Page 17 of Lionheart

"God'snightgown, I wish I were with them," Fenwood muttered. "The knightwill lead our forces straight to Llewellyn."

"Mayhapyou could watch from the battlements," Mair suggested slyly.

The guardsexchanged speaking glances. "Leave the water," Sir Osgood ordered."We will take it in to the prisoners when we return."

As FatherCaddoc set down the pail, he accidentally bumped into Fenwood. "Godforgive me," he muttered beneath his breath as he handily lifted the keyfrom Fenwood's belt.

Eager toobserve the action from the battlements, both guards bounded up the staircase,leaving the priest and Mair behind. "Do you have it?" Mair hissed."Aye," Father Caddoc said, producing the key from his black cassock.

He fittedthe key in the lock and pushed the door open. "Father Caddoc! What are youdoing here?" Ren asked when he saw the priest standing in the opendoorway. "Where are the guards?"

Mairpeered from behind the priest. "Hurry. There is no time to lose. Down thestairs with you and to the chapel."

The dirty,bearded men poured out of the chamber and clambered down the stairs. Mair heldher nose and flinched as they passed but valiantly stood watch until the lastman had slipped past her.

Then FatherCaddoc locked the door, handed the key to Mair, and fled below with the men.Mair climbed the stairs to the battlements on trembling legs and approached theguards.

"Doyou see anything, Sir Osgood?" Mair asked innocently.

"Nay.They must be well into yon woods by now."

Mairturned to leave, pretended to turn her ankle, and leaned heavily into Fenwood,grasping his tunic for support. With a flick of the wrist she returned the key,wedging it into his belt.

"Herenow, are you all right?" Fenwood asked, reaching out to steady her.

"Aye,thank you." Bobbing a curtsey, she hurried off.

"'Tis done," Mair said when she reached the chapel. "They mightsuspect but they have no proof. Pray that our lady returns unharmed."

Mairwatched anxiously as the last Welshmen fled through the passage behind thealtar. Once they reached the riverbank, they would be free to join Llewellyn’sforces or return to their homes. Father Caddoc closed the door and breathed asigh of relief.

"Returnto the keep, Mair. I will wait here for Vanora."

* * *

Vanoraleft her steed with Drem and made her way to the river, creeping along thesteep bank until she reached the cave. She made sure no one was following, thenducked inside, removed the torch from the sconce, and returned to the chapel.Father Caddoc was waiting for her when she reappeared from behind the altar.

"ThankGod," the priest said fervently.

"Didall go as planned?"

"Aye,all went well. By the grace of God, your knights escaped through thetunnel," Father Caddoc said as he lifted her helm from her head andreturned it to the chest.

Togetherthey divested her of her chain mail. While Vanora changed into her gown, thepriest put away her armor and sword and arranged the robes to hide them.

"Come,child, we will pray together. Methinks you will need all the help you can getwhen Lionheart returns."

Vanora wasstill on her knees in the chapel when Lionheart burst in. His black look didnot bode well for her.

"Sothere you are," he growled. "I have been looking for you. I supposeyou know what happened. The White Knight led us on a wild chase into the hills.Then he disappeared. Did you have a hand in this? Was there a reason my men andI were lured from the castle?"

"Ihave not left the keep; you cannot blame me for something I knew naughtabout," Vanora said sweetly.

"Didyou not?" Lionheart said uncertainly. "Be assured that I will notrest until I have the bastard at my mercy. Pray for his eternal soul, lady, forhis days are numbered."

The wordshad scarcely left Lionheart's mouth when Sir Brandon ran into the chapel andskidded to a halt before him.

"Theprisoners are gone, Lionheart! Every last one of them."