Page 101 of Lionheart

"Here,my lord," Mair said, shuffling toward him, head bowed, shoulders slumped.

"Didyour mistress confide in you? Do you know where she went?"

Clearlydistraught, Mair wiped away a tear and shook her head.

Lionheartdismissed her with a glance, and the woman shrank away, her shoulders quaking.

"Whowas on duty in the gatehouse last night?"

"Thatwould be me, my lord," Sir Osgood said.

Lionheartspeared the man with a piercing look and asked, "Did you raise theportcullis for my wife last night?"

"Nay,Lord Lionheart. I raised the portcullis but once the entire night, and that wasfor Sir Morse."

Sir Morsepushed through the crowd. "Nay! I did not leave the keep last night."

Rage sweptthrough Lionheart. Of course Sir Morse had not left the keep. 'Twas his wifewho'd left under the guise of Sir Morse.

"Iwish to speak in private to Father Caddoc," Lionheart said. "The restof you are dismissed. Arm yourselves and be ready to ride within thehour."

Lionheartwaited until the hall cleared before addressing the priest.

"Wheredoes Vanora keep her armor?"

"In asmall anteroom at the rear of the church. Think you she left Cragdon disguised as Sir Morse?"

"'Tis exactly what I think," Lionheart growled. "Come, we will go tothe chapel together and see for ourselves what folly my wife has wrought."

The chestin the anteroom yielded naught but dusty robes. Too angry to speak, Lionheartslammed the lid down and stormed off. Vanora had gone to Daffid. What in God'sholy name did she expect to accomplish? Her reckless act had only handed Daffidanother hostage. Lionheart had no recourse now but to storm the fortress andpray that the prisoners survived.

Squintingup at the sun, Lionheart realized there was not a moment to lose. If his forceswere to make a surprise night attack, they would have to leave immediately.Foolish, foolish Vanora. Her sacrifice on his behalf had done naught butendanger her own life.

Lionheartwas striding across the inner courtyard when a warning blast from thebattlements stopped him in his tracks.

"Tworiders are approaching!" a sentry called out.

Lionheartclimbed the outside stairs to the parapet and, shading his eyes against theglare of the sun, spotted the riders. They were approaching slowly, headsbowed.

"Oneof them is a woman," someone shouted.

"Raisethe portcullis!" Lionheart ordered. Racing down the stairs, he arrived atthe inner gate as the new arrivals passed through.

Herecognized Sir Giles but not the lady with him.

Lionheartgrasped Deirdre's reins and swung her from the saddle. But for Lionheart'ssupport, her legs would have crumpled beneath her.

Gilesdismounted and swept Deirdre into his arms. "My lady is exhausted,"he said. "She has been through a harrowing experience."

"Takeher up to your chamber," Lionheart instructed. There was a great deal hewanted to learn from Giles, but his wife's health came first. "I will sendMair to attend her and await you in the solar."

"Aye,Lionheart. I will not be long."

Lionheartsent for Mair and directed her to Giles's chamber. Then he climbed up to thesolar, prowling restlessly. His relief was palpable when Giles presentedhimself a short time later.

"Howfares your lady?"

"Mairgave her something to soothe her nerves and put her to sleep. Deirdre has adelicate constitution, and I feared she would fall apart before we reachedCragdon."