Chapter Twenty-Five

G aliena didn't think she would ever again have to endure a day even half as horrible as the day she lost Adam and Nahara. Or that she would survive if she had to endure it. But she was wrong on both counts.

She'd awoken in the early hours of the morning to find the bed empty of Red. The sense of loss was like an icy chill skimming over her body. He'd left his dagger on the bed near her, but the door was unbarred, and his sword was gone. Sliding from under the covers, she found her chemise, tunic, stockings, and boots, which she hastily donned. She ran the comb that Lady Alyce had given her while at Hawkspur through her hair, plaited it, and tied it with the usual piece of worn ribbon.

She could hear the low murmur of voices through the floorboards, hope springing in her heart that Red was below stairs with the other men and not gone. Her stomach did a little flip and her heart beat a little faster when she saw Red as she entered the room, his mouth curving into that uneven smile that she loved so much. She hadn't realized that she was standing still, staring at him until he rose from the table and walked to her.

When he was standing in front of her, he put his hand on her waist and pulled her closer to him. "I like the way your whole face brightens when you look at me," he murmured, looking at her intently.

"And I like the way you smile when you look at me," she whispered back.

He kissed her on the nose and took her hand to lead her to the table where the other four men sat. The table had been wiped clean of the sand, and only the two pieces of parchment were sitting on the table. "Bard decoded the remainder of the missive following your method of shifting one position at a time until words formed."

Galiena almost couldn't breathe. "And does it implicate The Executioner?"

"No," Red said with a frown. "But it does implicate two lords who have pledged their loyalty to King Edward. One of them was with him the first night we met with the king."

"Which one?"

"Lord Burbek," Red said. "He was the last man to step off the dais when they were leaving."

Galiena remembered him. "He made me uncomfortable, but I attributed it to his arrogance of being nobility."

Ox chuckled. "‘Arrogant' describes most noblemen."

Red spread the parchment on the table for Galiena to read. "Here it is."

Longshanks seeks to weaken.

Old ways are threatened

If Marcher Law is replaced.

Submission not an option.

Beware Tibetot and Gifford.

Rhys to be blamed.

Burbek and Wright gathering forces.

Bring armies.

Meet in

14 December 1284

"If you look at the number of shifts per line," Bard explained, pointing to the numbers written to the side of each line with arrows depicting the direction of the shift, "there is a pattern. There are ten lines total and if the lines are numbered by alternating bottom to top, you get the number of shifts to make. The line on the bottom is one, then the line on top is two, then the next line from the bottom is three, and the next line from the top is four, and so on. The top line shifts left, then next right, and they continue to alternate all the way to the bottom."

Galiena studied the message. "Where are they meant to meet?"

"That's what we don't know," Red admitted, frustration showing on his face. "I copied the message exactly as it was written. That line was short and there was nothing more written on the parchment."

"We need to bring this to the king," Galiena insisted excitedly.

"There's one problem," Bard said. "Two, if we consider the king may not be pleased with us having a copy of the message or that we did not trust his advisor to decipher it."

Galiena's heart sank as the understanding dawned almost immediately. "There is nothing here that ties this to Friar Ferrando. At least, nothing we can prove."

"That's the problem," Red said, blowing out a heavy breath.

"What do we do?" Galiena asked, feeling just as desperate and frustrated as Red. "King Edward and Queen Eleanor will never believe me if I say the friar's voice is the same as the one I overheard in the alley in Oswestry."

"If he wasn't the queen's cousin, I would have killed him already and this would be over," Red said through gritted teeth. "I still haven't ruled out that option."

"We've been discussing other options," Ox said, slanting a warning glance at Red. "Dane is leaving at first light to return to Hawkspur to find Hunter—if he's not already on his way here—and to inform Hawk of what has happened. Hunter has been tracking The Executioner and may know something that we can use to connect him to all of this."

Galiena glanced at the narrow window high on the wall, the first rays of dawn creeping through the opening. A new dawn was meant to be a sign of hope, but she couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that had settled like stones in her stomach.

Red must have sensed her uneasiness because he poured her a tankard of ale. "This will put some color back in your cheeks," he said, sliding close to her on the bench as he wrapped a protective arm around her waist.

She took a sip, then asked, "What are we to do while Dane fetches Hunter?"

"That's what we've yet to decide," Red admitted. "Ox thinks we should bring the missive to the king to show him Lord Burbek is involved and suffer his wrath for not trusting his scribe. If Lord Burbek is arrested, he may reveal the others involved."

"Aye," Ox said with a nod. "The rats will scurry when the ship starts to sink. Burbek may even point his finger at the evil friar once his life is on the line."

"Everyone knows what was done to Daffydd when he was deemed a traitor by Edward," Wolf said, affecting an apprehensive shiver. "The king has proclaimed that the standard punishment for anyone who dares defy the crown."

Galiena looked around the table to see if she was the only person who didn't know what he was referring to. The rest of the men were either crossing themselves or grimacing. "Dare I ask who Daffydd is and what happened to him?"

