. The traitor de Payne is certain he will be able to hold off any attack on your part. He has been anticipating your arrival for nigh unto a fortnight.”
Theobald nodded. “I would hope he would expect an attack at the front gates and not coming from inside his own cellars.”
“Ourcellars, my love,” Ingrid said with a slight smile.
“I stand corrected, my dear,” Theobald replied before turning to Sir Walter. “You know this castle better than we do. Tell us what you think the best plan of attack would be now that we have your assistance and have gained access to the castle’s interior.”
The group gathered into a circle with Sir Walter finding various objects to represent different points of the area. Ingrid, Theobald, and Richard listened intently and suggested alternatives as they crossed their mind. Once they were in agreement, they began to proceed up from the dungeon. Ingrid swore that before the day was out, de Payne would be driven from her lands. That is… if he yet lived when they were through with him.
Chapter Forty
Theobald stood watchat the entrance to the blacksmith whilst the half dozen men they had freed inspected the weapons available to them. That there was only a total of nine of them to hold off however many were loyal to de Payne was of major concern. He knew it had been a blow to Ingrid to learn that many of her garrison had chosen to align themselves with de Payne. How could they fight against nearly an entire garrison of knights with only their meager numbers? Theobald could only hope that the men’s loyalty to de Payne did not run deep. He and Ingrid would not last long if there was a large number of knights truly willing to fight to the death to defend de Payne as their leader.
His gazed traveled to Ingrid. She must have had the same thoughts for she turned worried eyes in his direction. She was an accomplished swordswoman—of that he had no doubt. But she had history with de Payne. The man would not accept anything other than a victory over her. How were they to capture de Payne without too much bloodshed to the knights of the garrison? He would need them in order to hold this castle for the Empress and ensure his family’s safety in the years to come. ’Twas a conundrum for which he had no immediate answer.
A commotion outside the smithy had everyone holding their weapons before them in anticipation of what they might meet. A horse and rider rode into the bailey followed closely by several knights. They began to dismount, and Ingrid let out a startled gasp when she saw de Payne on one of the steeds. The sound must have alerted de Payne since his head swiveled in their direction.
Dismounting from his horse, he withdrew his sword from the scabbard at his side. “Who is there? Search the smithy,” he ordered with a nod of his head.
Theobald stepped forward with Ingrid and their men right behind. “No need to search, de Payne. I believe you have been expecting us.”
Roger’s eyes widened when he noticed the men who had been held hostage in the dungeon. “How the bloody hell did all of you get free?”
“Does it matter?” Theobald stated before addressing the knights who had been riding with de Payne, along with those who began to gather to witness the happenings in the bailey. “I am Theobald Norwood, Earl of Calbridge. This lovely lady is the missing heiress to this estate, Lady Ingrid de St. Maur, who is now also my wife. Your allegiance to this man has been misplaced as he has no legal claim to this land.”
“You speak a falsehood,” de Payne shouted. “I hold this land for the rightful king of England, Stephen.”
A rumbling went through the crowd when de Payne mentioned the usurper’s name. Ingrid stepped forward. “We have legal claim to Calbridge as I am the sole surviving heir to these lands. We also carry the seal of the Empress Matilda, and we hold this land onherbehalf.”
A small cheer rang out until de Payne spoke out. “Silence, or you shall feel the bite of my blade,” he warned the crowd.
Theobald’s sword swung forward. “You have no right to threaten my people, nor shall you continue to rule here. Let us finish this, just you and I, and let the winner have the final word on who shall reign.”
“You are alarmingly overconfident, Norwood,” de Payne sneered. A smug laugh left his lips before his gaze traveled the length of Ingrid’s body. “I look forward to finishing what we started in Winchester, my pet.”
“Is that any way to have speech with my wife?” Theobald snarled stepping forward.
“Once you are dead, that will no longer be an issue,” de Payne bellowed. “You heard the man. No one interferes. I have a debt to settle that is long overdue. After today, I will again claim this land andthatwoman as mine.”
The clang of steel meeting steel as the two blades clashed together echoed in the air. Theobald continued his attack without mercy, for he would in no way fail Ingrid or his Empress by allowing de Payne to win. But his adversary was a seasoned warrior, and Theobald would not have an easy victory over this knight.
They continued their assault on one another, hacking away until they both bore small nicks upon their bodies where their opponent’s blade had made contact. ’Twas not enough for either man to claim victory, so their swords continue to meet repeatedly. And then the unthinkable happened—Theobald lost his balance. He fell to the ground, holding his breath whilst waiting for de Payne’s sword to strike the killing blow.
He watched the descent of the steel as though in slow motion, but the blow to kill him never came. His enemy’s blade was halted by another, and he looked into the familiar hazel eyes of his wife.
“I think not, de Payne,” Ingrid hissed.
“You think to best me?” de Payne laughed in amusement.
“Why not let my sword prove my worth? Let us finish what was started back in Winchester,” she taunted as they now came to stand before one another.
An evil chuckle left de Payne’s lips. “Kill them! Kill them all!”
Chaos erupted in the bailey as the knights who had sided with them and the Empress took on the dozen men loyal to de Payne. Theobald got back to his feet and resumed fighting for his very life. A quick glance at his wife told him she was holding her own, and for that he was thankful. He prayed that mayhap he had worn de Payne out after their previous altercation. Sir Walter swung a sword in one hand and a battle ax in another as he took on two knights. ’Twas an impressive sight to behold.
