Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

This morn, like every one since John arrived at the tower, he woke to the sound of metal scraping against metal. The guards banging on the bars with a metal cup as if they were all animals in a cage. At least his gold provided a warm meal. The routine was monotonous, and John took to marking a line on the wall each day. The constable was misinformed. For he did not die in three days. No, he bided his time, waiting for the king’s pleasure to give the order. More likely Denby was the cause.

After a se’nnight, John was weary of the dull days. When he heard the keys, he stood waiting, pulling his cloak around him. He would not grant Denby the satisfaction of hearing he had taken ill with fever.

“Rabbie. What are you doing here?”

The boy waited until the guard retreated down the corridor before he spoke. The lad tried to be brave, but his eyes leaked, the anguish on his face warning John of terrible news.

“Gone. They are gone.”

Fear dug its claws into his heart. “Who is gone? ”

“Soldiers came. So many. They burned our home.” He hiccupped. “They killed everyone. Even the babes.”

The boy met his gaze, and John had the feeling he was looking into the eyes of an old man.

Rabbie whispered, more to himself than to John, “They killed Magda. She was tending the sick. Soldiers chained the door and fired the hut.” He dried his face on a dirty, torn sleeve.

“I’ve never heard such screams. ’Twas awful.”

A blade sliced through John’s battered heart. Magda had been with him from the beginning. ’Twas she who found him wandering in the wood, half-dead after being attacked by a group of bandits. He could no more imagine a world in which she did not take breath as he could believe the sky green and the grass blue. Silently, John vowed he would avenge her. In this life or the next. He handed the boy a cup of ale.

“They will be missed. Tell me how you escaped?”

Rabbie sniffled. “I’d gone fishing for supper. I heard the screams and smelled the fire. I hid like you taught us.”

John thought the wretched look on the boy’s face must look like his own. He laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“’Twas the right course. The soldiers would have cut you down. Know I will avenge our people.”

Rabbie looked at him with hope in his eyes. “Do ye have a plan to escape? I can help.”

The boy looked around to make sure they were unobserved. Then he reached behind him down the back of his breeches. He grunted and pulled out a cloth-covered bundle. When he opened it, John saw the pouch within. He stifled a chuckle.

“Nasty guards searched me but didn’t find it.”

John opened the bag, the gold gleaming in the candlelight.

“You did well.” John placed the bundle within his cloak. He could use it to bribe one of the guards. At eight years old, the boy had seen a lifetime of tragedy, and yet he was as brave as a warrior.

“I would have died if you hadn’t saved me when I was a babe. There must be a way to rescue you from the tower. To repay you for all you have done.”

“No. You cannot. You will leave and you will live. That will be repayment.”

The small boy had shown such courage that John had to do something for him. What he was about to say might set into motion events he wasn’t ready to face. But John would do what needs be done.

“What I am about to tell you, you must swear not to tell another soul.”

The boy’s eyes were huge as he nodded.

“I have a brother. His name is Robert Thornton. Lord Highworth. Highworth Castle is near Sutton on the Celtic Sea.” John thought for a moment. “You will be safe there from the fighting. Robert will take you in. You can work in the stables. You are good with the horses.”

The boy hopped back and forth from one foot to the other.

“You are a Thornton? Your brothers are very powerful. They will come for you. I will take a message to Lord Highworth.”

“No.” The reply came out sharper than he intended. John took a deep breath and tried again. “Nay, Rabbie. My brothers will lose all if they aid me. You gave your word. Swear you will not speak a word of this to anyone. You will live with Robert and be safe. You will forget me.”

Tears ran down Rabbie’s face, making tracks in the dirt staining his cheeks. His shoulders slumped. Yet he raised his head and looked John in the eye.

“As you wish, my lord. I will not utter a word to anyone. I swear I will carry your secret to my grave.”

“There’s no need to call me my lord ,” John said gently. “My title was stripped from me long ago, lad.”

John roughly pulled the boy to him, ruffling his hair.

“Live, Rabbie. Make the most of life. You deserve better than the life of a bandit. ”

The boy clung to him, his tears wetting John’s tunic.

“I will never forget you. Never forget all you have done for me.” He wiped his nose on his sleeve. “And I will light a candle for those we have lost.”

John banged on the bars and listened to footsteps approach. The guard opened the door and Rabbie walked through it. He turned to look at John, nodded once, and disappeared down the corridor. The key turning in the lock sounded final.

If only he could have moved his people sooner. Saved them. Drowning in a sea of grief, John hung his head, the tears silently hitting the stone floor.

Anna didn’t know how much time had passed when she opened her eyes. But at least the storm had finally passed. How she could fall asleep when she was scared was beyond her, but she was thankful she didn’t have to hear the storm. It was difficult to see in the gloom. Were those people moving around? Was it morning and she was actually in a part of the tower that allowed visitors?

Odd. She didn’t remember lights that looked like torches on the walls.

“No way those were there before.”

The sound of a throat clearing made her jump.

“Who’s there?”

A moan to her right sounded so real it had to be fake.

“Very funny. Ha ha. Good sound effects.”

Anna peered into the darkness. “I know we’re going to be in trouble for being here after hours.”

“Are you lost, demoiselle?”