Chapter Thirty-Three

B y Saint Michael’s Wings ! This had to be the most insane quest he had ever undertaken in his entire life. The day had just dawned. The steady beat of the battering ram hitting the front gates echoed in the distance. The sun was only a sliver on the horizon, giving just enough light to find the path upward he must take when Richard began his climb. Aye! His climb for he would in no way allow the woman who meant all to him to risk her life on something so dangerous. If one of them was to hazard a treacherous climb and the potential for a deadly fall, then ’twould not be his lady.

He reached upward to grab at another stone in order to pull himself upward. The progress was slow, and he had lost count on the number of times where he had dangled by one arm before he was able to gain the next perch. This was an asinine plan even though he had agreed with Annora that it could possibly work. But there was a problem with he reached the shutter of the second story window. Annora had told him that the clasp was loose and that ’twould be easy to push open the wood. What she did not know was that someone had repaired the clasp, leaving Richard with the options to either return down to the ground in defeat or move upward to the third story window to make another attempt and hope that the higher shutter would be less secure.

He was trying to determine the best course of action when he heard a sound from above. All their plans would be for naught if they were caught, and Richard was waiting for his fate, praying he would not die by scalding oil being poured upon him. He would rather die with his sword in his hand than by any other method. He was surprised to see a tawny-haired boy poke his head from the third floor window and lean down to call to him.

“The way is clear, Sir Knight,” he said with a mischievous grin before disappearing back inside.

Richard had the notion he had just espied Annora’s son who appeared to be as clever and resourceful as his mother. Having hope that all would work out, Richard began to climb again but worried as the stones became smaller, making it far more difficult to find a holding. He was in the process of wondering how he might be able to climb the rest of the way when a rope was let down. He gave it a tug. Thankfully the lifeline seemed as though it might hold his weight.

The boy came back, and this time he was with a woman. “The rope will not fail you, Sir Knight,” she said reassuringly, and Richard could only offer up a prayer that this would be true. There was only one way to find out.

With a brief petition to the heavens above, he took hold of the rope and began to climb hand over hand until he reached the ledge of the window. The woman and boy took hold of his arms and pulled. They all tumbled to the stone floor in a heap. Richard let out a sigh of relief. With their help, he had made it.

The woman untangled her gown from around her legs and stood up to rush across the room to offer Richard a drink. When he had quenched his thirst, he stood to survey the bedchamber and its occupants.

“My thanks for your assistance. I do not believe I would have made it without you,” Richard said gratefully.

“Thought you were going to die about halfway up,” the boy said with a laugh. “But you proved yourself capable in the end.”

“And you are?” Richard asked already knowing the boy’s answer.

“Leif de Maris. Are you here to rescue us?” he asked with hopeful green eyes so much like his mother’s Richard had no doubt as to the lad’s identity.

“Aye. I am Lord Richard Grancourt. Your mother sent me.”

The boys chin quivered. “Is she well?”

Richard placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder, fighting to keep from frowning when he could tell by the boniness that the child had been without food for some time. “She will be once you are back in her keeping.” He turned to the woman.

“My name is Edme. I was Lady de Maris’s maid when she was here. I have been trying to watch over the young master,” she said placing her own hand on the lad’s shoulder. “We were not sure how much longer we could hold out.”

“I am here now, as is Lady de Maris. Meregate will soon be back in her control,” Richard said in what he hoped sounded reassuring. “Where are the men Lady de Maris set free the last time she was here along with her captain?”

“Back where she found them. In the dungeon,” Leif proclaimed crinkling his nose in disgust.

Edme nodded. “I have been trying to sneak food to them to the best of my ability but with supplies running low there is not much to offer anyone.”

Richard swore beneath his breath. He was not surprised by their location, but he feared there would be no chance for them lending any sort of aid if they were weakened from hunger. The most important thing now was to get the gate opened. Could he manage it alone? He started to quickly rethink their plan.

