Page 18 of Lionheart

His face amask of fury, Lionheart rounded on Vanora. "What have you done?"

Chapter Four

Vanoratook a deep breath to still her racing heart. "What did I do? I wasnowhere near the tower. Ask the guards if you do not believe me."

"Iintend to," Lionheart said with deceptive calm. "Stay where you are.I will deal with you after I get to the bottom of this."

He stormedfrom the chapel, and for a long time Vanora could do naught but stare at theplace where he had stood. Dread created a hollow feeling in the pit of herstomach.

What wouldLionheart do to her?

Fear thathe would blame Father Caddoc, Mair and ultimately her for releasing theprisoners weighed heavily on her. Lionheart was a harsh man. Had her rash actplaced the lives of the two people she loved most in jeopardy? Though she knewLionheart's mercy would not extend to her, she wanted to ... had to believe hewould not hurt her friends.

"Heis angry, child," Father Caddoc warned.

"Youhad best escape now while you have the chance. You may not find another."

"Mayhapyou are right, Father, You and Mair must come with me."

"Iwill stay," the priest maintained. "I am a man of God; he can donaught to me. But you and Mair must go. I will find her and bring her toyou,"

"Aye,Father, you are wiser than I. My knights are gone and cannot be punished forwhat I have done. "Tis time for me to leave. I will find Llewellyn andDaffid."

FatherCaddoc hurried off to fetch Mair. Vanora knelt to pray for her safe journey.Unfortunately, Lionheart appeared with Sir Giles at that very moment.

Hands onhips, his face contorted in fury, he roared, "How did you do it?"

"I... did naught."

"Donot lie, vixen. You sent the White Knight to lure me from the keep, thenreleased the prisoners while I was gone." He held out his hand, palm up."The spare key to the tower room—give it to me."

"Thereis no spare key. I went nowhere near the tower. Did your guards not tellyou?"

"Aye,but men do not disappear into thin air. I was told your priest and tiring womanbrought water for the prisoners this morn."

FatherCaddoc and Mair entered the chapel in time to hear Lionheart's words."Vanora knows naught," the priest maintained.

Lionheartturned his icy glare on the priest and Vanora's tiring woman. "Explain tome how you released the prisoners," he ordered harshly. "I knowVanora put you up to it, so do not try to tell me otherwise."

"'Twas a miracle," Father Caddoc said, lifting his eyes heavenward."Your guards were in the gatehouse. How could anyone leave the castlewithout their knowledge?"

"Thatis what I want to know. If my men were remiss in their duty, I will see thempunished."

Vanorasent a warning glance to the priest. Apparently, the guards in the tower fearedto admit they had left their post, however briefly. Lionheart's justice wouldbe swift and fierce should he find out.

"Weknow naught," the priest repeated. "We carried water to the tower andleft."

"Wherewas Vanora during this time?"

"Inher chamber."

Lionheart'sstern gaze found Vanora. Unflinchingly she returned his gaze.

"Didyou not see the White Knight at our gate?"

"Nay,my chamber faces the river. I saw naught."

"Am Ito believe the prisoners flew out the window?"