She saw Red shoot a sharp stare at Wolf when he opened his mouth to elaborate. Turning back to Galiena, he said, "Daffydd was the brother of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the last Prince of Wales killed a year past. Daffydd betrayed King Edward, more than once, and suffered a prolonged and difficult death for it."

"Prolonged and difficult?" Galiena asked. She was reluctant to know the details but felt it necessary to fully understand the consequences should the king feel betrayed by anyone. "I would know exactly what that means."

Red sighed, then said, "It means he was dragged behind a horse to the place of execution, hung by his neck until nearly dead, then taken down to have his entrails cut from his body while he was still breathing. Finally, his limbs and head were severed from his torso, and his head was placed on a pike at the king's palace in London while his arms and legs were paraded through the kingdom to the four corners of the realm as a warning to anyone else who might think of betraying King Edward."

Galiena shuddered at the image. She knew who Llywelyn was, and when he was killed by the English, it effectively put an end to the last rebellion, but she'd been so absorbed in her own grief over her husband and daughter that she'd given little attention to the horrible details that were an inescapable part of war and treason.

"If we go to the king with what we have now," Red said, "we risk Ferrando not being implicated, and escaping. However, if we withhold what we have found, the royal heir may lose his life." Red pursed his lips. "I fear we do not have a choice but to bring the king the translated message."

"Then what will you do about the friar?" Galiena asked Red, a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. The Executioner had taken so much from him, and she knew the depths of the loathing he had for the man. If Red killed him, he faced execution himself for murdering one of the queen's family.

Red held her gaze for several breaths, his jaw set, but there was a vulnerability in his eyes. "Whatever is needed to keep you safe."

A chill ran down her spine at his words. "But not at the cost of you."

The tension between them, and the discomfort of the other men, was growing in the silence that ensued until Ox interrupted. "The sun is up, Dane. Best make haste while you can."

Dane pushed to his feet, then picked up a saddle bag resting against the wall and slung it over his shoulder. "Let's hope Hunter is already on his way here and that we return soon. Otherwise, look for us in four days."

"Godspeed," Ox said.

Four days? It seemed an eternity. Galiena said a silent prayer that it would be soon enough.

And that Red would not do anything to get himself killed before they returned.

*

"I do not understand why the king would not be pleased that you are bringing him the message decoded," Galiena said, her cheek pressed to Red's chest as they embraced, saying their goodbyes. She didn't like that he was going to see King Edward without her to present the message, but she understood his reasoning that she would be a distraction to him if trouble should arise.

"It is his pride," Red said, stroking his hand over her hair, "as with all kings. He did not grant us permission to make a copy of the missive, nor did he task us with decoding the message. By doing so, it seems we do not have faith in him or his chosen advisors. We make them look foolish."

She did not want to think about what might happen to Red if the king was angered by their actions. It was her idea to decode the message, and it was because of her insistence that they were now in this situation. It did not seem right for Red to face the consequences of their actions alone, but she would respect his wishes and stay at the house under the protection of Wolf and Bard. "I trust you will be able to smooth over the king's pride."

"May I be worthy of your trust," he said with a chuckle, giving her a squeeze.

"And I am trusting you to come back to me safe and hale," she added in a quieter voice. It was taking every bit of her control not to show Red how panicked she was about him being taken away from her by some terrible twist of Fate.

He put a finger under her chin and tipped her face up to brush a kiss across her lips that jolted her all the way to her toes. He looked down at her. "I will always come back to you. I cannot breathe without you." He kissed her again, this time more deeply, the taste of his lips and the warmth of his mouth like a balm for her soul.

He looked regretful when he finally broke off the kiss. "I will be expecting you to be right here when I return, ready to finish what we've started."

"With pleasure, Viking," she said, smiling up at him despite the fear churning in her stomach and making her feel ill.

Reluctantly, she released him, and he went to the bedside table to get his dagger. He looked at it in his splayed hand for a long moment, then said, "I think it would not be in his favor to have it found on me if the discussion with the king does not go well." She imagined he would feel vulnerable without it tucked into his boot. He slid it under the mattress for safekeeping, then reached for her hand and led her away from the shelter of their shared room and down the stairs to where Ox, Bard, and Wolf were waiting.

She was still clutching his hand, hesitant to release him, as he picked up the rolled parchment with the translated message from the table and slid it into his boot. To Bard, he said, "If we are not back by midday, or if I have not sent word, take Galiena to Hawkspur by the route we discussed."

"It will not come to that," Galiena said adamantly around the lump of fear and dread clogging her throat. "I will come to drag you from the castle myself if I have to."

"My ferocious she-wolf." He pulled her to him, kissing her hard and quick. The welcome sting of the force of his kiss still pulsed through her lips when he turned away from her and lifted the latch from the door. "Let's go, Ox."

*

Once outside, he waited until he heard the bar slide back into place, then set off for the castle with Ox at his side. The sun had been up for more than an hour, but with luck, they would arrive before the throng of petitioners who sought an audience with him daily.

They were winding between the buildings when they noticed the people on the street were moving toward the main lane stretching from the castle gates to the edge of town, the crowds beginning to gather as some spectacle captured their attention. Fearing the king may be venturing out from the castle, which would delay obtaining a meeting, they followed the crowds to see what was happening.