Edme seemed to have read his mind as she offered information. “Clifton Tashe has been lazy of late thinking he is safe within these walls. But with the attempt at the front gate, I heard tell he was to send men to the battlements. I do not believe any were sent to guard the inner bailey as yet. You may still have time to raise the portcullis if you hurry.”

Richard pulled his sword from the scabbard strapped to his side. “Tell me where to go.”

Edme quickly gave him the instructions on the best way to remain hidden while reaching his objective of the front gate. Richard nodded before he turned to the two people who had aided him. He began to realize he might need further help.

“The boy must stay here where I know he will be safe. If anything were to happen to him, I would have to answer to Lady Annora.” He gazed at the lady who had also offered her assistance and wondered if he could ask her to risk her life. He had no choice. “Do you think you could make your way to the dungeon to release the knights being held captive?”

“I can help,” Leif answered for Edme.

He knelt down so he was on the boy’s level. “I would rather keep you safe in this chamber, young Leif.”

The boy frowned and was about to respond when Edme held the boy back from bolting toward the door. “Lord Grancourt is right. You must be kept safe at any cost,” she replied patting the lad on his thin shoulder. She raised her eyes to Richard once he stood. “I can do it, my lord.”

“Then let us get to work to return Meregate to its rightful owner, in the name of Empress Matilda. If I run into trouble, I can only pray those kept against their will have enough strength remaining to join me in freeing Meregate. I doubt I will be able to turn the wheel to raise the portcullis on my own, although I will try,” Richard proclaimed ruffling Leif’s hair. “Stay here and bolt the door when we leave.”

“I could help more on the other side of the door instead of being stuck here by myself,” Leif complained bitterly.

Richard choked back a laugh at the stubbornness of his face. Aye, he was a replica of his mother for certain. They left the room and the sound of the bolt being slid into place gave Richard a fair amount of satisfaction that Annora’s son was at least safe.

He followed behind Edme through the twists and turns of the passageways. When she came to a turret, they rushed down the curving stairs, the woman moving at remarkable speed despite her age. She clearly was more than capable of doing the task he had given her.

When they reached the ground level, Edme pointed ahead. “’Tis just through that door, my lord. Afterwards, you shall need to watch your back for I know not what you shall encounter.”

“Get Annora’s guards free, and then together we shall take care of the rest,” Richard said quietly hoping the woman would not run into any problems.

Richard watched her scurry away and gave her several minutes before he carefully made his way to one of the back doors of the keep. Opening the wooden barrier, he stole a glance outside to ensure that way was safe for him to proceed. He made every attempt to keep hidden from the knights who stood on the battlement walls, no easy task for there was not much to hide behind when he neared the openness of the courtyard. But the constant beating of the battering ram kept those above preoccupied as they watched the display below them with much amusement. They were not clever or disciplined enough to keep themselves on guard for an attack coming from an unexpected direction.

He inspected the wheels to raise the door and knew with a certainty that he would need help, for there were two that must needs be manipulated at the same time. Such a task could not be accomplished without another helping hand. ’Twas obvious that Clifton Tashe had made a few upgrades in the barricade that now kept him safe from the earl’s army on the other side.

“How the bloody hell did you get in here?” a voice rang out in the early morning air.

Richard turned raising his sword to see Tashe entering the bailey with several knights behind him. Richard raised his sword and stepped forward but was pleasantly surprised to see Annora’s captain along with several other men begin to fill the yard. They quickly filed in behind Richard in a show of support. He was grateful for their backing, even though he questioned how much force they could bring to bear, given that they looked as though they had indeed been starving in the depths of the dungeon.

Richard tore his gaze from the threat in front of him to Merek Baringar behind him. “Get that barrier open now or all is lost,” he ordered, and a bellow of outrage was heard from Tashe. “Try not get yourselves killed in the process.”

Tashe had apparently heard enough. “Kill them! Kill them all, the traitors.”

Richard and the few men who stood with them raised their swords, ready for the battle ahead of them. He could only pray that they would not fail his lady.