Page 109 of Lionheart

Mairblanched. "Vanora did not confide in me, but I have reason to believe itis so. She has not had her woman's time since the day she was wed. 'Tis one ofthe reasons I am so worried about her."

Lionheart'slips thinned. If Mair suspected that Vanora carried his babe, then it must betrue. Without mincing words, he told Mair everything Father Caddoc had said.

The newsthat Daffid intended to kill Vanora if Lionheart did not leave Cragdon sentMair staggering onto a bench. "Say it is not so," Mair begged."I cannot believe it of Daffid, Vanora's father would never have arrangedthe marriage if he were aware of Daffid's cruel nature."

"Thinkyou Daffid is bluffing?" Lionheart asked in a voice taut with fear.

"Greedand frustration with one's lot can turn men against God," Father Caddocinterjected. "When Daffid lost his claim to Cragdon, he abandoned hisvalues and repudiated his honor. In his present frame of mind, I believe himcapable of... anything."

Mair burstinto tears. "My lambie is lost," she wailed.

"Ineed to think," Lionheart said. Spinning on his heel, he strode off.

He couldnot think, much less carry on a conversation in his present state. His handsclenched at his sides in frustrated fury. He wanted to kill, and would have ifDaffid were within his grasp. Needing to be alone, he climbed the windingstaircase to the battlements and walked to the edge.

Avoidingcontact with the sentries, he looked out over the frozen ground, the windwhipping his cloak and hair, feeling neither the biting cold nor the snow thatstung his face. Vanora was carrying his child, and both would likely die if hedid not abandon Cragdon to Daffid. He had sworn to defend Cragdon and hold itfor England, and Lionheart's word was his honor. But honor was naught if itmeant sacrificing his wife and unborn child for a pile of stone.

Did Daffidactually intend to let him and Vanora leave in peace? Lionheart wondered. Hecould not imagine such a thing. Daffid intended for him to die. But Lionheartwas not the obliging kind. He would find a way to foil Daffid. His own lifemattered not; 'twas Vanora and the babe she carried that must live.

Clearly,he had to abandon Cragdon as Daffid had directed. Lionheart left the parapet ina grim mood. His men deserved to know what they would face when they rode forthfrom Cragdon. "You have chosen the only course open to you," Gilessaid after listening to Lionheart's explanation. "If not for Lady Vanora,Deirdre and I would still be Daffid's hostages. As long as we are alive, wehave a fighting chance to escape Daffid's plans for us."

"Iagree," Sir Brandon approved. "Any one of your men would ride to hisdeath before abandoning you, Lionheart."

Lionheartreturned his regard to Giles. "Not you, Giles. You and Deirdre must leaveand return to England immediately."

Giles gavehim a startled look. "Nay. Do not ask it of me, Lionheart."

"ForDeirdre's sake, you will obey me. Go and inform your bride."

"Ilike it not," Giles said, stomping off.

Lionheartturned to Sir Ren. "You and your men may remain safely within the keep ifyou so choose. Daffid will spare your lives because you are hiscountrymen."

Sir Ren lookedoffended. "We swore fealty to you and Lady Vanora, my lord, and will honorour pledge. If you ride into the face of danger, so shall we."

Suchloyalty humbled Lionheart. He expected as much from Englishmen, but theWelshmen had a choice. That they remained loyal to him was a testimonial totheir high regard for Vanora.

"Sobe it. Daffid wants us to abandon Cragdon when he arrives or he will killVanora. We are to ride forth without armor or weapons. But I have a plan thatwill not leave us defenseless. Listen carefully while I explain."

* * *

Vanora hadslept very little after Father Caddoc left Draymere. She tried to pictureLionheart's reaction when he learned she was carrying his child but gave upafter imagining the extent of his anger. She prayed his fury would keep himfrom leaving Cragdon and riding to his death, for she knew Daffid did notintend for him to live. And if Lionheart died, so would their child. Daffidwould make sure of that.

AfterFather Caddoc's departure, Daffid had locked her in her chamber. She hadlanguished there until she was released just prior to their departure forCragdon. She had wanted to don her armor, but Daffid had forbidden it. Instead,she was given a drab woolen cloak to cover her coarse brown tunic, escorted tothe courtyard and hoisted upon her horse.

Surroundedby members of Daffid's ragtag army, Vanora had no choice but to follow as theyrode from Draymere. She was so closely watched, she could not have escaped ifshe had wanted to. Snow dusted her cloak with white, and her feet felt like twochunks of ice, but the cold was the least of her worries. She prayeddesperately for a miracle.

Despiteher fervent prayers, Vanora knew that Lionheart would do exactly as Daffidordered . . . and lose his life in the bargain. She racked her brain for asolution, anything that would save Lionheart and his men, but could think ofnaught. So she went back to praying for a miracle.

An eeriesilence hung over Cragdon's snow-shrouded walls as Daffid's army approached thefortress. Naught was stirring but a chill wind that blew swirls of snow up fromthe ground and engulfed them in a cloud of white. Vanora could barely make outthe shapes of the castle's towers as she peered through the churning storm.

Daffidsignaled for a halt just beyond the reach of archers stationed on thebattlements and their deadly arrows. Vanora knew Daffid was taking no chances,but his caution proved unnecessary. With growing horror she saw Lionheart leadhis small cadre of men through the raised portcullis. They wore no armor andcarried no weapons.

"Nay!"she cried, urging her horse through the ranks to Daffid's side. She would haveridden to Lionheart, but Daffid jerked the reins from her hands as she rodepast and stopped her.

IfLionheart heard her warning cry, he did not heed it as he led his menfearlessly toward Daffid's waiting army. Terror-stricken, Vanora began totremble. The man she loved was going to die, and she could do naught about it.

"Sparehim, Daffid," Vanora pleaded. "Cragdon is yours. Let that beenough."