Chapter Thirty-Six

E lysande pulled the edges of her cloak closer to her neck as she and the small company gathered around their empress whilst making their way to the postern gate. 'Twas the first time that she could remember where Hawke did not accompany her and she already felt the loss of his presence. Elysande had no notion as to the time of night other than 'twas late and no man or beast should be braving the bitter cold of this winter's eve. But the brisk chill in the air and the snow that blanketed the earth fit in perfectly with the empress's plans to make her escape.

Richard turned to address the group before opening the gate door. "Remember… your silence is imperative to this plan working. We must needs tread carefully once outside this gate as our enemy will be near at every turn."

The empress took hold of Richard's arm. "Let us proceed, Grancourt. We have a long journey ahead of us once we cross the river."

Elysande gulped, thinking of the mighty Thames River and what might happen should the ice not hold. A freezing death in the churning cold water was no way to die and she shuddered at the possibility that they might not reach the other bank.

But there was no time to worry over the possibility of freezing in a river when they must first maneuver through the ranks of Stephen's army. She took one last look at the keep before Reynard took hold of her hand, gave her a quick kiss, and then pulled her through the gate. The last chance to change her mind was gone in an instant and she now had no choice but to follow her husband and the men who began tiptoeing through the forces that were surrounding them.

Elysande could barely breathe, terrified as she was that at any moment they would be discovered. She also couldn't stop shivering, both from fear and from the bitter cold that began to seep into the hem of her gown as she trudged through the snow-covered ground. No man in his right mind would be out in weather such as this, and Elysande should not be surprised that they began to easily make their way around the camp of invaders. No doubt Stephen's soldiers were huddled away in what shelter they could find.

And then the unthinkable occurred when a knight stepped from his tent, bumping straight into Richard.

"You!" a voice hissed.

Richard took hold of the knight and muffled the cry of alarm by placing his hand over the knight's mouth.

The empress stepped forward. "This knight…he is known to you, Grancourt?" she softly asked before looking in every direction for another knight to jump out at them.

"Aye, my Empress, and he is a she ," Richard answered, taking a firm hold of the woman.

Reynard pulled Elysande closer whilst they tried to reassess their dire situation. "Bloody hell," he murmured.

The empress looked at the young woman who glared at those around her with hatred flashing in her eyes. "This changes our plans only somewhat. Take her back to the castle, Grancourt, since you are previously acquainted with this… lady . Norwood, you take the lead whilst Elysande stays with me. Kennarde and Goodee can bring up the rear and watch for threats from behind."

Richard pulled the struggling woman closer before turning to Reynard. "Be as quiet as possible as sound will travel. Watch them all and above all your back."

"Aye, I will. And you do the same, brother," Reynard replied, knowing this man was just as much a brother to him as Wymar and Theobald.

They watched as Richard disappeared into the night with his lady captive and they then continued forward in the hopes that no other would decide to come out into the night at this hour. They were now one man down and thoughts of an entire army coming up against only three knights caused Elysande to once more quiver in fear. The empress took hold of her hand, and the two women held each other close as they continued to creep through the camp until they reached the edge of the river.

Blake stepped onto the ice first, bouncing up and down to test the thickness, always aware of the death that awaited them if 'twas too thin. "'Twill hold," he uttered quietly and waved his hand for the group to follow him.

Reynard held out his hand to the empress who took a hesitant step at first…but she then gave a wide smile and reached for Elysande's hand. "Let us away," she murmured, and the two women began to make their way across the frozen river.

Elysande continued to fear for her life despite the reassurance that the ice would hold. Halfway across, the ice cracked beneath her booted feet and she again held her breath and began to pray. But thankfully the ice held and soon they were across the river. No other alarms had sounded, and there was a collective sigh of relief as everyone stood on the opposite bank and peered back to what might have awaited them.

Reynard took his wife's hand. "We had best make haste. We still have a long way to go before we reach Abingdon where we may procure horses to continue onward."

Elysande continued to gaze across the river. So many enemies had been but a heartbeat away. God must surely have been on their side for the empress and her small guard to make it through unscathed. Elysande would be sure to give Him praise when she could offer up her prayers.