"Is it the king?" Ox asked someone as they drew near.

"The king left at dawn for a hunt," someone replied. "A contingent of the castle guards just marched past. They seem to be on a mission."

Red felt his blood freeze in his veins. He turned and started to run toward the house with Ox on his heels. He made a silent plea that the soldiers were not en route to the weaver's house as he slipped into a narrow passage between two buildings, then emerged on the street that passed by where they were staying.

The soldiers had turned off the main lane and were marching directly toward the house. Fury burned within him at his own failing: he had underestimated The Executioner.

"Stay back, Ox," he commanded in a low voice. "I will need you on the outside if they arrest the lot of us." Then he took off running toward the soldiers in the vain hope that they would take him and leave Galiena and the others alone.

They were already pounding on the door of the house, and Red knew it may be the death of him, but he yelled to get their attention. When the soldiers saw him, they drew their swords, and several started advancing toward him.

Red held his hands out to show he was not armed. "What is this?" he demanded.

"You are Viggo Algarssen, otherwise known as Red?" one of the soldiers asked, though it was said more as a statement than a question.

"What do you want?" Red demanded again.

"The queen has ordered you be brought to her for questioning," the captain announced. Red recognized him from the first night they spoke with the king and queen.

"For what reason?"

"She will ask the questions. Not you," he sneered, motioning for two soldiers to grab him. Red did not fight, though the urge had his fingers itching and his veins bulging.

One of the soldiers continued to pound on the door of the house.

"You have me," Red said. "Let's get this over with."

"Open up!" the captain yelled at the door. When there was no response, he turned to Red and said, "The woman is also to be brought to the queen."

"No," Red bit out through gritted teeth, rage blurring his vision. "She has nothing to do with this."

"That is not for you to determine," the captain said with a sneer. "Tell whoever is in there to open the door now or we will be forced to break it down and drag her out."

"I'm the one you want. Take me to the queen," Red argued. If he could get the soldiers away from the house, then Galiena had a chance of escaping the city before The Executioner could get his hands on her.

The captain pounded again. "Open the door now!" When there was still nothing from within, he turned to Red and drove his fist into his gut.

Red let out a muffled oomph but gritted his teeth against making any further sound.

"Did you hear that?" the captain called out. "That's your lover being beaten. Open the door now or it will continue."

The captain turned to Red again as the other two guards continued to hold his arms and punch him repeatedly in the face and stomach. Red steeled his jaw and tightened his stomach muscles, but the continuous pummeling was taking its toll on him. He clenched his teeth to bite back his grunts, knowing that every sound he made would be torture for Galiena.

He heard the bar sliding out of the brackets and the front door opened to reveal a castle guard. "They tried to escape out of the back," one of them said as he pushed Galiena through the door and out into the street. The captain had stopped punching Red, but his knees nearly buckled as he watched Galiena being led from the house, her face contorted into a mask of rage. "There's no reason to take her," he grunted, his jaw aching and his stomach heaving as he tried to speak.

With a sword at his back, Bard was pushed through the door next, followed by two more guards. His hair was tousled and the skin around one eye was discolored and puffing. Wolf was nowhere to be seen and Red hoped he had been able to escape before the guards arrived and that he wasn't lying dead or dying somewhere in the house.

"Search the house and search them," the captain of the guard ordered. Several of the men entered the house, and other men searched Red and Bard.

"Don't touch her," Red growled as one of the men moved toward Galiena. She squared her shoulders and glared at the man like an angry feline. Pride burst in his chest; his kitten may be small, but she was fierce. The guard hesitated, looking back and forth between Red and Galiena. "I will hunt you down and kill you if you touch her."

"You are not in a position to be making threats," the captain sneered.

Red kept his gaze locked on the guard near Galiena, even as another guard was running his hands over Red, looking for weapons. "Eventually, I'll be released and what you do next will determine if I let you live or die."

The guard slowly stepped back from Galiena, his hands still at his side.

"No weapons," the guard searching Red declared. "Only this." He handed the rolled parchment to the captain of the guard, who stuck it in his belt with a satisfied nod.

After ransacking the house, the guards returned with Red's dagger. One of the men held it out to the captain, who studied it carefully, then asked, "Where did you find this?"

"Under the mattress in what looks like the woman's room."

"It's mine," Red growled.

"We have what we need." The captain looked at Red with smug superiority, then said, "Bring them all."

Red wanted to howl in frustration as he watched Galiena being forced to walk down the lane with him by the guards. Her demeanor was bold, her back straight, and the set of her jaw brave, but it still felt like a knife to Red's gut, knowing how afraid she must be under her mask of defiance.

The queen was a wise woman, much loved by the king, and not prone to rash deeds. And the king, though known for his temper, was fair and just. But both were being poisoned by Friar Ferrando, a man they loved and trusted, unaware his heart was fueled by pure evil.

Red had watched the queen look upon Galiena with kindness, even gratitude, for the risks she had taken to bring them the missive and the knowledge of the threat made toward their son. He had to cling to the hope the queen would not forget now what Galiena had done for her.