But the way to Abingdon was not easy, not when the heavy snow hindered their way. Their cloaks became weighed down from the wet frosty snow that seeped into the linen. Their boots were soaked and their bodies so stiff with cold that Elysande was unsure at times if she could take another step. But she reached down into the depths of her soul for inner strength. If the empress could manage this journey, then so could she.

Six miles… six long miles of silence between them. Stumbling and falling into the deep snow causing Elysande to grow even colder but eventually, they reached their objective. Reynard went to find horses so they could ride to the empress's vassal Brian fitz Count in the nearby town of Wallingford. But riding a horse proved to be almost more difficult than walking as the wind whipped against their bodies as they galloped toward Wallingford. Elysande was never more grateful than when they reached their destination and were welcomed into a hall with a roaring fire.

Huddling under a heavy blanket, Elysande could barely talk whilst her body began to thaw from her ordeal. Brian fitz Count listened intently to the recounting of their escape.

"And you just boldly made your way through his entire encampment?" Brian asked in obvious wonder. Even Elysande could barely believe they escaped without much incident.

The empress huffed as though she had taken a walk in a park. "'Twas nothing short of a miracle. We were only spotted by one, but that obstacle was quickly taken care of."

Brian's eyes widened. "You had the knight killed for his body to later be discovered?"

Kingsley spoke up. "Nay. Richard Grancourt took care of the matter. The two had history together apparently."

Brian shook his head in disbelief. "'Tis hard to believe you would allow a knight to live given he could have alerted the entire camp. Sounding the alarm may have led to a handsome reward for Empress Matilda's capture."

Blake took a sip of his mulled wine. "The knight happened to be a woman who has been fighting for Stephen's cause. Richard led her away to silence her."

Reynard nodded. "Aye. I did not relish being down one knight to protect our empress but as you can see we still managed to reach here without any further trouble."

"'Tis a miracle we made it across the river," Elysande finally spoke out.

The empress patted Elysande's hand. "But we did, thankfully. Concealing ourselves with our white clothing so we could blend in with the snow was an added boon. Plus, the weather was frigid, keeping Stephen's men slumbering the night away… praise God." Everyone murmured their agreement to the empress's words.

"Where will you head next?" Brian curiously asked.

Reynard stood, knowing how exhausted Elysande was. She looked up with him with gratitude shining in her eyes. "Once we have rested, we ride for Devizes. The empress will find a safe haven there and anyone who is loyal to her will know she will travel to this stronghold."

"My house is yours for as long as you would like. 'Tis an honor to have our empress here among her people. I know you are tired, so I bid you to rest. Rooms have been prepared for you," Brian declared, snapping his fingers whilst servants appeared to take Brian's guests to their chambers.

Reynard held out his hand to Elysande and she stood to be enveloped in his warm arms. Following the servant up the stairs to the third floor of the keep, the door was opened for them. Once they stepped inside, Reynard shut out the world so that they were alone. Elysande gave a happy sob of relief and flung herself into Reynard's arms.

"I have never been so scared in my entire life," she cried whilst Reynard's arms enveloped her.

"You are safe now, my love," he whispered resting his chin on the top of her head. "I am so proud of you. You never once complained even after you fell so many times in the snow."

A light laugh escaped her. "I could not complain… not when the empress was depending on me. I am just thankful I was not left behind and that we were not found out."

"We can give thanks to a higher being come the morn. For now, let us undress and crawl into that bed."

Elysande gave a contented sigh. "I never thought a bed could look so inviting for anything other than making love in it with my husband."

Reynard leaned down and gave her a kiss that was so enticing that Elysande began to purr, filled with a need only Reynard could fulfill. "Perchance you have a little energy left for me?" he asked with a wink.

She gave him a wicked smile. "Why, you must have read my mind, my love," she answered, pulling at his tunic to reveal his bare chest.

Their clothes began to find a place on one part of the floor after another until they were writhing together on the bed. Their lovemaking was fierce as though there was an urgency to reach their climax after all they had endured. As Reynard took her higher into the heavens above, she shattered like a burst of white-hot lightning brightening an evening sky She called out his name and in turn he, too, found his release.

And when their breathing finally returned to normal, Reynard wrapped his arms around her, bringing Elysande into his side, her head resting on his chest where she could hear the steady beat of his heart. They found their slumber, not even realizing the new day had already dawned.